✏️ Editor’s Note: Realtor Associations, agents, and MLS’ have started implementing changes related to the NAR’s $418 million settlement. While home-sellers will likely save thousands in commission, compliance and litigation risks have significantly increased for sellers throughout the nation. Learn how NAR’s settlement affects home sellers.
Home prices in Hawaii have increased by 8.2% Y-O-Y and are now at a whopping $735,900. Simultaneously, mortgage rates have witnessed a sharp decline from 7.79% in Oct 2023 to 6.63% in Jan 2024. The market is booming for both sellers and buyers. If you want to sell your home or buy a new one, NOW is the time to do so!
Real estate companies can help you get access to the MLS quickly. Whether you use a Flat Fee MLS company or a discount brokerage, you will receive a quick and affordable real estate transaction.
Top 6 Hawaii Real Estate Companies:
-
For Home Sellers
- Houzeo: Best Technology
- Redfin: Expert Assistance
- Century 21: Market Exposure
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For Home Buyers
- Keller Williams Realty: Best for Commercial Properties
- Coldwell Banker Realty: Best for Local Buyers
- Zillow: User Friendly Mobile App
Best Real Estate Companies for Home Sellers in Hawaii
Discover the top home-selling companies in the Aloha state. From the bustling streets of Honolulu to the serene beaches of Maui, we’ve found the 3 best companies for you.
1. Houzeo
#1 Flat Fee MLS Service
Listing Fee: $3994.9/5
Houzeo is a high-tech platform with easy listing, fast changes, and online showings and offers.
You can choose from 4 Flat Fee MLS packages:
- Bronze Package – $399+$350 at Close: This package offers a Houzeo listing only for 6 months with 24 photos.
- Silver Package – $399+0.5% at Close: This offers maximum photo upload and provides you with seller disclosures.
- Gold Package—$429+0.5 % at Close: This is Houzeo’s signature MLS package and includes all the technology Houzeo is known for, such as Houzeo Showings, Houzeo Offers, and DigiTransact.
- Platinum Package – $449+1% at Close: It includes the assistance of a licensed broker to help you with negotiations, seller disclosures, and closing.
👉 Our Take: We recommend the GOLD plan. You’ll have access to Houzeo tech, making managing showings and offer negotiations easy! Before you list, confirm all prices on your particular state’s pricing page.
» Houzeo Reviews: Find out why 10,000+ Americans love Houzeo.
Houzeo is America’s #1 Flat Fee MLS service because of 5 reasons:
- Max Exposure: Houzeo’s listing packages get your home on Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, Redfin, and 100s of other real estate websites.
- 5-star Customer Service: Houzeo has a fully staffed customer service desk available 6 days a week. Chats and emails are open 7 days a week.
- 100% Online: Houzeo is a high-tech platform with easy listing, fast changes, online showings, and online offers. Its powerful house search app makes your home visible to potential buyers on the go.
- No Hidden Fees: All fees are disclosed upfront, so there are no Houzeo hidden fees. You get to bypass the traditional listing agent commission.
- Free Home Value Estimator: Now, you can get a free home value estimate within 30 seconds. It helps you set a listing price.
There are no dealbreakers with Houzeo.
» Is Houzeo Legit? Houzeo addresses all Houzeo complaints from home sellers.
Houzeo is rated 4.9 out of 5 stars by thousands of home sellers on Google & Trustpilot.
» Houzeo Reviews: Houzeo is rated “Excellent“ by 10,020+ home sellers.
Houzeo.com is Hawaii’s #1 real estate company. It provides an unbeatable combination of maximum savings, 5-star customer support, and cutting-edge technology.
Houzeo provides affordable listing packages to Hawaii FSBO home sellers. Also, its offer management and showings tool will help you ace your real estate journey like a pro.
2. Redfin
BEST TECH-ENABLED BROKERAGE
Listing Fee: 1% of Sale Price4.2/5
Redfin does not disclose its pricing on its website. Sellers will have to pay common closing costs.
- It offers 0.5% buyer’s rebate. To avail this, you’ll have to buy and sell with them.
👉 Our Take: Redfin offers 1 rebate option but with a strict clause. While, other real estate companies are willing to offer a higher rebate.
» Redfin Reviews: The reality of the buyer’s rebate.
Here are some advantages of choosing Redfin:
- Advanced Technology: With 3D walkthroughs and 40+ filters to narrow down your search, the Redfin app makes it easy to find the right home from anywhere.
