Big Island Vacation Properties

Question

Is this reputable rental agency? I have a reservation through VRBO with them.

Answer

Aloha — great question. Short answer: Big Island Vacation Properties appears to be a legitimate and established rental agency, but like with all vacation rentals, it’s smart to do your due diligence. Here’s what I found, plus some red flags and tips for making sure your VRBO reservation is safe.

What the Research Shows (Good Things)

Their website describes them as a professional property-management company specializing in “luxury vacation rentals” on the Big Island, with a portfolio of homes across the island.
On TripAdvisor, guests report *positive experiences* with Big Island Vacation Properties: for example, SwimmerMom14 said they “had a wonderful experience using VRBO for a house just south of Kailua-Kona.”
Some of their properties on VRBO have strong reviews. For example, a VRBO listing managed by them (or associated with them) received 10/10s for communication, listing accuracy, and location.

Potential Concerns to Be Aware Of

On the TripAdvisor forum, someone questioned the relationship between “Big Island Vacation Properties” and Coldwell Banker Island Vacations. While this isn’t inherently problematic, it’s good to clarify who exactly is managing your unit and who’s responsible for handling on-the-ground issues.
There’s not a ton of independent negative feedback or lawsuits associated with them, but the reviews on third-party platforms are more limited than for some larger agencies — meaning risk is not zero.
Some guests in broader VRBO / Hawaii rental subreddits warn about vacation rental scams in general, so it’s always wise to double-check.

Advice to Protect Yourself

Ask for the VRBO listing number and confirm the exact property (address) you’re booking so you can verify reviews, photos, and legitimacy.
Communicate through VRBO messaging (or the official VRBO platform) rather than off-platform — this ensures there's a record of what was promised (amenities, fees, damage deposit, check-in process, etc.).
Request copies of any permit / license / tax ID if the listing doesn’t clearly state them — professionally managed rentals in Hawaii should be properly permitted.
Check recent guest reviews (within the last year) for things like condition, management responsiveness, and accuracy of the listing.
Take photos when you arrive (condition of the property) so you have documentation in case of any damage disputes.

Bottom Line

Yes — Big Island Vacation Properties appears to be a reputable, professional agency with a real website and a number of positive customer experiences. While there are no glaring red flags, you should still take standard vacation rental precautions. Given that you booked through VRBO, you have some built-in platform protections, but verifying details and staying vigilant will give you extra peace of mind.

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