Aloha! Hawaii Real Estate & Relocation Blog

A Beautiful Life!

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 12:02:59 -0500

Last night I was trying to catch up on a little bit of commenting here (didn't do too well) I realized just how tired I was. Between transactions closing and opening a new one and still showing property to two buyers up until yesterday morning I was running on fumes.

I went to marti's post Gone fishin', Rain Radio, blog preview, featured marketing posts and commented only to realize that I needed to get off the pc and rest. Did I? Well, I think I made a couple of more comments (which I know must have sounded like nonsense too because I went back to marti's post to read my comment....oh, yeah...there's a time to rest)

We watched a movie and I ended up falling asleep during the last 45 minutes of it. Geez.

One thing I did hear in my daze right before falling off into oblivion was this song and it sure stayed with me until this am.

Take the time to refuel people!

When Prospects Become Clients or a Fleeting Thought

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 12:50:20 -0500

A notice appears on my pc saying I have an email from my contact form. I immediately respond and get a little more information from the person who is Relocating to Hawaii (or a resident who just wants to start with an email) and is seriously considering buying a home while they are residing in our beautiful Hawaiian Islands.

The process starts for preparing them for their home purchase once they arrive in Honolulu County:

I refer them to a local Loan Officer who knows our state laws and our Hawaii Purchase Contract. (and if they're Veterans of the Military they could be eligible to use their VA benefits)
They subsequently get prequalified and the loan officer goes through everything that they need to do (or not) while they are preparing for their loan process.
Their criteria is set with the price range (according to qualification and their desired monthly mortgage payment), bedrooms, baths, sq/ft. interior & land, parking, condo/single family, property condition, year built, neighborhoods and so forth and I plug it in to their custom reports.
They immediately start receiving listings for perusal from our Multiple Listing Service. They are set up with their own personal webpage to save to Favorites, Possibilities, Rejections and they can even make notes which I will see and answer.
I send them a Hawaii Relocation Packet or follow up consistently until they arrive or until they are ready to jump in and have me set showing appointments.

So then come the results....or not.

All of a sudden they want to put in an offer long distance. (currently in contract with these CLIENTS...and they KNOW what we do and have expressed so)
They decide they want to rent after working with them for MONTHS.
They no longer return calls...once you've chauffeured them all over the place. (that is just plain rude)
They say they've been calling MANY agents and which agent was I? (Maybe I didn't explain myself better)
They go to an Open House and call me to write a contract.
They got to an Open House and decide that they are the Real Estate Agent and can do better at negotiating.
They know that I will walk them through the process step by step and think in their best interests.
They respect me, my profession and my advice and ask questions instead of assuming or asking Joe the Handyman, or Nancy the neighbor.
After a month of weekend showing appointments they mention that I can take them to lunch because it's a business expense. Sorry, gotta go.
When I pick them up from the airport they have a LIST of places they want me to cart them around to before dropping them off at their hotel.

No matter what, in this business we cross paths with all types during the course of our careers. No matter what, I am human and I have feelings too. When people are just flat out rude and think a Realtor® is someone to use and abuse I keep telling myself, "It probably would have been a horrendous relationship anyway".

Over and over I come to the realization that in this business my personality has to connect with the consumer, the public, our peers (and everyone involved in the transaction) or there just won't be a happy ending.

When there is no hiding behind mask....there will be smooth tranactions.

I love happy endings.

What Kind of Legacy Will I Leave Behind.....ONLINE? (CONTEST)

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:25:44 -0500

In July of last year the Positive Attitude for the Weary Soul group held such a wonderful contest for all weary souls. With an array of diversity in thinking, these members wrote some really good quality content and surely worth the time to read all. The theme of the contest was What Kind of Legacy Will You Leave Behind?

If you would like to read some of the entries read on here>>>> **Winners** of the "Legacy" Contest : Positive Attitude for the Weary Soul Group

Back then I left the contest open for everyone to write something profound that they felt they are doing in their lives that they would surely want to be remembered for. You know....the good stuff. I mean....we don't want to leave bad tastes in peoples mouths when they speak our names long after we're gone right? How about what we teach our children or others in the Real Estate Industry and what they carry from what they learned from us?

It's a continuous cycle in this game called life. And the good qualities in me I know I passed to my children. I see it in them just as bright as day. I see it in the new agents that I've given helpful tips to and how they blossom into full bloom with each step they take.

Blogging for Business and Bonding With Peers. That is what ActiveRain means to me. Always within this memory bank of mine, I am human, but I am a professional. We all learn by example and I know that my legacy online will continuous live on with the memory of who "Sally" Cheeseman IS. She is not only the founder of the Positive Attitude for the Weary Soul group but leads by example.

So, with this in mind....the theme of this contest is

"What Kind of Legacy Will I Leave Behind.....ONLINE? "

What kinds of examples are you setting for other members with your writing online?
What suggestions can you give that you do that will benefit the ActiveRain community and your business.
What values and beliefs do you hold that you believe you carry through your life from day to day in your writing here?
What positive and inspirational suggestions can you give to others to be successful with blogging on ActiveRain?