- Paired With Local Agents: Local agents know their market better. This can help you secure a good deal.
- Home Tour: You can see updated listings every 5 minutes on their website. You can also schedule a home tour for the same day.
- Nationwide Coverage: Redfin covers 80+ markets in the US.
Here are some limitations we found with Redfin.
- Strict Rebate Criteria: Clients who sell and buy with Redfin within one year get a rebate of 0.5%.
- No Freedom in Agent Selection: You get an agent assigned automatically without having a choice in the matter.
- Agents Are Less Incentivized: Unlike traditional agents who work for commission, Redfin agents get a fixed salary. This can demotivate them from offering you additional services.
- Poor Customer Reviews: Customers have complained that agents are often unreachable and unprofessional.
Redfin has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 60+ reviews on Google.
» Redfin Reviews: The Reality of the 1% Fees, Pros, Cons, and Alternatives!
Redfin is primarily known for its advanced tech platform and mobile app. It covers 80+ markets in the US.
However, Redfin’s listing agreement states they will list your property on the MLS in 18 days. Services like Houzeo will list you on the MLS within 24 to 48 hours.
3. Century 21
Brand Recognition
3% - 6% Commission1/5
Century 21 is one of the world’s largest real estate brokerage firms. It operates in every U.S. State and 82 other countries.
The company does not disclose its price on its website. This means you might end up paying the traditional 3% to 6% commission.
👉 Our Take: Century 21 could be a good option for first-time home sellers who do not mind paying high commissions. Along with listing, you will get assistance for contract reviews, offer management, and closing.
Here are some advantages of choosing Century 21:
- Global Coverage: Century 21 operates in every U.S. State and 82 other countries.
- Market Exposure: It has good brand recognition and over 14,000 independent franchises with over 140,000 real estate agents worldwide.
- Best for First-Time Home Sellers: Home sellers get access to contract reviews, handle their listing, offer management, and closing.
Here are some disadvantages of choosing Century 21:
- No Discounts: The agent’s fees for Century 21 are usually high. They do not offer any discounts.
- Delayed Services: Previous customers have complained that the agents were not helpful and that it delayed the process.
Century 21 has a rating of 1 out of 5 stars from 100+ reviews on Consumer Affairs.
Century 21 is world’s largest real estate companies located in New Jersey. It has over 14000 independent franchises. It was founded in 1971 and has become one of the most recognizable brands in the real estate industry since then.
Century 21 is known for its innovative marketing and technology. However, many customers have reported delayed services and high agent fees.
Best Real Estate Companies for Home Buyers in Hawaii
Explore the home-buying companies in Hawaii. From Jonesboro to El Dorado, you can discover affordable homes.
1. Keller Williams Realty
Luxury and Commercial Properties
Based in Austin, TX5/5
Keller Williams is the world’s largest real estate technology franchise by agent count. It has more than 1,100 offices and 200,000 associates.
- No Service Fee: Keller Williams does not charge buyers any fee for its services.
👉Our Take: Keller Williams Realtors is the largest residential real estate firm in the US. We recommend this company if you are a first-time home buyer and need assistance in your home-buying process.
Keller William as a brand is technology-driven and has an education-based culture. Their key features are mentioned below:
- Keller Cloud: Keller Cloud helps agents to prioritize sellers’ goals, maximize lead generation, and gather insightful data to produce a truly effective go-to-market strategy for home selling.
- Professional Assistance: Keller William agents will preview homes on your behalf, and work throughout the process of finding your dream home.
- Tools and Resources: Marketing savvy tools to get your home top-tier exposure
- Advance Home Search: The technology of Keller Williams makes home search and buying an advanced experience for buyers. The management system of Keller Williams to track communication help agents to understand the buyer’s needs.
- Company Culture: The brand has a culture that is agent-centric, technology-driven, and education-based, and it recognizes and rewards its agents for their contributions.
Few dealbreakers we found about the company:
- Poor Customer Reviews: Many customer complaints regarding their services. They also have poor ratings on major review platforms.
- Agent Experience: A lot of customers also complained about poor agent experience. Since, Keller William is a franchise, the agent-to-agent experience might differ.
Keller Williams has a 5 out of 5 rating on Zillow.
Keller Williams Realty is headquartered in Austin, TX. It is one of the top real estate companies in Pennsylvania. Additionally, It is an agent-centric, technology-driven, and education-based company.
