ALOHA! Hawaii Real Estate and Relocations Blog

It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over.....

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:28:59 -0600

Well, the contest is almost over.......CHALLENGE: A Post on 10 Positive Predictions For 2010....but if you want to get in on it you have until Friday midnight.

Hmmm...who's gonna win a box of goodies?

The Swinging Bridge

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 23:52:19 -0600

When I was 11 years old I flew on a prop airplane to Kauai with my cousin to visit with my favorite Aunt Sally. She taught me how to crochet, sew, play the ukulele and clean house. On this first trip over there my cousin and I vowed we would find all sorts of mischief to get into.

We went crabbing with my Uncle Doug and we found a stray cat. We 'snuck' him in the back of the car and managed to muffle the cat's cries....for help wondering where we were taking her. We hid the cat under a wash basin in the back yard and ran in to have lunch. My Auntie Sally yelped and pointed outside.

The wash bin was mysteriously gliding across the grass!

We borrowed took the neighbors boat without asking. As the boating gals we were I told my cousin to get in and I'd push the boat out and jump in. Yeah, right into the river!

The best one was going down to the Menehune Ditch and my cousin trying to go into the cave....I drew the line at that one. No bad luck for me! You can read all about it in Hawaiian Spirits, Superstitions & Lore- Do You Believe?

Right across from the Menehune Ditch was the SWINGING BRIDGE. As little kids who thought we were invincible this was one feat we did not conquer. At that time there were stray dogs (mean ones) who guarded that bridge and we weren't about to see if we could intimidate them.

The Swinging Bridge of Waimea on Kauai was the only access across Waimea River to the farms on the other side. That original suspension bridge was wiped out by Hurricane Iniki in 1992.

Last year we went to Aunt Sally's funeral service and we took a picture of the Swinging Bridge that was rebuilt in 1996.

All I have left are the memories.

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Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs, she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocating to Hawaii, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents.

Website: www.hawaiihomesmarket.com

Supporting Hawaii Local Businesses!

DO YOU HOLD YOURSELF TO A HIGHER STANDARD?

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 22:34:25 -0600

TWO YEARS ago....Bob Stewart - ActiveRain was talking in a comment thread about STEWARDSHIP and I subsequently wrote a post in December of 2007 Stewardship: The Way to a PLEASANT Blogging Experience to not only reiterate a couple of Bob's comments but to give my point of view as well.

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Following are the comments Bob wrote back then:

"If you have a following on ActiveRain, you need to HOLD YOURSELF TO A HIGHER STANDARD. Having a big following (and there are a ton of you commenting on this that do) means that you take stewardship over the community as a whole. ..........Your actions reflect positively and negatively on ALL OF US."

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Pretty soon it'll be three years that I've been an active participating member on ActiveRain and things have changed over those years for me but I still hold the meaning of STEWARDSHIP... pertaining to this online networking site.

WE, the people behind these words we write, can recreate this experience continuously with positive posts, feedback and education to help those that do not quite understand that the written word will carry on for countless cyberspace years.

We, as real estate industry professionals, realize the importance of carrying our professional attitude and behavior and voice ourselves with honor, respect and integrity.....just as we do in real life and when facing others face to face.

We, as human beings accept that not all will think alike and we do not force our opinions down another's throat. There is a difference between being childish and stomping on our keyboards to MAKE people think the same ....but in reality it will NEVER...EVER....happen.

We have NO control over anyone else in this world......EXCEPT.....OURSELVES.

And that is a fact.

We, as good online members of the ActiveRain community understand and follow our guidelines and respect that this community is not ours ....but those that created and maintain it. We treat this community as we do our own neighborhoods and extend a helping hand to others and show them the way as a good neighbor would.

I humbly jump up and down for just passing the 600,000 point mark on ActiveRain. Not because I have a lot of points....but what I have learned along the way while accumulating those points.

ActiveRain Success Stories is what it's all about!
ActiveRain Community Support page has a bunch of articles to help guide you around the rain.
Community Guidelines for ActiveRain will give you insight in how to be respectful and to guide you in your quest for a positive network experience.
What we Stand For is ActiveRain's Weltanschauung guiding principles and philosophy of the ActiveRain organization.

