OMG! We put an offer on a house in Hawaii (Kaumana Estates subdivision above Hilo town on the E side of the Big Island). The offer was accepted and now we're jumping through all of the hoops.
It's not the dream house. It's not on the ocean, it's not near the ocean, it has no view of the ocean! It's 6 miles up from the ocean at about the 1500-1700 ft level, so it's cooler than Hilo. It's also a little rainier and more overcast.
It's 1712 sf 3br 2ba ranch with the garage nicely coverted to a 400sf family room and a carport added, and a wood stove in the large open beam living room. Its on county water, power, telephone and tv cable. Built 1978, but new roof, paint, flooring, kitchen, remodel in the last two years. The owners did the remodeling for themselves, but just recently decided they needed to sell the place and get a home appropriate to move his parents over from Kauai. The lot is 1/3 acre with part lawn, and Pahoehoe lava rock. Pahoehoe is the smooth flowing ropy lava, as opposed to A'a lava which is the sharp rocky klinker stuff. It's an interesting lot and the owners have done nice plantings on it. The owner/seller will be renting back for at least 3mos until they find a place. We'll be renting it out until we're ready to move here, in 3 or 4 years. It is a quick drive to either downtown Hilo, or with the new hiway (Puainako - hwy 2000) a quick drive to UH Hilo or the shopping district.
But damn! The place is $425,000 and we went ahead and offered full price. Houses are being bid on and selling for more than asking price! Prices in the area have doubled in the last two years making the dream currently unobtainable for us. Oh well.
At least I learned how to make really good Hawaiian-style Fried Rice. Basically it's fried rice with Spam. Yum!