It's Christmas Day and I'm drinking a cup of the Chocolate Caramel Macadamia Nut Coffee that Randy L. Prothero - Hawaii REALTOR® (Century 21 Liberty Homes)  gave us.  It's a clear morning and this Christmas Day is projected to be a beautiful clear day.  BUT....That could change in an instant like anything else in life.

I'm reflecting over the last few days here so bear with me.

For one,  EVERYONE has to start somewhere. I for one was new to the Short Sale Market.   IT TOOK LOTS OF RESEARCH and LOTS of phone calls but my broker and other agents (from other companies...not even on the other side of this transaction) in the industry here were happy to help me with any questions I had on the process.

THAT'S what Real Estate is about. The REAL in the human beings that are helping each other out to learn the business RIGHT.

We ALL started somewhere....in Real Estate.

This is the kicker......In the last four weeks I've closed two short sales representing buyers and on Christmas Eve I closed my first Short Sale Listing with Randy.  I wrote a bit about it in Bank of America Sucks but funny how some only see the title and not the moral of the story which was Patience, Tolerance and Acceptance. 

Bank of America was the Bank for the Seller on the Christmas Eve Short Sale Closing. I thank the buyer who held on for almost six months, the seller who responded to get things in quickly that I needed, Randy who brought me in on the listing so I could learn and teach him too, Bank of America who didn't respond quickly throughout but responded asap at the end when approved and getting me the approval letter and .....

Thanks to Me..... For being the responsible and professional agent I've been for years.....even while learning the process of shorts sales on BOTH sides.

Real Estate is a continuous learning process as the terms, laws and process change continuously, for an ever changing market. I'm glad there were people in my own market who are willing to help just as I do when new agents come into our office...or even if they're new on the other side.

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The Tragedy.....On the other hand, my dear husband Gary broke his wrist on Wednesday at work. He was moving a 78 lb battery back up and his wrist was fractured when it got pinned between that thing and the wall. It was with Gary's support throughout the years that I have remained level headed and made it through the changing markets.

It's with my support too, that we work hand in hand when something changes.

Gary's broken wrist was his writing & working hand so I've literally been helping him with everything he needs. It's hard to have a tragedy happen and everything we take for granted is lost at an instant.

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MORAL OF THE STORY?  Anything can happen in life, our real estate market and normal every day activities.  It's up to each and every one of us to give the support to those around us to be a good neighbor, spouse.....or just an all around good human being.

For without those helping hands ....

Where would we be today?

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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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!

Bob Stewart has some great ideas when it comes to a community challenge and the current one on Using Your Blog To Enhance Existing Relationships got my blogging juices running.  His Theme?

How are you using your blog to enhance your existing relationships with clients and prospects?

The most important part of my  ActiveRain blog is my Profile Page.  Yeah, we all insert some information about ourselves and what we will do for our clients. But what sets my blog apart from others? A while back I decided to make my profile page a ‘one stop shop' for all posts that I had written for the Hawaii Relocations and Real Estate.  A Relocation Packet for the consumer.

My Profile page gave the consumer all the information they needed to get started to learn about Hawaii the State, Local Area History, Businesses around my area, Points of Interest. I included basically ALL things Real Estate including market reports, community information and information for buyers and sellers.  Of course I couldn't fit all nine hundred + posts I've written on ActiveRain over the years but I did a good job of focusing on my niche area.

‘It's not just about real estate...

it's about the community and making their transition just a little bit easier.'

Hawaii is in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and many of my buyers are Military Relocating to Hawaii and other Hawaii Relocations. I have to rely on my websites and blogs to keep them interested and eventually email or call me.

Updating and Creating: Update, create, update, create. It's a lot of work but hey...it's well worth the results. Old news does not keep a reader engaged. My blog is a continuously moving ad and constantly updating my blog and website with FRESH content will keep me on the first page of Google with many keywords for my niche market. (My Website is my own creation and I can keep it fresh because I don't have to rely on others to do it)

My ActiveRain Outside Blog: My outside blog is a great additional tool (extended from ActiveRain) and all you have to do is subscribe, pick your own domain name, update your theme and add links and so forth. All the rest is transferred over to www.cheesemanhomes.com  from my ActiveRain blog when I choose to publish public and consumer posts to my outside blog.  I currently have the link to my outside blog  in my signature for emails as well. 

MY OUTSIDE BLOG IS A NEWSLETTER IN ITSELF!