Are you following the steps of Stewardship?

DO YOU HOLD YOURSELF TO A HIGHER STANDARD?

Are you being a positive force...or a negative force in this community?

Reindeer and HO HO HO!

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 14:26:03 -0600

With the holidays approaching our family loves to find fun things to do. (Actually, I constantly look for things to blog about hehe)

We went to the Foodland and what did I see?

Okay, that was fun.....for a few minutes.....

What next?

I've used this for the past two Christmas Holidays as my Christmas Tree.....and not only is it easy to take down and put away....but Shadow loves it!

My 10 Most POSITIVE Predictions for 2010

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 12:22:15 -0600

When thinking of how we could implement positive thinking for our ActiveRain community I thought that what better way than writing positive thoughts down in a post. I wanted to spark an idea that there are things we can hope, dream and wish for in the coming year and in turn give us all positive reactions in how our attitudes and behavior affect those around us.

MOST POSITIVE PREDICTIONS FOR 2010 came to mind.

Join in on the CHALLENGE!

So while everyone is still getting their challenge posts in for the next 5 days I thought I'd get my own in as well.

With links to songs or videos to express my 'thoughts' these are MY 10 MOST Positive Predictions for the Year 2010:

I'd like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony Wouldn't it be nice to see everyone in the world get along? Well, that's what's going to happen next year. And we're all going to stand on the hilltop and sing at the top of our lungs holding a bottle of Coke J
OOPS......Here comes the sun.... After dark and gloomy months we are finally seeing the sun come out. It's all right because we make it all right. No matter who we are or what we're doing we make the best of whatever situation.
Swimming in our own minds doesn't work anymore. We continue to revel in the meaning of self worth and how it affects everything outside of ...SELF. We are OUT OF OUR MINDS and step into others shoes and are AWARE of how we affect other people.
We all say Goodbye yellow brick road We all realize that through the hard times we have to adjust like chameleons and go back to the simple life. Back to basics and WILL be key to success. We lived and we learned. Now...can we just all move on?
After all the publicity in our Real Estate Industry we GET UP STAND UP ... and those of us who believe in ‘doing the right' thing get up and stand up for our rights. Our right to keep this industry a wholesome and ethical community of Real Estate PROFESSIONALS.
We all live each day as If Today Was Your Last Day and call old friends you never see, forgive your enemies and share EVERYTHING with the people with you love...especially those that have stood next to you and supported you through all.....and then give back too.
ActiveRain members continue to grasp the Future of Technology because we realize that nothing is constant in this world EXCEPT .....CHANGE. Endless Possibilities are engrained in our belief system and we run with the wind.
And we'll all be Shiny Happy People.....and there is no room left to cry. Self pity is no longer a part of life. We discount the negative and have grand learning lessons. We KNOW and UNDERSTAND the true meaning of acceptance. THAT WE HAVE NO CONTROL OVER ANYONE ......but OURSELVES.
We realize that enabling others to continue a path of self destruction is not helping them at all...but allowing them to continue with the same self destructive pattern......we see....the DAMAGE DONE and we can hope and wish and pray....that everyone is content with self in 2010.
My family will be happy and healthy, my business partners will be prosperous and my ActiveRain family will continue to connect and find their niche in this huge growing community ....ActiveRain Real Estate Network.

Make a difference for 2010.

The Downpour was Scary...Yet Calming

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:23:27 -0600

Last night it was a cool and brisk with a little wind blowing the trees to and fro. All of a sudden the wind started blowing my plants and all of a sudden a downpour occured out of nowhere. The pounding of the rain was so loud and LARGE Raindrops could be heard all around us.

With the loud noise it can be quite deafening.... but after watching the rain for a few minutes and listening closer I started to hear something else.

The plants were getting nourished

And the rain seemed to be cleansing

And the sound became soothing

After all.

So...You Think YOU'RE Excluded From Paying Taxes?

