What to Expect During the Selling Process in Hawaii

So You’re Selling a Home or Condo in Hawaii? Here’s the Real Deal.

Selling a place in Hawaii isn’t like selling in Kansas—or anywhere else on the mainland, really. We’ve got ocean breezes, tropical termites, escrow delays, and the occasional rooster crowing during your open house. But don't worry—I’ve got you covered.

Here’s what to expect from start to finish (minus the mai tais, unless you're celebrating after the sale—then I’m in).

Step 1: Get a Local Pro (Yes, That Means Me)

Before you start Googling “how to sell my house in Hawaii,” do yourself a favor—team up with someone who actually knows the ropes. The Hawaii real estate market is not the place for guesswork. You want a pro who knows how to price, market, and negotiate on this rock.

✅ Related: Should You Sell Your Maui Home in 2025?

Step 2: Make That House Shine

Look, I know it’s Maui and everything looks good with a little sunset filter—but buyers are picky. So clean up, declutter, mow that jungle you call a front yard, and patch the screen door your dog busted through last year.

Here’s what really works:

• Staging (yes, people do care what the couch looks like)

• Minor repairs (like fixing that doorknob that only works if you whisper sweet nothings to it)

• Killer photography and drone shots

✅ Related: How to Price Your Maui Home to Sell Quickly Without Underselling

Step 3: Price It Right or Pay the Price

You don’t want your home to be that listing—you know, the one that's been on the market so long buyers think it’s haunted. Price it right from the start. We’ll pull comps, read the room, and set a number that gets eyeballs (and offers).

✅ Related: June 2025 Maui Real Estate Market Update

Step 4: Market the Heck Out of It

This ain’t 1997. We’re not putting a flyer in the Foodland bulletin board and calling it good. We go all in:

• Professional photos + video

• Social media ads that actually work

• Syndication to Zillow, Realtor.com, etc.

• Email blasts, open houses, even a shout-out to my auntie’s hula group if it’ll help

Step 5: Showtime!

Buyers in Hawaii roll in fast—especially during whale season when half of California is on vacation here. Keep your place clean and ready for showings, and try not to panic if I call you last-minute because a buyer wants to see it in 15 minutes. That’s normal here.

Step 6: Offers & Negotiation Time

We get offers. We go over them. We play a little real estate chess. It’s not just about price—timing, contingencies, and who's paying for the termite inspection all come into play.

And yes, I’ll tell you when something stinks.

Step 7: Escrow = Hurry Up and Wait

Once we’re under contract, we enter the magical land of escrow, where everything should move quickly… and sometimes doesn’t. Welcome to island time, baby.

Here’s what to expect:

• Home inspection (don’t worry, I’ll help prep)

• Appraisal (if financing)

• Title check

• Buyer review of condo docs or property disclosures

• And lots of emails with the word “timeline” in them

✅ Related: Cost Segregation Explained: A Real Estate Investor's Tax Strategy

Step 8: Closing (Cue the Fireworks!)

You’ll sign paperwork (often via mobile notary), the buyer signs, money moves, and then we wait for recording. It’s Hawaii, so this part might take a day or two longer than you’d expect—especially on neighbor islands. But once it’s recorded with the Bureau of Conveyances, it’s officially pau.

FAQs Sellers Ask Me All the Time

Q: Can I sell remotely?
A: Yep. You don’t have to be on-island. I’ll handle everything—unless you want me to water your plants. Then we need to talk.

Q: Will I owe capital gains tax?
A: Maybe. Let’s loop in your CPA—he's probably better at math than me anyway.

Q: What’s HARPTA/FIRPTA and why does it sound scary?
A: It’s a tax withholding for non-residents. Not fun, but manageable. Escrow will walk you through it.

Let’s Do This the Right Way

If you're thinking about selling your Maui home or Hawaii property, don’t guess your way through it. I’ve helped sellers just like you navigate this whole process—from Kahului condos to Kaanapali estates. Let’s make this smooth, profitable, and maybe even a little fun.

📲 Call/Text Todd Hudson at 808-344-3584
📩 Email: Todd@the808team.com
🌐 Visit: The808Team.com