I am sure you have heard of "Body Glove" before - Wetsuits, Boardshorts, Bikinis, Wakeboards, Waterskis...... But how many of you have heard of Brad "Tiki Shark" Parker? If I were to answer that question, 2 months ago? A: Brad whoooo? But somehow, I got caught up in all this "Tiki Mug" fanatic "stuff" , whether I wanted to or not. I actually love it now - whole new craze for me. (I will post a little more about that below) .  Since I am "name dropping" let me add a few more... Wyland Galleries, Henry Kapono, Surf legends and Body Glove Team Riders will also be in attendance  Body Gloves huge 60th anniverseray party is going to be here in Kona, and the fact that they commissioned Brad "Tiki Shark" Parker (the guy I never heard of before 2 months ago) Only to learn he is the "Guru" of ... 10/22/2013

Aloha, Lance Owens (RS) here, with LUVA Real Estate and I wanted to take a minute of your time and talk about Luxury Real Estate in Hawaii.  I get a lot of calls, clients wanting to know if the time is right to sell their home? Where is the market heading? Whats going on in Hawaii, are the foreclosures drying up............ First of all, the market is on a 2 year trend of rising prices here, the foreclosures? What foreclosures - I just ran an MLS search for "foreclosure homes" , North Kona,  for sale? ONE - 1, not a typo, ONE. Now that we have that out of the way, lets look at the luxury home sales.  Today we are going to pick on "Iolani Subdivision" , fantastic homes, unbeatable location, perfect elevations, and views, I'm going to say it, I know its way overused, but it really fits th... 10/19/2013

Aloha, Lance Owens (RS) here with LUVA Real Estate and I wanted to take a minute to go over some of the black and white numbers with you. More so, why it is important to get a local REALTOR, someone that knows your area.  According to the Hawaii Information Service (HIS) the median price for a condo in West Hawaii, (actually the MLS will break it down as North Kona), Condo prices have increased a measly 2.51% over September 2012, and while the MLS just breaks it down from the REALTOR input, it does not represent whats happening on the ground.  As an example I will pick on Alii Lani Condos, they are considered a nice, well kept  complex, pool, great location, reasonably priced, and there are lots to choose from (an appraiser's dream). So looking at sales from last year, you could have pu... 10/19/2013

Aloha, Lance here with LUVA Real Estate, sorry my Market Report is so late this month, but we are busy! I finally forced myself to sit down and take a look at how busy Kona real estate really is.  September 2013 home sales, better than 2012 (almost double) better than 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, I had to go all the way back to 2005 to find a better September than the one we just had.  According to the Hawaii MLS, we were up 75% over last year, and remember when your looking at my numbers, they are all black and white, no adjustments, no manipulating, just the facts, the way they were written.  Condo sales - up 27% and I would  bet it would have been much higher if the inventory was there Land sales - showed a <28%> drop in sales, but Year To Date is still up 74%, largly due to i... 10/18/2013

"8 Photo Apps for Real Estate"-LUVA Monthly RE/Tech U Presentation  A group of Kona REALTORS came together today, Friday, September 20th to learn the best mobile applications for photo blogging for real estate marketing. The eight mobile photo apps presented  showed the REALTORS why they should take dramatic, fun, beautiful photos and make them more striking and engaging and easily sharable on a variety of social media platforms. "By showcasing your creativity using photography, you help create curiosity among your potential clients and captivate your audience", Julie Ziemelis, Ziemelis Communications, who presented the presentation shared with the audience. "You have your phone with you all the time, right? Then take some interesting photos of your listing, the neighborhood, your favo... 09/21/2013

West Hawaii Real Estate Update. “North Kona home sales continue to rock!” stated Lance Owens, a Realtor with LUVA Real Estate. North Kona posted a 58.62% increase year over year for number of sales, with 46 homes sold last month versus 29 in August 2012. Owens says “It’s the best August since 2006, and 2006 only beat it out by 1 home sale.” “I was looking at the amount of money that exchanged hands during the month of August, and found it was UP 105% over last August (16 million vs. almost 34 million). The median price for August to August, is up only 8%, but year to date is up almost 15%, all good indicators that home sales are well into the recovery period”, Owens continued.     Residential Median Prices The median price for residential property in North Kona was $487,000, an 8.22% ga... 09/07/2013

  LUVA Real Estate is hosting our second Tech Exchange Pau Hana at the LUVA Real Estate office at the Pine Plazas off of Nani Kailua Road from 5-sunset on September 6th.   Come join us for refreshments, networking and boosting your technology know-how! Bring questions about web marketing, social media channels, tools and more! A short conversation about using Google Plus to dominate your personal brand will get us rolling on this month’s event! Here are some tips we will share at the reception that you can use right now!  Here are a few tips: As with any social site, making the most of your Google+ profile is an important first step when getting started. Every field within your Google+ profile is an opportunity to connect with your target audience. Take the time to complete every bit of... 08/23/2013