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:39:23 -0600

Independent Contractor.....means that we are small business owners and is the majority of the Real Estate Industry although I specifically want to talk about Hawaii's Real Estate Agents and their obligations for paying taxes.

Yup...it's that time of year again and that's what I've been doing for the past two days.

Getting ready for Year End Tax Time.

All independent contractors (business owners) have to pay not only Federal and State Estimated taxes throughout the year but also General Excise Tax. We not only have to have a Hawaii Real Estate License but a GET Business Tax License too.

WE, as Independent Contractors have a LOT of responsibility to not only keep track of our taxes, but our expenses, deductions and income. It's like the same as any other business owner. We DO NOT get regular paycheck and though we work under a Real Estate Brokerage we are not employees.

We are Independent Contractors. We do not get a commission check until we close a transaction. All expenses come out of OUR POCKET. Gas, supplies, office equipment and our time.

Real Estate is NOT JUST A PAYCHECK: What is an Independent Contractor? In a nutshell it means I am self employed. Even though I hang my license as a Realtor-Associate® with Century 21 Liberty Homes, Mililani, Hawaii.....I am my own business and I have responsibilities (paperwork and that dreaded itemizing expenses/deductions and PAYING my own TAXES) that automatically come with being an independent contractor.

So, unless you Independent Contractors want to be the ‘bad guy' on the internet (our State Tax Office website displays those that have not paid their taxes) then best you pay your taxes on time. There is NO hiding from paying your GET taxes because you file your Federal and State taxes at the end of each year.

Wanna Be a Hawaii Real Estate Agent? Get Your Wallet Out! If you are contemplating being an Independent Contractor (i.e. Real Estate Agent) then you may want to read the "perks" and the expenses that lie ahead of you.

If you are just starting out know these first tips to being a responsible Real Estate Independent Contractor for your business:

Expenses are your own and that includes paying your estimated taxes for Federal and State and your GET taxes throughout the year.
Apply for your State of Hawaii Basic Business Application, Instructions and Payment Vouchers to get your Business License and vouchers to pay your fee. A one time fee of $20 for us Real Estate Agents and it's good for life.
Go to the Hawaii Tax Office site and make sure and fill out your quarterly or semi annual GET forms when it's time Periodic General Excise / Use Tax Return
Pay your estimated State Taxes throughout the year Declaration of Estimated Tax for Individuals
Pay your estimated Federal Taxes throughout the year Form 1040-ES and vouchers

When you finally get that commission check, put aside your tax payment money so you have it when it's time to pay it.

NO ONE is excluded from paying taxes when they are Independent Contractors.

CHALLENGE: A Post on 10 Positive Predictions For 2010

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:54:17 -0600

It's officially the Holiday Season. No matter where you are or what you're doing everyone is celebrating with Christmas lights strung, trees already up and presents that are starting to accumulate under the tree.

I usually have a contest for the POSITIVE ATTITUDE for the Weary Soul group for some kind of upliftng positive spirit theme but this year I thought I'd have something different.

Not everyone has time to write a detailed theme based challenge around the Holidays so instead I'm offering a different prize.....

Hawaii Gift Box of Goodies (first, second, third place) to share with your family in return for:

Writing a post on

YOUR Most Positive 10 Predictions for 2010.

It can be anything....

Business, Personal, Funny or not.

You have until Friday, December 10, 2009 at midnight and you MUST put your link in the comment section.

Most Positive 10 Predictions for 2010.

Start Time: NOW.

Hawaii Homes Market Report | Honolulu County Real Estate Market Report- November 2009

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:45:39 -0600

Honolulu County Real Estate Market Report- November 2009

As the saying goes...the only thing constant in this world is CHANGE. The same goes for our Honolulu County Housing Market Statistics for November 2009 which showed yet again the continued up and down numbers in sales numbers and sales prices!

Single Family Resale Numbers: Our sales numbers for single family homes showed a slight decrease in sold single family homes from 281 to 249. The Median Sales price also had a slight decline from $605,000 in October to $590,000 in November. This is decrease of 0.75% from November 2008 to 2009 and also shows a decrease of 2.4% from October to November of 2009 in sales prices.

