January 3, 2012 - Interview with Kailua Kona Realtor Lance Owens (RS) Aloha Kona Realty Inc.  Ok we all know 2011 was a good year for Real Estate Recovery in Hawaii, but every now and then I like to break it down and see who is buying - what? And it always surprises me, along with many of my readers.  So I took November 2011 Condo sales, 17 sales,  to see who is paying the taxes on it - basically the new owner. (December wouldn't be updated yet)  Sales Ranged from -  $53,500 for a 372 sqft studio - leasehold property    To a $1,175,000.00 for 2/2 1,800 sqft, Fee Simple property    How many guessed Foreign investors?  How many guessed Mainland Investors? How many guessed Owner occupied?  Well if you guessed Mainland investors - you win!  California leads the pack with 4 buyers listing a ... 01/03/2012

Just putting the word out - Our short sale success rate is phenomenal! Take a LOOK  Were closing them out, with no participation from seller (no money out of your pocket - just walk away). WE negotiate everything - including the HOA, the PMI insurance companies, 2nd liens, 3rd liens, we have even closed investor owned short sales with as little as - zero - participation from the seller. Currently accepting short sale listings in  Keauhou Estates Bayview Estates Hualalai Colony  Pualani Estates Lokahi Makai Alii Cove - we need a few in here - please call asap if you have a unit you want to sell  Alii Lani - need a few here also. We are accepting select other areas also - Please call if you need assistance - 808-936-8383   Take a look at today's closing, seller (investor) paid $730,000 in... 12/29/2011

Kailua Kona Home Sales,  Year To Date sales are up 10.69 percent. If you follow my blogs, you know how I preach about not reading to much into the monthly numbers  (October up 33% - November down 3% - December tracking up 30%) and concentrate more on the larger picture - YTD numbers. Lets rewind a little bit, 2010 Home sales, were up 31% over 2009 - speaking of 2009, it was up 18% over 2008.  2008 - we don't even want to talk about 2008 - OK, I mentioned the year, so here it is - 2008 was DOWN <39%>  2007 - Down <-16%>  Enough with the down numbers, lets focus on the NOW numbers, with 3 years running, of consistent increases, I think we can safely say - recovery is here. Another funny question I get a lot of, but what about prices? You know what, prices are, what prices are. You know w... 12/03/2011

Kailua Kona, Hawaii. Today is a good day, we just closed on a tremendous home, listed at $843,500.00 , sold for $824,500.00 with only being on the market for 19 days. Its a good feeling when you feel like you hit this one right on the head, or that noise a baseball bat makes when you hit the perfect pitch - better yet, the sound a golf club makes when you hit that sweet spot. Speaking of that, maybe I deserve the afternoon off  I wanted to say thank you to my clients that believed in me, my family that put up with me, and the buyers agent that helped me keep it all together. It feels like an Academy Award speech, but THANK YOU all.  A lot of hard work went into pricing this home, built in 1968, major renovations and additions, in 1990, more in 2010, many a "discussion" over neighborhood... 12/02/2011

New on Market: 72-4126 Awalua Pl - $1,359,000 Pure luxury and sweeping ocean views and spectaculor sunsets—-you can even see Maui. Open concept floor plan with private lanai next to the pool area that captures the essence of Hawaii. *Granite and Corian Counter Tops *Bamboo... Read more about this listing at: http://www.hawaiiluxurylistings.com/property.php?mls=249503   Hitch A Ride With Me, I'll Take You Home! Johnny McElree Johnny@JohnnyMcElree.com www.HawaiiLuxuryListings.com 11/22/2011

Lance Owens, whether he likes it or not, is known as the SHORT SALE KING, on the Big Island of Hawaii. So when asked about short sales, foreclosures, and staying in your home, here is what he has to say.  With the new law that took effect in May, there has never been a better time in history to do a short sale on your home. You know what, let me backtrack a little here,  There has never been - a better time in history - to actually SAVE your home.  If you are "Owner Occupied", have the means to make payments, and are behind in payments,  or in foreclosure, this new law puts teeth in keeping - YOU - in your home.  Act 48 Hawaii, and Know Your Options website from Fannie Mae are great tools for you. PLEASE visit these websites and get the counselors working on your file now (I have said t... 11/19/2011

What a recovery, 33% Increase in Home sale's - October 2011,   Year to Date sales are up a strong 12% . Kailua Kona, Hawaii is in its 3rd straight year of increased sales - in fact, I had to go all the way back to October 2005 to find a better "October" for the  "number of homes sold".  Remember, I dont use any hokus-pokus, market adjustment, tweaked, ......... These are straight, black and white numbers - the real deal!  It is, what it is,  I miss the days when your newscaster just gave you the news, now all you get is someone Else's opinion, makes it hard to form your own some-days. For the full report, follow this link back to my Kailua Kona Market Market Reports   For the Deal of the Day - my pick is this absolute, Ocean Front home, on Alii Drive, not priced at a Million, not price... 11/18/2011