Hawaii International Billfish Tournament begins its last day in just a few minutes, just watching 38 boats race for the best fishing grounds is something in itself, the hummmmm of all those deisel engines, all the wakes, looks like a flag, blowing in the wind. But its really about the fishing, HIBT was launched 2 days after Hawaii became a State, for those of you who dont know - it was 1959, ok history lesson over, lets talk about fishing - take a look at Day 3's video    Here is from their website, click it and you can go direct to the source  KONA, HAWAII (Day Four - August 8, 2013) - Today’s win went to the fish with seven Pacific blue marlin tagged and released. Laguna Nigel Billfish Club #2 California (Team #5) and Port Vila Sport Fishing Club Vanuatu (Team #14) held on to their fi... 08/09/2013

Kona Market Sees 84% Increase in Number of Homes Sold   Kona posted another stellar month for home sales in June, with an 84% increase in homes sold from June 2012 to June 2013.  In June 2012, only 33 homes were sold, where as in 2013, 61 homes left the market. This is a significant increase in sales activity and one of the top markets that Kona has seen in the past 13 years. The best markets were during the height of the real estate boom in 2004, when 77 homes sold in June and 2005, when 77 homes were sold.   “This market is over the top”, Lance Owens, LUVA Realtor, stated. “This is the third best year out of 13 years and that says a lot, the BEST in eight years, says volumes.”   Mr. Owens, who helps track the Kona home market for LUVA Real Estate, also noted that of the 61 homes sold... 07/15/2013

Kohanaiki phase 1 now for sale, lots starting at just over $1,000,000.00 and stopping at just under $5,000,000.00  For Personal representation please call Lance Owens (RS) 808-936-8383 For Developer representation, see developer.  Kohanaiki Developer Notes and Map below:       COMMUNITYMAP   06/17/2013

  Aloha,   Lance Owens (RS) here with LUVA Real Estate, asking the question. How is the economy doing? Just take a look around you - Kailua Kona land sales (not including these) were up 200% last month - can you imagine what these sales will do to the June numbers! 4 sales, all cash, for a total of $17,360,000 - day one!  Just for the heck of it, let me check last June numbers...... hold on, computer running slow...... here it is, last June saw "7" sales - total - for an amount of $4,268,000 - that is about the average of just one sale this month.  Here is the developer description:   Kohanaiki is situated on roughly 450 acres of land with over a mile and half of beach fronting one of Hawaii's most productive sport fishing grounds, affectionately known as ‘ono lane’, and the Big Island’... 06/01/2013

And yes, they are correct (don’t ask me why I sound surprised)...  Our market is on FIRE !  Hi, Lance Owens (RS) here with LUVA Real Estate, Kailua Kona, HI. Let's talk about Hawaii Real Estate (Kailua Kona), with someone who knows, lives, breaths, and is a part of those numbers. And when we do, we will use Hawaii Information Service - Market Reports (not some mainland "super cruncher - Zillow - did I just say that?) (Trulia - I didnt just say that too?) Ok, enough poking fun.  Last month, April 2013 was a few sales short of 2012, (-8.7%) but don't let that fool you . 2012 we had a little over 300 homes actively for sale in Kailua Kona, as of right now; we have a grand total of 188 active listings, almost a 50% decrease in active listings. 2013 had 42 home sales, 2012 saw 46 home sales,... 05/15/2013

Finding Great Deals in Kona's Rising Real Estate Market-Rich Bosselmann R(S) Koa Realty Inc.  Well priced homes in Kona are selling in just days, wth multiple offers. Real estate professionals are having a hard time finding properties for their clients because of the recent trend of low inventory and cash buyers looking for homes. This can't sound good to the current buyer interested in Kona real estate. But don't dispair!  You can get a great deal on Kona real estate right now.This is how you get a great deal on Kona real estate today in two steps.A. Pre-quals are powerless against cash: Many of todays buyers in the Kona real estate market have cash. Don't worry, you can compete with these guys, just fine. If you are going to need financing, you need to be pre-approved. A prequalificat... 05/13/2013

