Forrest Arnold -- Hawaii's Green EcoBroker's Blog

So, Forrest, How's the market in North Hawaii? (but I could never move there)

Forrest Arnold -- Hawaii's Green EcoBroker (Hawaii Green Realty) — Thu, 19 May 2011 19:14:07 -0700

"So Forrest...how's the market there in Hawaii?

"Well actually, prices have really come down for oceanfront parcels and some great second homes..."

"Ahhh, that sounds nice. You know, we visit Hawaii almost every year---but no, we could never live there."

What's that about?

Is Hawaii just too different from (say) Portland---well, sure, it is.

But that's the point---a community that has a history of being friendly and safe and rural may not be for everyone.

For me, I felt the magic years ago as I was playing golf on the Kona-Kohala coast---and a whale jumped out of the water right near me. I felt the tingle of recognition that this place was for me---so that's what I share with visitors to the Big Island,

that these islands are ready when you are to enjoy the beauty of the land and sea and people....and it is this inspiration that makes my work with eco-friendly real estate more satisfying. Y'all come see us!

PS: If you'd like to team up offer Hawaii island properties to your clients---that would be a welcome conversation.

Aloha for now----Forrest Arnold (PB) 808-987-2365

The Case of The Dirty Deed -- Mystery Solved!

Forrest Arnold -- Hawaii's Green EcoBroker (Hawaii Green Realty) — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 15:00:34 -0700

"The Case of the Dirty Deed"

with Real Estate Investigator Forrest Arnold (RB) ---

Case solved!

see the video:

http://www.youtube.com/user/lesforrest#p/u/1/BTn26UqqeKw

(This fictional "investigator" helps clients navigate the mysteries of real estate transactions here in Hawaii... Enjoy!)

Am We Begging Or Building Healthy Client Relationships?

Forrest Arnold -- Hawaii's Green EcoBroker (Hawaii Green Realty) — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 15:23:35 -0700

During the listing discussions with a friend-becoming-a-client, the tone of the conversation had suddenly shifted from "Hey, help me sell my property!" to "I'm the Seller---you listen to me, I don't listen to you..."

As my frustration grew, I finally burst out with "Listen, Mike, I'm your friend and I'm a professional---but I am not your 'boy' --- so let's start over."

Everything shifted---we sold his home for the highest price ever in the neighborhood & he bought the 27-acre Hawaii dream property. Looking back now, we laugh about the "boy" thing....but I found that speaking my truth changed everything.

Best to you from Big Island Forrest Arnold RB check out: http://youtube.com/user/lesforrest

Bridge Between Two Worlds---Hawaii & Everywhere Else

Forrest Arnold -- Hawaii's Green EcoBroker (Hawaii Green Realty) — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 13:46:20 -0700

This is only a slightly re-touched photo of our daily life here on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Is "paradise" a dream worth having?

Do you and your clients deserve to live somewhere that shows the spirit of Aloha shown in this photo?

As relocation specialists, we help people find the right fit -- the right home in the right community

Forrest --Hawaii's Green Realtor Check us out: Hawaii Real Estate Update. com

I Lost A Sale–--But Saved A Client

Forrest Arnold -- Hawaii's Green EcoBroker (Hawaii Green Realty) — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 13:25:19 -0700

Hey --- Here's part 2 of the home auction drama--- As I watched the on-line "auction action" with 7 minutes until bid-closing, my clients Peggy & Leo were right in there slugging with a bid of $430,000. Just to be safe, I gave Peggy a call in those last few moments to be sure she knew about the 10% "buyer's premium" that the auction house adds to the winning bid---- So if her $430,000 bid was the winner, she'd be on the hook for $430k + $43k = $473,000. Peggy said, "What?!? I never saw that on the auction site." Sure enough, in a little gray link at the bottom of the auction site "Terms & Conditions", there was the 10% hook. We both knew that $473,000 was more that she wanted to pay Peggy: "Wow, thanks, Forrest---I'm outa here." So---- did I lose a sale? Or save a client from an unexpected tangle? >>> I'd much rather have Peggy & Leo buy something they know they want at a great price. PS: We hear that the final "winning" bid was $436,500 (plus 10%)---but the bank rejected the auction result as too low a price... Now a new auction company is about to run the race again... More to come Best to you all --- Forrest Hawaii's Green Realtor "You have a friend in the business..." Forrest Arnold R(B) Certified EcoBroker Tel. 808-987-2365 email: forrest@HawaiiGreenRealty.com

