Step 1: Find the Right Realtor for You 

Most home buyers start their search online by looking at sites such as Zillow, Trulia or Realtor.com.  That is understandable but our team fully believes that step 1 to buying a home should be to find a Realtor to help walk you through every step of the home buying process.

Searching on Zillow, Trulia or Realtor.com etc.  on your own takes a LOT of time and can be very confusing. Many of the properties online are not updated properly and may be under contract. Some sites show all “Active” properties but for homes on Oahu, those active properties could include listings “In Escrow Showing”, meaning they are already in contract with a buyer. Also most sites do not distinguish between “Fee Simple” and “Leasehold” properties, something unique to Hawaii Real Estate.

A Realtor can set you up for automatic search via the HiCentral MLS (Multiple Listing System). This means that each day (or how often you want to receive the search results) you’ll be emailed a list of all new properties matching your criteria or price reductions which now put a property in your budget. Properties are updated every 15 minutes, much more often than online sites like Zillow, Trulia or Realtor.com. This saves home buyers a LOT of time and ensures you see every property that fits your criteria. 

So, how do you find and pick a Realtor? Well, hopefully you’ll contact our Hawaii Starts Here Team at (808) 351-8394 or using our form at HawaiiStartsHere.com so we can meet in person and see if we would be a good fit to help you through the home buying process.  Not all Realtors are right for all buyers. Depending on what type of home you are looking for, what area you are searching, your personality, and your timeline every buyer may need something different. There a lot of questions you can ask a potential agent but a few questions that might help you decide if a Realtor is the right one to help you are: 

1. What areas or types of real estate do you specialize in? 
2. Can you show me a list of your past transactions? 
3. Do you have any testimonials or Reviews from Past Clients or Vendors?

Our Team has assisted dozens of buyers from East Oahu to West Oahu and even Central Oahu. If you are looking for property on the North Shore we would be happy to refer you to a great Realtor from our North Shore Office. We have helped first time home buyers, luxury home buyers, and investors. From new condo, townhome, or single family home projects to older homes we would be happy to assist you.  

If you would like to set up a Home Buyer Consultation please feel free to use the link below or contact us HERE.

Next, Step 2: What is Your Comfortable Monthly Budget?

Steps to Buying a Home

HAWAII STARTS HERE | JOE CASTANEDA (R)

Joe is a realtor with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Advantage Realty. He majored in finance and has experience as a former mortgage loan originator. He has helped buyers both with new project loans and going through the process of applying and obtaining units in new projects. He uses his finance, mortgage, and real estate knowledge to help home buyers find the right properties to fit their needs. Contact Joe by phone or email at (808) 351-8394 or JoeC@BetterHawaii.com.