Buying a first home in the Hawaiian Islands or moving up to a larger one is a big step for military service members stationed here and VA loans are a significant help. If you check Hawaii mortgage rates, you'll see how much better you'll do with a VA loan. Securing financing is one of the biggest considerations, and you have an advantage with a preferential loan. The purchase price of your home and the cost of financing are the two biggest factors in your overall cost. When both work to your advantage, you'll have an even better investment over time. It's why homeownership is a wise move.'

Home shopping these days, like many other things, has been revolutionized by online listings. One of the newest things to watch for is virtual tours and if you're selling your existing home, make sure to have one. They let you virtually walk through a house with 360-degree views of each room. While nothing completely replaces the experience of viewing a property in person, you can likely hone your list by virtual touring. Broker websites nowadays also let you compare among homes, and the search and sort features bring up everything in your price range at the touch of a button. Shopping has never been easier.

A big choice for many buyers is deciding between a house or a condominium. It's a decision based on size and space, and a yard. Condos offer outdoor maintenance services so that you only need to maintain your unit's interior. You have the advantages of homeownership without outdoor maintenance responsibilities. You'll pay common charges to the condo association to maintain the exterior spaces. On the flip side, if you want or need a backyard and greater privacy, then a single-family home is more advantageous. Your kids will have outdoor space, and you can enjoy it too.

The current moment might be a sweet spot for home buyers because the previous fast-rising prices have slowed down in some areas, and interest rates are rising. You want to get in while the rates are as low as possible and look at properties when sellers are more negotiable. If a move fits your lifestyle and you can either buy your first home or upgrade, it's an ideal moment to use the advantages of your VA financing. It gives you lower costs and benefits other buyers may not have with their home loans. Devote all your time to visiting properties and finding the one right for your current and future needs.