Finding the perfect home in Kauai – Tips and Tricks! Finding the right place to call home can be a daunting task, but with these few tips and tricks, you'll be able to find your dream (or nightmare) house in no time.   First off, it's important to know what you're looking for. Are you looking for a beachfront property or something closer inland? Do you want a big yard or an apartment-style living? Knowing what type of residence will best fit your needs will really help narrow down your search. Additionally, consider how much space you need and how many bedrooms and bathrooms are necessary for comfortable living. Also, decide on a budget so that you don't go over-budget when hunting for your new home.   Next up is doing some research. Look into areas that interest you as well as any neighborhoods that may have caught your eye during previous visits to Kauai. Don't forget to ask around too; locals often have the best intel when it comes to finding safe and affordable places to live! Once you've gotten an idea of what's available where, start checking out listings online or visit real

The next step is finding a mortgage lender and getting preapproved for a mortgage loan. You can – and should – shop around different lenders to ensure you’re paired with the right one for your situation. Doing your research can make a big difference. Getting different loan estimates there are often variations in qualification guidelines, interest rates and closing costs between lenders, which is why it’s essential to do your homework. When comparing lenders , ask each one to provide you with a loan estimate, which will spell out the loan terms, projected payments and closing costs for your potential mortgage. Getting preapproved for a mortgage will help you determine how much you can afford, which will then inform your home search. It’s always smart to shop around for the best rates and terms , so be sure to research a few different lenders during this process. You can also ask family, friends, your buyer’s agent, and attorneys for mortgage lender recommendations. When choosing a mortgage lender, ask for a detailed cost breakdown, review the terms you are being offered, and compare loan types. According to the us consumer financial protection bureau (cfpb), there are three general categories of mortgage

Basically, the goal is to estimate the monthly mortgage payments, maintenance fees, taxes and insurance and determine if those expenses can all be covered with that income the unit or home provides in rent. If there is money left over, after all the expenses are paid, that is a "positive" cash flow. If there isn’t enough money from the rent to pay all the expenses, that is a "negative" cash flow. To get a realistic idea of potential rental income for a neighborhood or condominium, check the for rent section of the newspaper and talk to your locations agent. Property tax - property owners of real estate in hawaii are required to pay real property taxes based on the assessed value determined by the county. ( /resources/property-taxes/ ) firpta - non-us citizens are subject to firpta, or foreign investment in real property tax act. It requires that 10% of the sales price is held, from seller's proceeds, to ensure us federal taxes are paid on the gain. Any overpayment is returned to the tax payer, or seller. Harpta - non-hawaii residents are subject to harpta, or hawaii real property tax act. It is the hawaii version of firpta