Kevin E. Lewis, Realtor® - Prudential Orchid Isle Properties

The Agent:  Kevin E. Lewis.  I'm a full time real estate agent and am active in the Big Island of Hawaii real estate market since 2000.  My Bachelor of Business Administration degree is from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and I also hold Enrolled Agent (Tax) and Certified Financial Planner™ designations.  I have built good networking relationships with other Hawaii real estate agents through sales transactions, by having served as Treasurer and on various committees with the Hawaii Island Board of Realtors®, and help in my local community as a volunteer mediator.  While I cannot guarantee a fast sale, I can promise that I work honestly with my clients and hope to maintain a continuing relationship as well as earn your referrals and repeat business.   Client Recommendations

The Agency:  Prudential Orchid Isle Properties.  We are located near downtown Hilo and were the top selling real estate agency by number of sales on the Big Island of Hawaii in 2008, (Source: Hawaii Information Service.)  We have an active local website RealEstateHawaii.com, a full-time marketing director to help promote your listing through local advertising, and we publish an annual Prudential Buyer's Guide of Listings.  Prudential Real Estate has nationwide recognition and substantial internet presence where our listings are featured through a variety of real estate websites such as Realtor.com, Prudential Real Estate, Trulia, Yahoo Real Estate, and Zillow.   Prudential Orchid Isle Properties

The Market:  Is it a Buyer's Market or Seller's Market in Hawaii?  Real Estate markets are cyclical by nature, and there are always Buyers in the market looking for a good deal.   Big Island Real Estate Market Report

The Marketing:  It's about getting seen.  Part of my job is to get your property seen by potential Buyers, and the 1,800 or so licensed real estate agents on the Big Island of Hawaii.  A Seller's agent rarely "brings in the Buyer."  The Buyer will most likely be working with their own Buyer's agent.

The Secret to Selling: Being Competitive.  We'll go over the numbers of what has sold in recent months.  We'll also take a look at how your property compares to your competition.  The Seller sets the asking price and the Buyer (aka, the Market) creates the Sale price, which is the successful agreement between what a Buyer will pay and the Seller will accept.  I sometimes come into competition with other agents who will "bid up the listing price" just to get your business.  Asking an above market price does not mean that you will sell the property for more money.  You either price your property to sell with a little bit of negotiation room, or the property generally sits on the market until the better values have sold first.

The Buyer:  Today's Buyer is shopping to find the best deal.  If you overprice when you first go on the market, interested Buyers will often wait until you lower the price closer to your competition, then try a low ball offer thinking you must be desperate to sell after so many months on the market.  Been there, seen it happen.  If we price too low, we might get a bidding war going!  All Buyers love what they perceive is a bargain... that is how a property sells.

The Rest of My Job is helping my Seller with showings, negotiate through offers and the escrow process.  It's sometimes a balancing act to work with a Buyer (or their Agent), Seller, Title Company, Lender, Home Inspector, Insurance company, Surveyor, Termite Inspector... so that everyone does what they are supposed to do to be able to close an escrow on time!

I hope to be the agent that you decide to work with.  Please feel free to call or email me with questions.  Aloha,  Kevin

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