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Kamuela, HI Real Estate News

By Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker, Put 40 years of experience to work for you
(Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker)
One of the places I rarely go online is Facebook. Probably because I'm too busy chatting about real estate on Active Rain and also because I can get sucked into it. Just like I can get sucked into Twitter. Start reading it, and the feed never stops, never, it just keeps going, and I never catch up to where I started, and it drives me crazy.If you give in and turn your life over to Facebook, well, I envision only bad things happening. But every once in a while, it's fun to pop in and say hello, see what everybody has been up to. The trouble is then a precedence is set and people expect you to be friendly and chatty all of the time. Sort of like the woman from Watsonville I met on the beach yesterday with her 4th husband. When she heard I sell real estate, she said she could never be in r...
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By Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker, Put 40 years of experience to work for you
(Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker)
Some guy who fancies himself a Sacramento home buyer just called me to talk about a home in Elk Grove. Yes, even on a Hawaiian vacation I pick up my calls. He doesn't seem to know much about the area, and he thought the home he was calling about was an REO because that's how Zillow classified it. It would seem that he couldn't even take the time to read the copy on the home but just picked up the phone. I tried to explain how he could improve his home buying experience, but with some people, when they actually believe they have it dialed in, you've just gotta let them go make their own mistakes.You know what is never a mistake, though? Devouring as many Maine lobsters as you can fit into your mouth. You can read more in my personal blog today and see the photographs at this link: The Be...
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By Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker, Put 40 years of experience to work for you
(Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker)
Even while in Hawaii, unpleasant things continue in my life. I am still struggling with my website; it's a never-ending story from last June. A few days ago, the website guys rolled back my site because they had made some sort of error, or inserted code where it should not have been, I dunno, but they wiped out 3 of my blogs. They are having a problem because I have a photo on top of a photo and a slideshow, and javacript errors are happening in WordPress.In my mind, you'd think they'd spend 30 minutes on this project and they would be done, if they weren't stopping all the time to shoot up crack. I asked them to immediately replace my blogs but that didn't happen, so I had to do it myself. Sometimes you can solve problems yourself and sometimes you can't.The bad comes with the good, an...
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By Korby Matsen, R(B), REALTOR Broker - Kohala Coast, HI 808-557-5321
(Hawaii Luxury Real Estate RB-21156)
The number of single family homes sold in July 2015 on the Kohala Coast increased slightly from July 2014, with 40 homes selling in July 2015, up from 32 homes in July 2014. That increase was not shared by both North Kohala and South Kohala, as North Kohala was down slightly from 7 homes sold to 5 homes sold, while South Kohala enjoyed an increase from 25 homes sold up to 35 homes sold. Like North Kohala’s results, the number of condos sold in July 2015 was also down slightly, dipping from 18 units in July 2014 to 12 units this July.   Along with the increase in the number of single family homes sold in July, the overall year-to-date volume also increased in 2015, with 167 homes being sold by this time last year and 192 homes being sold this year. Although that overall increase did not ...
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By Korby Matsen, R(B), REALTOR Broker - Kohala Coast, HI 808-557-5321
(Hawaii Luxury Real Estate RB-21156)
Find  homes for sale in the Ka Milo Community of Mauna Lani Resort You will love the quiet and friendly Ka Milo community in the Mauna Lani Resort, with its winding, tropically landscaped streets, luxury homes and magnificent golf course and mountain views. A planned, gated community that offers its residents the world class amenities of the Mauna Lani Resort, as well as its own amenity center that is spread over several acres. It includes two pools, a spa, cabanas and a modern exercise facility. Ka Milo would be a great place for you and your family to live or spend your Hawaiian dream vacation at.Request a free custom evaluation for your Home in the Ka Milo Community of Mauna Lani Resort today.Luxurious and Spacious Homes in the Ka Milo CommunityThe one and two story, 3 or 4 bedroom h...
