Hawaii Real Estate, Hawaii Home Buying, Honolulu Housing Market, Hawaii Home Selling, Hawaii Relocations, Hawaii Military Relocations, Mililani Real Estate, Hawaii Homes Market

It's not easy to relocate your family to a totally different way of living across the Pacific Ocean to the Hawaiian Islands. It's the Hawaiian Paradise to say the least. With our tropical island weather, blue sunny skies and lovely trade winds year round it really can't be all that bad, right?

During my childhood years I lived the life of a US Navy dependent and in my early adult years I was a US Air Force dependent. (family member) I know what it's like.  It's not easy for an adult; let alone a child to uproot from their home and leave friends and jobs behind. 

The fear of the unknown is definitely in the back of the family member's mind. The active duty member already knows that they have to transition into the same job...just a different place. The military spouse has to be the backbone of the family and keep everything organized and structured and help their family transition into a new home, new schools, new job and new directions to everything.

It's a hard life but you can make it easier on yourself by finding out everything and anything about your Move to Hawaii.  The following links have loads of information for your Hawaii Move, Hawaii Military Housing as well as starting the process for Hawaii Home Buying and using your Hawaii VA Home Loan.

It's all about the community and making your transition just a little bit easier.

•  Hawaii Military Relocation | YOUR Military Move to Hawaii PART I Loads of information on the bases around the island of Oahu (which is Honolulu County) and getting your pets ready, the diversity of Hawaii, living on an island paradise with little buildable land (therefore, smaller homes) and so forth.
• Hawaii Honolulu Military Relocation -Part II of the Series on YOUR Military Move to Hawaii we discussed options on renting, buying or living on Base Housing and gave you a chart on Honolulu County 2009 BAH so you know what to expect for your Honolulu County Housing Allowance.
• Hawaii Military Relocation| PART III on YOUR Military Move to Hawaii | Hawaii Home Buyers VA Loans  Your To Do List in getting ready for your Hawaii Home Buying Process is the next step in being proactive in your Hawaii Military Relocation. Starting your Hawaii VA Loan Process before you even arrive will make the process time shorter once you get into contract.

Be proactive with your Hawaii Military Relocation for you and your family!  if you are planning to purchase your Hawaii Home it may be in your best interests to contact this Hawaii Realtor® who specializes in Hawaii Military Relocations as well as seasoned in your Hawaii  VA Loan and Real Estate Transaction Process.

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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

Would you believe this giant golf ball traveled 4,000 miles around the Pacific Ocean between December of 2007 and April of 2008? Well, it's not really a golf ball like those you're thinking of after the Big Sony Open this last week here at Waialae Country Club. 

Up on the H-1 freeway off ramp I saw IT 'back in port' this past Saturday. (Actually, I found out it came back to port on the 3rd) We got off on the Waimalu exit and with excitement of a blogger gone wild wanting to take a picture specifically for this post I order my husband to Blaisdell Park. I walk briskly to ocean's edge to get a few shots of this GIANT floating station along with a few other shots.

This is the SBX-1 Seabased X-Band Radar and a recent test this past December proved that this was the first intercept test in which data was combined from the SBX and other sensors providing tracking data. Boeing's chief engineer, Norm Tew said, "This test was an important milestone for the Sea-Based X Band Radar, a powerful, mobile sensor.

The SBX-1 comes back to Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Hawaii once a year for repairs and though I only know a little about it; the one thing I'm sure about is that it is a vital part of our enhance missle defense.  

In any case, isn't it beautiful?

 © 2009 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman, Hawaii Real Estate & Relocations

You received a wonderful gift!   It is the gift of receiving orders to your new duty station and you're moving to paradise!  Hawaii, with its tropical breezes, blue sunny skies, breathtaking scenery and warm weather year round IS all you dreamed of...and more. What's more of a dream than working and living in paradise?

You're an Active Duty, Retired or Veteran of the Armed Forces and you are Relocating to Hawaii. It's not easy picking up and moving to another state let alone across the Pacific Ocean but you sure can do it with ease when you have a sponsor who is willing to go the extra mile to get you acquainted with your new base and in processing information and needs, right?

There's another criteria for you that you need to keep in mind. Yeah, you have those sponsors but you are also looking at purchasing a home while you are here. So often we listen to friends, family and ‘acquaintances' who do not know the Hawaii Home Buying Process or Hawaii Real Estate Laws and though they may mean well, they are not really the experts.

You need the professional guidance of an experienced Realtor® who will give you sound advice regarding the local Hawaii housing market, your VA Guaranteed Loan for a Hawaii Home Purchase and the areas near the Honolulu County Military Bases that you may be interested in.

Education, Information and a Good Realtor® IS The Art of Hawaii Relocations. 

The following information will give you more information for your Hawaii Relocation Home Buying Process & your Hawaii VA Home Loan Process:

• This Realtors® Perspective: Hawaii Military & the VA Loan These guidelines will help you in preparing for your Hawaii Relocation (or even if you already live here and are purchasing a home) and learning about the transaction process using your VA Guaranteed Loan
• Hawaii Military Relocations: Choosing the RIGHT Realtor® & Loan Officer  Make sure your Realtor® and Loan Officer ARE well versed and knowledgeable in the VA Loan & Transaction process. Just because they advertise that they're the experts doesn't make it so.  
• Hawaii VA Loan Process: BE PREPARED!  Know your process and know your Realtor® and loan officer. Your loan process should be a smooth and successful if you are prepared and all work together in a timely manner. Learn more about the process here.
• *Across the Ocean to Paradise: Military Relocations Hawaii* Don't be shocked when you arrive...get the scoop on the environment, jobs, house hunting, BAH current rates and more!
• A Honolulu Hawaii Relocation: Getting Ready With Your "To Do" List Be proactive in getting ready for the big move. A great simple list with to do's to get started!
• The Art of Hawaii Relocations Expect smaller, different and of course paradise.
• VA Loans & Hawaii Military Relocations: This Realtors® Process Know the process for your VA benefits and the VA loan process.
• Honolulu-Hawaii Pet Quarantine: Prepare For Your Hawaii Move! Hawaii is Rabies Free so our laws are strict with incoming pets.
• Hawaii Military Relocation Clients Being Proactive!  Be proactive in your search for a good Realtor® and a local loan officer who know Hawaii Real Estate Contracts and Real Estate laws. Being proactive in your relocation needs will surely benefit you in the long run.
• New Hawaii Condominium Laws for Insurance  If you are specifically looking for a townhouse or condo then it is advisable to get condo insurance. The Association has insurance for the common elements (roof, grounds, water and sewer) but you need insurance for the inside of your unit. Very affordable!

 Being proactive in your Hawaii Military Relocation will make it easier on you...and...your family.

Your gift of a Hawaii Military Relocation!

© 2008 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman, All rights reserved 

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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

First of all there are plenty of Realtors® in Honolulu County to choose from. Hmm, last I looked there were about 6,000 on this island alone. So how do you choose a Realtor® who is knowledgeable in Military Relocations & Real Estate and VA Loan/Transaction process?

There are plenty of Loan Officers in Honolulu County as well.  Hmm, not sure about the numbers there but I can bet you half are gone since the closing of many loan companies. So, how do you choose a loan officer who is knowledgeable in Military Relocations & experienced in Hawaii Real Estate Contracts, the VA loan process and knows Hawaii Real Estate laws too?

Trick questions? I think not.

Just know that everyone is claiming to be a "VA expert", "Military Relocation Specialist", "Multi Million Dollar Producer" and claims to be an expert in just about anything when it comes to Hawaii Real Estate. Just know one thing experience in Real Estate first. The caring and understanding and knowing what it's like to Relocate is another. Personality plays a big part in your connection with both Realtor® and Loan Officer.

Just because they advertise so doesn't make it so. Remember that.

I have written many articles on the VA Transaction Process "through THIS Realtor Associate's® eyes"and I yes I do claim to be an expert as well. What I'm trying to get across here are there are certain criteria to look for when looking for that special Realtor® or Local Lender that you will choose to purchase that special home for you and your family once you Relocate to Hawaii.

To start with:

• If the Realtor® or Loan Officer is promising the world and it sounds too good to be true...it probably is. Question it and get a second opinion. 
• If that Realtor® is not showing you property that is in your criteria then you know something is wrong. You usually can pick up on that sort of stuff while looking online and inquiring with different Realtors®  (i.e you are qualified for 350k and they're showing you up to 600k)
• If that Realtor® or Loan Officer is playing any other role besides their title (i.e. Loan Officer telling the client what to put in the purchase contract and a Realtor® promising an interest rate that is absurd) then you know it's time to get a second opinion.
• If that Realtor® or Loan Officer continuously brags about 'self' and doesn't bother to listen to your needs, then it's time to move on and interview someone else. You need someone who will listen and give you sound advice. Not someone who keeps talking about themselves.
• If that Realtor® or Loan Officer is not thinking in your best interests and is continuously pushy even though you've told them you're working with someone else; then you know this person is only thinking of one thing. That paycheck.
• If that Realtor® or Loan Officer is trying to sway you to a different loan program besides the VA Guaranteed Loan program question why and get a second opinion. For the military vet there is no question that a VA loan is literally the best 100% financing program there is for the Military Relocating to Hawaii who are serious about Hawaii Home Buying.
• If a Realtor® or Loan Officer is bad mouthing another peer for no reason...just know that there is most likely an ulterior motive to that scenario and you're not looking to judge their peer but buy a home!

Okay, so we all are out to work and make a living, but there is certainly a difference between making a living and walking all over someone just to make that living. If it's one thing most people have is common sense and they can 'feel' when someone is just talking a good game or being real and genuine in their quest to help you acquire that American Dream of home ownership.

If you're not sure, then keep asking and inquiring until you feel comfortable with your choice for a Realtor® and your loan officer. Remember, this is most likely the most important decision you're making in your lifetime (besides asking her to marry you :) so be sure you're in the right hands.

For more information on the VA Loan Transaction Process, being proactive for your relocation and the Hawaii Housing Market:

• Good News! October Statistics for Oahu's Housing Market!  These statistics will give you an idea of how our market has gone a little down and a little back up again. It's more of a little bit of negotiating market but not much if it's prices right.
• This Realtors® Perspective: Hawaii Military & the VA Loan These guidelines will help you in preparing for your Hawaii Relocation (or even if you already live here and are purchasing a home) and learning about the transaction process using your VA Guaranteed Loan
• VA Loans & Hawaii Military Relocations: This Realtors® Process Know the process for your VA benefits and the VA loan process.
• *Across the Ocean to Paradise: Military Relocations Hawaii*  Don't be shocked when you arrive...get the scoop on the environment, jobs, house hunting, BAH current rates and more!
• The Art of Hawaii Relocations  Expect smaller, different and of course paradise.
• A Honolulu Hawaii Relocation: Getting Ready With Your "To Do" List In order to have a smooth transition in your Honolulu Hawaii Move, Hawaii Job Transfer & Move or your Honolulu Hawaii Military Relocation you NEED to be proactive!

One thing is for certain: From start to finish your transaction, loan and escrow process should be a smooth process for you! All who are involved will be working together as a team so when you receive those keys it's a happy time.....moving in to your happy home.

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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