define goals achive goals loan title company inspection appraisal closing


The first step in finding your next property is to begin planning. This is truly a team effort with your Realtor® and you. In conducting a needs assessment in which you establish and clarify your intents and desires, you should begin to solidify these thoughts into a true plan of action and start on the road of ownership.

Once you have a solid plan, be sure to talk to a lender if you aren't planning on paying cash, and get a head start on finding the best rate and lowest payment. Once you find a home you like and write a contract, there is typically only a 5 day window to search for your lender. Most offers submitted today are complete with a prequalification letter from your broker or lender.

If at any point of the home-buying process you feel that you aren't being heard, be honest with your Realtor® and redefine your plans and goals. Sometimes you may think that you would like a house in a certain area, only to find that you prefer condos in another neighborhood. In a decision this big, it is common to redefine your goals in midstream. Be sure to communicate with your Realtor® for maximum effectiveness.

Our goal is to help you find the property you want in the least amount of time, with as little stress as possible and negotiate the best price for you.


Once your Realtor has a grasp on what you want, the next step is to start looking. We review the market daily to make sure we don't miss a beat and you get the latest information. The market in O'Ahu tends to move so quickly that you must have a Realtor willing to go the extra step and have your needs at the forefront. You can be assured that we will deliver this service for you.
We can also set up a program designed for you so that when a property that meets your criteria becomes available, you know immediately via email. We will also preview homes for you. If you are an out of area buyer, they can take pictures and email them to you. Most of our listings have a virtual tour included in the on-line service listing (See "Properties" in this website).

What to expect: If you find a home you like, be sure to review the comparable sales in the area. Be ready to write a check for earnest money (for more information, see “Title Company) to accompany the contract. Set aside at least an hour and a half to put together the contract with your Realtor® so that you will have time to get familiar with the contract, understand the process and ask any questions you want. Once the contract is completed, your Realtor® will submit it to the cooperating Realtor®, or may choose to present it directly to the seller. Once the contract is submitted, there is a period of time which you had specified in the contract, for the seller to review the documents and decide what action they would like to take. Sometimes there may be a counteroffer or questions the seller will have for you. Once you have an offer that both you and the seller are comfortable with, you open escrow and move on to the “Inspection Period”.


This is a crucial part of the home buying process.

When a loan goes through with no surprises, the home buying experience is a very pleasant one. It is great when deadlines are met, paperwork is correct, and appraisals accurate. When you are buying a home, the last thing you want to do is get lost in the maze of unfulfilled promises. Our expert agents have established relationships with local and nationallenders to help you get the best service at the best price. You choose your lender, and we can refer you to some with great track records.”



In Hawai'i , the buyer has the right to choose the Title Company, but may be countered by the seller. Your Realtor® can help you choose a title company that is right for you. The title company is in charge of making sure that the seller can convey the deed without any problems. The title company is also a neutral party that has no vested interest in any party, real estate company or attorney. They simply help facilitate the legal aspect of transferring ownership and make sure the contract is followed. The Title Company holds the earnest money in a neutral account, disburses funds, performs accounting functions, collects invoices, works with the lenders, principles in the contract, as well as the Realtors® and coordinates the timing of processes.


After the contract is signed and delivered to all parties, the behind the scenes work begins. This work is crucial to making sure the property you are buying is one that you will be satisfied with. See the Buyer's Advisory for a detailed list of items you should be aware of. During the inspection period, which ranges from 10 days to however long the parties agree upon, the buyer is responsible for getting any inspections done that need to be completed.

INSPECTION:
Your Real Estate Realtor® will help you through this process and recommend proven professionals to assist you. The most basic inspection that should be done is by a home inspector. This person will spend time in the home testing everything and give you a full report on the results of each item. This home report can be a spring board for additional specialists you may want to bring in to investigate specific items. We recommend a professional home inspection be done for your protection

TERMITE INSPECTION:
We line in a tropical climate where termites thrive. So termite inspections are a very important part of the home buying process. Even your lender thinks so. Your Realtor® will help you decide on the best company for you. The termite inspection is a state regulated process, and a company must be certified to performthis task. The termite inspection will be on a standard form and submitted to the title company upon completion. In Hawaii , the seller and buyer chooses the company, and the buyer traditionally pays for the termite inspection unless otherwise specified in the contract.


FLOOD INSPECTION:
A flood report is ordered so that you can know if your home is in a flood zone. Sometimes it is hard to know just looking at a parcel. This is usually ordered by your lender.

Appraisals are typically ordered by your lender from an approved list of appraisers.

SEPTIC INSPECTION:
Septic inspections are usually ordered after the regular inspection period comes to a close and the seller knows that spending the money on this inspection is a safe investment. The seller is obligated to pay up to 1% of the purchase price if anything is wrong with the septic system, as per the contract. For more information on what a septic system is, see Buyer's Library/Tips.


In Hawaii, “closing” is simply when the Title Company sends the file to the county and the county recorder's office records the new ownership. Unlike many states, there is no “formal” closing procedure in which clients sit around the table with their entourage of Realtors and lawyers. Usually, a client will receive a phone call that the property has closed and that they are now entitled to take possession.