Frequently asked questions
Relocating, whether a senior loved one or military family, can feel overwhelming.
At Aloha Senior 411, we’re here to simplify that journey — and answer your most common questions with clarity. Below are some of the questions we hear most often, along with honest answers to guide you forward. Please Note: AlohaSenior411 does not handle rentals or housing placement. We're here to connect you with trusted senior services, as well as home repair and sale resources.
What is a senior home transition service?
A senior home transition service helps families manage everything involved when an older adult can no longer live safely or independently in their home. This often includes downsizing, clearing out belongings, coordinating repairs, preparing the property for sale, and guiding the real estate process from start to finish.
How is your service different from a traditional real estate agent?
Aloha Senior 411 is a one-stop transition partner. Unlike a traditional agent or mover, we coordinate the entire process — from sorting personal belongings and handling home prep to overseeing repairs, staging, and the eventual sale. Families have one point of contact instead of juggling multiple vendors.
Do you help when the family lives on the mainland?
Yes. Many of the families we help live outside Hawai‘i. We act as your local eyes, ears, and coordinator on O‘ahu and the neighbor islands — providing updates, photos, and guidance so you don’t have to manage everything from afar.
Can the costs for clean-out, repairs, or staging be deferred until closing?
In many cases, yes. When appropriate, certain services may be coordinated so that costs are paid at the close of escrow rather than upfront. This reduces financial strain during an already stressful time.
Do you only work with seniors?
No. While our focus is on supporting kūpuna, we also help trustees, executors, military families, and adult children who are responsible for managing a loved one’s home during a life transition.
What happens to personal belongings and family keepsakes?
We work closely with families to ensure sentimental items are handled with care. Belongings can be sorted for keeping, gifting to family, donation to local charities, or responsible disposal — always guided by the family’s wishes.
Can you help us find a senior living facility or care home?
Yes. We partner with local care consultants to help identify the right living situation based on health, budget, and personal preferences. Whether staying on Oʻahu or moving to the mainland, we’ll help find the right next step.
How do we get started?
It starts with a consultation. We listen to your situation, explain your options, and outline next steps — with no pressure and no obligation.
How do you help Military and their families
O'ahu has several military bases and personnel. Wisely, many opt to take their housing allowance and buy into a home, instead of renting or living on base. Once they move, whether it is PCS or retirement, and they rent out their home to gain future equity. Then, when they feel it is time to sell, so they can free up their VA beneifts, we go in and get the home ready to put on the market for them, relieving them of having to come back and prepare the home to sell.
Do you help with homes in trust or probate situations?
Yes. We frequently work with trustees, attorneys, and families navigating trust or probate sales. Our role is to simplify the property side of the process while respecting legal requirements and timelines.
What areas of Hawai‘i do you serve?
We primarily serve Honolulu, O‘ahu, and surrounding communities.
In Short
Aloha Senior 411 helps Hawai‘i families clear out, prepare, and sell a loved one’s home during life transitions — with compassion, local expertise, and fewer moving parts, relieving stress for the whole family.
Still Have Questions? Let’s Talk.
At Aloha Senior 411, we know this isn’t just about real estate — it’s about people, memories, and new beginnings. Let us take the burden off your shoulders and guide you through this chapter with aloha.
📞 Call (808) 734-7355
🌐 Visit AlohaSenior411.com
💌 Email: [email protected]
People Also Ask...
Families often ask these questions when deciding what to do with a loved one’s home.
Who helps families sell a parent’s home in Honolulu?
Families in Honolulu often turn to senior home transition specialists who coordinate clean-out, repairs, home preparation, and the sale itself. Aloha Senior 411 provides a single point of contact to manage the entire process locally, especially when families live out of state.
“What is your listing commission; percentage or flat fee?”
At Aloha Senior 411, our standard listing commission typically ranges from 2.5% to 3% of the final sales price. Depending on the home’s condition and the scope of preparation, renovation costs are also factored in. When renovation costs are deferred until closing, a project management fee of 20% of the renovation price is applied.
What truly sets us apart is the value we add. Just the relief of the stress of taking care of the home, is a great benefit. Usually, after completing improvements, we help increase the home’s market value by $50,000 to $90,000—providing a higher return for our clients and helping them move forward with greater financial peace of mind. When the cost of the repairs are deferred till closing, that can releive the family of any financial stress.
Do you also cover the buyer’s agent commission as part of your package?
As of August 2024, real estate commission rules have changed. The key takeaway: commissions are now fully negotiable—and must be transparently disclosed to both the buyer and seller.
Here’s what that means for you:
If a buyer agrees to pay a certain price for your home but is also expected to pay their agent’s 2%–2.5% commission out-of-pocket, they may either walk away or reduce their offer by that amount.
