Stacy Levin was absolutely wonderful as our realtor in purchasing a condo on Maui. The process was long and complex, but she made everything easier from start to finish. Stacy went above and beyond, especially since we were living off the island, and she connected us with all the right people along the way. Her expertise, dedication, and willingness to assist us at every step set her apart. We highly recommend her!
Bought a home in 2024 in Kihei, HI. Our experience with Stacy was amazing. Living in California and looking for a home in Maui had its challenges. She was our eyes and ears on Maui. We are very happy with our purchase and she will be our friend forever.
Who I Serve: I assist a diverse range of clients, from first-time buyers looking for anaffordable entry into the Maui market to affluent individuals seeking luxurious vacation homes. Whether you are searching for a cozy condo or an expansive estate, I am here to guide you through the Maui real estate landscape.
• Global Luxury Certification and Local Expertise: While I am qualified to handle high-end transactions, my expertise spans all property types across Maui. This means every client benefits from a high standard of service and deep local knowledge.
• Customized Client Approach: I adapt my approach to fit each client’s unique needs and goals, providing personalized guidance whether you're buying your first home or investing in luxury real estate.
• Comprehensive Market Insight: With years of experience in Maui, I offer invaluable insights into market trends and property values, helping you make informed decisions.
• Flexible Buying Options: I cater to all budgets and preferences, ensuring you find a property that meets your specific requirements, be it a vacation rental investment or a permanent residence.
• Skilled Negotiation: Regardless of the market segment you're in, you'll benefit from my proven negotiation skills that aim to secure the best possible terms for you.
• End-to-End Support: From property search to post-sale adjustments, I provide continuous support to make your real estate journey smooth and successful.
My goal is to make your Maui real estate experience fulfilling and hassle-free, no matter the size or style of your investment. I am committed to providing exceptional service that meets the needs of every client, ensuring your real estate journey is as rewarding as the destination itself.
• Give you the most vital information on available homes keep you aware of changes in the real estate market, arrange a tour of areas, schools and key points of interest.
• Provide neighborhood information on municipal services, schools, churches, etc, check applicable zoning and building restrictions.
• Disclose all known facts about properties I show you, collect pertinent data on values, taxes, utility costs, etc.
• Point out strengths and weaknesses of all properties you choose to view.
• Explain forms, contracts, escrow and settlement procedures.
• Discuss loan qualification and processing.
• Provide ready access to all MLS listed properties.
• Assist you as requested on all unlisted properties.
• Help you select for viewing only those homes that fit your needs.
• Show you homes only in the price range most suited to your finances, provide you a list of qualified attorneys, home inspectors or other service providers.
• Arrange for necessary property inspections.
• Prepare studies of property values in chosen areas.
• Perform a market analysis on chosen properties.
• Discuss financing alternatives.
• See that you get a complete estimate of all costs involved.
• Advise on offers on properties.
• Write and present your purchase agreement to the seller.
• Negotiate on your behalf.
• Keep your personal information confidential at all times.
• Stay in touch with you from the day you start your search until the day you move in and after.
• Coordinate all aspects of the sale and closing.
• Receive compensation only when we have successfully closed the transaction.
At Coldwell Banker Island Properties, our dedication to your home-buying journey is unparalleled. With decades of experience in navigating Hawaii’s vibrant real estate market, our REALTORS® pride themselves in their commitment to excellence, integrity, and personalized service.
Hawaii real estate moves fast. Through our deep industry ties, market leadership and tailored approach, we help you to see properties first.
Our robust access to market trends and analyses enables you to make the most informed decisions possible.
Our thoughtful and skilled negotiations ensure you secure the best deal from start to finish, smoothly overcoming any obstacles along the way.
Purchasing a property is one thing; securing financing is another. We assist you in navigating mortgage options, approvals, and nuances specific to Hawaii.
Our independent, licensed vendors aim to prevent unwanted surprises, ensuring a smooth and stress-free process.
We accompany you every step of the way, not only to safeguard your future investmentbut also to protect you with experienced representation.
A Buyer’s Representation Contract is a formal contract between a prospective homebuyer and a real estate agent. This legally binding document outlines the duties and responsibilities of both parties, ensuring a clear understanding of the relationship. It specifies the scope of the agent’s services, detailing how they will assist you in finding and purchasing a home. It also outlines the agent’s loyalty to you, the buyer, and your commitment to work exclusively with them during your home search.
Purchasing a home or an investment property is a big decision. Here are the steps you can expect to take.
1 - Consultation.
2 - Financial Pre-Approval.
3 - Property Search.
4 - View Properties.
5 - Make an Offer.
6 - Negotiations.
7 - Under Contract.
8 - Property Inspections.
9 - Documentation Prep.
10 - Funding.
11 - Final Inspection.
12 - Closing.
At Coldwell Banker Island Properties, we dedicate ourselves to meeting your unique real estate needs, ensuring every step toward securing your dream home is taken with expertise and dedication. Our approach emphasizes trust, transparency, and tailored advice, aiming to surpass your expectations andachieve successful outcomes.
