Getting on the first page of Google - 10/31/08 03:59 PM
I just got a call from (another) telemarketing company today.
He starts off, "This is Daniel from Netbiz.com on behalf of Google.com.  Do you want to be on the first page of Google permanently?"
Of course I do!  Did I tell him that?  No.  I said "I'm not going to pay you for that."  He said, "Okay, thanks" and hung up the phone.  Wow, that was one of the easiest conversations I've had with a telemarketer.
Then I thought, who the heck are these guys telling us they're calling on behalf of Google.com?  I checked out their website - Netbiz.com.
Their site … (10 comments)

Diamond Head Trail closed for repairs - 10/30/08 08:43 PM
If you haven't been up Diamond Head Trail, it's a great hike!  You'll have to try it sometime - just don't try it until after November 20, 2008.  On October 20th, the State of Hawaii closed the trail for repairs.
The trail was built during World War II for defense purposes.  The steep terrain makes it easy for the trail to erode.  There's also a long tunnel towards the top of the trail that leads to the top of Diamond Head.
The park inside Diamond Head crater remains open.  In my opinion, there's not much to see in there.  On the … (1 comments)

How can I get more associations? - 10/29/08 02:50 PM
I've been blogging on a regular basis and commenting on other blogs.  I've also added a few AR members as associates.  However it's been about 10 months since the last time someone added me as an associate.
Any tips on getting associates?
Also, if anybody out there has prospective buyers and sellers for Hawaii properties, please keep me in mind as a referral.
Aloha, Mike Bates
… (5 comments)

Another internet scam to watch out for - 10/23/08 06:28 PM
I just received a message from Jennifer and I'll share it with you below:
My name is jennifer. it is my pleasure to write you after viewing your profile today at activerain,i will like to know you the more,and i want you to send me an email to my email address so i tell you more about myself and a picture for you to know whom i am,Here is my email (removed). believe we can move from here!I am waiting for your mail to my email address above,(Remeber the distance or colour does not matter but love matters alot in life) hoping … (9 comments)

Closed a short sale in Aiea today! - 10/21/08 09:57 PM
Today my buyer closed on a townhouse in Aiea.  It was a short sale, listed for $366,000 and she bought it for $300,000.  Price-wise, it was a heck of a good deal!  Three bedrooms, two and a half baths, 1,300 square feet interior and two parking stalls. The place does need cosmetic work though.  The prior owners neglected the property and it basically could use an entire remodel.  The buyer has a contractor lined up and the work will commence shortly.
If you haven't been involved in a short sale yet, they can be tricky.  While the owner signs the purchase contract, … (1 comments)

Buying a used vehicle on Oahu - 10/18/08 11:22 PM
My Scion Xb is holding up nicely and customers love it.  It also takes time to clean it up each time we go house hunting - generally at least once a week.  I've been looking for a truck or station wagon for those tasks that get the car dirty - like surfing and taking the dogs for a ride.
One of the better places to look for vehicles is craigslist.com.  Here are a few things I've learned while reading craigslist ads and from previous purchases of used vehicles.  This info applies to both buyers and sellers.
- A good photo is important in an ad.  Take a look at some … (2 comments)

There's opportunity in Hawaii's housing market - 10/14/08 01:37 PM
I've noticed a trend lately and it's a good one for buyers.  We go out, look at homes, the buyer thinks about it and the homes are still on the market!  Only the most appealing homes are selling quickly.  I define appeal as a combination of the home's condition and it's price.
Many mainland markets may have been in this situation for years.  Oahu's sales volume has declined about 50% since 2005, however good homes for sale in Honolulu still generally sell quickly.  The recent financial meltdown certainly has caused some problems lately.
My wife's cousin had their $1 million house in … (0 comments)

Don't get "Tagged.com" - 10/06/08 02:52 PM
Are you into social networking?  I'm slowly learning about the subject to increase my online presence to homebuyers and sellers. 
Recently, a friend from another island sent me an invite to join Tagged.com.  It seemed innocent enough, like joining Facebook or MySpace. 
I followed the link and went through the lengthy signup.  It had lots of options that I wasn't interested in.  Despite that, I kept going.  The site requested my phone number.  I tried skipping that portion but it seemed that I had to include my number and receive a text message with a PIN to continue.  In a moment … (5 comments)

Lost my listing at the foreclosure auction - 10/02/08 10:23 PM

I had a good listing, a house in Honolulu with separate entries and kitchens.  This property was going into foreclosure and we were trying to get an offer acceptable to the bank.
Our first round resulted in a best offer of $550,000.  We submitted it to the bank and their response was "no".  The owners had purchased the home for approximately $800,000 in early 2007 with zero down financing.  The bank wasn't willing to take such a big loss.
With continued effort we brought in several other offers.  The best was around $675,000.  We went to the bank and they … (9 comments)

 
Ar-profile Rainmaker_large

Hawaii homes

Honolulu, HI

More about me…

i Properties Hawaii

Address: 1585 Ala Moana Blvd #1533, Honolulu, HI, 96814

Office Phone: (808) 791-1020

Cell Phone: (808) 548-1220

Email Me

Info for Hawaii homebuyers and sellers. Neighborhoods, real property taxes and income tax credits are discussed here.


Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog