✏️ Editor’s Note: Realtor Associations, agents, and MLS’ have started implementing changes related to the NAR’s $418 million settlement. While home-sellers will likely save thousands in commission, compliance and litigation risks have significantly increased for sellers throughout the nation. Learn how NAR’s settlement affects home sellers.
Are you ready to sell your house in paradise? Selling a house in Hawaii, known as the “Aloha State,” offers a unique opportunity in the real estate market. In March 2024, the Hawaiian housing market showcased its resilience with a 2.1% increase in home prices compared to the previous year, reaching a median price of $730,200.
This indicates a longer but potentially more profitable selling process for homeowners. With its stunning natural beauty, warm tropical climate, and rich cultural heritage, Hawaii remains an enticing destination for buyers seeking their dream home.
If you’re considering selling your house in Hawaii, now is the time to take advantage of the market’s dynamics. Let us guide you through this exciting journey as we navigate the intricate world of Hawaiian real estate together.
📉 Hawaii Housing Market Update
- Median Home Sale Price Drop YoY: The median home sale price dropped to $364,366, down by 2.3% YoY, the biggest decline in more than a decade.
- Fewer Buyers are Applying for Mortgages: Mortgage purchase applications were down by 31% YoY. Due to expensive financing, fewer buyers are applying for mortgages.
- iBuyers are No More a Viable Option: Several iBuyers have either shut down or are suffering massive losses. As per our research, most iBuyers are not offering more than 70% of a property’s Fair Market Value.
- Bottom Line: In 2023, more sellers in the Aloha State are opting to sell their homes by owner. By listing on the MLS with the best FSBO sites in Hawaii, your Hawaii home gets maximum exposure, and you save thousands of dollars in commissions.
Step 1: Determine How You Want to Sell Your House in Hawaii
How you choose to sell will determine all other aspects of selling your Hawaii home. These include the cost of selling a house in Hawaii, marketing strategy, the level of preparation you need, etc.
Home sellers in Aloha State are no longer required to work with only 3% commission realtors to list and sell their houses. You have options now – MLS listing services, discount brokers, FSBO sites, etc. – who work at lower rates. Weigh the pros and cons of each option before you choose one.
- Sell With a Discount Broker: A Hawaii discount real estate broker offers all the services similar to a traditional broker at discounted rates. Discount brokers in Hawaii charge a 1.5%-2% commission or a $3,000-$5,000 flat rate. They will help you with everything, from listing to closing, and offer decent savings.
- Sell Your Property For Sale By Owner: You can sell your home without a Realtor, independently. You will save the entire 3% listing commission but won’t get MLS access. You can list your Hawaii home on For Sale By Owner websites. The best FSBO sites leverage technology to get you listed and connect you with potential buyers directly.
- Sell With a Traditional Realtor: We do not recommend working with a traditional Realtor. They charge a 5%-6% commission and control most aspects of the transaction. However, if you need guidance at every step, work with Hawaii Realtors in your area who have expertise in the Hawaii housing market.
- Offer Your Home to a Cash Buyer: You can sell your home “as is” in Hawaii to a cash buyer. Hawaii cash home buyers offer 30% to 50% of the Fair Market Value and offer flexible closing timelines.
✍️ Pro Tip: Offer your home to an iBuyer if your house is in good condition. iBuyers offer up to 70% of the Fair Market Value and make instant cash offers.
Step 2: Set a Realistic Listing Price
The listing or the asking price is the most important factor for a successful home sale. Typically, the real estate broker will run comps and help you arrive at an asking price. However, in an FSBO sale, you can use online tools like Zestimate to determine the asking price for your Hawaii home.
Do not overprice your home. If you do, your home will spend more days on the market, and buyers may make negative assumptions about it.
On the other hand, underpricing can be a good strategy. Remember, the listing price is not equal to the sale price. The purpose of the listing price is to attract buyers for your home.
You can set the asking price at the lowest price acceptable to you. You might get multiple offers which may lead to a bidding war among buyers. Bidding wars can help you sell at a price higher than what you had in mind. Refer to this informative guide on how to price your home for sale for more such strategies.
