Oahu Home Buyer Tips Archives -

I Need to Sell My House in Hawaii and Move to the States

October 23, 2017 by Maureen Fukumoto Leave a Comment

Back and forth. We see it all the time. People moving here from the states and people moving back again. There are numerous reasons for both and one major one is the fact that we are close to the military base so military families and moving and relocating from Mililani quite frequently.

This can be a stressful time – selling in one state, much less overseas technically, and buying in another or the mainland – but having an agent and a brokerage that knows exactly how to do it makes all the difference in the world.

But how? How can one agent sell and buy in two different states?

This is why we do what we do. We have connections and even licenses in other states close to the coast to provide perfect care for our clients. We want to make sure that if you’re here or there, your transaction is being taken care of.

We help you price, manage, and sell your home here on Oahu while connecting you with the right agent on the other side to find and purchase a home on the mainland. It can be stressful doing this at the same time. Buying and selling simultaneously is stressful enough, but when you either have to leave your home in Hawaii before it sells or selling it here while trying to buy there, it almost the icing on the stress-cake. We want to make that easy for you.

Give us a call. Let’s talk about your need and your situation. Everyone’s deal is different so we want to offer advice and suggestions to make the entire process much easier. We want your move and relocation to be successful and stress-free. We have excellent communication with the agent on the other end and make sure everything falls together perfectly.

Let us make your next move an easy one. Call us or leave us a comment below and we’ll get in touch with you right away. Sometimes, time is of the essence and it’s important to get the ball moving quickly and not drop it. We look forward to speaking with you soon.

Your First Stop on the Road to Homeownership

October 11, 2016 by Maureen Fukumoto Leave a Comment

Homeownership can be a very exciting and very overwhelming time. If this is your first time purchasing a home there are so many different avenues and nuances to the home buying process that it can be extremely overwhelming. However, as an Oahu home specialist I want to make it as easy as possible and tell you the first step on the road homeownership.

Homeownership can’t be any easier than this; find out how much home you can afford.

When you decide to buy a home it can be exciting to look at homes, browse neighborhoods and tour open houses. While this is exciting it shouldn’t be your first step. The very first step is to find out how much home you can actually afford. I can’t tell you how frustrating and discouraging it is to speak to a buyer that has found the home they love only to discover they have no idea how much they can afford and eventually realize they can afford the home they love. Finding out your price range before looking at homes is really the first stop on the road to homeownership.

This is a little more intricate than putting in your income in an online calendar. These online calendars can only factor in a couple of different figures. A lender or mortgage officer will look over all of your income, assets, liabilities and any debts that you pay on a monthly basis. From there, they can determine how much of your income can go towards the house payments. From there, they determine with taxes and insurance the maximum amount you can spend on a home.

The mortgage lenders will need basic information such as your tax returns, pay stubs, W-2s and any information on debt including car payments, loans, student loans, credit cards, child support and alimony payments. All of these will factor into your debt to income ratio. Lenders like to see no more than 30% of your income going toward housing payment, which also needs to include taxes and any insurance. You may be able to afford the principal and interest payment on a $300,000 house but factor in taxes and insurance and you may be out of that market. Home loan expert is someone that will figure out all of these numbers and give you a final maximum amount.

More: How to Buy a House on Oahu

Once you have this figure your home loan expert will issue a letter of preapproval. This means that you’ve gone through the steps necessary to apply for a home loan and have proof that you can afford the home you may be making an offer on.

Related: FAQs on Moving to Hawaii

If you haven’t begun this process yet give me a call. I would be happy to run some numbers over the phone with you or sit down and go over all of your debt to income ratio to give you an exact figure so that you can go out there and find a great home in Oahu.

How to Buy a House on Oahu

July 5, 2016 by Maureen Fukumoto Leave a Comment

You’re ready to do it! Maybe you’re just thinking about it? You’ve visited numerous times, bought books about moving to Hawaii and really considered the real possibility of living on the island. So now you’re doing your research about moving and buying a home on Oahu. Here are the easiest and most basic steps of how to buy a house on Oahu.

#1. Find a local agent.

