Hawaii is no doubt one of the top destinations if you want to have an amazing vacation surrounded by lush surroundings and the feeling of being one with the environment.

But, what if you can live here year round?

It certainly is NOT the cheapest place to buy a home but owning your dream house in this slice of paradise can be the best decision you've ever made. 
 
So, how can you find the house of your dreams in Hawaii?
 

1. Organize the paperwork – Buying a house in Hawaii is similar to buying a house anywhere in the country. You need to get the necessary paperwork in order and this includes organizing your tax returns, paying stubs, and others.
   
2. Establish your budget – As with any home purchase, deciding on the budget range is necessary before you even start looking at properties. This ensures that you won’t be spending more than what to can afford. Establishing your budget also helps you decide how you are going to finance the home purchase.
   
3. Talk to lenders – Unless you will be shouldering the purchase of the house, you’ll need to contact one of the local Hawaii-based companies who are experienced in the underwriting and valuation of properties, which is important because it’s uncommon to find large areas with several homes having the same specifications and, therefore, prices.
   
4. Get your own representation – If you currently live in the continental U.S., it may be difficult to go back and forth as you look at different properties, consider all the minute details, and finalize the sale. Having a local real estate agent represent you is in your best interest instead of relying on the listing agent who represents the seller. It’s a good idea to interview several candidates before making your choice and make sure that you consider the agent’s expertise, communication, and level of trustworthiness he or she engenders.
   
5. Choose an area – Hawaii is an archipelago comprised of eight major islands, of which only seven are inhabited. Thus, once you decide you want to buy a property in the state, you also need to decide where. A way to weigh your options is to look at the area’s potential for growth because this is a good sign of a booming economy. You also need to consider your lifestyle. Whether you like hiking or spending time at the beach makes a big difference because it will dictate which locations you need to study.
   
6. Establish the price – Once you’ve found your dream home, you want to establish your offer price. Why is this important? Because you want to make sure your offer has a competitive edge over others. If the home or area is high demand, the right offer can mean the difference between getting your dream home and going back to the drawing board.
   

 
Purchasing a new house is a great opportunity to live the life you’ve always wanted.

While the pre-purchase phase involves a lot of work, taking time to do this right will save you major headaches in the future.

Hawaii may be the paradise it is but this paradise has its share of challenges that include volcanos, earthquakes, termites, and harsh weather.

All of these factors can make it challenging to enjoy the island life you’ve always envisioned.

Good thing some factors are in your control.

One of which is in your choice of wall and floor coatings.
 
First off, it’s best to leave painting and resurfacing jobs to professionals. Why? Unless you have adequate experience with home remodeling, you may overlook certain factors that could make the project take longer and become more expensive.

Some things to consider include:
 
Weather – In Hawaii, Mother Nature is a force to reckon with. There is simply no way to avoid the various weather patterns that the state experiences except for preparation and the use of the right materials.  If you need to paint the exterior walls, you need to ensure that you do this during the driest weather possible for the paint to properly adhere to the surface. Weather that is around 90F also allows for faster drying.
 
Mildew – Sometimes caused by high humidity and condensation, mildew can also appear when there are water leaks. You can avoid the growth of molds by first applying an anti-mildew solution before you even paint on the first coat of primer and making sure that all the pipes inside the walls are in good working order.
 
Lighting and reflection – Depending on the room you want to paint or resurface, lighting and reflection play important roles in your choice of the paint or coating. The good news is you won’t have to worry too much about the interior wall paint becoming affected by the elements. Just make sure you get a good quality product in the appropriate shade for the room you want to use it in. One of the marks of good quality paint is that you only need to apply one or two coats to achieve the color you desire.
 
Location – Where your house is situated should also be a factor in your choice of wall paint and floor coating. If you live near the beach, for example, you need to choose materials that can withstand the wind, seawater, and sand, among others. You’re likely to repaint the exterior walls more often than if you lived away from the coast, but it’s necessary that you invest in a high-quality acrylic latex paint after cleaning and smoothing out the walls. As for flooring, the most popular choices are concrete, and tile as these materials react well to scratches and stains.
 
Rust – If there are metal surfaces on either the exterior or interior walls of your home, use paint that protects from rust, especially if you live in a humid environment or an area that gets a lot of rain throughout the year.
 
Think you are ready to paint your walls and coat your floors?

Apart from consulting a professional, you also need to find a good paint supplier.

Google is a good source of info on the shops that are closest to you. You’ll also find useful reviews from previous customers. 

Once you’ve found a property for your home, the next step is to build the actual structure.

You probably have an idea of the intricacies involved if you have experience with building construction but if not, a contractor can help.

