Home Buying FAQ's

Why should I buy a house/property in Hawaii?

We hope this would be obvious, but one of our favorite reasons is simple: This Is Paradise!!! We have plenty of other reasons in case you're not sold there, such as how affordable the price of property and houses are, the diverse and very comfortable climate, and the warm and welcoming people here. If you are new to the Islands, take a look at our Links page to find more information about our wonderful State and all that it has to offer.

What do Leasehold and Fee Simple mean?

This can be a little confusing at first, so here is the explanation. If you purchase a fee simple property, you own the land and the improvements upon it. This is the standard way of owning a property. However, if you purchase a leasehold property, you are buying a lease for the land and, usually, you own the improvements. A residential leasehold might have been set for 55 years but if the ground lease is 30 years old, there would be 25 years left on the lease. Most banks require a minimum number of years remaining on the lease before they will agree to lend on the property. Some require that the lease be renegotiated with the ground lessor, often a family trust or large landholding estate. This can take more time than you expect and, in fact, lessors are not obliged to extend or renegotiate the lease.

With all this, why would anyone buy a leasehold property? Because it is often less expensive to purchase and the lease is depreciable, which may have some tax advantages for you.

As always, before purchasing any property, you should consult with your tax advisor and your attorney about how to protect your tax position and your estate.

How long will it take to buy a house?

This is dependent on quite a few things, so it's not a quick and simple answer. If your lender works quickly and the sellers have already accepted your offer you will generally have a much better idea as to how much longer things will take. In general, one could say that escrows are somewhere between 30-60 days, but realistically as your property and your sale are unique, so will be the timeline. We can assure you that we will do what we can to expedite the transaction however possible, just let us know.

What is the Hawaii Property Tax Rate?

How much does an average house cost on the Big Island?

Housing costs vary greatly from community to community on the Big Island, as they do on the Mainland. The best way to get an idea of current property costs is to browse through the "Property Listings " section of this web site, exploring different locations as you go. You'll be able to see everything that's presently for sale through the Multiple Listing Service because our site links directly to the MLS database.

Once you know the specific area(s) you are interested in, contact us and we will help you find your dream home or property!

Your Hawai'i Home

$18,500,000

5 Beds ⋅ 5 Baths ⋅ 651233 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Courtesy of Luxury Big Island

72-130 Hokuloa Street, KAILUA KONA

Listing courtesy of Luxury Big Island.

$9,500,000

286630 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Kohala Kai BLDG. ⋅ Courtesy of Hawaii Pacific Brokers, LLC

Kai Nui Pl;, KAMUELA

Listing courtesy of Hawaii Pacific Brokers, LLC.

$7,995,000

7 Beds ⋅ 7 Baths ⋅ 641836 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Courtesy of Venture Sotheby's International Realty

68-1026 HONOKAOPE PL, KAMUELA

Listing courtesy of Venture Sotheby's International Realty.

$6,300,000

4 Beds ⋅ 4 Baths ⋅ 652426 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Kuaau Cottages BLDG. ⋅ Courtesy of Kukio Properties

72-119 LEI KAUNAOA PL Unit C-21, KAILUA KONA

Listing courtesy of Kukio Properties.

$5,900,000

5 Beds ⋅ 5 Baths ⋅ 645233 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Courtesy of Hapuna Realty

62-3774 AMAUI DR, KAMUELA

Listing courtesy of Hapuna Realty.

$5,750,000

3 Beds ⋅ 3 Baths ⋅ 651754 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Golf Villas At Hualalai BLDG. ⋅ Courtesy of Premier Island Properties LLC

72-140 KUMUKEHU ST Unit G3201, KAILUA KONA

Listing courtesy of Premier Island Properties LLC.

$5,000,000

644733 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Courtesy of Kukio Properties

72-3130 ALAPII KULA DR, KAILUA KONA

Listing courtesy of Kukio Properties.

