Welcome CalHwy, always glad to see new faces!
Nothing about buying this property is "practical" from just about any point of view imaginable. I still think if it were done the right way, a return on the investment could be realized, but it would take just the right touch in handling it, and most of all, it would probably take longer than most of us will live to just break even.
The biggest draw for me, would be to preserve the "memory" of the estate presented in the show, for as I have mentioned before, to me, the estate itself was nearly as much a "character" as any of the actors. The fact that it was also used in 50 before MPI, is just an added bonus. One of the other motivators (for me) would be to be able to make it available to people in the future who are fans of the show(s) to visit or become fans of the show, as I predict many will.
Selling time shares, vacation packages, tours, etc. shouldn't be a hard sell. People have been going to the islands for decades to visit "paradise", having the estate intact would be an added bonus, in my opinion. People are always looking for a good place to stay while in paradise. Again, it's not a practical move, but it could pay off in practical terms at some point in the future. Disneyland was once just a dream in Walt's head, right? I'm a little surprised that somebody from the show hasn't already snatched it up for themselves, Mr. Manetti comes to mind first, but it does support the belief that it's probably not a good investment, or at least, nobody see's it as one...yet. Doesn't Selleck have brothers and/or other family that are into real estate? There must be a reason, none of those who would be in a position to jump on it, haven't. I would think tour packages with an overnight or two (or even a week for a price) wouldn't be hard to sell.
I would think that at least some of the "Hollywood" crowd would be in line to reserve and pay for, vacation packages at Robins Nest. I've heard some pay absolutely outrageous amounts of money for island "get-a-ways" in other places. Handled correctly, this should meet with the same success, IMHO.
I, like many others just hate the thought of it being broken up into little plots with little vacation homes built, and essentially lost forever as the place that most represents the show and all the people associated with it. Once it's gone, it's gone. Another "tangent" that has occurred to me, is why couldn't somebody build a duplicate estate somewhere in a coastal city on the mainland? Wouldn't be the same, I know, and who doesn't want to visit Hawaii?
At any rate, there are some random, possibly rabid thoughts from a fan of the show, the cast, the island, sentimentality and nostalgia. I would very much still like to be able to visit at some point, and at least have a swim in the tidal pool, and a peek through the back gate. You're right, if I actually lived there, I don't think I'd want strangers always trying to sneak a peek, or actually trespass, but hey, that's what security (and those who oversee/maintain it) is for!
The guesthouse could be rebuilt, the main house can be renovated, the grounds brought back to beauty, it's only money! If I had the means, I'd already be there, and it would be underway!