Contest Rules and Criteria:

Contest will start September 5th, 2008 at 11:59pm ActiveRain Time and end September 19^th, 2008 at MIDNIGHT ActiveRain time stamp ONLY)
You can enter as many posts as you like but you will be rewarded for only ONE post.
You will need to join the POSITIVE ATTITUDE for the Weary Soul (if you're not a member) and post to the group.
Your title must include the words MY LEGACY ONLINE.
Enter the words "LEGACY ONLINE CONTEST" in your tags separated by a comma for whatever other tags you are going to add so we are able to find the posts by clicking on the Legacy Online Contest tag.
Content- Write as if your reader is walking right along with you while you are telling your story, giving inspiration and positive tips. Supporting the community with your words...it IS the people behind the words...that matter.
Appearance. Give a visual...bullet points...BOLD important tips and experience words.
Following the group Guidelines ..... AND the Community Guidelines are imperative to your entry in the contest as well.
If you have questions...PLEASE ASK!

Judges are:

Brian Block * Northern Virginia & DC Real Estate, Mana Tuhlberg *Camarillo County Real Estate and Carole Provenzale *Long Island Feng Shui!

Prizes (Awards):

First Place- 1500 points
Second Place - 1000 points
Third Place - 750 points
And 200 additional points for all other entries

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When I die NO ONE is going to remember me for my computer skills and how good a blog I had (okay...some will lol). NO ONE is going to remember me for how many transactions I have had in my life. They are going to remember me for the kind of person I was. The demeanor I carried. The soul I had.

MY LEGACY IS ALL ABOUT THE QUALITY OF RELATIONSHIPS I HAVE WITH OTHERS ........ And..... Without that quality, tell me.....what is a Professional worth?

From Braless to Aging Gracefully

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 11:44:21 -0500

In the 70's I romped the city braless. Yup, women were standing up for their rights and wearing no bra and saran wrap dresses. Now look at us. With gravity taking its course we throw them over our shoulders and age gracefully. We snicker at the young folk who do not allow nature to run it's course (on the other hand if you're like me you refuse to spend a bunch of money to keep those tummies tight and inserting silicone to keep other places perky) or allow themselves to calm the rebel inside.

Back in the day, I opened my mouth and didn't care how it affected anyone else.

Because I wanted to voice my opinion and that's all that mattered. Back in the day.

Aging gracefully is a pretty cool thing. I'm not FIGHTING my way to 'MAKE' everyone think like me and detach from those that are trying to push views on me. I don't allow anyone to dictate how I feel on any one subject but I certainly don't let anyone run over me either. Sometimes it's hard to think clearly when ones own mind is taking over with ones own thoughts.

Stepping in another persons shoes is the most enlightening experience in my life that I'll have each day.

It allows one to open their mind....get out of self...and see the other side.

There are two sides to everything aren't there?

Throughout all my time on ActiveRain I keep working hard on separating MY feelings (that is definitely a hard task!) and stick to my own healthy boundaries. (MY healthy boundaries. You have to make your own boundaries that suit your own needs because what works for me may not work for you)

Though there are some subjects or people I wholeheartedly do not agree with...I can only voice my concerns or opinions (or not) and move on.

Where did this all come from?

Look all around here ....what are the topics that upset people the most?

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MY LEGACY IS ALL ABOUT THE QUALITY OF RELATIONSHIPS I HAVE WITH OTHERS

And..... Without that quality, tell me.....what is a Professional worth?

Taking Care of Our Honolulu 'Opala' (GARBAGE)

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 11:17:01 -0500

Yeah, who wants to talk about the dirt and the scum of the earth?

I do! I do!

Ah...our beautiful Hawaiian paradise and THE environmentally aware residents who keep it that way. Opala (oh pah la) means garbage in Hawaiian. So, of course we take care of our opala. The City & County of Honolulu's Department of Environmental Services, Refuse Division manages the collection, disposal and recycling operations take care of our 'solid waste' with a waste management system.

We may have a great trash man and system but it's up to each individual to KNOW how to dispose or recyle the garbage they create in a responsible manner.

Do you all know when your trash pick up days are?
Do you know when the bulky item pickup comes to your area to pick up unwanted couches, appliances and so forth?
Do you know how to contain liquid 'garbage' so it doesn't spill out into the street when the trash man picks it up?
Do you know how and where to dispose of Household Hazardous Waste?
Do you know where your recycling centers are?
Do you know what you can recycle?

The following links will give you the answers!

Residential
Collection Schedules
New Curbside Recycling
Greenwaste-Curbside Dropoff
Community Recycling Bins
HI5 Redemption Centers
Bulky Collection
Condo Recycling
Household Hazardous Waste
Business Recycling
Business Recycling
Partnership for the Environment
Schools
Recycling Programs/
Equipment
Recycling Fundraisers
Education
Tour de Trash
Discover Recycling Fair
Issues
Waimanalo Gulch Landfill
Illegal Dumping

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A story: I have to tell you all that the city and county provides huge trash bins for our trash. There was one freak accident my mom had with the bin. She was pruning some bushes and throwing the branches in the bin when her pruning shears fell in. Instead of tipping it over to retrieve them she leaned in and fell in......dislocating her shoulder. I had to take her to the emergency room and after they popped it in place and she had a shot to relieve the pain...then...and only then....did I tease her and tell her, "NO MORE DUMPSTER DIVING!"

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Tsukiji Fish Market & Restaurant- Honolulu Hawaii (LOCALISM FEATURED)

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:41:53 -0500

With Jazz on Wednesday nights and a live local band every Friday night this is the added pleasures of dining at Tsukiji's Fish Market & Restaurant. We went a little early on Saturday to stand in line (we were first) and by time the doors opened 15 minutes later the line was snaking around the side of another restaurant!

