Thanks Devany!
Blake, one very upscale subdivision is Sunrise Estates, but I didn't mention it because it is so upscale and has major CC&R's. A more affordable subdivision that is quite nice is Konohana Gardens. They have a community open space that the houses back onto, so you don't have a rear neighbor, which is nice. It's quite genteel, as is Ainako. LOL, can you tell I like Ainako? Problem with Ainako is you are paying for something you don't require, the desirable school district, De Silvo. Good for resale value though.
In Hilo town you really must pay attention to drainage, as was said above. The amount of water that come down fast is astounding. Our 1950 kama'aina home was all properly sloped and sat on a knoll so that the water ran away from it. Some spec houses are just plunked down on the site. Streets literally turn into rivers when it rains hard, and need good channels along them to carry off the water. Some low cost lots are low priced because they have drainage issues.
I wouldn't live in Waiakea Uka. While it looks enchanting in the sunshine, very rural, it gets much more rain than lower Waiakea and I've seen some moldy houses there. There are new/newer subdivisions going in at the top of town, natural I suppose as the town fills in. Again they look nice but go look at the feeder streets during commute and pick up from school hours. It can be tough to get out. I'm talking about areas like the top of Kawailani street.
One thing about Hilo, much easier to assess your neighbors than on wooded lots, as their rusted cars and chained dogs and wild roosters are generally quite visible.
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Kathy your posts have been amazing I really mean it. And I shared with Wes and we are discussing. I am so happy to have good specific areas to look at and you have made some very good points. I have see a video or two of Hilo following a hard rain. Crazy! Thank you so much!
Lost - Thanks for responding for Bullwinkle. He has probably told me before but I could not recall. Lehi eh? Yikes! I am not from Utah but Lynn has lived in SLC his entire life (but he is fairly well travelled). It should be a lot of fun to meet you guys. And thank you for the insight. We are like sponges and love hearing about this all.
Dev - Wes has been awesome but you know that ;-)
After reading and absorbing all of this I think we have decided on Kona... LOL J/K
-Blake
http://www.theboysgreatescape.blogspot.com/
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You rang.... I (we) bought several side by side lots up here. My brother and I have (mostly contractor) built up quite the enclave a really nice feel. Stable neighborhood, nice blend of folks. I haven't locked my doors in two years, think its been 15 for the guy down the way... A high percentage of long time owner occupied demographics. Lots were sold to japanese sucke.. I mean tourists as a water theme park in the 60's shots fired at helicopters into the early eighties, more gentile and settled today ... 300 foot or better entries private 2 or 4 acre enclaves being common.
Zone 3,Cable,paved, A2 zone with no cc&rs except a dead car prohibition. My brother and I picked up a couple of lots initially thinking about developing rentals as long term investments. We had so much fun with the layout site prep and selection .... when it came to selecting a site for the horse coral we knew we were past the point of no return- grin
We found a well funded and functioning association. Good roads for the jag being important, out of production spoilers are 6 hundy a pop and kitty overheats without them!
The thing I miss most however is the west maui restaurants and shows after ten years or so in kaanapali before moving here I became spoiled as to selection .. I miss going out to go see Willie K in town on Wednesday nights on impulse. Aloha Mixed Plate and the Gazebo being the two I have come to lament for most, go figure.
I did have a copy of the "driving guide to east hawaii" and a I highly recommend you pick one up, you will thank me later - kta has them
Welcome and aloha..... whatever you are looking for, odds are you will find it here, just about every climate zone both physical and psychological is present here somewhere on the big island but after 6pm the party is in west maui. - grin
....
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Already have the Driving Guide to East Hawaii and we use it everytime we are out there! So yeah, thanks!
I hear ya about West Maui... it is one of our fave spots on the face of the earth.
Email me and give me directions to your area of the island. We will drive over and take a look.
-Blake
http://www.theboysgreatescape.blogspot.com/
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Just an aside ... I remember being astounded by real estate "professionals" out here Very many newbees with a lack of understanding presenting as "pro's" remember that 10% of the agents write 90% of the business. Id avoid the other 90%.
One even went so far as adding "but he is willing to come up some" to an offer I presented. Listen in to any offers being made.
In my opinion among the agents I met many had third worldish ethics. Lots of second rate recycled mainland (california) hacks still wet behind the ears hoping to make their own mortgage payments on my commission.
Watch your back and wallet - title and escrow companies too ... less transparency as to any inside deals than anyplace else in my opinion in the end, the potential kick backs coming out of your wallet.
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Hey Bullwinkle - got any feelings about realtors you'd like to share? ;-) I hear ya loud and clear and we are working with one of the good ones.
-Blake
http://www.theboysgreatescape.blogspot.com/
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Both Johns being beyond reproach I hear. 'Got to kiss a lot of frogs to find a prince
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Recommending not using a Realtor as a resource, would be like you representing yourself in court. Do your homework and then do your homework again. Look for the neighborhood that feels right and then do your homework again. I suggest reading Elder Law Hawaii and maybe take a look at Punaguide.com. Tons of information is available to you....just ask. Google the individual subdivision and visit HOA sites. Google subdivions on video and blog as well. Lava Zone 1 & 2 are lender and insurer adverse at this point and the cost of not knowing that is huge. Also, work with a Certified Residential Specialist if you do work with a Realtor. They are a group of specialists that have the track record you need (top 5% in the USA). Go with your heart, but temper it with logic and facts. Buy at least 20% under market, as that will at least somewhat protect your investment in this unstable market environment. Look at the market stats and trends and you will see why I say that. Pick your battle..... it's a Buyer's market and will be for the foreseeable future. Renting in the area is a great idea.
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Ooops....yes I'm a Realtor....lol
Jeff
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quote:
Originally posted by Punatick
...Also, work with a Certified Residential Specialist if you do work with a Realtor. They are a group of specialists that have the track record you need (top 5% in the USA)...
I have several designations that I earned during the years, including the CRB, which is one notch above the CRS, but I honestly can tell you the designations don't guarantee better knowledge or better service. In fact, the money I spent on earning my designations would have easily paid for another university degree. The designations only demonstrate that the real estate agent is serious enough about the business to invest time in a higher level continuing education.
Aloha,
John S. Rabi, GM,PB,ABR,CRB,CM,FHS
808.989.1314
http://www.JohnRabi.com
Typically Tropical Properties
"The Next Level of Service!"