Furthermore, Keller Williams has a 5-star rating. Its customers praised its agents for their exceptional responsiveness.
2. Coldwell Banker Realty
MOST SUCCESSFUL INVESTORS
Based in New Jersey4.9/5
Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC is an American full-service real estate brokerage.
- No Service Fee: As a buyer, you do not have to pay any fee to avail services of Coldwell Banker.
👉 Our Take: Coldwell Banker is great for buyers because of its long-standing experience and wide property selection. It is especially helpful for those looking to invest in popular areas or unique properties.
Key features of Coldwell Banker include:
- Experts in Negotiations: Coldwell Banker’s agents are skilled and have considerable experience in negotiating the best deal for you.
- Lender Assistance: It helps you to find a lender for pre-qualification according to your affordability.
- Home Search: With MLS and other tools, agents find your ideal home based on your preferences and budget.
- Finance Assistance: It helps with down payments, mortgage prequalification, and getting your finances ready to buy a house.
- Strong Agent Network: Your agent can find many property options for you as they have good connections with other real estate agents.
Red flags of Coldwell Banker include:
- Less Flexibility in Negotiation: The company’s established policies might offer less flexibility in negotiating commission rates.
- Inconsistent Agent Quality: While many agents are experienced, the quality of service can vary depending on the specific agent assigned.
- Lapses in Transactions: Customer complaints include delays in transactions and unresponsive agents.
Coldwell Banker is rated 4.9 out of 5 stars from 200+ reviews on Trustpilot
Established in California, Coldwell Banker has changed the way people buy homes. They offer buyers financing options to ensure they have their financial ducks in a row when preparing to buy a house.
It’s advised you conduct due diligence on an agent before you appoint the agent to represent you.
3. Zillow
Largest Marketplace
Based in Washington1.2/5
Zillow is one of the most visited real estate websites. It provides an exceptional home buying and renting experience.
- Zillow Premier Agent: You can connect with an agent representing a particular property and get their commission rates on request. Typically, a buyer agent charges a 2%-3% commission on the sale price.
👉 Our Take: Zillow is a popular choice for home buyers for its vast listings and easy-to-use tools. The platform offers valuable tools like Zestimate® for estimating property values and interactive maps for exploring neighborhoods.
Here are the key features of Zillow:
- Extensive Listings: Zillow offers a wide range of property listings, including homes for sale, rentals, and foreclosures.
- Mortgage Calculator: It allows you to compare mortgage rates from various lenders. You can pre-qualify for a loan through Zillow Home Loans.
- Zestimate Tool: It provides estimated property values to help gauge market prices.
Here are some drawbacks of Zillow:
- Outdated Listings: Some property listings may not be updated in real time, leading to outdated information.
- User-Generated Content: Home details and photos heavily rely on user input, which can sometimes be inaccurate.
- Overwhelming Ads: The site has numerous ads and promotions that can be distracting.
Zillow has a rating of 1.2 out of 5 on Consumer Affairs.
» Zillow Offers Reviews: Everything you need to know about Zillow.
Zillow is the most popular real estate website in America. It was founded in the year 2006 and is headquartered in Seattle.
Moreover, Zillow extracts data from top MLS platforms. It also helps buyers view the listings directly on the platform.
3 Best Real Estate Companies To Work For in Hawaii
A real estate company employs licensed agents to represent local buyers and sellers. As a real estate agent, you must consider the following factors in a real estate company – commissions, training, agent equity, revenue share, profit share, and technical support.
1. eXp Realty
eXp Realty, a cloud-based platform is a booming real estate brokerage that has garnered a reputation for being a great workplace. It has a 4.3 rating out of 5 on Indeed.
- Commission Split: The agents keep 80% of the commission and 20% goes to eXp. After the agents hit the $16,000 cap in their anniversary year, they retain 100% of the commission.
- Revenue Share: eXp Realty’s Revenue Share Program lets agents earn a percentage from the revenue of the agents they’ve sponsored.
- Agent Equity: eXp agents are rewarded with shares of EXPI stock upon accomplishing specific goals.
- Training Program: eXp Realty runs the 2-week Fast Start training program for its new agents. This holistic curriculum has been rated a 4.8 out of 5 by agents who have completed the program.
- Technical Support: eXp Solutions offers agents cutting-edge tools to make the real estate transaction seamless.
