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5 ways to get great results from your Realtor
By Kaua‘i Board of Realtors - Special to The Garden Island
LIHU‘E — Here are five ways to get great results from your Realtor:
1. Define your goals — convey them clearly.
What do you want? A single-family home? A condominium? Vacant land? Something luxurious or quaint? Maybe you want acreage you can farm on or a small lot that requires minimal care?
Whatever your objectives, keep in mind that if they are too complex you risk confusing your Realtor. Simply state your goals and don’t forget to communicate your budget. It sets your agent off in the right direction – to find just what you’re looking for.
When you’re searching for a Realtor, look for one who takes time to listen to you. Tell them what you’re looking for and the price range that suits you. They will search the island for it. Knowing that your time is precious, Realtors want to make sure they clearly understand your goals and show you only those properties that best meet your criteria.
2. Get pre-approved for your loan.
Getting pre-qualified versus pre-approved for a loan are two different things. Pre-approval helps you understand how much home you can afford. It is a lender’s written guarantee to grant you a loan up to a specified amount. This gives you a better chance of having your offer accepted.
And, it can be critical during times when lenders are tightening their guidelines and loans seem more challenging to obtain. A pre-approval helps reassure a seller that you’ll be able to follow through with your obligation to buy.
Talk to your lender now and get a plan in place, before you start looking at properties. You’ll find it’s a great time-saver for all involved. And keep in mind; while you’re free to call on your lender of choice, using a Kauai lender helps the process flow smoothly as they understand the intricacies of real estate on the garden island.
3. Don’t be shy — tell your Realtor everything!
You know what you like. Is it a large lot for privacy or a small flower garden? Are you empty nesters or a family of five? Perhaps you want a home you can live in when you retire or one you rent out — long- or short-term. Whatever it is, a Realtor® wants to know these details.
So, don’t be shy. Tell them what you have in mind. If they ask a lot of questions, be grateful. The more you tell them, the better your chances are of finding a property that meets your parameters. After all, your Realtor’s goal is to locate a special place that fulfills your dreams.
4. Know your location — let your Realtor know what part of the island you prefer.
If you’re going to live here full-time, you may prefer to settle on the east shore close to shopping and restaurants. If you’re going to buy a vacation home, the Princeville Resort Community or Po‘ipu may be for you. Keep in mind that if location is your priority, the inventory varies from one side of the island to the other — not to mention, the pricing.
Do you enjoy living near a golf course, by the beach, or in a condo development with its own pool? Is easy access to schools a priority? Do your best to answer these questions and tell your agent. When you do, it helps them target an area that offers those amenities you prefer.
5. Call on a Realtor who is not only personable but reliable and trustworthy.
Buying property — be it a home, condo, or vacant land — may be the biggest venture you’ve ever taken on. You want to work with someone who is not only a good listener, but is reliable and trustworthy.
Your Realtor should make a good first impression. Of course, you want them to be friendly and personable, but that’s not enough. Establish a positive rapport, one where you both feel comfortable sharing opinions in an effort to reach your goals.
Working with your Realtor is a team effort — a partnership created to uncover just what you’re looking for. You want to develop a relationship that includes mutual trust and respect. And, don’t forget reliability. If you ask a question, does it get answered in a timely manner? If your Realtor doesn’t know the answer, they’ll usually do their best to get it from another source or direct you to the best possible resource.
Whether you’re looking for assistance in buying a home or selling one, remember these 5 steps when you want great results from your Realtor. Then, pick up the phone, call the professional in your neighborhood and see if they are the right one for you.
REALTOR is a copyright trademark that distinguishes an agent. That agent must maintain a high standard of conduct in the real estate profession as expressed in the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Realtors.
• Kaua‘i Board of Realtors is a real estate resource for its members and the community it serves. It is a nonprofit organization comprised of 503 Realtors and associates from the bank, mortgage and title/escrow industry. The board answers reader questions twice a month in the Business section. For more information or to submit questions about the real estate industry, mail them to: Kaua‘i Board of Realtors, Attention: Questions, 4359 Kukui Grove Street Suite #103 Lihu‘e, Hi. 96766, call 245-4049 or visit us at www.kauaiboard.com
1. Define your goals — convey them clearly.
What do you want? A single-family home? A condominium? Vacant land? Something luxurious or quaint? Maybe you want acreage you can farm on or a small lot that requires minimal care?
