Resources
Resources for Buyers, Sellers, and Real Estate Agents
Download Informational Resources Below
For Buyers & Sellers:
What is Escrow? What Does Escrow Do?
What is Escrow?
Think of escrow as the hub of a wheel that brings all parties together in the transaction. The escrow company is a neutral third party that holds all the money, contracts, and legal documents until the parties are ready to close the transaction.
What Does Escrow Do?
Upon request, escrow provides copies of the real estate purchase contract, earnest money deposit, and escrow instructions to the lender at the beginning of the transaction. For more detailed information about escrow:
Steps for a Successful Escrow
Learn more about the responsibilities of an escrow officer with this flow chart and rough timeline of events:
Preventing Closing Delays
When working with a lender to finance the purchase of a home, there are many reasons a real estate closing can be delayed. To learn more:
Closing Costs: Who Pays For What?
Understand what costs sellers should be expected to cover, and which closing expenses buyers will incur during the process:
Understanding Title Insurance
If you’ve purchased a home you may be familiar with the benefits of title insurance. However, if this is your first home you may wonder, “Why do I need yet another insurance policy?” Get the answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding title insurance:
Why Do You Need Title Insurance?
The purchase of a home is most likely one of the most expensive and important purchases you will ever make. You and your mortgage lender want to make sure the property is indeed yours and that no individual or government entity has any right, lien, claim, or encumbrance to your property.
The Home Buying Process
This guide walks you through the journey of buying a home, the expected process, and milestones.
The Home Selling Process
This guide walks you through the journey of selling your house, the expected process, and milestones.
Homebuyer Awareness For The Consumer
Here you will find why Owner’s title insurance provides lasting value.
Good Funds - All Funds are Not Alike
Hawaii is a good funds state, this FAQ sheet will provide important details through the home buying process journey.
Protect What You Have From Cyber-Criminals
Cyber-criminals are constantly looking for new victims to wire them commissions, sales proceeds, or deposits. Real estate transactions are especially vulnerable. Click the link below to see how you can help guard your money and what to do if you fall victim.
For Real Estate Agents:
What Every Realtor® Needs To Know About Owner's Title Insurance
When it comes to selecting a title company, choose one with the local market knowledge and committed customer service that you demand. At Ho’okele Title & Escrow, we take great pride in the exceptional service we provide, along with reliable communication and mobile-friendly tools that make it easy for Realtors® to access the property information needed for a successful closing.
> View PDF: What Every Realtor® Needs To Know About Owner’s Title Insurance
Leasehold vs. Fee Simple Properties
Fee Simple and Leasehold properties have pros and cons. Depending on the buyer’s strategy, this informational piece can help explain the key differences and potential benefits.
Tenancies in Hawaii
There are many types of tenancies available in the state of Hawaii. To learn more:
The Title Search Process
Curious to learn more about the typical life of a title search?
Property Profile vs. Preliminary Title Report
A Property Profile Report helps Real Estate and MLS professionals obtain a quick view of the property in question.
A Preliminary Title Report contains conditions under which the title company will issue a particular type of title insurance policy.
FIRPTA - Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act
Under the provisions of the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA), the buyer of a United States real property interest from a foreign person is required to withhold as much as 15% of the sales price and forward the funds to the IRS with the required documentation on the seller’s behalf. To learn more:
HARPTA - Hawaii Real Property Tax Act
HARPTA is a Hawaii State 7.25% withholding obligation imposed on the transferee/buyer when Hawaii real property interest is acquired from a non-resident person. This withholding serves to collect Hawaii income tax that might be owed by a nonresident.
Escrow Timeline Worksheet
Ho‘okele Title and Escrow is here to keep you on course. Our team is here to provide tools, professional communication, and successful follow-through. The purpose of this complimentary tool is to track important deadlines throughout the escrow process. It is suggested that you detail the transaction from the Purchase Contract and fill in the action areas in yellow for the timeline to generate. For questions and additional information, please contact your local representative.
Look Out For Red Flags
We want all of your transactions to close smoothly. While not every problem can be anticipated, there are several common “red flags” that you should watch for early on in the transaction in order to avoid delays in closing.
Fraud Schemes - What You Need to Know
Fraud and scams are widespread in today’s world, and the real estate industry in particular is hit hard. Real estate transactions are becoming an increasing target for fraud. What can be done to keep you and your clients safe?
What is QUALIA?
QUALIA is Ho‘okele Title & Escrow’s Digital Closing Platform that provides an exceptional settlement experience for you and your clients. Features include: Communicate Securely, Real-Time Updates, Access From Anywhere, & No-Hassle Scheduling.
Credit Offerings
Hoʻokele Title & Escrow has a variety of discounts available for residential resales that meet certain qualifications.
View Credit Offerings
Navigational Maps - 2023 Calendars
Navigate Successful Closings in 2023 with these resources. Including holiday schedules for Ho’okele, BOC, and USPS:
View Calendars Here
Real Property Taxes
Learn more about rates, property classes, and assessed valuation for Maui County, Hawaii County, Honolulu County, and Kauai County:
Hawaii County Real Property Taxes
Maui County Real Property Taxes
Honolulu County Real Property Taxes
Kauai County Real Property Taxes
Archive: Educational Resources
Protect what you have from cyber-criminals, fraud schemes, and other potential threats by staying up-to-date with these best practices to keep your resources and assets safe.
What is Escrow?
Think of escrow as the hub of a wheel that brings all parties together in the transaction. The escrow company is a neutral third party that holds all the money, contracts, and legal documents until the parties are ready to close the transaction. View the video to learn more.
What Does Escrow Do?
Upon request, escrow provides copies of the real estate purchase contract, earnest money deposit, and escrow instructions to the lender at the beginning of the transaction. For more detailed information about escrow:
Download PDF: What Does Escrow Do?
