Knutson & Associates
We have been serving visitors to the Big Island since 1976, with the finest Vacation Homes and Condos available!
Knutson & Associates is the longest standing Property Management company on the Kona Coast, serving visitors, real estate investors, and home buyers on the Big Island since 1976.
We have over 40 years in the business – longer than most businesses of any kind in Kona – and now manage over 150 Vacation Rental and long-term properties on Hawaii Island. Our specialty is working with investment clients and turning renters into first time home buyers.
We have in-depth knowledge of the current rental market, and a thorough understanding about the financial overhead of owning investment property. We can provide all the information you need, including accurate annual anticipated revenue projections on any property, to help you make the most educated decision. There is no question we cannot answer.
Our offices are located in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island, where our management team and licensees can draw upon their extensive experience in residential and investment brokerage to assist you with all of your real estate needs.
Knutson & Associates is currently celebrating its 45th year in business. Contact us today to put our decades of experience in all phases of Hawaii real estate to work for you.
We Speak Aloha
Knutson & Associates is a Family Owned & Operated Boutique Real Estate Brokerage on the Big Island of Hawaii. Founded by Marilyn Knutson in 1976.
The Principal Broker is Blake Kessner, 4th Generation Broker in the family. He is the grandson to Marilyn Knutson & son to Sharon Knutson who is the current owner.
Their offices originally were located at the Casa De Emdeko Condominium Development in Kona for over 40 years. Knutson & Associates has transitioned & elevated their Real Estate Sales & Property Management Divisions to the Kona Alii Condominium Development in the heart of Alii Drive in 2020. The Original Trademark has been “Selling & Managing Castles to Coffee Shacks since 1976.” This absolutely still applies to the founding principles the Knutson Family advocates for.
Our Founding Owners
Marilyn Knutson / Sharon Knutson
Marilyn Knutson was the founding broker who established the company in 1976, and she built a legacy many people in Kona still remember. Marilyn was a Real Estate Legend on the Island. She was able to make Knutson & Associates an incredible company that thrived as a Top Performing Company on the Island. Marilyn established the very first website for Vacation Rentals on the island! She will always be remembered.
Sharon Knutson, daughter of Marilyn Knutson was licensed since the age of 18. Sharon took over the company and 2005 and continued to build the empire that Knutson & Associates is today. Sharon was a third generation Realtor in her family owned business. Sharon was the Broker in Charge of Knutson & Associates for many years, all while raising 3 kids, and 2 dogs. Family was always very important to Sharon; This reflected in the relationships she had with her clients. Values like trust and honesty are the foundation aspects, Knutson & Associates thrive on. Sharon always emphasized that at Knutson & Associates, we speak Aloha!
Marilyn & Sharon will always be remembered, and their legacy made a huge impact on Kona. All of Marilyns grandchildren/Sharons children all work at the company now. Blake Kessner oldest son of Sharon, is the Principal Broker & Owner. Stephanie Kessner, daughter to Sharon runs the Long Term Rental Division, & Grant Kessner, son to Sharon is the Director of Guest Relations. The 3 of them are proud to say that Knutson & Associates will always be a family owned company. We are a local company, with the best local roots one could ask for!
Knutson & Associates have a long history on the island (which is helpful), but they also are forward thinking and provide our guests, our property and us with state of the art, personal service that is hard to find.
Blake is an EXCELLENT realtor, I HIGHLY recommend him!
- He SOLD our condo in 3 DAYS!
- We are on the mainland and were able to sign most of the documents on line.
- A traveling notary came to OUR home for other documents. ( Covid 19 was a concern for us, this was very comforting.)
- Blake returned calls promptly & walked us through the paperwork.
- The entire transaction was professional and closed promptly.
- Blake was straightforward and honest.
We will definitely use him in the future!
Blake assisted us in making a remote purchase of a condo on the Big Island. He truly was our eyes and ears because we were unable to view the property in person due to travel restrictions. He attended to every little detail and kept us apprised of all the little details. Very attentive and trustworthy real estate professional.
Blake listed and sold our home in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. During the process he got bids and coordinated the following work: interior painting; new carpet; plumbing and electrical repairs; replacement of broken ceiling fans, lights, and doors; locksmiths; removal of an old gazebo; professional cleaners; and movers. He helped us stand firm on the price when the buyers wanted a 10k adjustment during the inspection phase. And he was on top of every detail during the closing process. We have been working with realtors to sell our homes for 39 years and we highly recommend Blake, because he did more and better for us than any previous realtor. Period.
Blake Kessner has gone above and beyond in all of our dealings. We don’t usually rave and use superlatives, but in Blake’s case … best realtor ever! We quickly felt confident in his integrity, and were not once disappointed. He shepherded our deal through all the hoops in record time, providing trustworthy advice whenever needed. We then signed on with Blake to manage our property as a vacation rental and he has proven equally capable and honest in this role.