Caravan: A Look At 3/2’s In $500-$600K Range
Last week at an Open House someone asked what a 3/2 meant. This is just common terminology for 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. Although a 3/2 is the most common type of home, there are lots of variations.
This week, I hit my own neighborhood of Ka’ono’ulu and Kenolio Estates in North Kihei. It is a very nice neighborhood that is an easy walk to Sugar Beach. Prices have dipped significantly here, making for some very good deals. Except where noted any of these home are in move-in-ready condition.
Reviewed Homes (View MLS Listings)
My BEST BUY of the week would have to be 693 Imahale St. which is listed at $525,000. It has only been on the market for 5 days and won’t last long. This 3/2 with only 1282 square feet was well laid out and felt spacious. A little color on the walls would make it feel more comfortable, but it was in good condition. You enter into a great room with living, dining area and kitchen with well-done laminate flooring (I did a double take because it looked and felt like real hardwood!). Kitchen has ceramic tile and is nice and open. Two small bedrooms are at the front of the house and the master is at the rear with sliding glass doors to the backyard. The bedrooms are small and the bathrooms are simple. The yard is large and simply landscaped. Lot size is 7559 sq ft which is why I made this a best buy over the next home. The home was built in 2002.
Another good buy is 132 Kawailani Circle listed at $505,000. This is the only one not in the estates but is in nearby the Pi’ilani 2 neighborhood and was built in 2001. The biggest drawback to this one is that it is close to the Pi’ilani highway. It doesn’t back directly up to the highway but a tip of the back wall does. Pi’ilani is a true highway with a good eal of noise. I live 2 blocks away and hear the traffic all day and night when our windows are open. This home is a little larger with 1256 sq ft but lot size is 5141 which makes for a small back yard and close neighbors! The seller is providing a credit to put in sound-insulating windows.
698 Alulike St. is a 3/2 home with 1318 sq ft and a large 8539 lot. The list price is $569,000. This one has the best curb appeal and would be a very livable family home. You enter into the great room with the large kitchen off the the right. The biggest drawback to this home is that there is no formal dining area although the kitchen has a large area for a table. Mature landscaping makes for nice outdoor living. The master suite features walk-in closets and a large bathroom with separate tub/shower which isn’t common in this price range.
133 Makalauna St. is a well maintained home. There is a nice front entrance into a compact living area. The kitchen has been fully redone and is adjacent to the living/dining area but does not have that “great room feel”. Bedrooms are small but the layout is nice. Nice backyard but it does back to a street that tends to have some traffic. This one has been on the market for a while.
As an investor, I often look at short sales as potential deals (depending on your exit strategy). 671 MaliMali is a short sale. It is a nice 3/2.5 home with a good sized 8111 sq ft. lot. The lot backs to open space which is designated as a road thoroughfare. Just behind this space is the Pi’ilani highway so I would guess you get significant highway noise. The house is in good condition but the yard needs a little more work. The list price is $539,000 which doesn’t make it much of a “deal” given than short sale processing can take up to 6 months.
All Homes on Caravan (View MLS Listings)
I also took a quick look at some vacation rental condos. The Kihei Holiday unit is one of the lowest priced 2 bedroom units available. The complex doesn’t offer lush surroundings but it is a nice unit with good ocean views (through electric wires) for just $439,000!
Another good buy is the large 1 bedroom at Koa Resort for $367,000. Koa Resort is one of my favorites because of its large spacious grounds and amenities.
If it is the world famous Maui views you are after, check out Menehune Shores 2/2 for $675,000. It on the 6th floor with really fabulous views. Good condition, great price for these views that would cost over a million in South Kihei!
To find out more about these or similar properties, contact me!
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Ka’ono’ulu in Hawaiian means “The Delicious Breadfruit” — three words in the right order! Once you learn a little Hawaiian, the names start making a little more sense. It’s helpful to try and break up a word into its individual parts. For example, the upcountry town where our local winery resides is Ulupalakua, which means Breadfruit (Ulu) ripens (Pala) on the back (Kua)!
