5 Red Flags for Families to Watch When Buying a Home on the North Shore of Oahu

As realtors, investors, and property managers raising a family on Oahu’s North Shore, we’re sharing advice for buyers to consider when purchasing a home. We strive to empower buyers to make more informed choices about the market, the area, and today it’s about knowing ways you can keep your little ones safe.

1. Busy Streets & Double Yellow Lines

The Family Risk: It’s not just noise; it’s safety. Fast-moving traffic on Kamehameha Hwy or Pupukea Rd means:

• No “street play” for the kids.
• High anxiety every time you pull out of the driveway with a baby in the back.
• Constant dust and exhaust near your windows.

The Red Flag: If the house is steps away from a 35mph+ road, it’s a “No-Go” for many parents.

2. Severely Sloped “Cliffside” Lots & Driveways

The Family Risk: On the North Shore, a sloped lot often means no flat grass for a swing set or a soccer ball.

• Safety: Steep drops or crumbling retaining walls are constant hazards for toddlers.
• Cost: You’ll spend $50k+ on walls just to get a small flat patch of yard.

Look For: “Usable” acreage vs. “Vertical” acreage. You want a yard, not a cliff!

3. The “Cesspool” Ticking Time Bomb

The Family Risk: Hawaii law requires cesspools to be converted to septic by 2050.

• The Hit: That conversion cost ($20k–$50k) is money that should be going to your kids’ college fund or a home renovation.
• The Mess: Septic failures can lead to yard contamination—not where you want your kids crawling.

Pro Tip: Ask if the home has a modern Septic System already installed.

4. The “Renovation Trap”

The Family Risk: Every hour spent fixing a salt-corroded roof or old plumbing is an hour taken away from family time at Waimea Bay.

• Health Hazards: Old “First-time buyer” homes often hide Lead Paint or Asbestos—serious risks for little ones.
• Budget Creep: Unexpected “CapEx” (big repairs) can wipe out your monthly budget.

Pro Tip: If the “fixer-upper” doesn’t have a functional kitchen/bath today, it’s a huge stressor for a family.

5. Unpermitted “Bonus” Spaces

The Family Risk: That “extra bedroom” for the nursery might not be legal.

• Safety: Unpermitted electrical is a fire risk for your children’s bedrooms.
• Insurance: If a fire starts in an unpermitted room, your insurance might deny the claim.
• Loans: Lenders will often only lend on permitted square footage or permitted units which can make the appraisal process complex

The Red Flag: If the listing says “buyer to do their own due diligence on permits,” be very careful & talk to your agent.

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Email: JordanRussum@hawaiilife.com

Instagram: @jordanrussumrealestate

Phone: 808.459.7919