Real Estate

KaMilo at Mauna Lani 214 In Escrow!

I just put into escrow this beautifully furnished four-bedroom, "Honua B/Plan 6" floor plan in Ka Milo at Mauna Lani. This is one of only six built of this 4 bedroom plan at KaMilo. Quality features include dual master suites with the additional master bedroom suite upstairs. Enjoy it's proximity to the best recreation center in the Mauna Lani Resort. This home is being sold turn-key and furnished for vacation rental. 2019 gross vacation rental income was $85,000.00. The four bedrooms, 3.5 baths, paired-home includes luxury finishes and an open floor plan with dramatic vaulted ceilings. The chef's kitchen includes Thermador appliances and cabinetry plus, granite countertops, and a large island and wine refrigerator. Both guest bedrooms have access to a private courtyard area. The master suites boast individual lanais, a large walk-in closet, dual sink vanity, soaking tub, walk-in shower, and plenty of space. Don't miss the views toward Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa over a lush greenbelt from the covered lanai. The luxury BBQ affords...

Hawaii County Property Tax Increase

The Hawaii County Council recently passed a new budget targeting “luxury real estate” valued at $2 million+. Most of these properties are located along the west side of the island near Kona and within the Kohala Coast Resorts. The County approved a budget and tax scheme raising taxes on secondary homes on the additional value, that exceeds $2 million, approximately 18.38% or $13.60 per $1000 in value. The first $2m will be taxed at the same rate as last year or $11.10 per $1000 in value. No additional taxes were passed for all other classifications even though gross taxes could increase as the County’s Tax Valuations continue to climb upward. As an example, annual taxes on a $10 million home will increase by $20,000 to $131,000. Source: Hawaii County Real Property Tax Office website.

Market Conditions July 2020

The May 2020 real estate sales market showed the full effect of the Covid-19 virus pandemic on Hawaii Island real estate sales and the positive June stats show the recovery off the May bottom. This is primarily because May closed sales were booked in March and April after the shelter in place, 14-day visitor quarantine and Short Term Vacation Rental ban were all in place. All negative for buyer and seller psychology. The June sales show the effects of multiple positive developments including the State’s lifting of local inter-island travel restrictions without quarantine and the announcement that as of August 1, out of State travel would be allowed without 14-day quarantine with a negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours of arrival. These positive developments didn’t change the low inventory numbers but it does have an effect on buyer behavior I believe. I put Kulalani at Mauna Lani into escrow yesterday and had 4 contracts submitted on KaMilo at Mauna Lani 214 all within the last week. None of the contracts were successfully ne...

In Escrow-Kulalani at Mauna Lani 1902

68-1118 North Kaniku Dr, Waimea, HI 96743 MLS# 635900 I just put into escrow one of the best values in condominium ownership within the Mauna Lani Resort at Kulalani at Mauna Lani #1902 listed for $899k. This home is offered fully furnished/turnkey with a successful vacation rental history. The floor plan offers over 2000 square feet of fabulous open, and private, luxury living with great garden views. This unit is located within a 4-plex building that offers spacious 2-car garages. The front entry experience includes a private courtyard which leads into a two story foyer that features a spiral staircase. This space is filled with light from the upper floor, clear story windows that pierces the lower level living and dining rooms. The ground floor master bedroom includes an on-suite bath with a jetted tub and separate tiled shower, walk-in closet and 10' ceilings. Two guest suites are located upstairs with their own private bathroom. Surfaces and kitchen features include granite countertops, tiled floors, GE built-...

Nohea at Mauna Lani Homes Feature Timberstrand High tech lumber

Our Nohea at Mauna Lani homes features Weyerhaeuser's Trus Joist Timberstrand LSL Framing lumber throughout all structures and their interior and exterior walls. Some builders use Timberstrand engineered lumber in kitchens and baths where cabinetry, fixtures, and tiles must adhere to straight and true framing. We use it throughout the house to ensure the best builders' quality. When buyers are spending millions on their Nohea dream home filled with tall walls, open spaces, and filled primarily with exterior windows and sliding doors, it's essential that the walls are straight, durable, and true and will remain so. Whether it's assuring cabinets hang straight or multistory windows or sliding doors work smoothly without losing their seals due to shifting wall structures, Timberstrand is the right material for the job. We start with straight walls and avoid the hassles caused by warped studs that are often reflected on the drywall and exterior stucco when new and into the future. TimberStrand LSL used throughout our Nohea at Mau...

