Buying a Home in Waimea Between $1 Million and $2 Million: What the Data Tells Us

Last updated: April 2026. Market conditions change frequently — contact me for the most current information.

If you’re looking at Waimea homes in the $1 million to $2 million range, the market is sending a clear message: price it right and it sells fast. Price it wrong and it sits. As someone who has lived and worked in Waimea for over 58 years, I find this market fascinating right now — and full of opportunity for informed buyers.

What’s Available Right Now

There are currently ten active listings in Waimea between $1 million and $2 million, ranging from $1,040,000 to $1,699,000. Three more are already in escrow. You can view the current listings here: Waimea Town Single Family Homes $1M-$2M

Unlike the under-$1 million market where most listings are clustered on the east side of town, this price range is well spread across Waimea — east, west, and central. Buyers in this range have more geographic choice, and with it more variety in terms of rainfall, wind exposure, and proximity to town center.

What the Recent Sales Tell Us

Four properties have closed in this price range in the last 30 days, and the data is instructive.

Two properties sold within days of listing — one of them at 3.4% above asking price. These were well-priced, well-presented homes and the market responded immediately. At the other end of the spectrum, one property took 247 days to sell and closed at 12.8% below its original asking price.

The lesson is clear: in this price range, buyers are sophisticated and selective. They know value when they see it, and they move quickly. But they will not overpay.

A Word of Caution About Outliers

In any market, a property priced significantly below its neighbors deserves careful scrutiny. In the current Waimea inventory there is at least one active listing that has been on the market for over 300 days. When a property sits that long, there is usually a reason — and it may not be immediately obvious from the listing photos. I always recommend buyers work with a knowledgeable local realtor and invest in a thorough inspection before making any offer, particularly when a price seems unusually attractive relative to comparable properties.

Where Are These Homes?

This price range offers something the under-$1 million market largely does not: properties with meaningful acreage. Several listings sit on one acre or more, including some in the quieter outskirts of Waimea where you get more land, more privacy, and mountain views. For buyers coming from the mainland who dream of space and a genuine Hawaiian ranch lifestyle, this is where to look.

Lot sizes range from 0.14 acres in town to over 3 acres on the highway corridor. Square footage ranges from just over 1,000 square feet to over 6,000 square feet. This is a varied inventory with something for many different buyer profiles.

Who Buys in This Range?

Unlike the under-$1 million market which tends to attract local buyers, the $1 million to $2 million range draws both local residents and buyers relocating from the mainland. For mainland buyers, this price point can feel remarkably accessible compared to comparable properties in California, the Pacific Northwest, or the Northeast — and it comes with the added benefit of living in one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Hawaii-Specific Things Buyers Should Know

Most of the same considerations from my earlier post on the under-$1 million market apply here as well — county water, cesspool-to-septic conversion requirements, fee simple versus leasehold ownership, lava zone, and property tax homeowner exemption timing. I won’t repeat all of that here, but I’d encourage you to read that post if you haven’t already.

One additional consideration at this price point: properties with larger acreage may have agricultural zoning implications. If you’re buying land with the intention of farming, keeping horses or livestock, or building additional structures, it’s important to understand what the zoning allows. As both a realtor and a licensed Hawaii attorney, I can help you think through these issues before you commit.

Is Now a Good Time to Buy?

Yes — with eyes open. The data shows that well-priced properties in this range are moving quickly, sometimes above asking. If you find a home that fits your needs and is priced fairly, don’t assume you have weeks to think it over.

At the same time, there is enough inventory that you don’t need to panic. Take the time to understand what you’re buying, work with someone who knows this market deeply, and don’t be seduced by a low price without understanding why it’s low.

If you’d like to talk through any of these properties or the buying process in general, I’d love to hear from you.

Judy S. Howard, Esq. is a Realtor Broker with COMPASS in Waimea, Hawaii, and a licensed Hawaii attorney with over 30 years of experience. She can be reached at judy@livinginwaimea.com or 808-885-5588.

November, 2025 Real Estate Market in Hawaii County

Single Family + Condo/Townhouse/Apt.

