Waikoloa, HI Real Estate News

By Johnny McElree
(Live Your Dreams!)
Enjoy a Royal Luau today at  Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa from 5:00-8:00 pm Enjoy the sunset over Anaehoomalu Bay, Hawaiian cuisine and Polynesian entertainment that includes the spellbinding Samoan Fire Dance.
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By Johnny McElree
(Live Your Dreams!)
Take a Petroglyph Tour today at  Kings' Shops from 10:30-11:30 "Kii pohaku (petroglyphs, literally "rock pictures") may be the closest thing to a written language that Hawaiians used, and some are thought to be astronomical symbols, road signs or markers of historic events. Join expert Kalei'ula Makekau for a moderate 1-hour walk back through Hawaii's fascinating history, and see for yourself. "
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By Johnny McElree
(Live Your Dreams!)
When you're ready to buy a new home or sell your property for the best return, make sure you have a real estate professional who understands your goals. Johnny McElree believes there's nothing better than living on the Kohala Coast and helping others achieve their real estate dreams. Contact him today and Live Your Dreams.  www.johnnymcelree.com    
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By Rob Dalton, Big Island Vacation Rental Guru
(Waikoloa Vacation Rentals)
Having a very successful SEO campaign can require a lot of time and energy, but in the end it really boils down to three main things; getting invloved in the community, getting your information out there via article submission and page building, and having a good site.  Here is some more insight to each of these items. Getting Involved In the CommunityThis is one of the simplest and least costly ways to gain links to your site.  You can get involved with other blogs and comment on them to gain links.  Also many people let you "guest post" on their blog and allow you to include a link within your post.  This is a much more valuable link.  You can also get invloved in forums.  Almost all forums allow you to have a link in your signature.  These are not too valuable, but they are still lin...
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By Beth Thoma Robinson, R(B) SFR - Hawaii Island Luxury Resort Real Estate
(Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers Big Island)
After a few sales of Kolea condominiums (that fabulous beachfront Kohala Coast property) where prices ticked up after previous distress sale levels, we suddenly find ourselves today with a new short sale and a new REO (bank-owned foreclosure). Starting with the top, Kolea 10F is a penthouse unit in a front-row position facing the Beach Club pool and walking path to the white sands of Anaehoomalu Bay.  It offers three beds, three and a half baths, pocket doors opening onto the huge ocean view lanai, a full 2147 sq ft of luxury.  Priced at $1,650,000, buyer should also expect to pay several months of delinquent HOA dues (which run about $2000/mo).  No telling whether the Lender will accept this price, given that the two most recent sales of this floorplan were 2F at $1,500,000 and 7F at $...
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By Rob Dalton, Big Island Vacation Rental Guru
(Waikoloa Vacation Rentals)
I purchased a home from a developer, DR Horton, on the Big Island. I had heard prior to purchasing to be very careful about making sure everything was correct before purchasing because their warranty department was really bad. Anyway, everything was pretty good at the house so we closed on it. The only problem we have had is that the fireplace does not work. It has been this way for a year and a half now and I have contacted them about resolving it just about every month. At first they kept on extending the flue and then after they maxed out the height they just say they are trying to figure something out, but never do anything. I gave them a month in February to either fix it or convert it to gas. They tell me once to twice a week they are working on it, but of course no one is out her...
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By Rob Dalton, Big Island Vacation Rental Guru
(Waikoloa Vacation Rentals)
Google seems to always be changing its prescense on the web.  Just recently I noticed that they are implementing real estate listings in google maps more.  I think this is a great feature for google, but also competes with what many of you may be doing.  Since google tends to use their maps and google local often in searches if your listings are on them that is another way you can get a listing on the first page of google for good search terms.  If you click here you can view an example of what I am talking about.  You will find real estate listings from various companies on the left side of the page. Also using google local is a great way to get first page placement.  Also the large map that google places along with the businesses is very eye catching so it tends to draw a fair amount ...
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By Rob Dalton, Big Island Vacation Rental Guru
(Waikoloa Vacation Rentals)
As social media is becoming more and more of a trend I keep finding myself feeling like I need to partake in it.  In early 2009 I started a twitter account and just could not make sense of it.  Everything I wanted to say that was related to business could not be said in the few amount of words they allowed you to tweet. Just recently I started a Facebook business page.  I was very happy with the functionality and simplicity of using it.  Then it came time to get fans and start promoting it.  Once I got to this step I figured it out that it is really going to be hard to use facebook to promote your business.  Even if someone is a fan, it is not like another profile where your posts will show up on their wall.  Your posts show up only on their most recent news feed, which I typically do n...
