KE Team Hawaii Real Estate Blog: Kailua-Kona Market Trends & Insights
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57 posts in Hawaii Real Estate
How Hawai‘i County Assesses Real Property Taxes
By Kai Ioh and KE Team Hawaii. Kai Ioh is a luxury real estate advisor based in Kona, Hawai‘i, specializing in resort and ultra-high-net-worth markets across the Big Island. Key Takeaways Hawai‘i County uses a mass appraisal system, not individual appraisals, to assess over 141,000 parcels each year. Assessed values reflect market conditions as of January […]
Compass 2026 Housing Market Outlook
By Kai Ioh | December 2025 After years of pandemic-fueled disruption, the U.S. housing market is entering a new phase. According to the 2026 Compass Housing Market Outlook, we are finally seeing the start of a “rebalancing” moment, one defined by stabilizing prices, improving affordability, and shifting regional momentum. The report itself is 66 pages, […]
New Big Island STVR Law (Bill 47): What Homeowners Need to Know
Kai and Emil | Updated Dec 21, 2025 Hawaii County has taken a decisive step in reshaping the rules for short-term vacation rentals (STVRs). With Bill 47 signed into law on June 23, 2025, homeowners across the Big Island need to prepare for a major shift that takes effect December 20, 2025. This law governs […]
What a 50-Year Mortgage Could Mean for Hawai‘i Buyers & Investors
50-Year Mortgages: What Hawai‘i Buyers & Investors Need to Know Emil Knysh | Dec 2025 A practical and balanced breakdown for first-time buyers, second-home owners, and investors. As affordability continues to challenge homebuyers nationwide – and especially in Hawai‘i – the idea of a 50-year mortgage has re-emerged in policy discussions and media outlets. Supporters […]
What Is Luxury? A Big Island Perspective
Luxury.It’s a word we use often, especially in real estate. But what does it actually mean? Is it about price? Square footage? The number of infinity pools? Sure, those are easy to measure. But real luxury, true luxury, is harder to define. It’s not just about what a home has. It’s about what it gives […]
The Historic Thurston Estate in Kona
Kai Ioh | NOV 2025 Some homes tell stories. This one tells the story of Hawaiʻi itself. Perched along the rugged coastline of Kailua-Kona is a remarkable property known as the Thurston Estate, or by its older name, Laniākea—“immense heaven.” With roots tracing back over two centuries, this estate is more than just a beautiful […]
What You Need to Know About Hawaii’s Real Estate Withholding Tax When Selling
Kai Ioh | November 2025 If you’re a non-resident of Hawaii, or a foreign national planning to sell property here, there’s an important tax-related detail you’ll want to understand upfront: There is no special tax for non-residents. But Hawaii, along with the U.S. federal government, requires certain sellers to prepay taxes through withholding at the […]
Big Island: Decades of Leadership in Hawaii’s Luxury Real Estate Market
Kai Ioh | Updated Oct 2025 For more than a decade, the Big Island has been the benchmark for Hawaii’s luxury real estate market. While the pandemic brought new urgency to high-net-worth buyers seeking privacy, space, and exclusivity, the Big Island’s west side, particularly Kailua-Kona and the Kohala Coast, was already a well-established leader in […]
Big Island Price Reductions: What They Really Mean Right Now
By Kai Ioh | October 2025 The Big Island market is showing mixed signals as we close out October.Condos are tightening, with inventory shrinking and balance returning after last year’s turbulence.Single-family homes are shifting into neutral territory as supply builds and pricing adjusts.Meanwhile, resort communities—especially at the high end—continue to move, supported by limited inventory […]
Hawaii Real Estate 101: 5 Things You Need to Know Before Starting Your Big Island Property Search
There are a few essential details to understand about the Big Island of Hawai‘i if you want to do a smarter property search. It’s important that you know these before the showing requests, Zoom consults, and even before you bookmark your first oceanfront listing. The KE Team is here to make sure that you’re prepared […]
From Kona to Kakaako: A Honolulu Day Trip with a Big Island Vision
Kai Ioh | August 2025 This post continues the reflection from my previous blog on island hopping between the Hawaiian Islands. If you are new to Hawaii, it’s worth revisiting how easy it is to visit other islands for business or for pleasure. Just last week, I joined one of my Big Island clients for […]