Building your team to purchase real estate in Hawaii
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Buying a home is a complex transaction with many moving parts, and hopefully there are many great people to help make the process smooth.
From the first step to move-in day, having a professional and reliable team supporting your home purchase can mean the difference between a stress-free, efficient and profitable home purchase or a huge headache.
Here are ten people you need on your team when buying a home.
Real estate seller or broker
A buyer’s agent will help you through every step of the home buying process. It’s important to find an agent who suits your needs and meshes well with your goals and personality.
A buyer’s agent is needed to help you find a home, including advice on neighborhoods, schools and home prices. They will also help you protect your home. An agent should be able to negotiate to help you get the most bang for your buck; exclusive agents will analyze home values and negotiate with the seller’s agent.
They will also help with all the complex, detailed documents and contracts – from the initial purchase agreement to mortgage, title and insurance documents.
A great real estate agent will also recommend professionals in the real estate world to facilitate your transaction, such as a lender or mortgage broker, home inspector, and others. The best buyer’s agents will even attend the home inspection and discuss repair requests before giving you the keys on the final day of closing.
Mortgage Broker
Mortgage brokers work with many lenders to find the best loan program for your specific situation. They can help you through the paperwork process and even tell you about the different types of mortgages. Mortgage brokers are mortgage experts and can help you get pre-approved to close on your final mortgage.
Creditor
Unless you’re buying a house with cash, you’ll need someone to lend you the money. There are many loan programs with different interest rates and even different repayment periods and fees, so it’s important to find the best lender. Or a mortgage broker can help you find the best lender for your situation. Keep in mind that a local lender knows Hawaii’s unique market best.
Accountant
These “numbers people” will help you structure your finances so you can make smart financial decisions. Tax deductions, paperwork, interest rates—an accountant can crunch those numbers and offer home buying advice.
Termite inspector
Termites swarming through the air in Hawaii are not uncommon. They can cause damage to homes, which is why most lenders in Hawaii require a copy of a satisfactory termite inspection report (TIR) before issuing a loan.
Termite inspection is usually paid for by the seller, but the buyer can usually choose their preferred inspector. The inspection takes place in the final weeks before the sale closes, when the inspector lights all the wood inside and outside the home. Termites are quite common in the Hawaiian Islands, but identifying and preventing termite infestations can save you a lot of money and preserve your home.
Home Inspector
Once your offer has been accepted, you have an inspection period to go through every nook and cranny to ensure the home is in the top-notch condition you expected. Although an inspection is often optional, hiring a home inspector can save you a lot of money in the long run. They inspected the grounds, structure, roof, exterior, windows, doors, trim, interior, kitchen, bathrooms, plumbing, electrical systems and more. An inspector can show you the exact problems with your home, helping to advise you on your next steps toward buying a home.
Advocate
A residential real estate lawyer can help clear up legal issues, document errors, and unscrupulous sellers. However, a direct real estate transaction with a qualified real estate agent may not require an attorney.
Insurance agent
A local independent insurance agent can give you the cost of insuring your Hawaii home. Neighborhood, zoning, home size and other factors can affect your home insurance premium. They may also offer you additional coverage beyond the required basic homeowner’s insurance.
Escrow agent
Although the escrow agent or officer is not actually part of your team, since they are a third party, you will work closely with them during the closing process. The escrow officer manages money between the buyer, seller and lender and ensures paperwork is completed and title verified.
Bonus: your family
The support of your family and friends is important in life, especially when buying a home. Perhaps your purchase is due to a growing family. Or maybe you’re buying a home from a family member or partner. Whatever the reason you’re buying a home, it’s important to have people around you who support you socially and emotionally.
Surround yourself with educated and experienced professionals during the home buying process. With a dedicated team, you can confidently navigate the complex web of buying a home in Hawaii.
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