I know a lot of you are sitting there freezing your butt off, so I will try not to talk to much about the 82 degree weather, the 4-6 foot surf and of course paradise. I just wanted to warm you up some by posting these photos of yesterdays surf, and let you in on a great deal here in Kona.  A 3 bedroom, 2 bath, home, located just 1,400 feet from this surf spot - the one I am about to upload after I write this - how long would it take you to walk 1,400 feet and get to this beach - well since I live just a few homes away from this one - it takes me and my 7 year old about 15 minutes - you got to remember he stops a lot - oh dad - look at this gecko, oh dad look at this butterfly, oh dad lets catch some caterpillar's and take them home to become butterfly's. Ok the Home - this is a short sa... 12/13/2008

Can you imagine owning a home - in Hawaii - for under $300,000 - just 2,200 feet from Banyans Surf Break. Its true - this 3bedroom 2 bath home is listed for $299,000 and it is ceentrally located in Kailua Kona, just a little off of Alii Drive Dollar for Dollar I believe this is the best deal in Kona right now. Kamani trees subdivision is a secret little hideaway right in the middle of Kona. You have the luxury of sidewalks, underground utilities, twice weekly trash pick up, an active homeowners association, pride of ownership shows thru out this subdivision. Kids playing in the streets, shortcut down to banyans surf break, and there is only one way in/out of this 5 street subdivision. Call me for more details By the way - I took these photos today, 82 degrees, 4 foot waves, dont get muc... 12/12/2008

Below is a chart that shows the number of Home Sales in the N Kona District on the Big Island of Hawaii.  The data are over the last 5 years, starting with October 2003 and ending in October 2008.  More sales data and info can be found at LocalHawaiiRealEstate.com  (Data Source:  Big Island MLS) Stop by, visit and talk story at our office on the Big Island of Hawaii! John Petrella, REALTOR®ABR®, GRI, Broker/Owner Direct: 808.640.3953Local@LocalHawaiiRealEstate.com Local Hawaii Real EstateHonesty • Integrity • Commitment 159 Keawe St., Suite 1Hilo, HI  96720 REALTOR® is a federally registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is Member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. 11/17/2008

If you have visited Kona or the Kohala Coast of the Big Island, undoubtedly you have heard of the "Green Flash". The phenomenon is real:  on a truly clear evening, you can watch the sun drop into the Pacific and momentarily see a green glow spread across the horizon.  This photo from the Halii Kai Ocean Club demonstrates the perfect conditions: The Green Flash is also a drink I remember downing at a waterfront bar or two!  [OK, click here for a Green Flash Recipe courtesy of Absolut Vodka] This post, however, is about a different kind of Green Flash--a "green", earth-friendly, news bulletin. The Big Island Visitors Bureau has just launched a webpage for visitors who wish to travel green.  The site features not only ecotourism options, but also "sustainable travel" tips, for visitors who... 10/22/2008

Lokahi Makai, homes for sale in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. Another nice, new subdivision, great location, will be near the new University, close to airport, Costco, and all the new stores going in that way.  Underground utilities, streetlights, pride of ownership. Take a look  Search criteria: MLS Form Residential. MLS Status Active. TMK Subdivision Lokahi Makai OR Lokahi Makai PH III  MLS DATA   MLS # Tp St DOM    Taxkey Tnr Price Location Land area Details 207535 RS A 239    3-7-3-61-42 FS  $424,900 73-4350 Kio-pa'a Place 10,327 sqft  1,296 3/2  212219 RS A 122    3-7-3-61-49 FS  $445,000 73-4354 Kapuahi 10,199 sqft  1,296 3/2  211562 RS A 147    3-7-3-61-5 FS  $449,000 73-4369 Kakahiaka 10,312 sqft  1,188 3/2  205017 RS A 305    3-7-3-60-89 FS  $450,000 Lokahi Makai Lot #:98 11,425 sqft  1... 10/17/2008

Great deals on these homes for sale up in Alii Heights, the one starting at $625,000 is a foreclosure, but most of them are priced great! If your reading this you probably already know the area, but just in case - Alii Heights is centrally located in Kailua Kona, at the Keauhou end . Views are dramatic from most homes, and you are just above White Sands Beach (disappearing sands, Magic sands ) and of course just off of Alii drive. So take a look and let me know what you think Aloha, and have a great day   Lance Owens (RS) (808) 936-8383 Lance@KonaHomeTeam.com www.KonaHomeTeam.com Aloha Kona Realty Inc. 78-6740 Alii Drive  Search criteria: MLS Form Residential. MLS Status Active. TMK Subdivision Alii Heights OR Alii Heights Unit 2  MLS DATA   MLS # Tp St   DOM    Taxkey Tnr Price Locatio... 10/17/2008

