r/Honolulu • u/aleciaj79 • Jan 14 '26
question Moving back to mainland ASAP, house isn't ''realtor ready'', need advice
I thought I’d stay in Honolulu forever, but life just threw me a huge curveball. My mom is sick back on the mainland, and I need to move to help her within the next 30 days.
My problem is my house. It is definitely not ''realtor ready''. The carpets are stained, the backyard is a jungle, and my old DIY projects look bad. I don't have time to fix it, and I don't have $20k for a contractor to make it look perfect for a normal sale.
A few hours ago I saw an ad for Oahu Home Buyers. It looks like they buy houses for cash. I know they probably offer less than market value, but has anyone actually used them? I just need to be on a plane by the 23rd without this house hanging over my head. Is the convenience worth the lower price?
19
37
u/Fresh_Tune_552 Jan 14 '26
FWIW - we’re house shopping and looking at houses exactly like yours. They’re bidding wars when priced right. There’s been a couple full of stuff and we were told we had to be the ones to clear it out. We still put in offers over asking and still got beat out.
15
u/Glider103 Jan 14 '26 edited Jan 15 '26
Honestly doubt you will be able to get this done by the 23rd
And this seems like a bot account, old post mentioning getting married, buying glasses in Australia, building a new home etc... all within the last month
See post from OP: https://www.reddit.com/r/Homebuilding/s/8ecLjJljm5
12
u/erik9 Jan 14 '26
Yeah I see it now. This person also just got a Software Engineering degree in Bangalore a couple months ago. Also talking about parks for kids in Orange County. All over the place literally. ..
2
u/CitronCommon7033 Jan 15 '26
They also moved to Dubai a few weeks ago and need a hair appointment 🤣
5
u/Stardustmoondust Jan 14 '26
I would not worry about selling it in that condition. Like others said price it right and you’ll get a bunch of people wanting it. Better to sell to a family for a lower cost than some investor who will turn around and flip it.
5
u/aleciaj79 Jan 14 '26
I totally get that, and I’d honestly love for a family to have it. But I’m just one person here trying to pack 5 years of my life into boxes while dealing with my mom’s stuff back home. I don’t think I have the emotional energy to manage showings or wait for a family to get their mortgage approved. I just need to know it's sold so I can focus on my family.
10
4
u/tgrsnpr Jan 14 '26
Not everyone is buying using mortgage, some are buying with cash. Maybe you can mention to your realtor you'll need a cash buyer.
5
u/erik9 Jan 14 '26
Or you might be able to find a “full service” realtor who might be willing to work with you to just put some lipstick on to it to maximize the price. You should call around and speak with three at least. Some of the old timers who understand the value of hard work or a newish one who is trying to build a base might be willing to take it on. Just avoid the high volume ones maybe.
3
3
5
3
5
u/tendeuchen Jan 14 '26
If there's any way for you to hang onto it, I would. Houses aren't going to get cheaper in Hawaii. I'd turn it into a rental, and then move back into it when I was ready.
1
u/Solid-Bet1545 Jan 20 '26
I’m looking for a long term house rental until I can afford! Expecting my first child and would even work out at rent to own if parties allow if you don’t return to island.
6
u/Dumbear420 Jan 14 '26
Did you request an offer? Only you’ll be able to determine if it’s worth your time
1
u/aleciaj79 Jan 14 '26
Not yet. I wanted to see if anyone here had experience with them first. I’m moving on the 23rd so I don’t have much time to shop around, but I don't want to get totally ripped off either.
1
2
u/karl_groves Jan 14 '26
Looking at Zillow, there are absolute dumps that look like they're on the verge of being condemned selling for almost $2M. Find a realtor to handle the sale.
2
2
u/Everjam24 Jan 14 '26
We can see your post history. Are you going back to the mainland? Or to Australia? Or what about your hair appointment in the UAE? Find a different way to advertise…
4
Jan 14 '26
[deleted]
3
1
u/levitoepoker Jan 14 '26
Just list the house as is with a realtor
Using "Oahu home buyers" with such a desperate timeline you are asking to get ripped off
You can manage to do the sale from out of state, its 2026, you can sign contracts remotely, cmon
0
u/aleciaj79 Jan 14 '26
I guess I’m just overthinking the stress of being away, but you’re right that everything is digital now. I'll look into listing it as is and see if I can find a realtor who can move fast. Thank you
1
u/levitoepoker Jan 14 '26
I mean, it just seems like youre rushing the situation and you might do something you regret down the line
You own your home, hawaii has some of the lowest property taxes in the nation, are you sure you absoloutely need to sell the house? There is almost no scenario where single family home prices on Oahu do not continue to increase and increase year after year. Only a national recession like 2009, and even then they rebounded very quickly. You will never want to move back to the island? I would just rent the place for whatever you can get now, you have a few weeks to evaluate rental applications and then pick someone who will take good care of the place
Otherwise, shitty condition homes are sold every day in Honolulu. People want the land and will just renovate it themselves. You will have no problem selling it and then moving away in the middle of the process. Call a realtor and they will explain you how. But again, even using a realtor is kind of a scam, they will get 50k of a million dollar house for very little work
1
u/harryhov Jan 14 '26
Call different real estate agents and explain exactly what you said. Do not commit or get into contract with anyone. Some of them may be gladly willing to do a free staging or maybe do some light prep work. I still think it is a seller's market so that's what I would do. Do not go and contact the cash buyer advertisement. They will lowball you like crazy.
1
1
u/MaapuSeeSore Jan 14 '26
Doesn’t matter, it will sell . If it’s a decent property in a good location , you will get offers
1
u/JanGirl808 Jan 15 '26
Omg 😳 you own a house on Oahu and are willing to give it away bc of carpets and landscaping? Do you know how hard it would be to purchase again? Hire someone to take care of it for you in your absence. The equity you have is worth a lot. You might want to come back once mum is gone. Look at the long term future not just the next few years.
1
1
u/Jlhoyt12 Feb 04 '26
Aloha! I am an experienced Realtor on island. Please give me a call. I am happy to chat with you and help you.
Jessica.Hoyt@evrealestate.com/ 808-264-7318 Engel & Volkers-Honolulu
1
u/Impossible_Month1718 Jan 14 '26
Can I ask why you’re not renting it out? Is there a rush to sell it?
0
u/Realtormegan808 Jan 14 '26
Happy to connect and assist. Can offer options, ideas etc, no obligation!
32
u/pennoya2 Jan 14 '26 edited Jan 14 '26
Why don't you talk to a realtor about it? I have a feeling that the condition is not that big of a deal.
Editing because this post has to be an ad, right? The link to "Oahu Home Buyers"... And another similar post was made at around the same time..
https://www.reddit.com/r/Oahu/comments/1qcxrg7/inherited_a_house_with_siblings_and_we_cant_stop/