Known for it's lunch and dinner buffet Tsukiji's Fish Market & Restaurant is huge! My husband, Gary, didn't even sit down....just headed off to the sushi bar! I headed down to the Yakitori Bar and then down to the tempura and udon section.

Loaded with plates piled highwe sat down with my clients for an hour and a half of .....eating and great conversation. (okay...we were cutting up and laughing out loud.....my mom surely would have called me boisterous lol)

And after many trips to the salad bar, sushi bar, yakitori bar, robataki and the buffet we finally rested so we could hit the dessert bar. Yup! From fresh fruit, to little strawberry shortcakes, chocolate cakes and shaved ice with bright colored syrups we were.....FULL!

Tsukiji also has a daily fish filleting demonstration by their skilled chefs so you can learn to fillet your fish like a pro! They bring in fresh fish and shellfish daily for purchase and also have a poke (po ke) bar too!

One thing is for certain....you will enjoy the cultural diversity in FOOD!

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Located at Ho'okipa Terrace on the fourth floor of Ala Moana Center there are also VIP and meeting rooms to reserve for those bridal or baby showers or the big international business meetings. Fully equipped with audio and wireless internet those business meetings and events will surely be complete!

Lunch Buffet and Sushi Bar (Daily): 11am to 2pm
Dinner Buffet and Sushi Bar (Daily): 5pm to 10pm
Fish Market (Daily): 11am to 6pm

Telephone: (808) 237-5444

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Buyer Credit AND Lower Offer? Who Says?

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 23:26:41 -0500

Hawaii Military Relocation clients love a Realtor® that knows there 'stuff' regarding the area, the military and VA Loans for their Hawaii Home Buying experience.

I have been working with clients since May of this year and they are finally arriving tomorrow.

I will be picking them up from the airport and we will be hitting the pavement hard Tuesday morning for showing appointments. I have been working for the last couple of hours setting appointments and think that maybe with this holiday weekend I should have started earlier.....or else agents don't work on weekends.

I managed to get ahold of two who said they had multiple offers and I asked them to call me if they all fall through. Yeah, right.

Then I managed to get ahold of two other agents and made appointments, Usually, if the seller is offering credit (as a bonus to the buyer for closing costs) or other things the agent would have it listed in the 'agent remarks' on the listing on our MLS......RIGHT?

So, on one of the appointments the remarks state that they want a certain escrow company so I ask the agent if they would be open to an escrow company of the buyer's choice. Uh, okay....no problem. (why state that we are to use a certain escrow then???) Then the agent proceeds to tell me how motivated the seller is. Uh, okay. Why isn't it in the agent remarks?

The agent will give me a call after confirming the showing with the seller. Uh, okay. The agent calls back and gives me the okay for showing and then proceeds to tell me how the seller is soooo motivated that they're willing to give the buyer credit for closing costs (most likely) AND the seller is really motivated to looking at lower offers (possibly).

Hmmmm. Do you see what I see?

A Hawaii First Time Home Buyer - Client Testimonial in VIDEO

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 12:07:53 -0500

There are no two real estate transactions that are alike and the reason being is because every transaction has different people involved in it. No matter what, when everyone works together as a team there will be positive results. ALWAYS.

My clients flew in from California on Saturday and I wrote about Hawaii Military Relocation Clients Being Proactive! Briefly, he searched the internet during his tour in Iraq and kept finding ME all over it for the search terms entered. He came back to the states last month, they went to Disneyland and then they called me. This was two weeks ago.

Preapproved and looking at listings, they want to put in an offer...that is accepted last Wedesday. They immediately made reservations to fly over and they arrived on Friday which of course I picked them up and took them to the home for their first peek.

THEY LOVED IT!

Yesterday we did the home inspection with American Certified Home Inspections and everything turned out great. Then they drove over to Kaneohe Marine Corp Air Station and then to meet with the Loan Officer. They are taking advantage of their VA Guaranteed Loan and you can read more here>> This Realtors® Perspective: Hawaii Military & the VA Loan

Since my clients were all game for the video testimonial I turned on the FLIP VIDEO ..............and it sure makes a difference to hear it!

The following video was filmed and viewable online with signed permission from my clients. BTW: They told me that all the time we were talking long distance that they would crack up when I cracked up laughing. Okay...watch this:

Happy Hawaii Relocation Clients

Hawaii Military Relocation Clients Being Proactive!

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 12:34:15 -0500

He arrives back to the states after a tour in Iraq. He decides to take his family to Disneyland for a week vacation and his children are thrilled.

His wife is having a bunch of fun too....until he just can't leave Disneyland and all the WHOLE days events behind without....seeing the fireworks going off above the castle.

It was HIS Disneyland dream though he tried to play it off that this whole vacation was for the kids. LOL!

This was one of the stories they told me yesterday after I picked them up from the airport.

They were adamant to be proactive and have a home recorded by time they transferred here in a couple of months and when they got home from Disneyland they called me.

You see, he had been in Iraq searching around the internet and he found me and sent her links to my 'stuff'. She read everything she could find that I had written.

Wow.

All that hard work is paying off.

Well, we had an offer accepted last Wednesday and they hopped on a plane to view their home for the first time and to also have a home inspection done (which is this morning).

After picking them up we headed to First American Title and dropped off their initial deposit and drove to Ewa Gentry....to the home 'their soon to be home'.