There are some great homes for sale right now, and if you can believe it - brand new starting at $399,000 with special financing - 4.85% for 30 years, 5% down and your in! Take a look    Search criteria: MLS Form Residential. MLS Status Active. TMK Subdivision Pualani Estates Subdiv  MLS DATA   MLS # Tp St DOM    Taxkey Tnr Price Location Land area Details 216378 RS A 15    3-7-5-41-35 FS  $379,000 75-6101 Kaanee Pl 7,000 sqft  1,146 3/2  215741 RS A 39    3-7-5-43-106 FS  $399,000 75-651 Mea Lanakila St 6,077 sqft  1,067 3/2  206331 RS A 270    3-7-5-41-5 FS  $437,181 75-6128 Ho'omama 6,545 sqft  1,141 3/2  210714 RS A 171    3-7-5-42-100 FS  $455,000 75-6152 Haku Mele Pl 6,000 sqft  1,680 4/3  210405 RS A 177    3-7-5-43-108 FS  $492,000 75-657 Mea Lanakila 7,454 sqft  1,680 3/3  2104... 10/17/2008

You've once again returned home from vacationing on the Big Island's Kohala Coast thinking about buying a second home in the area.  You stayed at a fabulous hotel, and you played golf at Mauna Kea Resort.  While you were there, you saw the oceanfront tennis courts and Kauna'oa Beach - the best beach on the Big Island.  Hmmm.  Maybe this is a good place to buy your Hawaiian vacation home, or company retreat.  But you're not sure. Try before you buy!  Many Mauna Kea Resort luxury homes are available to rent.  Condos with huge ocean views located on the golf course start around $500 per night.  Very large ocean view homes are also available.  If you would like a brochure describing the available properties, just give me a call. October is the time to book accommodations for the holidays.  ... 10/15/2008

                            Have you visited or vacationed on the Big Island of Hawaii?  We have a newly renovated vacation rental, also our second home, that we would love to share with you.  If you have been to other Hawaiian islands but haven't experience THE BIG ISLAND, you really must.  Great snorkeling, rainforests, active lava flows on Kileaua, snow in the winter on Mauna Kea, humpback whales breeching during the winter months, and much, much more.  Please visit our website to learn more about the island and to see more photos of our unit and the complex:  http://www.vacationrentalkonahawaii.com.  Also check out the related links on the last page of the website.  Here is a link to a quicky RES show to wet your tropical appetite.    Aloha and Mahalo! Dream Interior Redesign & Stag... 10/15/2008

Ok, everybody wants to know what actually sold? So here are the home sales, in Kailua Kona, HI for September 2008   Aloha, and have a great day   Lance Owens (RS) (808) 936-8383 Lance@KonaHomeTeam.com www.KonaHomeTeam.com Aloha Kona Realty Inc. 78-6740 Alii Drive     Copyright ©10/6/2008 by Hawaii Information Service   SALES  Search criteria: Hotsheet from 9/1/2008 through 9/30/2008 including status changes to S TMK Taxkey 3-7. MLS Form Residential   VE $339,900 Residential  MLS #213674  Sold 9/3/2008 for $350,000 (FHA) DOM:7 3-7-3-11-21  Fee simple 73-4200 ELUNA ST Kona Highlands 3 Bed, 2.00 Bath 1,196 sqft of Living Area on 8,580 sqft of Land Zoning :  A-5A Year built :  2002 Schools :   Car Storage :  2Car, Garage Design :   1Story, Double Wal... 10/06/2008

Sept 10 2008 New Listing - not mine - but such a great deal, I wanted to bring in a buyer. I perform BPOs (Broker Price Opinion) for banks, investors, and whoever wants to pay me to do it. This gives me an insider's view of what is up and coming - this condo is in a pre fore closure status and the bank has agreed to accept an amount for less than what is owed on the property. If you know anything about short sales - anything - you know that they are anything but short - they should be called a long sale - or lucky if it sells - but not a short sale. Here is the great part - all of the negotiating is done - there is no more waiting, stressing, waiting, waiting, you get what I mean. This pace is all negotiated - ready to be sold - you could close the deal - in as fast as you can write the... 09/10/2008