$4,500,000

3 Beds ⋅ 3 Baths ⋅ 648813 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Mauna Lani Point BLDG. ⋅ Courtesy of Corcoran Pacific Properties

68-1050 MAUNA LANI POINT DR Unit E204, KAMUELA

Listing courtesy of Corcoran Pacific Properties.

$4,400,000

3 Beds ⋅ 3 Baths ⋅ 647967 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Courtesy of Compass

59-110 PAKUIKUI PL, KAMUELA

Listing courtesy of Compass.

$3,950,000

286626 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Kohala Kai BLDG. ⋅ Courtesy of Hawaii Pacific Brokers, LLC

59-3019 KAILANI PL, KAMUELA

Listing courtesy of Hawaii Pacific Brokers, LLC.

$3,650,000

4 Beds ⋅ 3 Baths ⋅ 650110 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Courtesy of Luxury Big Island

68-1063 HONOKAOPE PL, KAMUELA

Listing courtesy of Luxury Big Island.

$3,495,000

4 Beds ⋅ 3 Baths ⋅ 649277 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Kohala By The Sea BLDG. ⋅ Courtesy of Hawaii Life Mauna Kea LLC

59-114 HOEWAA PL, KAMUELA

Listing courtesy of Hawaii Life Mauna Kea LLC.

$3,395,000

3 Beds ⋅ 4 Baths ⋅ 647647 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Courtesy of Hawaii Life Mauna Kea LLC

68-132 PUKAUA PL, KAMUELA

Listing courtesy of Hawaii Life Mauna Kea LLC.

$3,200,000

286650 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Kohala Kai BLDG. ⋅ Courtesy of Hawaii Pacific Brokers, LLC

59-1007 KAIHONU PL, KAMUELA

Listing courtesy of Hawaii Pacific Brokers, LLC.

$3,188,888

7 Beds ⋅ 7 Baths ⋅ 648171 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Courtesy of Corcoran Pacific Properties

73-4617 KOHANAIKI RD, KAILUA KONA

Listing courtesy of Corcoran Pacific Properties.

$2,990,000

4 Beds ⋅ 5 Baths ⋅ 648766 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Courtesy of Hawaii Life Mauna Kea LLC

68-1058 HONOKAOPE PL, KAMUELA

Listing courtesy of Hawaii Life Mauna Kea LLC.

$2,950,000

4 Beds ⋅ 4 Baths ⋅ 642923 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Courtesy of Premier Island Properties LLC

69-1525 ANAOLE STREET, KAMUELA

Listing courtesy of Premier Island Properties LLC.

$2,950,000

274273 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Kohala Kai BLDG. ⋅ Courtesy of Hawaii Pacific Brokers, LLC

59-1006 Kaihonu Place, KAMUELA

Listing courtesy of Hawaii Pacific Brokers, LLC.

$2,900,000

274267 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Kohala Kai BLDG. ⋅ Courtesy of Hawaii Pacific Brokers, LLC

59-3010 Kailani Place, KAMUELA

Listing courtesy of Hawaii Pacific Brokers, LLC.

$2,855,000

5 Beds ⋅ 5 Baths ⋅ 649731 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Courtesy of Paradise Found Realty

69-1519 ANAOLE STREET, KAMUELA

Listing courtesy of Paradise Found Realty.

$2,850,000

3 Beds ⋅ 3 Baths ⋅ 636169 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Courtesy of Corcoran Pacific Properties

68-104 PUKAUA PL Unit CR Lot 35, KAMUELA

Listing courtesy of Corcoran Pacific Properties.

$2,500,000

651075 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Courtesy of Kukio Properties

72-3184 ALAPII KULA DR, KAILUA KONA

Listing courtesy of Kukio Properties.

$2,500,000

649924 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Courtesy of Compass

72-108 ULUHALA PLACE, KAILUA KONA

Listing courtesy of Compass.

$2,500,000

4 Beds ⋅ 4 Baths ⋅ 649732 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Courtesy of Paradise Found Realty

69-1537 ANAOLE STREET, KAMUELA

Listing courtesy of Paradise Found Realty.

