Step 5: Schedule Time for Showings 

Now that we have set your search criteria for your home search you will start receiving emails for properties. Out of this list of properties our team can preview or look through properties for you and we will schedule a day and time to look at these properties with you. The first time we meet to show you properties we will try to show you as many properties as possible (typically 8-12 homes). This may be a 2-4 hour outing if there are enough properties to show you. Typically we will meet you at one of our offices and we can drive you in our car. (Due to COVID-19 we have implemented new showing practices and multiple cars may be required). 

If there are any properties you are seriously considering and believe you would put an offer on it may be best to see that property right away, especially if the seller is reviewing offers as they come. This will be more important after seeing properties our first time out. We can show you properties any day of the week and any time that is convenient for you. It will typically take us 1-2 days to set up showings. We will need to contact the listing agent and they in turn will need to coordinate with the seller or tenant if the property is occupied. There may be some properties we can see with less than 8 hours notice but that is not always the case. 

During the showings we will provide you with listing information for each property from the info in the MLS (Multiple Listing Service). Keep in mind that all of the info in the MLS has been provided from the seller and listing agent and it may not always be 100% accurate. The MLS info sheets will provide important basic info such as the address, list price, beds, baths, size, and more but other important info includes: 

• DOM (Days on Market) – This is the number of days the property was in “active” status on the MLS. The most popular & well priced properties tend to go into contract within 1-2 weeks. As listings stay on the market for a longer period of time there may be reasons that it has not moved yet. 

• Year Built – The age of a property can tell you a lot about the construction and condition of a property. As time has gone on construction styles have changed and some older properties may have more maintenance issues than newer properties. On the flip side, not all newer properties are without issues as well. 

• Style of Property or Property Type – Condo, Townhome, Single Family Home, Attached, detached, CPR (Condominium Property Regime), Coop, high rise, low rise, etc. There are a lot of types of properties and it can be confusing. A buyer’s search could feature multiple options with different ranges of monthly payments. 

Many realtors may send their clients to open houses on Sundays or email 100’s of properties and ask “Which ones do you want to look at?” Our Hawaii Starts Here Team believes that allowing us to pick out properties to start and showing you properties personally offers you the most value. While we are at each property we can talk about the monthly payment for each, what you like, what you don’t like, and any specific issues to consider with the property. 

If you find the right property during this first time out or see a property you would like to consider you can skip to Step #7. If not we can repeat the process with step #6. 

Previous, Step 4: The Process of Finding the Right Home

Next, Step 6: Time for More Showings

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.