Building a Home In Hawaii (Hilo, Kailua: rent, condo, violent crime)

[HankDfrmSD]

I did this on Kauai twenty years ago. I designed a house specifically as a vacation rental. Did it on graph paper, to scale. My son lives in Princeville, and owned a half interest in the property, so he was the owner-builder.

I found a draftsman to draw up the plans. She kept suggestiing new things (Don't you want a Family Room?), but finally drew them as I wanted. She worked with an Architect, and he stamped the drawings. I never met him.

My son knew a plumber, and a framer, and an electrician, and ........

I financed the construction and we took out a mortgage after it was finished.

It worked.

The only problem: We had to largely rebuild it three years later, after Iniki.

Hank

[JeepyJeep]

thanks for all the info everyone

[Gnbctunnxfui1809cf]

So did you make it to hawaii

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Originally Posted by Gnbctunnxfui1809cf

So did you make it to hawaii

Considering that he never has posted anything after this one thread six years ago, I seriously doubt that you'll get an answer to your question.

[leilaniguy]

Lots of dreamers come to this website "with a plan", even more with no real plan. They usually fade away.

[flipsidem]

We have a plan. We will be there next week to see how being there in person fits with the ideas in our heads. Wish us luck. I hope all the negativity on this forum has gotten me into a mindset that will leave me pleasantly surprised after we visit.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Originally Posted by flipsidem

We have a plan. We will be there next week to see how being there in person fits with the ideas in our heads. Wish us luck. I hope all the negativity on this forum has gotten me into a mindset that will leave me pleasantly surprised after we visit.

Once again, those of us who are trying to give a REALISTIC look at what life in Hawaii is like get slapped. Over and over again the dreamers come on this forum, ask for our opinions as people who live and work here, then get upset with the answers. Having moved here from Centennial Colorado, and having lived here for almost six years, I can truthfully tell you that living, working, and doing business in Hawaii is very very different than Parker. I love living here, but even after six years I continue to be amazed.

[flipsidem]

I wasn't complaining or trying to give any slaps. I thought of, and should have went back and edited to indicate, that I appreciate the realistic perspectives. However, I have found that there are a number of regular posters on here that are so negative in what they contribute that it makes me wonder why they don't just leave. And then, I still appreciate them for keeping me from getting too far away from reality with my expectations. I seriously do appreciate all the info and opinions. I guess I touched a nerve there.

[ohmanon]

flipsidem - sorry, sent you a pm by accident.

[Irish Eyes_Mrs. Z]

Originally Posted by flipsidem

We have a plan. We will be there next week to see how being there in person fits with the ideas in our heads. Wish us luck. I hope all the negativity on this forum has gotten me into a mindset that will leave me pleasantly surprised after we visit.

It did for my husband and I. I expected many bad things based on many, many negative and unwelcoming posts, here. What we actually found was mostly good in people, the island, and everything in between. Almost everywhere is gorgeous. The climate on the east side suited us perfectly! The color of the ocean, there, blew me away--I've never seen turquoise blue ocean surf, before, and I fell in love with it! So much so, that my husband and I intend to purchase a home, there. Hopefully w/in the next year. We shall see! That thing about food prices, though? It's real. Oy vey! But the costs can be mitigated by purchasing wisely at farmers markets and carefully at supermarkets. When we move, we hope to grow our own fruits and veggies, and have eggs provided by chickens and/or ducks (I love duck eggs). Milk might be an issue, though--we go through about a gallon a week, and that shtuff is spendy, there! LOL! I hate cattle, so no raising a dairy cow at our place, when/if we get one .