What’s happening

Supply: 5.86 months of inventory; supply decreased by 8% MoM but increased 9% YoY.
Price: Median sold price is $555,000, with a 7% MoM increase; new listings median price is $649,000.
Days: Median days in RPR for sold listings is 85, a 10% MoM rise; pending listings at 70 days.

Why it matters

Market Timing: Reduced inventory and rising prices impact both buying and selling timelines, requiring strategic planning.
Inventory Trends: With 286 new listings and 1,225 active listings, understanding availability is crucial for coordinated transactions.

Now what

1. Evaluate Timing: Assess your current situation to decide the best time to list and buy based on market trends.
2. Price Strategically: Set competitive list prices by analyzing the upward trends in median prices.
3. Optimize Listings: Prepare properties to reduce time on market, focusing on the median days trend for effective sales.

Hawaii County offers unique destinations like Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the picturesque town of Hilo, enhancing its appeal. For those navigating both buying and selling, aligning your strategy with the current market climate is essential. Contact me for a personalized approach to your real estate needs in Hawaii County, Hawaii: judy.howard@compass.com.

Source: RPR Market Trends, November, 2025

Photo voltaic In Hawaii

Photo Voltaic in Hawaii-no utility lines here!

Photo Voltaic in Hawaii? You have options!

Interested in photo voltaic in Hawaii? Hawaii is well situated for those wishing to turn the sun’s energy into electricity. Even if you chose to live in an area which is frequently cloudy-like my home-you can live a fairly normal life without being tied into the electrical grid. Or, if you live in a spot that is served by HELCO, the electric company, you may be able to tie into the grid. Here’s where to find more information about tying into the grid: https://www.hawaiielectriclight.com/products-and-services/customer-renewable-programs

Living off grid

I have been living off grid for over twenty years. The technology has improved a great deal in that time. I have a basic system, and an excellent photo voltaic technician, and the experience is almost invisible on most days. I don’t use as much power as some other households might consume, and every once in a while I am completely stumped when my system stops working, but I am happy living off grid

There are much fancier systems, in much fancier homes! Some seem as though they would require an electrical engineering degree (or an on-site technician) to keep working properly. I think that in any off-grid home, the occupant must have an interest in at least the general theory of how the various components operate.

Grid tie ins

HELCO has gone through several iterations of its grid-tie in program, with each becoming less generous than the previous one. I recently sold a small house in Luala’i, Waimea, that had 20 photo voltaic panels and a monthly utility bill of $22. That home had the benefit of an older contract with HELCO, and the occupants could use almost any conceivable amount of electricity and still not owe more than the base amount.

At times, HELCO suspends new contracts altogether. This seems silly, since Hawaii has set of goal of 100% clean energy by 2045 http://www.hawaiicleanenergyinitiative.org/

There is a plausible explanation, however. There was such a rush to photo voltaics that the remaining customers were left shouldering too great a share of the overhead costs. I don’t think the utility chose the best solution-discourage photo voltaic-but that is the path they have chosen.

Ready? Not so fast!

Many people dream of building a home in the middle of some gorgeous pasture, with views to the ocean and space to roam. Photo voltaic systems play a part in many of those dreams. Some think they might rent out cottages on the land to generate some additional income. Hawaii has recently clamped down on vacation rentals, see https://livinginwaimea.com/2019/03/30/hawaii-county-restricts-vacation-rentals/

There are also other restrictions on land use in agriculturally zoned areas, see https://livinginwaimea.com/2018/10/12/hawaii-county-agricultural-land-use-restrictions/

Photo voltaic in Hawaii, yes! Maybe with a few more draw backs than you would like, but it is definitely feasible in Hawaii. Generating income from vacation rentals on agricultural land, nope. Building multiple dwellings on agricultural land, almost certainly not. Getting the benefit of the very low assessed value on agricultural lands without actively engaging in an agricultural, probably not for long! The County audits use, and will change your property tax classification if it does not find agricultural use. See https://livinginwaimea.com/2019/03/29/kohala-ranch-property-taxes/

Moving to Hawaii. Will I be disappointed?

Waipio Valley camp fire. Photo by Sarah Anderson

What if I don’t love living in Hawaii?

