Can you recommend a realtor?

[Buzzy]

Husband and I are coming to look for 2-5 acres in Puna next week (Aug 14-22) and would like a good realtor who understands retirement on small fixed income! We would like to grow organically, put up a yurt, water catchment, maybe solar power, composting toilet, graywater system

all the weird new thinking, though thankfully Hawaii seems to have been thinking that way for a while, now! Our building dept on the ML here turns faint at the sound of anything unusual -

Anyway, a nice realtor who understands alternatives, is not out to make a fortune (cause we can't spend one) & would be happy to help us.

Thank you all - this board has been so helpful already, and I already feel like I've gotten to know many of you while I lurked. You're nice folks.

BTW, we'll be going to the Rotary Rainwater catchment thing in Kea'au on Thurs the 16th

thnx again

[missydog1]

I would recommend that you shift what you want from a realtor just slightly.

It's not that important for the realtor to personally understand the alternative lifestyle you describe ... most will have enough of an idea.

Your realtor's job is to help get you the right land at the right price and to steer you away from buying junk land or overpriced land.

You need a realtor:
Who really understands the larger Puna subdivisions, the pros and cons of each.
Who understands the pricing of the current market.
Who deals well with other agents.
Who is ethical.
Who is willing to spend time on a low budget purchase.

As to how to set up your systems, none of that is really the province of your realtor.

I would recommend that you spend a lot of time on your own driving the subdivisions and driving by listings. No realtor could possibly have the patience to take you to see all the vacant land listings ...

To enable your trip:
1) Get yourself an East Hawai'i Mapbook as soon as you land, if not before. Stop at Borders when you leave the airport. This is the most detailed book that will allow you to find addresses and lists all the subdivisions.

2) Bring a laptop or otherwise have a way to get online while here.
Have bookmarked and already know how to navigate:
www.hawaiiinformation.com
www.hawaiipropertytax.com
and my new favorite:
www.hilobrokers.com

The property tax site has the parcel maps on it.
Hilo brokers lists the TMK # and has a link to the parcel map.
Hawaii info (our MLS) and Hilo Brokers have different ways to set search parameters, and both have their uses.

Do not rely on your realtor to find you the perfect parcel.
You need to shop the listings, which you can do now, and start narrowing down your list -- and be able to hand your realtor a short list that you wish to be shown personally.

If you have a subdivision or two in mind, Punaweb is a great place to hear about the pros and cons. I sure found it helpful! There are a few past discussions of subdivisions if you browse Punaweb Forum.

[ericlp]

Hard to add anything that Kathy has posted... But...

I'll add a few more things.

Go here and sign up for listings here...
http://www.konarealestateagent.com/update.htm

This is a great way to stay updated on what's going on... Price Changes are good information too...

If your not on the Island yet, you can get the East Hawaii map books @ Amazon.com and I'd also ad to your order for 3 bucks more the Big island Map. It's a larger poster size map of the big island. Handy for seeing where towns / subdivisions are at a glance.

HiloBrokers is good because of the search engine, where Harry's list is good for new and changing property's on the island.

Good Luck!

ALSO NEVER BUY ANYTHING with out talking with the neighbors .... And walking the lot checking for flood zones etc...etc...

[pslamont]

I have a friend selling his 2 acre in Fern Acres on paved road with phone and electric avaialble. It has a 750+ sq ft. unpermitted cabin on full solar, catchment water, composting toilet. The land has fresh pineapple, bananas, loliquoe and papaya growing. If you might be interested email me... pslamont@yahoo.com. Aloha!

And for the record, John Dirgo is aces at knowing what is here and the ins and outs of the different subdivisions, etc...

Good Luck and Enjoy! Aloha, Pam

Just another day in P A R A D I S E !!

[John S. Rabi]

Be careful with the Hilo Brokers web site. Apparently, they display the MLS data in a different format and some of the MLS data is not displayed, so double check it by comparing it with the MLS data at http://hawaiiinformation.com.

Aloha,
John S. Rabi, ABR,CM,CRB,FHS,RB
http://www.JohnRabi.com
Typically Tropical Properties
"The Next Level of Service!"

[lotus]

John Dirgo is a really great person to talk to. He knows (and I mean KNOWS) the area, will make a point to really go the extra mile for you, and has always been super reliable when it comes to communication. We had the pleasure of getting to meet John in person when we were on the island in March and have been working with him from the mainland since. his website is www.hawaiirealproperty.com

He's been wonderful to us, especially since we have a pretty low budget.....

[Kapohocat]

I emailed you my suggestions! I also second third?? ha ha ) Kathy's recommendations!

[Buzzy]

Aloha everybody,

thanks for your thoughtful answers

I've been looking through those sites and they are helpful. I'll keep you posted on what we find out -

what can you tell us about Fern Forest, Fern Acres & Hawaiian Acres? Especially from your own knowledge = we heard a bunch of bad stuff about Fern Forest from people on Oahu - personal knowledge would be more valuable! bunch of wild west stories, true or false?

Also can anybody talk to us about vog? I have asthma, so that's a concern.

thanks very very much!

[pslamont]

Fern Forest is ROUGH; the Wild West of Puna (which is the Wild West of the Big Island anyway!!) Mostly dirt roads, lots of people living in tents and make shift buildings or their cars. Abandoned cars a problem. Also, a known drug area. Power is not to every street/home site. It is not my first choice.

Hawaiian Acres.. better but HORRIBLE roads. You have to check every location but again, lots of undeveloped area in a large gridwork of hidden forest. Abandoned cars are less.

Fern Acres... defilinitely the best of the three. Long paved roads so sometimes longer drives but shorter and safer times (for you AND your vehicle's suspension). Power throughout, phone too. Many more landscaped neighbors and a very safe, family feel.

Having said all that, not everyone is going agree with me. I don't live in any of these subdivisions but have friends in all of them. I would probably be checking out Fern Acres for myself if I were lookig for a subdivision.

All of these subdivisions were developed in very unique circumstances. The lots are all "spaghetti" lots (a few exceptions)... long and narrow. The roads are owned by the subdivision landowners and not the county so each has its own upkeep issues that need to be checked.

A good real estate agent in the area will be able to tell you the in's and outs of power, phone, cable, water (all these are catchment) availability and road issues.

Aloha, and good luck!

Just another day in P A R A D I S E !!

[JerryCarr]

Vog is generally less of a problem in Puna than in Kau or the Kona side of the island because of the prevailing tradewinds. At times, however, the trades dissipate and vog drifts over this side of the island. Here in HPP, we barely notice it, even when the tradewinds are not blowing, but I have seen it as thick Atlanta smog over Hilo on a few occasions. I would think it would be a major problem only if you are very sensitive, but perhaps some Puna asthma sufferers could give better first hand experience.

Cheers,
Jerry