O‘ahu Home Selling Guide
With Jessica Brenhaug
REALTOR® | GRI
It’s more than a move. It’s your story, and I’m here to guide it.
Download the Seller’s Guide (PDF)
🧭 Let’s Start with a Plan
Selling a home is more than a task to check off. It’s a decision that impacts your finances, your future, and sometimes your day-to-day life. Whether you’re making a planned move or responding to life’s changes, selling your home should feel manageable, even if the circumstances feel anything but simple.
This guide was created to give you the tools and insight you need to move forward with clarity. It covers everything from how Hawai‘i’s escrow process works to how buyers think, how showings are scheduled, and what to expect at each step. No fluff. No pressure. Just real information designed to make selling feel less intimidating.
Maybe you’re just starting to think about selling. Maybe you’ve already moved and want to get the home listed quickly. Either way, it’s never too early to start asking questions and gathering the pieces you need to make smart, confident decisions. My job is to help you create a path that’s organized, focused, and customized for your needs.
This isn’t just a sale. It’s your next chapter. Let’s make sure you feel good about how we get there.
🌴 What’s Different About Selling in Hawai‘i
Selling a home in Hawai‘i isn’t exactly the same as selling on the mainland. Here, most sales go through escrow, which means there’s no formal “closing day” at a table. Once documents are signed and the buyer’s loan is approved, the sale is finalized when it’s recorded at the Bureau of Conveyances.
Recording typically takes two to three business days. I’ll keep you informed so you know exactly what’s happening and when.
Other unique factors include leasehold ownership, sea level rise disclosures, and a high number of buyers using VA or FHA financing. If your home is part of a condo or townhome community, we’ll also need to provide association documents. I’ll help you navigate these requirements so you feel clear and prepared.
Selling in Hawai‘i doesn’t need to feel complicated. It just requires someone who knows how to guide you through it.
🎯 Goals First, Then Strategy
We’ll start by talking through your goals. What’s important to you — timing, net proceeds, a stress-free experience? Are you coordinating a move? Managing a rental? Selling from out of state? The more I understand, the better I can tailor our strategy.
We’ll map out your ideal timeline, prep plan, and pricing approach. Whether you want to move quickly or take your time, I’ll help you see what’s possible in the current market and provide a roadmap that fits your life.
This isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. We’ll create a thoughtful plan that helps you feel confident and in control every step of the way.
🧹 Preparing the Home to Sell
Buyers make decisions fast. That’s why first impressions matter. But preparing your home to sell doesn’t have to mean a full remodel. Most of the time, a little editing, cleaning, and light repair work makes the biggest difference.
We’ll walk through the space together and decide what’s worth doing and what’s not. I’ll give you honest, practical suggestions based on what buyers are currently looking for.
If you’re still living in the home, I’ll provide tips and a showing checklist that keeps things manageable. If the home is vacant, we can explore simple staging to help buyers picture themselves in the space.
If you need help getting the work done, I can connect you with reliable local vendors for cleaning, painting, landscaping, and more.
💸 Pricing and Positioning the Home
Pricing is one of the most strategic parts of selling. It’s not just about picking a number. It’s about understanding buyer psychology, current market trends, and how your home compares to others.
I’ll create a detailed market analysis that looks at recent sales, current competition, and how long similar homes are staying on the market. From there, we’ll decide whether we want to price for maximum exposure, multiple offers, or a more targeted buyer.
The right pricing strategy creates interest, momentum, and negotiating power. I’ll help you avoid the common pricing traps that can lead to lowball offers or a stale listing.
📸 Listing, Marketing and Showing
Once your home is ready, I’ll launch a marketing plan that gets the right buyers through the door. We’ll use professional photography, a compelling listing description, and placement on the MLS and all major home search sites.
If it makes sense for your property, we can add drone photography, video, or a custom property website. I’ll also share your home with my network of agents and potential buyers — especially helpful for generating interest before showings begin.
Because many buyers are off island, I’ll tailor the marketing to appeal to both local and remote audiences. That means clean visuals, helpful details, and easy access to information that helps them picture living there.
Showings will be scheduled with your convenience in mind. I’ll coordinate the logistics, collect feedback, and keep you informed of interest and activity.
📬 Offers, Negotiation, and Escrow
When an offer comes in, I’ll help you review not just the price, but the full terms: financing, timeline, contingencies, and any conditions that could affect the outcome. If there’s more than one offer, I’ll help you weigh the options and negotiate with confidence.
Once you’ve accepted, we open escrow. The buyer typically does their inspection and appraisal during this time, and you’ll provide any required disclosures. I’ll track the entire timeline so that you never miss a deadline or have to guess what’s next.
If the buyer requests repairs or credits, I’ll walk you through your options and help you decide what makes sense.
🗝️ Final Walk-Through & Closing
As we near the end of escrow, the buyer will schedule a final walk-through to confirm that the home is in the agreed-upon condition. You’ll sign your closing documents, and once the buyer signs theirs and the loan is funded, we wait for the sale to record.
Recording with the Bureau of Conveyances usually takes three business days. I’ll let you know as soon as it’s official, and that’s when you can celebrate the close.
🤝 My Promise to You
This is more than a transaction. It’s a big move, one that deserves real care, steady communication, and thoughtful strategy. I’ll show up consistently, communicate clearly, and make sure your goals guide every step. You’ll never be left guessing, and you’ll always know what’s happening and why it matters.
My promise is to treat this sale with the same respect I’d want for my own home. You bring the vision, I’ll bring the plan. Most of my clients say, “Thanks Jess, that was really easy.” That’s not just my goal, it’s my standard.
❓ Questions About Selling a Home on O‘ahu?
If you’re thinking about selling, whether it’s soon or someday, I’d love to hear about your goals. We can schedule a no-pressure consult to talk through your vision and build a plan together.
📱 Call or Text: (808) 391-4202
✉️ Email: jessica.brenhaug@cbrealty.com
🔗 Website: jessicabrenhaug808.com
✅ 7 Steps to Selling Your Home on O‘ahu
A quick look at what happens from listing to recording, and how I help you every step of the way.
- Set Goals & Make a Plan: We start with a no-pressure conversation about your timeline, priorities, and big-picture goals. Whether you’re ready to sell now or just exploring your options, I’ll help you get clear on what matters most and what steps come next.
- Prepare Your Home for the Market: We’ll walk through your home together and decide what needs attention, from simple fixes to thoughtful touch-ups. You’ll get a custom prep plan and trusted vendor referrals to help your home look its best without going overboard.
- Price with Purpose: Using local market data and a deep understanding of buyer behavior, we’ll set a price that attracts attention while protecting your bottom line. Smart pricing leads to strong offers, and I’ll help you avoid the pitfalls of over- or underpricing.
- Launch & Market Your Listing: With professional photos, a compelling description, and strategic promotion online and off, your listing will be positioned to reach both local and off-island buyers. I’ll manage the details so you get qualified showings and real interest.
- Review Offers & Negotiate Confidently: When offers come in, I’ll walk you through the terms, conditions, and fine print so you feel prepared to respond. If we need to counter, negotiate, or accept, I’ll help you make the choice that best fits your goals.
- Navigate Escrow with Ease: Once in escrow, I’ll track every deadline, help manage inspections and repairs, and keep everything moving. I’ll stay in contact with escrow officers, lenders, and the buyer’s agent to make sure nothing falls through the cracks.
- Sign, Record & Celebrate: After your documents are signed and the sale records with the Bureau of Conveyances, your home is officially sold. You’ll get your proceeds, the buyer gets their keys, and we celebrate the close of one chapter, and the start of your next.
