During the peak years for the Hawai’i real estate market, it was typical for Big Island developers, including the sales staff at Hualalai Realty and Kukio, to keep their listings out of the MLS. The only real estate sales reported at those developments were ones where the listing agent, the selling agent, or both, were MLS participants and therefore wanted credit for the sale in their stats.
The scarcity of reported sales is surely one reason why the $20 million property, sold at Hualalai in 2008, stuck in so many real estate agents’ minds. The cryptic one-line, one photo MLS description for the 9,000 sq. ft. home stated only the obvious: one-of-a-kind exclusive residence at Hualalai Resort overlooking the entire coastline.
When Pam and I were previewing Hualalai Resort properties recently, we met our designer friend and client, Eric Henderson, for lunch. Afterward, he asked if we would mind if he stopped in to check on a major remodeling/expansion project he had underway. Imagine my surprise when it turned out to be that particular $20 million home!
You may have assumed that given the sales price, this luxury Hualalai property would be front row, as close as possible to the oceanfront amenities and Hualalai Four Seasons Hotel. In fact, the residence is actually near the upper part of Hualalai Resort, which accounts for its truly commanding views.
The appeal of a Hualalai real estate purchase is access to the world-class resort amenities. The Ke’olu Clubhouse and Golf Course are set to serve owners near the top of the resort (who, of course, can also utilize the ocean side facilities), and thus, perfect for golf fanatics. While the various estates home sites ringing the perimeter may be in the upper ranges, Hainoa Villas and Hainoa Estates are the entry and mid-level choices in real estate for sale in this gated, secure neighborhood within Hualalai Resort.
Readers of this blog may recall Hainoa Villas, the Hualalai entry-level condos nearest the road, as the location where the REO (foreclosure) condo sold for under $1 million, and where a short sale is still listed for $1,295,000. Non-distressed Hainoa condos at Hualalai Resort begin at $1,840,000.
Hainoa Estate Villa 106 (MLS# 241242) near the top of Hualalai Resort has golf, ocean, sunset, and Maui views
Just below the Hainoa Villas, lie the lots and homes of Hainoa Estates, which front the first hole of the Tom Weiskopf designed golf course. There are the three Hainoa Estates Villas available for sale, with Villa #106 at $5,295,000, the most expensive.
My favorite things about this 4 bedroom 3,499 sq. ft. home are:
- its peaceful location (I was sorely tempted to forget the rest of my responsibilities and slip into the infinity pool with its view across the golf course and ocean)
- its tasteful resort-style furnishings (included in the price)
- the way the floor plan encourages true indoor-outdoor living
Although the listing says it is sold “as is,” on the day I came by, a crew was painstakingly re-sodding the grass between the paving stones in the entrance courtyard and the home gave the impression of being maintained by a perfectionist!
With the only available lot at Hainoa Estates listed for $3,750,000, the villas homes are priced below the cost of buying a vacant lot and building. The maintenance fees at Hainoa Estates are just over $4,000/month, and that does not include the Hualalai Resort amenities program fees.
Feel free to contact me for an explanation of how the resort program works.
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