Real Estate Industry Secrets to Buying & Selling Your Home Quickly

Whether you are a first-time home buyer or a seasoned house flipper–and whether you are making your first foray into selling a home or are a veteran of the process–chances are you want to expedite the process as quickly as possible while simultaneously making the soundest decision. At other times, there are legitimately urgent reasons for buying and selling as swiftly as you can. Relocating for a new job, going through a divorce or a separation, needing to relocate to a home that will accommodate your elderly parents, radical changes in your finances–all can turn buying and selling a home fast not just a priority but also a downright necessity.

The real estate industry is rich with secrets on how to do so–but accessing them is a different matter. Acclaimed realtor Sean Sonoda is in a prime position to share his knowledge. Read on for his expert counsel.

If you are a homebuyer, it is vital to understand if you will qualify for a mortgage loan. While a pre-approval is no guarantee that you will receive the amount you are requesting, it can afford you a great deal of confidence when you ignite your search. It will also provide you with a ballpark number with which to work. Fortunately, dozens of mortgage calculators are available online, and your bank will be delighted to set you up with a lender.

If you are a homeowner who is keen on listing your property, jumpstart your journey by hiring a licensed home inspector. An expert investigator will key in on the renovations your home fundamentally requires, which will dictate your price or your decision to hire a contractor. It will also show prospective buyers that you are a step ahead of the game–and are approaching the deal with integrity and honesty.

If you are on the other side of the spectrum and have found a home that suits if not exceeds your needs, resist the temptation to overlook a home inspection with the hope that it will make you stand out from other bidders. A home inspection will hone in on everything in the immediate, near, and far future, from how many more years the home’s roof will provide adequate shelter to whether the home abides by zoning and permit laws–aspects that will become imperative if you choose to sell the home down the line. Further, a home inspection will make you aware of the home’s true condition, alert you to any infestations or potential hazards (like lead paint and asbestos), and ensure it is safe to inhabit.

Even in today’s white-hot seller’s market, homeowners prepping their property for the market need to make a stellar–and lasting–impression. Hire a team to perform a deep and exacting clean. Organize your closets and remove unnecessary items to make them appear spacious and appealing. Rent a storage unit and move your personal items, such as your fleet of bicycles and boxes of photographs, into a dry, secure unit.

Repaint your rooms in a widely appealing shade, such as soft white, greige, or pale yellow. Patch up aesthetic damage throughout your home, or bring a contractor to handle them. Repair or replace your screens, and update the fixtures around your home. If it is within your financial strategy, update your appliances too: surveys report that prospective buyers deem outdated appliances one of the biggest turnoffs.

Modernize your light fixtures and replace worn ceiling fans. Don’t forget the power of curb appeal, either: This is your initial impression with buyers, who, by and large, want to be swept away with a home’s beauty. To this end, revitalize your landscaping and repaint or replace your front door. Hang lovely plants in your walkway, and create an outdoor oasis. You may also want to replace the siding on your home, which can go a long way toward making your home appear fresher and cleaner.

This may seem like a lot of effort, but it is also part of the process. You will also have to hire a real estate photographer to capture your home in all of its glory. Similarly, it is highly recommended to hire a professional home stager to make your home appear spacious, luminous, and profoundly attractive. A beautifully staged home can increase your chances of receiving more than one offer–and selling your home quickly.

Homeowners will want to ensure they are not overpricing their home–even in ultra-competitive areas like the Honolulu real estate market. If you list your residence at too outstanding of a price, you may watch with increasing exasperation as your home lingers on the market. Not only will this undercut your potential leverage during negotiations, but it may also cause some buyers to question if your home has substantial flaws that have been hidden from the listing.

If you are in the market to buy a home, on the other hand, you might have to be prepared to put in a purchase offer that is above the asking price–particularly in highly coveted places like Hawaii, where homes are often selling for all-cash and sight unseen by outside investors. Indeed, six out of ten residences in Oahu sold above their listing price in the last year. What does this mean for you? It means you should include this factor in your financial strategy, and also note that you may be expected to put down an earnest money deposit with your purchase offer.

Having a well-qualified, determined real estate agent is a surefire way to ensure you go through the process of either buying or selling a home as swiftly as possible. They will have a strong handle on the intricacies of the market, and point out the most optimal time to either search for or list a home.

Sean Sonoda is the realtor to call when you are ready to begin your real estate adventure. Whether you are perusing Pearl City homes for sale or want to add your piece of Kaneohe real estate to the market, he will work diligently on your behalf to guarantee your happiness and satisfaction.