Have you ever wondered what life is like after you buy a condo on the Big Island? Would it be just like when you first visited the island and fell in love? The bittersweet answer is yes and no. On your days off, you get to enjoy some of the best beaches in the world and the best year-round weather. Yet, you still have to go to work and pay your bills, so it’s not completely a vacation.
Whether you are planning on settling in and making the Big Island your home or just looking for the right place for right now, a great starting place is with a condo. People love this option as it means no landscaping maintenance is needed (everything grows like crazy here), there are no pool or gym fees, you’ve got easy access to the beaches, and it’s a great place to start making friends.
Location, Location
Your condo at Vista Waikoloa is located within the Waikoloa Beach Resort, only 25 minutes north of the town of Kona. Waikoloa Beach Resort has nine condo communities within it, and Vista Waikoloa is one of them. The resort also has one of the best shopping centers on the island – the Kings’ and Queens’ Shops feature many retail stores, a grocery store, a movie theater, and restaurants. There is even an open-air trolly that will take you around the community for $3.00 a ride.
Fully Renovated
When looking for a Big Island condo to call home, a unit that has been renovated may be an easy choice as there is less work upfront and you can move right in. Vista Waikoloa was built in 1990 and buying a renovated condo here not only saves you money but lots of time.
One of the big factors of buying a condo is to check the age of the appliances, especially the air conditioning unit and the water heater. If these are original, it can cost thousands of dollars to replace them. It can also take time if the models you need are not in stock on the island. Remember, most of our appliances are shipped in and you could be without a stove for several months if you don’t plan ahead.
This particular Vista Waikoloa condo for sale – F301 – was completely remodeled over the last few years. Here is a partial list of upgrades:
- New appliances, 2019
- New air conditioner, 2020
- New water heater, 2019
- Upgraded flooring throughout
- Both bathrooms were remodeled with tiled walk-in showers
- New lights and ceiling fans
- New lanai tale (2021) and glass panels (2020)
- New wet bar sink and faucet
- Installed kitchen pantry pull-out drawers
- Water shut off valve installed, 2019
Mountain Views + Great Amenities
Many people want to buy a home with an ocean view, but when you fall in love with the island, you come to love the mountain views just as much as the ocean views. The Big Island has five mountains and two can be seen from this condo, Mauna Kea and North Kohala Mountains (known as “rainbow mountains”).
Percentage of Resident Owners
If you are buying a condo to live in full-time, one thing to consider is if the community is inhabited by more renters than owners.
Looking at the data provided by the homeowners’ association (Hawaiian Properties), Vista Waikoloa has 10 condos that are investor properties, 106 are considered second homes, and 7 are primary residences. This data tells me that the culture of the property is more focused on second homeowners and the community around them when they are on island. We call these part-time residents “snowbirds” because they come during the winter season.
Community
One thing Vista is known for is its community. The owners all know each other and play golf together, do yoga, and even take classes like ukulele lessons. They have annual gatherings for holidays and even the Superbowl. Everyone within the community is invited to join in, including visitors and guests.
This Vista Waikoloa condo is now for sale, and if you’d like to learn more or walk through this fantastic unit, contact me soon!
with aloha,
Leeana Runningbear
Carolyn Melo
January 7, 2022
What is.the listing price? And maintenance fees.