Waikoloa Beach Condo Sales

Only the best will do at the Golf Villas at Mauna Lani. Located on the 9th green of the Mauna Lani South Course this 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom townhome is a golfers dream come true. Located in a private gated community with golf course and partial ocean views this unit includes all top of the line designer furnishings, Stainless Steel Appliances, U-Line Under Counter Wine Cooler, Built-in Outdoor BBQ with sink, upgraded Tile and Carpet throughout. Together with linens, kitchenware, artwork, lanai furniture, flat screen TV’s in all bedrooms and your very own golf cart this home is ready to move right in. Amenities include: Resort style pool with spa, fitness center with weight equipment and BBQ pavilion. Membership with approval available through the Mauna Lani Advantage Program which includes access to the gated, exclusive, private Beach Club at Mauna Lani and complimentary beach towels. Homeowners receive preferred privileges at the Francis H. I’i Brown Golf Courses, exclusive discounts for Dining, Shopping, Spa treatments and special member rates at the Sports and Fitness Club.
visit: www.marleneshawaii.com

Hawaii ranks third in the nation for median monthly housing costs: $1,959.

Hawaii’s median housing value is the second highest in the nation, after California, at $529,700. That’s up from $453,600 in 2005.

Other highlights:

Hawaii ranks first in carpooling, with 16 percent saying they rode with someone else to work.
Hawaii is third in average household size at 2.88 people.
The state is third in the number of households receiving some kind of retirement income, 22.2.
Household income ranks fourth at $61,160.
At 28.2 percent, Hawaii is second for the percentage of households with at least one member who is 65 or older.
Hawaii ranks first among states for the percentage of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander residents (8.7 percent) and people whose ethnicity is exclusively Asian (39.9 percent).
Hawaii ranks 48th in owner-occupied housing. Sixty percent live in housing owned by someone else.
The average commuting time in Hawaii is 25.5 minutes and ranks 12th. That’s actually down from 25.7 minutes in 2005.

The Federal Reserve cuts its key rate, the federal funds rate by 0.25% on Wednesday. This is great news for all of those first time homebuyers who were able to do 100% financing during the housing boom. Many of these buyers split their loans into a first mortgage for 80% and a second mortgage for the remaining 20%. That 20% was put into a popular home equity loan, which is based on the prime rate, and was on the rise until lately. This rate cut will lower the prime rate and save all homeowners with home equity loans .25% on their rate in the next billing cycle. This is on the heals of a 0.5% cut by the Fed in August. In all, a total reduction in rate of 0.75% in 60 days.

In addition, on Thursday the Federal Reserve pumped $41 billion into the U.S. financial system, one of its largest cash infusions to help companies get through a credit crunch that took a turn for the worse in August.

Pacific Business News (Honolulu) – 9:14 AM HAST Monday, September 10, 2007
Hawaii dropped from second place to third in a new poll surveying the best places to live in the United States, while Honolulu moved up to seventh place for U.S. cities.

Apart from their own state, Hawaii followed California and Florida as the state where most people would like to live, according to a Harris Poll released Sunday.

North Carolina and Colorado placed fourth and fifth, respectively.

Hawaii was the top choice for baby boomers.

The nationwide survey of 2,694 adults was conducted online in early August. Harris said easy access to the beach appeared to be a key factor in deciding which state people would choose to live in.

Honolulu ranked as the seventh most desirable city to live in, up from sixth place last year.

New York City came in first place, followed by San Diego, Seattle, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Orlando, Fla.

Hawaii’s heading into another dry summer, and water conservation is again front page news. Of course, as homeowners, saving water is not just an environmental concern, but a financial one. Even a little leak can end up costing big bucks.

Whether or not your water bill is outrageous, you may be able to save quite a bit of money if you check for leaks and repair them. Loads of water is wasted through faucet drips, running toilets, indoor and outdoor leaks, and even underground water leaks.

The leaks or drips that are apparent may not seem to waste much water, but the constant dripping really adds up. Also, you may have leaks that you are not even aware of.

It is easy to fix a leaking faucet or a running toilet. Even if you have to replace the faucet, replace the flapper in the toilet. or reseal the toilet, it can really save a lot of money over time. Be sure and check your facets inside and out and repair them if they are leaking.

“Invisible” leaks can also be occurring, and may be harder to detect. If you put dye in the tank of your toilet, for example, you will often find that it is leaking around the base. Not enough to be noticeable, but enough to waste water. Replacing the seal will take care of that.

The best way to tell if you have undiscovered leaks is to shut off all of the water inside the house and out, wait a few minutes, and then watch your meter. If the meter reading changes when all of the water is supposed to be off, you’ve got a leak somewhere.

Finding the leak may be difficult, but stopping it is well worth it. If you can’t find it, consulting with a professional may be necessary. Stop the leaks and you will definitely save money.