Whatever your objectives, keep in mind that if they are too complex you risk confusing your Realtor. Simply state your goals and don’t forget to communicate your budget. It sets your agent off in the right direction – to find just what you’re looking for.
When you’re searching for a Realtor, look for one who takes time to listen to you. Tell them what you’re looking for and the price range that suits you. They will search the island for it. Knowing that your time is precious, Realtors want to make sure they clearly understand your goals and show you only those properties that best meet your criteria.
2. Get pre-approved for your loan.
Getting pre-qualified versus pre-approved for a loan are two different things. Pre-approval helps you understand how much home you can afford. It is a lender’s written guarantee to grant you a loan up to a specified amount. This gives you a better chance of having your offer accepted.
And, it can be critical during times when lenders are tightening their guidelines and loans seem more challenging to obtain. A pre-approval helps reassure a seller that you’ll be able to follow through with your obligation to buy.
Talk to your lender now and get a plan in place, before you start looking at properties. You’ll find it’s a great time-saver for all involved. And keep in mind; while you’re free to call on your lender of choice, using a Kauai lender helps the process flow smoothly as they understand the intricacies of real estate on the garden island.
3. Don’t be shy — tell your Realtor everything!
You know what you like. Is it a large lot for privacy or a small flower garden? Are you empty nesters or a family of five? Perhaps you want a home you can live in when you retire or one you rent out — long- or short-term. Whatever it is, a Realtor® wants to know these details.
So, don’t be shy. Tell them what you have in mind. If they ask a lot of questions, be grateful. The more you tell them, the better your chances are of finding a property that meets your parameters. After all, your Realtor’s goal is to locate a special place that fulfills your dreams.
4. Know your location — let your Realtor know what part of the island you prefer.
If you’re going to live here full-time, you may prefer to settle on the east shore close to shopping and restaurants. If you’re going to buy a vacation home, the Princeville Resort Community or Po‘ipu may be for you. Keep in mind that if location is your priority, the inventory varies from one side of the island to the other — not to mention, the pricing.
Do you enjoy living near a golf course, by the beach, or in a condo development with its own pool? Is easy access to schools a priority? Do your best to answer these questions and tell your agent. When you do, it helps them target an area that offers those amenities you prefer.
5. Call on a Realtor who is not only personable but reliable and trustworthy.
Buying property — be it a home, condo, or vacant land — may be the biggest venture you’ve ever taken on. You want to work with someone who is not only a good listener, but is reliable and trustworthy.
Your Realtor should make a good first impression. Of course, you want them to be friendly and personable, but that’s not enough. Establish a positive rapport, one where you both feel comfortable sharing opinions in an effort to reach your goals.
Working with your Realtor is a team effort — a partnership created to uncover just what you’re looking for. You want to develop a relationship that includes mutual trust and respect. And, don’t forget reliability. If you ask a question, does it get answered in a timely manner? If your Realtor doesn’t know the answer, they’ll usually do their best to get it from another source or direct you to the best possible resource.
Whether you’re looking for assistance in buying a home or selling one, remember these 5 steps when you want great results from your Realtor. Then, pick up the phone, call the professional in your neighborhood and see if they are the right one for you.
REALTOR is a copyright trademark that distinguishes an agent. That agent must maintain a high standard of conduct in the real estate profession as expressed in the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Realtors.
• Kaua‘i Board of Realtors is a real estate resource for its members and the community it serves. It is a nonprofit organization comprised of 503 Realtors and associates from the bank, mortgage and title/escrow industry. The board answers reader questions twice a month in the Business section. For more information or to submit questions about the real estate industry, mail them to: Kaua‘i Board of Realtors, Attention: Questions, 4359 Kukui Grove Street Suite #103 Lihu‘e, Hi. 96766, call 245-4049 or visit us at www.kauaiboard.com
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| Kaua‘i leadership and this column | State and Local People on the Move for Sunday, March 8, 2009 |
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