Condo/Townhouse Resale Numbers: Our Honolulu Real Estate Housing Market sales numbers for condos/townhouses increased slightly from 381 in October to 407 in November of 2009 and we can attribute the sales number increase for the past couple of months due to the lowering inventory on the island of Oahu. Honolulu County Median sales prices increased 102.5% from November of 2008 to November of 2009 and also increased in sales prices from $295,000 to $320,000!

I believe these ups and downs will continue as our market tries to find a happy median. With the FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT EXTENSION approved, interest rates still lower and inventory considerable down in all neighborhoods the shifting is evident with more homebuyers in the market.

These Honolulu County Market Statistics vary from neighborhood to neighborhood and I continue to experience multiple offers on homes and townhouses in all areas in Honolulu County including short sales. Stay tuned for more neighborhood market statistics.

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Website: www.hawaiihomesmarket.com

Supporting Hawaii Local Businesses!

Selling a Home is MORE Than Just Marketing

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:09:58 -0600

I walked through the door of a townhouse and what lay behind that door did not surprise me one bit. I walked through the door of a condo and what lay behind that door did not surprise me a bit. One condo and one townhouse that were both rentals for years and both sellers want to put it on the market asap and get it sold.

There are tenants ... few and far between....that will treat a rental like their own. VERY FEW.

And these two units were no exception to this rule.

Our work was cut out for us and what lay ahead was nothing we haven't overcome before. It IS possible to get a unit in spic and span and upgraded condition within a few days to a week but depending on what needs to be done.

One thing is for certain...your property will be on the market for a LONG time if you don't do a darn thing to it.

It took so little to make these units shine and glow.

They're both in contract.

Apologies and a Heavy Heart

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 10:50:45 -0600

The story started with my son on the U.S.S Kitty Hawk and feeling lonely. He wrote an email to me with the intent of everyone ‘hearing' his apology for not staying in touch while he was serving his country. As a mom, I was more concerned with the way he wrote it and my heart strings tugged good and hard. My son was grown up and realized the importance of keeping in touch.

He needed reassurance that everyone understood that sometimes curve balls get in the way.

I tend to lose touch with some of my friends here on ActiveRain, on Facebook and Twitter when certain priorities take precedence over socializing. You know, like WORK. I don't run around and comment on friends posts or status unless I have a bunch of time on my hands and I'm surely not inclined to feel obligated to do so when time is pressing.

Are there others who can relate that priorities (i.e. work) take a front seat to socializing?

When online socializing has grown to hundreds of thousands of members on each site it is hard to coordinate free time with dashboards that run past in seconds. Not all of us can look for ‘friends' and comment on their posts or status unless business is slow or we have all of our ducks in a row so we can connect with them once again.

Apologies and a heavy heart.

NOT.

We understand.

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Website: www.hawaiihomesmarket.com

Supporting Hawaii Local Businesses!

Hawaii Homes Market Report | Honolulu County Real Estate October 2009

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 11:51:51 -0600

Honolulu County Real Estate Market Report- October 2009

Honolulu County Housing Market Statistics for October 2009 showed continued activity with the Hawaii Home Buyer picking up on the FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT.

Single Family Resale Numbers: In the our sales numbers for single family homes showed a very slight increase in sold single family homes from 244 to 281. The Median Sales price rose from $600,000 in September to $605,000 in October. This is an increase of 15.6% from October 2008 to 2009 and also shows a slight increase of 0.83% from September to October of 2009 in sales prices.

Condo/Townhouse Resale Numbers: Our Honolulu Real Estate Housing Market sales numbers for condos/townhouses increased slightly from 345 in September to 381 in October of 2009 and we can attribute the sales number increase the past month due to the lowering inventory on the island of Oahu. Honolulu County Median sales prices increased 20.5% from September of 2008 to September 2009 and decreased 3.2% in sales prices from $305,000 to $295,000.

I believe these ups and downs will continue as our market tries to find a happy median. With the FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT EXTENSION approved, interest rates still lower and inventory considerable down in all neighborhoods the shifting is evident with more homebuyers in the market.

