Hawaii Real Estate | Hawaii Relocations | Hawaii Home Buying & Selling

I read a post this morning and read through the wonderful comment stream. I picked up on a comment from Neal Bloom-Realtor ®CRS-Weston FL Real Estate (Keller Williams Properties, Weston FL) who said, "I'm a people person..that's just how I am...my clients have told me that they would rather talk to a live person sometimes. As far as agents go..it all depends on the listing. I say if it works for you then you do it the way is best for you".

And that's IS the beauty of our business. Whatever works for you or me is how we will conduct our business. The one thing about our business is that we attract like kind people who will be best fit to make the business relationship work.  If you just want a business type relationship that is what you'll get. If you are a people person and insert a bit of ‘self' into the ‘relationship' then you will receive the benefits of both worlds.

• One agent refuses to pick up their phone and it goes to their office voicemail. They have an assistant that will return the call and they have a service that you can make appointments with.  Is it giving the impression they are too busy and can't give the attention the client deserves?
• Another will take all calls, return texts and emails if they are not with a client (or busy doing family time) and will return it promptly when they're free.  It's the right thing to do to give full attention to the client, right?
• Yet another agent will answer, return texts and emails no matter what.  They stop in the middle of the street to do so. It's the way this world of technology has conditioned many who want to keep up with the times.  Is it showing the client (or peer, or friend or family) that the conversation they're having with you is not important?

I have had clients ignore me and answer their text messages. I have had clients who refuse to email. I have had clients who are the most pleasant, eager to work as a team and bring me into their family as a friend.

We open our minds to all possibilities.

Are you a people person Realtor®?

I too will say, "Whatever works for you".

Diversity can be defined as being different. I grew up on Oahu (Honolulu County) Hawaii I learned the importance of understanding diversity of all races,  ethnicities and cultures. We learned to live together on such a small island and I found that opening my mind to the possibilities would increase my knowledge of all the different backgrounds.

An open mind creates room for growth.

In  business we have a diverse workforce no matter which company we work for or what kind of business we are doing. That's just the nature of the business.

We have a conglomeration of people with all genders, ages, ethnic and racially diverse backgrounds in the real estate industry.

We open our minds to new relationships and support the theory that by doing so we open ourselves up to the possibility of retaining those contacts for future productivity.

The beauty of real estate.

We are a diverse culture in the world of business.

Learn, understand and grow.

A gorgeous courtyard picture and amongst the beauty of a well manicured landscape I paused. You know, we can stop dead in our tracks when we view something that catches our eye and immediate thoughts begin to arise. A story to tell from a still picture captured with those first impressions that were implanted in our memory bank to store for later when viewing the picture shot at that moments notice.

I could see a garden tea party with women wearing long frilly dresses and bonnets with a parasol to protect them from the morning sun. A couple sitting on the bench beneath the shade of the trees and enjoying a quiet moment together. A gardener clipping and standing back to admire his work of the tropical garden and thinking....that someone will stop to take a snapshot of the beauty.

It's actually a view from the second floor of Schofield Barracks clinic.

Enjoy!

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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

I have set up your own personal web page on our Honolulu Board of Realtors Multiple Listing Service (MLS) with your criteria for you on our according to your price range that your loan officer qualified you for.  I also inserted your desired number of bedrooms/baths/parking, style, area, tenure,  condition, interior sq/ft, land sq/ft and so forth.

‘What About This Property We Found on Another Website?  is a question asked quite often and though it's a valid question.........

• Our MLS site has up to date information on all activity on our listings and those that you see on other sites may not be.  The home ‘you were lucky  to find' on another site may already be in contract or sold two years ago.  It will be more discouraging to think you found your dream home or that you see a higher price for the sale of your home....only to find out that it has been sold awhile back and the website you are on did not update their information.
• Many would like to see (hope) that there are more properties in their price range than what is coming to them automatically through our search criteria we provide to the MLS system. The fact of the matter is that you can only buy what you can afford and only what is available within your criteria. If your Real Estate Agent is a member of the Honolulu Board of Realtors® then she/he will be subscribed to the MLS system and have access to all the listings that Realtors® and Realtor Associates® on the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) have input into the system.
• Many would like to see that their home is worth 50k more than what the current market value is. If the site you are looking at has not updated their information from two years ago when that property was sold then you are getting inaccurate information. Our MLS system reflects all sold properties that appraisers will be looking at too and unless someone has all cash and willing to pay above market value then you will not be able to get your home appraised for more than what the current market value is.

You can be at ease knowing that your agent will be able to ‘check on those listings' you saw on ‘other' websites that are not within our MLS system. You will then trust that your Realtor® is a member of their local board and getting up to date information which is then passed along to you.

Is Your Realtor® a member of the Honolulu Board of Realtors®?

Are they subscribed to the Multiple Listing Service?

When buying or selling a home.....

