U.S. Military Transfers Buying Hawaii Real Estate

Information about a military transfer to Hawaii and buying your island home.

Hawaii is a military hub in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It is fair to say that the U.S. military has a concentrated influence here in the islands. We have several active bases and several inactive bases on our island of Oahu alone.

1. Hickam Air Force Base
2. Pearl Harbor Naval Base
3. Fort Shafter Army Base
4. Kaneohe Marine Corp Air Station
5. Naval Communications Center in Wahiawa
6. Lualualei Naval Radio Station
7. Schofield Army Base

We also have Bellows, Barbers Point (now Kalaeloa), Coast Guard Station at Barber’s Point, Coast Guard Sand Island, Wheeler Air Station, and Tripler Army Medical Center—that I know of. The U.S. military is a vital part of Oahu economy and a major sector of property owners on Oahu. Although we now have many newly developed military housing neighborhoods sprinkled throughout the island, many choose to buy a home during their stay in the islands.

My father came here with a Navy transfer in the 1970’s and decided to buy a home for his family of 7. Both my mother’s family and his said the same thing, “Are you crazy!? You can’t buy a house in Hawaii, it is too expensive—you’ll never pay it off!”

Of course, they did not listen to their families and they bought a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom house on 5,000 sq. ft. lot with a panoramic view of the ocean for a staggering $30,000. They still have that home and it has paid for private school for 5 kids, vacations, braces, college, and a few other expenses along the way. Needless to say, they are happy they bought that house—it is worth quite a bit more today.

Most military do not end up staying in the islands, but each situation is different. Either of these most popular situations may fit you in your contemplation of buying Hawaii Real Estate:

1. Buying a house in Hawaii for your stay and selling when you leave.
2. Buying a house in Hawaii and keeping it when you leave, renting it out with plans to retire or keep a vacation home in the islands.

Whatever your situation, or which base you are working at, we can find you the house that is right for you. Luckily, most military installations are not smack dab in downtown Honolulu where Hawaii real estate prices are the highest. They are further out where the newer communities have been built and where prices are more reasonable.  

Ideally, you have a house hunting trip prior to moving and we can have the 5-10 best homes to show you, so that you can have your chosen house under contract within a few days of arrival. That way, you can enjoy your house hunting trip as more of an introductory vacation. We want to make it simple, enjoyable, and stress-free.  

Choose the house and then enjoy yourself while sipping a fruity drink at the beach—one of the perks of living here full-time—year-round sun and fun. We want to make your home search an enjoyable and simple process. I also have extensive experience working with USAA, Navy Fed, Pearl Harbor FCU, and many other preferred lenders to make your real estate purchase a breeze—moving to paradise should be fun. It is not always easy moving to a rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, but I must say, it is a very pretty, warm rock with lots of sand, surf, and fun in the sun.

Here is map of military locations on the island:

For more information on our military bases and their surrounding neighborhoods, email or call me, Kelly A. Lee —Realtor Broker, with 8 years experience with military clients. To continue your property search for Oahu real estate, click here.

Kelly A. Lee, (R)
Realtor-Broker
Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers, LLC
(808)-225-0349
kelly.lee@hawaiilife.com