There are a lot of people that moved to Hawaii and get their real estate license because living here is expensive and selling a house or two can be quite lucrative however, by going with an amateur agent or someone that has just moved here, they may not know all of the details about certain neighborhoods, storm areas, commute times, traffic and construction, which are big deals on the island. My suggestion is to go with a real estate agent that is very proficient with the area and has been an agent of Hawaii for years. Before you even look at one home, find an agent that understands why you’re buying, where you’re coming from and your budget. Talk to them first and then get started on your budget, what you’re looking for and what you really want.

#2. Figure out what you want.

There are a lot of options on the island from townhouses to condominiums, high-rise apartments and beautiful oceanfront villas. Of course, there are price ranges all over the board from $300,000 to well over $10 million, so you need to understand how much your budget is going to be and what you’re looking for. Knowing these two items we can narrow it down to a good list of some possible potential properties.

#3. Where are you going to work?

If you are retiring it doesn’t really matter except that you’ll probably want to be out of the major cities in some centrally located areas such as Mililani or one of the coastal communities or villages. If you’re working in town such as in Honolulu or surrounding areas you want to consider traffic, construction and commute. There’s always construction going on somewhere on the island so consider your commute time and if you plan on driving or would like to live closer to your job.

#4. What are you willing to tolerate.

If you’re moving from the mainland, Hawaii is quite different. You may be giving up certain items that are a given on the mainland such as garbage and trash pickup, running water, electricity or certain fruits and vegetables available at all times. There are literally places on the island that have minimal electricity, low water pressure and limited resources so you need to talk to your agent about what you expect and your realistic expectations for simplifying your life.

FAQ About Moving to Oahu

April 6, 2016 by Maureen Fukumoto Leave a Comment

If you’re considering a move to Oahu there are some key questions that we get asked a lot in the real estate business. In are some questions that you should be asking that you may not realize are important when moving to the islands.

#1. Is it better to rent or buy?

This all depends on how long you’re planning to live here. If you’re planning on staying for at least five years than buying would be the best option. Renting is just as expensive as buying but if you’re only living here for about a year it probably would be best to rent. It would cost you more money in selling costs and you may lose some equity by owning a home for such a short. Of time. But if you’re planning on staying a while, having that mortgage payment be just as much is rent can actually pay you back in equity over those few years. More on Renting or Buying…

#2. Can I bring my pets?

This is something that a lot of newbies to why don’t realize. Hawaii has some of the strictest quarantine requirements in the country. You may be required to quarantine your pet for 90 days but if you plan it right you can have a five day release or immediate release but be sure to understand all of Hawaii’s rules about pet quarantine when you move to the island. More about Pets on the Island…

#3. Buy your favorites when you see them.

Have a favor coffee creamer, toothpaste or wine? Because just about everything needs to be shipped over from the mainland we run out of a lot of things so when you find one of your favorite products it’s best to stock up on a few items because it could be a while before you see them again.

#4. Is the traffic really that bad?

Yes. Oahu traffic can be extremely tough. According to a recent article by the Huffington Post that stated the average Honolulu resident will sit in traffic jams for 58 hours annually. However, by choosing a home on the North Shore or in the center of the island such as Mililani and similar towns you can avoid a lot of the traffic, especially if you don’t travel to Honolulu and Waikiki that often. More on Oahu Traffic…

#5. I’ve heard there’s been power outages. Is this true?

Power outages are not uncommon on Oahu. Consistent Internet connections and power outages are frequent you want to make sure that you have a backup energy source of possible.

#6. Will my allergies get better?

Actually, the islands have what’s called “Vog”, which blows over from the big Island and wreaks havoc on people sinuses. However, you may not be allergic to the certain allergens in the air but there will be different pollens that you might not be used to. More on Oahu Weather…

#7. Will I miss the mainland?

That really all depends on you. I know when I moved here over 30 years ago I didn’t look back and I certainly don’t miss it now. There is a different pace of life on the island and a lot of people get Island fever where they feel they can’t drive far enough on a vacation. But, I feel I’m on vacation all the time and love the ambience and atmosphere that Oahu brings. It’s not for everyone but it’s definitely something everyone should try at least once.

Do you have a question you can add to this list? Do you have questions about moving to Oahu that a reputable local real estate agent can answer? Feel free to add your comment below or contact our office today and get started on your move to Oahu.

Will a Second Home on Oahu be a Money Maker?

