Kevin E. Lewis, Realtor® CFP® - Prudential Orchid Isle Properties

2007 - #1 Realty Sales Agency in East Hawaii Real Estate - NOBODY Knows the Big Island Like We Do!™

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Big Island of Hawaii Real Estate - Working as a Buyer's Agent

Kevin E. Lewis - I'm an Accredited Buyers Representative who can help as your Buyer's Agent anywhere on the Big Island of Hawaii.  I became a licensed Hawaii real estate agent in 2000 and in that time have closed just over 400 successful real estate transactions.  I've worked with investor clients, first time home buyers, retirees, and everything in between, in purchasing Hawaii homes, condos, and buildable land.  I can help you search through our Big Island MLS Multiple Listing Service which lists properties for sale in the districts of Hilo, Puna, Hamakua, Kohala, Kona and Kau.  If you have interest in Kauai, Maui or Oahu real estate, I can refer you to top quality real estate agents on those Hawaiian Islands.  Below are some tips that may be of help in your search to buy a Hawaii house or land.  I look forward to working with you and having you as both neighbor and friend!  

Aloha from the Island of Hawaii,  - Kevin   More about me: Client Recommendations

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shopping for Hawaii Real Estate

1. Shopping for Property in the Right Order:  I have found that the typical Buyer searches for property in the following order:  1) Sort through listings for a property they like.  2) See if it is in the right area.  3) Go to a lender to find out how to pay for it.  I have learned that the following order is more efficient for a serious Buyer:  1) Find out how much you can afford by getting pre-qualified for a loan.  2) Search in for the right area based on your price range and what features are important to you.  3) Search for the best real estate opportunity in the right area.

2. Searching the listings thru our MLS Multiple Listing Service:  BIG Question - Do we search for the best "Bang for the Buck" in your price range, or...  Do we search for the type of property that you really want, even if it is more money than you wanted to spend.  It will save quite a bit of time if we know this in the beginning.

          Properties can be searched by:

• Price:  What is the absolute max that you would even dare to consider?  To help determine this, I ask my clients to go to an on-island lender to get pre-qualified for a loan so that we know your financial limitations.  I have some recommended mortgage brokers and lenders listed on my Referrals page.  You can go through an off-island lender, but they may not be familiar with the peculiarities of the Big Island real estate market and the types of loans that work here.
   
• Location:  We can search for property by district (Hilo Hamakua Puna Kona Kohala Kau), by Tax Map Key area, or by specific subdivision.  Sometimes a client wants to search everywhere for the perfect house...  But if we find it in the wrong area, it just doesn't work.  Clients have asked me, "Can't you just move this house 50 miles to that other area?"  It's often better to focus on an area first, (price and distance to a town will narrow our search), and then look for the best bargains in those areas.  Mileage and Distance Chart
   
• Size of House or Land:  I can filter searches by the minimum or maximum square foot of house or land, number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, etc.
   
• Terms:  Does the property qualify for bank loan, is there a possibility of seller financing or exchange, etc.
   
• Utilities:  Is there piped water or rain water catchment, electric lines or off grid solar power, paved roads or graded roads, etc.
   
• Remarks:  I can sort for certain keywords in the listings such as "farm" "fruit trees" "privacy" "stream" "ocean view", "bank foreclosure" "piped water", etc.  However, this type of search is often limited to what the listing agent has input.

   

• "What is available for the money?"  You can get a quick idea by checking out my listings!  My Real Estate Listings.  Otherwise, you can also can search thousands of Big Island Hawaii properties for sale through our Prudential MLS link on Real Estate Hawaii .com

3. Sorting through the Opportunities:  Each morning I can search the MLS and send you personalized email showing the latest properties to come online based on your search parameters.  If there are too many listings, we will need to narrow our search.  If not enough interesting properties show up, we can increase the possibilities by adding additional price ranges or locations.  When one of the listings is of interest, please let me know so I can research additional information.

I suggest using these listings as a guide as to what is available in the price range.  Too often I have seen clients focus on one particular property that sold just before they arrived to see it.  About 75% of my e-clients end up throwing out everything they have seen online once they are here and get an idea of what is what and where things are.  However, keep track of the MLS numbers that are the most interesting so that about a week or two before you arrive, I can check to see which listings are still available.  It generally works out best when we sit down at the computer together, I can give you maps for drive-bys so you can check out the area, then we get back together to start booking appointments.

Together we work as a team to help you narrow down to what you really hope to find as your place on our wonderful Island named Hawaii.

4. Helpful Information

• Our "Buying Season" is generally January thru May.  If you are coming here during those months, please let me know as early as you can so I may schedule quality time with you.  It's true that 20% of the agents are making about 80% of the real estate sales... so it is a good sign that your agent is a little bit busy!

• What about For Sale By Owner FSBO properties?  I can work with you as your agent though a Buyers Representation Agreement, which means you have hired me to be your real estate agent.  Sometimes the Seller pays my fee, sometimes the Buyer, sometimes it is shared - it's all negotiable.  I get paid for spending the time with you to learn about the area, comparing to see if the MLS listed or FSBO property is a better value, help as your representative though the offer, escrow and loan process.

   

• How is the Realtor paid?  Realtors are commission paid sales agents.  The MLS is where member agencies post their listings, so agents here basically have access to the same inventory.  I understand that potential Buyers are also shopping for the agent which they would like to work with.  I certainly hope to be the one!  But that is my point.  I'm glad to answer quick questions for anyone.  However, at some point I need to know that you are working with me as your agent.  I get a LOT of email inquiries about Hawaii real estate and I need to be somewhat protective of my time so that I can be available to help my clients for property showings or running out to preview and take more photos of a listing.  I only get paid for my time and expense when we close on a property transaction.  Thank you for understanding!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Common Problems in Hawaii Homes   Consumer Real Estate News   Home Buying & Selling Essentials

Housing Predictor  Move Advocate Relocation Assistance  Prudential 2008 Buyers Guide of Listings  Why Use a REALTOR?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Big Island Hawaii Maps

 

Big Island Districts Map	Hilo Kona Distance Chart	Big Island Rainfall	Puna Subdivisions	Big Island Lava Zones

Kevin E. Lewis, Hilo Hawaii REALTOR® - Prudential Orchid Isle Properties  (808) 969-7863 x130

Helping clients find great real estate values all over the Big Island of Hawaii™

Mahalo for visiting my Big Island Hawaii Real Estate Website!

KEVIN E. LEWIS, HAWAII REALTOR® - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - www. HiloAgent .com