“What if I don’t like it?” This is a very valid concern. Moving to Hawaii is expensive! Not everyone is happy here, and you should do everything you can to make sure this is the right place for you.

Come multiple times, and stay in as many places on the Island as possible.

This is not as easy as it used to be, because of the new restrictions on vacation rentals. See https://livinginwaimea.com/2019/03/30/hawaii-county-restricts-vacation-rentals/ But if you can’t stay in as many parts of the Island anymore, at least make sure you spend as much time visiting each area as possible. Moving to Hawaii is a big deal, and it’s worth investing time and money to make sure it’s right for you.

Many people say, though, that while the place matters, it is the people they fall in love with.

I hear this again and again: the people here are so friendly and helpful. I am a bit surprised, because I think there are more unfriendly people here than there were 50 years ago, but I guess it’s all relative. Compared to many places on the mainland, the people here are wonderful.

If you come with an open heart, you are likely to be treated with aloha.

There are always exceptions-people who are so bitter or angry that they won’t give you a chance. But if you treat the people you meet with kindness and respect, most will repay you with the aloha our Islands are known for.

Some nuts and bolts information on moving to Hawaii.

There are many sources of information about moving to Hawaii, and living here happily once you’ve made that move. Your Realtor is a great source of such information. You should also check out https://portal.ehawaii.gov/residents/newcomers-guide/

Humpback Research in Hawaii

No, this is not a humpback and has nothing to do with humpback research in Hawaii.  I was just looking for a picture to post, and remembered I took this for my daughter a few months back.  This elderly ewe was named Panda, and she lived to be about 13 because my daughter absolutely insisted that I take her to the vet when we spotted her as a newborn, wriggling on the grass in the pasture, abandoned by her mother.  She was one of a pair, and definitely got the short end of the stick.  She was less than half her brother’s size, and hideously misshapen because he had taken so much room in the womb!  The vet didn’t think much of her chances, but we brought her in and my daughter bottle fed her, and she lived to a ripe old age!  I love bottle fed lambs, and the sheep they become, because they are as friendly as dogs.  As with all sheep that I’ve ever been around, they have a very calming influence on me.  For that reason alone, they are worth the effort it takes to keep them healthy!


The humpbacks have left for the 2018/2019 season.

There were far fewer of them this year, and no one yet knows why. I hope that the humpback research in Hawaii will help to solve this mystery. I did not get a chance to get out on the water to listen to their songs, but I’ve done so in the past and know that it is a peak experience. For whatever reason, listening to recordings does not compare. Perhaps it is the fact that I’m not sitting quietly in a canoe of kindred souls, in what has to be one of the most beautiful places on earth, but I think it is more than that. I don’t think the recordings capture the sound as faithfully as I would like. Here’s a link to the Jupiter Research Foundation archive of humpback songs recorded off of Pauko: http://jupiterfoundation.org/whale-song-archive-hawaii

The Jupiter Research Foundation is a non-profit organization that is devoted to helping the humpbacks, and is seeking to build a center in Kawaihae harbor.

The organization has been in existence for quite a while, and actually live-streams whale songs from the Pauko Bay Area from mid-January till mid-March. They also have a webcam that provides views of the waters of Pauko Bay and parts of the Alenuihaha Channel. It is only operational during whale season, but it’s a great resource during that time period: http://jupiterfoundation.org/webcam. They have looked at many alternatives to increase their research facilities, and have identified Kawaihae Harbor as the most promising. Here’s a newspaper article about them: https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2019/03/26/hawaii-news/marine-research-center-proposed-for-kawaihae-harbor/

The article does not say whether the proposed center will be open to the public, but the environmental assessment does. There will be no visitors’ center, but escorted school field trips may be permitted.

If you are really interested, the Environment Assessment produced as part of their attempt to build a facility at Kawaihae is an excellent read!

It is really well-written, gives an excellent overview of the history of the area and another marine research facility that will some day be built in Pauko, and describes some of the truly amazing inventions The Jupiter Foundation has already designed and implemented that have helped in the study of Humpbacks. Here’s a link: http://oeqc2.doh.hawaii.gov/EA_EIS_Library/2019-03-23-HA-DEA-Marine-Science-Center-at-Kawaihae-Harbor.pdf