On December 14, 2009, the stage was set for 2010, when an ocean front property at Hualalai Resort sold for

$26,250,000. Since then others have fallen in line, two homes on Waiulu Street in the Hualalai Resort are now 

in escrow. An ocean front listed at $17,500,000 and a near ocean front listed for $15,250,000 are both due to

record sometime in March. Once these properties trade, only two truly ocean front homes will remain available

on the island at the high-end luxury level. Both are located in the private ocean front community of 49 Black

Sand Beach. One, listed at $17,900,000 and the other, $19,995,000 respectively.

 

Nearby, the Kukio developer’s ocean front lots at KD (just north of the Kona Village), originally listed in the $11M

range, have been moving as well, with significant reductions. Since January, lots 6,8,9,17,18,13 and 15 have all

sold or are under contract for $4,000,000 each. This ocean front address will join rank with the likes of ocean front

property at Kukio proper, Hualalai Resort, 49 Black Sand Beach, and the Bluffs at Mauna Kea Resort.

It’s refreshing to see buyers coming off the fence at the high end, kicking tires and pulling the trigger to take full

advantage of sellers who have ridden through the dark ages of 2008 & 2009 and are flexible - ready to move on.

In the trade we call these buyers “Smart Money” because of their impeccable market timing.

 

So when the “Smart Money” guys come out to play, as they have, it’s time to sit up and take notice….

 

 

I turn off the Queen K highway and drive down to Puako. I roll down my windows and immediately relax as I breathe in the soft, salty, plumeria infused air. I hear the busy chatter of birds. I see skateboarders scooting along, and the occasional bike with a basketful of groceries from M’s Puako General Store.

I pass by the houses for probably the millionth time, but I still smile at the old shacks and admire some of the new, finely appointed homes, on both the mauka (mountain) and makai (ocean) sides of the street. I love Puako’s unique character, that it’s not your typical resort community: it’s not gated; no required association fees; and it’s enjoyed by vacation home renters and part and full-time residents alike. I love that you can feel the seasons change at Puako; not by leaves changing of course, but by winter’s cooler days and nights, the louder, bigger surf that lures surfers to Paniau at the end of the road; by the whales breaching and tail-slapping right at the edge of the reef drop off. Then summer brings calm waters, warmer days, and plenty of mangoes!

I drive by the home where I spent the happiest memories of my childhood, #78 Puako Beach Drive. Back in the old days, long-term leases were common. My grandmother held a 40-year lease on this 1.6-acre ocean front lot with beautiful brackish ponds, upon which she built a simple vacation home in the old plantation style, and two small guest houses. This property saw me (and my siblings, cousins and friends) through many summers of fishing in the ponds, tide pooling, snorkeling, spear fishing, and devouring mangoes from my grandmother’s beloved tree.

My wife and I knew each other as kids and grew up playing together on this property. Our 1997 wedding was the last celebration our family enjoyed before the lease was up and the property reverted to its original owners (my family tried to purchase it several times over the years, but the owners understandably did not want to sell). With heavy hearts, we had to let it go.

After a time, the original owners did decide to sell (wisely, at the peak of the market, but at a price my family could not afford at that point), and now this remarkable Puako gem, steeped in rich history and happy, loving memories, is for sale again. Though the vintage Puako homes on the lot will most likely be torn down making way for updated tropical dwellings, in my humble opinion, with or without the homes, this is the most spectacular parcel in all of Puako. But I am a little biased.

Lucky are the folks who’ll move in next and start creating their own traditions and memories in unique and magical Puako. 

If you’d like to learn more about #78 Puako or other Puako properties and opportunities, please contact me at 808-987-4218 or email me at brodie@macarthurhawaii.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

The "PINEAPPLE HALE" is an estate residence with excellent architecture and fine features throughout, including granite, marble, travertine floors, cherry cabinets, mahogany doors and pretty pineapple lighting fixtures at every turn!

