Hawaii taxes property sales through its conveyance tax, does not require an attorney at closing and requires a seller disclosure form. It allows both court and out-of-court foreclosure and is not a community property state. Deadline to appeal a property tax assessment: january 15 (notices of assessment mailed or posted by December 15).
Hawaii in short
Is there a real estate transfer tax in Hawaii?
Hawaii taxes property transfers with a conveyance tax of $0.10 to $1.00 per $100 of the full price, depending on the price, or $0.15 to $1.25 for condos and single-family homes sold to buyers who cannot claim a county homeowner's exemption. The seller is the person subject to the tax.
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What closing costs does Hawaii law set?
Hawaii has no official typical closing-cost total. The seller pays the conveyance tax by state rule ($1,600 on an $800,000 sale at the 2025 schedule) and recording a deed in the Regular System costs $41 per document up to 50 pages.
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How is property tax calculated in Hawaii?
In Honolulu, Hawaii, an owner with the home exemption pays $3.50 per $1,000 of net taxable value for July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, and the home exemption removes $120,000 of assessed value ($160,000 if 65 or older). To appeal, file with the Board of Review by January 15.
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What is the deadline to appeal a property tax assessment in Hawaii?
In Honolulu, Hawaii, file an appeal with the Board of Review by January 15, online or on the city's form. The usual ground is that the assessed value exceeds market value by more than 10%, and you must bring evidence such as comparable sales.
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Do you need a real estate attorney to close in Hawaii?
The Hawaii statutes read do not require a buyer or seller to hire an attorney to close. Only a licensed escrow depository corporation may act as escrow for a fee (HRS 449-5), while attorneys and brokers may hold escrow only with no escrow fee (HRS 449-3).
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What must a home seller disclose in Hawaii?
Hawaii has a mandatory seller-disclosure law, chapter 508D of the Hawaii Revised Statutes. The sources reviewed do not state its deadlines, form contents or buyer remedies.
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How does foreclosure work in Hawaii?
Hawaii allows foreclosure both by court action and by non-judicial power of sale under HRS chapter 667, according to the state's DCCA. The article does not state a typical foreclosure timeline, redemption period or deficiency rule.
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What first-time home buyer programs does Hawaii offer?
Hawaii's main first-time buyer program is the Hale Kamaʻāina Mortgage Program of the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC), a 30-year fixed-rate loan through a participating lender.
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Which natural hazards affect home insurance in Hawaii?
A standard Hawaii homeowners policy (form HO-3) excludes hurricane, flood, tidal wave and earthquake losses, so separate policies may be needed. An NFIP policy covers up to $250,000 of building damage and takes 30 days to start unless bought with a mortgage.
Hawaii guides
- Closing costs in Hawaii: what buyers and sellers pay
- Hawaii conveyance tax: rates, who pays and an example
- Honolulu property tax: the $3.50 rate and the home exemption
- What must a home seller disclose in Hawaii?
- Do you need a real estate attorney to close in Hawaii?
- Foreclosure process in Hawaii
- Home prices in Hawaii and Honolulu: median value and trend
- First-time home buyer programs in Hawaii: HHFDC and Honolulu
- How to verify a real estate license in Hawaii
- Hurricane, flood and lava insurance in Hawaii: what buyers need (state-specific topic)