Tenant’s List as of April 2007:

ARBY’S
Quick Service Restaurant (805 sq ft)
Featuring slow cooked roast beef sandwiches served in a casual and contemporary surrounding. In addition to roast beef, customers can choose from a Light Menu, a line of whole breast & sliced roast chicken sandwiches. Offering the largest selection of potato products in the industry which includes house style fries, curly fries and potato cakes.

BLUE GINGER FAMILY
Apparel for Women, Children and Men (956 sq ft)
Unique soft cotton and rayon batik designed in Hawaii, then crafted into easy-care clothing and accessories for the entire family: tropical ladies wear with matching outfits for babies and girls, handsome aloha shirts for men and boys. Blue Ginger designs are clothes you can play in, work in, and best of all, relax in.

BLUE WILDERNESS DIVE ADVENTURES
Dive Shop (600 sq. ft)
Specializing in sales and services of diving products, dive packages and diving instructions.

CHARLIE’S THAI CUISINE
(1,621 sq ft)
Fresh and original Thai dishes made with shrimp, chicken, meats and fish. This upscale Thai offering will tantalize your taste buds and leave you wondering what you will order on your next visit.

CLAIRE’S
Specialty retailer of costume jewelry, accessories and cosmetics (1,275 sq ft)
A leading international specialty retailer offering value-priced costume jewelry, accessories and cosmetics for fashion-aware teens and young adults.

COLDWELL BANKER
Real Estate Showroom (582 sq ft)
Visit their showroom for information on high quality real estate brokerage services.

DAIRY QUEEN/ORANGE JULIUS
Ice Cream, Sundaes & Smoothies (812 sq ft)
This dual store concept has something for everyone offering favorites such as the Dilly Bar, Blizzards, sundaes, cones and the original Julius or Julius Smoothie.

GIGGLES
Children’s Boutique (1,260 sq ft)
Fun Hawaiian gifts and fashions for kids. Toys, books, puppets, kites and so much more. You will be assured to find those special gifts the children will love.

HILTON GRAND VACATIONS CLUB
Activities of the Big Island (212 sq ft & 120 sq ft kiosk & 1,211 sq. ft Office Space)
Find out how you can purchase a piece of beautiful Waikoloa Beach Resort on Hawaii’s Big Island and partake in a multitude of fun activities as an added bonus.

ISLAND GOURMET MARKETS
Grand Emporium of Gourmet foods, wines and cheeses (23,627 sq ft)
This flagship Gourmet Grocery Store will feature foods, wines, cheeses, meats, seafood and an in store deli and bakery. It is sure to supply the residents and visitors to the Kohala Coast with the necessities of gracious living and dining they are accustomed to.

ISLAND PEARLS
Fine Jewelry Store (784 sq ft)
Precious pearls and other fine jewelry, including collections of South Seas pearls, Tahitian black pearls, and 14 and 18-karat jewelry.

ISLAND FINE BURGERS & DRINKS
Major Restaurant – Lunch & Dinner (5,389 sq ft)
This Hawaiian style eatery has the BEST hamburgers on the island, maybe in the State of Hawaii. They specialize in family fun and a tropical atmosphere with appetizers, salads, burgers and soft tacos of any kind. Hours of Operation: 11:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.

KING & QUEEN DAY SPA
Spa including nail and hair salon (1,200 sq ft)
This creation of relaxation and unadulterated pampering will cater to the resident base as well as the visitor. From facials to full body massages, manicures, pedicures and the latest hair styles you will leave feeling cleansed and rejuvenated.

KINGS’ KITCHEN
Chinese Delights (756 sq ft)
Located in the Food Pavilion, Queen’s Deli will serve up everyone’s favorites such as BBQ Spareribs, Roast Duck, Chinese noodles, Egg Rolls, Pork Hash, Chow Mein, soups and many Chinese style favorites. Hours of Operation: 9:30 am – 9:30 pm.

LIDS
Specialty retailer of official licensed headwear (593 sq ft)
Specializing in official licensed and branded athletic fashion headwear. Offering a vast assortment of college, MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL teams, as well as other specialty fashion categories all in the latest style and colors.

LOCAL MOTION
Men’s, Women’s & Children’s Wear (1,260 sq ft)
Hip, high quality, casual wear with the surfer image in mind; Local Motion captures the essence of island living with a fresh approach to casual, comfortable clothing using quality prints and unusual fabrics.

MARBLE SLAB CREAMERY
Ice Cream with a style (1,180 sq ft)
There has been a whole new dimension added to ice cream with this technique of adding specialty toppings to an already tantalizing dessert. Choose from dozens of favorites from chocolate to mini candies…….the sky is the limit with this indulgent treat.

