Top Ten Concerns for the Hawaii Home Seller

There are tips, tricks and top selling niches that the Hawaii Home Seller needs to be aware of to get the best representation and get their home SOLD!  It's not just about selling your home for market value or expecting that everyone else has the same sentiments that  you do with your home. It's about keeping an open mind for all sorts of concerns that need to be considered in the process of Selling Your Hawaii Home. 

1. Square footage does matter! You may have an excellent condition home but 700 sq/ft interior and 2,500 on the land is small and should be priced accordingly. Listen to your Realtor® when they are presenting comps.
2. The Year your home was built does matter!  The year of your home in Hawaii will make a difference. Some older homes are single wall construction, have aluminum wiring and plumbing and may need updating. Single wall construction may be harder to get homeowners insurance.
3. Selling Your Hawaii Home in "As Is" Condition Doesn't matter if:  You have a home that has structural, electrical, plumbing or hazardous issues; not to mention termites.  You'd be better off getting an independent home inspection and making the necessary repairs.
4. Market Value of Your Home Does Matter!  I keep hearing many who insist that appraisers do not use short sales  and foreclosures for comps in their appraisals. Gee, wonder how prices went down in certain neighborhoods compared to others? Then why do appraisers give a summary of "this neighborhood is in a declining market" in their report?
5. Neighborhood to Neighborhood Does Matter!  There are some Oahu neighborhoods that were not in a severely declining markets and the ones that were are still going through a lot of short sales and foreclosures.  Your Realtor® should know your neighborhood and give you sound advice for what your neighborhood market is doing.
6. Loan programs available do matter!  FHA and VA loans (and even some lenders for conventional loans) will not approve a loan if your home has unpermitted bedrooms, baths or additions. They will not approve a loan for a home that is in disrepair as well.  Just because your home is in a high priced neighborhood does not automatically mean that you can sell it and a loan will be approved.
7.  Lower inventory may not matter if:  You have your home so overpriced that it will not appraise. Even though our inventory is lower than a year ago, it does not mean the market is back at 2005 prices.  You need to be realistic and listen to your Realtor® who can show you what the market is doing right now in  your specific neighborhood.
8. Marketing Your Home Does Matter!  Over 85% of the consumers go online to search for  a Hawaii Home. Your Realtor® should have an extensive marketing plan geared online and do Open Houses (which do work here) to expose your home to as many avenues as possible to sell your Hawaii Home.
9. Allowing for Showings of Your Home DO Matter!  If you demand to be there for all showings or only allow showings during certain times you will definitely cut the amount of exposure for your home. Make sure your agent uses electronic lockboxes that register all agents who are showing their clients.
10. It Does Matters Which Realtor® Represents You!  You may want to interview a few Realtors® to make sure that you will be represented well.  Experience, knowledge, personality, detailed, organized, prompt, keeps you informed, marketing techniques, laws/contracts are just a few of the traits to look for.  

You may be relocating, upgrading to a larger home or downgrading because all the children are grown and gone. Whatever your reasons are for Selling Your Hawaii Home these points above are concerns that need to be addressed and thought out....in being a happy and successful Hawaii Home Seller.

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Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs  she serves all Hawaii Home Buyers and Sellers on the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) including all Hawaii Military Relocating to Hawaii, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents.

Website: www.hawaiihomesmarket.com