Connnect to  Facebook and Twitter and all my public posts are linked directly in as well.

Creativity and Using My Own Voice:  There is nothing better than a reader reading something and they can "feel" the writer in the story.  You could be writing a great localism post about the history of your area or real estate related material. If you are ‘talking' at them instead of ‘talking' with them they won't listen.  So I write the same way. I write as if I'm walking with them and talking with them.

It's a conversation that is continuously moving with words.

Pictures, Virtual Tours and Video: Pictures that are tastefully inserted into my article or post shows the reader the area I live in and enhances my blog tenfold. I happen to think it's my blog's best trait for visual appeal.  I enhance my blog further with video and virtual tours from  www.realestateshows.com. Real Estate Shows  is my all time favorite for listings, tours around Hawaii and anything I want to use it for...including inserting a show in the PHOTO GALLERY on my website.

Local Area and Business Posts:  What better way to engage my readers than showing them I am the local area expert by writing about Hawaii history, sites, businesses and neighborhoods? Real Estate is talking about ALL THINGS REAL ESTATE and if you are your local area expert you show them you have information by writing about everything in your community.  www.localism.com is another part of ActiveRain where you can ‘sponsor' your local areas and connect with businesses in your area as well.

Utilizing all the ActiveRain challenges and writing my best industry related posts is the best part of ENHANCING those RELATIONSHIPS.  Another recent challenge by Bob Stewart and his 1000 Point Challenge For The Rest Of Our Members.....'The Series' which allowed me to redo my HAWAII HOMES MARKET RELOCATION AND REAL ESTATE INFORMATION ONLINE and currently put the first three parts (links) on my MILITARY/VA Information page of my website.

• 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. 

My efforts have informed many about all aspects of the Real Estate Industry including but not limited to Real Estate Transactions and Information, examples of real estate trials and tribulations, Hawaii Local Area History, Sites, information on relocations across the Pacific, Neighborhoods, City, Points of Interest, Businesses, Entertainment and more. 

And all was obtained by communicating my thoughts through....blogging.

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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!

Mililani Real Estate and Housing Market Report for June 2009

Let's start with the Mililani Condo Statistics for June 2009: In May of 2009 (last month) there were 64 Active condos/townhouses on the market, 29 in contract and 20 sold. Looks like our Mililani Condo/Townhouse market is picking up with more units with accepted contracts and going through the transaction process.  Sales Prices ranged from $160,000 (1 bedroom condo) to $495,00 (2 bdrm luxury townhouse).

 Mililani Single Family Home Market Report for June 2009:  Let's compare to May of 2009 (last month). We had 36 Active Listings for May 2009 with 11 in contract and 24 sold. It appears that our Mililani Single Family Home activity is picking up with more in contract for June 2009 although less closed transactions. Sales Prices Ranged from $500,000 (2 bedrooms) to $830,000 (4 bedrooms). 

We can attibute the slower closing process to appraisals taking longer than usual to process...especially with VA Loan Appraisals. As it stands, Mililani is centrally located on the island of Oahu (which is Honolulu County) and central to all Hawaii Military Bases. The volume of Hawaii VA Home Loan Home Buying is on the rise (as is refinancing VA Loans) and therefore slowing the Hawaii VA Real Estate Transaction Process.

Another factor is that our Governor imposed a three Fridays a month furlough (with no pay) to balance the budget so of course that puts our Bureau of Conveyances behind on the recording process. Instead of the one day after funding to record it will now take two or more days.

More Hawaii Market Reports for Honolulu County:

• Honolulu Real Estate | Market Report for June 2009
• Honolulu County Real Estate | YTD Condo Market Report for Period Ending June 30, 2009
• Honolulu County Real Estate | YTD Single Family Home Market Report for Period Ending June 30, 2009

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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 all Hawaii Home Buyers and Sellers on the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) inclujding all Hawaii Military Relocating to Hawaii, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents. Website: www.hawaiihomesmarket.com 

 Mililani IS the only community in Hawaii to receive the distinction "All American City" in 1986.  Mililani Town and Mililani Mauka, a Master Planned Community has a population of approximately 30,000 people.

The first homes went up for sale around June 1968 and 112 homes were offered for purchase.

In The Beginning...

In 1971 my parents bought a new home and we moved to Mililani Town upon completion that summer. Since Mililani High School wasn't finished yet I had to catch the bus to Wahiawa until graduation from Leilehua in 1974.

