We just recently had the opportunity to add the  most luxurious private home at Waikoloa Beach Resort to our vacation rental program.  This 4 bedroom smart home is not only spectacular on the interior, but also offers magnificent ocean views on an oceanfront setting. The interior offers over 4500 square feet of living space.  The great room is spacious and offers a large living area, dining area, and a small entertainment area with a wall mounted LCD television.  The gourmet kitchen is spacious and has stainless steel appliances with granite counters. With a click of a button, open the pocket doors to the ourdoor space that has a nice dining as well and lounging area overlooking the infinity pool and a private koi pond on an oceanfront setting. Each of the bedrooms offer an LCD televisi... 03/14/2013

Golf Course Gated Communities - Waikoloa, Mauna Lani, Hawaii for sale, Contingient, under contract and Sold LUVA LLC    Listing 38 out of 78Next Listing $258,00069-200 Pohakulana Pl Waikoloa, HI 96738 Residential ,2 Beds , 2 Baths , 1033 sq. ft. , MLS# ? Sold Date: Mar 28, 2011 Sold Price: $268,000 Notes:   2/19     Description Short Sale - Fairway Villas at Waikoloa Beach Resort J2 Golf Course Frontage - Gated - Vacation Rental Approved ! Pre Foreclosure - this is your chance to put in an offer before it comes out on the MLS. Fairway Villas at Waikoloa Beach Resort Waikoloa Beach Resort, world class beaches, fine dining, shopping galore, and some of the best weather on the planet. This 2/2 sits on the golf course, ground floor, just walk off your lanai and "presto' your on the Waikoloa... 03/02/2013

Luxury Condos, homes, in Mauna Lani, Lance Owens LUVA LLC  ack to Closed Listings Previous ListingListing 28 out of 78Next Listing $875,00068-1025 NORTH KANIKU DR KAMUELA, HI 96743 Residential ,3 Beds , 4 Baths , 2174 sq. ft. , MLS# Short Sale  Sold Price: $800,000 Notes: Call Lance Owens, LUVA LLC 808-936-8383    2/9     Description in Foreclosure - Villages at Mauna Lani Approved Short Sale - FULL OWNERSHIP Short Sale has been approved by Countrywide - this can close in weeks. NO WAITING. Most people that are looking here, know more about the Villages at Mauna Lani - than I do. But I will try to describe luxury living at its finest. This is the Lehua Model, 2,174 sqft of living area, 3/3.5 centrally located - with access to world class golfing, dining, and shopping. Complex includes a... 03/02/2013

Over the course of the last few months I have been reading articles about how the "social network" affects rankings throughout the search engines.  While google seems to be giving more weight to their own network, Google+, they are beginning to give weight to Facebook.  I believe over time they may start to give more weight.  I have a few pages of Facebook, a personal one and a couple of business ones.  Just recently I started to get spammed on my Kolea facebook page.  I have gotten Likes from dozens of people from foreign countries that post irrelevant posts that I have to delete daily.  So my question is.....currently are these likes beneficial in any way?  I would believe they are, but I am guessing that over time the search engines will learn how to decifer a genuine like from those... 08/06/2012

I just had a video make of Kolea at Waikoloa Beach Resort where the majority of our vacation rentals are. Check it out and let me know what you think. Have you done video? How did it effect your SEO and conversion? 03/19/2012

I recently completed two of my business pages on Facebook and Google+ and compared them.  I wanted to get your feedback on what you thought about the two platforms. Simplicity to Build- Google+While both of them were fairly straight forward to build, I found the Google+ page slightly easier to build.  The only downside I saw was that Google+ has a Video section and would not easily allow you to upload videos from YouTube, which I thought was a reasonable function giving the relationship of Google+ and YouTube. Look and Functionality- Google+Google+ offers a cleaner look and also is easy to interact on different levels with others.  Users- FacebookAt the end of the day, Facebook has a significant amount more of users, which to me is the most meaningful of anything.  In the year I have be... 03/17/2012

If you are still looking for a deal at oceanfront Halii Kai at Waikoloa Beach Resort, here's a rather sobering report. Whale watching from the Halii Kai Ocean Club is popular with owners and rental guests. All Halii Kai Short Sales Currently Have Offers For the first time in several years, there are no active short sale listings at Halii Kai.  There are seven short sales showing "contingent" which means anything from a new offer was just submitted to the banks for approval, to escrow having been opened. Those in early stages would probably still accept back-up offers. Halii Kai Developer Almost Sold Out For years prospective buyers have felt a lack of urgency knowing that the developer still had a substantial number of unsold units. Now that picture has changed.  All their ocean view an... 02/20/2012

