Jayney Sharpe

Aloha Mike,

These islands do get under your skin! Moving here is a huge undertaking, with many angles to consider. I agree with Patrick, choose your island first, then you need to find a good realtor and a good lender. Finding a good lender right now is more difficult than finding a good realtor. With the current financial mess going on nationally with home loans, you really need to sit down with a local lender, American Savings Bank and Wells Fargo are both very good and understand the challenges of lending here. They will analyze your income level and be able to best advise you as to what you can honestly afford to purchase here in Hawaii. The guidelines have really tightened up across the country, but with decent credit and a down payment set aside, you should be able to realize your dream of Hawaiian homeownership. Let the lender recommend to you a price range that will work with your budget. They know best right now how to proceed in these challenging times. Guidelines and new issues are cropping up on a daily basis. There are several options open to you that the a good local lender will be on top of.

That being said, Its a great time to buy in Hawaii, prices are TERRIFIC right now! There is ample inventory statewide of really fine homes in all price ranges. Another option you may want to consider is purchasing a condominium and going into the rental pool at that complex. Look for units that have a good solid rental history. That way the rentals help offset the costs of your mortgage, taxes and HOA maintenance fees. Keep the weeks out of the year that you want for yourself and rent it the rest of the time. There are excellent property management firms available or you could consider VRBO (Vacation Rental By Owner) that many owners have very good success with.

If you decide to have a look at the Big Island, I'd love to help you out! And if you do make the move, email me privately and I'll send you a link to my "Moving to Hawaii Toolbar". It has all the links you need to make a successful and painless move here: shippers, freight, utilities, media, pets, banks, airports, etc.

Good Luck and let us know how it all turns out!!

Mahalo,

Jayney Sharpe - Mon Sep 22 2008, 11:09

Laupahoehoe has become verypopular recently due to the lack of new vog conditions here on the big Island. It is located on the Windward Hamakua Coast which is one of the most beautiful places on the island (JMHO). Simply gorgeous. It gets more rain than the West side, but that is what makes it so gorgeously tropical. Lots of waterfalls, outstanding views, lots of blue blue skies, just a really beautiful place. the weather is pretty consistent year round, some rain, some sun, balmy breezes. It is centrally located between Waimea (Kamuela) and Hilo.
I bet you can't tell this is one of my favorite places on the BI!!

Jayney - Thu Jul 31 2008, 17:09

Laupahoehoe has become verypopular recently due to the lack of new vog conditions here on the big Island. It is located on the Windward Hamakua Coast which is one of the most beautiful places on the island (JMHO). Simply gorgeous. It gets more rain than the West side, but that is what makes it so gorgeously tropical. Lots of waterfalls, outstanding views, lots of blue blue skies, just a really beautiful place. the weather is pretty consistent year round, some rain, some sun, balmy breezes. It is centrally located between Waimea (Kamuela) and Hilo.
I bet you can't tell this is one of my favorite places on the BI!!

Jayney - Wed Jul 30 2008, 13:51

Hi JLIC!

Patrick is correct, and I will add that there are many other factors as well, most importantly amenities and location. The least expensive land in Hawaii is on the Big Island and most likely in Kau, the southern tip district. Lots in Ocean View are primary on catchment water systems. Farther south to Na'alehu and Waiohinu you will find county water available. Also, there are a number of lots that are 'off grid" meaning no power at this time. That's not to say it wont' be available in the future, it just isn't ready now. Living on solar is quite commonplace in these parts and not considered a hardship at all, same goes for catchment water.

Also, one needs to consider that many lots are covered with lava with little to no vegetation and require machined site work before one can build. Heavy equipment operators are quite used to this and lava is easy to manipulate. Actually, in many cases, site work on a lava lot can be less cost prohibitive than some of the very steep more densely planted areas.

The farther you go from a populated town, such as Kona or Hilo, the less expensive lots and properties are going to be. HOVE is over an hour to town in either direction.

Then there are the Lava zones, too. HOVE is in a higher risk area and Na'alehu and Waiohinu are not. That being said, the views in Kau are some of the best on the island. It just depends on your priorities.

Good luck in your search!

Jayney Sharpe
Coldwell Banker
Licensed in California & Hawaii - Sat Apr 5 2008, 16:00

Michael,

You can also study for and take your licensing test right there in Washington State before you come over, provided Washington has Promissor offices.

I took the online course from Rick Seiler. It wasn't the most organized online course, but I passed and it wasn't too difficult. Here is the link:
http://www.rickseiler.com

Once you pass your final exam with him and receive your certificate, you can schedule your Hawaii State exam right there in Washington. Here is the link to the Hawaii gov page to do that:

http://hawaii.gov/dcca/areas/real/real_ed/exam_lic/

Good luck and welcome to the rock! (when you get here!)

Jayney - Tue Mar 11 2008, 10:12

Another thing to consider on leaseholds, Derek. On the Big Island, I have noticed that as the Elders in some of the trustland property families/estates are getting older and leaving us, many times the heirs are considering selling the fees on the leaseholds to their leaseholders. There have been many coffee properties that have gone this way in Kealakekua and Honaunau in the past few years. Something to research and consider. Look up the recent fee sales on some of the estate former leasehold properties and you may be able to find out which of the estates are doing this.

Good Luck! - Wed Feb 13 2008, 12:04