Transaction Timeline for Buyers

Below we've laid out a detailed explanation of the timeline of a real property transaction in Hawaii. In practice there is a good bit of variation of dates and time periods. The following are approximate dates based on a 35-day timeline.

If you've got any questions, get in touch any time.

Offer Accepted!

Day 1 of 30 - 60 days

When you find the home you're ready to make your own, we will write up an offer in the form of a legal contract. Once you've proofed and signed it, we will present that to the seller. If the seller signs it, then we are officially under contract (also known as "in escrow").

Initial Documents and Earnest Money Deposit

Days 1 - 3

We'll submit your lender's pre-approval letter and a verification of funds to the seller right away.

You'll also need to make an earnest money deposit to escrow. This typically ranges from $1,000 to $40,000, scaling with the purchase price.

For pre-1978 properties, the seller will send along a Lead-Based Paint Disclosure.

Seller Disclosure

Day 5

By law, the seller is required to disclose several items about the condition and character of the property. Typically, this comes in the form of a 100-ish question questionnaire with some freeform comments or documentation.

The disclosure is commonly referred to as the Seller's Real Property Disclosure Statement or SRPDS or, more simple, the seller disclosure.

Home Inspection

Days 5 - 7

Most buyers will hire a home inspector, a generalist who evaluates the safety and function of the home's components. Depending on findings the home inspector may recommend that additional specialized inspectors further evaluate particular issues.

Home inspections typically range in cost from about $500 to about $1,000, and the buyer owes payment at or before the time of service.

Specialized inspections (ex: pipe scoping, roofing inspection, gas line inspection, soil analysis, foundation inspection, mold testing, etc.) can vary substantially but are usually in the neighborhood of $500-$1000 each.

End of Inspection Period

Days 10 - 15

In Hawaii, the inspection period provides buyers with a get-out-of-jail-free card. If buyers want to cancel for any reason during this time, they can do so and get a full refund of earnest money deposits.

Once this period is over, it gets harder and harder for buyers to terminate the purchase contract and receive full refunds of deposits.

Review HOA Documents

Days 12 - 14

If the property is in a homeowners association (HOA), then the seller will deliver the associated governing documents to the buyer for the buyer's review.

The HOA docs can run to hundreds of paging of, um, riveting prose. We can help you understand what's what and, where necessary, refer you to an attorney for assistance.

Appraisal

Days 15 - 25

If the buyer is using a loan to purchase the home, the bank will hire an appraiser on the buyer's behalf (and expense) to inspect the property and determine its value.

Usually the lender will have collected a ~$900 deposit up front to pay for the appraiser's fee. If the deal is terminated, the appropriate portion of that deposit is transferred to the appraiser. If the deal goes on to completion, the escrow company pays the appraiser at that time from the buyer's deposit.

Assuming a home inspection has been done, once the appraisal is ordered the buyer has spent about $1,500 to $2,000 in nonrefundable services so far.

Survey

Day 17

If the property is a single family home or land, normally the seller will pay for a survey to be completed. The survey will show the boundaries of the property and will highlight any encroachments on or by the neighbors.

Termite Inspection

Day 20

In the first few days of the escrow period, the buyer will select a termite inspector. On about day 20 or so, the inspector will investigate the home and produce a report showing any termite infestation that may be present. Typically, the seller pays for the inspection and pays for any termite treatment that may need to occur.

Conditional Loan Approval (CLA)

Day 25

From the time of the buyer's first pre-approval by a lender until closing, the buyer's lender is investigating two primary things:

Is the buyer able to pay the loan off?
Is the property suitable collateral for the loan?

Once the lender is largely satisfied on both fronts, they'll issue a CLA, which the buyer will provide to the seller as assurance that the transaction will close.

Final Loan Approval (FLA) and Down Payment

Day 30

About 5 days or so after CLA, the lender will provide another letter giving final loan approval. The buyer will pass the letter on to the seller.

Around the same time, the buyers should move the remainder of their down payment (in addition to the earnest money deposit already made) to escrow. Normally, the buyers will wire these funds to escrow.

Signing and Final Walk-Through

Days 30 - 32

The buyer will do one last walk-through to make sure the property is in its expected condition.

The lender and escrow will prepare a large pile of documents for the buyer to sign. Many buyers confuse "signing" with "closing," but they are two different things. In Hawaii, signing typically happens 4 to 7 days prior to closing.

Closing!

Day 35
(or 45, or 60)

Most transactions in Hawaii take about 45 days to complete, but there is a lot of variation. They can close in 21 days, or they can take several months in extreme situations. We aim for 35-day transactions, which are seen as speedy but often doable.

As you may imagine, then, the dates and timelines above are approximate.

In Hawaii, escrow submits the deed -- which transfers the property from seller to buyer -- and other documents to Hawaii's Bureau of Conveyances (BOC) 2 days ahead of the scheduled closing date. On or around 8am on the morning of closing, escrow is notified by the BOC that the documents have recorded. Then escrow informs the parties of the same.

Closing is when keys and money change hands.