Our H-2 freeway opened in 1976 which lessened the time to travel to and from Honolulu with an additional route other than Kamehameha Highway. Mililani Mauka Subdivision had their groundbreaking ceremony in 1990 and the building continued until last year when the last of the homes were sold.

Current Real Estate Trends in Mililani

The Mililani Real Estate and Housing Market remained stable in sales the past few months although prices dropped some overall the past year. The good thing is that the sales numbers have increased and inventory dropped considerably over the last year as well.

What does that tell us?  The following Mililani Real Estate Sales Activity for May of 2009 tells a story compared to the following statistics for 2008 at this same time period.

Current Market Report 2009

*NOTE:  DOM (Days on Market) means how long the property was listed on the MLS until the properties went into escrow with an accepted contract.

2008 Market Report

Here's the bottom line: The First Time Homebuyer $8,000 tax credit brought interest back into our market over the last couple of months. The Military plays a big part in our community and the Hawaii VA Loan is a great loan for the Hawaii Military Relocation client. So, with the inventory down we all know what happens when you snooze. You lose. :)

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Be proactive in your Hawaii Relocation and your search for your home in paradise.

 It's not easy moving across the Pacific Ocean let alone to a totally different "world" of people but you can do it with effort, motivation and a great Realtor®!

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

Yup! I'm all for the Bill passing and starting on Wednesday, July 01!  It's going to stop all this text messaging, game playing and so forth while driving (and weaving all over the road).  I've used hands free technology (Bluetooth earset) for years just for the fact it was safer with answering so many phone calls during my drive to and from each destination.

With all the accidents and even instances with public bus drivers playing games while driving (that's scarey) it's about time we had this bill passed. I think back to when I used to smoke and talk on the phone at the same time. .....  <groan>

There is NO grace period allowed...in case you are wondering. More from the Honolulu Police Department website here>>>>>  http://www.honolulupd.org/traffic/electronic_devices.htm

19 days and counting :)

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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'll be 52 years old in a couple of months and I'm proud of it. I have learned many lessons in those years and believe me I was one of those that HAD to learn the hard way. Or so my Pop used to tell me over and over. He didn't agree with many of my impulsive decisions back then and mom was the one who was there to support me when I fell. It hurt my dad too much to face me and see me hurt with my failures.

At this moment...I am at the exact point and time I am supposed to be.

There are many things I have learned in my half century of living:

• It IS MORE than Words. The way I speak to other people is not so much the words being spoken but the way I am speaking them.  Definitely not like the person I was in my younger years. I used to believe that expressing my views and opinions is all that mattered and the way I barked at them didn't.  
• Setting Personal Boundaries .....The Key is Communication Setting healthy boundaries takes communication skills and being assertive. Taking care of ourselves means that we make sure we know where our boundaries start and we let others know where their side ends.  Just remember...  There's a Diplomatic (Nicer) Way to Say IT!  Go and bark at me and I just won't listen. Plain and simple. Now I know why no one listened to me....way back when. 
• Someone asks me for help and I'm very busy.  I can only speak for myself as I have been in many a situation where I have been very busy and managed to squeeze in a moment or at the very least, let them know I'm busy but will get back to them shortly. Give a Little.....Gain a Lot.  Everything in life is a give and take situation.

Awareness of how I affect others is one thing I am conscious of every day now.  I learned that the small simple things really matter and that a smile, a kind word or a little task can help lift someone's spirit when they're weary. These traits of ours carry into our business. That's a FACT.

I know this to be true.  I just told someone this morning that the small things like answering my questions or an email made a difference for me.  And these are the small simple things that I do for my clients that make a difference for them and that they remember.

These are the small simple things that DO matter.

These are the details that make me a good Realtor Associate®

.....and a good human being.

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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

In 1971 my family moved to Mililani and it was in the beginning stages of a 40 year Master Planned Community development of single family homes, condos and townhouses with the first homes built in 1968. 

My children went through their school years in Mililani (they're adults now) and my mom still lives in the same house bought in 1971.

I remember when....

Miililani is centrally located to all military bases on the island and 5-10 minutes from Schofield Barracks and Wheeler Army Airfield, 20-25 minutes to Hickam AFB, Pearl Harbor Navy Base and over the H-3 to Kaneohe Marine Corp Air Station in a matter of 35-40 minutes.  We have three shopping centers and seven recreation centers (five have pools) with many community activities for all ages.

