The real estate market on Oahu is very competitive. In 2013, 30 percent of the homes that sold went for more than the asking price. That is an all-time high for Oahu. So what’s a buyer to do? Working with a professional agent who knows the market is key to getting the property that you want, and buyers have to be smart and fast about making an offer on the home they want.

Get Preapproved

Last year I worked with clients who just moved here from the mainland. They wanted a two bedroom and two parking stall condo in a pet friendly building. Before we began looking at condos, they made sure they were preapproved, with the bank letter in hand. Preapproval does two things. It shows the buyers you are serious and ready to move forward quickly, and it helps you and your REALTOR® look for properties in your price range. Not having a preapproval letter can get your offer placed at the bottom of the pile because the seller can’t be sure that you won’t run into financing issues further into the deal.

Sales trends for the Parkview Village Condo Complex in Waipahu, where my clients purchased their condo.

No one should have to choose between their best friend and a place to live. According to the Hawaiian Humane Society, nearly 60 percent of Oahu households have pets, 43 percent of Oahu households own dogs and more than 300,000 pets are family members.

So how do you find a home to rent if you are a pet owner?

Which buildings on Oahu are pet friendly?

Unfortunately, the irresponsible few have made it very difficult for pet owners to find rental accommodations, but there are things you can do to find a home for your whole family – including the ones with four feet.