Today’s real estate market is all about information and obtaining that information as quick as you can. You may be driving in a neighborhood and see several homes that have incredible curb appeal and you tell yourself “I could live in this neighborhood! Which homes are for sale?” The easiest way to find out the price is to turn on your Trulia or Zillow app. You get excited – several homes are for sale and in your price range. But are you getting the most reliable

information you can get?

This is the time I usually get a phone call from one of my buyers and they ask me about a home they saw at one of the resorts and they want to see it. What usually happens, 8 out of 10 times, is that the home is contingent (in escrow) or sold months and months ago. How disappointing for my buyer and me!

What I recommend is to use Trullia or Zillow AND also have your email address added to the local MLS (Multiple Listing Service) which has the BEST source of data for a real estate buyer or investor to evaluate any piece of property from land, up to resort homes, or homes with ocean views.

Hawaii Information Services is our local MLS system, and once I have added your name to the system with your price range, and search criteria, you will receive information about new listings, price decreases/increases as quickly as I do. You will be emailed a link with this information and you can read it at your convenience.

MLS (Multiple Listing Service) has a tradition going back over 100 years of listings from virtually every large and small broker and agent in the country, and is still a mainstay of real estate information.

Zillow is one of my key recommendations for a great deal of ready information, easily accessed and invaluable for property searches and individual properties. Zillow displays a map with the property located along with other sale property in the nearby community.  A click presents a large amount of detailed information on the property and the community. It even includes “Zestimates” of monthly rental, along with the current listing status (available, pending sale, etc.) and information on past sales of the property – and more. However, be careful, “Zestimates” are NEVER EVER to be used in place of real comparables and property valuation that can only truly be done through the MLS with the help of your real estate agent.

Trulia is another popular online listing service.  Trulia provides a good deal of the same type of information as Zillow, although Zillow often seems to provide more detail.  Trulia presents a better display of the property photos provided by whoever is listing the property on the site.

With Zillow, Trulia, and other similar websites  all information needs to be verified if you are serious about your property search.  Information on the website is not always 100% accurate.  Estimates provided by Zillow as “Zestimates” are just estimations, not promises!  These websites are amazingly useful tools for real estate investors, provided they are used with understanding of their pros and cons.

The level of information that you acquire from a licensed real estate agent  is invaluable and the most accurate. I would be glad to answer any questions you have regarding your property search on the Island of Hawaii.  As a licensed Real Estate Agent, I have access to the most current, accurate and dependable information as well as first hand knowledge of Hawaii Resorts,  Communities and Hawaii Lifestyle.

Diana J Mahaney R(S)

djmahaney@gmail.com

“Diana helped us buy and sell a home and we found her to be a good advocate during both transactions. she is very knowledgeable about many aspects of buying and selling a home even including proper staging techniques. The extra effort she extend for us was exemplary”   - Marilyn, Mauna Lani Home Owner

One N. Kaniku Dr. Kohala Coast HI, 96743

Think Luxury Think Us!