TIPS ON BUYING A HOME ON THE BIG ISLAND

Tips on Buying a Home in Hawaii

Buying a home for most of us is a huge investment, which is why you should look before you leap. Buying a home in Hawaii has it’s own set of challenges so it’s important for you to first of all garner the services of a professional real estate agent who can help you purchase a home that will meet your financial and your lifestyle expectations.

Below are a few tips that will hopefully, make buying your new home in Hawaii less complicated and ensure that when you do buy you are getting all that you are looking for.

Find an Agent

Securing the services of a real estate agent will be of an immense help to you. An agent will know the listings of all the houses on the market in your price range and in the area you are hoping to buy in. If you are still living on the mainland, an agent can set up appointments on your behalf and send you specs and pictures to help you. Having an experienced, professional REALTOR can ensure that you are getting the right house at the right price and spot an overpriced house or house that will not suit with your parameters so you are not wasting your time. 

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Do Your Own Research

Search for available homes for sale on the Big Island available according to your budget. As you look at various homes, make a list of the things that you like and don’t like. This will help your agent to know exactly what you want in your new home saving you both time.  You can sign up to receive an email any time a new listing hits the market that fits your search criteria. 

Get To Know the Neighborhood

Many home buyers have ended up regretting why they paid so much to live in a neighborhood that doesn’t suit their lifestyle. When you have found a house that suits your taste, if you are able, check out the neighborhood at various times of the day and night. Talk to the neighbors and others who might know the area to see if they have any concerns about the neighborhood. If you have kids, then you’ll need to find out what schools are in the area. If you’re a religious person you should ascertain if there is a place of worship of your faith close by. Although the crime rate in Hawaii is low especially when compared to similar states, it’s not a bad idea to find out the crime rate in the area.

Get a Loan for Your Home

Getting a pre-approved loan by your bank is a huge head start on finding the right home and let’s and your agent know right away what type of house you can afford. How does this happen? A pre-approved loan, unlike a pre-approved mortgage, will let your lenders know how much you are worth and ascertain your financial capacity. This will help them to know how much money they can lend you which you can pay back. Getting a pre-approved loan will save you lots of time and stress and keep you from searching for the wrong home. 

Carry Out an Inspection

In Hawaii, a buyer can be given the option to inspect the house before buying. Imagine buying a house and then end up spending more money on repairs, renovations, and maintenance. You don’t want to buy a house that you will regret buying because of a faulty structure of the house. Hiring an inspector to make an examination of the house to determine the condition before making the decision to purchase is a wise investment.  There are many details regarding inspections — we recommend reaching out to an experienced real estate agent for details. 

Consider Your Options and Up Your Negotiation Skills

Lastly, when buying a home on the Big Island, ensure that you do your homework so you know if you are getting the right house at the right price. Check out a variety of available properties to help you know what is available in amenities and locations to give you a good idea of the properties and prices in your range. Also, be ready to negotiate. Buying a property is like making any other deal. Don’t be shy about making a lowball offer to feel out options with the seller. Work with your agent. They are professional negotiators and can help to ensure that you get real value on the property you are buying.

With these home buying tips at your fingertips, you are guaranteed of making the best deal in buying a home on the Big Island. They are highly effective in helping you take the right steps in buying that perfect home for you.