They walked in and loved it! I'm glad I went to view it and take video and pictures and had sent them all so they could see more than the few pictures on the mls. Still, it's not the same as walking in the home...and though they loved the pictures...they loved it more standing in the middle of 'their home' for the first time!

Hawaii Military Relocation family being proactive in their home purchase and PCS to Hawaii.

Oh...did I tell you? They are first time Home Buyers too!

I whine, I cry, I laugh ...HA HA!

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:07:16 -0500

From others before Audrey June Forshey to our Feng Shui friend in Long Island Carole Provenzale who did these...now Kathy McGraw tagged me for laughing at her getting tagged for a MEME. Okay, my turn for this fill in the blank MEME. I've read many and I kind of like this style. Makes it easier to just fill it in instead of going through the memory bank to find a couple of topics.

Here I go!

I am - a great wife, mother, daughter and friend
I think - and rethink and I question myself through circumstances I am upset about. (it usually ends up back at me)
I can - have control over my own self and have no control over others.
I want - (need) to have balance in my life.
I have- made some wonderful friends on ActiveRain!
I wish- to make all my dreams come true for me and you....something about fairies here.
I hate - nothing but dislike much. Wow...what a Sally concept!
I miss- my dad...he was my hero, my all American pop...and I was his pal.
I fear - much but do not run from it and instead stand up to my beliefs and principles.
I feel - my feelings and work through them so I can sleep at night.
I hear- In Dis Life (Bradda Iz) which tells his story of his wife loving him.
I smell - everything and sometimes it's a good thing....sometimes it's not such a good thing.
I search - for more knowledge.
I regret - nothing because everything I have done (or not) has brought me to this place and time I am now....which is absolute contentment...with self.
I love - everything natural and real ...including people.
I care - for all and help those who care about themselves and want the help.
I always - wake up and go to sleep ....until the day I die.
I am not- fickle, egotistical and what you see is definitely what you get.
I believe - I can fly. (Not literally....I can do anything I want and need to do)
I dance - ....(rather lop around LOL) when I feel childish and playful.
I sing - when I'm alone and not offending anyone LOL.
I don't always- keep from taking things personal.
I write- from the inside out. It works better that way :)
I win- when I keep striving to be a better person because it always starts with me.
I lose- when I give up.
I never- say never. In fact I don't even say that...there are none.
I listen - to others needs and if I'm able I'll surely help.
I can usually be found - by calling me on my cell. J
I'm scared of - my children dying before me.
I read- everyday while I am on the pc.
I forget - to do things when I'm busy so I have to write things down.
I just- need to lead a simple life. There is nothing better in my world than to have enough and be satisfied than wanting more and more and more.

I was going to add a couple like I whine, I cry, I laugh and stuff like that but then everyone wouldn't believe what I whine about LOL! I do cry during sad or happy movies and I laugh constantly!

I really enjoyed this Kathy...so there. So now.....I'm tagging William Johnson, Mana Tuhlberg, Jeremy Blanton

Quit Blogging and Let ME In!

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:26:47 -0500

Hahahaha! I just read Pat Kennedy's post titled: The Uninvited Guest Blogger! (of course it inspired me to finally upload a video too)

Well, her poochie gets to sneak around and blog while she's gone. My English Cocker Spaniel can't get up to our pc's while we're gone.

And she "paws" our arms to get off our pc's when we're home so sometimes we have to let her go on the back porch to chill.

The following video is our dog Shadow "pawing the door" to come in.

Mom! Dad! Let me in! Get off your game dad and let me in! Quit blogging mom and let me in!

Ewa Gentry Communities - Affordability in Paradise

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:59:45 -0500

About a week and a half ago I was at the office and I get a call on my cellular.Hmm...long distance. Bet it's a telemarketer. Hit ignore. The office phone rings and she asks for ... ME. Wouldn't you know it was her calling on my cellular hahaha! Her husband came back from Iraq and saw my sites all over the internet so they called me. They are Military Relocating to Hawaii in December.

Talk about PRO ACTIVE in their search for a home! We now have an accepted contract (today) and they are flying in from California for their home inspection scheduled for Saturday. (and they get to see Hawaii for the first time in their lives!)

In communities such as the one my clients chose there are maintenance fees.It is a single family home but within a condo ownership association. I spoke with the on-site manager this morning because I wanted to find out what the maintenance fees take care of.

The maintenance fees take care of:

Termite treatment - After the current six year contract is up with the liquid treatment they're moving on to the Sentricon System.
Community Pool(and the on-site manager says it's the best in the area :)
Recreation Center
Parks and landscaping around the community
Bulk of the homeowners insurance (just like condos ...get insurance for the inside of the home)
Roads and street lights within the community
Water
Sewer

The Ewa Beach, Oahu, Hawaii area has grown tremendously since developers starting building new homes starting from the early 1990's. Located on our Southwestern shore of Oahu, the Ewa Beach area has beaches(One'ula and Ewa Beach Park), surfing spots, parks, golf courses, recreation centers and shopping centersto accommodate the still growing community.

If you are Military Relocating to Hawaii, Relocating due to a job change, Retiring to paradise, or just a change in lifestyle you'll find that you will get more bang for your buck in the Ewa Gentry areas.