That is, as long as its not on fire or something terrible.  Hi, Lance Owens here with LUVA Real Estate, I woke up this morning, grabbed my newspaper, and and right there on the  front page, my new listing!  I had to take a moment to read it, make sure everything was ok - and it was. The paper actually had a decent article about Kona Real Estate - Take a look, its an incredible listing, and for the most part, a good article.  West Hawaii Today: Hot, Hot, Hot        Description Ok, I am going to say it - LOCATION, Location, location. I just don’t know how it can get any better, I'olani subdivision, 800ft elevation, 5 minutes from just about everything in Kailua-Kona.
Unique custom built home (2005), designed with a multi-generation family in mind.
You have 2 master suites, one at ea... 04/30/2013

Amazing new development now for sale on the Kona Coast. Similar to Kukio, or Hualalai, but close to town, close to airport, you know what they say: LOCATION, Loacation, location!  Please give me a call for personal representaion for your purchase, and rest assured it does not stop at the sale, we have, arguably the highest end Luxury Vacation Rental division in Hawaii, with world wide connections. We would love to manage your 8 million dollar home while you are away.  Call Lance Owens (RS) LUVA Real Estate  808-936-8383  See developer notes below:          The Private Club The Kohanaiki Club is an exclusive private club offering its members and their families a unique opportunity to enjoy a diverse array of exceptional recreational facilities and amenities located throughout the communi... 03/29/2013

Just released for sale, please see a description from the developer below. Please give us a call for personal representation in your transaction here.  Lance Owens (RS) 808-936-8383  Developer notes below:    Private Residence Club The Hale Club is a non-equity private residence club offering its members the use of luxurious Shay Zak-designed residences located within the Kohanaiki community. While in residence, Hale Club members will enjoy membership in the Kohanaiki Club allowing them use of all amenities, including a Rees Jones-designed 18-hole golf course and practice facilities, exclusive beach club, restaurant and bar, pools, tennis courts and clubhouse, which includes dining, spa, fitness and swim facilities. Membership in the Hale Club is by invitation only.   03/27/2013

I wonder how many people know what it is? It's NOT the snow we have on top of Mauna Kea during the winter, it's NOT the white sand beaches? Do you give up? Here is a hint (photo)  Any idea yet?  OK - Hint 2 - what is Kona famous for? And if you don't get this one, well I just don't know what to do with you.    World Famous Kona Coffee, this is the time of the year, that the coffee trees start blooming, you see these beautiful little white flowers all over the trees this time if year, and you guessed it, each one will become a "cherry". After the cherry is bright red it will be ready to pick, sent to the roasters, and before you know it - your drinking it. Actually there are quite few more steps along the way, but that can be an entire new blog, for now I just wanted to share the beauty ... 03/21/2013

Kailua Kona Luxury Homes for sale  For Sale75-343 Melelina Wy North Kona, HI 96740 Single Family Home ,3 Beds , 3 Baths , 2907 sq. ft. , MLS# 260172 Tools & Resources: Request More InfoSchedule a ShowingMap to PropertyPrintable VersionMortgage CalculatorsGet Pre-Approved for a LoanTell a Friend 7/9     Description Bank Approved Price (Cooperative Short Sale) Meilani View Estates - Perched on the slopes of Hualalai, located 3 minutes from town. This luxury home was designed to take full advantage of the elevation and views, both inside and out. The main living area has pocket sliders that disappear into the walls, enhancing the incredible ocean view beyond. Just to drop a few names in the Kitchen WolfSubZero BoschGroheKitchen AidAn Outdoor kitchen that most of us only dream of - let the ... 03/12/2013

Hawaii Luxury Homes for sale, Kailua Kona, HI - Presented by LUVA llc Real Estate. Call Lance Owens (RS) for more details.  SOLD !    Luxury Home, built under the Monkey Pod Trees – make's you feel like your almost living in the trees. Not only do you have many recent upgrades in the master bath and kitchen – but you have a built in pool with its own Pool House (Ohana) This is pre listing presentation – wish me luck on the listing         03/02/2013

Living the Hawaii Life Style on Alii Drive - Ocean front cottage for sale by LUVA LLC    Island of Hawaii, District of North Kona 1 Bed, 1.00 Bath Residential Detached Fee Simple Property Located in Kahaluu Beach Lots click here to display other 9 photos       PROPERTY DETAILS Price: $949,000 Ownership: Full Beds: 1 Baths: 1 Full,0 Half,0 Qtr,0 ¾ Living Area: 864 Land Area: 6,569 sqft Listing Date: 7/30/2012 Built: 1963 Tax Year: 2011 Remarks Honeymoon cottage feel. Absolute ocean front. Steps away from the Big Islands best snorkeling beach, Kahaluu State Park.   Private Remarks Cottage is in Prince Properties rental program. Can be shown only when vacant.   UTILITIES / FEATURES Appliances: Disposal, Dishwasher, Gas Grill, Microwave, Refrigerator, Range/Oven, Parking: None, Floor Cover:... 03/02/2013