Honolulu Real Estate: The Coconut Wireless

A showing is an opportunity for a buyer to determine if a home is right for them. Each of the different types of showing plays a valid and necessary role in marketing the home. Some buyers may start by looking at homes online, which can lead them to drive by the home to see if it still meets their interest before they schedule a showing. Online showing : This is when a buyer looks at a home's listing online, including photos, videos, and a description. This can be a great way for buyers to get a general overview of a home and see if it is worth scheduling a showing. Drive-by showing : This is when a buyer drives by a home to see it in person. This can be a good way for buyers to get a feel for the neighborhood and the surrounding area. It can also be helpful for buyers to see the home's size and layout from the outside. In-person showing : This is when a buyer schedules a time to visit the home with a real estate agent. This is the best way for buyers to get a tru

Homeowners who are facing financial difficulty are often targeted by mortgage relief scams. These scams can be very convincing, and homeowners may be desperate for help, making them vulnerable to these schemes. Scammers often pose as government officials or mortgage experts, and they may promise homeowners that they can help them avoid foreclosure or modify their mortgage loan. However, these promises are often false, and homeowners who fall victim to these scams may lose their homes and their money. If you are facing financial difficulty and you are considering a mortgage relief program, it is important to do your research and be very careful. Here are some tips to help you avoid becoming a victim of a mortgage relief scam: Only work with a HUD-approved housing counselor. You can find a housing counselor by calling 1-888-995-HOPE (4673). Be wary of anyone who promises to help you avoid foreclosure or modify your mortgage loan for a fee. It is illegal for anyone other tha

Buying or selling a home is a big adventure; some thrill seekers may choose to take on both tasks at the same time. If you're finding yourself in the position of needing to buy and sell at the same time, here are some tips to help you navigate the possibly challenging course ahead of you. Evaluate Your Local Market For most buyers and sellers, selling their current home before putting an offer on another property is their best real estate option. But for others, it really depends on the local real estate market. If you're thinking of selling and buying at the same time, research the market in your target area. This can help you gauge whether it's a buyer or seller market. If many properties are available, it might be a good time to list. If inventory is low, you may need to wait until the market picks up again. The general rule of thumb is to sell first in a buyer's market and buy first in a seller's market; but this isn't always the case since eve

With new mortgage rates approaching 8%, many buyers have decided to wait for rates to come down.   While there may be some easing in the fourth quarter of 2023 and 2024, assuming an existing FHA mortgage with a lower rate made in the last three or four years might be a much better alternative. Since December 1, 1986, FHA has had the right to approve the purchaser of an existing FHA loan.   Prior to that, anyone, regardless of credit worthiness or other qualifications, could assume an existing FHA loan.   Existing FHA mortgages are assumable at the current interest rate for owner-occupied buyers.   The benefit is that the rate could be much lower than a new current mortgage.   The borrower must qualify for the loan under current FHA underwriting guidelines, but it will be easier because the payment will be lower due to a lower assumable mortgage rate. The buyer's closing costs on an assumption are less than a new FHA loan because an appraisal and survey are not requir