This is a common question that many people ask when they are looking into retiring or just simply looking to move to the islands. Even if you do not have millions of dollars to spend, you can still find a home that you can purchase. However, the process of approaching the situation is a bit differently than what you would do in other parts of the US.
Your first step is to find a good banker that can help you determine what you can really afford. You will need to talk about those bills and payments that you already make that are not negotiable, such as car payments. You also need to consider just how much you will feel comfortable in spending. Since most people do not want to spend everything extra that they have on a home, as they want that little extra available in case of an emergency.
Find a Hawaii Realtor, and be prepared to look. The Realtor should show you properties that are affordable and in your price budget, as well as meeting your other standards such as the number of rooms and parking that is available. However, be a bit open minded about the area, as you could find the perfect home for you that may not be your idea of what is perfect.
In order to make sure that you are getting the best deal, take advantage of the economy. Right now the housing market is a buyers market. Which means that if you make an offer that is below the asking price, you could still get the home, simply because they want to sell. Meaning that you could find a home that is not really in your budget, but still affordable. However, you have to be sure that you really afford the property. Though the idea of living in Hawaii, may have been a pipe dream, it is completely possible. All you need to do is do a little research.
