Big Island

The Finest Luxury Home Listings In Hawaii

For years, I’ve had this fantasy of starting a luxury vacation ownership club in Hawaii. The owners would be able to choose from luxury homes all around the State. For one vacation, you might want to stay in the resort community of Hualalai on the Big Island of Hawaii. For another, maybe a beachfront estate on Kailua Bay on Oahu (like President Obama). I should confess that my fantasy has more to do with being a member of a club like that than actually starting the business (but I’ll have to start somewhere). Fortunately, my intrigue with luxury real estate is (partially) satisfied by the privilege of marketing some of the finest homes in the State of Hawaii.

Kailua Beach Estate, Oahu

When we started Hawaii Life, we were one of the few companies to aggregate all of the MLS listings in Hawaii. My (then) personal bias towards Kauai left me surprised to discover how often people who are shopping for real estate will consider multiple islands. That trend is even more expressed in high-end luxury real estate. I’m a member of every real estate board in Hawaii (except for Molokai). As a result, and because we have offices in all of these markets, I relate to the luxury market as a whole. When someone asks me, “What are the best homes in Hawaii?” I probably have one of the most unique perspectives in the State.

Anini Beach Estate, North Shore of Kauai

Hawaii can be a remarkably provincial place, and that provincialism is definitely expressed in its real estate industry. While it’s true that “real estate is local”, the buyers (and sellers) in the market for high-end luxury homes in Hawaii are often keenly aware not only of the different islands, but of their different markets and the distinctions between them.

Hualalai and Kukio, the resort communities on the Big Island’s Kohala Coast, are markedly different from Anini Beach on Kauai’s north shore, for example. The resort environment offers innumerable amenities and options that other communities do not. Yet, there are buyers who consider both.

Hale Ku Mana at the Hualalai Resort

As we continue to develop Hawaii life’s presence in the luxury market, we’ll do for luxury what we did for the MLSs, by collecting the finest listings in the State and showing them in one place, without all of the noise and distraction of the rest of the market. Fortunately, I have the pleasure of working with some of the most experienced luxury agents in Hawaii to represent these homes. In the case of Hualalai listing above, Beverly Molfino R(S), and for the Kailua Beach Estate (among others), Neal Norman R(B).

As we continue to become the resource for luxury home listings in Hawaii, I get closer to my fantasy of having a luxury vacation ownership club… Or at least being a member.

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Katie Minkus, R(BIC)

January 22, 2012

Aloha Matt. You know I’ve always been a fan of the Vacation Club idea, after all the first “property” I bought in Hawaii was the Marriott Poipu/Waiohai Timeshare! 😉

Here’s an interesting article from November about Steve Case and the “sharing economy.” http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2011/11/how-steve-case-and-his-company-are-driving-the-sharing-economy/247997/

Now, for me, it’s baby steps. First, I’d like a vacation.

Katie Minkus, R(BIC)

January 22, 2012

Aloha Matt. You know I’ve always been a fan of the Vacation Club idea, after all the first “property” I bought in Hawaii was the Marriott Poipu/Waiohai Timeshare! 😉

Here’s an interesting article from November about Steve Case and the “sharing economy.” http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2011/11/how-steve-case-and-his-company-are-driving-the-sharing-economy/247997/

Now, for me, it’s baby steps. First, I’d like a vacation.

Beth Thoma Robinson, R(B)

January 22, 2012

I look forward to seeing the creativity of the Hawaii Life team revolutionize the luxury end of the business!

Beth Thoma Robinson, R(B)

January 22, 2012

I look forward to seeing the creativity of the Hawaii Life team revolutionize the luxury end of the business!

Pam Deery

January 22, 2012

Matt; I have clients, as I am sure you do, that own homes on more than one island and complain about the upkeep and feel obligated to “visit them”. This would solve a lot of problems for a lot of people. I vote YES!

Pam Deery

January 22, 2012

Matt; I have clients, as I am sure you do, that own homes on more than one island and complain about the upkeep and feel obligated to “visit them”. This would solve a lot of problems for a lot of people. I vote YES!

Allison Ables

January 24, 2012

Good luck with everything. It’s amazing how fast you’ve grown your company – companies with momentum and energy are fun!

Allison Ables

January 24, 2012

Good luck with everything. It’s amazing how fast you’ve grown your company – companies with momentum and energy are fun!

Glenn Forman

February 1, 2012

Looking at the photos or being in the home, I have a great time putting myself in these luxurious spaces. I’ve got my own video going on! Same with when I design homes – I’ve slept in every bed, had breakfast & dinner, taken the outdoor shower, lived the life that can be had, all in my head. All of this helps me provide my clients the best possible property for them. And I do I agree that it sure would be awesome to actually live in all of these homes, even for a short period. Count me in!

Glenn Forman

February 1, 2012

Looking at the photos or being in the home, I have a great time putting myself in these luxurious spaces. I’ve got my own video going on! Same with when I design homes – I’ve slept in every bed, had breakfast & dinner, taken the outdoor shower, lived the life that can be had, all in my head. All of this helps me provide my clients the best possible property for them. And I do I agree that it sure would be awesome to actually live in all of these homes, even for a short period. Count me in!

Jessica Mugrage

February 6, 2012

I echo the desire to be a member of the luxury vacation club. I’d be more than happy to stay at ANY of the homes pictured!

Jessica Mugrage

February 6, 2012

I echo the desire to be a member of the luxury vacation club. I’d be more than happy to stay at ANY of the homes pictured!

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