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By Kona Home Team (LUVA LLC) Lance Owens (RB-24133), 2024 Real Estate Expert - Hawaii Island
(Kona Home Team (luva llc))
  The magnitude of who you really work for has a way of settling in, when you open up USA Today and see one of the properties that your brokerage manages, not only on that list, but it is number 4 on that list! Interestingly enough its the only home from Hawaii that made the list. Here is a quote from the article:"When it comes to finding the perfect vacation rentals, most of us have a list of must-haves – whether that they be pools, hot tubs, close proximity to attractions, minimum number of bedrooms, etc. – while staying within pre-determined budgets. But if you can throw your budget out the window and make the sky the limit, you're sure to find just what you're looking for – and much, much more – in any one of these 15 pricey vacation rentals in the USA."  4. $147,000/week: Say "Aloh...
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By LUVA Real Estate, The Personalized Service You Deserve!
(Sales and Management - Luxury Vacation Rentals - Concierge Services)
Luxury Vacation rentals Big Island, Hawaii   Welcome to Kalina at the High Bluffs of Mauna Kea Located on Kohala Coast on the Big Island of Hawaii, this luxurious private home is just a short golf cart ride away from the premier Mauna Kea Golf Course. It is beautifully appointed with spectacular views of the ocean and the Mauna Kea and Hapuna Golf Courses. Perfect for families or groups of close friends, there are four king sized bedroom suites and a  each with a private ensuite bathrooms.  The  game room also has a pull out couch that sleeps two.   This Luxury vacation rentals Big Island, Hawaii have 
lush tropical landscaping, private swimming pool and spa, fully-furnished covered lanai,including a full bar and built in BBQ, a media room and separate game room you may be tempted to ne...
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By Beth Thoma Robinson, R(B) SFR - Hawaii Island Luxury Resort Real Estate
(Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers Big Island)
The Villages at Mauna Lani has two new foreclosure (REO) listings on the market in the past few days. Inventory had dwindled down to nothing in the the Lehua and Maile 3-bedroom floorplans at the Villages at Mauna Lani, with Villages 313 (the larger Maile) closing last week for $895,000 and Villages 609 (the smaller Lehua) closing two weeks earlier for $750,000.   Suddenly seeing nothing for sale drew out five new Villages at Mauna Lani istings in the past 15 days, of which two are bank-owned properties (REO).  Three of these, including one listed as a short sale, are not particularly compelling in their pricing:   a Lehua for $895,000 a Maile SHORT SALE for $1,100,000 a detached Alii for $1,695,000. The two REOs for sale are another story. Today's new Villages at Mauna Lani foreclosure...
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By Beth Thoma Robinson, R(B) SFR - Hawaii Island Luxury Resort Real Estate
(Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers Big Island)
Friday's broker caravan at the tiny beachfront community of Puako ran the gamut of properties for sale, from tiny classic beach shacks on the mauka side of the street, to large estate-size homes on the oceanfront side of the street. This cottage for sale across the street from the beach is the least expensive home for sale in Puako at $799,000 (MLS 241165) There is just one small street running through Puako, and because the ocean side tends to have large homes on small lots, very few of the houses on the opposite side of the street have any ocean view at all. In compensation, it is never more than a few steps to the beach from either side of the street, since the public has access to all beaches in Hawai'i. Three homes are for sale on the mauka side of the street.  The least expensive ...
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By Beth Thoma Robinson, R(B) SFR - Hawaii Island Luxury Resort Real Estate
(Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers Big Island)
A new listing released today at Mauna Lani Terrace looks priced to sell at $1,695,000.  I say it is "priced to sell" because (1) it is a coveted third floor "penthouse", as were all three of the Mauna Lani Terrace condos sold so far in 2011, and (2) it is priced very close to where the two bedroom units actually sold...and (3) the list price is $100,000 below the asking price of the other 3rd floor Mauna Lani Terrace condo in the "D' Building, which is also for sale. Ocean view from Mauna Lani Terrace D Building (MLS 244065 and MLS 245433) At first I was puzzled because there are no photos shown of the interior, although the description says it is "immaculate", "never rented and minimally used."  The listing does not indicate whether furniture is available, but it is generally assumed t...
