www.localism.com featured article
Relocating to Hawaii? With our warm climate and breathtaking scenery it's no wonder why everyone (including locals) call it "Paradise"! Hawaii is the choice of many people who prefer a tropical setting to live out their retirement years. It also becomes everyones favorite Hawaii Relocations spot when transferring to the military bases in Hawaii including the Schofield Army Base, Wheeler Army Air Field, Pearl Harbor Navy Base, Hickam AFB, or Kaneohe Marine Corp Air Station.
Education, Information and a Good Realtor® is The Art of Hawaii Relocations.
Do your homework if you are contemplating a Hawaii Relocation. Check out employment options, schools, plan a trip (if you are not familiar with our islands) and do your budget! We are (by far) different than elsewhere in the world and our homes are one of the highest priced in the nation. Why?
Inventory/Demand: Very little buildable land is available on these small islands and with their steep mountains and canyons the prime land has already been developed. Much is owned by the Federal Government, the State of Hawaii, and private landowners and no place to build out into the outlying areas. This will be true whether you rent or purchase a home.
Neighborhood: Get to know your neighborhoods. Take into consideration the price ranges and how they are determined. Convenience to business districts, schools, quality of homes, character and street/curb appeal. Your island Realtor® will know the neighborhoods and give you alternatives to your criteria for neighborhoods.
Expensive areas (luxury estates): Diamond Head, Kahala, and East Honolulu towards Hawaii Kai. (Truly level land is in short supply so many homes are located on the steep hillsides)
Affordable areas: The Leeward area (Waipahu, Ewa, Waianae) are the more affordable neighborhoods on flat land and some newly developed areas and homes offer some of the best values. If you work downtown traffic may be an issue for you though.
Mid Range Areas: Central Oahu (including, Mililani, Waipio Gentry, Waikele, Wahiawa) and the Windward area offer a variety of "suburban" communities and homes.
Value and Price: Most of the value is in our land, Expect SMALLER and compare to other Hawaii homes...not other areas. Additional features and upgrades are not always what you may expect for a higher priced home. Be realistic and ask your Realtor® to make appointments in your price range. It's like going shopping for food without eating first. Wants vs. Needs!
Home Styles: As stated above Hawaii has JUST SO MUCH buildable land, therefore the percentage of condo/townhouse ownership is one of the highest in the nation so don't disregard the possibilities of owning a condo or townhouse. As far as heating and cooling go we don't have central heat (we have year round climate) and air conditioning is not mandatory with our trade winds cooling our air. Most homes here include most appliances so you may want to save on shipping costs of your appliances. Same goes for your auto; unless it's a collectible or you have an employer paid move.
Living Area: Most of our homes have less than 1500 sq. ft . roofed living area and very few have more than 2400 sq. ft. even in the higher priced ranges. Take into consideration the amount of furniture you have that may not coincide with the size of our island style homes.
Market on Oahu: Of course you will want a Realtor® to guide you through your home purchase and let you know what the current market is like. Your Realtor® will also be able to give you knowledge (pick an island wide knowledgeable agent) to help you find that right home. As of October 2007 the inventory is higher than usual although the prices are holding in many of the neighborhoods. Just know that interest rates are still low and prices are not dropping drastically. Also, the rental market is very high so you might as well get those tax breaks on owning your own home.
Rentals on Oahu for a 3bdrm house will range anywhere from $2,000 to $3500 plus per month so regardless if you are renting or buying the town areas will be priced higher and the more distant (Central and Leeward area) will be lower. Just be aware that if you are working in Honolulu and live further away you will have to consider the rush hour traffic.
Oahu Single Family Homes Prices overall went down 2.3% for the third quarter of this year ending with a median sales price average of $649,000. Condos/townhouses went up 0.6% topping off at a median sales price average of $330,000 on our island of Oahu.
