Real estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments most people will ever make. If you had a $100,000 income tax problem, would you attempt to deal with it without the help of a CPA? If you had a $100,000 legal question, would you deal with it without an attorney? Considering the large financial investment in a home sale or purchase, it would be unwise to consider a deal in real estate without the assistance of a REALTOR®.
More than an App
In a digital age crowded with real estate websites and apps, REALTORS® offer more than an app. They are at the center of the real estate transaction, bringing a human touch and understanding of what it means to own your first home and bridging that with their technology tools and industry resources that will help make your homeownership dream a reality.
As neighborhood experts and as caring community members, REALTORS® understand the importance of a thriving and safe community. Many REALTORS® volunteer in the communities where they live or work to improve the quality of those neighborhoods for everyone. And while an app runs on code, a REALTOR® stands by one. As members of the Honolulu Board of REALTORS®, they must adhere to a strict Code of Ethics to ensure that you are represented fairly, and your best interests are always protected.
Navigate through a Complicated Process
Buying (and selling) a home can be complicated and challenging. Whether you’re buying, selling, or renting, a REALTOR® can help save you time and will work to make your real estate transaction a successful one. And because every homebuyer and seller is unique and so is each transaction, REALTORS® will identify all factors that may affect your transaction. They support you every step of the way, from the start of your search and often beyond the transaction. An app can’t do all of that.
A REALTOR® will:
Provide you with a selection of homes that match your needs in the neighborhood that’s right for you. Help establish your price range and provide financial information from comparable property values, property taxes, utilities, to other costs associated with homeownership. Assist you with paperwork, preparing to apply for a mortgage, and connect you with lenders, appraisers, and home inspectors.
Tips for finding the REALTOR® best suited for your needs
Get recommendations. Ask friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers who recently bought or sold property for recommendations. Nearly 90 percent of buyers and sellers would use their REALTOR® again or recommend them to a friend according to an independent survey.
Attend open houses. See a REALTOR® in action at an open house and gather information on properties that you might be interested in. For a list of the most upto-date and accurate listing open houses, visit www.hicentral.com.
Ask them questions. Narrow your search to about five potential REALTORS® and interview them to ensure they’re a good fit for you.
Comfort is key. Choose the REALTOR® that you’re most comfortable with. Your best choice doesn’t always have to be someone recommended to you or the most experienced. An enthusiastic REALTOR® with less experience can do a great job if they have completed a comprehensive training program and works with more experienced agents and brokers.
Trust that you’re in good hands. By working with a REALTOR®, you place your homebuying (or selling) needs in the hands of a licensed professional who subscribes to the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, which protects your best interests and is enforced by the Honolulu Board of REALTORS®.