Pandemic Sheltering in Your Kohala Coast Resort Condo

Although the trends across the country have been towards real estate buyers seeking larger homes, more space, and more privacy, the pandemic is also bringing buyers to our Kohala Coast Resort market. At first, we had mostly sales of larger homes rather than condominiums. While paired and single-family homes like my Ka Milo at Mauna Lani listings are still getting lots of interest, I see smaller condominiums in oceanfront projects becoming the next hot property segment.

Specifically, among the various buyers keeping me busy over the past few weeks are several families who have been staying for extended periods in a resort condo they donʻt own. These professionals could work from “home” with their children schooling online, and they decided to brave the 14-day quarantine and take up residence in a rental, or at the familyʻs second home in Hawaii. Now they see this lifestyle will work for them for the coming months are years, and they are looking to buy a place to continue their “pandemic shelter” lifestyle now, with the option to return the condo to the vacation rental market down the road.

Residents maintain appropriate distancing while swimming at the Beach Club at Mauna Lani Resort.

Walk to the Beach from Kolea Villas at Waikoloa Beach Resort

In a couple of cases, my prospective buyers are adult “kids” staying in their parentʻs condo, since the pandemic canceled all short-term rentals until recently and the unit was vacant. This turns out not to be a hardship at someplace like a Kolea villa with three bedrooms, 3.5 baths, a huge lanai, and a short walk to the pool and the beach….did I mention I have one of these listed for sale?

There is plenty of room for a desk or two…or take your laptop out to enjoy the cool breezes on your lanai.

Kolea 1c, a penthouse villa with three bedrooms and 2,147 sq ft, already has a couple of desks tucked into the great room.

Oceanfront Halii Kai – Another Low-Density Resort Condominium Community

The largest floor plan at Halii Kai at Waikoloa Beach Resort is a two-story three bedroom condominium with 1677 sq ft and two lanai. Over the years, several owners outfitted one bedroom as an office, but you could also add a work area to the great room. I have clients whose kids and grandkids have been in residence in their large oceanfront unit, but none of those are currently for sale.

I do have a smaller 2 bedroom oceanfront unit for sale (perfect for a couple or individual who doesnʻt mind an occasional breaching whale in the middle of their Zoom meeting) and have the large floorplan listed with a view down the fairway to the ocean.

Halii Kai 7G: space for the family to spread out as they work and study…then head down to the Ocean Club to swim or work out.

Oceanfront Mauna Lani Point Near the Beach Club and Re-opened Auberge Hotel

I lunched this week with friends who have been staying happily at home in their residence at the Mauna Lani Point condominiums, and they mentioned a family has been pandemic sheltering in one of the condos above them.

If you want proximity to the amenities at Mauna Lani Resort, including the two golf courses, the newly reopened restaurants at the Auberge hotel, and the Foodland Farms gourmet grocery in the shops, but especially the swimming and dining at the Mauna Lani Beach Club, the condos and homes at the Mauna Lani Point community are the original choice oceanfront location.

Much like my two-bedroom oceanfront listing at Halii Kai, I think a couple or individual could happily work from home in this new listing, a 1,589 sq ft two bedroom condo that already has been renovated to create an ocean-view office.

I could work quite happily from the office in Mauna Lani Point F106, and its ground floor, single-story location is a plus.

If none of these seems quite right for you, or if you prefer the Mauna Kea Resort, or outside the resorts altogether, I am happy to make recommendations. Inventory is tight, so ask me to be on the lookout if your perfect shelter is not currently on the market.