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A guide for buying Hawaii Oceanfront Home

There was this one time a couple of years ago when I was searching for a destination to travel. I was online, looking at rental places on various websites, and I find this gorgeous place in the middle of the Pacific. It looked like a dot lost in the middle of the ocean, but it had beautiful homes and breathtaking nature. I wondered what this place is, and I found out it was Hawaii. I started laughing for myself because I never thought this could be it. It quickly became apparent to me why so many people want to travel, or even live in Hawaii. It honestly looked like a paradise on Earth. For that reason, I decided to write this little guide for buying Hawaii oceanfront home.
A sunset in Hawaii
Enjoy a perfect sunset from your new oceanfront home in Hawaii
If you ever desired to move to Maui, here is the chance to find out more about the history of Hawaii. Not only that, but you will get first-hand advice about finding the best home for you and your loved ones.

What to know if you are buying a Hawaii oceanfront home

The history of Hawaii started with a volcano erupting in the middle of the Pacific ocean. The Hawaiian coast spans for thousands of miles, with over a hundred smaller islands. However, eight main islands form this archipelago. These are Hawaii, known as the Big Island, then Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Niihau, and Kahoolawe. These islands are the best representation of paradise on Earth. With an amazing Hawaii nightlife and beautiful beaches, this is a destination to desire. Nevertheless, there are some things that you need to know if you are thinking about buying a Hawaii oceanfront home.
Kilauea volcano in Hawaii
Kilauea is one of the active volcanoes in Hawaii

Hawaii is a lava zone

It is in its history, Hawaii is a lava zone. I am not trying to scare you off of buying a Hawaii oceanfront home, but you need to be aware of the facts. If you are looking for a place online, make sure that you check out the lava zones for the areas you are looking at. The better side of this is, many islands haven't seen an eruption in over 60,000 years! Still, Kilauea is one of the active lava zones. Because of that, it is not so attractive as other parts of Hawaii.

Maui is the best

There is a Hawaiian expression that describes Maui well. It goes Maui no ka oi, and the translation means Maui is the best! Everyone who visit Maui hold this to be true. Moving your family to Maui might be an amazing experience. If you are thinking about buying Hawaii oceanfront in this area, here is what you need to know about the type of land you can buy. There are two types of property in Hawaii:
  • Fee simple property
  • Leasehold ownership
Rainbow over Maui
Maui is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, just waiting to be taken

Fee simple property

Fee simple ownership is one of the most popular forms of ownership to buyers of residential real estate. What this means is that, if you are a Fee simple owner, you own the land you buy. This land is yours to sell, give away, lease it or trade it to others, or even pass the ownership after your death. Because of the multitude of options, you have as a Fee simple owner, this type of land is much more expensive.

Leasehold ownership

If you are searching online, and you see really inexpensive prices of houses, it only means that they are under the leasehold. To illustrate how this works in more detail, a leasehold implies that this property is under the ownership of landholders. So, what this means is that you don't own the land, you just have the right to use it. And, it is only for a pre-determined amount of time. Furthermore, if the ownership of the leasehold is transferred to a new owner, and you can use it only for the remaining of the original lease. After the time is up, what happens next is the process of reversion. It means that the property goes back to the original lessor. If you wish to continue using this land, you will have to renegotiate terms with the lessee.
Kamehameha school building
Kamehameha schools are one of the landholders in Hawaii

Hawaii landholders

Since you are thinking about buying a Hawaii oceanfront home, you need to know that there are a few large landholders in Hawaii. The biggest landholders are the State of Hawaii and the Federal government, and right behind them is the Kamehameha Schools. However, if you think that this is the place where Goku learned his signature move, you are wrong! They are a private school system in Hawaii, and they lease out much of the farmland and large land parcels.

Finding an oceanfront home in Hawaii

It may sound like an easy task, but in reality, it is relatively difficult to find available homes on the oceanfront. A home in the oceanfront is a hot commodity, and it is a rare occasion that it comes on the market. So, if you do see one, grab it before it disappears! However, you should know that buying a Hawaii oceanfront home can cost you from $2 million up to 10 million dollars. Hawaii is known as one of the most expensive areas in the US. Nevertheless, you shouldn't feel discouraged. You never know what can appear on the market, so if this is your dream, I say go for it! You only live once!
A vacation in Hawaii
Don't let the exotic Hawaii life wait for you

How to get a good deal when buying a Hawaii oceanfront home

With all that's been said so far, here are some suggestions that should help you get a good deal when buying a home in Hawaii. First and foremost, you should find a real estate agent to speak in your stead. However, understand that they don't know every neighborhood on every island. So, consider hiring a listing agent as well. Have them supply you with comparable sales, as they differ from area to area.

Finding professional help

Then, find professional packing and unpacking services to help you relocate. Also, you should check if your future home has any special upgrades that can raise the price. Last, but not least, you need to find proper maintenance workers. If you are going to be absent for a part of the year, your home needs to be under regular maintenance.
Swimming pool at a Hawaii resort
Having a swimming pool in your Hawaii house requires all-year maintenance

Finalizing the contract

Finally, in most cases, long-distance buyers will have to close the contract online as it is not easy to fly back and forth all the time. Also, you will have to wire-transfer funds to the bank or the closing agent.

Get your tickets to paradise!

I sincerely hope that you found some useful information in this short guide about buying Hawaii oceanfront home. Dreams come true, so give it your best to fulfill yours. And if everything goes well, I sure hope I'll get a summer invitation!
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