Contact Laurie Lowson for information on Kapalua Ridge 1022-24, a two-bed/three- bath unit available for $1,050,000.

A Realtor is your advocate in the process of either buying or selling real property. Your Realtor will be there to assist you with the negotiations in your real estate transaction.

The primary negotiation is when the purchase contract is agreed upon, including the purchase price, date of closing and possession of the property.

The negotiations involved in a home purchase are not complete until the buyer and seller have signed the closing documents, the proceeds are transferred to the seller, and the title and keys have passed to the buyer. Up until the date of closing, any item/contingency that comes up could restart negotiations.

For the sales transaction to be a WIN-WIN situation, both seller and buyer must feel good about the negotiations that led to the successful closing. I have heard it said: “If both parties feel like they left a little on the table, you have had a successful closing.”

Realtors know there may be additional negotiations when the contingencies for financing, home inspections, approval of homeowner documents, etc. are addressed. Two of the bigger contingencies that could possibly reopen negotiations and cause stress for either or both parties after the acceptance of the purchase contract are financing and the home inspection.

Financing is one of the most common contingencies in normal situations. An all-cash offer without a financing contingency may have an advantage over an offer with a financing contingency. Lacking the resources to make an all-cash offer, the next best position is to be pre-approved with a commitment letter from a Hawaii lender. Have your prequalification letter ready to present with your offer. Sellers read the prequalification letter and ask questions if you have them.

Hawaii purchase contracts require the buyer to provide proof of cash funds within a specified time frame to give the seller confidence in the buyer’s ability to purchase.

Prior to making an offer or accepting an offer, study the most recent comparable sales with your Realtor. Know what to expect in terms of the appraisal. Surprises in appraised values can create a serious challenge to a successful closing.

The buyer’s home inspection is a way for the buyer to receive an objective evaluation about the condition of the home and its components and to identify any existing defects or potential problems.

The time frame for inspections varies depending on the availability of the property and the inspector. Upon receipt of the written home inspection, the buyer may request repairs, a credit or cancel the purchase.

The seller and buyer may find themselves negotiating again over repairs and condition of the home.

Remember to ask questions, read disclosures, check reports, feel comfortable with your decisions and keep your end result in mind.

Please check out Maui listings at www.Lowson.com, text (808) 276-8001 or e-mail me at Laurie@Lowson.com for a comparable market analysis or information on Maui properties.