Regardless if an Open House does not work in the Continental United States (commonly referred by us Hawaii residents as ‘the mainland') it does work on our island of Oahu in Hawaii. Densely populated, most neighborhoods on our island are a hop, skip and a jump from one to the next. Most can hit up to 20 Open Houses and view "homes of their dreams" within a three hour period on any given Sunday.

Keep in mind Oahu is just one island of the chain of islands that make up the State of Hawaii. Oops!  You thought the island of Hawaii (aka the Big Island) was the State of Hawaii?  Well, guess what. You thought wrong. You have to  know more about the area you are relocating to. HONOLULU INFORMATION

Another misconception is that all our land is leasehold land. Find an educated Realtor® who will give you the correct information.  There are a few areas that are still leasehold land (you are renting the land underneath you) and while the landowner earns a monthly income it is a fixed lease for 30 plus years and adjusted at intervals over the remaining length of the lease. Yes, fee simple is more desirable. You own the land underneath you and a portion if a condo/townhouse. READ MORE>>FACT or FICTION? Honolulu County Leasehold Land

We run around topless wearing just grass skirts,

live in grass shacks and sip on Mai Tai's all day.

HUH?

Well, we in Hawaii may be behind times just a little although we are not in the olden days. Real estate has grown to where we are educated that there is very little buildable land on Oahu. There are strict zoning laws, rules and guidelines for our precious land and there is no such thing as buying a home or land without doing our due diligence.

The price we pay to live in Paradise. Yes, you can bet your bottom dollar that you are paying for a LITTLE piece of Hawaii with less square feet on the land and roofed area. Again, we have just so little buildable land and you're thinking....houseboats?  Nah, that's not feasible around winter time on the North Shore where 30 foot waves are being ridden by surfers from around the world.  

Living in a state in the middle of the Pacific Ocean that has tropical island weather, blue skies, sunny days, surf, sand, scuba diving and mountain climbing has its perks for sure. No getting snowed in and getting that dreadful disease called cabin fever.

What do I say?

Lucky I live Hawaii!

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

                                                       

 

Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman  is a Realtor-Associate® and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) 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 Relocations, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents, Home Buyers and Sellers.

 

 © 2007-2013 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog.

All rights reserved.

     

 


 

 

 
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40 Comments on Is Hawaii Behind the Times? Common Misconceptions About the 50th State and Real Estate

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

JUL
13
2011
424,967 Points 39 Featured Posts Hit Router Called Shot Master
Sally - I learned more about your Hawaii with your article, than I ever knew. 30 foot waves - that's incredible, too.
6:08pm • #21
225,654 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi, Sally -- it is always great to learn about the local nuances of a particular market.  My wife and I had the opportunity to tour some of the Hawaiian Islands and I didn't want to go back to the Mainland!  It was especially intereting to learn about the advantages of an Open House in your market.  All the best to you!
7:54pm • #22
265,157 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

I am reading your post while I am sitting on the 4th floor balcony of a timeshare on Kaanapali Beach looking out over the blue Pacific. Darn! What am I doing here? See you later...I am on my way to the beach.
8:17pm • #23
859,452 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Sally, I do miss certain things about living in Hawaii...but honestly, the reason I left there was because I caught island fever! :)

Leilani
8:40pm • #24
879,347 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Sally - There are a lot of misconceptions about real estate and other things in Hawaii. But your line below will ruin the dreams of some. Have A Great Day

 

"We run around topless wearing just grass skirts,

live in grass shacks and sip on Mai Tai's all day."
9:15pm • #25
197,436 Points 2 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Hawaii is BEATUFIFUL. I am jealous of all of you who live and work there. What a wonderful place it must be to raise a family!
9:27pm • #26