PAC SUN
Surf Shop (4,000 sq ft)
This fun and exciting store is focused on the everyday casual apparel, accessories and footwear designed to meet the lifestyle needs of active teens and young adults. Store fashion influence is driven by surfing, skateboarding, and snowboarding and brand names associated with these sports.

PACIFIC NATURE
Jewelry (1,274 sq ft)
A specialty jewelry and novelty store specializing in fine silver and costume jewelry.

PARADISE GRILL
(822 sq ft)
Located in the Food Pavilion, Paradise Grill will offer Mexican food, pizza, pasta, burgers, salads and local favorites such as grilled fish, pork adobo, hamburger steak and kalua pig.

PERSIMMON
Boutique (1,200 sq ft)
A small assortment of mixed goodies such as letter press cards, wrapping paper, candles, jewelry and clothing.

QUEENS’ DELI
Local Favorites (907 sq ft)
Located in the Food Pavilion, King’s Kitchen offers a wide selection of local favorites such as teriyaki beef and chicken served both as a plate lunch and burger-style. Other favorites include hamburgers, loco moco, saimin, chow fun, and fresh fish. King’s Kitchen also offers a wide selection of breakfast entrees and sandwiches. Hours of Operation: 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.

QUIKSILVER
Surf Shop & Clothing Store (2,880 sq ft)
This well known surf shop offers a diverse line of products including surfboards, a complete clothing collection, accessories, eyewear, watches, wetsuits and a Winter Sports Division with snowboarding apparel and hard goods designed for high performance enthusiasts.

REYN’S
Fine quality sportswear for men & women (707 sq. ft.)
Reyn’s has remained Hawai`i’s leader in fine quality sportswear for men and women, catering to both local and visitor markets. Promoted as offering the freshest and largest selection of world famous Reyn Spooner® in Hawai`i. Their line has now expanded to include men’s shorts and accessories, a women’s line that offers dresses and coordinates, and a line of shirts and dresses for boys and girls.

SANSEI SEAFOOD RESTAURANT & SUSHI BAR
Major Restaurant – Dinner (6,263 sq. ft)
This seafood restaurant and sushi bar features Asian-influenced dishes that are innovative and at the cutting-edge of Japanese-inspired Pacific Rim cuisine. From a whimsical Spicy Japanese BLT Roll to Asian Rock Shrimp Cakes with Ginger-Lime-Chile Butter this eatery is sure to be a hit with locals and visitors alike.

STARBUCKS
Coffee House (1,096 sq ft)
Starbucks roasts high-quality whole bean coffees, and features fresh, rich-brewed, Italian style espresso beverages, a variety of pastries and confections, and coffee-related accessories and equipment.

SUBWAY SANDWICHES & SALADS
Sandwiches & Salads (805 sq. ft)
Having elevated sandwich making to an art, Subway offers a wide array of sandwiches (including specialty breakfast sandwiches) and salads, plus chip, cookie and beverages. Hours of Operation: 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.

SUNGLASS HUT INTERNATIONAL
(510 sq ft)
This internationally renowned distributor of sunglasses, fashion eyewear, accessories and watches can meet all eyewear and watch needs.

THE NOODLE HOUSE
Asian Style Noodles (817 sq ft)
Located in the Food Pavilion, The Noodle House will entice residents and visitors to taste the wide range of Asian Style noodle favorites such as, Gau Gee Mein, Spicy Pork, Vegetable with Seaweed, Tofu, Beef Ball and a local favorite Hawaiian Saimin. Hours of Operation: 9:30 am – 9:30 pm

TRINITY FINANCIAL
Mortgage Services Office (800 sq ft)
This upstairs office will service the community at large by providing mortgage services. There will be a friendly staff ready, willing and able to assist with high quality customer care.

THE STUDIO
Cultural and Performing Arts Haven (14,205 sq ft)
There is nothing like it on these Hawaiian Islands…..it will showcase the many Cultures that make up the Melting Pot of Hawaii with Bishop Museum displays, individual cultural instruction, live stage performances and more. Truly the Gathering Spot of the Big Island this magnificent venue will garner a diverse mixture of entertainment, learning and enrichment, Hawaiian Style.

WAIKOLOA REALTY
Real Estate Office (460 sq ft)
This upstairs office will provide visitors and residents information on high quality real estate brokerage services. st:

Hawaii is paradise… for people as well as their companions. But as much as you might love your four-legged friend, the presence of a pet can complicate and even hurt your chances of selling your home.

If you’re a pet lover, it may be hard to believe that people won’t care that Frosty is the most affectionate cat or that Harley is the world’s cutest dog. Having pets in the house may help make it a home, but it could turn off potential buyers during a showing.

Most pet lovers won’t do it, but your best pet bet is to relocate your pets and get rid of their tell-tale signs when you are trying to sell a house.

