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The Beach at Kahalu'u

As a buyer’s agent for West Hawaii, I’m keeping plenty busy despite the gloomy national news. Late summer and fall is usually a slow time here for buyers, but I’m writing as many offers for clients as I was at the traditional peak time back in January and February. Read entire post →

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Oceanfront parcel One Puako bay

Oceanfront parcel at One Puako Bay (MLS 215500) is 6.76 acres of quiet black sand

A year ago I wrote a primer on the topic of what someone buying oceanfront property in Hawai’i needs to know.  In it I explained that “conservation” is the land use designation generally applied to coastal lands. Now, for the first time in 16 years, the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources is reviewing the rules pertaining to areas zoned conservation. The most significant proposal would specify the shoreline building setback to be 40 feet from the certified shoreline PLUS 70 times the average annual coastal erosion rate. (The public comment period lasts until September 7th if you have an interest and want to register your opinion).

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pasture with mango trees on border

Pasture with huge mango trees

It’s mango season again. Go to any farmer’s market and there is table after table of mangoes of every shape and size; huge green ones, small pointy yellow ones, some with every color of the rainbow. I love them all. I’ve even discovered a “somewhat” tidy way to eat the common mango that litters the roads where I walk my dog here in Captain Cook. You pick them up and massage them firmly until they are all soft and squishy, then tear a small hole with your teeth and suck the pulp out. Sexy fruit. Love them. Read entire post →

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Architect Carey Smoot knows cool.

two bali-style huts facing pool

The man built homes for Bob Dylan and Steve McQueen. Here in Kona, he designed an estate (MLS# 229175) nestled amongst the coffee farms of Holualoa overlooking Keauhou Bay, a collection of six thatched roof huts surrounding a stunning pool. Originally priced at $1.2 million, this estate is now for sale at $1,150,000. Read entire post →

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I recently sold a Waikoloa Village house to some French compatriots. After living a few years on the rainy side of Waimea, they were ready for some warmth and sunshine. We eventually found the right place and price, and sat down to write the offer and review the escrow procedure.

When I said the word “Escrow,” their jaws dropped and they expressed concerns about dealing with a third party “escroc.” Escrow, it turns out, and “escroc” are pronounced the same; both words are “faux amis” (false friends), meaning they look alike but have different meanings.

The American dictionary defines Escrow as “the deposit of deed, bond, monies, contract or other written agreements with a third person to be delivered or used only upon performance or fulfillment of set conditions.” In practice, Escrow provides one central place where all funds and documents may be deposited. Here, they can be collected and disbursed only when all conditions of the contract are met by Seller and Buyer.

The French word “escroc,” on the other hand, means crook, or con man. My French clients thus had little trust in this supposedly independent third party’s willingness to protect their deposit funds until the transfer of the property.

As a French realtor working on the Big Island of Hawaii, I am aware of growing European and Canadian communities. Please do not hesitate to contact me for representation, as I can help you understand the key differences between buying in your country and buying in Hawaii.

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A Mauna Lani Terrace unit has finally gone into escrow after 523 days on market! A 1 bed /2 bath ground floor unit of 1150 sq. ft. which was listed for $895,000 has become the first to break the streak.

Prior to this new contingent sale, the last Terrace unit to sell was in February of  2009; a 2 bed / 2 bath 2nd floor unit which had been on the market 391 days and eventually sold for $1,375.

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I recently read an article in the Los Angeles Times entitled “Professional Investors Move into Flipping Foreclosed Homes.” It indicated that investment groups have been going to the courthouse steps to purchase foreclosed properties, consisting primarily of private equity funds and groups of wealthy individuals.

The investment groups then refurbish the homes and quickly try to flip them for a profit. This appears to be a risky way of purchasing properties as often times the buyers/investors do not know what condition the property is in, and often times, as the homeowner is still living in the home, the buyer is forced to pay the original homeowner to leave—a dynamic known as “cash for keys.” Read entire post →

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Have you ever considered renting a home for your next visit to the Hawaiian Islands?

Luxury awaits at this oceanfront Kona vacation rental

Hawaii Vacation Rentals, Inc. has been offering vacation homes for over 16 years on the Kona/Kohala Coast of the Big Island.  There are many advantages of renting a home from a professional vacation rental service. There is more freedom than a hotel room as you can wake up in the morning and make your breakfast on your own time, sit and watch sunset from your deck or yard, prepare your own meals if you choose or drive to nearby resorts for fine dining. Read entire post →

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Kanaloa in Keauhou (MLS# 228816) brings out the true meaning of extraordinary.

Big Island oceanfront condo at Kanaloa in Keauhou

Offered at $845,000, this quaint oceanfront condo (MLS# 228816) has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and 1,486 living square feet. Charming Koa cabinets and tile floors make clean up a breeze. Trade winds and ceiling fans also make this home a nice comfortable temperature. Nonetheless there is the A/C unit just in case. The new sliding glass door will lead to your oceanfront lanai and bar area where you are sure to capture the astonishing views and sounds of the Pacific Ocean. Onsite there is a 24 hour security guard, 3 pools, 2 tennis courts and hot tubs for those aching muscles. Read entire post →

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The registration deadline to bid at auction for this Kuki’o Foreclosed luxury home is rapidly approaching. If you want the opportunity to purchase this estate at auction, you must register by August 31, 2010. Read entire post →

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