Home Seller FAQs During Covid-19

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Q: Is now a good time to sell my Hawaii home, or should I wait until the economy stabilizes? 

Yes, now is a great time to sell your home. Buyers are eager to take advantage of historically low interest rates. Our agents are fielding more inquiries for Hawaii property sales than ever before. Travel restrictions continue to impact foreign investment, so that segment of the market moving slower now. However, U.S. residents are still eager to settle into a new home in Hawaii due to its safety, lifestyle and climate.

If you’re not quite ready yet, now is a great time to prepare your house and have it ready once we start to see travel restrictions lifted.

 

Q:  What are the steps to listing my home? 

All precautions are being taken to list your Hawaii home safely. Please be aware that some aspects of the process may take a bit longer than usual. With social distancing in place, we make sure your home gets as much exposure as possible, while still protecting you, your family, your home, and everyone who visits. We are opting for private showings, requiring a buyer’s pre-approval letter, and asking questions to prospective buyers about their recent health and travel history. 

Hawaii Life agents have the technology to work remotely. Many other stakeholders, including appraisers, inspectors, title, escrow, etc. are currently working but in a more limited capacity. 

 

Q: How can I get a video or 3-D walk-thru produced to help market my home for sale?

Hawaii Life is well-versed in virtual walkthrough tours and has been encouraging them for years for our clients’  listings. Our agents have the resources available to produce videos and 3-D walkthrough tours. We also have access to an array of professional photographers who will safely visit your home at a time that’s convenient for you to take photos and videos needed to market your Hawaii home for sale. 

Q: What precautions are Hawaii Life agents taking to protect my family if they show my home to prospective buyers? 

The safest way to show your home right now is by using a 3-D tour, video, floorplan and/or professional photos. We are not conducting open houses. We are currently permitted to conduct private home showings, according to state and county regulations.

If you have any concerns, it’s best to discuss a strategy with your real estate agent. For example, you can request that only pre-approved buyers visit your home and limit the number of people who will walk through the property while using social distancing precautions. Together, you can explore options that make you feel comfortable and keep everyone as safe as possible.  We encourage buyers to make appointments for showings only after they’ve been pre-approved for financing and have done considerable research online.

When we do show your home, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes will be available. Agents and clients cannot travel together in the same vehicle. Appropriate PPE will be worn by all parties. We ask all clients about their recent travel and health history. We require that all new arrivals to Hawaii disclose this information and either follow pre-travel testing requirements or quarantine for the recommended 14-day period before viewing any Hawaii properties.

Q: How can I prepare to sell my Hawaii home?

Now is an excellent time to clean, make repairs, and declutter your home, so it’s ready to go when you decide to list it. The Hawaii market is very active right now and it’s a good time to ‘strike while the iron is hot’. It’s also a good time to build a relationship with a real estate agent. Ask questions. Make sure the agent is tech-savvy and can operate in a more virtual world using video, various apps, and social media tools to help market your property. 

Q: How can I complete the listing paperwork necessary to list my Hawaii home for sale? 

Our company offers the option for electronic signatures on all documents and contracts using DocuSign electronic signing. 

Q: How are buyers ‘needs and wants’ changing since the pandemic? 

Buyers looking for more deals due to the recent economic slowdown are likely to be disappointed. Deals are very hard to find and lower pricing is likely to be island-, area-, and even neighborhood-specific. You can view homes with recently reduced prices at this link. 

Buyers have expressed an increased interest in outdoor spaces, single-level homes, properties yards and lanais for entertaining at home. Health-conscious buyers spurred on by the pandemic are increasingly wanting flexible spaces to use for fitness, home office, homeschooling and spare rooms for extended family.

Q: Where can I find additional resources for sellers in Hawaii?

Contact our Customer Experience team by Text, Email, Call, or use the Chat feature on our website. Connect with one of 350+ tech-savvy agents statewide to answer your questions. You can visit our website’s main page at hawaiilife.com and follow our blog for the latest real estate news and information.