Buying and Selling Real Estate in the Time of COVID-19

Well here we are over 7 months into the global pandemic and, besides your health, almost nothing is more important than where you are living these days. We are seeing a mass exodus of buyers leaving the mainland and heading to Hawaii. The buyers are looking at and moving to all the islands but having some space, a good home layout, and nice weather is becoming more important than ever.

Land for sale on Oahu’s North Shore

Buying with a Full-Service Broker

There are a ton of brokerages in the marketplace currently. Many are discount brokerages or companies that rely on computer algorithms and programs to help guide a buyer. I am certainly a big fan of technology and useful programs, but there are some limitations when you are discussing buying or selling a home. Now more than ever I am working with more and more buyers remotely who are buying property sight-unseen. This is also true for sellers who had a vacation home and now are choosing to list and sell. I have found that buyers can use technology to see homes, research areas, learn about the state, and more but when it comes down to the details they want and need a full-service broker. I have done more zoom meetings, Facetime calls, video walkthroughs than I ever thought possible.

Personalized Care

My clients depend on me for advice, local market knowledge, and personal help now more than ever. I have many clients during COVID who have bought a house completely sight-unseen, closed, flew to Hawaii, and quarantined in their new homes that they are seeing for the first time. This requires helping my clients with measurements, organizing, and setting up contractors for paint, floor, and other items as well as helping with household goods and logistics. Recently, I had clients that had to ship some belongings to me so I could help get the house somewhat livable while they are in quarantine. These are things that are just not possible without having boots on the ground and a full-service broker and brokerage to help support. For the most part, a discount brokerage will do and offer the bare minimums to get a deal done. They are not going above and beyond as we often do for our clients.

Selling with a Full-Service Broker

This is also true on the selling side. We are in a competitive market with limited inventory. This requires a skilled broker to negotiate, help guide the seller to the best offer and close at the highest price with the least amount of drama for everyone. As a full-service broker, when I walk into a discount broker listing for a showing and see the homeowners showing the property, you just know things are not going to go smoothly. I can’t even tell you how many times I have made an appointment with a discount broker, shown up to show the home at the agreed time, and have been greeted by the homeowner how has no idea we had an appointment. The most common thing I have heard is, “Nobody told us you were coming.” If this is how a showing starts, how well do you think the negotiation and selling process is going to go? I can tell you firsthand it is generally not pleasant smooth or painless for anyone involved.

Your Broker Shouldn’t Cut Corners

This is the most expensive asset you will generally ever buy or sell, so why would you want to cut corners with this process? Having a full-service broker and brokerage is paramount in my opinion. This will assure you are always taken care of as a buyer and seller in the highest and most professional manner possible.

Want to Know More?

If you are interested in hearing more about how I take care of my clients, please do not hesitate to call, text, or email at any time.