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By Rob Dalton, Big Island Vacation Rental Guru
(Waikoloa Vacation Rentals)
I have only been a member of ActiveRain for a couple of years, but I am already finding it hard to find a descent topic to write about.  I thought I would just pass along a small success story to give everyone out there some positive outlook.  I started really working on my web site, www.waikoloavacationrentals.com, just about a year ago.  At that point Hawaii had started to feel the crunch of the economy.  I continued to put a lot of time into the SEO and MORE IMPORTANTLY the items that effect the conversion rate of my web site.  Since then I have climbed up the charts for some pretty competitive terms, my conversion rate has gone through the roof, and more importantly business has been better than what is what before. After putting the money and efforts forth, I have been able to expa...
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By Beth Thoma Robinson, R(B) SFR - Hawaii Island Luxury Resort Real Estate
(Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers Big Island)
Had lunch at the Hali'i Kai Ocean Club Bar & Grill today and watched the whales jumping like popcorn popping.  The developer sponsored today's Kohala Coast broker caravan so after previewing the best new listings for sale from Hualalai Resort north to Mauna Kea Resort, agents could enjoy the view and food, and hear about reduced pricing on remaining developer units for sale. Resort real estate continues to be hot at the moment, with the majority of the sales either short sale, foreclosure or developer properties.  About half of all sales at Waikoloa Beach Resort last year were at Halii Kai. Although they are still holding prices firm on their limited ocean view inventory, the developer is willing to stay competitive on the Coconut Grove to maintain their sales pace: 3bd 3ba Ikena F/G u...
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By Beth Thoma Robinson, R(B) SFR - Hawaii Island Luxury Resort Real Estate
(Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers Big Island)
I have had about a dozen calls in the past ten days about short sales and REO (foreclosure) opportunities at oceanfront Halii Kai and Kolea on the Kohala Coast (playground of the Big Island of Hawaii).  I have also been busy writing offers (some accepted, some countered too high, some outbid) and receiving offers on listings.  Here is a quick update: At Kolea, I spent a few very happy hours last night with a new owner who acted on one of the best buys blogged about here on ActiveRain in the past.  This is their first visit since their purchase closed, and they were greeted by a resident who calls himself "The Mayor" and his first words were "You STOLE this unit.  There will never be another one sold at such a low price."  Whether that is true or not remains to be seen, but keep that sto...
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By Rob Dalton, Big Island Vacation Rental Guru
(Waikoloa Vacation Rentals)
The Kohala Coast on the Big Island of Hawaii has become known as one of the premier vacation destinations in the world.  On this coast you will find the Waikoloa Beach Resort, which has expanded and offers two hotels, over 1000 vacation rentals, shopping, and activities for everyone.  It has recently been rated "The Top Vacation Destination in Hawaii for Families".   The cornerstone of the Waikoloa Beach Resort is the Hilton Waikoloa.  This expansive hotel spans over 62 acres and consists of four towers and two large resort style pools.  Within the hotel you will find seven dining choices.  KPC is the nicest restaurant and is located on a bluff giving an amazing ambiance.  The Kona Pool is the most popular pool and consists of multiple jacuzzis, a grotto, and a waterslide.  The Kohala P...
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By Beth Thoma Robinson, R(B) SFR - Hawaii Island Luxury Resort Real Estate
(Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers Big Island)
I don't ordinarily spend my Saturday nights blogging, but I have just spent the day showing short sale, REO (foreclosure) and other best buy listings at Halii Kai and Kolea on the Big Island's Kohala Coast, and as I talk with these prospective buyers who found me on ActiveRain, I realize my earlier blog posts have become misleading! As of today, there is only ONE active REO listing at Kolea and ONE active REO listing at Halii Kai.  I must have shown each of these units dozens of times (Kolea 15H and Halii Kai 14B on the oceanfront), and even have clients with paperwork filled out and ready for signature.  The listing agents tell me they get multiple showings a day.  Both units have had price reductions.  I truly think at current prices an investor would be happy and someone buying for 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)
There has been a lot of real estate sales activity at Halii Kai in the 3 months since my last blog post about this oceanfront condo community at the Waikoloa Beach Resort on the Kohala Coast. On the resale side, the only condos that changed hands were the two REO properties described in my June blog post: an absolute oceanfront two-bedroom 13A closed for $814,995 and 16C for $385,900. Unbelievable prices-less than half what the original buyer paid. The developer is willing to negotiate on their remaining inventory to keep pace with market interest, although it appears only on condos in the Coconut Grove area at the back of the property.  As the landscaping has filled in, the Grove has turned out to be a sweet, calm oasis, and the units with north-facing lanai have a view of sunrise over...