Nohea at Mauna Lani homes built with high tech roofing materials

Inspire Roofing Partners with Nohea at Mauna Lani We use Inspire® by Boral® Slate for our homes at Nohea due to it’s authenticity, beauty, and quality. Inspire® slate provides the industry’s finest artistry through natural textures and unique color palettes that enhance our homes unique and beautiful attributes. Inspire slate brings authentic textures and hues, crisp edges, and defined details which bring sublime beauty to every home. Crafted using molds cast from the finest natural materials; Inspire® delivers the rich and stunning aesthetics of authentic hand-cut slate or the warmth of genuine hand-split cedar shakes, without the weight or cost. Lightweight which reduces underlying framing Low Maintenance-safe to walk on for Solar installation Class 4 Hail Rated 110 Wind Resistant Class A Fire Rated Limited Lifetime Warranty Nohea offers owners a unique opportunity to purchase their dream home within the award winning Mauna Lani Resort. Nohea’s Luxury resort homes offer modern floor plans and feat...

Market Conditions May 2020

The May 2020 real estate sales market showed the full effect of of the Covid-19 virus pandemic on Hawaii island real estate sales. This is primarily because May closed sales were booked in March and April after the shelter in place, 14-day visitor quarantine and Short Term Vacation Rental ban were all in place. I will continue to monitor the effects and report on the number of units in escrow and closed sales as we go forward and update July 1. Values at this point have remained steady as new listings are few, indicating sellers are reluctant to list in the middle of the current negative quarantine conditions, which is positive for values as few listings keep our available inventory low. The number of Sales have declined faster than the decline in the number of new listings coming on the market so in some areas and classes of real estate, the average sold price has actually increased. As restrictions on Short Term Vacation Rentals, 14-Day Mandatory Quarantine for new arrivals and flights to Hawaii are restored-sales should cont...

Market Condition April 2020

The March 2020 real estate sales market remained primarily unchanged Year over Year for Hawaii Island for March 2019 vs. March 2020. This is primarily because sales were booked in January and February as the coved-19 pandemic was developing. April 2020 sales reflect the COVID-19 effect clearly as these stats reflect Buyer’s actions in February and March 2020 as flights were cancelled and quarantine mandates were implemented which diminished visitors to the island. I will continue to monitor the effects and report on the number of units in escrow and closed sales as we go forward and update June 1. It’s too early to tell how these declines will effect values at this point as new listings are few, indicating sellers are reluctant to list, which is positive for values as few listings keep our available inventory low. As restrictions on Short Term Vacation Rentals, 14-Day Mandatory Quarantine for new arrivals and flights to Hawaii are restored-sales should continue. Let’s hope this happens sooner than later. The chart b...

COVID-19 Affects on Hawaii Real Estate

I thought it would be helpful to write a blog post on my observations during the beginning of the Virus outbreak and its current effect on resort sales and listings. I've included slides from a webinar I watched from CORELOGIC, Strategic Agility in Uncertain Times: Real Estate & Rental. CORELOGIC has a world-class economic forecasting team with commentary on various slides presented. CORELOGIC has access to most MLS systems within the US and Canada, where they can peer into real-time happenings in many markets, including our own in Hawaii, which is insightful. Here is a link to the Webinar: https://corelogic.zoom.us/webinar/register/2015873986761/WN_XWB88BbURteTZt7j3E5NWQ My own experiences have been positive regarding listing and selling real estate so far. I have a Canadian buyer client that negotiated a contract during the last few weeks of February to purchase a Mauna Lani condominium. As the news got worse regarding travel bans from China and Europe, the contract negotiations became easier until we were able to agree. ...

In Escrow-Islands at Mauna Lani P-1

(click the images to view larger) I just put into escrow for my buyer client, a beautiful, large three bedroom, three bathroom townhome in The Islands at Mauna Lani. This floor plan features three master-like suites, all with ensuite baths and one with a soaking tub. The selling owner renovated the home's kitchen and master bath and is providing the property furnished. The Islands at Mauna Lani were conceived to be a low-density, "island" of homes surrounded by water. It was the Tokyu Corporation's vision to bring the ocean experience inland one mile in the early 1990s and develop 46 townhomes in a duplex and four-plex configuration, all with large, 2-car garages and large lanais off the upstairs master suite and downstairs living areas. Most of the units are situated along the 14th and 15th fairways of the Mauna Lani North Golf Course. The other properties now have spacious garden views. Check out the slide show above from the original book-like brochure I found at a Waimea Thrift shop a few years ago. Notice the ponds in th...