Selling Real State
About Maui
Real Estate Articles
Learn About buying and selling real estate on maui
Taking the Big Step
Consider these tips when you’re ready to buy on Maui...
So you think you are ready to buy a property on Maui and move here but have lots of questions about how to go about it, what type of property to buy and all the logistics of actually doing it? There are steps you can take to make the move as smooth and stress-free as possible.
To prepare for a purchase if you are not already a full time resident here looking for your primary residence, it is smart to give some thought about what your current and future plans are for yourself and the property.
For instance, do you come 2-6 months a year and want a place to land during those times? Do you want to be able to vacation rent it when you aren't here or do any kind of renting of your property at all? Do you have plans of moving here full time now or in the future but want to buy a property now? Do you want a single family home or a condo that will allow an easy "lock and go" type of scenario? When you do come will you be bringing a pet or a car or your furniture? Are you going to be working full time or retired and what is your lifestyle expectation? Will you be up early surfing every day or will you be telecommuting to your mainland office?
All of these things should be determined first as best as you can, because it will then be easier for you to decide what type of property you should focus on and where it should be located. For example, will you choose a property near the beach or upcountry because you enjoy a view but not the sand, or a single family home or a condo?
There is real convenience in owning a condo or residential condo, where you have maintenance fees but don't have to worry about maintaining the exterior of the house or the yard or anything else. You can just show up and enjoy Maui and when it is time to leave turn out the lights and lock up and go.
With a single family home you have benefits as well, especially if you plan on moving here permanently now or in the future. When considering a house, will you want an Ohana that you can rent out and have someone on site when you aren't here? Or rent out the main house and keep the Ohana for your visits? This type of scenario will allow you to generate some income until you move here full time. But there are also maintenance items to consider like landscaping and the exterior of the property.
If you are planning on moving here permanently, additional questions about bringing furniture and your car typically come up. The correct answer to that question depends on whether you like and own your car outright and like your furniture.
Shipping a container from the mainland to Maui will cost between $6000-$8000 for a 20 to 40 cubic footer. That is probably cheaper than furnishing an entire three or four bedroom house. But if you are bringing your winter chalet furniture to this tropical area and think you want to change your style to a more tropical style, which might not be the best idea. There are furniture stores on island (though they are not cheap). If you are a bargain shopper you can often find some nice pieces at consignment stores or people moving off island who don't want to take their furniture with them.
On the issue of your car, if you own your car outright and like it, it is probably cheaper to ship your car. Shipping your car will cost about $1200 from the West Coast. If you have a newer car, it may be challenging to find something as nice for that price. Peruse the classifieds and Craigslist to get an idea of pricing and supply.
Another consideration are your pets. Until 2003 it was very difficult for pet owners to bring their pets to Hawaii. However, that has changed and there is the opportunity for direct release to you, so your pet does not have to be quarantined, though it does take advance planning. Hawaii is rabies free and state officials are afraid of a possible rabid animal entering the state and coming into contact with an animal such as a mongoose and it spread the disease throughout the islands. Currently Hawaii is the only state free of rabies.
There is a five day quarantine period that comes with standards that must be met by the pet’s owners. Pets that meet the state requirements must be immediately turned over to their owners at the airport or stay a minimum of 5 days at one of the local quarantine stations. If an owner can show proof that their pet has had 2 rabies vaccinations, clean results of blood serum tests or rabies titer, and microchip implantation for identification then the pet can be released to their owner, once a veterinarian has checked the pet at the airport. If the pet is held for 5 days at one of the quarantine stations the cost will be $224. The cost and planning for direct release is pretty extensive and does require advance planning.
If you wish to qualify for apply for the 5 day pet quarantine or direct release option you will want to prepare a minimum of four months in advance by completing the following:
Pets will need to have a microchip implanted to be used in identifying them. All pets will be required to have a booster shot and a rabies shot, which must be no shorter than 3 months apart and 1 year apart. Pets will be required to successfully pass a blood serum test which must be emailed to Hawaii state officials by the testing lab that completed the tests. Also pets are not allowed to enter until after 120 days has passed since the blood sample was received by the state. In order for the pet to be allowed to enter the state and to prevent fraud state officials must receive a health certificate and all test results directly from the pet’s veterinarian. All pets will be inspected at the airport including chip check to confirm the identity of the pet before releasing them to the owner.
There are quite a few variables to consider when deciding what type of property to buy and relocating to Maui or any of the Hawaiian Islands. If you are thinking about it I would be happy to talk with you and answer any questions that you have and help you determine what type of property would work best for your needs and lifestyle.
