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Check out Leilani Estates.
Beautiful subdivision, very well maintained, strong neighborhood watch, strict Codes, Covenants and Restrictions and very friendly folks.
Many people regard Leilani Estates as one of the best subdivisions (if not the best subdivision) on the Big Island.
Only real downsides are Lava Zone 1 designation and is farther away from Hilo than HPP, (which is very popular).
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LeeE,
You seem to confirm my beliefs. There's a book that says the subdivision is the best. I would rather drive farther to Hilo to be able to get away from roosters, goats, dogs, etc. I like to be able to sleep at night and have serenity.
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Carey, is it difficult to find a HPP home nearer to the highway that has good ocean views?
Lee, I like Leilani Estates, but when we build our home we'll probably need a mortgage (we're going to pay cash for the lot). We've been advised that Zone 1 is difficult to get loans for.
Thanks all!
Jimmy
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It's about 5 miles from the highway to the ocean. Depending on the trees, etc., you may have to get close to 1 mile (6 streets) from the ocean to see the ocean.
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I have been to some of the houses at the top of the subdivision that have very good, yet distant, views of the ocean (and no views very close to the ocean - our rental was 1/2 block from the ocean and still could not see one bit of ocean as there was a thick grove of ironwood trees in the way). The key is the elevation change around your lot AND the vegetation. is the lots between are more or less flat, then any vegetation will block the view, if there is a fairly steep gradient, most vegetation will not. (also look at the buildings around your lot & such, I have seem some houses that spring up right smack in front of their neighbors view)
There are many HPP lots that have mountain, ocean & some even also even have views of plume at Pu'u 'O'o. Just depends.
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Just something I thought of --
I was riding on a train through the Alps in Switzerland and a local resident I was talking to on the train told me that, when someone wanted to build a house in the area, that person had to put up a "stick" frame for a period of time and the neighbors could approve/disapprove the house based on whether it obstructed their views of the mountains, etc. If the neighbors complained, the person could not build his/her house to that height.
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HiloHaole & Punabound,
Yes, insurance is an issue. There is insurance available for I think, up to $250,000.00. I think that at least one insurer offers insurance for higher amounts.
HiloHaole, Yes, you won't have to deal with any of that stuff in Leilani. That's one reason we moved there. The heavily forested areas, of course, have more coqui's.
There's an area of Leilani, towards the back that isn't heavily forested. No ocean view, but a fantastic open sky view, plus spectacular views of the two mountains.
We love Switzerland!!! Beautiful, great country. Same with Holland, btw. Great schools, reasonabley egalitarian, free society, very little poverty, public subsidy for public benefit, honest government (what a concept!) and more. Those folks know how to do it right.
Usually warmer here, though.
Aloha,
Lee
http://members.cruzio.com/~lionel/
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There are fewer companies that will do mortgages for Lava Zone 1, but there are some companies with really competitive rates. You can contact me if you want more info.
The insurance limit has been raised to $350,000 earlier this year.
John Dirgo, R, ABR, e-PRO
Island Trust Properties, LLC
808-987-9243 cell
http://www.hawaiirealproperty.com
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John, do people in Zones 2 and 3 also tend to buy lava flow insurance?
Jimmy
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There is no such thing as lava insurance. What you are insuring for is fire, etc. Most houses will catch fire before the lava touches it, so stick around long enough to snap a photo or two for your insurance company, provided you can do that safely.
John Dirgo, R, ABR, e-PRO
Island Trust Properties, LLC
808-987-9243 cell
http://www.hawaiirealproperty.com
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