Your home is probably the biggest purchase your family will ever make, and it involves many decisions that go beyond simply choosing one you like. Here is how we will guide you through the entire process, from viewing homes and financing, to making sure the final contract is in your best interest:

There is no charge or obligation for our Buyer's Services. The Seller pays for our services, and the Seller is contracted to pay the same amount to their Listing Broker whether you use us or do not use us. So our services are free to you and the Seller does not pay anything additional.

We have a very detailed explanation of the Purchase Contract online that you can take your time to review to make sure you understand it completely. Each paragraph has our notes on what it means in plain English plus we send a link to a document we wrote up that details the contingencies that let you cancel the contract without a penalty. This information is extremely important and having it in writing ahead of time gives you the time you need to really understand the contract before you sign it. Most agents choose to give this information to you verbally but it does not give you the same amount of time to process it and it is not nearly as in depth as the information we provide in writing.

What is the true market value of the home you are interested in? Is it priced too high? Is it a bargain that you should jump on? We provide you with detailed information on previous sales and what is currently available. We show you how to analyze this information and the market trends to make sure you get the best value for your money. See tips on analyzing the comparables.

Every Buyer needs representation. If you use the Seller's agent to put the contract together and suggest prices, are they really going to be looking out for your best interest and working to get you the best price? Use our free services to make sure you get the best price and a contract that has favorable terms for you.

Negotiating with sellers can be stressful. We will help you negotiate, so that the final contract includes your best possible terms and conditions.

You should know absolutely everything about the property you are buying! We will view every home that you are interested in, together. And prior to closing we will make you fully aware of any and all inspections available to you.

Have confidence when signing documents. Contracts are full of complicated terms and clauses that can greatly affect your future life in your new home. We will give you the full benefit of our real estate knowledge and experience.

Our team has seen thousands of properties, so they can help you find the right Single Family Home or Condo. They understand the different neighborhoods around the Island and can give you the pros and cons for each area. This market knowledge can be invaluable when trying to find the right home and the right neighborhood to live in.

Our Website is a big advantage to Buyers. Market knowledge is one of the most important factors for finding the right property for you. Our Website gives you this market knowledge.

Please call or email us for help.

Could you detail the home buying process?

Step 1 - Use our Website to really understand the market and start focusing in on some homes and areas that you like.

Step 2 - Talk to a lender to verify you are comfortable with the monthly payments on the loan and to understand the price range you should be looking at. You will also get Pre-Qualified or Pre-Approved through the lender and a Pre-Qualified or Pre-Approval Letter (see the difference) will be needed when submitting an offer. Note that you are not locked in to using this lender because once the offer is accepted we recommend you still shop for the best rate.

Step 3 - We show you the properties that you have found that interest you the most.

Step 4 - Once you find the property you want to make an offer on we discuss the comparables and what to offer. We also discuss some of the offer terms and then we write up an offer and Email it to you. Please see our bullet point above on the detailed written explanation we provide with all offers.

Step 5 - The offer normally goes through a negotiation process on both price and terms. Sometimes it is accepted without negotiation. After any negotiation hopefully an agreement on price and terms is reached and the offer is accepted by the seller.

Step 6 - Once the offer is accepted we open escrow, an inspection is done of the property, and we start going through all the steps of escrow. A written timeline will be provided by escrow showing you what escrow steps need to be done by what date.

Step 7 - As escrow winds to a close you will sign all the escrow documents and lender documents and then 2 to 3 days later the property is yours. Congratulations!

Will getting my credit checked reduce my credit score?

Usually several inquiries are okay, but more than that may affect the amount of loan you qualify for.

Scores bands are typically set at

• >720 = excellent credit
• 680 – 720 good credit
• 640 – 679 okay credit
• 600 – 639 non-prime credit
• 560 – 599 sub-prime credit
• 500 – 559 B/C credit
• < 500 = very hard money

If your middle score is near the bottom of a score band, say 682, then pulling additional reports would be more risky than someone whose score was 755.

What is the difference between a Pre-Approval vs. a Pre-Qualification, and do I need one?

Yes, you should have one when submitting an offer because it will help to get your offer accepted by showing the Seller you are a serious buyer and that you can afford their property. It is also good to get at least a Pre-Qualification early on to make sure you are shopping for homes in a price range that is comfortable for you.

A Pre-Approval is definitely better because a lender will check your credit and verify other information where there is no verification done for a Pre-Qualification. Because Pre-Approvals have verified your information they make a much stronger impression on a Seller.

Will a VA Loan change my chances of having my offer accepted?

Not if you submit the offer correctly and let the Seller know that they will incur no additional expenses from a VA Loan. If you don't do this when you submit the offer the Seller might feel there could be additional expenses with the VA Loan and this could cause them to take a different view point of about your offer.

What programs are available for First Time Home Buyers?

There are various programs available to give first time home Buyers a special rate. Some are offers from Credit Unions or banks here in Hawaii, and the state also has some programs you can participate in.