Be Part of the Solution For Your Market; Because "Shift" Always Happens is another article discussing the market shift and what the market looks like this year. If you are planning on moving to paradise please contact me for a Hawaii Relocations packet so you can get started! (click twice on the button to watch the show....sometimes it doesn't catch on the first click)
Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman, Realtor Associate ®
Century 21 Liberty Homes, Mililani, HI * (808) 375-1404
http://www.hawaiihomesmarket.com/
http://woohoosally.blogspot.com/
*All content and pictures are the property of Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman*
Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate® and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocations, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents, Home Buyers and Sellers.
© 2007-2012 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog.
All rights reserved.
Sally,
This is great information for anyone considering relocating to Hawaii! Will you save me a spot in about 20 years or so....:)
Kathy: Thanks for your input. The public should find it informational and useful as well.
Sandra: Thanks a bunch! I was hoping it had that effect.
Randy: Always the buddy ....coming to support me...thanks! :)
Fabulous Sally. This should entice anyone who reads it to (1) relocate to Hawaii and (2) call Sally.
Lisa: I appreciate your feedback...thanks so much!
Lenn: WooHoo! Thanks Lenn...more than you know you inspired my writing with Localism!
I have learned so much about your market area from your posts. I'm sure your customers learn a lot as well. Good luck with finishing 2007 in a strong way.
I love the photos, always.
Missy: Nope...sure don't....don't you remember me telling about my own one bedroom townhouse with 500sq. ft. and about a hundred for my fenced courtyard?
Dan: I've been slow but consistent all year so it's not too bad....a lot of agents have fallen off the list...considerably.
Sally, I am absolutely convinced that you never ever leave your computer. It takes hours and hours and hours to write the blog posts that you do. Beautiful photos as always!
Carole: Oh...that was so nice ... I didn't take that as a threat at all! I would definitely expect a call when you do get here. I appreciate your support of my Localism posts and undoubtedly you do seem to be quite hooked :) Thanks Carole!
George: Thanks for popping by and checking out the show!
Lizette: Oh, yes! Let us know about that trip...and will look forward to a post with gobs of pictures!
Sally,
A beautiful post for relocations or anyone in HI.
Sally - all I know is I'm sending ANYONE I KNOW to YOU YOU YOU!! You are the top expert in Hawaii in my book. Your blogs share your knowledge and passion for your state!
What a great source of information for those thinking of relocating to Hawaii. Great advice on not to compare prices there with the mainland. I am sure many people are go into shock when they first start looking at houses and or apartments/condo.
Sally,
You are a Guru!! when it come to these Posts!!!
Very Beautiful,
Tom Weiss
Lynda: Thanks there!
Susie: Thanks for your support and no...we don't have daylight savings time.
Cynthia: Shock for not just prices...but the sq/ft. Most start looking at townhouses/condos
Tom: You're sweet..thanks!
Sally - Very informative website, like everyone else I wish to extend my appreciation for all the work and dedication you've put into it!
We do have one question I'm hoping you can assist us with. We've wanted to relocate to Hawaii for the past 15 years, but wanted to wait until the 4 sons graduated (youngest graduates in 2009). The youngest two (ages 20 and 18) will move with us, until they "strike out on their own". At this time, we feel we'll need to rent rather than purchase, but with the four of us working, the costs will be managable. From your experience, do you feel would we have more rental and employment opportunities in Oahu or the big island? PS, we are a "non-traditional family" so we're hoping to live in an area which respects "diversity". Our work experience range from entry-level chef for my partner (just completed Culinard school!) to middle management/administration/computers for myself. We don't eat out very often as we like the simple life and prefer to be homebodies and enjoy nature walks and such. Can you offer any recommendations on which island might be best and how much we should plan ($) for the move if we're bringing just ourselves, the two kids, some clothes, and our laptops? After all, everything else we'll need can be gotten at Costco or Sam's Club!! Thanks Sally! You can reach me at Yahoo as silentwinds!
Rob, Ben and Sons.....please Email Me with your email and contact info....thanks!