Buying or Selling a Home on Oahu?

So you have decided for whatever the reason to sell or buy a new home, now what do you do? One of the most critical decisions is certainly representation. It seems these days that everyone you meet is or knows a realtor. The real fact is that not all realtors are the same. Some are more experienced than others, have more success than others, and some are just part time hoping to sell a home or two. I can say that a part-time agent is not a great idea, and you definitely want someone who is engaged full time and continuously striving for better. Another common occurrence is having a family friend or relative that sells real estate and feeling obligated to use that person. Sometimes that person is great, but please don’t make a decision strictly based on the fact you know of that agent, or simply because they are family.

The bottom line is generally this is one of the most significant decisions in your life, and the agency is such a key factor in making a great decision. You should also have some knowledge about how long the agent has been practicing, how many sales they closed, and what level of designation they hold. An agent specifically in Hawaii can keep growing and expanding from a licensed agent to a broker, then to a broker in charge and possibly a principal broker. I think it is essential to find someone that keeps learning, growing, and expanding on what they do daily. If an agent is happy with the status quo, then that can speak volumes about their effort level and how they may represent a buyer or seller.

A Good Realtor Helps Guide You in the Right Direction

You also need an agent that can help guide you in the right direction and help you make some great suggestions. When selling your home, you need a person who can be open and honest on things that might need to be changed for a maximum sales price. It can be an awkward conversation to have as sellers who are emotionally attached to their personal items and home. Maybe the house is cluttered and needs to be cleaned up, perhaps a wall needs to be painted, or you possibly need to update some of the homes staging items. Not all agents are comfortable in having these conversations in order to help guide a smooth and successful transaction. Many times I have heard an agent say I wish I had asked them to move this or do that. You have to be knowledgeable about what helps sell a home and vocal about what needs to be done.

Make Your Purchase a Good Investment for the Future

On the other side of the coin, you need to help a buyer make a good decision on what home to select. Is the property close to a negative that can affect future resale value, is the home on a busy road, or is there something else that is a negative that should be pointed out to a buyer? At the end of the day, the client will always decide on what to buy, but having all the information from the agent can undoubtedly help the buyer make an informed decision.

There are undoubtedly many tips and skills needed when making a home buying or selling decision. Starting at step one with great representation gives you a leg up from the others. If you would like more information on how I can help, please do not hesitate to call, text, or email anytime.

David Lundstrom, Broken in Charge, MRP, MSP, (R)