Beaches of Kona video tour - Mahaiula  Beach Mahaiula Beach is located within the Keha Kai State Park about 8 miles North of Kailua-Kona. The access road off of Hwy 11 is between mile markers 88 and 89. The 1.5 mile road is unpaved and full bumps and potholes; but it doesn't seem to deter the tourists from taking their rental cars across the desolate looking lava field. Just a short walk from the parking area is a picture perfect tropical cove with plenty of shade and deep sand.  The stunning contrast between the desert lava fields and the lush and refreshing cove is what makes Mahaiula's Beach so memorable and unique.  If you hike the trail on the North end of the cove across the lava fields, for about 20 minutes you will come across another spectacular cove called Makalawena Beach. On... 11/17/2011

Bank Owned Homes Aren't Always The Best Deal Everyone wants the best buying opportunity when looking for a home. Are bank owned homes in Kailua-Kona always the best buy? It's important to point out that any home offered for sale must compete with the bank owned and short sale properties. If a home is not priced competitively, it will not sell.  Bank owned homes are sold "as is" and most have been neglected. It's not uncommon to see bank owned properties without appliances and in need of costly repairs. When you compare that $400,000 bank owned home to a competing, well maintained $435,000 regular sale property, you may find that the move in ready home is the better deal.  When I work with homebuyers, we use the contingency period to get a professional home inspection and estimates for a... 11/16/2011

Kailua-Kona Beaches Video Tour - White Sands Beach A couple hours at White Sands Beach is always a good time. White Sands is located right in town so it's easy to drop in and go for a swim or body surf a few waves.  This is Kona's community beach, it's not big but there's always room for everyone.   White Sands Beach in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii is always an entertaining place to sit and people watch. If you want a quiet, secluded beach to relax on, Kona has plenty to choose from. If you are looking for a vibrant, fun beach to play, where you can meet people from Kona and all over the world, White Sands is the place. This beach is also known as Magic Sands because when a big Winter swell hits the Kona Coast, most of the sand gets pulled off shore and deposited on a sand bar. When the conditio... 11/16/2011

Kailua-Kona Real Estate Market Update October 2011 The Hawaii Island real estate market statistics are in and the numbers continue to show signs of stability. The first indication I would like to point out is the trend of increasing home sales.  October of 2010  saw 113 homes sold on the Island of Hawaii. In October of 2011, 127 homes sold island wide, an increase of 12.39%. This is a continuation of the trend that shows 8.5% more homes sold on the Island year to date in comparison to 2010.  Another trend in Hawaii Island real estate sales is the slowing decline in single family home prices. Year to date home prices are down 5.95% Island wide and 8.86% in North Kona. October of 2011 saw single family home prices increase 6.33% versus October 2010 adding to a similar increase seen last m... 11/08/2011

Buying Bargain Kona Hawaii Vacation HomesHome prices in Kailua-Kona Hawaii, like many other places have seen substantial decreases since the market peak in late 2007. Recent market data in Kailua-Kona, HI has shown prices remaining flat but the number of homes and condominiums sold, increasing. Rather than going into the old "there's never been a better time to buy" pitch, I am going to point to a real estate market niche that is performing extremely well through these difficult times.  I am referring to the vacation home rental market in Kailua-Kona , Hawaii.  Vacation home rentals have become very popular across the country. Web sites like VRBO.com, and Homeaway.com which provide an advertising platform for vacation home rental owners, have exploded in popularity in recent years. As v... 11/02/2011

Updates for Halloween - 10.31.2011  www.KonaHomeTeam.com    Featured Listings click to view Multi Unit Duplex on Alii Drive 76-6175 ALII DRKAILUA KONA, HI $1,590,000 16 Bed16 Bath 8,000 sq ft Kanaloa at Kona Condos for sale # 2601 78-261 MANUKAI STKAILUA KONA, HI $749,000 2 Bed2 Bath 1486 sq ft Hualalai Colony - Very Clean - GREAT PRICE 75-5608 HIENALOLI-KAHULUI RDKailua Kona, HI $618,000 3 Bed2 Bath 1,862 sq ft Keauhou Kona Surf and Racquet Club, 4202 78-6800 ALII DRKailua Kona, HI $579,000 2 Bed2 Bath 1170 sq ft Preview - Kona Coffee Farm, 5 acres plus home 82-1090 KILOACaptain Cook, HI $475,000 3 Bed3 Bath 2,100 sq ft Pool, Ocean Views, 5 Acres - Private 88-1651 Moana DrCaptain Cook, HI $399,000. 3 Bed2 Bath 1,612 sq ft 10/31/2011

