Purchasing real estate in Hawaii is a highly complex process, whether you are buying a single-family home, condominium, or investment property.  In most cases, it will be your most significant single financial investment.  Additionally, if you are going to make it your primary residence, it is the location where you decide to live your best life and raise your family.  Having a well-trained, experienced real estate professional advocating for you is critical in the home-buying process. 

Your Buyer’s representative does much more than just help you find a property and write a contract.  Your agent will provide you with the information necessary to make an educated decision.  A competent agent will ensure you have sufficient knowledge before proceeding and will act promptly upon your instructions.

Here is a summary of where a real estate agent can help a buyer:

- Setting up an initial meeting with the Buyer in order to gain a clear understanding of their home buying parameters and time frames. The agent can then suggest neighborhoods and properties that might be suitable for the client.  A strong agent will provide valuable insights into the different attributes of each neighborhood and/or building the buyer may be interested in.

- Keep the Buyer apprised of any new upcoming listings that may fit the Buyer’s parameters.

- Assist the Buyer by working in conjunction with Lenders to find different lending options.

- Provide the Buyer with market updates, including statistics on the real estate market.  This will help the Buyer determine whether it is a Buyer or Seller’s market and allows the agent and his client to strategize properly when submitting offers.

- Personally tour properties and neighborhoods with the Buyer to better understand their needs (deal breakers) vs. desires. This provides the agent with an opportunity to communicate the pluses and minuses of the properties viewed. A good agent will communicate not only the positive features of the properties but also the negatives.

- If the Buyer is off island, the agent will preview properties for the client and be their eyes and ears on the ground.

- Provide comparable current listings and recent sales to assist in determining the value of a property a Buyer is planning to submit an offer on.

- Strategize on how to best structure an offer to provide the best chance of it being accepted.  The degree of competition could have a significant impact on the offer price and terms.  The agent will assist his client in determining that factor by communicating with the listing agent and assessing the overall desirability of the property.

- Go over the 14-page Purchase Contract in detail with the Buyer, along with what is typically an additional 3-5 pages of addenda.  A strong agent will know how to work through the contract to best protect their clients and make the contract desirable to the Seller(s).

- Guide the Buyer through the escrow process, including scheduling/attending inspections, final walk-throughs, monitoring timelines, and providing insurance options. The agent will follow up on any discrepancies noted on the title report, survey, termite report, condominium/Association documents, and building permit packages, as well as coordinate and schedule additional inspections if deemed necessary.

- Assist in monitoring and facilitating the loan process, ensuring that timelines and contingencies are met and adhered to.

- Assist in quantifying any issues identified during the escrow process by bringing the appropriate vendors to analyze the problem areas.

- Negotiate for repairs, concessions, and credits for issues identified on behalf of the buyer during the escrow process.

- Attend the escrow closing and signing process to answer any final questions the Buyer may have regarding the closing documents and/or property.

- Recommend the appropriate professionals if requested by the Buyer (e.g., trust attorneys, CPAs, property managers, insurance advisors, etc.).

- Advise clients to cancel the transaction if it is not right for the Buyer.  This means always putting the client’s needs first.

- Ensure the seamless handover of all appropriate keys, door openers, and fobs to the buyer on the date of closing.

- Be available as a resource to the Buyer after closing.

The list above is far from comprehensive of what a strong agent can do for a Buyer.  There is so much more. Having a competent, well-trained agent advocate for you during the entire buying process will result in a much better buying experience, reducing the chances of any unexpected surprises after closing. 

Have any questions? Feel free to contact us!