Your Ultimate Guide to Selling a Hawaii Home
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CHOOSE
YOUR
AGENT
Choosing the real estate agent that you’ll be working alongside to sell your home is not a decision to take lightly.
Your agent should have a deep understanding of your goals, your market, and overall be a great match for you and your home.
Credentials, of course, are a plus- but what you can’t see behind the numbers are the intangibles of going the extra mile and genuinely caring deeply for clients.
- Crystal Cabansag
I look forward to the opportunity of earning your business and sharing this life milestone with you and your family.
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Buyers gravitate towards a turnkey home that's ready for them to move in. Overlooking necessary repairs and maintenance can be a major turn-off and potentially stall your sale.
Consider high level repairs and upgrades like decluttering and depersonalizing, adding a fresh coat of paint, pressure washing, or sprucing up the curb appeal.
Putting in the leg work now will not only boost the sale price of your home, it will keep the sales process moving quickly once a buyer shows interest.
Use the checklist provided on the next page and walk through your home, room by room, as if you are a buyer. Keep their perspective in mind as you make decisions on repairs.
PREPARE FOR THE MARKET
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Home Preparation Checklist
Pressure wash concrete or driveway, clean or repaint doors, repaint trim, wash windows, sweep walkways & patios, trim hedges, mow lawn, weed & mulch, arrange outdoor furniture, repair fence, replace any rotten wood, pool/spa is clean and in working condition.
Light fixtures, light bulbs, worn/stained carpeting, window glass, cabinets, sinks and faucets, paint walls, AC, flooring, doors and trim, wallpaper, flooring, smoke detector
Clean counters and declutter, clean tile grout, clean appliances (inside & out), organize drawers, cabinets, and pantries, clean floors, clean sink and disposal
Dust and clean all surfaces, declutter countertops and drawers, fold towels, tidy cabinets and remove unnecessary toiletries, clean or replace shower curtains, clean moldy areas
Remove clutter & personal items, stage with pillows and throws, dust and clean all surfaces and fixtures, keep all tables clear and decluttered
Remove clutter & personal items, clean out and organize closets, repair any damage in walls, keep closets closed during showings, make beds before any showings
Use this checklist to perform a walk through of your home, room by room as if you are a buyer. Check off what needs to be addressed, and then check off once you’ve completed the task. Consider hiring a home inspector to assess if anything needs to be repaired.
"buyers decide in the first 8 seconds
of seeing a home if they're interested in buying it.
get out of your car, walk in their shoes and
see what they see within the first 8 seconds."
-Barbara Corcoran
Properties that are priced right from the beginning typically sell for more in the end.
If you price your home too high, the home will stay on the market longer. The longer a home stays on the market, the less it will be shown.
A property attracts the most interest when it is first listed, so it is crucial to price it correctly initially.
It's important to thoroughly evaluate the market to determine the market value of your home.
strategic marketing
pricing your home
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Pros & Cons of Pricing
over market value
at market value
- It could take longer to sell.
- The longer it's on the market, the less favorable it appears to prospects.
- The home may not appraise by the buyer's lender. Back to negotations!
- Buyer and agents will recognize a fair price.
- No appraisal issues.
- Home will appear on more relevant buyer searches.
below market value
- The home will receive high interest and a quick sale.
- Multiple offer scenario, which may include offers higher than asking price.
- Risk of having to sell at a lower price.
STAGED TO SELL
Staging goes beyond mere aesthetics.
It's about creating an experience that allows buyers to envision their lives unfolding within the walls of your home.
In a market where first impressions are everything, a well-staged home stands out, inviting and compelling.
Data from the International Association of Home Staging Professionals reveals,
Staged homes not only sell three to 30 times faster than non-staged ones,
but they also fetch higher prices – often 20% more than expected.
And the best part? The investment in staging usually costs less than the first price drop you might have to make if your home lingers on the market.
It's a smart, strategic move with proven results.
What's the big deal about listing photos & videos?
The photos of your home directly influence whether or not a potential buyer will schedule a showing of your home or not. It is crucial that we take high quality, attractive photos and videos showcasing the best qualities and features of your home.