Beaches Of Kona Video Tour - Kua Bay Kua Bay is one of my favorite Kona Beaches. Located in the Kehaka  Kai State Park, in a spectacular setting, Kua Bay is about 10 miles North of Kailua-Kona off of Hwy 11 between mile markers 88 and 89 and surrounded by lava fields. The powdery white sand is soft on the feet and the water is warm, clear and perfect for a refreshing swim.  Weekends can be a little crowded but during the week you can almost have the place all to yourself.  Bring your mask and fins to snorkel around the reef and rocks at both ends of the bay, where there are tropical fish and sea turtles.   Kua Bay is a great place to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle, you won't see any hotels or condos out here. Just make sure that you bring an umbrella and sunscreen because... 10/25/2011

It's fall in Kona and the town was bustling with triathletes and visitors here for the 2011 Ironman World Triathlon Championships October 8th. Chrissie Wellington was the female champion with an inspiring effort. She crashed her bike training in Kona just four days prior to the race and suffered torn pectoralis muscles, road rash and severe bruising. The womens most dominating triathlete suffered, trying to overcome the pain during the 2.1 mile swim and 100 mile bike ride, starting the 26.2 mile run 21 minutes behind the leaders. "I had to dig to the deepest depths that i've ever known" said Wellington after her victory by just over 2 minutes. "I couldn't have given any more". Three time champion and legend Craig Alexander won the mens race with a new course record. "In fairness to the... 10/19/2011

Kailua-Kona Real Estate Market Update Sept 2011 The Kona and South Kohala real estate market is seeing some signs of stability in the most recent statistics. North Kona, which consists primarily of Kailua-Kona saw residential home sales decrease slightly from 34 to 32 home sales when comparing September 2011 with September of 2010. This is a 5.88% decrease in number of homes sold. The median price however, increased 9.11% from $342,500 to $373,694 in Sept 2011.  North Kona saw 20 condos sold in September 2011, 3 fewer than Sept. 2010, a 13.04% decrease.  The median price increased from $190,400 to 208,250 or 9.38%. Very similar to the increase in North Kona home sales. Year to date North Kona has recorded 314 home sales, 27 more than YTD 2010, a 29.37% increase. Year to date 249 condos ... 10/19/2011

Kailua-Kona Neighborhood - Pualani EstatesThe Pualani Estates subdivision in Kailua-Kona is one of the newest neighborhoods in the area. Built by developer D.R. Horton in phases going up the hillside above the Kuakini Highway; these homes are considered modestly priced for the area.The Pualani Estates offers 8 floor plans from 1,141 to 2,500 square feet with lot sizes ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 square feet. The neighborhood features a park with baseball diamond, soccer field and play stations for the kids.  This family friendly neighborhood has sidewalks, streetlights and underground utilities. Many of the homes have beautiful ocean views.These attractive homes are built in the plantation style with hardiplank cement siding and hipped roofs. Interiors feature cathedral ceilings, ceram... 10/15/2011

Kailua-Kona Neighborhood Video Tour - IolaniThe Iolani subdivision in Kailua-Kona is known for its upscale homes and panoramic ocean and Kailua Bay Views. Kailua-Kona developer Maryl, built out a portion of the neighborhood with single family homes called The Courtyards at Iolani in the early to mid 2000's. These popular single level, luxury homes have courtyards with pergolas at the entrances, tile roofs, open floorplans, cathedral ceilings and pocket doors opening to covered lanais on 1/2 acre lots. The Iolani subdivision has a substantial number of custom homes and some vacant lots that are yet to be developed. This scenic neighborhood has underground utilities to maximize the expansive vistas. Iolani is located at an average elevation of about 750 feet above sea level and directly a... 10/13/2011

Kailua-Kona Adventure Video Tour - Kailua Bay Join me, Rich Bosselmann for a Kailua-Kona video tour of Kailua Bay, Hawaii on my stand up paddle board. You will see beautiful vistas of Mount Hualalai which stands 8,271 feet above the scenic town of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, clear tropical water with reef fish , an ancient Hawaiian temple and even a good place to have a cup of Kona coffee. If your planning to visit Kailua-Kona in the future, consider staying at a luxury vacation home with private swimming pool, right in town and close to beaches, or stay by beautiful Keauhou Bay in a tropical home with pool.  If you fall in love with Kailua-Kona like I did, and want to stay, contact Rich Bosselmann at (808) 345-5085, "Your Kona real estate connection" for information about Kailua-Kona real est... 10/09/2011

Kailua-Kona Neighborhood Video Tour - Na Hale O KeauhouThe Na Hale O Keauhou is a gated, upscale, low density townhome development located in the Keauhou Resort area of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. The 84 townhomes, each with an attached garage, were completed in 2006.  The floorplan sizes range from 1,450 to just over 1,800 square feet with 2 or three bedrooms. Each unit has two private lanais and most have ocean views. The Na Hale O Keauhou interiors feature vaulted ceilings, granite counters, glass showers, soaking tubs, walk in closets and many quality finishes. The development has a beautiful pool,spa, kiddie pool and exercise room. The landscaping is resort quality and incorporates the lava flow that existed pre-development, giving the grounds an appealing contrast. Located a short walk t... 10/07/2011