 

This residence contains two master suites, each with its own private lanai and beautifully appointed master bathrooms. One is equipped with an outdoor shower. There are two additional bedrooms and/or caretaker quarters, also with their own private entrances, baths and lanais!

 

This property is located in "Ke Alohi Kai", a prominent oceanfront gated community in Kailua-Kona just minutes from resorts, golf, surfing, sport fishing and more. 

 

This is a noteworthy property on its own, but given the price of just $899,900. makes this one of the best deals on the island.  This island home is a foreclosure property and the bank has taken title which means it can close escrow quickly and easily. What makes this an additional steal is the neighborhood, located on the makai (ocean) side of world famous Ali’i Drive in Kailua-Kona, HI. (A local developer has his new construction currently listed at $4.7 million!) 

 

Located near Kamoa Point, the same spot King Kamehameha loved to relax and surf with his warriors and attendants to revitalize in the warm ocean waters and magnificent shores! This home exudes relaxed, easy island living. 

 

Begin your daily island adventures here and end the day relaxing here just like Kamehameha did.

 

Click here to view more information on: Ke Alohi Kai 

 

 

Some of my close friends helped me to celebrate my Birthday not too long ago at the Historic Kona Inn

here in Kailua Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii. Still a favorite hangout since its opening in 1928, the Kona 

Inn and its shops, along with my favorite, the Kona Inn Restaurant, have been attracting fisherman, tourist

and the locals for decades as it truly captures the true essence of Old Hawaii.

With the sun beaming, perfect weather and the sounds of the surf rolling in, we had a wonderful afternoon 

relaxing and catching up on old times. It's easy to lose track of time with a staff that treats you like family

and dear friends ~ I couldn't have asked for a better day! Just down the street from the Kona Inn, there is 

a fabulous Ocean Front Home ~ Unbelievable setting!

 

 There is great news as we enter the new year and look at the residential home sales data for the Kohala and Kona coasts of the Big Island. We can see that the sales have continued to improve since the lows in March and April of 2009.        

            

The chart I have included above clearly shows this trend, and may be telling us that anyone who was trying to time the bottom of the market, may have missed it!

  We have seen a lot of sales in the under $400,000 price range, and there is a good inventory all over the Big Island of quality homes in this range. This is something we have not seen in the Kona and Kohala areas since 2004!  The condo market in Kona remains a little weak, but thus far in January, 2010 we have seen a 9% increase in sales over 2009, so things are beginning to look up in that area as well. 
 

There are some great condos available at pre - 2006 prices, and this is great news if you are looking to buy, sell,
or just escape the cold weather and storms everywhere you look on the U.S. mainland. 
 

As I write this, it is 82 degrees, sunny,  the whales are swimming down the coast to their winter breeding grounds here, and residents and visitors are out front of our Keauhou office trying to learn the Hula- it doesn't get any better than this!

It is paradise here, so call or email me to find your place in the sun.

Can you imagine waking everyday and taking your coffee out to the lanai to enjoy the near views of the golf course, the far views of the extensive tropical landscaping, listening to the sound of the  birds and the ocean waves and possibly a golf ball taking flight?  Many mornings we finish our coffee quickly and  cross the golf course for a morning stroll out to one of the most beautiful beachfront trails in Hawaii.  I love the walk but I also love that we can stop for a cold drink at several spots or even enjoy brunch at the Beach Club,,,for owners and guests only.  MaunaLani was so well planned that whatever your watersports, golf, tennis, spas, exercise needs are you can have them right here in the resort and chances are you can easily walk to it.  Walking in many places in a dying art but the planners at Mauna Lani were focused on "livability" when they created the resort and it works for the hotel guest, the vacation rental guest and above all for those who are fortunate enough to enjoy the benefits full-time.  Wondering how we spend the rest of the day.......how about drinks and pupus at sunset, on the lanai at the Fairmont Orchid and dinner on the water at Brown's Beach House for a start?  Sound interesting?.....you may want to check out this great opportunity ...priced way below market ......at $535,000......   

