If you are thinking of moving to Kauai, or buying a second home here I have a five-step plan to success that I’ll share with you. I know this works because it’s what my husband and I did and it’s one that I’ve passed along to my clients. My husband and I moved from Orange County, California to Kauai in 2004, and here are the five steps we took in the order that we took them.
1. Pick an Island
Before we started coming to Hawaii on vacation, I didn’t think there was a difference between one island to the next! But the fact is all of the islands are very, very different. So rather than focusing on the property, first decide which island appeals the most to you.
2. Pick the Area Where You Want to Be
Now that you know which island, where on that island is right for you? What are the nuances you need to know about living in that area of the island? A good question to ask yourselves is; what part of the island do you find yourself drawn to when you vacation there? If you are not sure then on your next vacation split the trip between a couple of areas so you can experience what it would be like to live there.
3. Determine How the Property Will Be Used
No matter if you’ll be moving over here or buying a property as a second home, you’ll need to pick the right property that suits your needs. This is where a good real estate agent will be able to guide you because this choice can’t be just seeing a great property on the internet. The property that you fell in love with online might not serve your needs, this is where a good Realtor, who understands your goals, can really help you.
4. Get Prequalified
It really does not take that much to find out what you can qualify for with a good loan officer. When you prequalify you might find that your price point is too high or that you qualify for more than you thought. Knowing these numbers before you fall in love with a piece of real estate is essential.
5. Buy the Property Now or, You Might Just Wait
The timing of buying depends on your plan, and you really have to have a plan. My husband and I had an 8-year plan to move over here and during that time it didn’t matter how amazing a property was, we were just not ready to buy. During that 8-year time frame we bought a vacation rental condominium in the area that we wanted to live, it was the perfect step before we moved over here full time in 2004.
If you have a dream of making Kauai a part of your life, I’m here to tell you that dreams, with some careful planning, really can come true. I know because my husband and I did just that over 18 years ago, and we could not be happier. I also created a weekly blog for those that own or dream of owning property here on Kauai. You’ll be sent a weekly email with a link to that week’s posting which will have Market Updates, Market Trends, Statistics on Monthly Sales, Kauai Island News and information on New Developments. To sign up click on this link: https://conta.cc/3scxsX4. You are also welcome to give me a call to discuss.
Lynda Gill RS 63088
Hawaii Life
808.346.0056
Erika kovis
July 1, 2022
I am looking for the impossible. A second home or new permanent. Dream place, 2-3 bed room, small with open living area, big yard on small beach. Can be old or fixer upper. I know ,, I still think it can be possible. On Kauai??