Kailua-Kona is a beautiful place to live and a destination for vacationers, and it’s also home to many Keauhou Estates homes for sale. The current market is a seller’s market, where the median home price in North Kona is $1,700,000—which is up 30.09%. A seller’s market means there are more buyers looking to buy from a small inventory of homes. Buyers from all over the world are snatching up all the available real estate on the "Big Island" of Hawaii as quickly as they can before prices—and mortgage rates—climb. Keauhou is an ideal locale for buyers in search of an island paradise.
Here are some points to consider before selling your Hawaii beachfront property.
What are the current market trends?
The area is experiencing a strong seller’s market, with median housing prices higher than last year by about 30%. Average home sales range from $800,000-$1,000,000, while properties in the area barely stay on the market—most sell within two to five days!
Why staging is important
Back then, presenting a home for sale was simple. Homeowners would vacuum, paint, and deep clean their homes for sales photos, which was the extent of prepping a home for sale. In these days of 24/7 social media, there’s more that typically needs to go into it. The act of staging a home is crucial, no matter if homes are modest or grand enough for the global elite. Here are a few ways to optimize your home’s staging:
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Up the curb appeal: Landscape your lawn and garden, repair broken gutters, cracked curbs, and driveways, and make sure your house number is visible. The first thing buyers see is the outside of your home, and it doesn't matter how expensive the property is or how many upgrades you've installed. Buyers will almost always "judge the book by its cover."
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Declutter: This doesn’t just mean picking up extra magazines in the den and putting the laundry away. Remove as many personal/identifying items as possible so potential buyers can see the space as neutral and a place they could see themselves as living in.
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Highlight home office space: With the global rise in remote work and school, families need dedicated workspaces, not just a multi-purpose dining table. If you have an extra room, closet, or even a cubby under the stairs, you can dedicate that area as a workspace. Make sure there's adequate lighting and electrical outlets for charging cables and electronics.
Must-do upgrades for the highest ROI
Before you run off to the local hardware store with a massive list of DIY supplies to bring back to Keauhou Estates, consider this: the two most important rooms in a home from a buyer’s perspective are the kitchen and bathrooms. Even if you feel your home is spotless, consider hiring a professional cleaning service to give the bathrooms and kitchen a deep clean. Replace outdated, peeling, rusty hardware and chipped sinks. Remove—don’t just replace—carpets. The only floor coverings in a bathroom and kitchen should be a single bathmat and narrow comfort footpad, respectively.
As for the kitchen, it’s such a personal space that you need to make it as warm but neutral as possible. Modern homebuyers might hate your take on a farmer’s kitchen or a trendy, sleek, all-white version that looks sanitized and cold. Go for a balance between modern and homey, and you'll likely attract even the most demanding buyer. Take a look at Chef Alex Guarnaschelli’s modern, functional kitchen with generous counter space. Another option is sleek but warm, such as Prue Leith’s retro kitchen that pops with vibrant color in an uncluttered, airy space. If you don’t want to upgrade the whole kitchen, you could do a mini upgrade by replacing outdated appliances with modern versions in stainless steel, enamel, or updated versions of old favorites.
The importance of partnering with a good real estate professional
As easy as it looks to buy and sell homes, and as tempted as you might be to do a “For Sale by Owner” (FSBO) and save on a real estate professional’s commission, think long and hard before making that decision. These professionals, in general, truly earn their fees because they not only represent you but they handle all the details involved in buying and selling homes. They work to stage your home, take photographs, post the listing online, network, market, negotiate, clarify any contracts and legal jargon, and help you understand the entire transaction process. In effect, they are realtors and visionaries all rolled into one. Compared to hiring these professionals as individual consultants, a Realtor's commission is a bargain.
What comes next?
The most crucial point to consider before you sell your home amongst Keauhou Estates for sale is this: if your property sells quickly, where will you live? As exciting a proposition as this sounds, it's a genuine concern. Before listing your home for sale, establish your game plan. Will you rent an apartment condo or house, stay with family or friends, or stay in an extended-stay hotel? It's a great problem to have.
Local Realtors like Sharon Brown are experts in Keauhou Estates for sale and will gladly walk you through the beginning, middle, and end of your home selling journey. Reach out today for assistance!
Local Realtors like Sharon Brown are experts in Keauhou Estates for sale and will gladly walk you through the beginning, middle, and end of your home selling journey. Reach out today for assistance!
