Everyone on Oahu knows ten Realtors, or at least it feels that way. When you’re selling your home, how can you possibly choose? Auntie has a real estate license, and so does your friend from high school. Your neighbor’s been working for that old franchise for 20 years, so maybe you should ask her. And your paddling friend works for a real estate company too.
Talk to a few Realtors and choose the person you think is going to do the best job. In this case, it’s not who YOU know, it’s what THEY know.
Auntie may be licensed, but if she only does a couple of transactions each year, then her skills are rusty. The top 100 agents in the state do more than 20 transactions per year.
Your friend from high school sells real estate as a full time job, but he never leaves Kahala, and your home is in Mililani. There are a lot of subtlties to the 50 or so micro-markets on Oahu. Hire a Realtor who knows the location!
Your neighbor knows the neighborhood, but if you work with her she’s going to get to know a lot about your financial situation and personal details. Are you ready to share? It may be more comfortable to choose a neutral person who you won’t run into around town.
The old franchise in town has quite a history, so they must be good. But where is their focus? Are they just selling amongst their network of friends, or can they really market your property far and wide, giving it the greatest amount of exposure and getting you the best price?
Here is what matters most in getting your home sold and how to find out who does it best:
1) Marketing. The more people who see your listing, the more interest it can attract and the highest price it will net. Google “Hawaii real estate” and find the site most people will land on to begin their search. I’ll give you a hint…
2) Property Condition & Presentation. The seller is the only person who can truly make a difference here, but look for a Realtor who will take the time to:
- recommend repairs or upgrades
- identify barriers to the sale
- help you get your belongings organized
- hire a stager
- hire a photographer (LOOK at sample photos!! Do not hire any Realtor who posts subpar photos.)
- provide the title report, permit package, or other documentation that shows prospective buyers you’re ready to sell.
3) Personal Interview. The reason many sellers choose a friend or family member to sell their home is because you already know you like them. You trust that they’re going to be loyal to you, and you’re comfortable having them around your house when you’re not there. But imagine the awkward conversations around the holiday dinner table if your transaction takes a wrong turn. Find a Realtor you enjoy, trust, and makes you smile, but you don’t have to see at Thanksgiving!
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