There are two kinds of people in this world. People who enjoy being warm and those who enjoy being cool. Most people who really love being COLD, don’t buy homes in Hawaii, however, there are plenty of people who enjoy a hot day at the beach, and then snuggling under the covers at night. If you are THAT kind of person looking to purchase a home on the Big Island, LUVA Real Estate has some tips for you!
First, if you have not driven around the island much, you may not know that since we all live on the slopes of one of five volcanoes, that we have choices to live at sea level all the way up to 4,000 feet. If you check your temperature gauge on your car while you are driving up from the Kona airport to the upper highway, you can see a 10 degree change in temps. And if you left Kona at sea level and drove to Volcano Village, it could be a 20-25 degree change! So, let’s talk about what that means for real estate prices, cost of energy and such.
1. Limited Air Flow
Sea level homes are MUCH warmer than their “up mauka” counter parts. Many people have a dream to live in ocean front properties, and it guarantees to raise the demand of your home and how much you can command in vacation rental fees. However, living full time near the ocean, you will find that there is not as much air flow and much more humidity than living at a higher elevation. It also can mean temperatures that hover at 87 degrees during the warm days and only waver a few degrees from morning to night. Do you love warm mornings? At sea level all year long it may never drop below 70.
2. Oxidation
Feeling the ocean spray on your face as you lounge on your lanai is fantastic, but it will cost you in upkeep to your home, your car and your appliances all of which will feel the effects of the corrosiveness of that salty spray. You can expect to replace anything with electrical wiring much more often in a beachfront home. Keep this all in mind, too, when you are having to run fans 24/7 from May through October and how that impacts your electricity bill.
3. The Comfort Belt
Mid-level elevation homes in Kailua Kona generally cost more than lower level, non-oceanfront homes due to two things: temperature and view. All those homeowners living between 900-1200 feet up on the slopes of Hualalai got the memo about the elevation influencing comfortability of living in Hawaii. That is the best elevation to capture the mauka to makai air flow that naturally cools homes in the islands. You may pay a bit more to live in this “comfort belt” but you will save money on energy costs and and oxidation damage. Subdivisions such at Pualani Estates, Upper Lako, Sunset/Marlin and Keauhou Mauka may interest you or mid-Kaiminani Road in the Palisades area.
4. But if you get too high
….then you are dealing with mold and mildew issues. Residents living in the higher elevations of Koloko and Volcano, can attest to the fact that they have to purchase a dehumidifier if they want to ensure their leather, shoes and clothing avoid the effects of mold. Scientifically, this occurs because at higher elevations, the humidity turns to mist and fog, hence our cloud forests. However, many residents who live in that elevation LOVE mornings in the 50’s and having a fire place.
5. Pull out the blankets!
If you choose to live in Waikoloa Village, Waimea or Kohala Mountain Ranch or neighborhoods above 1000 feet, you may really enjoy those cold mornings when the wind brushes across the tops of snow covered Mauna Kea or Mauna Loa. Those are the mornings that hot summer days seem very far away and you get to put your jeans and your sweatshirts on and get the hot chocolate out. Many people who have moved to the island from seasonal climates on the mainland, enjoy living in elevations that provide the opportunity to snuggle up from December-March.
As you can see, there is something for everyone when you live on a volcano! Be sure to talk to your Realtor about the average temperatures in the neighborhoods you are viewing so you know what to expect once you move in. Many LUVA Real Estate agents live all over West Hawaii and you can tap into their personal experiences when you contact us!