March 24, 2016 by Maureen Fukumoto Leave a Comment

Are you considering a second home or maybe a vacation property here on the island of Oahu? Are you planning on buying this home as a second home for yourself or as a rental property? You can buy a second home to be a cash cow or at least provide some cash flow income each month but there are some implications to this type of rental property. Factors include location, interest rates, property condition and pricing trends. Here are some things to consider when determining the right type of property on Oahu for a second home or rental.

Location.

We always say, location, location, location and it really is true. Buy where you want to be and chances are your renter will too. By the beach, beach view, on the water, etc.. Is it convenient to hot spots and activities? By choosing a home in the right location it can literally pay for itself in rental fees. A home in a great location with amenities most vacationers would want can get a lot more per month or week than a similar home with no perks.

Financial

Finances is obviously something to consider. Not only the cost of the house or condo but closing costs, HOA dues, taxes and insurance will all need to be considered. Are you financing the property? You’ll probably need a heftier down payment if you don’t live in the home full time. Homes do appreciate over time so you’ll want to make sure to do your taxes properly so you’ll get the most in depreciation and deductions.

Management

Are you planning on managing it or having someone else do it? Do you live close by or on the mainland? If you don’t live on the island having a reputable property management team take care of the necessities is vital. Hawaii Realty Pro can assess, screen, repair and handle all managing issues with your property for the life of the rental. We can even set up schedules if you plan on visiting from time to time. Talk to us about how you want your rental managed and I’m sure we can come up with a plan.

Buying and investing in a second home is exciting, challenging and yet very rewarding. Get started today by calling our office and getting information on ideal properties for investing.

3 Things to Know When Buying a Home with a Pool

February 8, 2016 by Maureen Fukumoto Leave a Comment

Many Hawaiian homes have swimming pools but of course, many don’t as well because the ocean is usually no more than 20 minutes away. But if you’re looking specifically for a home with a pool there are pros and cons to owning one. People usually either love having a pool or they despise it but if you’re one of those that loves having the freedom of going swimming whenever you want, being able to cool off or relax in a resort style setting in your backyard, a pool is a great option.

The first thing to understand is that having a pool is an added expense but it may not be as much is your thinking. It will be a new item in your budget and you’ll need to decide whether you want it professionally maintained or if you’re going to spend the time and energy and do-it-yourself. Pool upkeep can be as inexpensive as $50 a month if you do it yourself or up to $400 a month if you have regular professional maintenance.
Pools can also be a selling feature for pool people that is. Which means it may be a downside to a lot of people. But remember, if you’re looking specifically for pool, others will likely want one as well. Here are three basic things to know when buying a home with a pool.

#1. Understand what you’re getting into.

You may not be able to get out what you think your pool is worth when you go to sell. But, if you’re really only buying the pool for your own enjoyment, having it as a resale feature may not be as big of deal. Remember, when you’re buying a home with a pool you’re always buying the pool secondhand. Most people don’t think of it that way of course because it comes with the house. But you are buying a used pool not in brand-new condition. You want to have a specific pool inspector check out the pool area to make sure that it is sound and doesn’t have a mountain of problems before you even buy it. Make sure you ask about everything including how often it is clean, when it was installed, if it’s ever lost his integrity and how much it costs each month to maintain it.

#2. Remember to maintain safety.

If you have small children you’ll definitely want to get a pool gate or a fence around the pool. Remember, if you’re the only one in the neighborhood with a swimming pool your house will probably be considered the “cool house”, which means you may have a lot of people, guests, friends and friends of your children over at your house swimming. This can leave you up to a lot of liability so you want to make sure that you are covered in your insurance and you’ve done everything you can to maintain safety and protection of your home, your family and your friends.

#3. Properly maintain pools can add resale value.

There are pretty much two types of buyers; buyer specifically looking for a home with a pool, and buyer specifically looking for a home without a pool; never the two shall meet. You might find a home buyer that doesn’t realize they want to pool until they see a beautiful home with a properly maintained pool and backyard. This is why you need to be able to capture this type of buyer that’s on the fence or just doesn’t have an idea that they want a pool. Keep your home properly maintained, make the pool area something that you can be proud of and entertain and it will hold its resale value when you go to sell.

For more information on buying a home with a pool contact the experts at Hawaii Realty Pro. Thank you to Don Reinhard with myEverclearpool.com for his guest post this week. A professional in pool cleaning, service and repair and Lake Havasu City. Image by John M Flickr

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