Just Fell Out of Escrow: 3 Great Kohala Coast Properties with Views

Sometimes on Craigslist I see the comment that a horse is being sold “for no fault of his own.” That’s how I feel about three great properties that fell out of escrow in the past week. Whatever happened with the buyers that they were unable or unwilling to complete the transaction was not an indication of something wrong with these Big Island homes for sale. I’ve shown each of them recently and would love to put any one of them back in escrow.

Villages at Mauna Lani (MLS# 259061), Kohala Ranch (MLS# 263082), or Hawi (MLS# 262740) – three great Hawaii Life-styles

I am not the listing agent on any of the three homes, so I’m being blunt when I say I believe they will each get back into escrow quickly. If you have been eyeing them online, you might want to act now.

1. Villages at Mauna Lani – Only Maile Floorplan For Sale

The paired homes at the Villages at Mauna Lani come in two flavors: the smaller Lehua floorplan and the larger Maile floorplan. While both have 3 bedrooms and 3.5 baths, the Lehua is 2,174 sq. ft. and the Maile is 2,752 sq. ft., so it lives on a grander scale.

Peekaboo ocean view, Maui, and Kohala Mountains from your lanai, rare at Villages at Mauna Lani

Of the seven active listings, five are Lehua with asking prices from $765,000 to $925,000; one is the freestanding Ali’i offered for $1,795,000; and the one that just fell out of escrow is the only Maile currently on the market, asking $935,000 (MLS# 259061).

While all the Lehua are interior units, this Maile in the 600-row overlooks the single level homes along the golf course…meaning you have a peekaboo ocean view and lovely Maui and Kohala Mountain views from the lanai. It is offered fully furnished (although the full-time resident seller is taking artwork so you can still personalize it to your taste).

2. Kohala Ranch Heathers – Pool and Big Ocean Views

With the market heating up, it might soon be impossible to find a home under $1.5 million in the Kohala Ranch Heathers…the lower section where temperatures are always warm enough to enjoy your swimming pool and entertain outside.

Lucky Bennett designed, improved by current owners, great flow and finishes, forever views

The seven current listings in the Heathers range in price from $1,295,000 for a 1988 home with only two bedrooms (and a great location) to $3,450,000 for a home with over 8,000 sq. ft. and six bedroom suites.

The Kohala Ranch home that just fell out of escrow is right in the middle at $1,895,000 (MLS# 263082) asking price for around 3,000 sq. ft. with four bedrooms, built in 2003, and continually upgraded by the present owners starting in 2005.

Besides upgrading exterior and interior details, landscape and hardscape, I love that they chose to expand the lanai and add the bar/BBQ area for outdoor living and entertaining. A photovoltaic system and solar pool heater were added to make the home more energy efficient.

3. One-of-a-Kind Hawi Ocean View Estate with Acreage

Among the features that make the Hawi estate that fell out of escrow unique would be location, location, location (MLS# 262740 asking $1,750,000). On the drier west side of town, but above the highway unlike the gated communities of the Puakea area and Lincoln Avenue makai, and bordered by huge acreage owned by Kamehameha Schools, this has privacy and views that are truly rare.

It would take a panorama photo to do justice to the ocean views from this Hawi estate on almost 8 acres

The second feature would be the fact that there are two three-bedroom homes, two garages, a separate studio/office off the garage by the main home, and several smaller sheds for equipment to maintain the groomed 7.78 acres. I’ve written before that it is not easy or automatic to have the ability to build two homes on ag-zoned land in North Kohala.

Owned by the seller since 1995, the main house was built in 1990 and the gate house in 1988. The gate house is a simple home, suitable for a caretaker, a long-term renter…or you could make it cute enough for guests. The main home was designed by the same architect who built the Lodge at Koele on the island of Lana’i. It has plantation-style details, a fireplace for holiday season charm (although you could easily add a pool to this property), and wonderful outdoor spaces sheltered from the tradewinds.

Most buyers would at least want to upgrade the bathrooms (each bedroom has its own)…and there are many other ways to make this home more modern if that’s your style. I’ve already had an interior design firm and a contractor look at both houses, so estimates would be readily obtained.

A hui hou,

Beth Thoma Robinson R(B)
Direct: 808.443.4588
Email: beth@hawaiilife.com

You can now subscribe to my blog posts at pb.hawaiilife.com!