Celeste,

So what are the bad things abount living in Oahu?
9:37pm • #27
1,552,023 Points 277 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Sally- LOL, Let them think that!!!! Just fine with locals:) Hawaii is NOT behind the times although time does seem to go just a bit slower, thank heavens for that!!! Open houses work in Hawaii and that has nothing to do with behind the times or not. I believe it is not just about the local and the ease of getting around but also the social-ness of people who live in Hawaii. There is NO Place on earth where the people and cultures are more friendly than on Hawaii. I have been to most of the world and home and Ohana is still Hawaii. 
9:53pm • #28
JUL
14
2011
221,510 Points Outside Blog

I've always wanted to live in Hawaii.  I love looking at your pictures, it reminds me of my trip there 10 years ago.
12:32am • #29
177,169 Points 7 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

You should let me come and visit you for two weeks. Maybe I would want to come and live there too...wink wink. :)
2:43am • #30
975,204 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Twenty? Wow! That is unbelievable. To cover ten Homes in an afternoon is about three over the average plus almost a full scale RUN!
5:28am • #31
315,007 Points 2 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

It does go to show that all areas are not created equal.  What works in one area doesn't in another and vice versa.
6:00am • #32
1,420,566 Points 41 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Sally, Oahu is a beautiful island and not so small. . I put 500 miles on a rental jeep . .beach and restaurant hopping. . going around and around. I would move there in a second if there was a chance that I can duplicate my work there.
6:01am • #33
1,452,722 Points 46 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Sally, I loved my vacation in Hawaii and would love to go there again. Next time I will go to Open houses.
6:43am • #34
175,753 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I don't even think it's fair to make comparisons between Hawaii and the mainland --- Hawaii is altogether different.  Anyone who has had the opportunity to spend a bit of time there, go off the beaten path (or stay on it), starts to become aware of the history and culture that go along with the beautiful scenery and weather.

Many years ago, I caught the Ironman Triathlon on Wide World of Sports.  The images stayed in my mind for many years until one day I found myself in a time and place where I was able to take up swimming, biking and running and work to achieve my personal goal of qualifying for the Hawaii Ironman.  I have since raced there twice and each time gave us an opportunity to get to know the Big Island better.  Sometimes I wake up now and hear the sounds of a Hawaiian tropical garden or sense daybreak on the other side of the volcano.  It's truly an amazing place and again, it's not better or worse than the mainland, just entirely different.

As we say in the sport of triathlon, "You can learn a lot about life on the Big Island."  Very true.  I made a short video of my last experience and you can find it HERE.
9:16am • #35
970,267 Points 245 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Rob....that was a beautiful video and tribute to your mom....thanks so much for sharing that and your story!
5:46pm • #36
JUL
16
2011
601,329 Points 36 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp

Sally, I love how nicely you put gether "great factual information" with a twist of humor.

     We run around topless wearing just grass skirts,

     live in grass shacks and sip on Mai Tai's all day.

Enjoyable read on all levels. Hope you are well.
9:18am • #37
JUL
17
2011
493,808 Points 75 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Paradise, indeed.

I loved Hawaii.  For the precious moments I was there, it felt like not only a wonderful vacation spot ... but like a place I could live one day.  The tourists may come to annoy me, but I'd be willing to pay that price;)
12:23am • #38
190,549 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Sally, very well written article about leasehold land in Hawai'i.  I didn't realize that there was much leasehold land like that in Hawai'i, but I guess it makes sense in some cases, with as much beach front properties, government land, etc....there are some lakes around here that have the same thing, the city owns the land around the lake, but you are purchasing the house and you have like a 99 year lease on the land, would have to be an ideal situation for me personally to purchase a leasehold piece of land..
3:35am • #39
970,267 Points 245 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

John:  I often wonder though...would I really invest in leasehold when there may /may not be something to pass on....

Lil Bro....Yup...the price we pay to live in paradise.  Gary and I do find out little spots in paradise to enjoy...minus the tourists :) :)   The best part was meeting you, Jennifer and your parents and brother!
1:53pm • #40

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

Mililani, HI

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Century 21 Liberty Homes

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

Office Phone: (808) 625-1776

Cell Phone: (808) 375-1404

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


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