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The following statistics for the Ewa Gentry Single Family homes are for the last six months to present. These communities include Ewa Gentry Las Brisas, Ewa GentryTiburon, Ewa Gentry Terrazza, Ewa Gentry Sun Terra, Ewa Gentry Montecito/Tuscany, and Ocean Pointe homes.

*Ewa Gentry- Single Family*	*# Active*	*# In Escrow*	*# Sold*	*DOM*	*Average Sales $*
3 bdrm/2.5 ba (1300-1475 sq.ft)	39	11	25	66	$396,000-$545,000
4 bdrm/3 ba (1500-2100 sq.ft.)	56	16	28	76	$448,000-$630,000
5 bdrm/3 ba (1600-2700 sq. ft.)	16	5	6	92	$477,000-$775,000

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Today is OUR Special Day.....WOMEN of the United States!

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:35:08 -0500

Today marks the day in history of Women's Equality Day. Wow, until Kathy McGraw mentioned it yesterday I most likely would have woken up this morning feeling as if "it's just another day". Not so! Today marks the day of the passage of the 19th Amendment; The Woman Suffrage Amendment to the U.S. Consititution. Women were given full voting rights in 1920.

Read Kathy's story here: Tuesday Truths....Burning that Bra Didn't help everyone

Over time we all start to take things forgranted just because all of the hard work is done already. I didn't stop to realize just how much other people have done in the past to pave the way for me. And young adults like my children don't stop and realize just how much we have done to pave the way for them.

The women of the United States who played key roles in the movement.... YOU CAN READ A WHOLE LIST HERE>>>> The long road to suffrage I am in awe over. We tend to get complacent and don't get involved with our communities because even now the women work outside the home and get caught up in that as well. (okay, I do)

It took 80 years of women bonding together to gain significant footage to be able to vote and on August 26, 2001 George Bush declared this day as Women's Equality Day.

I am sitting here writing and thinking about all of this right now and came to terms with what I am free to do in this wonderful United States. VOTE.

I have my Voter's Registration Card sitting on the hutch above my pc and I am awaiting.....the day we ....We the Women....VOTE. And I'll be at the front of the line now :)

Pearlridge - Kam Swap Meet - Open Market

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:29:22 -0500

Kam Swap Meet is located right across from Pearlridge Shopping Center on the Macy's side. Back when I was a kid it was the local drive in theater. In fact, one time my mom and I went and we both fell asleep and woke up to a bare parking lot! I woke my mom and she took off like a bat out of hell and dragged the speaker thingy out of the ground. She was so scared that she threw it out the window! LOL!

Okay. Back to my story. Kam Swap Meet is a local style swap meet with all the souvenirs, all kinds of clothing, jewelry, arts, polynesian style crafts and such but also with the vegetables, fish, food, plants and some used stuff on the back rows.

This past Saturday I felt the need to restock on some orchid plants. They always seem to die off one by one. :( So we hit it up to the Kam Swap Meet specifically for orchids. And ....some vegetables. And some sliced coconut.

I spent the rest of the afternoon transplanting my orchids (which by the way cost me $19.00 for four of different colors and types) and cleaned out the rest of my little courtyard garden.

The price to pay for an array of colors to look at when at my pc is minimal!

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Kam Swap Meet is open on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. They usually start at the crack of sunlight and they usually start breaking down around noon.

The Signs Say -WE BUY HOMES!

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 22:51:51 -0500

I know there's a lot of these "We buy houses" signs all over the nation...but right here on Oahu?

We went out yesterday and within 10 minutes of each other there were signs for "WE BUY HOUSES".

One was right in our residential area and the other one right on the highway.

Now, we are always instructed to not place our Open House signs on the highways (and this is just for a couple of hours) so why do these guys get to have theirs up 24/7?

These advertising bits are all over the internet and on streets. .....Boasting "We Buy Houses For Cash! Avoid Foreclosure! Buy a Foreclosure Home! Sell Your House Today!"

Is it that easy?

Leeward Community College - Honolulu County Hawaii

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 11:09:35 -0500

Leeward Community College is located at 96-045 Ala Ike - Pearl City, HI 96782 in Honolulu County on the island of Oahu. Hawaii is so diverse in culture so you can expect the same on college campuses too. With a caring faculty and affordability Leeward Community College has given high quality education since 1968.

Leeward Community College sits on 49 acres with over 6,000 students regularly enrolled every semeter to make it the largest community college in the state of Hawaii.

With liberal arts and career and technical educational programs offered on campus, at off-campus locations in the community, and through distance education courses it is no wonder that students flock from the Central Oahu area to attend the college.

(Both my son and daughter are starting up again next week at Leeward Community College)

Are you Relocating to Hawaii or in the Military Stationed in Hawaii on the Central, Leeward or West side of Oahu?

Do you want to continue your education?

Then, you just may want to look into what LCC has to offer and enroll at Leeward Community College.

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For a 2008-2009 Leeward Community College Catalog click on the following link:

2008 - 2009 Catalog (PDF 4.6MB) update: 08/08

© 2008 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog. All rights reserved.

You Want ME to Watch YOUR Open House?????

