KonaHomeTeam Journal https://bestkonahomes.com/journal/ Local West Hawaiʻi real estate articles by Lance Owens en-US Housing Needs Infrastructure. Infrastructure Needs Funding. https://bestkonahomes.com/journal/housing-needs-infrastructure/ https://bestkonahomes.com/journal/housing-needs-infrastructure/ My visit to the Capitol, Question 2, and another tool to help fund the infrastructure housing needs. Thu, 15 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -1000 Bill 147: “A Policy Shift.” Exactly What We’ve Been Saying. https://bestkonahomes.com/journal/bill-147-policy-shift/ https://bestkonahomes.com/journal/bill-147-policy-shift/ My October 8 update on the committee amendments, vacation-rental eligibility, and the questions property owners need answered. Thu, 08 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -1000 60% of Kona Homes Sold Below Their Original Asking Price in September https://bestkonahomes.com/journal/kona-september-2026-market/ https://bestkonahomes.com/journal/kona-september-2026-market/ September’s Kona sales: 60% of homes and 72.2% of condos closed below their original asking price. A closer look at what the numbers mean. Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -1000 Bill 147: Why Remove Bed & Breakfasts From CN Zoning? https://bestkonahomes.com/journal/bill-147-cn-zoning/ https://bestkonahomes.com/journal/bill-147-cn-zoning/ The CN zoning question, with clarification that the restriction concerns unhosted rentals. Hosted rentals remain permitted. Thu, 17 Sep 2026 12:00:00 -1000 Bill 147: Please Stop Calling This “Housekeeping” https://bestkonahomes.com/journal/bill-147-housekeeping/ https://bestkonahomes.com/journal/bill-147-housekeeping/ Why the scale of the proposed zoning changes deserves more than a housekeeping label. Wed, 16 Sep 2026 12:00:00 -1000 Bill 147 Update: County Schedules Public TVR Webinar https://bestkonahomes.com/journal/bill-147-tvr-webinar/ https://bestkonahomes.com/journal/bill-147-tvr-webinar/ An August update on the County’s TVR webinar, the draft bill, and questions for property owners. Mon, 03 Aug 2026 12:00:00 -1000 Bill 147 Moves One Step Closer to Becoming Law https://bestkonahomes.com/journal/bill-147-moves-closer/ https://bestkonahomes.com/journal/bill-147-moves-closer/ The July Planning Commission recommendation, RM zoning concerns, and the next stage at Council. Fri, 17 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -1000 Bill 147 Deferred Until July 16 (Hawaii County Short Term Rentals) https://bestkonahomes.com/journal/bill-147-deferred/ https://bestkonahomes.com/journal/bill-147-deferred/ The July update on the deferral, public testimony, and the upcoming Planning Commission hearing. Wed, 01 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -1000 The Boogie Board Was Born on Aliʻi Drive, and That Says a Lot About Kona Living https://bestkonahomes.com/journal/boogie-board-alii-drive-kona/ https://bestkonahomes.com/journal/boogie-board-alii-drive-kona/ Tom Morey invented the modern boogie board at Waiʻaha, also known as Honl’s Beach, along Aliʻi Drive in Kailua-Kona, tying surf history to Kona living. Sat, 16 May 2026 12:00:00 -1000 I Want to Buy a Condo in Kailua-Kona. What Should I Know First? https://bestkonahomes.com/journal/kailua-kona-condo-buying-guide/ https://bestkonahomes.com/journal/kailua-kona-condo-buying-guide/ Buying a condo in Kailua-Kona? Learn about short-term rental rules, HOA fees, leasehold vs fee simple, insurance, and local condo issues. Fri, 15 May 2026 12:00:00 -1000 Does Floor Level Affect Kona Condo Prices? It Depends on the Complex https://bestkonahomes.com/journal/floor-level-kona-condo-prices/ https://bestkonahomes.com/journal/floor-level-kona-condo-prices/ Kailua-Kona condo data shows when floor level affects value and when views, access, privacy, condition, and the complex matter more. Thu, 14 May 2026 12:00:00 -1000 Can You Buy or Sell a Home with a Cesspool in Hawaii? https://bestkonahomes.com/journal/buy-sell-home-cesspool-hawaii/ https://bestkonahomes.com/journal/buy-sell-home-cesspool-hawaii/ Can you buy or sell a home with a cesspool in Hawaii? Learn what buyers and sellers should know about disclosure, financing, deadlines, and marketability. Wed, 13 May 2026 12:00:00 -1000 Is Kona’s Condo Market Cooling Off or Holding Steady? Let’s Look at the Numbers https://bestkonahomes.com/journal/kona-condo-market-june-2025/ https://bestkonahomes.com/journal/kona-condo-market-june-2025/ Contact us for all your real estate buying and selling needs. Tue, 22 Jul 2025 12:00:00 -1000 Home Sellers: The Hidden Risks of Limiting Who Sees Your Listing https://bestkonahomes.com/journal/home-sellers-listing-exposure/ https://bestkonahomes.com/journal/home-sellers-listing-exposure/ Lance Owens explains why listing exposure matters and what sellers should ask before choosing private or limited marketing. Mon, 07 Apr 2025 12:00:00 -1000 Casa De Emdeko Condo Complex - Part 4 of our Kailua Kona Condo Series https://bestkonahomes.com/journal/casa-de-emdeko-kona-condo-guide/ https://bestkonahomes.com/journal/casa-de-emdeko-kona-condo-guide/ Contact us for all your real estate buying and selling needs. Mon, 03 Apr 2023 12:00:00 -1000 Excited To Be Featured In "12 Home Renovations That Don't Add Value" https://bestkonahomes.com/journal/home-renovations-value/ https://bestkonahomes.com/journal/home-renovations-value/ Lance Owens’s contribution to a Redfin discussion of home renovations and resale value. Wed, 29 Mar 2023 12:00:00 -1000 HB1805 Cesspool Conversion at Point of Sale and Why its Bad For Hawaii Homeowners (2022) https://bestkonahomes.com/journal/hb1805-cesspool-conversion-point-of-sale/ https://bestkonahomes.com/journal/hb1805-cesspool-conversion-point-of-sale/ From the archives: my 2022 article on HB1805 and cesspool conversion at point of sale, with the original note linking to the 2026 update. Fri, 18 Feb 2022 12:00:00 -1000