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By Beth Thoma Robinson, R(B) SFR - Hawaii Island Luxury Resort Real Estate
(Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers Big Island)
Our only Big Island movie theaters are in the "big cities" of Kailua Kona and Hilo, but the Kohala Coast resorts have the distinction of hosting the annual Big Island Film Festival, which comes to a close this evening.  In its earlier years it took place at the Waikoloa Beach Resort hotels and Queens Market Place; the past two years it has moved to the Mauna Lani Resort. If you only catch one event of the Big Island Film Festival, choose the night it closes. The Best of the Fest begins with a Silent Auction to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project; continues with a concert featuring a popular Hawai'ian music artist; and ends with the Audience Choice films.  Throughout the festival the audience gets to vote on their favorite short and feature films. This year's Audience Choice feature is c...
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By Beth Thoma Robinson, R(B) SFR - Hawaii Island Luxury Resort Real Estate
(Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers Big Island)
Thank goodness for a new listing at Villages at Mauna Lani!  When I saw the new listing, I felt like saying "and baby makes three!"  Until Wednesday of this week, the only two choices were not ones that would work for most Villages buyers, and certainly not for the buyer I was scheduling appointments for today. New Villages at Mauna Lani condo for sale (MLS 244710) shows luxury finishes valued by buyers The REO (bank -owned post-foreclosure) that has been on the market since January did not sell at auction, and stayed on the market at a reduced price of $625,000. It is highly unusual for an REO to linger for 4 months especially at a highly regarded resort condo community like the Villages at Mauna Lani. This is a "runt of the litter" situation.  The problem, as I've written before, is l...
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By Beth Thoma Robinson, R(B) SFR - Hawaii Island Luxury Resort Real Estate
(Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers Big Island)
Ka Milo at Mauna Lani resort took the bold step of beginning construction on their next phase, and now they are offering a furniture credit to all buyers of new construction homes. The smallest Honua A single-level paired home floorplan comes with a $25,000 credit and the larger free standing homes gets $50,000 towards furniture.   My understanding is that they have sold at least one of the homes currently under construction, in the building closest to the entrance.  Ka Milo chose an unusual framework for construction, sprinkling buildings throughout the site in their first phase, and now filling in between those buildings.  The good news for buyers of the paired and single homes under construction is that they won't face the prospect of additional construction next to them, as some of ...
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By Beth Thoma Robinson, R(B) SFR - Hawaii Island Luxury Resort Real Estate
(Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers Big Island)
It is rare that I would blog about Wai'ula'ula condos for sale twice in one week, but for the third time in three years we are suddenly seeing a feeding frenzy of activity at this Mauna Kea Resort complex. To recap, on Monday I reported trying to show a Wai'ula'ula new REO (bank-owned after foreclosure) listing last weekend, to discover there were already two offers on it.   I also reported the Wai'ula'ula M201 had a price reduction to $895,000 to compete with the REO. With the flurry of showings, that particular unit did not get an offer, but the one right next to it in the Wai'ula'ula Ridge four-plex building DID get an accepted offer.  Although the REO is not yet showing as in escrow, that is typical of processing times for bank-owned properties, so we can safely assume that two Wai'...
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By Beth Thoma Robinson, R(B) SFR - Hawaii Island Luxury Resort Real Estate
(Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers Big Island)
A new condo REO (foreclosure) at Wai'ula'ula at Mauna Kea Resort came on the market last Friday at $869,900. That is exactly the same price the last foreclosure in the luxury complex sold for in February.  Perhaps it therefore should not be surprising that when I tried to show it yesterday I was told that I was welcome to, but should be aware that there were two offers already in on it! All Wai'ula'ula at Mauna Kea Resort condos and homes have ocean view across the golf course. Buyers who still want a bargain on a Wai'ula'ula at Mauna Kea condo should not despair, as the foreclosure pricing was almost matched by a price reduction on a unit that has been on the market for over 1000 days!  There is a third choice that came on a week ago under $900,000. The foreclosure is in the "B" buildi...
