Selling Your Home

Attracting the highest possible value for your home requires proper preparation, effective marketing and an expert knowledge of local market conditions. We can help you navigate the process and ensure your experience is as positive as it is successful.

01—

Evaluating Your Home

The first step to selling your home is to evaluate the home's condition. The AHEARN TEAM OAHU can help with this! It will be important to address any cosmetic or functional problems and discuss potential upgrades or improvements that may bring additional value to your sale. Note that some problems may require disclosure to potential buyers. We will discuss the findings and available options to help ensure your home is in the best condition possible for attracting buyers.

(Please don't forget to ask us about our Compass Concierge program, which can help with certain repairs and upgrades.)

Schedule a Home Evaluation

02—

Choosing An Asking Price

There are many important factors to consider in determining a competitive list price for your home, such as location, condition, age, supply and demand, as well as Oahu's specific market conditions. The AHEARN TEAM OAHU uses its depth of experience selling all over Oahu to assist you in evaluating all these important factors.

It will also be valuable to conduct a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) of similar homes that have recently sold in your area. You may also choose to have a professional appraisal of your home conducted in advance. Understanding what the market will pay is a critical part of achieving a successful sale, and all of these factors will help guide your decision as to list price.

03—

Getting Market Ready

Preparing your home to sell can make a big difference in what a buyer is willing to pay for it. Depending on the condition of the home, there are three key considerations: maintenance and repairs, renovations and upgrades, and staging. Getting market-ready may include a variety of tasks, from reducing clutter and fixing maintenance concerns to updating paint colors and addressing landscaping needs.

It may also be advantageous to have the home professionally staged. The AHEARN TEAM OAHU does offer staging services, as well. We also have virtual staging services at our disposal. The focus of this process is to prepare your home to make a great initial impression and invite the most attractive offers possible.

04—

Listing Your Property

When your property is prepared and ready for market, the AHEARN TEAM OAHU will have professional photography taken. We may also use video and Matterport tours, which especially help with off-island buyers. Then your home will be listed on HiCentral MLS and syndicated to area brokerages and agents.

Additional internet and print advertising methods may also be used to reach the widest audience possible within the target market. The AHEARN TEAM OAHU is known for its beautiful and creative marketing materials that help to sell your home for quicker and for a higher price. Creating a personalized plan to market your home will help attract the interest of the right buyer, at the right price, at the right time.

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Showings & Open Houses

Once your home has been listed with the AHEARN TEAM OAHU, home showings will begin. It may also be advantageous to hold one or more open houses for brokers and the public. Typically, the homeowner is not present for home showings and open houses, but you will be notified in advance of any appointments. Showings can also be scheduled during specific times to avoid inconvenience. This creates an inviting and welcoming atmosphere for buyers touring the home.

The AHEARN TEAM OAHU also takes into consideration any special locally required precautions and CDC guidelines necessary due to COVID. We have innovative ways to show properties which are owner or tenant occupied, to minimize interaction and exposure, and will always provide the utmost respect and care for the health of the occupants of any of our listings.

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Receiving Offers

At some point after listing, you will receive an offer, or multiple offers, which you may accept, counter, or reject. If a counter is made, we will enter a period of negotiation until an agreement is reached by all parties, or you choose to reject the latest counter. Negotiations can involve many factors, including settling on a sale price, concessions and financing.

The AHEARN TEAM OAHU has decades of experience in successful negotiation and many happy clients! Once all parties reach an agreement, you will officially be under contract and will open escrow with the company specified in the contract.

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Disclosures, Inspections, & Appraisal

Shortly after the start of escrow, you will provide legally-required disclosures of everything about the property that materially affects its value. This may include a history or repairs and maintenance, HOA or CCR documents, a survey, building permits, and other items relating to the property. Your AHEARN TEAM OAHU Broker will help you gather many of these items together, usually in advance of listing the property, so that you are prepared to provide these items to the buyer. The buyer will review all the disclosures and information provided and decide whether they wish to move forward with the purchase.

Also around this time, the buyer will usually order professional inspections and an appraisal to evaluate the condition and value of the home. Depending on the results of these reports and the disclosures, we may enter another round of negotiations until an agreement is reached by all parties. Depending on the negotiation strategy, you may choose to complete repairs requested by the buyer or provide concessions, in order to optimize other negotiation factors. You may also refuse concessions and repairs, but the buyer, in this case, may also choose to cancel the purchase contract.

08—

Closing!

Closing day! The buyer’s lender will provide final confirmation that they are approved to close, and you will sign the closing statement, deed, and other documents required to complete the sale with escrow. This process typically takes less than an hour for a seller. Once all parties have signed, the deed and other legal documents are recorded with the Bureau of Conveyances, and your home is officially sold. Your escrow company will wire the net proceeds of the sale to your bank account, and the transaction will be complete!

What's My Home Worth?

Thinking of Selling? Fill out the form below to request a home valuation.

Staging Checklist

The Basics

Organize and declutter every room. Keep decorations to a minimum.
Empty the garage, attic & closets as much as possible to maximize the appearance of storage space.
Clean everything. Consider hiring a professional service to conduct a deep clean of the entire home.
Remove personal items and memorabilia, including family photos, trophies and collectables.
Replace dead light bulbs.
Open draperies and blinds to increase natural light.
Ensure all doors, cabinets & windows open and close properly.

Living Areas

Remove unnecessary furniture to create as much walkable area as possible.
Use lamps to increase brightness.
Thoroughly clean the fireplace and replace old screens.
Use coordinated accessories to create coherence.

The Kitchen

Clear countertops except for a few thoughtful, decorative items.
Empty cabinets and drawers and remove dishes, flatware and cookware that don't match.
Clean all appliances, including the inside of the oven, microwave and refrigerator.
Clean and organize the pantry to maximize space.
Empty trash cans and move them out of sight.
Remove coupons, magnets and photographs from the refrigerator.

Bathrooms

Scrub every surface, including hard-to-reach areas behind the sink and toilet.
Remove personal products like medicine & hygiene supplies..
Replace old shower curtains and bath mats.
Use vinegar to remove hard water stains and clean shower heads.
Use neutral-colored towels and washcloths.
Check the condition of caulk and grout and repair as needed.
Deodorize with baking soda and avoid overpowering chemicals like bleach.

Bedrooms

Remove clothing and coat hangers from closets to maximize space..
Store jewelry and other valuables in a safe location.
Depersonalize by removing unneeded decorations.
Remove video game consoles and standing electronics, especially those with exposed cords.
Replace floral prints and other feminine or masculine items with gender-neutral alternatives.

Walls, Windows & Doors

Remove personal items like family portraits.
Patch any holes and consider a fresh coat of paint where needed.
Replace missing or damaged outlet covers.
Wash windows, inside and out.
Repair or replace damaged screens.
Consider repainting bold and gender-specific colors with bright, neutral alternatives.

Exterior

Power-wash the home exterior, driveway, and porch areas.
Clean the mailbox or replace it if necessary.
Weed beds and trim back trees and shrubs. Consider fresh mulch.
Store lawn equipment and children’s toys out of site.
Replace any bulbs around the exterior of the home.

Pets

Remove pet hair from furniture and all surfaces.
Consider special cleaning products to remove pet stains.
Remove beds, toys, food bowls and other per items.
Be sure pets are not present for showings.

Pro-Tips

Consider a fresh coat of paint on older cabinets.
Use high-adhesion primer and an epoxy based paint to freshen up dated tile.
Open windows and use candles to create an inviting aroma.
Use mirrors to increase the appearance of space and brighten dark areas.
Avoid cooking odorous foods on showing days.