You may think why bother? The lender will tell me what my score is. But it’s worth looking into first before anything else. Turns out there is an excellent chance that there is an error on your report! Several years ago, one study found that more than 79% of all reports had some sort of error, and nearly 25% of those errors were extremely damaging (www.cnnmoney.com). If you catch an error, you can fix it before you fall in love with a house!
Getting a contract from the initial offer to the closing table includes dozens of steps along the way. An excellent Realtor® will help you through the entire process, from initial search to final signatures. However, it takes a full team to make a closing happen! Realtors will help you connect with lenders, closers and title companies, inspectors and contractors, and other contacts you may need during the transaction. Not only will they help you be in contact with those people, they’ll help you understand the process as a whole, and make sure that everything runs as smoothly as possible.
Sellers have a lot to wade through too. Put yourself in their shoes, and imagine if you were looking at an offer from someone without a pre-approval letter. Would you trust this person to magically come up with the funds to purchase the home? Not only will sellers expect a pre-approval letter, it’s also in your benefit. It means you’ll know upfront exactly what you can afford, so you don’t even bother looking at houses that are beyond your price range.
It’s very exciting to get pre-approved and to see a big number in front of you that a lender says you can afford. Think about where you spend your money however. Are you factoring in gifts you purchase for others, nights out, vacations, clothes, your daily coffee purchase? Remember that with homeownership, instead of a landlord who will fix issues, YOU are responsible for inevitable repairs or upgrades. That should be factored into your budget as well!
Ok, so you haven’t put an offer on something yet, you’re definitely not thinking about selling it again! But you really should. Even if you feel like this is your “forever home”, life happens. Jobs relocate, illnesses happen, neighborhoods change, your family’s needs can change—all are reasons to keep the resale value of a home in mind. Real estate is an investment!
Make sure that you feel safe in the neighborhood, and if schools are a factor for you, make sure the house you buy is in a school district you’ll feel good about sending your kids to. Use local police websites to check on neighborhood crime (keep in mind that every neighborhood is going to have crime reports—the question is what type of crime. Car break ins are common even in the most expensive areas, but violent crime is a different matter altogether.)
Doing anything after being approved by a lender, and before closing on a house is a huge no-no. Lenders have to have your information as stable as possible to get the loan through underwriting, and if you switch jobs 2 days after writing an offer, or you buy a car or new furniture the day before closing, you are seriously jeopardizing (or perhaps outright destroying) your chances of closing on the house. Your credit needs to be the same if not better than it was when you were pre- approved.
Sit down with your Realtor® and make a need/want list. Needs are the “deal breakers” - and you shouldn’t have more than 2 or 3 or these. Wants are just that—icing on the cake, but not necessities. The odds of finding a home that has everything on your list are very small! Reign in your expectations and have some flexibility, and you’ll find the process of home searching far more enjoyable.
This is probably who you’ll be talking to about buying or selling a home — they’ll walk you through the process and help you navigate the paperwork. Real estate agents are licensed by the state, though state licensing requirements vary. Typically, there will be a real estate agent representing the buyer (buyer’s agent) and another representing the seller (listing agent) to represent the interests of each party in the transaction. Real estate agents are paid by a service fee, usually a percentage price of the final home sale.
Though “Realtor®” and “real estate agent” are sometimes used interchangeably, a Realtor is a real estate agent who is also a member of the National Association of Realtors. Members of the NAR are required to follow a strict code of ethics, which gives you an additional guarantee that your agent is working in your best interests.
Though you may not realize it, this database of real estate information will probably be the start of your endeavor to buy or sell a home. The MLS (or multiple listings service) is a searchable listing of homes for sale, with detailed information on each. A real estate agent can add your home to the MLS or help you search the MLS to find your dream home — though many online searches allow anyone to browse the MLS for properties.
When browsing MLS listings, you’ll find properties listed with a number of different statuses.
“Active” the most common status, means the home is on the market and available for purchase.
“Closed” or “Sold” means a home has been sold and is no longer available.
“Contingent” typically means that a home is under contract pending the sale of the buyer’s home, or possibly some other very specific contingency. Sellers may still take back up offers during this time frame in case whatever the offer is contingent upon does not succeed.
“Pending or under contract” the home is under contract, but has not closed. Buyer financing, Inspections, or other circumstances could cause the contract to not be executed, and the property could end up back on the market.
When a homebuyer has decided on a property, they’ll make an offer to the seller explaining what they’re willing to pay as well as any terms. The seller can accept the offer, make a counter-offer, or reject the offer outright.
When an offer or counter offer is accepted, then both parties enter into a contract to purchase the home, as outlined in the accepted offer.
Also sometimes known as a good faith deposit, this money — the exact amount will be defined in the offer — is put into escrow by the buyer after an offer has been accepted. Putting down earnest money shows a seller you’re serious about buying and when the transaction is completed, it can go towards closing costs or a down payment. If the buyer backs out of the sale for reasons not covered by contingencies in the offer, the seller typically gets to keep the earnest money.
