The start of a real estate purchase in my neighborhoods near Hawi often begins like this. You are a visitor to the Big Island staying at one of the luxury resorts of the Kohala Coast, and eventually drive the 30 minutes to North Kohala. Wow! You fall in love with the old Hawai'i charm of Hawi and Kapa'au, or the beautiful scenery and history you encounter on a zipline or ATV excursion. Captivating sunset lights up the sky below Puakea Ranch estate home for sale (MLS 235911) for $2,000,000 Heading out of town from Hawi back down the coast, you pull over by the side of the road to watch the sunset, parked in front of the gates of Puakea Bay Ranch or the Ranch at Puakea on the ocean side of the road, or next to the horses and cattle grazing on the Puakea Ranch side of the road. At any of t... 06/24/2011

Hey --- Here's part 2 of the home auction drama--- As I watched the on-line "auction action" with 7 minutes until bid-closing, my clients Peggy & Leo were right in there slugging with a bid of $430,000. Just to be safe, I gave Peggy a call in those last few moments to be sure she knew about the 10% "buyer's premium" that the auction house adds to the winning bid---- So if her $430,000 bid was the winner, she'd be on the hook for $430k + $43k = $473,000. Peggy said, "What?!? I never saw that on the auction site." Sure enough, in a little gray link at the bottom of the auction site "Terms & Conditions", there was the 10% hook. We both knew that $473,000 was more that she wanted to pay Peggy: "Wow, thanks, Forrest---I'm outa here." So---- did I lose a sale? Or save a client from an unexpec... 09/25/2010

Although much of the activity in North Kohala (Hawi - Kapaau) in the past month was in the lower end of the market, the two residential sales were at the upper end.  Interestingly enough, each of these properties sold for $50,000 above their last listed price!  The Puakea Bay Ranch property had a significant price reduction that prompted multiple offers, and sold for $1,650,000 to a family whose children will bring life and sparkle to what has primarily been a community for well-heeled retirees and part-time residents.  With the only active listing there being the oceanfront estate for $13,750,000, it is likely that lot listings will get more attention in coming months. The only Puakea Bay Ranch active listing is this oceanfront estate for $13,750,000 (MLS 232548 ) The Hawi Historic Hom... 09/01/2010

Love the idea of the upcountry paniolo ranching lifestyle but don't like the cold winter wind whipping into Waimea (Kamuela) from snow-capped Mauna Kea? Want big ocean views and year-round sunsets but not the resort lifestyle?  Forget about Waikii Ranch or Kohala Ranch and try Puakea Ranch near Hawi in North Kohala.  Just listed at $2.2 million.  Brand new home of 3703 sq ft with 1646 sq ft of covered lanai and an oversized garage.  Big 25 acres stretching down towards the ocean keeps your view unobstructed (except for grazing cattle or maybe your horses on this beautiful property). Three bedrooms, office or fourth bedroom, media room, formal dining room, huge bathrooms.  70% self sufficient in electricity thanks to solar panels and a windmill.  And only 3 miles from the shops, restaura... 06/22/2010