Because of this, we work with the top real estate photographers and videographers in the area to capture your home in the very
best light at no cost to you.
- Digital and Print Flyers
- Postcards
- Professional Photography (Drone +day images)
- Professional Videography
- Yard Sign Captures
- Notify Surrounding Neighbors
- Displayed on Brokerage Website
- Displayed on Personal Website
- Social Media Marketing Campaigns
- Virtual Tours
- Exclusive Sneak Peeks
- Open Houses
- Broker Previews
What's Included in my Marketing Plan
Together we’ll set parameters on the hours and days we plan to host showings. Homes show best when the homeowner is not present. If this is not possible, we will work together to create the best experience for the buyer that also fits your lifestyle.
After each showing I will share any feedback I received from the potential buyers. Before each showing, follow the checklist on the next page to create the best atmosphere possible for potential buyers.
SHOWING YOUR HOME
- Arrange furniture to create a sense of space and flow in each room.
- Arrange for pets to be taken out of the house during showings, and tidy up any pet-related messes.
- Add fresh flowers or a bowl of fruit to add a welcoming touch.
- Use staging strategies to showcase your home's best features.
- Set the AC (if applicable) to a comfortable temperature well before guests arrive.
- Create a welcoming entrance by sweeping the porch, cleaning the door, and adding a mat or wreath.
- Remove personal items, documents excess furniture, and clutter to create an inviting atmosphere.
- Ensure there are no unpleasant odors; however don’t overdo it with air fresheners. Open the windows for fresh air ahead of time.
- Turn on lights and open curtains to invite natural light.
- Close toilet seats and shower curtains. Put out fresh, crisp linens.
Home Showing Checklist
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THE CLOSING PROCESS
The buyer typically places an earnest money deposit into an escrow account as a sign of good faith. Escrow is a neutral third-party account that holds funds until the transaction is completed.
The buyer conducts inspections, appraisals, and any other necessary investigations to ensure the property's condition and value align with their expectations.
The buyer's lender evaluates the property's value to determine if the buyer qualifies for a mortgage. An appraisal ensures the property's value matches or exceeds the agreed-upon purchase price. Depending on the contract, meeting these approvals may be contingencies of the sale.
Just before closing, the buyer usually conducts a final walkthrough to ensure the property is in the agreed-upon condition.
The buyer signs the mortgage documents, pays closing costs, receives keys and takes possession of the property. You receive the proceeds from the sale.
This process begins once we accept an offer on the home. Here are the major milestones to expect:
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Why Offering Buyer Agent Compensation is a Smart Move
Expands your property's visibility
Offering a commission makes your listing more appealing to real estate agents, leading to increased showings and opportunities for offers.
Encourages smooth transactions
Offering compensation fosters cooperation between agents, leading to smoother negotiations and a more efficient sale process.
Positively impacts sale outcomes
Properties offering agent compensation often sell quicker and at better prices due to heightened exposure and agent motivation.
Signals a professional approach
This strategy demonstrates a commitment to a fair and efficient selling process, setting a positive tone for the transaction.
4-6 weeks before moving
- Declutter, discard, & donate
- Collect quotes from moving companies
- Locate schools, healthcare providers in your new location
- Secure off-site storage if needed
- Choose a mover and sign a contract
- Create a file of moving-related papers and receipts
- Contact homeowner's insurance agent about coverage for moving
- Contact insurance companies to arrange for coverage in new home
1 week before moving
- Confirm final arrangements
- Arrange transportation for your pets and plants
- Review your moving-day plan with moving company
- Take a picture in your home
- Pack an essentials box for quick access at new home
- Label moving boxes with contents inside
2-3 weeks before moving
- Notify DMV of new address
- Discontinue additional home services (housekeeper, gardener/lawnservice)
- Start using up things you can't move, such as perishables
- Close/open bank accounts
- Arrange for child and pet care on moving day
- Notify HOA about upcoming move, reserve elevator usage
3-4 weeks before moving
- Notify the following about your change of address: Banks + Post Office, Credit Card Companies, Insurance Companies
- Notify utility companies of date to discontinue or transfer service: Electric, Water, Trash, Gas, Internet, TV
