3 Things to Look For When Buying a Home in Hawaii
As with buying a home anywhere, personal taste, lifestyle and budget will always be the biggest influencing factors. However, in Hawaii, there are some aspects unique to the islands that you may not know about, but should always keep in mind.
1. Homes built to take advantage of prevailing tradewinds: Hawaii can be humid, especially during the summer, so it is important that the home you purchase was built to accommodate the prevailing NE trade winds of the islands.
2. Outdoor living space: Hawaii has a wonderful climate, so make sure your new home has outdoor living space or at least the potential for a great outdoor living area. Many homes in Hawaii will already have decks or what we in the islands call a lanai. A covered lanai is great because it will help to preserve your deck if you are searching for a home in an area that is know to have a lot of rainfall. Screened in lanais are also nice because they will keep the mosquitoes away!
3. Roof overhang to protect your home: Hawaii is known for its lush beauty, and if you are buying a home in an area with a tropical climate, it is important that your home has the proper amount of overhang to protect it from the weather. Check with a local contractor or your real estate agent for proper overhang in your location as it will very.
May 7th, 2008 at 10:41 am
When purchasing a home on the Big Island, there are some additional environmental factors to consider. We’re the only island in the chain with “Lava Zones.” The entire island is divided into 9 Lava Zones, with Lava Zone 1 being the most likely to be covered with lava in a future eruption, to 9 being the least likely to encounter lava eruptions. “Remote-ness” is another factor to consider on the Big Island. This island is BIG - all the others fit into it twice, with room left over. That means that many, many properties on the Big Island are incredibly remote - nowhere close to a “large town” with all the conveniences. Thirdly, we have been infested with coqui frogs, most prolifically on the East/Hilo and South/Puna sides of the island - they are considered pests and can be deafeningly noisy in places, although some people enjoy their evening song because it reminds them of being “in nature.” Katie Minkus, R(BIC) Lava Rock Realty, LLC.