Mililani is the ONLY community in Hawaii to receive the distinction of "ALL AMERICAN CITY" in 1986 and you can get more information, association docs, homeowner packets and more from our association site by clicking on the following link:  MILILANI TOWN ASSOCIATION INFORMATION

Over the past few months we have had a fluctuation of sales numbers and a small decrease in sales prices but bottom line our sales numbers significantly increased in the past month.

The following market statistics show a clearer picture for the last six months:

 *NOTE:  DOM (Days on Market) means how long the property was listed on the MLS until the properties went into escrow with an accepted contract.

More Hawaii Real Estate & Relocation Links:

• Mililani Town, Hawaii: Recreation Centers and Fun for All Ages!
• Launani Valley Mililani Condos Homes-Hawaii Relocation Schofield Barracks, Wheeler AAF
• Mililani, Hawaii: Info and Pictures
• This Realtors® Perspective: Hawaii Military & the VA Loan
• Honolulu County Hawaii Military Bases & Installations- Oahu Neighborhoods 
• Across the Ocean to Paradise: Military Relocations Hawaii* 
• The Art of Hawaii Relocations 
• A Honolulu Hawaii Relocation: Getting Ready With Your "To Do" List

For more information on Hawaii Real Estate and Relocations:

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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

This Sunday I will be holding an Open House for my Hilldale Listing in Mililani Mauka and decided that I wanted to use my show I created through www.realestateshows.com to pass out to the consumer on cd.

I also wanted to create the disk MY way :) (you can order the cd's from RES as well) so I had my husband burn it to cd. Since we have a cd printer he created (with my supervision) the picture that would display on the cd.

With four pictures on the cd and the name of the complex on the top and the address on the bottom, it will serve as a great tool for the buyer who tours the home. They won't have to dig into their memory bank to remember which property this was and will inspire them to put in that contract!

Or....the neighbor thinking of selling will see that this is a great marketing tool as well. New listing perhaps?

The next 'different' thing I've done is create a nice booklet with all pertinent information on the property so when there are agents showing their buyers the property they have the following:

• Nice cover and a contents page in a thin three ring binder to start with and all pages inserted plastic sheeting to protect the documents.
• Seller's Real Property Disclosure Statement is a plus as it gives the potential buyer a bit more information on the property. A birds eye view from the sellers knowledge of the property will give them additional insight.
• Comparable Properties in the immediate area. Our MLS has a CMA Wizard to create a comprehensive CMA using sold properties and all the criteria and adjustable prices for each (i.e. sq/ft interior, additions, condition of the property and so forth)
• The Association's House Rules so if the buyer has any questions about the pet limit, where to BBQ and so forth it's right at their fingertips!
• Any Building Permits for walls, alterations, extensions, major electrical or plumbing work etc.
• Warranties or manuals for the property for the refrigerator, automatic garage door, sprinkler system, ongoing termite treatment, alarm system and so forth.
• Floor Plans, extra pictures, flyers and so forth are all added to the pocket of the booklet and I stand it up so they can flip right through it. (flyers in the front inside pocket, buyer/seller brochures in the back pockets along with floor plans to take with)

At the closing of the transaction I will leave this booklet behind for the buyer so they have all the information in one place to refer to.

Though internet marketing is surely top priority for my marketing for current listings, Hawaii Relocations, VA Home Loan Transactions, Hawaii Home Buyers and Hawaii Home Sellers, I do think it's important to keep the face to face material in the forefront as well. Though Open Houses may not be for all markets it's one of our area's main marketing tools due to our densely populated neighborhoods that make it easy to travel from one open house to the next.

Though these are not new marketing techniques my efforts will be appreciated.

At the very least it has my personal touch.

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

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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

If you are planning on a Relocation to Hawaii you may want to consider the community of Mililani, Hawaii. Centrally located to all military bases on the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) Mililani is the home for many Active Duty Military as it is 5-10 minutes from Schofield Barracks and Wheeler Army Air Field, 20-25 minutes from Hickam AFB, Pearl Harbor Navy Base and Ft. Shafter Army Base and about 30-35 minutes from Kaneohe Marine Corp Air Base.

Mililani is a Master Planned Community and has a population of approximately 30,000 people. The first homes went up for sale around June 1968 and our H-2 freeway opened in 1976 which lessened the time to travel to Honolulu. With three shopping centers, a 14 plex theater, 7 recreation centers (5 have pools), parks, Mililani Golf Course and activities galore we have a lot of what we need in our central location.

