Buying a Home on Kauai – A Little Compromise Can Go a Long Way

If you are in the process of looking for that special home to buy here on Kauai, you no doubt have a picture in your mind of what you want.

Maybe it’s the oceanfront condo that’s just steps to the beach, or the little grass shack tucked away from it all. Usually, the process of elimination happens fairly quickly based on what you are truly looking for.  Sometimes though, where you want to buy becomes the bigger issue. Why? What you need and want in a  house or condo may have a bearing on what part of the island you end up on.

The two properties below are both currently listed at $599,000 and are completely different in every way.

Private 3 bed/2 bath home (MLS# 241193) offered at $599,000 with tree top views in Wailua Homesteads on Kauai’s East Side

Oceanfront 2 bed/2 bath condo (MLS# 242089) offered at $599,000 with a ocean view in Poipu on Kauai’s South Side

Just like anywhere, location plays a big part when it comes to price. That old adage: location, location, location. You might be able to change a few things about a house you don’t like, but the one thing you cannot change is its location. Of course, this is not anything new. I know you know this.

Let’s say you have specific needs in a home. You want extreme privacy, but also want to be less than a mile from a south shore beach and your budget is around $400,000 to $500,000. This might be a situation where you will need to start thinking about a compromise. What will win? Location or amenities?

For instance, my wife and I wanted the extreme privacy, an ocean view, and a newer home that was in good shape. Our budget dictated that we would have to give up something, so we gave up on the ocean view. We decided that privacy was higher on the list. So, we found a home that was in good shape, had been tastefully remodeled, and that was very private. (I want the choice to walk around in my b-day suit in front of the open windows if I so choose; don’t worry, I don’t choose.)

Now, if you have your heart set on a specific town, say Poipu, for instance, you should not give up on your dream. Just be ready to start checking off the less important must-haves in a property. Do not let the need for a little compromise keep you from owning a little piece of one of the most beautiful islands in the Pacific.

I truly enjoy working hard to help you find the perfect home. Please contact me if you would like help finding your home here on the Garden Island of Kauai.