Often already offered by sellers, buyers can ask for sellers to pay for a home warranty as a negotiated part of an offer. They are typically in place for the year following the sale of the home, and usually have an option for the buyer to continue the warranty thereafter. Coverage usually includes plumbing, electrical, appliances, cooling and heat, but each plan is different.
When making an offer or counter-offer, you’ll probably want to include provisions to cover yourself in case the deal doesn’t wind up working for you. For example, you might have a contingency that says the purchase of a home will be dependent on being able to sell a current home, obtaining the necessary financing to purchase the home, or the home passing an inspection. Your real estate agent should be able to help you make an offer or counter-offer that suits your needs, with the appropriate contingencies.
Though a home may be appraised for many reasons, the most common reason to appraise a home during a real estate transaction is to secure a mortgage to pay for it. Lenders will require an appraisal of the property to determine its value before agreeing to lend the money to purchase it — and may not be willing to lend beyond the appraised value of the property.
A common contingency is the home passing an inspection, in which an inspector will thoroughly examine the home for any damage. If any damage is found, the buyer and seller could renegotiate the cost or other terms of the original offer.
The purchase is finally done at the closing, which is when the title is transferred, paperwork is signed, and money changes hands. A day or date range for closing will be specified in the offer.
There are a number of costs in addition to the purchase price of the home that come with closing a real estate transaction — these are often lumped together as “closing costs.” These cover all additional fees required to complete the transaction, the cost of an appraisal, attorney’s fees, lender’s fees, title fees, and more. You should get a good faith estimate of closing costs but you’ll get a final from your lender statement outlining all costs shortly before closing.
Meet with buyers for a purchasing consultation to ensure a successful property search.
• Understand the goals of the buyer.
• Explain the showing process and discuss what times are available to show for both the agent and buyer.
• Discuss different types of financing options.
• Introduce/arrange a meeting or call with a reputable, local lender to further discuss and find the best financing options and get the buyer pre-approved.
• Explain the transactional relationship with the Buyer and what that means.
• Talk about current market conditions, school districts, cities, areas, etc.
• Explain the offer process and the negotiating tactics that you will use.
• Explain the “Contract to Close” process, including inspections, TRR’s, appraisal, repairs, title work, etc.
• Explain estimated Cost to Buyer for purchasing a home.
• Provide an example of a home in the area they are interested in. Include the costs to close.
• Inform and explain the relationship you have with a title company/closer and the benefits to the buyer.
• Talk about how the agent’s service fee is paid – either by the seller, the buyer, or a combo of both.
• Do home search on MLS and plan some potential showings.
Vet listings for buyers to make sure they are “good to show” by communicating with the listing agent or seller and discovering:
• If the property is still available.
• If there are any offers currently submitted on the property.
• If there are any hazards that the buyer needs to be aware of.
• If there are any pets on the premises and will they be “put up” or not.
• Setup custom, detailed searches in the MLS for Buyer.
• Share knowledge and insights about the homes and areas the buyer is interested in.
• Schedule and arrange showings.
• Show up to showings and prep home.
• Gather any questions from buyer for a follow-up with listing agent.
• Gather information about HOA’s, bylaws and dues if applicable.
• Confirm utility sources and provide information to buyers to switch utilities.
• Explain the appraisal process and how it applies to financing.
• Devise a strategy that works for the buyer in multiple offer situations.
• Inform and update buyer on any pricing or condition updates on homes viewed.
• Educate and explain home-warranty options for buyers.
• Explain property disclosure and the pros/cons to the buyer.
• Review property comparisons to develop the best strategy for the buyer in purchasing the home.
• Explain and answer questions about the contract and supplemental docs.
• When the buyer is ready, write and submit an offer with all required documents, including the buyer’s pre-qualification letter.
• Once accepted, confirm that the purchase contract and all supplemental documents for the buyer are filled out appropriately and correctly.
• Deliver copies of the purchase contract and supplemental documents to the closing officers and lenders that need them, and stay in contact with them throughout the rest of the process.
• Coordinate earnest money delivery.
• Provide buyer with contact information for inspectors, engineers, and any contractor needed.
• Coordinate inspections and be present at the time of inspection.
• Counsel and draft Treatment, Repair and Replacement Supplemental with buyer to best position with the seller.
• Negotiate any TRR repairs for the buyer.
• Keep continuous communication with Title Company and Lender to update buyer on closing process.
• Arrange repair estimates if seller is unable to do so.
• Remind buyers to schedule utility switchover.
• Confirm any repairs are completed. Receive receipts, if applicable.
• Arrange for a final walk-through.
• Attend closing for any last-minute questions.
• Continue to serve as a real estate expert for the buyer after closing.
Whether you're looking for a luxurious residence or a small getaway, Stacy is here to make your dreams a reality with expertise and personalized care, Work with her today!
Let's Connect1819 S Kihei Rd D-111 Kihei HI 96753
