In today’s market, simply putting a home on the muliple listing service isn’t enough. Many sellers are learning this the hard way, especially when their property sits for months… or even over a year.
I was recently honored to step in and represent a homeowner in Kona alongside my co-listing partner Ed Barry. When we were first contacted, the home had already been on the market for over a year with another agent, with little progress, limited showing activity, and growing frustration around lack of communication.
Like many sellers in this situation, they weren’t just concerned about the lack of offers, they were unsure what was actually being done to move the sale forward. Feedback was minimal, updates were inconsistent, and there was no clear strategy being communicated. After a year on the market, it can start to feel less like a process and more like being stuck.
By the time we connected, it wasn’t just about selling the home anymore. It was about rebuilding trust, creating a clear plan, and bringing a sense of direction back to the experience.
And that’s where everything started.
What Does “Good Communication” Actually Mean in Real Estate?
It’s a word that gets used constantly, but rarely defined.
For us, communication isn’t just checking in. It’s clarity, transparency, and making sure the seller understands what’s happening behind the scenes, not just the final result.
What stood out to me in this situation was how much the lack of communication had impacted the seller’s confidence. I wanted to change that completely. My goal was to make sure they understood every step of the process so they felt consistently informed, supported, and never caught off guard.
This approach was different from how I’ve worked in the past. We made a conscious decision to bring the seller into the process, not just updating them weekly with our progress, but showing them exactly what we were doing regarding marketing. And not just our marketing efforts online but how we were also positioning the property with other real estate agents, they had full visibility.
That level of transparency created a stronger partnership, and ultimately, a better experience for the seller.
From day one, our goal wasn’t just to sell the home. It was to rebuild trust. To communicate.
We made a commitment to over communicate:
- Every Tuesday Weekly updates with real data and our overall thoughts, not vague opinions.
- Zillow Showcase performance reports and buyer engagement insights
- Honest feedback from showings and agent conversations
- Clear recommendations on what was working and what needed to shift
- Inclusion to all marketing to agents, online, and increasing visablity through Hawaii Life Blogs
But we didn’t stop there.
A Different Approach: Bringing the Seller Into the Process
This time, I did something I hadn’t done before.
Instead of keeping marketing behind the curtain, we brought the seller into it.
- Agent outreach and email campaigns
Targeted emails and direct outreach to active agents in the market, not just a blast and hope approach. We focused on agents with qualified buyers, followed up for real feedback, and kept the property top of mind in a crowded market. - Social media strategy and exposure
Intentional, consistent marketing across social platforms designed to reach both local and off-island buyers. This wasn’t just posting photos, it was positioning the property to stand out, tell a story, and drive actual interest. - Blog features and online positioning
Strategic blog placement to improve SEO, increase long-term visibility, and capture buyers actively searching for properties in Kona. This created another layer of exposure beyond the MLS and typical listing platforms. - Showing activity and real-time feedback
Immediate updates after every showing, including honest buyer feedback, patterns we were seeing, and what adjustments needed to be made. No guessing, no silence, just clear information to guide next steps.
That level of transparency created something powerful… confidence.
They didn’t have to wonder what we were doing. They could see it.
The Result
After more than a year on the market with a previous agent, the home went into escrow shortly after we repositioned the property and implemented a more strategic, transparent approach. From relaunch to closing, the entire process was completed in just 59 days, ultimately securing a cash buyer.
The sellers were, of course, thrilled with the result. But what stood out most to them wasn’t just that the home finally sold, it was how different the experience felt. They felt informed, involved, and confident throughout the process, rather than uncertain and disconnected. That shift in experience made just as much of an impact as the final sale itself.
Selling in a Buyer’s Market Takes More Than Luck
TThe reality is, we are in a market where buyers have options. More inventory, longer days on market, and increased price sensitivity have shifted the dynamic. Homes don’t sell simply because they exist or because they would have sold a year or two ago.
They sell because they are positioned correctly from the start and managed strategically throughout the process.
That means:
- Strategic pricing
Pricing isn’t about “testing the market.” It’s about understanding current data, buyer behavior, and where your property fits within the competition. Homes that are priced correctly generate early interest and momentum, while those that miss the mark often sit and require reductions that weaken their position. - Strong, targeted marketing
It’s not enough to be on the MLS. Marketing needs to reach the right buyers, through the right channels, with a clear message. That includes agent-to-agent exposure, digital campaigns, and storytelling that highlights what actually makes the property stand out. - Consistent exposure over time
The first two weeks matter, but so does everything that comes after. Refreshing the listing, adjusting visuals, re-engaging agents, and staying visible ensures the property doesn’t fade into the background as new listings come on. - Clear communication and ongoing adjustments
The market gives feedback quickly, through showings, lack of showings, and buyer comments. Interpreting that feedback and making timely adjustments is what keeps a home moving forward instead of becoming stagnant.
And most importantly, it takes an agent who understands how to navigate shifting conditions, one who stays proactive, communicates openly, and doesn’t go quiet when the market gets challenging.
Because in this environment, the difference between a home that sells and one that sits often comes down to the strategy and the execution behind it.
Final Thoughts
If your home has been sitting on the market, it doesn’t mean it won’t sell.
But it may mean something needs to change. Representation matters. Strategy matters. Communication matters.
This experience pushed me outside my comfort zone in the best way, and it reinforced something I believe deeply, sellers deserve to feel informed, supported, and confident every step of the way. I’m incredibly grateful to these clients for trusting us, and even more excited for what’s ahead for them.
