Hawaii is currently number one on the list of Best Luxury Destinations in the USA by U.S. News, and for good reason. The exotic greenery, breathtaking sights and pristine beaches are enough to sell any traveler on visiting. But, why visit when you can invest in a dream Hawaiian home?
For those itching to own their second home, considering the lush islands of Hawaii is ideal. There are many benefits of owning a vacation home in Hawaii’s tropical climate while still having the safety and security of U.S. laws.
Here is what potential home buyers should keep in mind when looking into purchasing a vacation home in Hawaii.
- Have ample time for due-diligence: When you purchase a home in Hawaii, state law provides buyers with 30 days to review all the purchase agreements and have their questions answered. This helps create a pressure/stress-free experience for buyers, many of whom are on vacation when they make the decision to call Hawaii their second home.
- Manage time zones: It can be a hassle to manage a second home in a different time zone. Consider having someone on the island who can monitor your assets for you and ensure everything is well taken care of while you are away, like security, bills, groceries, and air conditioning.
- Plan out furnishings: In Hawaii, homeowners sometimes face roadblocks when furnishing, due to lack of in-stock products and long shipping times. Many buyers take advantage of purchasing fully-furnished residences as a way to limit any inconvenience and own something that is move-in ready.
- Renting your home while you’re away: Many purchasers plan to rent their Hawaii homes when they are not currently living there, but it’s important to note that many areas in Hawaii have restrictions on rentals – only homes with Transient Vacation Rental Licenses within Visitor Destination Areas are legally allowed to operate vacation rentals
After being informed properly on how to logistically own a home in Hawaii, it’s time to look at properties. Here are three gorgeous options to consider.
Hualālai Resort
This oceanfront, residential resort community crosses 865-acres on the exclusive Kona-Kohala coast of the Hawaii Island. Real estate opportunities include custom homes, home sites and villas, all of which include the Hualālai Club Membership, which offers access to the award-winning Hualālai Sports Club & Hualālai Spa, the oceanfront Residents’ Beach House, access to all amenities at Four Seasons Hualālai Resort, including the beach and pools. Real estate prices range from $2 million to $30 million.
Montage Residences Kapalua Bay
Launching in July 2014 with 84 oceanfront luxury residences situated in the year-round community of Kapalua Resort, this residence is a lush natural paradise located on Maui’s spectacular western shore. Within the 1,650-acre community, each residence is a rare treasure, offering generous private lanais and expansive ocean views.
Kukui’ula
Kukui’ula is the first and only private club community on Kauai. The 1,010-acre residential community, located on Kaua’i’s southern coast in Po’ipū, is nestled between the National Tropical Botanical Garden and historic Old Koloa Town. Kukui’ula boasts custom ocean view home sites and luxury homes, villas, cottages and bungalow.
MaunaKeaLiving.com and Hapuna Realty announce new oceanfront condominiums on the Big Island.
By Brielle Bryan
Set within the iconic Mauna Kea Resort on the lush western coast of Hawaii — the legendary destination where modern island luxury was born — a new collection of exceptional residences is reinventing the beloved resort for the next generation. Just mere steps from two of Hawaii’s most celebrated beaches, with sweeping views from the snow-capped Mauna Kea volcano all the way to Maui, the Hapuna Beach Residences present a rare and limited opportunity to own one of the last and most coveted beachfront properties in all of Hawaii.
The Residences promise an exhilarating beachfront lifestyle that embraces the warm and welcoming spirit of aloha. Limited to just 62 owners in total, the spacious and sophisticated residences offer unobstructed views from each of the four distinctive floor plans, ranging from one to four bedrooms and up to 3,400 square feet. The initial release offers 17 of the most exceptional properties in the collection along with exclusive benefits for debut release buyers.
“Early buyers are afforded the benefit of locking in one of the most favored properties at the debut rate, as well as the added luxury of customizing select finishes, and first choice selection of an original work from Hawaiian painter Jaline Pol, our artist in residence,” said Tomo Matsumoto, owner of Hapuna Realty, the dedicated brokerage exclusively representing the property.
Guided by two of Hawaii’s most respected firms — de Reus Architects and Philpotts Interiors — the Residences reinterpret island luxury for the modern age. Elegantly understated interiors and open living areas with floor-to-ceiling windows flow into well-appointed chef’s kitchens with Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances — all connected by expansive oceanfront glass terraces that maximize the indoor and outdoor lifestyle of living just steps from the beach. The contemporary décor is strong and subtle, with warm wood accents and a neutral color palette that allow the serene lushness of the land to shine.
“Hapuna Beach Residences promise to be an incomparable living environment — private, quietly exclusive and in all ways visually and spiritually invigorating.” Matsumoto said. “It’s the perfect setting for entertaining or spending time with family against the backdrop of a magnificent Hawaiian sunset.”
The Residences are the latest offering to come to market from MaunaKeaLiving.com’s collection of new contemporary living options within the resort, and have a starting price of $1,500,000. Along with the one-of-a-kind Hapuna Beach Villa — a spectacular four bedroom, 10,600 square foot private oceanfront estate — and Hapuna Estates homesites, the Residences are part of a multi-million-dollar transformation bringing fresh excitement to the Mauna Kea. At the centerpiece of the expansive refresh is the new Westin Hapuna Beach Resort; a dramatic $46 million renovation which debuted in March, with transformed common spaces, refreshed dining experiences, beautifully re-imagined guest rooms and an invigorating new wellness and workout center. Owners can easily access the hotel’s amenities, as well as those at the neighboring Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.
Owners have the opportunity to join The Club at Mauna Kea, considered the most active and vibrant club on the island. Members enjoy preferred tee times at two world-class courses, and there is a lively social scene at the Seaside Tennis Club, named one of the world’s top five tennis experiences. Three fitness centers, inspiring dining options and a revitalizing spa rejuvenate and refuel the mind, body and soul. Owners also have exclusive access to the new Amaui Club at Mauna Kea Resort, with fitness activities, massages, men’s and women’s locker rooms with steam showers, a pool, water slide and barbecue area.
Photos courtesy of Hapuna Beach Residences