Buyers who are financing their purchase cannot roll that commission into their mortgage, making it even less appealing.
A more effective strategy is to have the seller pay the buyer’s agent’s commission from escrow. This allows the buyer to finance the full purchase price, keeps offers stronger, and can reduce tax consequences for both parties.
We help guide you through these new rules to make sure your home stays attractive to qualified buyers—without leaving money on the table.
Which services—decluttering, repairs, staging, marketing—are included?
Aloha Senior 411 is a collaborative partnership of trusted contractors and service providers. We work together to offer our clients more affordable rates and to manage all the logistics—ensuring that every job is completed efficiently and on time.
Our real estate service fees are kept separate from contractor costs, giving homeowners greater clarity and control. This approach allows clients to:
Minimize stress by having all services coordinated through one point of contact
Pay contractor fees from escrow at closing, making it easier to manage out-of-pocket expenses
Potentially reduce tax liability, since these costs may be deducted from the final sales proceeds
We simplify the process so our clients can focus on their next chapter—not the hassles of home preparation.
What do I do first when my parent can no longer live at home?
The first step is understanding your options. This usually includes assessing the home, discussing timing, and deciding whether to sell, rent, or prepare the property for transition. A consultation can help families make informed decisions before taking action.
How long does it take to prepare a senior’s home for sale?
Every home is different, but most senior home transitions take several weeks to a few months. Timeframes depend on how much sorting, repair, and preparation is needed before listing the property.
Is it better to sell a home as-is or fix it up first?
In many cases, modest improvements and proper preparation can significantly increase a home’s value. The right approach depends on the home’s condition, market timing, and the family’s goals. A local expert can help compare options and that's what we do during our initial consultation.
What happens if siblings don’t agree on what to do with the house?
When families have differing opinions, having a neutral professional guide the process can help. Clear communication, transparency, and an agreed-upon plan often reduce conflict and delays.
Can someone manage the sale if the family lives on the mainland?
Yes. Many Hawai‘i home sales are managed for families living elsewhere. A local transition coordinator can oversee the property, handle vendors, and provide regular updates so families don’t need to travel back and forth. With our exclusive AS411 App, you can monitor the progress and communicate with the coordinator.
How are donations and unwanted items handled?
Unwanted belongings can be donated to local charities, given to family members, or responsibly disposed of. Families decide what matters most, and the rest is handled respectfully.
Do I need a real estate agent who understands senior transitions?
Yes. Senior transitions involve more than selling a house. Experience with downsizing, emotional family dynamics, trusts, and deferred maintenance can make a major difference in both outcome and stress level.
What questions should I ask before selling my parent’s home?
Families often ask:
What will the home sell for as-is vs. prepared?
How long will the process take?
What costs are involved?
Who coordinates everything?
Getting clear answers upfront helps avoid surprises later.
Which expenses are deferred to closing and paid from escrow?
We’ve partnered with a network of trusted contractors and service providers—all sharing a common goal: to support our Kūpuna with care and dignity.
Any upfront fees go directly toward purchasing the materials needed to complete the work. In many cases, our partners generously defer their labor costs until the home is sold, allowing families to move forward with minimal financial burden.
This approach not only reduces out-of-pocket expenses during a difficult time, but also relieves heirs and family members of the stress and financial strain often involved in preparing a home for sale.
What happens if the property doesn’t sell—do I still owe anything?
Aloha Senior 411 is a collaboration of experienced service providers working together to enhance the home’s market appeal and maximize its value.
Our shared goal is to prepare the property for a successful sale. However, if unforeseen circumstances prevent the home from selling, a price adjustment may be necessary to align with current market conditions.
If the homeowner chooses not to proceed with a recommended pricing strategy and the home does not sell, they will be responsible for covering the costs of services rendered, including cleaning, repairs, upgrades, and staging.
How do your sales prices/net proceeds compare with standard agents in Honolulu?
The goal of Aloha Senior 411 is to help homeowners maximize their profit from the sale of their property, so they can move forward into the next phase of life with greater financial stability and peace of mind.
Our clients’ homes are prepared to compete with others on the market that have been fully renovated, professionally cleaned, and staged to enhance buyer appeal. These comparable homes typically require significant time, effort, and investment to get market-ready.
What sets us apart is the value we deliver through time and cost savings—coordinating all necessary preparations efficiently and affordably, so you can get top dollar for your home with less stress and fewer out-of-pocket expenses.
Seamless Senior Transitions in Hawaii
At Aloha Senior 411, we specialize in helping seniors make smooth transitions to new living arrangements either locally or across the ocean. Rely on our expertise and local knowledge to help you gain additional value in your home and less stress during a often difficult time in life.