$2,495,000

4 Beds ⋅ 3 Baths ⋅ 647075 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Villages At Mauna Lani BLDG. ⋅ Courtesy of Corcoran Pacific Properties

68-1025 N KANIKU DR Unit 718, KAMUELA

Listing courtesy of Corcoran Pacific Properties.

$2,375,000

5 Beds ⋅ 5 Baths ⋅ 650096 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Courtesy of Cook Walls, Inc.

59-314 OLAPA WY, KAMUELA

Listing courtesy of Cook Walls, Inc..

$2,250,000

274269 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Kohala Kai BLDG. ⋅ Courtesy of Hawaii Pacific Brokers, LLC

59-3011 Kailani Place, KAMUELA

Listing courtesy of Hawaii Pacific Brokers, LLC.

$1,995,000

646831 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Courtesy of Hapuna Realty

KAMUELA

Listing courtesy of Hapuna Realty.

$1,950,000

603567 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Kohala Kai BLDG. ⋅ Courtesy of Hawaii Pacific Brokers, LLC

59-3005 KAILANI PL, KAMUELA

Listing courtesy of Hawaii Pacific Brokers, LLC.

$1,919,000

4 Beds ⋅ 3 Baths ⋅ 650373 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Ka Milo At Mauna Lani BLDG. ⋅ Courtesy of Hawaii Luxury Real Estate

68-1122 N KANIKU DR Unit 228, KAMUELA

Listing courtesy of Hawaii Luxury Real Estate.

$1,895,000

646830 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Courtesy of Hapuna Realty

KAMUELA

Listing courtesy of Hapuna Realty.

$1,829,000

4 Beds ⋅ 3 Baths ⋅ 650722 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Courtesy of Hawaii Life

59-211 KANALOA DRIVE, KAMUELA

Listing courtesy of Hawaii Life.

$1,725,000

3 Beds ⋅ 3 Baths ⋅ 651816 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Ka Milo At Mauna Lani BLDG. ⋅ Courtesy of Paradise in Hawaii Luxury Homes, LP

68-1122 N KANIKU DR Unit 83-1, KAMUELA

Listing courtesy of Paradise in Hawaii Luxury Homes, LP.

$1,525,000

3 Beds ⋅ 3 Baths ⋅ 649680 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Villages At Mauna Lani BLDG. ⋅ Courtesy of Hawaii Luxury Real Estate

68-1025 N KANIKU DR Unit 604, KAMUELA

Listing courtesy of Hawaii Luxury Real Estate.

$1,495,000

3 Beds ⋅ 3 Baths ⋅ 651851 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Courtesy of Action Team Realty, Inc.

76-998 S PUEO PL, KAILUA KONA

Listing courtesy of Action Team Realty, Inc..

$1,445,000

2 Beds ⋅ 2 Baths ⋅ 649372 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Mauna Lani Point BLDG. ⋅ Courtesy of Island Boutique Realty Inc.

68-1050 MAUNA LANI POINT DR Unit J203, KAMUELA

Listing courtesy of Island Boutique Realty Inc..

$1,399,999

4 Beds ⋅ 3 Baths ⋅ 651081 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Courtesy of Venture Sotheby's International Realty

75-5608-P HIENALOLI RD, KAILUA KONA

Listing courtesy of Venture Sotheby's International Realty.

$1,395,000

646829 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Courtesy of Hapuna Realty

KAMUELA

Listing courtesy of Hapuna Realty.

$1,299,000

3 Beds ⋅ 3 Baths ⋅ 651346 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Golf Villas At Mauna Lani Resort BLDG. ⋅ Courtesy of Keller Williams Realty Maui

68-1122 NA ALA HELE RD Unit G3, KAMUELA

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Realty Maui.

$1,295,000

643708 MLS ⋅ Fee Simple Tenure ⋅ Courtesy of Hapuna Realty

62-3754 AMAUI DR, KAMUELA

Listing courtesy of Hapuna Realty.