Big Island Stays Blog

By Dan Polimino – KW Big Island & The Hawaii Team If you’re thinking about buying a vacation property in Hawaii and turning it into a short-term rental, the most important question you can ask is: Will it cash flow? As a self-proclaimed data geek, I believe numbers tell the real story—and I use them to help buyers make informed decisions. Here’s how we do that at The Hawaii Team....

When people think about buying a short-term vacation rental here on the Big Island of Hawaii, they always want to know one thing: “Dan, will it cash flow?” But how will you know—and will you have the right real estate professional to guide you? Over the years, I’ve said this many times: rarely do short-term vacation rentals cash flow here on the island. That’s mostly due to the high purchase...

video from July 2024 By Dan Polimino, KW Big Island | The Hawai‘i Team One of the most common questions I get is: “Dan, what are the best islands in Hawai‘i to buy a short-term vacation rental?” Let’s break it down. First, What to Avoid Right Now Let’s start with where I’d recommend not buying at the moment: Maui. As much as I love every part of Hawai‘i, the situation...

Exploring the Hybrid Rental Model in Hawai‘iBy Dan Polimino, Keller Williams Big Island | The Hawai‘i Team Here are the three common ownership models people explore here in Hawaii: 1. Traditional Second Home You buy a home simply to use as a second residence. When you’re not on the island, the property stays vacant. Simple, straightforward—but not income-producing. 2. Short-Term Vacation Rental (STVR) This is the most popular model buyers...

To Rent or Not to Rent in Hawai‘i: Understanding Your OptionsBy Dan Polimino, Keller Williams Big Island | The Hawai‘i Team Today, we’re talking about a big question many buyers have: Should you rent out your property in Hawai‘i, or not? And what about a third option—a hybrid model like a 30-day-plus rental? Nearly every buyer who contacts us at The Hawai‘i Team is interested in a short-term vacation rental....

Short-Term Vacation Rentals in Hawai‘i: What You Need to Know Today, I’m diving into one of the most frequently asked questions we get—by far the number one question we hear from clients: “Tell me about short-term vacation rentals.” Everyone wants to know the rules. Where can you do them? Where can’t you? How much money can you make? This post is meant to give you a foundational understanding of how...

What’s the ROI on a Short-Term Vacation Rental in Hawaiʻi? Hi, I’m Dan Polimino with Keller Williams Big Island and The Hawai‘i Team. Today, I’m sharing part three of our series on short-term vacation rentals. If you missed parts one and two, you can find them on our YouTube channel. Part one covers what homes or condos qualify for short-term vacation rentals. Part two discusses how to manage one of...

Short-Term Vacation Rentals in Hawaii: What You Need to Know (Part 1) By Dan Polimino, The Hawaii Team at Keller Williams Realty, Big Island Today, we’re kicking off a three-part series on short-term vacation rentals. This is a huge topic. Nearly every buyer who calls us at The Hawaii Team asks about short-term vacation rentals—specifically, whether they can rent out a property they purchase. Because the topic is so extensive,...

Your Guide to Direct Flights to Kona (KOA): From the West Coast, Mountain West, and Texas Planning your escape to Hawaiʻi Island? Getting to Kona International Airport (KOA) is now more convenient than ever, thanks to a growing list of nonstop flights from key cities across the West Coast, Mountain West, and Texas. Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway or an extended island stay, we’ve gathered the most current...

  About Us Search Properties Contact Us Big News from Big Island Stays! No security deposit. Enhanced protection. Exclusive savings. At Big Island Stays, we’re always looking for ways to enhance your vacation experience—and we’re excited to share some big updates that make booking your next stay even easier, safer, and more rewarding. First, we’ve eliminated the traditional security deposit requirement. That’s right—when you book a property with Big Island...