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How Do I Choose the Best Realtor to Sell My Luxury Home on the Big Island of Hawai‘i?

by | Dec 18, 2025 | Blog, Resorts | 0 comments

Quick Answer: To sell your luxury home on the Kona-Kohala Coast quickly and for top dollar, look for a realtor with a proven, data-driven system for strategic pricing, professional presentation, aggressive global marketing, and expert negotiation tailored to the Big Island’s unique market. Our clients often see offers within 30–60 days when following our process.


Key Takeaways: Selling Your Kona-Kohala Coast Luxury Home

  • Strategic Pricing Is Paramount: Overpricing can deter buyers, while underpricing leaves money on the table. A precise, data-backed comparative market analysis is essential to attract multiple offers.
  • First Impressions Are Digital: High-quality professional photography, drone footage, and immersive virtual tours are essential for capturing the attention of affluent, often off-island buyers.
  • Global Reach Matters: Your marketing plan must extend beyond local MLS listings to target national and international high-net-worth individuals through luxury portals, targeted social media, and direct email campaigns.
  • Negotiation Expertise Secures Value: Beyond price, a skilled negotiator protects your interests on contingencies, closing dates, and other terms, maximizing your net proceeds and ensuring a smooth transaction.
  • Seamless Process Management: From contract to close, a dedicated team handling details, paperwork, and coordination ensures a stress-free experience, especially for sellers managing from afar.

Over nearly two decades of selling luxury homes on the Kona-Kohala Coast, I’ve worked with hundreds of affluent individuals, many of whom are mainland-based and considering Hawaiʻi as a second home or vacation rental investment. One of the most common questions I hear is: “How are you able to sell so many homes so quickly and for top dollar?”

The answer isn’t magic—it’s a system. What I call the Polimino Performance System is the result of years of testing, refinement, and proven results. Rather than simply describing the system, here are answers to the most common questions sellers ask about getting their luxury property sold.


How Much Faster Will Strategic Pricing Help Me Sell My Mauna Kea Condo?

Quick Answer: Strategic pricing based on comprehensive market analysis can reduce time on market by 20–30% compared to an overpriced listing, often leading to multiple offers within the first few weeks.

Setting the right price from day one is the foundation of a successful sale. Overpricing is one of the biggest mistakes sellers make. It causes a property to sit on the market too long, leading buyers to question its value and often resulting in later price reductions that weaken negotiating power.

Underpricing, however, leaves money on the table. We conduct a comprehensive comparative market analysis that evaluates recent sales, current conditions, absorption rates for specific property types, unique property features, and micro-market trends. This approach allows us to determine an optimal listing price that attracts strong interest and competitive offers.

Example: A Mauna Kea Resort condo was initially considered for listing 10% above our recommendation. After reviewing absorption rates—averaging 180+ days at the higher price versus 60–90 days at our suggested range—the seller agreed to adjust. The property received three offers within 14 days and closed in under 45 days at 2% above asking price.


Will Professional Staging and Photography Increase My Sale Price?

Quick Answer: Yes. Professional staging and photography can increase sale price by 5–10% and significantly reduce time on market, particularly in the luxury segment.

In today’s digital marketplace, your home’s first showing happens online. High-quality visuals are essential, especially when many buyers are off-island. We invest in professional staging guidance, high-resolution photography, drone imagery, twilight photography, and immersive virtual tours to present properties at their absolute best.

Example: A luxury oceanfront estate generated 70% of its early inquiries from its virtual tour and drone presentation. It sold within 60 days for 98% of asking price.


How Does Your Marketing Reach Buyers Beyond the Big Island?

Quick Answer: We use a multi-channel strategy that includes luxury real estate portals, targeted email marketing, and strategic social media campaigns to reach affluent buyers worldwide.

Luxury buyers are often based on the mainland U.S. or internationally. Listings are promoted through major real estate websites, specialized luxury platforms, targeted social campaigns, and a curated database of qualified buyers and agents. This ensures maximum exposure to the right audience.

Example: A resort vacation rental generated 40% of its initial inquiries from our private email database and 25% from luxury real estate portals. The buyer was based in New York and purchased after reviewing the comprehensive online presentation.


What Should I Ask a Realtor to Ensure Expert Negotiation?

Quick Answer: Ask about strategies for handling multiple offers, negotiating contingencies, and protecting net proceeds—not just the sale price.

Expert negotiation goes beyond securing the highest number. It involves evaluating financing strength, managing contingencies, optimizing timelines, and minimizing risk to maximize overall value.

Example: In a recent transaction, the highest offer included unfavorable contingencies. By leveraging a backup offer, we secured a slightly lower but cleaner contract with faster closing and a higher net profit due to reduced risk and holding costs.


How Do You Ensure a Seamless Transaction from Offer to Close?

Quick Answer: We manage all paperwork, deadlines, inspections, lender coordination, and escrow processes to ensure a smooth and stress-free closing.

Selling remotely can feel complex. Our team oversees contract management, inspections, appraisals, and coordination with trusted professionals. We provide proactive updates and address potential issues early to maintain a smooth path to closing.

Example: A client traveling abroad completed the sale of their second home through secure digital coordination and consistent communication. The transaction closed on schedule with minimal disruption.


The Bottom Line: Your Trusted Partner on the Kona-Kohala Coast

Our commitment to strategic pricing, exceptional presentation, global marketing, expert negotiation, and meticulous transaction management sets us apart. We understand the nuances of the Big Island luxury market and are dedicated to helping you achieve your selling goals.

If you are considering selling your home on the Kona-Kohala Coast of Hawaiʻi, let the Polimino Performance System work for you. Contact us for a personalized consultation.

Well-priced and professionally presented luxury properties continue to see strong demand. We would be honored to serve you.


Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does staging typically take?

A: Full professional staging typically requires several days for consultation and 1–3 days for installation, depending on property size. Minor adjustments may take only a few hours.

Q: What are typical seller closing costs on the Big Island?

A: Sellers can generally expect closing costs of 8–12% of the sale price, including commissions, excise tax, escrow fees, title insurance, and prorated property taxes. Consult a tax professional regarding capital gains.

Q: Should I sell my vacation rental furnished?

A: In many cases, selling furnished is advantageous, particularly for buyers seeking a turnkey investment property.

Q: How are showings handled if I’m off-island?

A: We coordinate all showings, manage secure property access, and provide detailed feedback after each visit.

Q: What is the current market outlook?

A: The luxury market remains strong, supported by continued demand for lifestyle and investment properties. Strategically priced and professionally marketed homes continue to attract favorable interest.

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