Kohala Coast Resort Deals (Four-Bedrooms or More)

Increasingly in the luxury end of the Kohala Coast Resort real estate market, we find among our buyers close-knit families who often travel with at least three generations, or both sets of grandparents, or several adult siblings. For these buyers, a three-bedroom condo or home is a bare minimum; lately we’ve had some clients for whom three-bedrooms is not enough. If you are looking for a Big Island resort property with four bedrooms or more, there are only a handful of deals among the condos and homes for sale.

This entry level 4-bed home at Kukio (MLS# 249867) is listed for $4,490,000

What Does it Cost to Buy a 4-Bedroom Home at the Big Island Luxury Resorts?

“Deal” is always relative in Hawaii resort real estate! So, let’s establish a baseline. For the most part, whether at Hualalai, Mauna Kea, Mauna Lani, or Waikoloa Beach Resort, attached condos have three bedrooms at most. That means for four bedrooms you are mostly looking at a single family detached home with its own swimming pool, even if classified as a condo. That also means, for the most part, a price tag that jumps a step above the condo level.

For example, you have many choices in 3-bedroom condos at Hualalai Resort in the $2.5 million range and some older condos creeping below $2 million. A 4-bedroom home at Hualalai will cost $4+ million.

Similarly, at Mauna Kea Resort, you can buy a 3-bedroom Wai’ula’ula condo under $900,000; the least expensive 4-bedroom property for sale at Mauna Kea would be the Kauna’oa paired town homes at $2 million and up.

At Mauna Lani Resort, a 3-bedroom condo might sell for as little as $600,000 fully furnished at Fairway Villas or Golf Villas; the 4-bedroom Champion Ridge home that sold in 2011 went for $2.9 million, although there are homes listed in the Champion Ridge for well less.

Current Best Buys in 4-Bedroom Hualalai Resort Property

Lowest priced 4-bed home for sale at Hualalai is this Na Hale at Kahikole (MLS# 239153) for $4,550,000

Starting from the top, I don’t see a listing that represents a “deal” for 4-bedroom real estate at Haulalai Resort, but remember that Hualalai Realty dominates the real estate listings and they have every incentive to keep asking prices high. The trick is for the buyer to work with an agent who knows the comps and is willing to be aggressive with offers.

For example, there were two “deals” in 2011: the sellers of a Kai Molino Estates home listed at $3,150,000 accepted $1,999,900! This is an older property (1997 vintage); in newer homes, the “deal” tag goes to a sale at Hainoa Estates. Last year’s deal was a home listed for $4,950,000 that sold for $3,500,000.

The least expensive 4-bed homes currently listed are in Na Hale at Kahikole, priced right around $4.5 million. A similar home sold in 2011 for an even $4 million. These are 3-bedroom villas with a separate 4th bedroom guest suite. At Hainoa Estates, list prices are currently a bit higher than at Kahikole. The question is whether either of the current sellers, listed for $4,695,000 and $4,795,000, will accept below $4 million.

Current Best Buys at Mauna Kea Resort

The 4th bedroom in this Mauna Kea Fairways North home (MLS# 245034) is a separate “ohana;” asking price $2,695,000

Last year’s screaming deal was a home at the Uplands at Mauna Kea that was a REO (bank-owned after foreclosure). It sold for $1,050,000.

This year? I’ve already blogged about the developer closeout at Kauna’oa, but not every 4-bedroom buyer will like a paired home, and with the Kauna’oa floor plans, not all buyers consider the 4th bedroom a suitable bedroom. Among the other six homes on the market at Mauna Kea, the two lowest priced (Fairways North at around $2.7 million) each have a challenge, but they’ve been on the market for years, so I’d say make them an offer.

Four Bedrooms at Mauna Lani Resort

Second floor is a second master suite in this 4-bed Ka Milo floor plan (MLS# 246447) for $1,095,000

There IS a 4-bed condo floor plan at Ka Milo at Mauna Lani Resort. Its compact layout is well thought through to place a second master suite on a second floor directly above the ground floor master. The disadvantage for some buyers would be the lack of a private pool, but for the buyer who just needs four bedrooms and doesn’t mind the shared amenities, here is an option for only $1,095,000.

If you need your privacy and a pool, the entry level single family home community at Mauna Lani Resort is Champion Ridge. There is a home listed at $1,750,000 (MLS# 248964), almost a million less than anything else in there. Challenges: 2-story floor plan that many find odd and a lot that backs up to the road.

If your budget allows, step up to 49 Black Sand Beach, where the view or pool at any individual home is less of an issue when you can walk to the private beach club amenities. The lowest priced 4-bed home for sale at 49 Black Sand has been reduced to $2,995,000 (MLS# 226747)…and having been on the market almost 2.5 years, perhaps they are ready to make a deal.

Screaming Deals at Waikoloa Beach Resort

Single family home at Kolea (MLS# 226945) is now priced at $2,600,000 – less than a penthouse condo

Speaking of 2.5 years on market, look at the date stamp on the MLS photo for the house on Lot 16, Kolea at Waikoloa Beach Resort. Originally asking $4.9 million, the price is down to $2.6 million for this 5-bedroom home. Privacy is a plus; lack of ocean view a minus, but you are easy walking distance from the beach at Anaehoomalu Bay, or the restaurants and shops at the King’s Shops and Queen’s Marketplace. As recently as 2010, a 3-bedroom Kolea condo sold for $2,550,000, so for the right buyer, this is a deal.

Two Halii Kai condos connected to make a 6-bedroom unit; each master has its own lanai with ocean view…$1,030,00 each

Finally, if you want the most bang for buck defined as number of bedrooms for the price, here’s your deal: Halii Kai 8F (MLS# 249218) and 8G (MLS# 249216), two penthouse condos of 3 bedrooms each that have been combined with a door between. That gives you a total of 6 bedrooms with two master suites (each having its own lanai). The asking price for the pair is $2,060,000! Again, you won’t have a private pool, but if your family prefers to have the kids splashing in the big pool while the adults sip their mojitos at the Ocean Club bar and watch for whales, this is a situation one can truly call unique.

A hui hou,

Beth Thoma Robinson, R(B)