by David Kucic, Hawaii Real Estate Agent
Hawaii Real Estate
The island of Oahu has a large amount of military bases and military facilities. It is the home to every single branch of the Armed Forces. Is there another state that can claim that? California or North Carolina maybe?
As of July 2004, there were approximately 44,567 service members that live on the island. This included all active duty, reservists and guardsmen. Since that time there has not been a significant change in the amount of forces but it has increased slightly. There have been units de-activating and new units being brought in.
That is a lot for one island!
And where were they all stationed? Schofield Barracks which is home to the United States Army 25th Infantry Division, Wheeler Army Airfield, US Navy Operations Kunia Tunnel, Kaneohe Marine Corps Base, Hickam Air Force Base, Pearl Harbor, United States Coast Guard Station Honolulu, Tripler Army Medical Center, Camp Smith, Barbers Point Naval Air Station which houses the aircraft for the Coast Guard, Lualualei Ammunition Storage Facility, Iroquois Point Naval Magazine and numerous National Guard Armories around the island. Is there anything that I missed?
All of these men and women earn their eligibility for a VA home loan after they have been on active duty for 180 days. National Guardsmen and Reservists that have been activated to deploy overseas now have that entitlement as well. The criteria are different for retirees and ex-military depending on when they served. The VA home loan entitles them to great interest rates, an opportunity to buy with less than perfect credit, and 100% financing with no PMI to name a few of the attractive reasons of the program. Check with your favorite lender and maybe you can open a whole new world of buyers.
If you are not in a military market have you asked your buyers if they spent any time on active duty? It may be worth it to you and them. There may be ( I am sure there are) people who cannot buy because they don't have money for a down payment or closing costs. This may be a perfect opportunity for them to buy. Have them use their VA eligibility and have the seller pay their closing costs. Its working great here in Hawaii! One of my greatest senses of accomplishment was getting a 70 year old former United States Marine into a property after he had been a career renter. He had no idea that he was qualified for the loan program. He was the father of my one my old Army buddies.
Aloha From Hawaii,
David Kucic, Hawaii Real Estate Agent
MILITARY BASES, POSTS AND FORTS ON OAHU, HAWAII AND POHAKALOA TRAINING AREA BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII
Schofield Barracks: Mililani, Wahiawa, Kapolei, Waipahu, Ewa Beach, Waipahu, Makakilo, Oahu, Hawaii Schofield Barracks and adjoining Wheeler Army Airfield are the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Brigade, Aviation Brigade, 45th Sustainment Brigade and the 8th Military Police Brigade. In addition, the 8th Theatre Sustainment Command, 65th Engineer Battalion, 25th Special Troops Battalion and the 556 Personell Service Battalion are also part of the Division team and play an integral role in the success of the Division.
There are also two Brigades that are stationed in other locations. The 1st Brigade is stationed at Ft. Lewis, Washington and the 4th Brigade is stationed at Ft. Richardson, Alaska.
The 25th Infantry Divison has proudly served in numerous wars and conflicts around the globe. The Soldiers that make up the division are currently deployed to several locations to include Iraq.
Pearl Harbor: Pearl City, Pearlridge, Aiea, Salt Lake, Honolulu, Waipahu, Oahu, Hawaii
Hickam Air Force Base: Pearl City, Pearlridge, Aiea, Salt Lake, Honolulu, Waipahu, Oahu, Hawaii
Marine Corps Base Kaneohe: Kaneohe, Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii
Camp H. M. Smith: Salt Lake, Moanalua, Honolulu, Aiea, Pearl City, Pearlridge, Oahu, Hawaii
Tripler Army Medical Center: Salt Lake, Moanalua, Honolulu, Aiea, Pearl City, Pearlridge, Oahu, Hawaii
Fort Shafter: Salt Lake, Moanalua, Honolulu, Aiea, Pearl City, Pearlridge, Oahu, Hawaii
Wheeler Army Airfield: Mililani, Wahiawa, Kapolei, Ewa Beach, Waipahu, Makakilo, Oahu, Hawaii
Helemano Military Reservation: Wailaua, Wahiawa, Mililani, Haleiwa, Oahu, Hawaii
Kahuku Training Area: Kahuku, Oahu, Hawaii
Kilauea Military Reservation: Hilo, Kona, Hawaii
Pohakuloa Training Area: Hilo, Kona, Hawaii
Makua Military Reservation: Waianae, Nanakuli, Makaha, Oahu, Hawaii
TEMPORARY LODGING FACILITIES FOR THE ARMY, NAVY, AIR FORCE, MARINE CORPS, COAST GUARD, RESERVISTS, NATIONAL GUARD, DOD CIVILIANS AND RETIREES ON OAHU, HAWAII
The Hale Koa Hotel on Waikiki Beach: Honolulu, H
The Inn at Schofield Barracks: Mililani, Wahiawa, Kapolei, Waipahu, Ewa Beach, Waipahu, Makakilo, Oahu, Hawaii
The Royal Alaka'i at Hickam Air Force Base
The Lodge at Kaneohe Bay and the Cottages at Kaneohe Bay
Navy Lodge Hawaii at Pearl HarborThe Beach Cottages at Kalaeloa (formerly Barbers Point NAS): Mililani, Wahiawa, Kapolei, Waipahu, Ewa Beach, Waipahu, Makakilo, Oahu, Hawaii
Tripler Army Medical Center Guest House
Bellows Air Force Station Beach Cabins
GOLF COURSES ON OAHU, HAWAII FOR ARMY, NAVY, AIR FORCE, MARINE CORPS, COAST GUARD, RESERVISTS, NATIONAL GUARD, DOD CIVILIANS AND RETIREES
Leilehua Golf Course (Army, Schofield Barracks) Mililani, Wahiawa, Kapolei, Waipahu, Ewa Beach, Waipahu, Makakilo, Oahu, Hawaii
Walter Nagorski Golf Course (Army, Ft. Shafter)
Mamala Bay Golf Course and Kealohi Golf Course (Air Force, Hickam AFB)
Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course (Marine Corps, Kaneohe Bay)
Barbers Point Golf Course (Navy, Barbers Point): Mililani, Wahiawa, Kapolei, Waipahu, Ewa Beach, Waipahu, Makakilo, Oahu, Hawaii
Navy Marine Golf Course (Obvious Right?)
COMMISSARIES ON OAHU, HAWAII FOR ARMY, NAVY, AIR FORCE, MARINE CORPS, COAST GUARD, RESERVISTS, NATIONAL GUARD, DOD CIVILIANS AND RETIREES
Schofield Barracks Commissary near Wahiawa, Waipahu and Mililani, Hawaii Kaneohe Marine Corps Base Commissary near Kaneohe and Kailua, Hawaii Barbers Point Commissary near Kapolei, Ewa Beach and Makakilo, Hawaii Pearl Harbor Commissary and Hickam Air Force Base Commissary which are both near the cities of Pearl City, Pearlridge, Aiea and Honolulu.