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:48:05 -0500

Granted, we have all had our share of situations that will put a Realtor® in a different class of our professionals whether it be great or not so great calegories. It's these particular situations and stories that will set us apart from the individuals who do not see the importance of why we DO NOT:

Cut corners on any part of our service as a Professional Realtor® The bare minimal to get a transaction done and a paycheck is not my idea of being professional.
Slide past details in any part of our contingencies in a contract or representing our clients. Thinking that everyone else will pick up the slack is not staying on top in thinking of the best interests of our clients.
Omit pertinent information related to the property. Have the answers for your buyer or seller and if you do not know let them know you'll get back with them promptly.
Sidestep our duties and responsibilities Do not let personal issues take presendence over the immediate task at hand in taking care of your client.
Jeopardize our reputations because that is the most important thing we have! And that is self explanatory too.
Try and cut down another agent in front of their clients. Whether it be in your community or online please be respectful and cordial to others. Your clients and peers keep your inuendos in their memory bank and it surely will be remembered.

All of the above points came flooding back into my memory bank from one solitary single experience I had the first year I was in Real Estate.

I took my clients to a few showing appointments and then popped into an Open House. It was a beautiful home and in a subdivision my clients really wanted to live in with their family. We went to a beautiful two story home and upon walking in the front door we could just feel that it was well taken care of.

The agent told us that we could grab a flyer and tour the home. Great...thanks. My clients started to climb the stairs to the second floor and the agent immediately starts quizzing me on my length of time in Real Estate and how she was an Accredited Buyers Representative and the length of time in Real Estate. OKAY. Goodie for you (thoughts...just thoughts...but geez. TELL US ABOUT THE HOME!)

I changed the subject and asked her, "Did you see the home down the street? No? It's with so and so from your company too". She says, "Oh, I know, I really wanted to go see it. Hey, do you mind watching my Open House so I can pop in down there?".

Uh, .....sure? ..........She hightails it out the door while shouting over her shoulder that if anyone comes in just give them a flyer. (snicker snicker....sorry but this is so whacked) My clients come down and ask, "Where's the agent?". Not wanting to be unprofessional myself I told them she stepped out for just a minute. Two more families come in the door and then the agent, (looking all flustered from running up and down the street) comes in, thanks me and turns her attention to the guests. WOW.

My clients put in an offer for that home, then thought better of it and withdrew it a day later and decided on a totally different neighborhood and home.

Now...I don't know if the reason was because of the agent but I tell you what...to this day I remember this agent.

Welcome to ActiveRain Bryon Tucker!

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:44:49 -0500

I had the pleasure of meeting the Loan Officer representing the Buyer for my Mililani-Waipio Gentry home listing that just closed on the August 1, 2008. It's not often you can get a loan officer to keep in touch and let the Seller's Agent know what's going on with the loan process but Bryon Tucker was right on top of it every step of the way.

You see, we ran into a snag with VA for an unpermitted back storage room and if it were not for Bryon Tucker, of MortgageSource, LLC keeping me in the loop, I would not have had the prompt response of the Sellers as well. We all worked together as a team to get the back storage torn down, the permit was completed in a day for the wall it sat on (they thought better to leave a retaining wall), and getting the VA appraiser to do a return visit to approve the property.

Bryon Tucker even came to my office to have lunch with me and do a presentation on his expertise ....which is Hawaii VA Home Loans.

Bryon has not written his profile or written a post yet so you can welcome him here and I will forward it to him so he can 'get on the ball'.

Thanks Bryon! I appreciate you!

Welcome to ActiveRain!

Short Video of Surf at Makapuu Beach

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:31:42 -0500

Enjoy the relaxing sounds of the ocean. Great for after a long day :)

Three Successful Closings for August 2008!

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:54:17 -0500

Last Wednesday we met our clients at Kahala - Title Guaranty Escrow to sign documents for the Honolulu Condo we had listed.

I entered the listing into our MLS on July 6th and by that evening I already had an offer in hand. By Tuesday morning we were in contract and opened escrow.

IN CONTRACT IN TWO DAYS! Can't beat that!

On August 1st, I closed the listing in Mililani that had a few bumps along the way but in the end it all worked out. (torn down unpermitted back storage and all) From contract to keys it closed in 38 days! Mililani Single Family Home (4 bdrm/2 bath) SOLD AT $520,000!

On August 14th I closed a sale with another agent in my office for a Hawaii Home Buyer that relocated here from Germany. We opened escrow after two days of showings and closed within 50 days. Mililani Single Family Home (3 bdrm /2 bath) SOLD AT $590,000!

This last one was a grand one. I could not have asked for more with a Buyer's Agent to work alongside of that got back to me promptly, had a very pleasant attitude, skilled and organized and very courteous. After talking with him about the last of the details for keys and such I thanked him and told him that he was very much appreciate and he said the same. We agreed that when all parties involved do everything in a timely manner we all have a smooth and successful transaction.

In closing he said this:

"Sally, this is one of those transactions we both will look back on and wish all of our transactions were like this one". He's right. Every transaction seems to have little snags along the way. This one didn't because everyone was a team player.

Even the escrow and loan officers were very efficient and got answers back to all of us quickly with exceptional service for all involved in both transactions. They were wonderful team players in making this a VERY smooth and successful transition for all as well.

What made this transaction even more special was that our Sellers had been working with a Buyer's Agent for the past year on a home they REALLY wanted. The price came down to where they wanted it (it was overpriced anyway) and their purchase closed (recorded) simultaneously with our sale this morning.

Their dream home came true this morning because of the sale of their property.

Honolulu Penthouse Condo (3 bdrm /2 bath) SOLD AT $510,000!

I love happy endings.

Alternative Medicine?