One of the only two remaining foreclosures in the pipeline at the luxury Kolea condos at Waikoloa Beach Resort came on market a few moments ago.  The 2 bedroom groundfloor condo Kolea 15G is priced at $429,900 (MLS 251456). Even a foreclosure at Kolea still has the pocket doors and summer kitchen on the lanai. I don't think it is accidental that the listing agents for REO properties (bank-owned after foreclosure) release their hot listings on Friday afternoon.  If history repeats itself, the lucky new owner will be either a cash buyer or one with the foresight to have a prequal letter in hand to submit an offer over the weekend. If that's a bit too quick for you, or you prefer the 3rd floor, Kolea 16J (my listing) had a price reduction to $499,000 today.  That is a short sale and also r... 01/13/2012

For the first time in several years, as 2012 begins there is not a single 3-bedroom Halii Kai condo for sale that is a distressed property (short sale or bank-owned "REO" post-foreclosure).   As reported in my October Halii Kai update, the developer is nearly sold out.  They actually released their model home of the groundfloor 3bed/2bath Kipuka floorplan as they have nothing left in this floorplan.  And there are no short sales without offers in this popular floorplan either!  The two least expensive choices are both in Building 17...$500-549,000 asking prices for a furnished condo with rental bookings in place. View from the lanai of Halii Kai 15H, direct oceanfront privacy for $1,239,000 (MLS 240035) On the heels of our sale of Halii Kai 15E we listed the same 3 bedroom condo on the ... 01/06/2012

Vista Waikoloa Condominium Complex, has a surprising amount of Foreclosures and Short Sales. In fact,  the Association Of Apartment Owners (AOAO) has foreclosed on 7 units alone, now operating 6 of them as rental units. (according to public records - AOAO owned units - A103, A204, B105, B106, D103, E203) F201 was also recently owned by the AOAO, but foreclosed upon by the bank. In fact if you look at the public records, Hawaii MLS reports,  that out of the last 9 sales - 4 were distressed properties, either a short sale, pre foreclosure, or foreclosure - thats nearly 50% of all sales - worse yet,  if you add the 7 - AOAO foreclosures, on top of the "distressed property" sales - you have a 2 to 1 ratio - over non distressed sales.   On an up-note, with most of the sales averaging in the ... 12/29/2011

In 2010, there were 12 condos sold at beachfront Kolea at Waikoloa Beach Resort--seven of them distressed properties (bank-owned REOs or short sales). As of this morning, 13 Kolea villas have closed in 2011--nine of them distressed. There are also two short sales still in escrow, and two non-short sales in escrow, one of which will close before year end. That is an incredibly consistent level of demand for the past two years.  The question is whether it can be sustained in 2012, given that as of today we have only one distressed listing at Kolea and there is a significant gap between distressed and non-distressed pricing. All Kolea villas have the upscale finishes; Kolea 16J is now lowest priced at $525,000 (MLS 233827)  There are only two active listings which are short sales and I've ... 12/21/2011

The sunny northwest coast of Hawaii’s Big Island is a very appealing destination not only for its beaches, lavish resorts and golf courses, but for a host of other fun activities, as well. Read Full Article   Hitch A Ride With Me, I'll Take You Home! Johnny McElree Johnny@JohnnyMcElree.com www.HawaiiLuxuryListings.com 11/22/2011

New on Market: 72-145 Lipoa Pl - $6,395,000 Four Seasons Hualalai Resort - Lipoa Estates: This immaculate 4 bedroom, 4.5 bath custom residence has over 4,570sf. of interior living area with an additional outdoor covered area extending over 2,000sf. The residence provides... Read more about this listing at: http://www.hawaiiluxurylistings.com/property.php?mls=249874 Hitch A Ride With Me, I'll Take You Home! Johnny McElree Johnny@JohnnyMcElree.com www.HawaiiLuxuryListings.com 11/22/2011

November 14-21Impact a child's life with a simple shoe box gift. FIll a shoe box with school supplies, toys, necessity items, and a note of encouragement for children overseas suffering due to disaster, disease, war, terrrorism, famine and poverty. National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child is November 14-21. There are collection sites around the Kailua Kona area including one in Kamuela at the Waimea Assembly of God. To find a location near you, visit www.samaritanspurse.org/occ Hitch A Ride With Me, I'll Take You Home! Johnny McElree Johnny@JohnnyMcElree.com www.HawaiiLuxuryListings.com 11/14/2011