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Website: www.hawaiihomesmarket.com

Supporting Hawaii Local Businesses!

What Exactly Did You "Say" on ActiveRain?

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:51:36 -0600

As a long time veteran of ActiveRain Real Estate Network, I learned early on that there were certain elements of blogging and social networking that I needed to acquire in order to perform with grace and style.

ActiveRain gave me the use of their network to get my information out to the consumer with loads of Google juice. ActiveRain also gave me the opportunity to network with my peers, give and receive referrals and to just plain have fun with the connections and friends I've made along the way.

Being mindful of the fact that this network treated me with the utmost respect and care I long ago decided that I would give the same back in return.

So, I followed the ActiveRain Guidelines (and you can click on the link if you didn't realize it's on the bottom of EVERY page on the bottom toolbar) and I also added on my own personal guidelines as well.

Here are just a few:

Keep a positive attitude and when voicing my opinion be respectful. If all else fails go to "The Psychology Of Cyberspace"... and review the ins and outs of how different personalities affect ones online presence.
If others do not agree with me that's okay as I have the ability to agree to disagree I have no control over ANYTHING in this world except the control I do have over me and my own behavior.
Write with transparency, honesty, originality, creativity, conviction, passion and consistency. From the heart, the soul and mind I write as if I am talking and walking WITH the reader...not AT them.
Remember that I am here as a professional in the Real Estate Industry. My professional attitude that I carry in person is the same as I carry with my online presence.
Reciprocate as much as I can to other bloggers and take the time to give back to the community. Whenever I receive an email or call for help I extend a helping hand and give guidance, tips or just basic input to those that reach out.
I can only see as much as the typewritten word. If I am unsure of a response I will most likely pick up the phone and chat. I've learned not to pick up the phone when a writer/commenter is downright rude, obnoxious, whiney or complaining.

Community Support is what we're about....the people behind the words.

On this Thanksgiving Holiday I would like to express my sincere gratitude and thanks to ActiveRain Staff, Members and all my friends for your support and everything big and small on this network.

Customs, Origins, Ethnicities and an Open Mind

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:46:25 -0600

In a large forum such as ActiveRain, we will run across many views and opinions from each member. Being mindful of another's customs are surely a sign of respect for another group of people ‘who are not like you'. After seeing a few news articles and then seeing Terry Chenier's post about a Japanese custom it inspired me to write my thoughts down.

I've traveled the world with my dad (Navy) and with my children's father (Air Force) and have been around many different cultures. I expanded my mind to learn new ways of living in Japan, Philippines, Turkey and all over the United States.

That open mindedness came from living in the most diverse and cultural state of all... Hawaii.

My mother was born on Kauai and is going to be 82 years old come January. She grew up during the time of war. The bombing of Pearl Harbor and the internment of Japanese people that followed left an aftermath of prejudiced minds and a bitter taste in ones mouth for years.

My mom is Japanese and a proud American.

My father was a pure Swede and born in Massachusetts. He joined the U.S. Navy when he was 17 years old and by chance met my mom and fell in love with her. They had two children. We traveled to Japan and I will always remember the hatred permeating from the lost souls from those who lost their families in Hiroshima and Nagasaki from our retaliation to Pearl Harbor.

I was stuck in the middle being the offspring of an interracial marriage....or so it seemed.

After coming to Hawaii in 1967 we settled into a comfortable life where the people were more accepting of others and their cultural beliefs and values.

In turn I grew up to the woman I am today. Political and religious views are ones own. When it gets nasty and mean is when I slowly shake my head and click out of reading those posts.

Bowing for respect, greeting, saying goodbye and so forth is a Japanese custom; just as slapping a high five is in another. Or how about kissing both cheeks when greeting others?

My mom and dad taught me some good core beliefs.

The mindset of an individual comes from the state of mind.

Being mindful is being respectful.

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Website: www.hawaiihomesmarket.com

Supporting Hawaii Local Businesses!

Pre - Thanksgiving Entertainment

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:44:23 -0600

Don't ya just love that spouse who is so jealous of all your ActiveRain blogging and the fun you're having that they PURPOSELY shoot a video in hope you'll post it for them?

