You’ve been saving money all your life to be able to make this bold move and now you are about to turn your biggest dream into reality. At this point, your instinct tells you that you are only a few months away from redecorating your own Hawaiian residence. You have always pictured your ideal house on the Big Island and you are quite familiar with the local real estate market. But do you really get the bigger picture here? To make sure that your money will be well-invested, start by analyzing our mini Hawaiian property buying guide listed below:

Ambiance

Hawaii is an overwhelmingly diverse ecosystem that manages to please nearly everyone’s taste. Some areas will shelter you from the indiscrete eyes of tourists and let you enjoy a higher level of privacy, while other regions are crowded, vibrant and filled with both locals and vacationers. As a general rule, land and houses surrounding the big cities represent prized possessions and are fairly expensive. Moreover, if you wish to live near Kona or Hilo, you have to take into consideration the fact that getting stuck in traffic could become a part of your daily routine. On the other side of the coin, rural areas are fascinating and less crowded; plus they also tend to surprise prospects with much more affordable real estate options. However, in this case the nearest market could be 10 or 20 miles away and several other important facilities (schools, hospitals and so on) may not be in the immediate area.

Climate

In some parts of the Island you will miss rain, while in others you’ll carry your umbrella with you on a regular basis. Hilo is known as the humid part of the island. Here you will be able to contemplate lush vegetation, but you will also have to learn how to cope with elevated humidity levels and frequent rainfalls. If you’d much rather buy a home in a desert-like area where heavy rains won’t present a major concern, you may want to relocate to Kona. Those who are targeting homes for sale situated in elevated areas should find the best methods to handle less tropical temperatures.

Finding the Right Place for You

In Hawaii you can find older constructions with a post and pier foundation that can help the owner maintain a cooler temperature inside the house and also prevent problems associated with pests. On the other hand, on the Big Island you will also be able to check out buildings with a simple and inexpensive slab foundation. Older homes usually carry smaller price tags and are fairly easy to find, especially when the buyer counts on an experienced realtor. However, all properties should be meticulously inspected and prospects should always ask to see the permit documents of the construction.

Several Hawaiian slices of real estate were built without a permit. Sadly, these buildings are illegal, and could also pose significant safety risks, so you may want to stay away from this category of options. The property that you wish to buy should also be connected to the electrical grid and to the local water and sewage systems. The most affordable houses for sale on the Big Island range from 800 square feet to 1,200 square feet. Larger homes are generally more expensive, especially if you are targeting oceanfront properties. If you want to take pride in an incredible view without throwing money out the window, you could choose to get the keys to a superb home with a breathtaking mountain panorama, which would be much cheaper than a beachfront villa.