You deserve the best service.

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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

The potential home buyer has not gotten their military orders, their  job transfer papers or are just not sure if this is the right time to retire.  The potential home seller is going to sell their home but not quite ready because they need to do a few repairs and they're still deciding what to do and where to move.

All of them have one thing in common. They are wanting to Buy a Hawaii Home or Sell a Hawaii Home.....but they are not quite ready.

"Will you work with me even though I'm not quite ready?"

If you're a home seller I can meet with you to go over everything that will happen in the process, give you some tips on how to get it ready for that first showing and basically answer any concerns you may have. We'll keep each other informed on the progress and touch base until you're ready.

If you're a home buyer and not ready to (maybe you're not relocating for another year) buy you can still get started with getting prequalified with a local lender so we both know what price range to set up your Hawaii Home Search. I'll meet with you if you're on island or email you with information. Needless to say, we'll touch base every week or two (depending on your time frame) and ‘get to know each other'.

It's never too early to be proactive to start the Home Buying or Selling process.

And I'll gladly work with you until you are ready.

Because I love proactivity too!

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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

When a potential client asks us, "Why Should I Hire You As My Realtor®" how would I answer?  A few months ago I wrote TOP Three Considerations For Choosing Your Realtor® and I believe no differently now than I did back then.  So, if you ask me why you should hire me I need to put this back in your ball park so that you can let me know what YOU expect in your Realtor®.

While you're thinking about that let me ask you a few questions to give you some pondering points: 

• Do you expect me to just talk about me, me and me or do you want to hear what I am going to do for you?
• Do you expect me to tell you what you want to hear or would you like me to give you straight forward suggestions and advice?
• Do you expect me to start rattling off about how many sales I have had or would you like to hear that I will LISTEN to YOUR needs and wants?
• Do you expect me to just figure you know everything about home buying or selling or would you like me to give you information and keep you informed through every step of the process?

If you would like me to let you know what I will do for you, listen to your needs and wants, give you straight forward advice, give you information and inform you through every step of the process....... then you answered the questions right........

Because now I would like to work with you too!

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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

I attended the first day of CRS 202 Sales Course at the Hale Koa Hotel in Waikiki. We are fortunate to have have CRS Instructors come to Hawaii to teach these courses so that we may better educate ourselves and work towards our CRS (Certified Residential Specialist) Designation. Jackie Leavenworth is our instructor and a vibrant gal indeed! (stay tuned for a follow up post!)

Our first 'networking' task we started before the class commenced. It was a blue sheet and it was titled "Ideas, Referrals and Networking Opportunities". With many squares for others to fill in their info (one person per square) with their specific area of expertise or attendance (i.e. Attended NAR convention, Specializing in new construction) and then I looked at one block in particular.

It had just the word BLOGS.

Everyone usually has a buyer presentation book and has some kind of presentation of offers, right? I wanted to be the unique one. Of course I pick BLOGS for my area of expertise. It was astounding that I was the 'go to gal' for BLOGS and to fill in their square on their page. I had no one to fill in my square for BLOGS on my page until one other 'blogger' walked into the room who.....blogged.

YAY!  I had someone to fill in MY square!

With about 70 students in the class and only TWO bloggers. I was stumped. I came home last night and studied a bit and then came to ActiveRain to start inviting some of these CRS class attendees to our Real Estate Network. I managed to get in two last night and this evening I'll continue.

Blogging is no secret and most of them claimed "I don't have the time". Well, as discussed in class yesterday, HOW DO YOU MARKET TO Generation X and Y clients?  In our world of real estate we have groups of generations and we have to accomodate them ALL.

We support our peers and give them a hand up.

Because after all...

We only make our real estate industry stronger with a helping hand.

"Why Can't You Show Me Properties Before I'm Preapproved for a Loan?"

I have had at least a third of my ‘potential' clients ask me this question and to tell you the truth it's a very valid question for the first time home buyer.  The excitement of making that first initial decision to purchase a home was their first step and then they immediately want to go out looking at that dream home with four bedrooms and a perimeter lot with a ‘to die for' view of the ocean.

It's 1.5 million dollars.

What is your desired monthly mortgage payment?  In other words, are you comfortable with paying XXX  per month for that dream home? The first time home buyer will usually have an amount in mind that is one third the payment per month for that million dollar home.

Speak to a Hawaii Local Lender who will gather all your information (income, credit, debt etc.) so they can conclude what price range you are qualified for and are comfortable with for that monthly mortgage payment.  The loan officer will also give you options for loan programs that will suit your needs.

Getting preapproved will also save time and heartache.  How?  Knowing what price range you're approved for will keep you in a realistic frame of mind in searching for that dream home. There is no sense looking at million dollar homes when you are qualified for a half a million dollar home.  We make appointments and look at your selected price range of homes (or condos/townhouses) so we aren't spinning our wheels and wasting time.

