Considering Moving To Hawaii

[CarlosZ]

I'm considering relocating to Hawaii in the next couple of years. How is it for an appraiser out there? I like Kauai but I'm assuming Oahu may be the better island for an appraiser due to the greater amount of residential properties. Waiting on the OREA to upgrade my license to Certified in the next month or so. Also, do you think the R.E. market is over inflated? Would like to buy a house, but not sure if its better to rent or perhaps build. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[CANative]

My dad tried it in the 80's. Hated every minute. Appraisal business sucks unless you're a native and know people.

 

[Tom Foster]

I've been to 4 of the islands for over a week on each one. I stopped in a few RE offices on both Maui and Kauai. I have 28 years as a RE professional, mostly appraising, loans and RE sales.

They said it's good that I'm from California because most put in a full days work and are not so laid back.

On the downside, being "outsider" some people won't want to work with you.

But other "Mainlanders" relocating to the island might prefer to work with a "mainlander"with their purchase......

Most residential appraisers appraise on 1 island only, rather that hoping on a plane and renting a car to appraise a property on another island. That would add a few hundred dollars of expenses to each appraisal.

Commercial appraisers do travel to other islands.

Living expenses, food, everything is more expensive there.....

 

[gregb]

If you are young, will soon be certified and luv the islands, go for it. My brother recently bought a house in Honolulu and is liking everthing about the islands.

 

[Ca Ar Independent]

I've been to 4 of the islands for over a week on each one. I stopped in a few RE offices on both Maui and Kauai. I have 28 years as a RE professional, mostly appraising, loans and RE sales.

They said it's good that I'm from California because most put in a full days work and are not so laid back.

On the downside, being "outsider" some people won't want to work with you.

But other "Mainlanders" relocating to the island might prefer to work with a "mainlander"with their purchase......

Most residential appraisers appraise on 1 island only, rather that hoping on a plane and renting a car to appraise a property on another island. That would add a few hundred dollars of expenses to each appraisal.

Commercial appraisers do travel to other islands.

Living expenses, food, everything is more expensive there.....

Friends from the Big Island have been begging me to come work there for years. Turn time is 2 weeks or more they say. I lived for 5 years on the Big Island and it is a totally different world when you live there and aren't "visiting". I am a Haole and met lots of locals, made great friends (all locals) but never, EVER felt like I "belonged". The "Aloha spirit" is alive and well but expect to take a long time to be accepted on the outer islands. Honolulu is like any city, and Oahu is a more "mainland" experience and so might be an easier transition. Go for it !!! You can always come back if it doesn't work out! Aloha !