In 1986 Mililani was named an "All American City" and IS the only community in Hawaii to receive this distinction. In 1990 a ground breaking ceremony commenced for the Mililani Mauka subdivision which is a newer and more modern side of the community on the east side of the H-2 freeway.

Current statistics for the last two months for Mililani Town & Mililani Mauka Single Family Homes & Condos:

*NOTE:  DOM (Days on Market) means how long from the time it was listed on the MLS until the properties were sold

From 2007 when sales were still going strong and prices remained stable there now shows  a significant decrease in sold properties for November- December of 2008. We can attribute the sales numbers drop due to the financial crisis going on in our nation and this does not exclude Honolulu County. VA (for military and vets) and FHA loans are still great loans and there are still strong lending institutions available with your great credit and/or a % down payment.

Bottom line?  If sellers are realistic and listen to the advice of their Realtor® regarding pricing and their expert opinion then they will get their property sold. It may take a little time but it will get sold.  It is NOT a seller's market so listen to the strategy of your agent and we are working for you when we are giving you suggestions!

Buyers need to realize that though sales numbers are down it does not mean that all neighborhoods have a significant decrease in sales prices. Waiting for prices to drop and taking a chance on interest rates increasing will still net a monthly mortgage payment that could be significantly higher and lose that home you really love.  It all depends on your circumstances.

Our office is located in Mililani Town in Central Oahu and 10 minutes from Schofield Barracks and Wheeler Army Air Field. We are also located about 20-25 minutes from Hickam AFB & Pearl Harbor Navy Base although I service all of the island of Oahu.

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Be proactive in your Hawaii Relocation and your search for your home in paradise. It's not easy moving across the Pacific Ocean let alone to a totally different "world" of people but you can do it with effort, motivation and a great Realtor®! 

• Hawaii Military Relocations: Choosing the RIGHT Realtor® & Loan Officer
• Mililani Town, Hawaii: Recreation Centers and Fun for All Ages!
• Hawaii VA Loan Process: BE PREPARED!
• Launani Valley Mililani Condos Homes-Hawaii Relocation Schofield Barracks, Wheeler AAF
• Mililani Hawaii Military Relocations Community INFORMATION- Part I

© 2009 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

Marketing the property well was a given. With internet presence galore, the MLS, Open Houses and a couple of ads it's no wonder my listing was in contract within a month. Even in a a slower market. I even helped my guy clean up and repair a couple of minor things so they signed off on the home inspection. Everything was going oh.....so too well. But... 'ship' happens.

So what exactly did happen?

• Passed the Home Inspection and even met them a second time to go over the minor repairs the seller and I completed.
• Addtional deposit was sent in to escrow after the completion/approval of the Home Inspection period.
• Appraisal came in on the money...we didn't doubt that one.
• All Association and Condominium Docs were signed and approved
• Buyers had Loan Approval (just Termite Inspection to be done)
• Seller already had an estimate for the movers and was to give his approval today.
• The Seller already put in a request for retiring from his job.
• The Selling agent was going to have a contractor paint for them.
• The buyers were excited up until ...yesterday.

No explanation. Just a call to their agent and escrow saying "cancelling the purchase contract. Nothing. Zip. Zilch. Broken promises and lives disrupted. NO EXPLANATION. Even in their signed cancellation to escrow this morning. NO EXPLANATION. They even put in a stop payment for the additional deposit!  My seller is VERY upset. Understandable.

Wow. The disregard these buyers had for the lives they disrupted.

Never a dull moment in real estate....pick up, move on.

Why?

No Explanation.

Double Petite Filet Mignon (about two inches thick) with sauteed onions and mushrooms for the main course with lightly grilled quarter cut potatoes on the side. My wonderful mom treated the whole family to dinner for my 51st Birthday. (I got around to writing this over a week late :)

Okay, so 51 years old wasn't as exciting as the half a century mark last year but the dinner at Assagio's Ristorante Italiano in Mililani Town Hawaii was superb! 

It's always an entertaining session when we go out with mom, my son and daughter. Hmmm...seems the kids always manage to get a meal off one of us LOL! 

