You’ve found your dream home and made an offer. What’s next? Well after getting a mortgage, the most crucial item of the home buying process is the home inspection, and it’s often the one item that gets the least attention. This is your chance as a buyer to kick the tires and check under the hood, so to speak.

Why Get a Home Inspection

When I’m working with buyers, I like to give them a heads-up on the process, what to expect and what the results from the inspection mean. The purpose of the home inspection is to educate the buyer on the condition of the home they are buying.  

When I make an offer on behalf of my client, I always include an inspection contingency. If something does arise, I usually go back to the negotiating table so the buyer can ask the seller to take care of necessary repairs. The inspection contingency also gives them the right to back out of the deal if the inspection uncovers major flaws. Keep in mind, the home inspection is the buyer’s opportunity to find flaws that are deal-breakers, not necessarily a punch list of items for the seller to repair.

I usually insist that my clients are present for the home inspection. I tell them it’s much like buying a car. You can’t tell if it has problems unless you take it to a mechanic and have them explain what needs to be fixed, the long-term effects and the costs.

On Tuesday, December 10, 2013, the Locations Foundation conducted their annual Food Drive, in support of the Hawaii Foodbank, at the Prudential Locations Christmas Luncheon Party.

The Hawaii Foodbank is a nonprofit organization that works to provide food so that no one in Hawaii goes hungry. According to the Hunger in America 2010 report by Feeding America, of the 183,500 unique people in Hawaii, over 14 percent of our population receives emergency food assistance through the Hawaii Foodbank member agency network.

Whether you're a first-time seller or an investor with numerous properties, selling a house is a complicated process, no matter how good your agent or the real estate market. Your agent will help you set the right price, market the home professionally, qualify the buyers, and expertly negotiate and finalize the deal. A good real estate agent will always be working on your behalf.

Yet there is information that only you know the answers to, which is crucial when it comes to helping your agent lead you through a smooth transaction. In my experience, if you share the following pieces of information with your agent early on in the process of listing your property, the chances of having an issue-free transaction increase significantly. 

Kakaako Waterfront Park

102 Ohe St
Honolulu, Hawaii

December 31, 2013 starting at 6:00 p.m.

For the fourth year in a row, Hawaii's voted #1 New Year's Eve party will reprise its unbeatable entertainment, fun, food and celebratory experience. Ring in the New Year with five areas of amazing entertainment you won't find anywhere else, plus a fireworks show from 9:00 p.m. every hour until the clock strikes midnight.

Seven different areas of activities, with something exciting for everyone!

• Area 1: Eat The Street with over 40 delicious food trucks and vendors
• Area 2: EK Fernandez Ferris Wheel including rides, games and fun for the whole family
• Area 3: Concert Stage featuring Hawaii's #1 reggae band The Green, Kapena and more
• Area 4: Power Stage featuring the hottest DJs plus national Super Stars The Cataracs
• Area 5 and 6: Reserved for our exclusive VIPs, with elevated stage and private party cabanas.
• Area 7: Volcano Vapor Lounge, Fire Dancers, Mechanical Bull rides and more.

Tickets: $30 general admission

$110 general VIP (adults only)

$1000 VIP table (seats 4 adults only)

$2000 SUPER VIP table (seats 6 adults only)

Tickets at ticketmaster.com