Relocating your pets:
You don’t have to get rid of them, just find them another place to stay temporarily until you sell your house. Maybe they can stay with friends, family, or a neighbor, which is just ideal. If not, check into kennels.

Get rid of their signs:
Have your carpet professionally cleaned. Make sure that all of the stains are removed and pet odors are completely annihilated. Get rid of bowls, toys, cat boxes, cages etc. If you have a doggy door, seal it up. If a pet lover views your house, they’ll know what it is and they’ll appreciate it. Be sure to take a poop scooper into your yard and get rid of the outside signs of a pet, too.

A home is more likely to sell faster without pets and the common nuisances that pet lovers are happy to put up with. Potential buyers won’t be frightened or uncomfortable during showings, and you can focus entirely on them during a showing.

After your house is sold, your family (your whole family) can be reunited.

Be Prepared – All eyes were on the Big Island this past week, as swarms of earthquakes revealed an upswing in volcanic activity at Kilauea. The front page news was a good reminder of both the magnificence, and the immense power, of Mother Nature.

Hawaii’s environment is one of its greatest assets, but also brings special concerns. From earthquake and hurricane preparedness to tsunami inundation zones, from evacuation plans to construction standards, disaster preparedness is always a factor in considering where to buy property and make a home.

How does disaster preparedness factor into your business and daily conversations? What are the most common questions people have when considering buying in your area? Have you any memories and lessons from past events? And how do you balance selling a piece of paradise with the practical considerations of safety?

Summertime is here and there is nothing better than a good, down home BBQ with your favorite burger recipe.

Stuffed Bacon Cheeseburgers:

1/2 cup shredded Monterey jack
4 slices cooked bacon, chopped
1 pound ground chuck
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 large hamburger buns, split
Ketchup, mayonnaise, and mustard, for serving
Lettuce, sliced tomato, onion, and avocado, for serving

Combine the jack cheese and chopped bacon in a bowl. Put the beef in another bowl and season with salt and pepper; use a rubber spatula to mix it in. Flatten 1/4 of the meat mixture in the palm of your hand. Squeeze together about a tablespoon of the cheese and bacon mixture to make a little nugget; put it in the center of the ground beef. Bring up the sides of the patty over the filling, making sure the cheese is completely covered by the meat. Flatten slightly for a nice patty shape. Set them side by side on a platter in the refrigerator while preparing the grill.
Place a large grill pan on 2 burners over medium-high heat or preheat an outdoor gas or charcoal barbecue and get it very hot. Brush the grates with oil to keep the burgers from sticking. Grill the burgers for 8 minutes per side for medium. (The USDA recommends cooking ground beef until it is no longer pink and the internal temperature is 160 degrees F.) Remove the burgers to a clean side plate while you toast the buns.

Rub the grill rack with more oil and place the buns cut-side down, toast for 1 minute. Serve the burgers with your favorite condiment and any garnish you like, such as lettuce, sliced tomato, onion, and/or avocado

Becoming energy efficient has many benefits, both for the environment and for your wallet. You can do it as a way to contribute to environmental protection or for the sole purpose of saving money. Here are some tips on becoming energy efficient, and can help you save money this summer in Hawaii.

-Talk to your utility companies about saving money

Most utility companies are happy to give information about energy efficiency. In fact, many give rebates and assistance to people that are inclined to purchase and install energy efficient products such as air conditioners, water heaters and appliances.

Some companies will even help you to weatherize your house or give references to organizations that can. Energy efficiency audits conducted by your utility company can help you to save money.

-Exercise control with common sense

Energy consumption is not out of your hands. There are some rather simple things you can do that won’t disrupt your comfort that will save energy and keep your bills down. Automatic thermostats are wonderful and they will ensure that you don’t use excessive energy for cooling when you are away from home.

Raising your thermostat to 72 or 74 degrees will keep the house comfortable without wasting energy. Also, a water heater can use excessive energy if the temperature is set too high. Keeping it set at 120 degrees or less will certainly help.

Use the sun to your advantage. Opening curtains on the south-side of your house will provide natural heat during the winter. In summer, be sure to keep those curtains closed to eliminate the heat. Insulated curtains are a good idea during the winter for windows that don’t face the sun.

Of course it is good to unplug electronic devices when you are not using them. Some draw energy even if they are turned off. It can make a difference.

-Take energy efficiency into consideration when buying products

When buying products, be sure check out their energy requirements. Anything from appliances to light bulbs can be purchased based on their energy efficiency. It may cost a little more to purchase energy efficient products, but overtime it will be well worth it.

-Concentrate on maintenance and home improvement

Energy efficient home improvements may include sealing leaks, replacing windows, doors and so forth. Maintenance like regularly changing filters and cleaning vents can save energy as well as make your cooling system work more efficiently and last longer.