Are You Ready to Purchase a North Kona Vacation Home?

Picture walking right outside your door to the sound of the Pacific Ocean. Palm trees sway in the breeze, and you can hear the birds’ song in the distance. This is paradise, and it can all be yours when you own a North Kona vacation home.

North Kona is located along the Big Island's west coast and features several attractions, including Kailua-Kona, Kekaha Kai State Park, and Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park. This is where the island's most beautiful beaches are, and it’s also the center of many tourist destinations. Many condominiums, hotels, and vacation rentals are located in North Kona.

Living in North Kona also provides access to the incredible nature preserves and national parks that make the Big Island special. Volcanoes National Park offers a unique experience with two volcanoes and otherworldly lava fields to explore. There are also unique beaches such as Papakolea, a green sand beach, and Punalu’u, a black sand beach.

North Kona is the perfect spot for purchasing your vacation home in Hawaii. It’s packed with tourist attractions that visitors and residents love, such as white sand beaches, amazing restaurants, boutique shops, and cultural attractions. If you’re thinking about investing in North Kona real estate, our guide will walk you through everything you need to know about making your dream vacation home a reality.

The most important step in buying a beautiful home in the North Kona area is to work with a great real estate agent. Real estate professionals will help you through every step of the process. They will take the time to connect with you and understand your goals and vision for purchasing a vacation home. They also have great connections with other agents in the community and access to the best listings. In a competitive market like the Big Island, having a trusted real estate professional on your team is essential.

One of the first questions you’ll tackle with your real estate agent is your budget. To figure out your budget for your vacation home, you’ll need to assess your current expenses and determine how much cash you have for a downpayment or to purchase the home entirely. This will help you figure out what you’re able to spend. Also, keep in mind that you want to have money saved for any unexpected repairs and closing costs.

A great step to figuring out your budget for your vacation home is to work with a trusted financial planner. Your current financial institution is a great place to connect with a planner who can help you map out your goals and set realistic expectations for your real estate purchase.

Once you’ve figured out your budget, you may need financing to purchase your vacation home. To do this, you’ll want to work with a trusted bank that you already have a relationship with. This can help you get the best rates. Since you already have a relationship with the bank, they will work with you to help you meet your real estate goals.

With your budget in hand, the next step in purchasing your vacation home is to create a list of must-haves. Luxury means something different for everyone, and it’s important to self-reflect and understand what it means to you. For example, some people may want a large estate with sweeping ocean views and plenty of privacy. Others may prefer to live in a condominium association with other residents to socialize with and a stunning pool complex with services. If the latter appeals to you, exploring Kona condos for sale might unveil the perfect blend of comfort, community, and amenities for your ideal vacation home.

What you want is up to you, but it's important to get clear on the features you can’t live without. Having this list on hand will help your real estate agent find the properties that are the best fit for you within your budget.

Similarly to creating a vision for your vacation home, you’ll also want to have an idea of the type of neighborhood you want to live in. Are you seeking privacy and seclusion, or do you want a strong community with lots of social interaction? Do you want somewhere that is close to the action of bars and restaurants, or do you prefer to connect with nature in a more quiet setting? Figuring out the answers to these questions will help your realtor find the best property for you.

It’s essential to make time to see the homes in person. Although there are many great listing photos and even video tours available, there’s nothing like seeing the home in person. It allows you to understand the vibe of the neighborhood, the feel of the home, and the flow of the space. It also gives you a chance to investigate the home's storage and ensure that the features match the listing photographs.

If you’re moving to Hawaii from another state, your real estate agent can collect several listings for you to see on your visit. This is another reason why working with a trusted agent is so important. They’ll listen to you and create a curated list of several properties so you can easily select the one that works best for your vision of a luxury lifestyle.

If you’re ready to invest in North Kona real estate, you will want to refer back to our first tip and find a trusted real estate agent in the area. Kris Hazard is one of the best on the Big Island. Kris is an expert in luxury real estate and vacation homes and is ready to help you find the perfect property to make your island dreams a reality. With over $32 million in sales, Kris understands her client's needs and strives to do everything possible to help you find the perfect home.