I have specialized in representing Maui buyers for the last several years. I enjoy matching buyer profiles to the variety of Maui listings available. Most of my transactions involve wealthy baby boomers seeking a new home or vacation property. This experience combined with $15,000,000.00 in my own Maui real estate transactions and development makes me a knowledgeable and experienced player in the Maui real estate market. Furthermore, I was a practicing attorney for 15 years representing over 4000 clients. My legal skills in negotiating multimillion dollar contracts will make me a valuable asset to all my clients.

This experience, combined with a logical marketing plan, will set me apart from most Maui real estate agents. Of course, there are a handful of qualified well respected Maui agents, but the percentage of listing commission taken from the seller is unacceptable in today’s market after the property values in recent years have soared to new highs.

I have invested in a quality website with high internet exposure as well as networking with top agents on Maui. The biggest myth is your property will sell by paying for expensive print advertising such as magazine ads and mailers, or, hosting frequent open houses while having strangers wander through your home. The general rule is this does not sell homes. Print advertising merely gives a real estate agent exposure to cultivate further listings by gaining so called credibility on expensive advertising that is coming from the sellers pocket in the form of higher listings fees. Print advertising is essentially ineffective as over 90% of buyers find a real estate agent on the internet who in turn assists them in locating the property fitting the buyer’s profile. Open houses are another myth as a method of selling property. In reality, open houses are merely a way for agents to “fish” for new clients at the expense of displacing the seller.

How do I know this, because I have specialized in representing buyers for years. The most important part of the commission paid is that paid to the buyer’s agent because without the buyer’s agent, there is no buyer, and your property is not sold. In reality, the buyer’s agent is motivated by money, the commission. Therefore, the most important part of listing a property is not print advertising, mailers or open houses, but it is having the property listed on the multiple listing service (MLS) and having your listing agent network with buyer’s agents as well as there own data base.

Over the years, I have represented many buyers and I was always amazed when I saw a listing agent offer a substandard buyer’s agent commission. To be successful in finding a buyer, a fair and customary buyers agent commission must be offered. When a low ball commission is offering, there is a natural tendency to not want to promote that property as it associates a negative stigma to the property whether conscious or subconscious by the most important marketing tool to get the property sold, the buyer’s agent! This is not the place to cut expenses when you want to get you property sold.

One of the biggest mistakes sellers make is to engage a flat rate rate fee with ala cart services, or even worse, “for sale by owner“, commonly called FSBO. A FSBO eventually figures out that property is not commonly sold by posting open house signs or classified ads. Most buyers do not want to deal with an unsophisticated seller who are not trained in the rules of a real estate transaction. A FSBO is a “walking lawsuit” just waiting to happen.

The flat rate fee gets the listing in the MLS, but the seller usually fields all calls and anything other than the listing comes ala cart and each service is charged. This is a business plan that lacks commitment thereby wasting valuable selling time on the market loosing potential buyers and money. After specializing in representing buyers for years, there was nothing more frustrating than dealing with a seller who was “sailing uncharted waters“ and not experienced in selling property usually making inappropriate or illegal comments. Again, it is a turn off to the buyer’s agent, the very person you want to be excited to sell your property. As a serious investor who has made millions in real estate, I cannot fathom ever utilizing such services. My years of practicing law has made me acutely aware of the importance of perception as well as the legal liabilities that may arise when not engaging a professional and a solid strategic plan.

Agent networking, client databases and internet presence are very important listing strategies. However, the value of a listing agent comes to the forefront when it is time to negotiate a price and negotiate an iron clad contract that keeps the buyer interested, but also protects the seller’s investment in a very important and costly financial transaction. This is where sellers can get into trouble and must require the competent advice and guidance of an experienced and well educated real estate consultant.

1. E-mail a Comparative Market Analysis.

2. Honest recommendations to prepare your property for sale.

3. Assist and recommend listing price and terms.

4. E-mail preview of a sample Purchase Contract so you are familiar with the terms before engaging in negotiations. This allows you time to think about the terms without the pressure of deadlines in fast moving contract negotiations.

5. Post maximum of 30 pictures of the property for sale on the MLS with a detailed description of the property.

6. Post the property for sale on Realtor.Com the largest national internet listing source for buyers and agents.

7. Agent web presence on all major internet search engines such as Google, Yahoo, MSN and AOL .

8. Posting your property on the new listing “Hot Sheet” available for every agent to preview.

9. E-mail and network your property among other real estate agents in Hawaii and mainland.

10. Host at least one broker open to gain exposure among local agents.

11. Optional hosting of one open house per month for a minimum of 2 hours per Seller request.

12. Assist in arranging any desired advertising such as classifieds, magazine ads, radio, television but paid for by the seller. The agent will have the discretion to approve the content of the ad since there are strict guidelines the licensing board requires of the agent.

13. Represent the seller in scheduling and competently showing and promoting the positive attributes of the property.

14. Provide advice and recommendations regarding any offers presented as well as negotiate price and terms of the Purchase Contract and Counter Offers with the buyers agent. Seller pays all out of pocket costs.

15. Upon acceptance of a Purchase Contract, agent will open escrow and coordinate and advise as to all details negotiated in the contract such as but not limited to: collection of the deposits, provide furnishing inventory when applicable, removing all contractual buyer contingencies per the contract, contacting the buyer’s lender regarding status of buyers loan in an effort to maintain a timely closing, review and advise regarding the preliminary title report, assist seller in completing the disclosure statement, accompany buyers property inspector, assist seller in perfecting agreed to repairs if applicable, accompany termite inspector, assist seller in perfecting agreed to termite eradication and repairs if applicable, assist buyer in presenting rental information if applicable, assist in acquisition of home owner and subdivision documentation per the contract, assist in meeting any special terms agreed to in the contract, accompany buyer in the final walk through.

I PROMISE to make your property presentable with honest straight forward advice. To market the property aggressively, negotiate the best deal and most secure contract possible thereby bringing the transaction to a smooth and successful closing.