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:16:39 -0500

Have you ever wondered about other 'medical' alternatives than just a regular doctor for something like a thrown out back? And if that didn't work have you considered going to a chiropractor? If that doesn't work, then what?

My husband has something pinched in his back /leg and he went to the doctor. He basically got the "I'll give you a prescription" answer and he told them to 'take a hike' (he used other words). Then he went to a Chiropractorand after four weeks of pain, continuing pain and just a bunch of cracks and more pain I told him that we both should look in to acupuncture.

Why? Well, with all my ailments (too many to list here) I can't have people stretching and cracking and pulling and tugging and Gary certainly needs relief at this point.

I went to my Acupuncture appointment this morning. My first experience.

Ahhh.....Massage....oh, yeah (I can sure get to like this). More pressure rubbing (I like this). Then, warmth (lights?) and little taps on needlesgoing in different spots throughout my back, legs and down to my ankle (for my pinched something that is causing my toes to go numb).

Then rubbing my left arm down to my wrist(for carpal tunnel and thumb tendinitis) with massage, pressure and needles.

I'll tell you this: When all was finished (one hour) I was lightheaded and had to sit up for a good 15 minutes before leaving. The pain from my back lessened. My left foot had feeling and barely any pain with feeling starting to come back into my three toes. My wrist and thumb need more work but he said I was babying it (doctors orders) and we needed to get strength back into it.

So...what do cheeseballs have to do with anything? NOTHING...not a darn thing. But they sure tasted good!

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* Acupuncture is the stimulation of acupuncture points on the body to promote balance of the Yin & Yang in the body. (with needles, finger pressure, heat, electricity etc.) Yin & Yang are the fundamental theories behind Chinese medicine, art, government, science etc.Acupuncture can help in virtually any illness, emergency or chronic. It can be helpful for muscular pain/dysfunction, hormonal problems, respiratory ailments, digestive disorders, stress, circulatory, neurological. In China, acupuncture is used in 30% of surgeries in the place of anesthesia.

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More Info: Chi Health Center

For EVERY Action There is a REACTION

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:23:47 -0500

After much thought (and sleeping on it over night) I do believe that it will always be an ongoing problem to voice ones opinion and get a negative reaction....instead of acceptance that we are all human. We all have different thought patterns, beliefs, and opinions. I like being different.

So I am regurgitating an old post of mine (and deleted the old one) to give insight into this ongoing battle of the blogging minds.

For every action there is a reaction but be rest assured the theory that follows is....it's all in the manner of how each individual handles it. We all have the ability to take that first step to awareness. How we react and how we handle situations as they arise is on us...not them. If you are not interested in topics that really make your mind work ....well....read anyway. It just may give you a little insight into how all this relates to blogging and interacting with others ....with your keyboard.

Broker Bryant wrote Being responsive in a reactive world. and of course those "thinker posts" really rev me up to go deeper and use the brain, open the mind and...well....think. Broker Bryant starts with talking about a conversation and how people react instead of respond and how it usually happens when the two sides collide....or plain and simple.....disagree.

He says, "Their presentation is always full of harsh criticism, focus on others, blame and an unwillingness to "open their mind" to other possibilities. They are not the only one. We have all fallen into this trap before."

The site he found Bowen Theory really got me going. I started reading the first page and this statement jumped out at me, "People solicit each other's attention, approval, and support and react to each other's needs, expectations, and distress".

Letting other people dictate the way we feel and react. Wow. You think?

Whether in business, our personal lives or fleeting passing moments with a stranger we have to interact with other human beings at some level throughout our lives. On ActiveRain we interact by way of the keyboard and unless we actually make the effort to call someone "we think" we are in conflict with then it's all in OUR minds and our mind only.

The 'reality' of the interactions we have with people 'online' can be interpreted in so many ways...obviously because we are all human and we all have our own minds (thinking) and therefore have our own opinions. Are we being transparent or do we hide behind the keyboard?

Just 'think'. If we all thought things through until there was a certain awareness of WHY we are 'feeling' the way we do about a conflicting situation there would be a certain amount of clarity to keeping an open mind.

I am not perfect although if I do take a step back and evaluate the situation I can guarantee I become aware that 'it all starts with me'. Self. I'm the one feeling the way I do and therefore the other person is NOT 'making' me feel anything. We so often use the words, "you make me mad". The same thing goes for other people. I do not MAKE them feel the way they do and I really try to be aware how I may be affecting other people. No one is making me do anything.....but me.

I'm starting to wonder right about now...how many readers fell off the post already. LOL!

More often than not I react because of my emotions. I tend to take things personal and whether others admit it or not....they do too. We're human but it does not give us the excuse to intimidate, point fingers or cut down others to stroke the egos and try and PROVE others wrong.

And when two worlds collide....Then just detach; and agree to disagree! Easier said than done although it sure shows the better person. Go take a break from blogging or go read something else.

Accepting others for who they are...and who they are not.

Respond or React. Face to face or Hiding Behind the Keyboard. Reality or Assumptions. "IT" .....Can Drive You Nuts

Open the mind.

Clear the Heart.

It's The PEOPLE That Matter - Where's Sarah Cooper?

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 20:58:58 -0500

Wow...I just noticed that many members I 'grew up' with on ActiveRain are barely posting here anymore. Well, I remember them. Sarah Cooper must be busy but I remember this post Maybe It's Not So Ordinary After All ... where we spoke on the phone and she went outside .... I heard a train whistle blowing and she wrote a post and included a whistle blower!