Well, that's what my loving husband Gary did while I was doing an Open House yesterday.

We decided to start giving our 'thanks' early. We have been giving thanks for a few days and yesterday the 'feast' began. He cooked and carved and had a wonderful spread when I got home. (thank you for a spouse that loves to cook hehehehe!)

What I'm Thankful For......

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:19:26 -0600

It's that time of the year when we start thinking about the holidays approaching and in just a few days we have Thanksgiving Day. On each third Thursday of November, tradition tells us that it's time to give thanks for the 'harvest' and everything else that I have to be grateful for.

Things I'm thankful for:

I have my health
My family and their love and support for each other
That I made it through the hardest year I have ever had in real estate
I have my bills paid
That I continue to believe that success starts from within
That I am humble and have patience
That I have slept well at night
That everyone I know who has had a hard time have found their way into the light.
That I have friends here on ActiveRain who keep in contact with me
For friend on Facebook....and especially old friends I 'found' again.
That I am busy again and closing transactions...

And most of all..................

That I have husband who likes to bake pumpkin pies way before Thanksgiving!

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Website: www.hawaiihomesmarket.com

Supporting Hawaii Local Businesses!

LOTS OF HARD WORK and PATIENCE = Hawaii Short Sale Success

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:51:09 -0600

During the beginning of the year the Hawaii Short Sale listings were abundant! I had tried in vain to get buyers into a 'great deal' althought the time constraints did not work out. Contract after contract and denial after denial. People were fighting over short sales and only the patient ones survived.

By July a Hawaii Short Sale listing I have with another agent 'got into contract' and it was finally approved.

By August another listing 'was in contract' and recently the seller gave up.

One buyer put in a contract in late August and another in early September.....BOTH Short Sales are now bank approved and one is recording next week.

Prior to this year I had not had the opportunity to do a short sale (either buyer or seller) and through all of this I have found that short sales are LOTS of research, hard work and patience.....and in the end it pays off when it goes through.

Seems to me it's a BIG accomplishment to help someone from going through a foreclosure....

or to have a happy buyer who got a great deal.

It's like fishing.....it takes a lot of PATIENCE!

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Website: www.hawaiihomesmarket.com

Supporting Hawaii Local Businesses!

Mililani Condo for Sale | Mililani Hawaii Real Estate | Waikalani Woodlands

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:48:56 -0600

Mililani Waikalani Woodlands Condo for Sale!

95-273 Waikalani Drive, D1103, Mililani, 96789 View Map

Situated in Launani Valley this two bedroom unit in Waikalani Woodlands is waiting just for you.

Upgraded with new carpet, flooring fixtures and more this condo is VERY clean and ready to move in NOW.

On the eleventh floor the breezes flow through the unit constantly forom the winds through the valley. A gorgeous view overlooking the woods and treetops....

Your new abode awaits......

Details

Asking Price:

$179,000

MLS:

2914797

Sq. Feet:

840

Bedrooms:

Bathrooms:

# of Floors:

HOA/Maintenance Fees:

401

Subdivision:

Waikalani Woodlands

Year Built:

1976

Property Amenities

Community Amenities

Contact Info

Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman, Realtor-Associate®
Hawaii Real Estate & Relocations

Main (808) 625-1776 ext. 300
Cell (808) 375-1404
Dir (808) 375-1404
Email | Website

All information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed.

Is a Prequalification Letter Worth the Paper It's Written On?

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:04:42 -0600

Lending guidelines are continuously changing and very strict when approving a buyer for a loan. That IS a VERY good thing. We NEED to have a well qualified buyer putting in an offer lest it's wasting everyone's time and putting the seller and buyer's life on hold.

When an offer comes in the Realtor® goes over all details of the contract, the addendums AND the prequalification/preapproval letter that's attached. We speak to the loan officer and go through the credit worthiness of the buyer.

Pursuant to our Purchase Contract the buyer has XX amount of days after acceptance of the offer to go through the application process and submit a prequalification letter based upon the review of Buyer's credit report and items in the loan application.