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By Beth Thoma Robinson, R(B) SFR - Hawaii Island Luxury Resort Real Estate
(Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers Big Island)
As predicted in my January post, the REO (foreclosure) at the Wai'ula'ula condos at the Mauna Kea Resort went quickly into escrow...and the other unit I mentioned as the top pick, A202, is also under contract.  New to the market since then is N201, tied for the lowest priced Wai'ula'ula villa currently for sale at $999,000...and a genuine "best buy". The best buy at Wai'ula'ula is currently N201 (MLS 241685) priced at only $999,000 fully furnished. The N building is situated at the highest point of The Ridge (as the upper portion of Wai'ula'ula near the Clubhouse with all the condo buildings is called).  And within the building, this unit is upstairs on the side nearest the water feature on the golf course, with lovely ocean views over the buildings below. The sellers purchased at the d...
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By Beth Thoma Robinson, R(B) SFR - Hawaii Island Luxury Resort Real Estate
(Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers Big Island)
Although I live only 30 minutes away, I spent my birthday weekend relaxing in a condo at the Fairways at Mauna Lani Resort.  One of the best things about living on the Big Island is how easy it is to take a mini-vacation and escape!  Over the course of the past year or so I've camped here in North Kohala, and rented a cottage on the beach at Puako, an ocean-view home with pool at Kohala Estates, and an Alii Drive vacation home to cook Thanksgiving dinner in Kailua Kona.  For sheer convenience and chill factor, the condo at Mauna Lani Resort was a perfect choice. The pool, hot tub and workout area at the Fairways at Mauna Lani condo community never seem crowded. The condo we rented belongs to friends of ours who like us bring their canine "son" with them.  Fairways at Mauna Lani, like mo...
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By Beth Thoma Robinson, R(B) SFR - Hawaii Island Luxury Resort Real Estate
(Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers Big Island)
Just when we thought Ka Milo and Kulalani were sold out of their built inventory, we have two competitively priced short sales at these Mauna Lani condos! Because the initial sales at both complexes took place at the peak of the market, the developers had to reduce their prices over the past few years in order to sell out their current phase. With strong demand and the last few developer units having just sold, it is not surprising to see resales trickle onto the market. But owners who bought early are in the uncomfortable position of taking a loss or facing a short sale on their condo. Price reduction on Ka Milo golf course condo short sale The most desirable units at Ka Milo are on the Mauna Lani North Golf Course. One purchased in 2008 for over $1.6 million had been on the market for...
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By Beth Thoma Robinson, R(B) SFR - Hawaii Island Luxury Resort Real Estate
(Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers Big Island)
View from Mauna Lani Point 2-bed condo which sold last week for $2.1 million--a recent high price. Mauna Lani Point condos for sale are holding their value. The surprise of last week was the sale of Mauna Lani Point E202--technically not on the market--for $2.1 million.  This is the first time an ocean view 2-bedroom has cracked the $2 million mark in 3 years and is an indication of a gradually strengthening market.  Mauna Lani Point owners simply have not given in to the effects of distress sale pricing that have hit newer oceanfront and ocean view condo communities on the Kohala Coast.  Second floor two-bedrooms have not dropped lower than $1.9 million and first floor held steady at $1.8 million through the past three years. Here is a bit more perspective. At the 2006-2007 peak, a co...
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By Beth Thoma Robinson, R(B) SFR - Hawaii Island Luxury Resort Real Estate
(Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers Big Island)
Gracious entrance to an Islands at Mauna Lani condo conveys the peaceful environment at this complex When my business partner Pam found a super deal at the Islands of Mauna Lani for buyer clients last December, that was the first sale in that complex in over two years.  The 2008 sales prices ranged from $1,085,000 for a 2-bedroom to $1,625,000 for a great 3-bedroom.  That's why Pam's 2010 sale shocked the real estate community, as the price paid by her lucky buyers was only $650,000 for a 3-bedroom.  Sometimes when the listing says "motivated sellers", it means just that...and this was not a short sale or foreclosure. There was another active listing that was a "foreclosure" (REO) that her buyers passed up. It had been priced initially at $680,000 for a 2-bedroom. It lingered on the ma...
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