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By Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089, Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info
(Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers)
  Georgina M. Hunter (RS) e-Pro (808) 283-0635Jim Sanders Realty Inc.PO Box 792050, Paia, HI  96779(808) 579-8255  FAX: 579-9004Looking for a vacation home on MAUI?    Call THE HUNTER...Georgie Hunter, your north shore expert.Search all Maui land and residential listings on my website... www.eastmaui.com Tweet with me on Twitter.com    @mauihunter------------------------------------------------------------Aloha from Maui... Georgie Hunter   "I want to help you reach your Real Estate goals."
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By Beth Thoma Robinson, R(B) SFR - Hawaii Island Luxury Resort Real Estate
(Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers Big Island)
There are few condos on the Kohala Coast with their own private path to the beach.  Most of that prime real estate is taken by luxury single family homes with multi-million dollar price tags.  Kolea at the Waikoloa Beach Resort is unique in that the front row of this gated community has 17 single family home sites (about half with homes on them in the $7 million range) and beautifully constructed condominiums behind them.  The best priced condos don't have views of the beach, but who needs the view when you can enjoy it all day from the beach, pool and Beach Club, and all you are going to use your condo for is to sleep at night? The first REO hit the MLS this morning at a "best buy" price of only $663,900 for 1550 sq ft 2BR/2BA (the larger, outside two-bedroom floorplan). This unit sold...
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By Rob Dalton, Big Island Vacation Rental Guru
(Waikoloa Vacation Rentals)
  Halii Kai Vacation Rental 12H offers the most amazing view on the Big Island of Hawaii.  Overlooking the signature hole of the Waikoloa Beach Course, you have a uincomparable view of the blue Pacific waters and surf.  Enjoy some of the best sunsets in the world from Halii Kai 12H.  During the winter months you will be able to see the whales frollick in the waters just off of the coast from your lanai.     The Halii Kai Ocean Club is just steps away from 12H.  The Halii Kai Ocean Club is the premier pool on the Big Island of Hawaii besides those located within a hotel.  The Halii Kai Ocean Club features a multi layer infinity pool, restaurant, and fitness hale all located on a bluff overlooking the ocean.  The restaurant serves a continental breakfast and has an excellent lunch menu.  ...
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By Rob Dalton, Big Island Vacation Rental Guru
(Waikoloa Vacation Rentals)
The Big Island of Hawaii is filled with salons both inside the resorts and outside the resorts.  Being in the vacation rental business in Hawaii I get many inquiries for someone to do manicures/pedicures, hair, or to do bridal work for a wedding.  I would highly recommend Island Girlz Hair and Nail.  They are located in Waimea, but will come to the resorts to help you with your bridal work.  The quality is that of a resort salong, but the pricing is much better. If you live in Hawaii, this is the best salon for you.  You can reach Doreen at 808-987-1781 to schedule an appointment or if you have any questions.
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By Rob Dalton, Big Island Vacation Rental Guru
(Waikoloa Vacation Rentals)
Kolea 8C is one of the best positioned Penthouse Villas in all of Kolea. Full Ocean View with direct Beach access to the stunning Anaehoomalu Bay and the beautifully appointed Kolea Beach Club and Amenities right across the way. You'll never miss a crimson sunset or the whales breaching in the azure blue water from this superbly finished third floor location. Vaulted ceilings, African mahogany trim, stone, and the finest of appliances are but a few fine features of this unit. Shop till you drop at the high end King's Shops and dine with fine wine at the brand new Queen's Shops. With the Beach and King's Golf Courses within walking distance Championship golf is right in your back yard. Live the Dream live Kolea!  Kolea 8C is listed at $3,495,000.
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By Rob Dalton, Big Island Vacation Rental Guru
(Waikoloa Vacation Rentals)
Kolea 9K is a beautiful, three-bedroom, two-bath condominium with a nice garden view and is just steps away from the Kolea Beach Club. The living area has a large couch with a LCD television. The kitchen has stainless steel appliances and is fully-equipped for all of your cooking needs. There are sliding windows that recede into the walls to open up to the lanai. These windows allow you to enjoy the wonderful Hawaiian breezes while you relax in the living area. The lanai has a wet bar with a refrigerator and gas grill.The master bedroom is right off of the living area. There is a king-size bed with a large television. The master bath has a large, walk-in shower with dual showerheads and a large, jacuzzi tub. The first guest bedroom has two twin beds and a television. The guest bathroom ...
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