Time and time again we will run into a situation where the loan officer is all for the buyer being well qualified only to have them evading an update during that first week after acceptance. Why? Because they're scrambling to FIND a lender that will take their client's loan when all along they KNEW that it's borderline to begin with.

We think in the best interests of our clients and scrutinize all letters of credit worthiness and speak to the loan officer regarding their letter of prequalification or preapproval. We then pass all the information to the seller and go over the offer...and they make a uniformed decision if they will accept that offer or not.

We think and do everything in our power for the best interests of our clients.

BUT..........Mr. Loan Officer........

There's a difference between the "buyer is well qualified" and it ‘may or may not fly'.

Please Consider the Environment Before Printing ALL Those Condo Docs

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:14:59 -0600

Condominium Documents are a big business here. They're needed .... therefore, the cost is jacked up to 'accommodate' the buyer who is purchasing the home. If you have the bulk of the documents (By Laws, Articles of Incorporation, Declarations and so forth) and just need the RR105c (property information form), budget, minutes, reserves and insurance summary paying for them separately ends up costing more than the whole packet.

So we buy the whole packet. If we're lucky the document center for the association sends them by email and we can just pass them on to the buyer's agent. If not, the documents are printed out and trees are used to print out this stack of documents. If the buyer doesn't want the stack we have to scan and email all of this.

And if they could ALL be in pdf file then why the huge cost of $350 per when it can take a few minutes to zap it over?

ALWAYS Have a Back Up PLAN

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:24:52 -0600

We represent our clients best interests. THAT is my first and foremost priority when strategizing the sale of a home. In Strategic Planning + Hard Work = Property IN CONTRACT my planning turned out to be a big positive and the townhouse was in contract by day ONE after the Open House. With 50+ guests to view the Mililani Townhouse for Sale there was no doubt in my mind that all efforts paid off.

But by the third day in contract the buyer's agent politely calls to inform us that they are backing out. No home inspection yet either. "The wife didn't really like it" was the reason....but hey......

.....I'd rather find out quickly rather weeks down the line.

At last Sunday's Open House the guest sign in sheets were filled out completely with guest, name of agent and so forth. I had also made notes on the side of the guests (i.e. very interested and said their agent would be contacting me) so I would remember who they were.

So when the contract fell out I hopped on the phone and within the hour had called five agents with the interested clients from the Open House. They were so excited and the following day received four contracts. We are now back in contract and have a back up offer besides.

Always have a backup plan.

Because as we all know it's never for sure....until it records.

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Website: www.hawaiihomesmarket.com

Supporting Hawaii Local Businesses!

I Just Don't Understand.....

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:20:25 -0600

I received this email a couple days ago and saved it so I could keep reading it. Before I continue ...this person is a Hawaii licensed real estate agent and a member of our board /mls.

I have my own opinions about this scenario and keep wondering why a licensed agent and member of our board/mls would want others to look for property when they have access to the mls?

HMMMMMM.......

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PROFESSIONAL REAL ESTATE INVESTOR LOOKING FOR PROPERTIES Hi, my name is XXXXXXXX and I am an investor in the local area. Due to the current economic conditions, I have decided to ramp up my existing operations. I not only represent myself but I also have several investors in and out of the area that I help find, rehab, rent out, and manage properties. Because of the money backing me, I have set the goal to buy 100 hundred properties within the next 12-18 months. Some of these properties I will buy and hold myself, some of them I will sell to other investors and some I will buy, fix up and flip for myself. Regardless of the strategy I use on each property, I need to be very aggressive on the price I pay for the property, especially in the current market. I have not chosen a real estate agent to represent me yet. The agent that I choose cannot be afraid to offend other agents with low offers. The agent I choose also will have to be available at all times. I use several strategies to buy and sell properties quickly, including making verbal offers when permitted. I will also look at a lot of properties and buy only a few. So an aggressive work schedule will be required. The upside of the agent who get accepted will be lots of commission. We will close on properties every month. I will pull in the agent on for Sale By Owner deals. At times I will write additional commission into the contract when we ramp up to full speed. All that aside, I am a professional and I expect to work with a professional. I want to make money and I want the agent to make money. Here are the type of properties I am looking to buy:

Single family home 3bedroom/2bath +, at least 1,000sq.feet.

