Buying or Selling a Home in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii: What to Know

Kailua-Kona is the main town of the Kona district, ZIP code 96740. Elevation changes the climate, the view, and the price within a short drive, and condos near the water call for a close look at fees and association health.

Key takeaways

• Kailua-Kona is the main town of the Kona district, ZIP code 96740.

• Elevation changes the climate, the view, and the price within a short drive.

• Condos near the water require a close look at fees and association health.

• Sellers do well with pricing based on recent sales in the same neighborhood or complex.

Several markets on one hillside

Kailua-Kona is several markets stacked on one hillside. Properties near the water are warmer, drier, and closer to town, and many are condominiums with association dues, reserve studies, and rules worth reading before an offer. Move a few hundred feet up in elevation and the rainfall, temperature, and price per square foot all change. Buyers who compare listings without accounting for elevation are often comparing two different climates.

Condominium purchases in Kailua-Kona deserve particular attention. Association financial health, deferred maintenance, insurance coverage, and any pending special assessment can matter more to a buyer's actual cost than the purchase price does.

Ask an agent which property types they handle, from condominiums and single family homes to vacant land and higher end property. Many buyers search from outside Hawaii, so a national and international referral network, like the one eXp Realty offers, helps a Kailua-Kona listing reach them.

Local knowledge here is granular. Traffic patterns, which streets flood, how vog settles on certain days, and where county water service ends are things a resident knows and a market report does not show.

Kona and Kailua-Kona are not quite the same thing

Kona is a district on the west side of Hawaiʻi Island, split into North Kona and South Kona. Kailua-Kona is the main town in North Kona and the center of shopping, dining, and services. When people say they want to live in Kona, they often mean Kailua-Kona or the neighborhoods around it.

Buying in Kailua-Kona

Buyers can choose between condos near Aliʻi Drive, single family homes in town, and ocean view homes on the slope above. Compare these options by commute, climate, view, and monthly cost, and set up a custom search for the areas that fit.

Selling in Kailua-Kona

Sellers in Kailua-Kona benefit from pricing based on recent sales in the same neighborhood or complex. A solid listing plan includes a market analysis, photos, and marketing on the MLS and through a wide agent network to reach off island buyers.

Common questions

What is the ZIP code for Kailua-Kona?

The main ZIP code for Kailua-Kona is 96740.

Is Kailua-Kona a good place to buy a condo?

Kailua-Kona has the widest choice of condos on the west side of the island. Buyers should compare association fees, reserves, and rental rules for each complex.

Sources: County of Hawaiʻi Real Property Tax Office; U.S. Geological Survey, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, lava flow hazard zones.

About the author: Maile Woodhall (pronounced Miley) is a licensed Hawaiʻi REALTOR (RS-88019) with The Agency Team Hawaii, eXp Realty (RB-21841), born and raised in Kona. Questions? Call or text (808) 482-5800.

Related guides: Buying a home in Kona; How to Sell a Luxury Home in Kona: A Listing Agent's Guide; Who is Maile Woodhall, the Kona Realtor?; How do I choose a Realtor in Kona?.

Last updated: October 2026.