Step 3: Market Your Home
A good marketing strategy will help you attract more potential buyers. You can work with a broker to market your home or do it yourself. Here are a few marketing tips that can increase your home sale value substantially:
- Stage Your Home: You can sell your home for up to $40,000 more by staging it. You can either DIY it or work with local Hawaii home staging companies. They will rearrange the interiors of your house to make it look spacious and presentable.
- Hire a Real Estate Photographer: With professional real estate photography, you could sell your home in Hawaii 32% faster. Professionally clicked pictures will make your property listing pop. It will also help you to market your home to 90% of buyers who search for properties online. Check out the top real estate photographers in Hawaii.
- List on MLS: With an MLS listing, you can sell faster and for up to 17% more. Your property listing will also get syndicated to 100+ real estate websites. But, only licensed real estate agents in Hawaii have access to the MLS. They charge a 3% commission which can burn a hole in your pocket. You can list your house on MLS in Hawaii with Hawaii Flat Fee MLS companies. Houzeo will get you listed for $379, and that too within 48 hours.
- List on Free FSBO Websites: Several FSBO sites allow you to list your home on their website for free. Your Hawaii property can attract buyer traffic that visits a particular FSBO website. Some examples of free FSBO listing websites in Hawaii include Craigslist, Zillow, ForSaleByOwner.com, etc. However, you may attract unverified buyers or scammers as well.
- Post a Yard Sign: With a yard sign, you can attract unrepresented buyers and save the buyer agent commission. Ensure you get a yard sign with your phone number so that the buyers can contact you directly.
- Host Open Houses: In a hot market like Jacksonville or Miami, an open house can be a great way of showing your property to home buyers. Also, you can attract unrepresented buyers.
Step 4: Show Your Home to Potential Buyers
Showings are essential when selling a property in Hawaii or anywhere. The more the number of buyers touring your home, the greater the chances of you getting an offer. But this doesn’t mean showings should be inconvenient for you. You can use an online showings management tool like Houzeo Showings.
Houzeo Showings allows you to schedule slots for buyers to tour your Hawaii house. Home buyers can also request and reschedule or cancel showings.
Step 5: Negotiate Offers
Interested buyers will send written offers to your agent or directly to you, in case of an FSBO sale. In a seller’s market, buyers might make offers above the list price. But, experts predict 2023 to be a buyer’s market. So, be open to negotiations.
As a seller, you can accept, reject, or counter an offer. A counteroffer is a way of negotiating an offer for better terms or prices. It should be in written format and must have a set timeframe for the buyers to respond. In the counteroffer, you can offer seller concessions, repair credits, etc., in exchange for selling at the list price.
In case of multiple offers, weigh all of them across various merits and do not accept the highest bid right away. You may want to consider the following before accepting an offer amongst multiple offers:
- Mode of payment (cash vs financing)
- Home buyer’s mortgage approval status (pre-approval vs pre-qualified)
- Buyer’s willingness to cover the closing costs in Hawaii or some part of it
- Buyer’s willingness to bypass some contingencies like a home appraisal, home inspection in Hawaii, etc.
- Closing timeline
In a traditional home sale, a real estate professional will negotiate for you. However, as an FSBO seller in Hawaii, you are on your own. In such a situation, you can use digital offer management tools like Houzeo Offers. With Houzeo Offers, you can counter an offer, call for the highest and the best offer, and more.
Step 6: Close the Sale
After the seller accepts an offer, the MLS listing status is changed to “house under contract“. You and the buyer have to complete a lot of tasks from contract to closing. Here are the key milestones in the closing process in Hawaii:
Allow the Buyer to Complete the Due Diligence
After you accept an offer, your Hawaii property goes off the market, and the buyer can perform the necessary due diligence. The buyer inspects their to-be-home to proceed with the purchase.
Post due diligence, the buyer works on securing a mortgage, known as the underwriting period. During this period, the lender verifies the buyer’s finances and inspects and appraises the property. An amount equivalent to the property’s appraised value is sanctioned to the buyer.
Pay the Closing Costs
As a seller, you will pay 5%-6% in Hawaii real estate commissions, equally split between your and the buyer’s agent. Additional seller closing costs in Hawaii that you may have to incur include:
- The escrow or the title fee
- Taxes on selling a house in Hawaii such as the transfer tax, capital gains tax, etc.
- Outstanding HOA dues
- Real estate attorney fees
- Seller credits (if you have offered any).
» Hawaii Seller Closing Costs Calculator: Estimate the exact cost to sell a house in Hawaii.
