As Hawaii’s real estate market evolves in 2025, sellers must stay ahead of shifting buyer preferences to maximize their home’s appeal. While demand for living in Hawaii remains strong, affordability concerns, sustainability, and convenience are playing a bigger role in homebuying decisions. Whether you’re thinking of selling soon or just preparing for the future, here’s what a majority of today’s buyers are looking for:
1. Affordability & Creative Financing Options
Home prices in Hawaii continue to remain among the highest in the country, making affordability a top concern. The real estate market in Hawaii has a lot of first-time homebuyers, military families, and local residents are exploring financing options such as VA loans, down payment assistance programs, and rate buy-downs. Which makes sellers credits for these homebuyers a top priority when searching for a home. Offering a sellers credit for closing costs or rate buy-downs makes a home on the resale market a much more attractive property. .
What I am seeing common amongst buyers I am working with is that affordability is a major factor in their decision-making. Many are looking for homes where they can take advantage of VA benefits, seller credits, or other financial incentives to make homeownership more achievable. In the past year alone, every transaction I was a part of whether it was representing the buyer or the seller closed with a seller credit. Therefore, highlighting the importance of offering a sellers credit to be competitive in today’s market.
What this means for sellers:
-Consider offering a credit to be applied towards closing costs or a rate buydown.
-Partner with a lender to highlight the different financing options that would work for your listing.
-Ensure that you price your home competitively. Once pricing that has proven to work in today’s market is to list your home just below market value, which can create a perception of value. Which can generate more interest and put you as the seller in a multiple offer situation. Thus creating competition.
2. Move-In Ready & Low-Maintenance Homes
A majority of today’s buyers are prioritizing move-in ready homes. Modern updated kitchens and bathrooms, fresh interior paint, or luxurious flooring will boost a home’s appeal, and significantly impact the home’s marketability.
What this means for sellers:
-Small cost-effective cosmetic upgrades can yield a big return.
-Decluttering and staging your home can help the buyer’s imagination on how they see their items and family in the home.
-Highlight the recent updates in your listing to help create interest and get potential buyer’s into your home.
3. Energy Efficiency & Sustainability
Due to the always-rising utility costs and increasing environmental awareness, buyers are in search of homes that offer energy-efficiency. Solar/PV panels, dual-pane energy efficient windows, and recently updated energy efficient appliances are highly sought after features.
What this means for sellers:
-If you have equipped your home with solar/PV panels, especially a system that is on net-metering, make sure to highlight them. Showcase your lower than average electricity bills.
-Small cost-effective upgrades such as a smart thermostat, or LED lighting can add value.
4. Smart Home Technology & Modern Features
Today’s buyers tend to appreciate a home that offers smart features like keyless entry, security system that also features cameras, and high-speed internet. With a good percentage of today’s workforce performing remote work, or parents home-schooling their kids, high-speed internet is a must.
What this means for sellers:
-Highlight your smart home features.
-Consider simple cost-effective upgrades like smart door locks or smart thermostats.
-If offered by your internet provider, highlight the high-speed internet.
5. Location & Lifestyle Amenities Matter More Than Ever
Location, location, location….this can be the make or break factor for a buyer when searching for a home. Many families prioritize a neighborhood with top-rated schools, while others may look for a neighborhood that provides convenience to work or shopping, and some pay want a neighborhood with flat terrain so that they can enjoy a nice bike ride around the neighborhood. Buyers aren’t just looking for a house—they’re looking for a lifestyle.
What this means for sellers:
-Emphasize what your attractions are nearby, such as beaches, restaurants, or top-rated schools.
-Highlight community amenities, such as a community pool, pickleball courts, or community centers.
-If your home is near a military base, highlight the convenience for VA buyers.
6. Pricing Strategies & Market Timing
Hawaii’s real estate market typically favors sellers March through September with buyer activity high. While October through February will favor the buyer with less competition and activity. Putting your home on the market at the ideal time, and pricing your home correctly at the start can make all the difference getting you your price or more.
What this means for sellers:
-Overpricing your home can cause your home to sit on the market, thus turning it into a stale listing.
-Work with an agent that will put your needs before theirs, and analyze the market in your area.
-If your home is not selling, consider adjusting the price and/or offering incentives.
Final Thoughts
Although the housing market in Hawaii remains one of the highest in the nation, buyers are still searching for homes. What I am seeing common amongst buyers I am working with is that they are being more cautious and selective, carefully evaluating everything that home offers to ensure that it fits their needs, long-term goals, and most importantly their budget. Understanding these trends and buyers needs or wants, a seller can position their home to attract more qualified buyers to make an offer and have their home sale at their price or more!
Thinking of selling your home in Hawaii? Let’s talk strategy! Whether you need advice on pricing, staging, or marketing, I’m here to help.