Of course, it helps to have a vision of what your house will be like. In addition, having an idea of the legal requirements helps you plan accordingly.
 
Style
With the plantation style being the most common, other types of homes typically found in Hawaii include mission, international, and Renaissance. Plantation style homes have been the choice for many non-millionaire homeowners but in recent years, a growing number of residents are opting for custom houses. As the name suggests, custom houses are homes that reflect the unique style of the owner.
 
Design Elements
Hawaiian homes share common elements with homes in other tropical areas. Examples that you can incorporate in to your house design are:

• Lanai – Either an open-air or enclosed space where you can entertain family and friends, a lanai is featured in many Hawaiian homes.
  
• Open spaces – One of the perks of living in a tropical paradise is that you can easily bring the outdoors inside by installing large windows or wide openings onto the patio or the lanai. This way, you can take advantage of a bigger living space as well as the natural air blowing through the house.
  
• Additions – In Hawaii where real estate is in short supply, one way to accommodate more people is for homeowners to build additions to their homes either by creating extensions or constructing small, detached structures that family members can use or the owners can rent out to tourists.
  
• Sustainability – To minimize the impact on the environment and help preserve Hawaii’s natural beauty, many homeowners opt to incorporate sustainability into their house design. Because the state has some of the highest energy costs in the country, it makes sense to explore the use of natural energy sources.
  

 
Permits and Zoning
In Hawaii, land use and safety are major concerns, which is why securing building permits can be tricky. Apart from the building permit, you’ll need to secure plumbing and electrical permits as well as a plan to control erosion and sediment.

Zoning requirements vary depending on the location of the property and these requirements dictate the kind of structures you can build and where you can build them.
 
Once you’ve factored the foregoing elements in your plan, the next step is to find a contractor, which is undoubtedly one of the biggest decisions to make when planning to construct your home.

Similar to finding any professional, you need to do some research, ask for estimates, and look for referrals. You also need to ensure the contractor you choose can work in the area where your property is located.

It’s worth mentioning that the lowest price is not necessarily the best because you don’t want to be spending twice on work that was poorly done the first time.
 
At ALAKA’I, we do home construction.

Give us a call and let’s work together build your dream home.

Your kitchen and bath are no doubt two of the most important spaces in the home.

If you’re thinking about giving these areas a makeover, consider the following trends and see which ones you can incorporate in the re-design:
 
Bright colors – In recent times, silver-toned appliances and all-white kitchens and baths are slowly becoming a thing of the past. Update the look of your space with bright colors like bold blue, green, or red. It’s easy to get away with these tones especially in Hawaii where the tropical island look is seen everywhere.
 
Color combinations – If you’re not a fan of bright colors, go for a combination of tones. In Hawaii where green, blue, and gray dominate the landscape using these hues brings the outdoor environment into your home. Green-gray and blue-gray are especially popular.
 
Reclaimed materials – While the use of reclaimed materials has been a widespread practice, it’s becoming even more common in Hawaii where leather, vintage lighting, and wood fit perfectly with the surroundings.
 
Quartz countertops – While wood and marble countertops are still extremely popular in many homes, current trends suggest that quartz will overtake these materials for use in kitchens and bathrooms. Apart from its anti-microbial properties, quartz doesn’t require oiling or polishing. It is also long lasting, making it perfect for the Hawaiian weather. In the past, the biggest drawback with quarts is the limited design and texture but recent advances in technology have opened up an array of possibilities.  
 
Tile floors – In Hawaii, hardwood floors aren’t always the best option for the home, especially if you have children or large pets. This is where tile floors come into their own. Porcelain tiles are waterproof and immensely durable, and if you want to hide scratches or avoid discoloration, opt for dark or colorful non-glazed surfacing.
 
Covered sinks – Covered sinks are commonly found in homes where saving space is necessary. However, it is increasingly becoming a prominent feature in many kitchens. The wonderful thing about covered sinks is that you can hide your dirty dishes while taking advantage of the extra prep or serving space.
 
Efficient storage – Waste of space is unfortunately all too familiar in kitchens and even in bathrooms. To make better use of space, it’s a good idea to plan your renovation around storage efficiency. Cabinets specifically for recyclables and garbage, drawer dividers to sort utensils o towels more easily, and appliance garages for the stand mixer and other small appliance can all make efficient use of space.
 
Smart space - While life seems to move at a slower pace in tropical places like Hawaii, it won’t be too long before every single home is equipped with smart technology designed to make lives easier. Fortunately, you don’t need to do a complete overhaul to integrate digital technology into your kitchen or bath. You can do this easily by installing light or motion sensors, which is good for both convenience and energy efficiency. 

At ALAKA’I, we can help you with your kitchen and bath remodeling needs.

Give us a call today.