Sign the Escrow and Title Documents
This is the final step in the process of selling a home in Hawaii. Here, you sign the escrow and title documents needed to sell a house in Hawaii. Additionally, you sign the deed and closing disclosure. Ensure you bring two valid ID proofs at the signing.
After the close of the escrow, the new homeowner’s details are registered in the public records. You receive a wire transfer or a check for the final home sale price, and the sale is complete.
Final Word
The real estate market in Hawaii is a vibrant landscape offering both challenges and opportunities for sellers. With home prices experiencing a steady increase and a slight decline in sales volume, sellers need to be strategic in their approach.
While the median days on the market have seen a rise, this can work in favor of sellers who are patient and willing to wait for the right buyer.
Whether you’re a seller looking to capitalize on Hawaii’s unique charm or a buyer searching for your slice of paradise, understanding the dynamics of the Hawaiian real estate market is key.
Get on the MLS with a Flat Fee Realtor or a Flat Fee MLS company like Houzeo, who can guide you through the process and help you achieve your real estate goals in this beautiful island state. With Houzeo, your home will be listed for $379 within 48 hours. Read Houzeo reviews to know what home sellers across Hawaii say about Houzeo.
FAQs
1. What are typical closing costs for a seller in Hawaii?
Typically, closing costs for sellers in Hawaii are around 8% to 10% of the home sale value. Hawaii closing costs consist of real estate commissions, the title fee, owner's title insurance, recording fee, and other closing expenses. The real estate commission of around 6% forms the biggest chunk of the Hawaii closing costs. You can save thousands of dollars in the listing agent commission by selling your house by owner in Hawaii. You can work with a Hawaii Flat Fee MLS company to get listed on the MLS and manage the other aspects of the home selling journey on your own.
2. What disclosures are required when selling a house in Hawaii?
You need to furnish the following disclosure while selling a house in Hawaii:
1. Standard Property Condition Disclosure Statement
2. Lead Paint Disclosure
3. Condominium Disclosure Statement Hawaii
4. Home Owner’s Association Disclosure Statement
5. Hawaii Radon Gas Disclosure
6. Coastal Properties Disclosure Statement
7. Property Tax Disclosure
8. Seller Non-Occupancy Disclosure Hawaii
Read this guide on Hawaii real estate disclosures to know your disclosure obligations in Hawaii.
3. Do you need an attorney to sell a house in Hawaii?
It is not mandatory to hire a real estate attorney in Hawaii. However, it is highly recommended to work with an attorney to review the drafts and contracts. This will protect you from unforeseen legal problems and the expensive penalties that come along.
4. Should I sell my house in Hawaii now?
Yes, now is the perfect time to sell your house in Hawaii. As of March 2023, the median sale price in Hawaii has increased by 3.2% YoY. However, expensive financing and rising mortgage rates can turn the tables anytime, and you may have to settle for a lower sale price in the future. So, if you are ready, now is the best time to sell a home in Hawaii.
5. Can you sell a house while in probate in Hawaii?
The state laws allow home sellers to sell an inherited property in Hawaii while it is in probate. The home seller needs to provide certain documents in court. These include a petition for an order authorizing the property sale, a copy of the sales contract, a broker letter, etc. The court approves the sale of the property after verifying all the submitted documents.
6. Do you have to pay taxes when you sell your house in Hawaii?
Yes, you need to pay the federal capital gains tax, transfer tax, and property tax when selling a property in Hawaii.
7. Can you sell your house in Hawaii without a realtor?
Yes, you can sell your house without a Realtor in Hawaii. List your Hawaii home with a Flat Fee MLS company like Houzeo. Flat Fee MLS companies usually get you listed within 48 hours, or in most cases, even faster. You can manage other aspects of selling real estate in Hawaii using Houzeo tools like Houzeo Showings, Houzeo Offers, and more. With a Flat Fee MLS listing, you will sell fast and save thousands in real estate commissions. Check out our rankings for the top Flat Fee MLS companies in Hawaii.
8. What is the commission for selling a house in Hawaii?
A home seller pays 5.5% to 6% in real estate commissions when selling a house in Hawaii. This 6% commission is split equally between the listing agent and the buyer agent. Check out this detailed guide on how real estate commissions work in Hawaii.
