Costs to Consider When Buying a House in Hawaii or Anywhere in the US


July 5, 2019

When it comes to buying your first home, there are many things to consider. Aside from finding the right house for you in the perfect neighborhood, you also have to think about the long-term costs and weigh the benefits. And while it’s a lot of fun looking at what homes are for sale in South Maui or every new mls property listing that pops up daily, perhaps the less fun aspect of searching for a perfect house may be the costs associated with becoming a homeowner in Hawaii.

Maybe you have laid down the foundation by meeting with your mortgage loan specialist and have created a path towards homeownership, but there are some things you may not have factored into your monthly living expenses once you move in. Here are a few hidden costs to consider when buying a house in Hawaii that come with making this dream a reality.

Utilities

That’s right- utilities. Just because you’ve become a homeowner doesn’t mean the lights and water bills disappear. Do your research and see if the neighborhood you’re staying in can be solar-powered or whether or not there are recycling and garbage pick up and make sure to consider those costs when creating a budget.

Property Taxes

No matter where you go, you can’t escape property taxes. Make sure to look into the property taxes for wherever you’re planning on buying (although we do hope you consider buying on Maui). It doesn’t matter whether you’re buying land or a condo, you’ll have to pay property taxes wherever you are.

Insurance

When it comes to owning a home, it’s wise to buy insurance in order to protect your investment. Depending on where you plan on purchasing a home, you may have to pay higher prices for more coverage. That includes flood insurance, lava insurance, and storm coverage. You never know what you might get on an island…

Homeowners Association

While some of you may shy away from having to be a part of a Homeowners Association, it may be something you can’t escape. In America, there are more than 351,000 HOA communities that all impact housing costs. There may be fees associated with purchasing a home that’s part of a homeowners association, and it’s something you’ll want to look into as the price may increase over the years.

Making a Hawaii real estate investment is an exciting experience and we hope you found some of this information helpful but if you are feeling a little overwhelmed, please contact us! Our professional Maui realtors, Mark Harbison and Lisa Oyama, can help guide you through the home buying process.



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