Princeville is a premium destination for Hawaiian homeowners and investors. This northernmost community of Kauai County includes a verdant stretch of hills surrounded by a gorgeous stretch of coastline and sunny weather. With just over 2,000 residents, Princeville’s housing is an attractive but scarce commodity. If you’re interested in selling a home in Princeville, consider the following points as you plan your successful home sale.
Preparing your home to sell
Selling a home in Princeville begins with some essential preparatory steps.
Interview real estate agents
When you meet with a realtor, ask a few basic questions about their past experience and level of familiarity with the market in which you’re interested. Also, look for a realtor who works with the type of properties that you want to buy or sell. Find out what services the agent does and does not offer and what kind of fees are involved.
Determine your home’s value
You can use an online home valuation tool to determine your home’s value. However, your home will also undergo an appraisal for a more definitive professional opinion.
Upgrades to improve your home’s value
You may not be eager to invest in the value of your home right before you sell it, but this can be a lucrative move in some cases. Depending on market conditions and the condition of your home, targeted upgrades could significantly improve your sale price and reduce the amount of time your home spends on the market. However, you should definitely consult with your realtor prior to initiating any major upgrades. Often simple improvements such as fresh paint will go a long way.
Good and bad times to sell
Some homeowners like to watch the market in hopes of catching an ideal time to sell. However, unless you are looking to liquidate at the bottom of a major market downturn, there really is no bad time to sell. If you’re confident that you can get the kind of value you’re looking for out of your home sale after speaking with your realtor, then now is a good time for you to sell.
Staging your home and taking photos
Staging a home consists of arranging furnishings in an aesthetically pleasing way that will help the buyer imagine the possibilities of living in your home. Using a professional photographer for listing photos is standard practice, and many homeowners also get professional help with staging. If you prefer to handle staging yourself, there are plenty of great resources online to inspire you.
Selling your home
Once you’ve secured the services of a qualified realtor, you are ready to sell your home.
Listing on the MLS
When you hire a realtor to list your home, the listing will go into the multiple listing service (MLS). This facilitates the sharing of home listings among agents so buyers can find your home more easily.
Open houses and virtual tours
Realtors use a variety of strategies to sell homes, whether a traditional open house or a cutting-edge virtual tour. As long as your realtor has a clear plan for how to market and sell your home, you can trust their professional guidance when showing your home.
Cash vs. traditional offers
Your home’s buyer will either offer you cash or seek approval for a mortgage. Either way, you will be paid in full once the home sale closes.
Appraisal
Getting an appraisal by a home inspector is a normal part of the home valuation process. This helps to formally determine the value of your home as a reference point for the sale and the buyer’s mortgage.
Escrow
In many real estate transactions, a buyer will place funds into escrow, meaning that they are entrusted to a third party who disperses the funds according to certain conditions. This helps to ensure honesty and transparency in the sale process.
Closing costs
Closing costs represent a significant expense in the home-selling process. These costs may be negotiated as part of the home sale contract.
Frequently asked questions about selling your Princeville home
Here are some commonly asked questions about selling a home in Princeville.
How long does it take to sell a home in Princeville?
Your house could sell on the first day it hits the market, or the process could take several months. Stage your home with care and work with an experienced Princeville realtor for a faster home sale.
How can I get the most money for my Princeville home?
Make sure your home is free from the need for major repairs or upgrades, and then invest in to-tier staging for your home.
Is it a good time to sell my Princeville home?
Yes, as long as it’s a good time for you personally. Timing the market to sell at the peak of rising home prices is nearly impossible, so it is wiser to sell your home when the time is right for you.
Is staging my home worth it?
Yes, home staging is well worth it, and there is research to demonstrate this.
Can I sell my Princeville home without a realtor?
You can sell your home without a realtor, but this is not advisable. A realtor is more than a middleman who profits from your sale. Realtors add value by helping you get the best offer and ensuring the process is done efficiently and according to law.
What if my home isn’t paid off yet?
You can still sell your home even if you owe money on it, as money from the sale will be applied to the remaining balance. Talk to your loan officer or realtor for more information.
What do I do if my home listing expires?
When your home listing expires, you can list again.
Learn more from a Princeville realtor
If you’re ready to learn more about selling a home in Princeville, or you’re ready to jump in and get started, get in touch with Ilona Coffey. Ilona is a Hawaii real estate professional specializing in luxury properties throughout Kauai County. You can check out her portfolio of featured properties to see the kind of homes that Ilona regularly sells for her numerous satisfied clients. Put Ilona Coffey’s nearly two decades of experience selling Kauai homes to work for you as you start the process of selling your Princeville home.
