Life in Hawaii: Tips for Buying a Home in Hawaii
When it comes to buying a house in Hawaii, many people are unsure whether to have a local real estate broker or a listing agent that represents the seller. Not all real estate representative knows all of the neighborhoods on each island. On the other hand, the listing agents typically need to attend showings in different parts of Hawaii anyway. People generally feel more comfortable to go with the latter as it's more cheaper and easier.
On the other side, it is ideal to have your own representation during the purchasing process. Also, keeping Hawaii's distance in mind from the rest of the country, you are more likely to rely on your agent than you would when purchasing a house on the mainland. For example, you might have the agent do the home's final visit if you're living on the mainland while buying a home in Hawaii.
As you analyze different properties, here are some topics that you must discuss with your agent. You may also need to consider shipping a car from Hawaii to mainland or at your desired location.
Establishing the Home's Price
Even though you will be provided with comparable sales from your agent, the prices of property can vary widely in some areas, especially based on the location.
You need to discuss with your agent how residential
prices have fluctuated in a given neighborhood over the years. The easiest way
is to look at the tax records from a title company. They do not offer a complete
picture but still, you can estimate whether prices have moved up or down.
Negotiating
Upgrades and Furnishings
You need to have complete information about how the seller is treating upgrades to the home. Sellers are known for seeking to get back the full amount of any improvements they make.
Separately, you also need to negotiate furnishings and appliances. Because you are not allowed to haul a sofa or any big furniture on a plane with you to Hawaii. But what you can keep with you is your vehicle. You can easily ship your car from Hawaii to mainland with car shipping Hawaii. Ideally, shipping for furniture is expensive and not worth more than shipping a car to Hawaii.
Understanding
the Homeowner's Association
If you're moving with a homeowner's association (HOA), try to get much information about how it operates and use the information to help your decisions.
Many HOA in Hawaii have restrictions on what owners can and cannot do. For example, most restrict rentals to 30 days (Max). So if you planned to rent out your property for more than 30 days, you need to look for an HOA that allows it.
HOAs also provide several perks to owners. Like, in condominiums, the HOAs are often responsible for maintaining the house's exterior and front yard. They may also handle maintenance issues.
Expecting the Unexpected
Life in Hawaii is awesome, but some places are riskier than others. The Big Island of Hawaii may face earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, and volcanoes. So, make sure to research the frequency of natural disasters and what insurance will and will not cover.
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