  November 17-20The fifth annual Asia Pacific Junior Cup will be conducted November 17-20 at the beautiful and challenging Waikoloa Beach Resort Kings’ Course on the Big Island of Hawaii. Ryder Cup-style international tournament, which features the top 16 juniors from Japan and Hawaii, with each team being represented by 10 junior boys and 6 junior girls. A portion of Junior Am will benefit the HSJGA, the Waikoloa Foundation and the American Red Cross for Tsunami Relief in Japan. The tournament will officially begin with the Opening Ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 16, followed by three days of Ryder Cup style play (juniors will square off in Four-Ball, Singles and Foursome matches for three days). The tournament is open to the public and always proves to be an exciting and wonderful cultura... 11/14/2011

November 19 & 20Waikoloa Soccer Club will hold the inaugural Waikoloa 3v3 Soccer Shoot-Out Nov. 19-20 at Hooko State Park in Waikoloa Village. The tournament is a qualifier for the Kick It 3v3 World Championships at Disney World in Orlando, Fla., set for January. View tournament info at: http://www.kickit3v3.com/tourinfo.aspx?tournament_id=550http://www.kicktvhawaii.com/   Hitch A Ride With Me, I'll Take You Home! Johnny McElree Johnny@JohnnyMcElree.com www.HawaiiLuxuryListings.com    11/14/2011

Looking for something to do this Friday?  Friday, November 4 · 5:30pm - 7:30pm 68-1330 Mauna Lani Drive   The Shops at Mauna Lani Get your $40 presale tickets at Monstera, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Tommy Bahama or at The Shops at Mauna Lani management office, Suite 100. Otherwise, $50 at the door. Tasting tables will include 20-30 fine wines, beer and delectable food samplings featuring all the restaurants at The Shops at Mauna Lani -- including Just Tacos, which will open in November! Each ticket can be reused for $15 savings at Monstera, Tommy Bahama, Ruth's Chris Steak House and Just Tacos with purchase of 2 entrees. That's a total savings of $60 per ticket!Tickets are $40 Presale or $50 at the door.For more information or details, call (808) 885-9501 or email socialmedia@shopsatmaun... 11/03/2011

New Listings Week of October 18th, 2011 Kolea Resort – Condo Villa 12B $1,695,000Kolea is the only beachfront condominium community on the Kohala Coast, and Villa 12B is on the second floor . Week of October 14th, 2011 Kamuela (Waimea) Hawaii68-128 Pukaua Place , Kamuela4bd/4.5 ba 23,494 sfPrice:  $1,750,000 Week of October 7th, 2011   NEW!  Kolea Resort – Condo Villa 2F $1,899,000Outstanding Kolea Penthouse, completely designer redecorated and refurbished very recently. New tile, furniture, artwork, paint, etc-all very beautifully done. Week of October 7th, 2011 New Sales Hualalai Resort72-135 Kuikawa Place5 bd/5.2 ba 40,261 sfSold: $12,250,000 Come live your dreams on the Kohala Coast today! Set up an appointment to see one of these listings or inquire about another. 10/19/2011

To date, there have been only three resales (non-developer sales) at Halii Kai that were not short sale or foreclosures.  My partner Pam and I just listed and sold Halii Kai 15E for $1,050,000, and although the sellers brought money to closing, it did not go through the short sale process. In other words, there have only been a total of 20 resales at Halii Kai, of which 7 were bank-owned and 10 were short sales. All three of the non-distressed sales were direct oceanfront condos (and I can proudly say, all were my listings or co-listings). Excluding developer inventory, there are currently 13 active listings at Halii Kai. But here is the big change: only three of these are short sales, and among them are some competitively priced units that come furnished and in some cases with strong r... 10/11/2011

With the continuing struggles of the economy not many investment properties are having any success.  Of the many properties we manage at on the Big Island of Hawaii, Kolea at Waikoloa Beach Resort is the only one that seems to be on the rise. Kolea is a luxury beachfront community offering 2 and 3 bedroom villas.  While the property as a whole has seen success, the spacious "front row" three bedroom villas have seen the biggest rise in popularity, which is a bit astouding given that many would think less expensive properties would have more success. These villas are over 2000 square feet and offer the best views Kolea has to offer.  The most popular aspect of these villas is that they all are less than a three minute walk from the Kolea Beach Club, which offers direct beach access.  The... 10/04/2011