In many mainland states, only one party pays escrow. In Hawaiʻi, escrow fees are typically split roughly 50/50 between buyer and seller. Escrow companies here handle enormous sums of money with significant legal compliance requirements — and their fees reflect that. Budget for your share of escrow on top of everything else.

Your lender will collect roughly two months of property taxes and two months of homeowners insurance upfront at closing to seed your escrow account. These aren’t fees — you’ll eventually use them — but they increase the cash you need at closing in a way most buyers don’t anticipate. On top of that, prepaid interest covers the days between your closing date and your first mortgage payment, which can be a few hundred to a few thousand dollars depending on your loan size and when in the month you close.

Your lender will require an independent appraisal to confirm the home is worth what you’re paying for it before they fund the loan. On Oʻahu, appraisals typically run $500–$1,200 depending on property type and complexity. This is paid by the buyer, usually upfront or shortly after going under contract. It’s non-refundable even if the deal falls through, so it’s important to understand what you’re committing to when you order one.

There are two title insurance policies in a typical Oʻahu transaction — the lender’s policy (required if you’re financing) and the owner’s policy (protects you personally against future claims on the title). In many Hawaiʻi transactions, the owner’s policy is a seller expense — but this is contract-driven and negotiable. Know which policy you’re responsible for before closing day. I clarify this for every buyer I work with so there are no surprises.