 

With the upcoming year of 2010 there are some new rules coming out through HUD (The US Department of Housing and Urban Development) supporting Buyers and Sellers with financing for the purchase of their homes and closing their transactions. With these new rules, which are given a year of transition time to take place, lenders will be required to clarify all disclosures for the Buyers. HUD is requiring that the lenders use a new standard form which will be generic for all to disclose all of loan terms and costs related to the loan in the clearest and most precise way.

Along with the loan terms and the Good Faith Estimate form, HUD is also enacting a new closing statement for all agents to compare the closing costs for transactions. This form is a clear and easy to read form itemizing the costs of the transaction for better understanding of costs related to closing for all parties involved. Again, this will be a generic form used in the US. So now when you buy property in Hawaii it will look much more like the transactions you may have had in California, Wyoming or New York.

Great to hear that our government is working toward creating a process for the everyone to understand what they are getting in to with the borrowing money and buying property. There has been so much confusion created through misunderstanding, lack of awareness and being “in the dark” about how buying and selling real estate really happens. With the “language” being the same Buyers and Seller’s may now have more resources to identify issues and costs they will incur, and why. So here is a way HUD seems to be presenting a process for all to be on the same page.

Ask your agent, your escrow officer and your lender when it comes time for buying and selling, if they are using the new HUD settlement statements and new Good Faith Estimates. Protect your investments and go in with your eyes open. You hold the reins!

 

In 1998, I had the enjoyable experience of finding a home for a wonderful family, originally from the midwest, but most recently from the Island of Molokai...as they recently reminded me, we first viewed a number of homes in the community of Waimea, close to Hawaii Preparatory Academy, where their young boys would be entering school.

Their home on Molokai was located on the beachfront and as we toured Waimea, they kept talking about where to place the pool. Of course, I suggested to them that Waimea, at about the 2800 foot elevation is not the ideal temperature for most people's morning dip. The expression on their faces told me this family needed to see Kohala Ranch.

Have you ever driven the magnificent Kohala Coast road beyond the heeau? Beyond the harbor? ...and thought if only I could wake to this pristine site and spend my mornings entertained by families of whales? Who are the fortunate few who have found their piece of Hawaii, perched on the slopes of the Kohala Mt. range, overlooking the entire Kona-Kohala Coast in the Kohala Ranch.? Families who have a lifestyle to be envied with privacy and open space,close to the beach and the golf course, a community where everyone has moved to enjoy Hawaii and all it has to offer from sunset to sunrise. Even more fortunate are the families, who have created memories and made this house a home.

Some locations are locations, but this home is the perfect site to take full advantage of it's premier position on the Kohala Coast, no matter where you sit there are near views of lush landscaping and rolling lawns and far views of ocean and volcanoes, great expanses and great shelter. Of course I have hardly described this gracious Kohala estate with it private master wing, where you can escape from the world. Or the kids wing and command central. The kitchen and family room where everyone meets. Plus the great impressive living room and dining room. That's just inside! Outside, endless patios, perfect size pool for every age and of course a hot-tub. Now, if you are inclined to keep horses on your Kohala Ranch there is even a barn.

I have left out a lot but if I tell you everything I will ruin the adventure, the discovery and the find, and I would never want to take that experience away from anyone. Landing is always the best. 

 

With the upcoming 2010 there is much uncertainty, curiosity and excitement in the air. I know for me 2009 is a year I am quite pleased to have behind me. It was educational and character building, yet one of the most unpleasant years of my life. I will take what I have learned and bring it into the launch of this New Year.

 

The 2012 shift we have all heard about and are talking about is happening. Many say it has been happening since December ‘09’s Winter Solstice and others say much longer. We are heading into the end of the Mayan Calendar and closing of many other cycles of historical time counting into a season of new, one which we have never ventured before. This idea of the unknown seems to have a tendency to muster up a lot of fear in people. The sense of the unknown-yet what I don’t understand is who ever felt like they really knew anything anyway? With 2009 filled with the rapid changes in the money, the war, the world how could we ever say we knew anything? Have we really ever had a sturdy leg to stand on. Heck, the earth’s crust is floating on molten magma, shifting plates and ice melting everywhere, tsunamis and tornadoes, change can happen any time. How are we to know the consistency of anything? Ever.

