Admin

Market Update: Kohala Ranch - Estates - By the Sea

By
Real Estate Agent with Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers Big Island

Kohala Ranch, Kohala Estates, Kohala By the Sea, Kohala Waterfront - four communities just minutes from the beaches and resort amenities of the Kohala Coast!

A Just north of the famed Kohala Coast resorts on the Big Island of Hawaii lies the district of North Kohala. The three gated communities of Kohala by the Sea, Kohala Waterfront, Kohala Ranch--plus the gate-less neighborhood Kohala Estate -- are an obvious choice for newcomers ready to step beyond resort living. Twelve months ago there was a surplus of homes for sale in these communities as sales had ground to a halt.   Over the past twelve months there have been no fewer than 32 real estate transactions - 13 land parcels sold and 19 residences.

The houses ranged from a $450,000 starter home in Kohala Estates to a $2.6 million ocean view estate in the lower Heathers section of Kohala Ranch.  The average sales price was almost $1.3 million.   Very few of these were distress sales, but real estate prices are still quite attractive compared to the market peak.

There are currently only three homes in escrow: two short sales (one in Kohala Estates for under $500,000 and one at the Summit of Kohala Ranch that looks like  screaming deal at $1,250,000) and the third is an REO (foreclosure) in Kohala By the Sea at $706,000.

Among the 29 active listings in these communities, a dozen houses were featured on a broker caravan last Friday. My "best buy" picks include:

  • a bank-owned equestrian estate at the Kohala Ranch Summit that once was on the market for $3 million and now is at a crazy $1,425,000 with 8-stall barn and separate 2 bedroom caretakers cottage
  • a contractor's own home in the Meadows with both blue ocean and green mountain views way below replacement cost at $1,099,000
  • a home in the lower Heathers whose location makes you feel as though you are almost oceanfront. I love everything about the home except the kitchen, which has a challenged layout. But who cares when you can barbecue around the pool?  Now reduced to $1,750,000.

Best Buy in Kohala Ranch Heathers

 

A hui hou,

Beth Thoma Robinson R(S)

Direct: 808.443.4588  Email: beth@hawaiilife.com

Show All Comments Sort:
Susan Brown
Keller Williams NE, Kingwood Texas (Humble & Atascocita too) - Kingwood, TX

Beth - Wow.  It sounds like you have some great deals on unique properties in Kohala.

Jun 28, 2010 05:58 AM
Michael Solarz
Northbrook, IL

Hi Beth

Love your updates..you really are using ActiveRain and Twitter effectively...by the way, my unit at Halii Kai has been rented nearly 70% of available days since march...with strong bookings for July and August....any drought relief in sight yet?

Jun 28, 2010 03:29 PM
Beth Thoma Robinson
Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers Big Island - Hawi, HI
R(B) SFR - Hawaii Island Luxury Resort Real Estate

Hi Michael,

It is dry as a bone here which is popular with the tourists, no so much with us horsewomen and cattle ranchers.

Halii Kai occupancy has been amazing this year, a lot of it repeat business.  Glad to hear you are doing so well.

Is ActiveRain paying off for you yet?

Aloha
Beth

Jun 28, 2010 05:37 PM
Kevin Robinson
Twin Falls, ID
Fractional Developer

Beth-

Hi. I am looking for high end properties in resort areas. Here is my blog that outlines what I am looking for.

http://activerain.com/blogsview/1781623/buying-homes-in-resort-towns

Please email me for more info.

Aug 04, 2010 12:54 PM
Beth Thoma Robinson
Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers Big Island - Hawi, HI
R(B) SFR - Hawaii Island Luxury Resort Real Estate

Kevin, there are opportunities here but the market has become very competitive for the steals.  I've had to become resourceful to uncover deals for my best clients, the ones who have signed exclusive representation agreements as well as our Notice to Buyer Clients discussing how we handle unintential dual agency when more than one of my clients is interested in the same type of properties.

Aug 05, 2010 07:43 AM