07-04-2006, 11:16 AM
Aloha Lenny!
First thing you want to do is get a Ready Map Book from Borders at Prince Kuhio Plaza! What a great tool that was. It lays out all the subdivisions and other areas with great detail so you know where you are and can find your way around no problem. Just head south on Highway 11 out of Hilo...you will know the area in no time.
Well, we've already talked but I will break it down to what actually happened...I was on the Hawaii Information Service for about 8 months prior to our home-buying trip. I checked out homes in our price range and a little higher - you can always make an offer, right?
After the realtor incident we decided (as you have, I believe) to go with John Dirgo as well. We emailed back and forth the week before we left and I sent him some important things about what we were looking for. I also told him about a house we REALLY wanted to see...not the house we ended up with but beautiful as anything I have seen for sure.
Told him about my disabled mom and her need for mobility, wanted 3 beds, 2 baths and a nice yard area...we had decided that actually catchment would be great after researching that a bit (check out the search engine on the top of this page for water tanks).
The day after we got in we got up early before we knew we would get with John and we just drove around like crazy. We checked out HPP, Nanawale, Orchidland, Aloha Estates (not recommended by ME), and John was wonderful. He drove us everywhere and showed us so many homes that first day. He told us about trees that would be a danger to have in the area of your home - albizia trees, he knew about birds, beaches, activities...you name it! We actually put a bid in on a house the next day but then after we saw OUR home we decided to go that way. (We were lower on the bid for the first house than the owner wanted as well.) It worked out okay. We made an offer that day since we were aware of other buyers interested in it. The rest is history. We were so lucky to be able to visit with Lee & Ana Graves and also Nancy Fryhover. They're very warm and welcoming people!
I hope all goes well with you...if you get a chance please go to the Makuu Market on Sunday...it's an all-day thing and so much fun. Seems like the town really comes out for it! We checked-out different markets and prices for food, etc. Hilo is abundant with shops and food and lots to see. Hilo Bay was pretty to sit and take it in. We also drove over to Kona via the north route through Hamakua (Tex's for Malasadas).
We really have this forum to thank for our new path in life - we already knew about so much (ReadyMap, Lava Zones, Malasadas, Kehena Beach, Volcano, coqui, etc.) that we really just put a face on all of those things and got down to business!!
Good Luck on your home-hunting!
Aloha
Carrie
http://www.cafepress.com/dreamhawaii
http://www.hellophoenix.com/art
First thing you want to do is get a Ready Map Book from Borders at Prince Kuhio Plaza! What a great tool that was. It lays out all the subdivisions and other areas with great detail so you know where you are and can find your way around no problem. Just head south on Highway 11 out of Hilo...you will know the area in no time.
Well, we've already talked but I will break it down to what actually happened...I was on the Hawaii Information Service for about 8 months prior to our home-buying trip. I checked out homes in our price range and a little higher - you can always make an offer, right?
After the realtor incident we decided (as you have, I believe) to go with John Dirgo as well. We emailed back and forth the week before we left and I sent him some important things about what we were looking for. I also told him about a house we REALLY wanted to see...not the house we ended up with but beautiful as anything I have seen for sure.
Told him about my disabled mom and her need for mobility, wanted 3 beds, 2 baths and a nice yard area...we had decided that actually catchment would be great after researching that a bit (check out the search engine on the top of this page for water tanks).
The day after we got in we got up early before we knew we would get with John and we just drove around like crazy. We checked out HPP, Nanawale, Orchidland, Aloha Estates (not recommended by ME), and John was wonderful. He drove us everywhere and showed us so many homes that first day. He told us about trees that would be a danger to have in the area of your home - albizia trees, he knew about birds, beaches, activities...you name it! We actually put a bid in on a house the next day but then after we saw OUR home we decided to go that way. (We were lower on the bid for the first house than the owner wanted as well.) It worked out okay. We made an offer that day since we were aware of other buyers interested in it. The rest is history. We were so lucky to be able to visit with Lee & Ana Graves and also Nancy Fryhover. They're very warm and welcoming people!
I hope all goes well with you...if you get a chance please go to the Makuu Market on Sunday...it's an all-day thing and so much fun. Seems like the town really comes out for it! We checked-out different markets and prices for food, etc. Hilo is abundant with shops and food and lots to see. Hilo Bay was pretty to sit and take it in. We also drove over to Kona via the north route through Hamakua (Tex's for Malasadas).
We really have this forum to thank for our new path in life - we already knew about so much (ReadyMap, Lava Zones, Malasadas, Kehena Beach, Volcano, coqui, etc.) that we really just put a face on all of those things and got down to business!!
Good Luck on your home-hunting!
Aloha
Carrie
http://www.cafepress.com/dreamhawaii
http://www.hellophoenix.com/art
Carrie
http://www.carrierojo.etsy.com
http://www.vintageandvelvet.blogspot.com
"Freedom has a scent like the top of a newborn baby's head..." U2
http://www.carrierojo.etsy.com
http://www.vintageandvelvet.blogspot.com
"Freedom has a scent like the top of a newborn baby's head..." U2