 

In Hawaii, we live on an island of active volcanoes, completely surrounded by water and the furthest from any land mass. Why are we here? Why is it that Hawaii has been one of the most highly sought dream destinations in the world? Paradise. Is that reliable? Many live here, born here, move here and feel just as “safe” as others in the world, some safer. Is it the beauty, the colors, fragrances and aloha spirit giving people the sense of stability and momentary lapse of need to feel they know it all? What I have learned is that those wishing to have all of the answers and control the situation are those who never really settle into the island living and many leave. Paradise seems to be a place to swim in the unknown in order to truly drink in its gifts.

 

So, with that I say jump into paradise! Live as though you live Hawaii. The dream. Paradise, where we allow days to unfold and reveal themsleves. Where controlled time is out weighed by natural time. Dance with life like the hulas of the ancient Hawaiians. Let go and dive into the unfolding of the great unknown. This is the time to truly do what your sprit invites-the drive of intuition, the drive of love, the drive of seeking a fun and sensational experience on this planet here and now. This is the time to live fully and teach our children to do the same.

 

If we don’t start to accept that living in the ocean of the unknown is the only way to live then we may not make it much further past the pier without having a nervous breakdown trying to find “solid” and “trusted” ground. If we don’t release control how will we ever learn to live in paradise?

 

Grab a canoe filled with loved ones and friends, some fresh fruit, wear your sunscreen and go for it! I highly suggest screaming and laughing as much as possible to keep the excitement and fun rushing through the waves and uncharted waters of your days. Let go and allow for paradise in your life!

Waimea, Hawaii The journey begins!  In 1980 We moved our young family from Honolulu to the quaint little village of Waimea, no traffic signals, no fast food and less than 2000 people plus all the bonuses of being in Hawaii.   From any vantage point you could appreciate the spectacular beauty of Waimea's rolling hills , it's endless pasture lands and the larger than life volcanoes, which surround it..........Can you imagine all this and great schools too!.......What more could a young family desire than thousands of acres of open space, a small, diverse, welcoming community... and just a short flight away from the life we were leaving behind.  

 

I have vivid memories of being on the phone (a positive addiction for realtors) looking out of my window and thinking where on earth could you possibly find comparable beauty.... it's the Big Island.....amazing!  The move was not immediately joyful....We left our home for sale on Oahu in the hands of a colleague (always a good idea for realtors to have someone else sell their personal home) and my husband had stayed behind to pack.  So with visiting grandpa in hand, we took off  for Waimea (of course in those days we hadn't  quite figured out why it had two names) Later we were informed by old-timers "if you live in Kamuela, you live in the post office.......we were straightened out pretty quickly......Back to our arrival.......Well now that the name Punahou has reached beyond the Rockies, understand that my husband's Punahou classmate's family owned a little house in the best area of town and it was available for us to rent......Imagine the faith or stupidity of a realtor renting a house sight unseen. Well it was a long time ago.  We arrived in Waimea late afternoon, my father-in-law, my nine year old daughter and her three year old brother and to this day I am not sure what the kids were thinking. It ' so often about mom and dad growing up and the lucky children get to go along on the journey. Imagine hunting cabin, not Montana style, not 7000 square feet, maybe 1000 square feet  and most likely not used for years or even visited.  A main room, and two bedrooms (8X8) with two sets of built-in bunks..The view of Waimea was to die for but everything else was a far cry from our charming Kahala home amd my daughter's Laura Ashley bedroom and playroom and swimming pool and friends. Somehow, we still had our sense of humor and thank heaven for Grandpa, who rose to the occasion and suggested we head to the closest store for cleaning supplies and disinfectants. It was a long day and we were rather disheartened  but the three of us found  an old punee and rested our weary heads and as we fell off to sleep ...they both clearly muttered....why did we have to leave our home??????  ...to be continued