Click here to download the PDF and learn more about: What Doss Escrow Do?
Preventing Closing Delays
When working with a lender to finance the purchase of a home, there are many reasons a real estate closing can be delayed. For more details:
Download PDF: Tips to Prevent Closing Delays
Click here to download the PDF and learn more about Tips to Prevent Closing Delays
Steps for a Successful Escrow
Learn more about the responsibilities of an escrow officer with this flow chart and rough timeline of events:
Download PDF: Steps for a Successful Escrow
Click here to download the PDF and learn more about the steps for a successful escrow.
Closing Costs: Who Pays What?
Understand what costs sellers should be expected to cover, and which closing expenses buyers will incur during the process:
Download PDF: Closing Costs, Who Pays for What?
Click here to download the PDF and learn more about closing costs.
Understanding Title Insurance
If you’ve purchased a home you may be familiar with the benefits of title insurance. However, if this is your first home you may wonder, “Why do I need yet another insurance policy?” Get the answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding title insurance here.
Why Do You Need Title Insurance?
The purchase of a home is most likely one of the most expensive and important purchases you will ever make. You and your mortgage lender want to make sure the property is indeed yours and that no individual or government entity has any right, lien, claim, or encumbrance to your property. Click below and watch the following video to learn more.
More info
Click here to download the PDF and learn more about why you need title insurance.
The Home Buying Process
This guide walks you through the journey of buying a home, the expected process, and milestones.
More Info
Click here to download the PDF and learn more about the home buying process.
The Home Selling Process
This guide walks you through the journey of selling your house, the expected process, and milestones.
More Info
Click here to download the PDF and learn more about the home selling process.
Homebuyer Awareness For The Consumer
Here you will find why Owner’s title insurance provides lasting value.
More Info
Click here to download the PDF and learn more about homebuyer awareness.
Good Funds - All Funds are Not Alike
Hawaii is a good funds state, this FAQ sheet will provide important details through the home buying process journey.
More Info
Click here to download the PDF and learn more about the home selling process.
What Every Realtor® Needs To Know About Owner's Title Insurance
When it comes to selecting a title company, choose one with the local market knowledge and committed customer service that you demand. At Ho’okele Title & Escrow, we take great pride in the exceptional service we provide, along with reliable communication and mobile-friendly tools that make it easy for Realtors® to access the property information needed for a successful closing.
More Info
Click here to download the PDF and learn more about Owner’s Title Insurance.
Understanding Leasehold vs. Fee Simple Properties
Fee Simple and Leasehold properties have pros and cons. Depending on the buyer’s strategy, this informational piece can help explain the key differences and potential benefits.
More Info
Click here to download the PDF and learn more about Leasehold vs. Fee Simple Properties.
Tenancies in Hawaii
There are many types of tenancies available in the state of Hawaii, click below to learn more.
More Info
Click here to download the PDF and learn more about tenancies in Hawaii.
The Title Search Process
Curious to learn more about the typical life of a title search? Click the link below to read more about the process.
More Info
Click here to download the PDF and learn more about the title search process.
Property Profile vs. Preliminary Title Report
What are the roles of a Property Profile and a Preliminary Title Report? The Property Profile helps Real Estate and MLS professionals obtain a quick view of the property in question.
A Preliminary Title Report contains conditions under which the title company will issue a particular type of title insurance policy.
More Info
Click here to download the PDF and learn more about Property Profiles and Preliminary Title Reports.
FIRPTA - Foreign Investment in Real
Property Tax Act
Under the provisions of the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA), the buyer of a United States real property interest from a foreign person is required to withhold as much as 15% of the sales price and forward the funds to the IRS with the required documentation on the seller’s behalf.
More Info
Click here to download the PDF and learn more about FIRPTA.
HARPTA - Hawaii Real Property Tax Act
HARPTA is a Hawaii State 7.25% withholding obligation imposed on the transferee/buyer when Hawaii real property interest is acquired from a non-resident person. This withholding serves to collect Hawaii income tax that might be owed by a nonresident. Click below for more info.
More Info
Click here to download the PDF and learn more about HARPTA.
Red Flags: What to Look For
We want all of your transactions to close smoothly. While not every problem can be anticipated, there are several common “red flags” that you should watch for early on in the transaction in order to avoid delays in closing.
More Info
Click here to download the PDF and learn more about the “red flags” to watch out for.
Fraud Schemes—What You Need to Know
Fraud and scams are widespread in today’s world, and the real estate industry in particular is hit hard. Real estate transactions are becoming an increasing target for fraud. What can be done to keep you and your clients safe?
More Info
Click here to download the PDF and learn more about how you can help combat fraud.
Protect What You Have From Cyber-Criminals
Cyber-criminals are constantly looking for new victims to wire them commissions, sales proceeds, or deposits. Real estate transactions are especially vulnerable. Click the link below to see how you can help guard your money and what to do if you fall victim.
More Info
Click here to download the PDF and learn more about protecting what you own from cyber-criminals and what to do if you fall, victim.
Have questions?
We look forward to assisting you on your home buying and selling journey.
Reach Us
Hoʻokele Title & Escrow has five convenient locations to better serve you.
Honolulu
711 Kapiolani Blvd.
Suite 111
Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone (808) 427-8676
Wailea
161 Wailea Ike Place
Suite A-101
Kihei, HI 96753
Phone (808) 452-1990
Kaʻanapali
2580 Kekaa Drive
Suite C3
Lahaina, HI 96761
Phone (808) 445-9117
Kailua-Kona
75-5660 Kopiko Street
Suite B3
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Phone (808) 426-7855
Waimea
65-1279 Kawaihae Road