"It's the People Under the Words That Matter" in which she chose to use a comment of mine and make it into a thoughtful and well thought out post.

Sarah says, "And the really cool thing about writing as yourself, as opposed to trying so hard that you're really being someone else, is that people will TALK to you. Because like Sally said, it's the people under the words that matter." And then there was her: We Came Here for Content, We Stayed for the People where she says, "You came here for content, you stayed because of us."

And then there was the It's a Tiny Little World Out There The Japanese culture...worlds apart. That was fun...we both wrote something. My ancestry and her exchange student.

I think back to all the learning lessons I have gone through along the way and not really knowing what to expect with people tapping away at their keyboard and doing their online chatter. I know now. Some are not always as they seem. Some are real. Some are REALLY Real. Some may play symantics with words but sometimes it's not so hard to figure out. Some connect. Some network. Some are professional while some are I don't know what.

Blogging is a trip. Oh....the games people play.

Oh, the ones that went away.

Sarah's latest post will give you insight into where she's at: In Case You Haven't Seen Me ...

I was thinking about her today.

Keaiwa Heiau State Recreation Area - Aiea

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 21:52:08 -0500

Keaiwa Heiau (an Ancient Hawaiian Temple) is located at the top of Aiea Heights Drive in the Keaiwa Heiau State Recreation Area. Upon entry into the State Park the Keaiwa Heiau is to the left and you will definitely do a double take at first glance. KEAIWA HEIAU is known as the temple with life. It is believed to be where the 'Kahuna' (priest, minister) practiced the art of healing. The gardens right by the temple were compounded and then given to the patient while praying.

It is unknown when this Heiau was built but one source says possibly around the 16th century. Measuring 100 by 160 feet the heiau also has an enclosure that was a halau (large thatched structure) built for the master kahuna (priest) to store the medicinal implements and to train and teach the students.

The Keaiwa Heiau State Recreation Area is a 384 acre park and there is the Aiea Loop (hiking) Trail that is 4.8 miles and begins and ends in the park.

In the late 1920's foresters replanted the area and the lemon eucalyptus trees give off a citrus frangrance in the mountainous air.

You'll also see Norfolk Island pines, the native koa and ohia trees.

Along the trail you may even see the remnants of a B-24 bomber that crashed in 1944.

The park also has 4 camp sites, recreation areas for picnics and breathtaking views from atop the mountain of Pearl Harbor in the distance below.

Directions: End of 'Aiea Heights Drive, 'Aiea Heights, 'Aiea. Follow H-1 to Moanalua Highway (Hwy. 78). Take the 'Aiea cutoff to the third traffic light, make a right turn at 'Aiea Heights Drive and follow it about 3 miles up to the end of the road.

Hours: April 1 to Labor Day: 7:00 am to 7:45 pm
After Labor Day to March 31: 7:00 am to 6:45 pm

Entrance Fees: None

Services/Facilities: Restrooms, showers, camping area, picnic tables, trash cans, drinking water, payphone, hiking trail.

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Another 'Hawaii Points of Interest' provided by:

Your Writing Reflects YOU

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 13:34:04 -0500

Active Rain Real Estate Network is unlike any other blogging site and we all play a crucial role in the success of this network. Gear your writing towards the Real Estate Industry, write about what comes to mind in a positive light and you will gain readership and we all can comment back, give support, feedback, tributes and congratulations.

Writing good content. My belief is to show the consumer and members here on Active Rain the who, what, when, where, how and why about my area, my profession and what I can do for them. It is this personal touch that adds meaning to a post and gives the reader a chance to walk right along side of me through the post.

Everyone has their own style when it comes to writing and you all will either stay and continue to write original, worthy, educational, informational posts as well as hilarious, deep and emotional posts too. Or you will leave because you chose to write without meaning and no one is acknowledging your writing (and consumers aren't finding your posts interesting)

Your writing reflects the professional that you are (or aren't) and if you want this network to work for you realize the basics of writing on a REAL Estate Network.

There are rules to follow here just like anywhere else in the world, in life, in the workplace. Community Guidelines and What we Stand For are a must to read...and follow.

Please respect others and their right to read what they want to read. Please respect all the groups and their group rules (if you don't like it open a group of your own). There are over 4,000 groups so respect their guidelines and post accordingly.
Respect others in the comment sections and streams. (it's also in the Community Guidelines) Leaving links or advertising in my comment section just shows me all you care about is you. You can say what you want but I have the right to not "listen" when people get negative as well.
Respect that the writer did their best to write a good post and putting someone down like they don't know what they're talking about is disrespectful. Give support and feedback and not the "listen to me because I know better" attitude. I listen to people who are helpful. Not dictating to me that "their way" is right.
Respect yourself and just know that the public is welcome to join so just because you hit "members only" and the way you portray yourself with your attitude in writing surely reflects the person you are in "real life". Agree to disagree.

Giving our opinions can surely be done in a positive manner.

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What Kind of Legacy Will You Leave Behind? When I die NO ONE is going to remember me for my computer skills and how good a blog I had (okay...some will lol). NO ONE is going to remember me for how many transactions I have had in my life. They are going to remember me for the kind of person I was. The demeanor I carried. The soul I had.

MY LEGACY IS ALL ABOUT THE QUALITY OF RELATIONSHIPS I HAVE WITH OTHERS ........ And..... Without that quality, tell me.....what is a Professional worth?