Can We Be Replaced?

Pictured home: 219 Kipa St. Hilo, HI 96720

Most realize by now that, these days, the public has access to the listings in our Multiple Listing Service. In fact, you can go to my website and find it in two shakes. Specific address information is omitted, but it’s basically all there.

For obvious reasons, not all REALTORS® totally embraced this idea at first. The current debate focuses on whether technology will eventually envelope the industry to the point the agent is no longer needed. This extends not only to REALTORS® but to lenders and appraisers as well.

Seek Professional Help

Buying a home on the Big Island can be tricky. Unless intimately familiar with all neighborhoods, buyers would be wise to work with a seasoned agent. When it comes to the loan process, it may surprise you to know, for example, that appraisers are not always required to go into the home you’re purchasing. Some loan programs don’t require it. It’s fast, but not necessarily efficient. Some issues affecting value, such as un-permitted or unfinished areas, may not be visible from the street.

Use Local Lenders

Likewise, with a lender. The real value of a good lender is “packaging.” Your loan packet is like fine art. The better the picture, the better the rate. Like your Real Estate Agent, the more your loan officer knows the local nuances, the better.

The Trouble with Tech

It’s impossible for a computer-generated loan to do the kind of packaging that includes local idiosyncrasies. It’s convenient, but not always efficient. Since it all starts with that first call to the Real Estate Agent, it can certainly be inferred from the above illustrations that speed and convenience in the largest transaction in your entire life (well, except for that marriage thing) may not always serve your best interest!

So, beam me up Scotty…and if you bring me back as a Robot Realtor, please, nix the freckles!

P.S. Speaking of freckles, I apologize for the delay in the market update. Some are aware that I have joined others in my family in the breast cancer struggle. I’m doing very well, but had surgery 4 days ago. I’ll get the update done this week. I think we’ll find lots of surprises in the numbers…but, for now, my big surprise is that my ever-present, signature red hair is coming back black….but my freckles, well, they’re still there!