Near-Oceanfront Big Island Home for Sale at Kohala Waterfront

For the first time since early 2010, there is a home for sale at the gated oceanfront community known as Kohala Waterfront. This is the Kohala Coast residential community where we have had strong sales of vacant lots this year as reported by my business partner, Pam Deery. Real estate agents are rushing to show this newly listed Kohala Waterfront property, which has a great near-oceanfront location, but with several qualities that many buyers would consider fatal flaws.

New home listing at gated oceanfront community Kohala Waterfront is offered at $1,285,000 (MLS# 259206)

Near-Oceanfront, Priced to Sell

Kohala Waterfront on the makai (ocean) side of the highway and Kohala By the Sea on the mauka (mountain) side of the highway are the easiest leap for a buyer who has stayed at the Kohala Coast resorts and now feels comfortable leaving Mauna Lani or Mauna Kea for a single family home in a gated community outside the resort environment.

While some homes and lots are immediately below Akoni Pule “Highway,” the newly listed home is one row back from the oceanfront. It does have another home currently in view if you peer over the edge and there are vacant lots to be built – but there will always be a big ocean view from the home.

Location is a plus: only one lot between this home and the dramatic Kohala Coast oceanfront

The two aspects of this home that will rule it out for some buyers are size and the lack of a pool. At 2,377 sq. ft. it compares nicely with entry-level resort homes such as one might find at Villages at Mauna Lani, Ka Milo, or paired home at Wai’ula’ula Villas at nearby Mauna Kea Resort that had multiple offers despite being mauka of the highway and priced over $400,000 above this Kohala Waterfront home.

However, all these resort options come with at least a plunge pool and the home for sale at Kohala Waterfront does not. There is room for one on the lot…although some good engineering and a big retaining wall would be required.

Nearby Kohala Coast Real Estate Options in case you miss this deal…

There are still seven vacant lots for sale at Kohala Waterfront, ranging in price an average of $500,000 (MLS# 254280) for ocean view lots to an oceanfront lot at $1,199,000 (MLS# 257653) – add the cost of construction and it is clear why I say the residential listing is priced to sell. With whale season upon us and so little inventory, an almost-oceanfront home should find a buyer quickly.

If you like the area and miss this opportunity, your next best choice is probably Kohala By the Sea across the street, where there are currently five homes for sale – although two come as a package deal for $3.8 million. Or you can wait a few years to see how Kohala Kai, the construction tying up traffic immediately north of Kohala Waterfront and across from Kohala Ranch, shapes up.

A hui hou,

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