As a buyers agent I often get asked - not what are properties listed at, but what are they being sold at? Thats the key to getting a good deal. So here are the SOLD units, condos, For August 2010 Aloha, and have a great day   Lance Owens (RS) (808) 936-8383 Lance@KonaHomeTeam.com www.KonaHomeTeam.com Aloha Kona Realty Inc. 78-6740 Alii Drive   Copyright ©8/26/2010 by Hawaii Information Service   SALES  Search criteria: Hotsheet from 8/1/2010 including status changes to S TMK Taxkey 3-7. MLS Property Type Condo MLS DATA   MLS # Tp Sub Own St DOM    Taxkey Tnr Price Location Land area Details 236374 CND AT CPR S 17    3-7-5-8-3-104 LH $67,900 Kona Islander Inn #336   372 #336 0/1.00    SOLD 8/13/2010 for $64,000 (CASH) DOM 17 235268 CND AT CPR S 24    3-7-5-4-20-14 FS $74,900 Kalanikai #1... 09/04/2008

We now have 19 homes active on the Hawaii MLS, in Kailua Kona, HI. Under $400,000. !Real Estate in Hawaii has always been expensive, But - its looking pretty affordable these days. Don't forget about that government backed loan - Rural Development (I forget the official name - help if you know it)  - it is up to 102%, its available for pretty much all of the big island. You have restrictions - but it is far easier than a lot of loans out there. Shoot me an email and I can have my mortgage person talk to you about the details Aloha, and have a great day   Lance Owens (RS) (808) 936-8383 Lance@KonaHomeTeam.com www.KonaHomeTeam.com Aloha Kona Realty Inc. 78-6740 Alii Drive      Search criteria: TMK Taxkey 3-7. MLS Form Residential. MLS Status Active. MLS Price to 400,000. MLS Land Tenure F... 08/20/2008

3 Months - battling with IndyMac Federal Bank - finally get a price - and now my buyer is wobbling. Looking for investors. This is a great deal - 4/3 home in Pualani Estates subdivision $475,000 - I expect to have backups right away - There is no better deal in here - bar none! If you have been waiting for the right time - HERE IT IS - Dont let this one hit you in the head, and fall to the ground, reach out and catch it ! * Premium View Lot* 1,680 square feet* Holualoa School District (according to DOE) * Central A/C* 4 Bedrooms* 3 Full Baths* 2 Car Garage * Laundry area inside home (not garage) * Fenced Back Yard* Landscaped* Rock walls built in back yard - expanding useable lot area* I know I already told you this was a view lot - BUT THE VIEWS ARE AWESOME - White water, shoreline, Ci... 08/19/2008

As I sit here holding an open house, bored as can be. I thought to myself, living in Hawaii - doesn't really have any dangers, Some agents hold open houses without even being there - just go put up the signs, open the doors, and sit on the beach somewhere? Well they are probably doing something a little more creative than that - but you get my drift. Anyway as my mind wanders off to the dangers here, I really concentrated, dug deep in my memory banks and I could only come up with 2 - if I think of more I will update this, Here is the Number 1 Danger, sitting open house today. 1: Maybe, Just maybe there could be a Tsunami - I mean just look at where I am sitting! I also just posted a video on YouTube so that you can get the sound effects ! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RD-slr5HPg&featu... 08/14/2008

13 Condos also sold for the month - Probably a first - 13 homes and 13 Condos sold for July 2008. I have to apologize here also - I used the search parameters of July 1 - July 31, and it still shows 18, but if you actually look at the day it sold - a few are in June - don't know what the glitch is? But this gives you a good idea of whats happening here anyway. Don't forget - if your looking for a buyers agent - give me a call. Aloha, and have a great day   Lance Owens (RS) (808) 936-8383 Lance@KonaHomeTeam.com www.KonaHomeTeam.com Aloha Kona Realty Inc. 78-6740 Alii Drive         Copyright ©8/6/2008 by Hawaii Information Service   SALES  Search criteria: Hotsheet from 7/1/2008 through 7/31/2008 including status changes to S TMK Taxkey 3-7. MLS Form Condo