And......

No broken hearts over a "to die for home"

........ that you can't afford.

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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

There are some who would prefer to purchase a single family home and some who would prefer a condo or townhouse and the luxury of a low maintenance or no yard . No matter which kind of property you purchase you have responsibilities as a homeowner.

The biggest difference in owning a single family dwelling or a condo is that the single family home is TOTALLY your responsibility for fixing any part of the home that is in disrepair or needs attention. (i.e. leaky roof, wood rot, termite damage) and in a condo/townhouse unit many of these costs are included in your maintenance fees.....except the inside of your unit. Here are other differences:

• Homeowners insurance:  Your single family dwelling needs full coverage for all parts of the home and your maintenance fees for the condo/townhouse may take care of the roof, outside of the dwelling, parking lot and the bulk of the homeowners insurance.  You will however need to purchase condo insurance for the INSIDE of the unit and it just a bit more than the cost of renter's insurance.
• Water and Sewer:  There are some condo/townhouse complexes that include the water/sewer and in some cases even the electric utilities in the maintenance fees. In a single family dwelling it's ALL YOUR OWN COSTS.  Take into consideration your usage for a family your size.
• PRIVACY:  Your single family dwelling will likely have more privacy than a condo/townhouse because there are no attached walls. Even if your home is just a few feet away from the neighbor you still have that privacy of not hearing the neighbors through the walls. There could be the difference of barking dogs and noisy neighbors as well.
• PETS, Satellite Dishes and Alterations:  Condo /Townhouse Associations have strict rules and guidelines  and it is best that you check out the House (Association) Rules before you commit. Some may only allow one dog (25 lbs and under) and others may not allow any dog at all. They may or may not allow satellite dishes and may not allow to extend that living room.
• Painting:  Your single family home may be in an Association as well so check before painting your home. Mililani Town Association has strict rules and the colors that you're allowed to use for painting the outside of your home. Townhouses/Condos paint the complex and part of your maintenance fees.

Needless to say, there are many factors to consider in owning your own piece of paradise.  You as a homeowner are responsible to upkeep your own home and take responsibility so you can enjoy your abode. You also need to be aware of how you affect your neighbors with your barking dog, loud music and so forth. 

These are also factors to consider before purchasing the home you'll be residing in for years to come.

Drive around the neighborhood during peak times when everyone is home.

You may just discover that it is the right home....and neighborhood for you.

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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

Mililani Town is the only community in Hawaii in 1986 to receive the distinction of "All American City" and is centrally located on the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and to all US Military Bases as well. About 5-10 minutes up Highway 99 is Schofield Barracks (Army) and Wheeler AAF (Army), Hickam AFB and Pearl Harbor Navy Base is about 20-25 minutes down H-2 to H-1 Freeway. Kaneohe Marine Corp Air Station is up and over the H-3 Freeway.

We've definitely had a turn of events throughout 2010 in regards to our Mililani Housing Market. We've had ups and downs and turn arounds, but needless to say the market may be turning back to a seller's market soon.

Inventory is lower than a year ago and prices are slowly regaining ground. Interest rates have gone up a bit and I can safely presume that they aren't going to be at this level in months to come. 

Let's take a look at the past year...........

Year to Date Market Report for Mililani Condos, Townhouses, Homes

Mililani Single Family Home Market Report 2010:  We have 46 Active Listings  with 26 in contract for the first few days in January of 2011 but for the year of 2010 Mililani has had 222 single family homes sold.  We did better this year compared to 2009 with 210 sold single family homes!   Sales Prices Ranged from $299,900 (2 bedroom in older Waipio Valley) to $1,050,000 (4 bedrooms) in Mililani Mauka. Average Days on the Market was 54!  Not bad!

Mililani Condo Statistics for 2010: There are 104 Active condos/townhouses on the market, 29  in contract for the first few days of 2011. But check this out!  We sold 252 condos/townhouses in 2010!  For a  year that took its toll on our Mililani market we didn't do too shabby compared to 284 sold units in 2009.  Sales Prices ranged from $112,000 (1 bedroom condo) to $498,000 (3 bdrm luxury townhouse). Average Days on the Market were 53 days!

For those Hawaii Home Buyers who are sitting on the fence ... do the math on low prices now compounded with still low interest rates compared to those same prices with a higher interest rate. The math is clear, so if your current situation is in a buy mode...I'd say, "Jump off that fence!"

If you would like more information give me a call/text at 808-375-1404.

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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

On our way home from dinner I saw the sun setting and I just had to redirect the driver to a perfect place to capture this sight....at Point Panic Beach Park.

I hopped out in the nick of time to snap this seconds from disappearing sun setting over the ocean. 

Ah....sheer bliss for the sight of a sunset ...if not for a second or two.

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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 KNOWS and serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocating to Hawaii, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents.