Have You Hugged Your Keiki Today? - 04/29/11 05:37 PM
Keiki (pronounced as "kay key") means child in the Hawaiian language or literally "the little one".  We celebrate a child's first birthday with a luau of festivities. Family and friends gather round for a joyous occasion.
In ancient Hawaiian times, there were feasts to acknowledge a special occasion such as a birth of a child, a great harvest or a battle that was won.  They held these festivities to honor the gods who allowed these great ‘miracles' to happen. 
Back in the day the Hawaiians called it ‘aha ‘aina or gathering of a feast and men ate separately from the the women. All commoners … (9 comments)

Mililani Town | Mililani Fairway Village on the Golf Course - 04/28/11 02:25 PM
Memories of my younger years as a resident of Mililani started during the summer between 8th and 9th grade. We just moved into our newly constructed home built by Castle & Cooke in 1971 and were one of the lucky ones who were fortunate to get a rim lot at the end of a cul-de-sac with only valley below. 
I remember smelling the burning of the pineapple fields at harvest time and I would watch them harvest and replant from my bedroom windows.   The rich red soil that seemed to cover everything including our feet and it would stain anything white … (3 comments)

May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii | Hawaii May Day 2011 Events - 04/27/11 12:23 PM
A poet named Don Blanding, wrote an article in the local newspaper in early 1928, throwing out an idea that there might be a holiday that centered around a Hawaiian custom of making and wearing the flower lei.  Then, fellow writer Grace Tower Warren came up with the idea of a holiday on May 1 to go along with May Day and she is the one who made up the phrase, "May Day is Lei Day."
The first Lei Day was held on May 1, 1928 and they encouraged everyone to wear a lei. There were wonderful programs in downtown Honolulu … (10 comments)

Miracle for an ActiveRain Member - 04/26/11 06:15 PM
I've always believed that we share more than real estate on ActiveRain. We write about the industry or our related fields, our local areas and events, tips for the consumer and our peers, history and even a bit of our personal lives.
We do so with the intent of sharing a piece of ourselves so that the consumer can better relate to the person who is behind the written word.  We have a thought or an idea and we articulately write so that our readers can 'feel' the kind of person we are.
Those that know me know that I am … (35 comments)

Who Says Holding an Open House Won’t Work? - 04/25/11 06:47 PM
We ALL know that the market will depend on any given local area and neighborhood.  So whoever says Open House's don't work are the ones who are in areas that it really doesn't work. It could be that there area is so rural that it takes an hour to drive from house to house. It could be for a thousand other reasons including the agent just doesn't like sitting at an Open House.
I held an Open House for my listing for Mililani Fairway Village yesterday (Easter Sunday) and though it was slow in the beginning I still had 9 groups … (28 comments)

Being an Anal Realtor® is NOT a Bad Thing - 04/24/11 02:53 PM
When I received my Real Estate License I was told, "You are the kind of real estate agent we need in this industry".  That statement rang a song that will resonate in my mind for years past and years to come.  That statement was the product of being a good human being who was ready and able to give the service a home buyer or seller needed.....in detail.
As a Home Seller, you will want a detailed agent who will walk that extra mile to market and sell your home. 85% + home buyers will be searching the internet for homes … (14 comments)

Bunny Flop? ......NOT ANY MORE! - 04/23/11 09:50 PM

Yikes! After Gary wearing out my bunny ears over the years we are off to go looking for another pair of ears.....  I mean, after all, I have an Open House to do on Easter Day and I can't be looking like a flop! 
If I find another pair I'll be back to post the new and improved ones lol.

3:45pm Update:  After searching and searching I finally found some bunny ears. They only had the light blue but they look just fine with all the fluffiness.  Even though Easter has been commercialized with bunnies, egg hunts, candy and … (24 comments)

Tips for NOT Cutting Corners With Your Real Estate Business - 04/23/11 01:38 AM
So, you have your Real Estate License and you're thinking about making a go of selling real estate.  You already have the mindset that you will make every effort to be the best you can be in this business. One thing is for certain: If you don't have good morals, beliefs and values in your life every day then all the rules, laws, regulations, code of ethics will not come even close to being something you will follow or adhere to.
There are no cutting corners in real estate when:
You are explaining a contract to your clients or answering any … (51 comments)

There Is No Need for Words - 04/21/11 10:42 PM

What else is there to say?
… (16 comments)

Poaching Clients and Showing Cleavage? - 04/19/11 07:08 PM
We have seen  all sides of the business.  We continuously see the good vs. bad, the positive vs. negative, the apple and the orange. Oh, goodness, but what about the ugly?  The class where you just shake your head in disbelief.
The truth is that we see all kinds in any walks of life.
It's not just the real estate industry!
Whew!  I thought I was losing my mind when I heard this story. Come on folks- this island is just too small to hear the nitty gritty about another agent.  NO, THIS DID NOT HAPPEN TO ME but if I heard … (30 comments)

Eh! Whatchu Lookin' At? - 04/18/11 12:53 AM

We went out to Ko'olina today to take some pictures and to just enjoy a lazy afternoon after a giant lunch.  I was taking a picture of Flat Stanley (who came from Pennsylvania) and in my eyesight was......this beautiful bird. I stayed so still and just watched it slowly turn around and look at me. He stood still just watching me. I felt privileged to take his picture and how beautiful it turned out!
 
… (18 comments)

Top Concerns for the Hawaii First Time Home Buyer - 04/15/11 01:14 AM
There are many concerns a Hawaii First Time Home Buyer may have about buying their first home. There will be many questions and you need those answers regarding your first home purchase and I'm here to help you along with that process.
Let's make this a smooth transition by starting out with the concerns many Hawaii First Time Home Buyers have in the purchase of their first home:
What is my first step to start the home buying process?  Speak to a local lender who will pre-approve you for a loan by collecting all pertinent information and documentation.  Make sure and … (8 comments)

Building or Tearing Down Your Reputation Online - 04/14/11 05:35 PM
We can never say it enough. YOUR ONLINE LEGACY dictates the person you are ...just as in real life. I wrote the following article two years ago and i just bet that some may find it useful or tear it down because they don't believe that their typewritten word can hurt them...or help them.
Our reputation is all we have in this business. The Real Estate Industry has enough negative said...to only compound it with the negative attitudes of some. Bantering about your political preference or religious views while cutting down another is as bad as watching the crap on television.
… (18 comments)

Mililani Real Estate | Mililani Homes For Sale | Mililani Market Report March 2011 - 04/14/11 01:49 AM
Mililani is a Master Planned Community and has a population of approximately 30,000 people. The first homes went up for sale around June 1968 and the last of homes sold in 2008. 
In 1986 Mililani was named an "All American City" and IS the only community in Hawaii to receive this distinction. In 1990 a ground breaking ceremony commenced for the Mililani Mauka subdivision which is a newer and more modern side of the community on the east side of the H-2 freeway.
If you are planning on a Relocation to Hawaii you may want to consider the community of Mililani, Hawaii. Centrally located to all military bases on … (2 comments)

Who Google's Our Name? - 04/12/11 12:47 PM
Does the Consumer Google Our Name?
Heck, yeah!  I read a comment where someone did not believe that anyone would Google another person's name.  Remember, folks. Mentioning another's name (with ill intent) is not a good way to get your own good publicity)  It only shows who YOU are.
Focusing on another mirrors something we wish we had ....or had not.

Every so often there will be a seller who will search for my name ...to find out how much I'm on the internet to market their home.  They search to find out if there are good reviews about "Sally" … (38 comments)

Protection and Safety At Its Finest! - 04/11/11 01:15 PM
We all know the drill on real estate and safety. There was an incident where an agent held an Open House and a 'nice' couple came in and while one distracted her the other one found her purse and stole her wallet. 
After reading about that I got to thinking that it might be wise for me to have my husband drop me off at my Open Houses...and pick me up so I don't need to take my wallet with me. I have my SmartCard on a clip so I'm good.
So, for the first Open House (when this started) he drove me around and … (13 comments)

Polite Tips for the Home Seller to Take a Step Back - 04/10/11 12:23 AM
I don't know if it will ever be easy for me to tell a home seller that it's not a good idea to hang out at showings.  Okay, that's not totally true. It's very easy to let a seller know that they need to take a step back although using the right tone of voice may be key to not offending your client.
Reasons for the Home Seller NOT to be at Open Houses or Showing Appointments:
The Store Salesperson I've had sellers who wanted to be at the showing  appointment when an agent is accompanying their client.  It's when they … (59 comments)

Quit Talking SPECIFIC Commission Splits on MY Blog! - 04/06/11 09:54 PM
You've heard the expression ‘Our reputation is all we have', right?  I do not take that lightly. Regardless in everyday living or in business my reputation dictates the person I am; in real life or the written word. I do not take lightly to those that choose an alternate to living right.
After emailing another agent about discussing specific commission splits on my blog this agent turns around and ‘threatens' that there will be no commenting on my blog again. I really could give a hoot. I'd rather keep the discussion from going further and let the agent know that I … (83 comments)

Mililani Fairway Village | 95-019 Kahoea St #153 - 04/03/11 02:26 PM
 
 
… (7 comments)

ActiveRain Meeting of the Members - 04/01/11 10:04 PM
It is ALWAYS a pleasure to meet up with another ActiveRain member as it shows the connection we have made through blogging on this network.  There have been many members who join, pay the membership and don't do a darn thing but self promote only to find out they have made no friends and  have gotten no leads.
ActiveRain  is a real estate network, yes. But we learn that it goes far beyond just writing about ‘self' or our number of sales. It's all about connecting with our peers in the real estate industry and getting to know one another. I mean, … (24 comments)

 
Celeste Ambassador_large

Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman RA CRS HAWAII Mililani Oahu Real Estate

Mililani, HI

More about me…

Century 21 Liberty Homes

Address: 95-221 Kipapa Drive Ste. E-3, Mililani, HI, 96789

Office Phone: (808) 625-1776

Cell Phone: (808) 375-1404

Email Me

Reading my blog will give you the human side of this Real Estate Industry Professional as well as allowing you to walk beside me through my writing about Hawaii Real Estate & our Local Area. As a resident of Honolulu County Hawaii for 42 years you will get a tour of a lifetime. Specializing in Hawaii Relocation Military VA Home Buyers you can be rest assured you will be in good hands. I LISTEN to YOUR needs and give you sound advice. Hawaii Relocations, Hawaii Military Relocations, Mililani Hawaii Real Estate, Living in Hawaii, Army Navy Air Force Marines in Hawaii. Read more at www.cheesemanhomes.com


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