2011's Best Buys in Kona Oceanfront and Ocean View Condos

My first best buy unit is at Kona by the Sea and is priced at $549K

We are well into our busy selling season here in Kona. With the cold weather in the rest of the country it’s no wonder folks want to linger here. What makes Kona especially attractive is the wide variety of oceanfront and ocean view condos available at extremely attractive prices.

While oceanfront condos out in the Kohala Resort area are well over a million, here in Kona, luxury oceanfront condos are available from $500,000 and up. If you want to be set back a bit, ocean view condos are plentiful, and luxury units start in the mid $400,000’s.

One of my favorite oceanfront complexes is Kona by the Sea, located midway between Kailua-Kona town and the Keauhou Bay along Alii Drive. All 109 units in this complex have ocean view. Some face directly out and others, like the one pictured above, look down the coast. For those who want to rent their unit out, Aston, a popular hotel chain here in the Islands, manages the complex and has an unusually high occupancy rate.

The 2 bedroom condos currently listed for sale range in price from $549,000 to $869,000. Last year, three sold. I represented one buyer and we were able to negotiate down to $450,000 on a unit priced at $525,000. In the end, that buyer walked away and another buyer was able to grab it at $460,000. Since then, two units have sold at $549,000 and $610,000, so like many of the resort properties, it looks like prices may be going up at Kona by the Sea.

Which brings me to my first best buy unit #320 (MLS# 234417) at the Kona by the Sea. The photo above was shot from this unit’s Lanai. Gives you a good picture of the pool, beach, and lovely views at Kona by the Sea. It comes turn-key furnished, and has a great rental history. The hard part is getting in to see this one as it’s always rented.

My second best buy unit at the Kanaloa is priced at $462,700

Another oceanfront complex that is a bit more hidden is Kanaloa. Set on a peninsula that juts into Keauhou Bay is this lush enclave of condos. Ocean on two sides and a golf course on the other, all of these condo have views of one sort or another. The interiors are not your usual condos. The units feature lots of angle, windows, multiple lanais, and a generous use of Koa wood in cabinets.

The complex boast three pools including one on the ocean, tennis courts, and on-site vacation rental management by the Outrigger Hotel chain. There is a large range of condos currently for sale at the Kanaloa. For that reason, great deals can be had. I represented a couple last year and they were able to get a bay view one bedroom condo for $250,000. It had been priced at $309,000.

So, Kanaloa is the location of my second best buy: unit #3406 (MLS# 240186) priced at $462,700. This is a 2 bedroom bay view unit with a great rental history, turn-key furnished, and the seller, for the right terms and price, is willing to finance. The photo above was taken of the living room lanai looking out over a cove off Keauhou Bay. King Kamehameha III was born not too far from here. There are some wonderful three bedrooms for those who need more room, and some one bedrooms too. This is a lush, wonderful retreat.

Unit #F4 is my third best buy unit and is priced at $528K

Finally, for those who would like a newer complex, or one set back a bit from the ocean, Na Hale O Keauhou offers lovely two and three bedroom ocean view units, and was built in 2005. Na Hale sits on a slight rise and many of the units have panoramic views of the ocean and coastline. It is also just a short walk from Keauhou Shopping Center for movies, groceries, farmers market, and lots of cultural activities.

I was able to help a buyer negotiate a great price on a fully furnished ocean and pool view 3 bedroom/3 bathroom unit. It had been priced at $509,000 and my buyer got it for $450,000. Currently, there are several three bedrooms available with ocean views. I am also keeping my eyes out as a great unit was foreclosed upon not long ago, and will be a great buy when the bank finally lists it for sale.

In the mean time, my third best buy is unit #F4 (MLS# 238350) a three bedroom condo at Na Hale O Keauhou with panoramic ocean views priced at $528,000. This unit does not come furnished and is not a vacation rental, although vacation rentals of 7 days or more are allowed in the complex. It is a spacious 1,778 sq. ft. with ocean views from nearly every room. Definitely worth checking out.