The Rise of eXp Realty: Check out how eXp Realty is beating Compass and Keller Williams
2. Keller Williams Realty
Keller Williams Realty is one of the largest residential real estate firms in the US. It has opportunities for both new and experienced real estate agents. It has a 4.3 out of 5 rating on Indeed.
- Commission Split: From the commission, 64% goes to the agent, 30% goes to KW Market Center and 6% is to be paid by the agent as a franchise fee ($3,000 is the cap). Once an agent hits the cap, the commission goes entirely to the agent.
- Profit Share: KW’s Profit-Sharing Program lets agents earn a portion of the profit from the agent they’ve referred.
- Training Program: KW provides a training program that teaches agents the core principles of running a successful real estate business.
- Technical Support: KW Command is a CRM software that equips agents with the necessary tools to handle real estate transactions from start to close.
3. Compass
Compass is a licensed real estate brokerage that combines talent with innovative technology to handle real estate transactions. It has a 4 out of 5 rating on Indeed.
- Commission Split: The commission split for agents in Compass is unclear. It’s based on an agent’s discussion with Compass.
- Training Program: Compass Academy, an arm of Compass provides educational resources such as modules, and live sessions to train its agents.
- Technical Support: Compass provides agents with a comprehensive set of innovative tools such as Marketing Center, Compass CRM, Compass Markets, and more.
How to Choose the Best Real Estate Company in Hawaii?
You can choose the best real estate company in Hawaii based on these factors:
- Strong Technology: A company’s website should have robust technology that can make selling or buying a house faster and more efficient. Also, look for features like virtual tours, high-quality photos, and user-friendly interfaces.
- Responsive Customer Service: Having good customer service can help you with smooth real estate transactions. Find a company that offers prompt and also have helpful customer service.
- Maximum Exposure: Find a company that will give maximum exposure to your property. This could also include an MLS listing, social media advertisement, and customizable yard signs.
For Real Estate Agents
A real estate agent must consider the following points while browsing real estate companies in Hawaii:
- Commission Model: Real estate agents and realtors work on commissions. When you sell a house, you split the profits with your broker. A broker charges varied commissions. Some brokers do offer salaried positions, but they are rare.
- Commission Breakdown: Let’s say you sell a $300,000 home where the average commission in your area is 6%. This 6% is split between the buyer and seller’s agents. Now you’re down to 3%, or $9,000. A 60/40 commission splits mean you get 60% of $9,000, or $5,400. Of course, this is pre-tax.
- Training Modules: Most real estate companies provide training courses to their agents. Franchise companies like RE/MAX, Keller Williams, etc. offer programs to train agents in negotiation, marketing, body language, sales pitch, and lead generation.
- Tech Support: Top real estate companies equip their agents with the latest technology to keep them on par with the competition. Most companies have automated systems to help agents keep track of clients, leads, and emails.
- Marketing & Advertising: Real estate companies also provide agents with high-quality digital and print materials, custom graphics and ads, professional photography, and database management systems to ensure exposure to the customer’s property.
Final Word
Real estate companies help you ace your home selling or buying journey. However, before you choose a real estate company in Hawaii, we suggest you conduct thorough research.
The basic requirements for a good real estate company are experienced and dedicated agents, maximum savings, tech-savvy, and quick transactions. With Houzeo, you get all these factors on one single platform.
Eager to Know How Houzeo Works?
We’ve got you covered. Check out the following video to understand how Houzeo works and why it is one of the best For Sale By Owner websites in the U.S.
How to List on MLS With Houzeo?
5 Easy Steps to List on MLS with Houzeo as FSBO
» NEED MORE CLARITY? Read these exclusive Houzeo reviews and learn why it is one of the best FSBO sites in America.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best real estate company in Hawaii?
The best company in Hawaii is Houzeo. It offers sellers maximum savings, advanced technology, 5-star customer support, 100% online experience, and listing exposure.
» Best Real Estate Companies in Hawaii: Find out the top companies in Hawaii.
What are the best real estate companies for buyers in Hawaii?
The best real estate companies for home buyers in Hawaii are Keller Williams Realty, Coldwell Banker Realty, and Zillow. They offer home buyers various services and tools such as virtual showings, mortgage calculators, and more.
How can I sell my property quickly in Hawaii?
You should set a competitive price, enhance curb appeal, and highlight your home features effectively to sell your house fast in Hawaii.