How I Lost $415,000 in an on-line home auction (almost)

Forrest Arnold -- Hawaii's Green EcoBroker (Hawaii Green Realty) — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 18:14:53 -0700

Wow! About 2 weeks ago, I sent out an email about an on-line home auction here on Hawaii's Big Island ... the house is near a place called Puakea Bay Ranch on 4.4 acres = with a starting bid price of $399,900. This was dramatic since the house had been on market at over $650,000 & had gone to foreclosure. Many of my friends, clients & contacts were pretty excited about the process…and I was helping several to make bids. >>my clients Peggy and Leo were ready to bid—but for some reason the on-line auction site was not accepting their bid. So I went on the auction website—created an account & tried several times to enter a bid—seeing that there was a way to withdraw it later. After several tries—-hoorah! It accepted my bid of $415,000 & proclaimed me the high bidder. How cool! Not so cool—when I went to withdraw the bid, it revealed that the auction company decides if you can withdraw—not you. Five calls later, the VP of the auction house told me that some people put in false bids to mess with the auction results. He claimed that I might be faking a bid—and I might be on the hook for the $415,000. I was stunned--- Do not go there, dude. and after some arm-twisting, I made him see that I was trying to get him Buyers—not committing auction fraud. He finally says “Just this once, I’ll let you off the hook” & agreed to cancel my bid. It’s like going to a party and suddenly you’re in a wrestling match. Another day in the Real Estate Jungle… PS: On a more positive note: Larry & Orange recently finished remodeling at very cool plantation home near Kapaau—if you, your friends or neighbors would like to see a great Kohala home: Check Out the VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/user/lesforrest#p/u/2/X-SxQkUzhKY

Big Island of Hawaii---"It's your turn to walk the pig..."

Forrest Arnold -- Hawaii's Green EcoBroker (Hawaii Green Realty) — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 13:24:45 -0700

"Honey, it's your turn to walk the pig."

When I moved to Hawaii's Big Island 24 years ago, I longed for a life in the tropics---but didn't really know what to expect. The culture shock of coming from the California aerospace business to living in small-town had so many dimensions. And for me, it has been a real adventure.

But this ain't the mainland...

As I work with people who have a Hawaii dream, my role as an EcoBroker is to help them match their personal livestyle goals with the realities of the unique Hawaii culture. But also to develop a closer relationship with the land...with their gardens...with the rich dimensions of their community.

It's not all about selling houses & land--it's about building the town I live in.

Aloha for now Forrest check out www. Hawaii Real Estate Update

Kona coffee ice cream & the Hawaii dream---What about walk-ins?

Forrest Arnold -- Hawaii's Green EcoBroker (Hawaii Green Realty) — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 20:57:48 -0700

Right outside my office window, another group of visitors to the island have their ice cream cones and talk about the flyers in our window. From time to time, they'll come into ask "How's the market in Hawaii?"

What about walk-ins? Some are real buyers inspired by the authentic beauty and feel of Hawaii's Big Island ...and many are just on vacation eating ice cream---and that's okay.

My job is to give a friendly and authentic greeting to each & continue to build my circle of contacts in lots of ways---and when I offer aloha to everyone, I get the real pleasure of that sharing.

My challenge? To beware of the trap of relying too much on office walkins to pay the bills.

I think it's time for ice cream.