No vacant ground

Located in whole Oahu only in low crime neighborhoods.

If you have properties that fit this description or would like to represent me please call me at XXXXXX or send me e mail to XXXXXXX

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Wassup Folks?

Strategic Planning + Hard Work = Property IN CONTRACT

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:50:56 -0600

We all talk about how we go above and beyond the call of duty in our businesses and there are many different opinions of exactly what that means. In a market that has been undoubtedly slow we have to be unique in our approach in doing the best we can for a Hawaii Home Seller and GETTING THE PROPERTY SOLD!

After viewing a property the Saturday before it was obvious there would be MUCH to do as the property was a rental for MANY years. The listing was signed with the contingency that it would not be shown until all repairs and cleaning were complete.

I started brainstorming and came up with a few ideas I thought would work to get it on the market and hold an Open House the next Sunday:

By the next morning- Sunday- the painter started on not only painting but spraying new ceiling throughout the downstairs. (don't ask me how it got so many dings and scrapes...they may have been walking the ceilings?)
The painter finished up putting back the ceiling fans etc by Monday. The handyman started to do a few odds and ends and installed the new range hood.
On Tuesday we went in to do some cleaning to put a ‘woman's touch' on everything. Argh....that took 2.5 days and it was more than what I first thought. Also, the flooring guys came in to change the tile in both bathrooms and put new baseboards and the handyman came back to finish up some final work.
On Wednesday the new dishwasher was delivered, I put up the listing on the MLS with specific instructions that the first showing was at the first Open House on Sunday. Added just a bit of staging (plants, rugs, table etc.) so the floor plan was evident.
Thursday and Friday screens were cleaned, additional caulking and open lanai painted (it had splotches of three different colors) and I added the listing to MULTIPLE sites and the final touch up cleaning through Saturday.

From Wednesday to Saturday many calls came in to view the property before Open House day but they were politely declined due to ‘work being done' and told to please attend the First Open House/Showing on Sunday.

Sunday's Open House proved fruitful and it turned out to be a great strategy for a highly desirable complex........21 groups of people (about 50+ individuals) came through and only 1 person signed in the guest book that DID NOT HAVE AN AGENT. By Monday morning (yesterday) we had an offer in hand. By the afternoon we had other calls from agents saying their clients came to Open House and considering putting in an offer.

The property is now in contract and in escrow.

Moral? Even though a lot of work in a short period of time (and at minimal price) went into getting the property ready.... it was well worth it to get the property sold!

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Website: www.hawaiihomesmarket.com

Supporting Hawaii Local Businesses!

History Surrounding the Makapuu Lighthouse

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:49:20 -0600

The stone image of "Makapu'u " the supernatural woman and another one of Malei are no longer visible but it is said that Makapu'u (bulging eye) was in the form of a black rock. She was a female kapua (flower, blossom, child) who came to to Oahu (Honolulu County) with a famaous voyaging priest.

Malei, another female kapua was a stone set up to attract Uhu (Parrotfish) to the area. They made offerings of Lipoa (a type of seaweed) and also said to be a rock relative of Pele (the fire goddess)

But the Makapu'u Lighthouse is still standing and located on the East side of Oahu high above on the cliffs overlooking Makapuu beach. The lighhouse was established and first lit in 1909 and the light is still operational (as depicted in the picture).

The current use for the Makapu'u lighhouse is for "Active Aid to Navigation.

The owner is the U.S. Coastguard.

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Happy Halloweenie!

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:39:12 -0500

Happy Halloween Everyone! Unfortunately I was unable to dress up this year but will share the past two Halloween's on ActiveRain with all of you. The one on the left is from A Halloweenie Story and Greeting From Hawaii! from 2008 and the one on the right is from Halloween At the Office With Wizards & Fairies last year.

And the one below is Shadow with her boinging ears.....Have fun....and be safe!