Buying a Home In Kailua Kona Hawaii – Steps to a Successful Close

Kailua Kona, Hawaii Part 1

 

You decided to buy a home here in Kona, Hawaii, but are the steps to buying in Hawaii the same as they are at my present location?

 

Today I am going to save you some time, stress and headaches and walk you through each step to successfully purchase a home here in Kona, Hawaii whether in person or sight unseen.

 

This will be a 2 part series, where the first part is finding your home and the second part will be going over the escrow process prior to you moving into your home.

 

Before we get started, let me introduce myself

 

Hi, I am Stephen Proski a Real Estate Broker with CoLdwell Banker Island Properties here on the Big…

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The Truth About Living in Kailua Kona (Why Some Leave, Others Stay

A lot of people come to Kailua Kona for the first time and think, “This is it… this is where I want to live.” And I get it, because when you’re here, everything feels easier, slower, and just… better.

But what I’ve seen over time is that living here full-time is very different from visiting, and that gap between expectation and reality is exactly what determines whether someone ends up staying long-term… or quietly deciding to leave.

Aloha, I’m Stephen Proski with Homes In Hawaii For Sale and Coldwell Banker Island Properties, and I help buyers relocate  to the Island of Hawaii and Oahu. I’ve worked with a lot of people making this move, and one thing that stands out is how…

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Where I’d Actually Live in Kona If I Retired Today

If I woke up tomorrow and decided I was retiring in Kona, the first thing I wouldn’t do is start looking at homes…

I’d start by figuring out how I actually want to live.

Because what I’ve seen is that a lot of people come here, fall in love with the views, the weather, the idea of being in Hawaii, and then they choose a home based on that emotion. But a few months in, they realize that their day-to-day lifestyle doesn’t match the location they picked.

Aloha, I’m Stephen Proski with Homes In Hawaii For Sale and Coldwell Banker Island Properties and I help buyers relocate to the Island of Hawaii and Oahu. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned working with people moving to Kona, it’s that the…

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What Can You Buy in Hawaii for $400K? (Kona vs Other Hawaii Islands Comparison)

Most people assume that $400,000 should buy a comfortable home almost anywhere in the United States. On the mainland, that budget might mean a three bedroom house, a yard, and maybe even a garage. But Hawaii operates under a very different real estate dynamic where land is limited, demand is global, and lifestyle value influences pricing as much as square footage.

So when buyers start exploring Hawaii with a $400K budget, the conversation quickly shifts. Instead of asking how big the house is, buyers begin asking which island provides the best opportunity, where that budget stretches the furthest, and what kind of lifestyle comes with that price point. In 2026, Hawaii…

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The TRUE Cost of Living in Kailua Kona 2026 

Have you ever been to Kailua Kona and felt like time slows down the second you land? Like you step outside, feel that warm air, see the ocean in the distance, and immediately start thinking… I could actually live here.

And that’s usually how it starts.

People come here for vacation, they fall in love with the sunsets, the beaches, the vibe, and then on the flight home they start doing the math in their head. Maybe we will sell the house. Maybe we will retire early. Maybe we just move and figure it out.

But here’s what I want to talk about today, because this is the part most people don’t learn until they’re already in deep. Living in Kailua Kona is not just expensive… it’s expensive in very specific…

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Leaving Hawaii

Why Are People Leaving Hawaii?

 
There are plenty of reasons why people move to Hawaii and we have been covering those reasons for quite some time.   Today we are going to talk about some of the reasons why we are seeing a large number of people departing or leaving Hawaii. 
 
According to the US Census Bureau the population in Hawaii has been on the decline and between 2020 to 2024 it dropped by 0.6%
 
Yes, people are leaving paradise for about 6 different reasons that we have noticed during the last several years. 
 
So why are people leaving Hawaii?
 
Well, the exodus from Hawaii can be attributed to a combination of social, economic and lifestyle factors.
 
These reasons do apply to people who have moved here and subsequently…

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Things I wish I knew before moving to Kona Hawaii
 
 
If you are thinking about moving to Kona Hawaii, there are few things I wish I knew before I moved here.  Yes, you can create a happy life here in Kona, but if you had a little more information before you made the leap across the pacific it might be a little easier to make the transition a bit smoother. 
 
Hi, I am Stephen Proski with Homes In Hawaii For Sale, if you are new to my Website Aloha and if you have been here before you know I am posting info about this beautiful islandThings I wish I Knew Before Moving To Kona Hawaii
 
If you haven’t heard the Island of Hawaii which is what the Big Island has been called forever has not been named Hawaii.   Yes we are no longer the Island of Hawaii, Just Hawaii
 
Talk about…

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Avoid Moving to Hawaii If You’re Still Making These 5 Mistakes


 Aloha friends! I’m Stephen Proski with Homes in Hawaii For Sale, and let me ask you something: have you ever thought about packing up your life, moving to Hawaii, and starting fresh in paradise?

I hear it all the time. People dream about trading snow shovels for surfboards, trading traffic jams for palm-lined roads, and trading cold winters for sunsets on the beach. And honestly — that dream can become a reality. But here’s the truth: too many people come to Hawaii unprepared, and they make the same five mistakes that can turn paradise into frustration.

So today, I’m going to share the five biggest mistakes people make when moving to Hawaii — and how you can avoid them. If you’re…

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Big Island Hawaii 2025 Update | Changes, Costs & WhY YOU WANT TO LIVE HERE

Thinking about living in paradise?
 If you're searching for a location that blends natural beauty, cultural depth, and a relaxing pace of life, Kailua-Kona may be exactly what you’re looking for.

Located on the west side of HawaiĘ»i Island — also known as the Big Island — Kailua-Kona offers a unique lifestyle with sunny skies, iconic beaches, and a strong sense of community. Whether you're considering a full-time move, retirement, or real estate investment, this coastal town continues to attract newcomers with its charm and opportunity.

I’m Stephen Proski, Realtor broker with Homes In Hawaii For Sale—where we live by one core value: “Clients First.” 

 

I help…

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Big Island vs Kauai

Best Place To Live

 

 

You want to live in Paradise and can’t decide between the Big Island or Kauai, which is the best place to live?

 

Well, that is a depends answer and

 

You must ask yourself

 

  • Do you want seclusion or city life?
  • Do you want a nice piece of land with only a few neighbors?
  • Do you want the beach a few blocks away?
  • Do you need large malls and high-end shops nearby?
  • Do you plan on working here or are you retiring?
  • Do you require specialty medical care and facilities?
  • Do you want blue skies and sunshine or can you deal with loads of wet weather?
  • Do you plan to rent or buy?

 

These are just some of the questions we hope to address in our video today on…

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