Assagio's Restaurant at the Town Center in Mililani has an interesting history:

• In 1979 Chinese Thomas Ky's family chose him as the person to go to America after struggling on the outskirts of Saigon.
• On a crammed boat of 200 people he traveled to Malaysia and then spent nine months in a camp.
• He was sent to a foster home in Statton Island, NY went to school and worked hard six days a week and fourteen hours a day to send money home to his family.
• He came to Hawaii in 1984 (six months before he was to graduate from high school) to live with a relative because he thought he would be more successful being closer to Asian traditions.
• Starting literally from scratch he became a successful owner of SEVEN Restaurants here on Oahu.

Assagio's in Mililani opened in 1994 and our family has enjoyed many a meal here. From Italian pasta dishes to linguini chicken anchovy olio to filet mignon Assagio's is fine dining at it's best. If your preference is a nice Ceasar salad it is prepared table side.

If you are ever in Mililani Town and want a relaxing atmosphere with quality food Assagio's Ristorante Italiano is definitely a mouth watering event!

Phone for reservations: (808) 625-5115

 © 2008 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog. All rights reserved.

Rinnnggg!  "Mom! Whatcha doing mommmmm"? (my daughter with her little squeachy high soft voice) Me: Uh, on my way to escrow to drop off papers. Where are you? Her: Ross store. Me: Kay...I'll come over there.

Rinnnggg. "Hey, Mom. Can I come over and fax something"? (My son...needing me for something. Good. At least he's calling)  Me: Okay...meet me at the office...I'm next door with Dori at Ross.

ME:  Well, I guess we can go out to lunch?

Both kids: Cool! And they're already out the office door and running to MY car. (we all drove separate cars)

Known for it's "Serious Salad Bar", Ruby Tuesday at the Mililani Town Center has been the ever so popular place for 'casual dining' since it opened in 2004. Ruby Tuesday is a mainland based chain with southern and southwest dishes to get those taste buds going!

Ruby Tuesday won the  2004 'ILIMA AWARD WINNER - CASUAL DINING

Old sports knicknacks line the walls of Ruby Tuesday and they are accented with old Hawaii photos to create more authenticity to the theme. 

It's a special place. Why? Good food and most likely it's more special because my daughter works there and in Mississippi too :)

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 Typhoon Shrimp for Appetizers, Steaks for all of us with loaded baked potatoes and fresh steamed broccoli.

One and a half hours and back to the hustle bustle. I dropped them back at their cars with "love you's!" flying in the wind. We all have busy lives and when we can get together on a spur of the moment whim...it's well worth it.

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The To Go Menu: Yup...order and park in the To Go parking spaces in front and they run out with your food to take home :)

Catering Menu How many in your party?  Order, pick up and PARTY TIME!

Ruby Tuesday Mililani
95-1249 Mehe' Ula Parkway
Mililani, Hawaii 96789
Telephone: 808.623.4949

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© 2008 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog. All rights reserved.

Mililani Town was voted the All America City in 1986 and it is the only community in Hawaii to ever receive this distinction.

My parents bought their new home in Mililani in 1971 and I was just starting high school. To this day my mom still lives in the same house and my son and daughter grew up in that same house too. From Kindergarten to High School the Mililani Community and Schools served us well. My children just came back home within the past two years and help my mom (who just turned 80 in January of this year) out.  

With 7...yes SEVEN Recreation Centers there is fun for all ages! (Recreation Center #7 just opened on the Mililani Mauka side of Miliani) Starting from Tiny Tots (18 mos. to 3 years) there is circle time, arts and crafts. Then there is Tai Chi, Karate, Yoga, Self Defense and even learning the Hula (Hawaiian Dance) for all ages. There is Movie Night and Teen Night and all sorts of fun so get in on the socializing with the community!

With a variety of programs around the Mililani Community the latest addition is the NEW Mililani Town Association Senior Citizens Club Program!  Held Monday through Fridays everyone will be meeting at the Recreation Center #2 for an hour and the following classes will rotate each day:

• Sit & Fit:  Slow, simple and easy exercises! Using chairs for standing and sitting support, the use of hand held weights and elastic tubing with handles, these simple excercises will surely keep you active and fit!   
• Walking Group:  Let's go for an outdoor walk around the Mililani Town Community! 
• Water Walking:  A really great way to exercise, this class uses water as resistance with aqua bells, noodles and joggers. Cool off while keeping fit as a fiddle!
• Hula-robics:  Fun with the Art of Hula (Hawaiian Dance) while doing the basic moves of the Hula.
• Activity Day:  A variety of activities such as crafts, bingo days, excursions, guest speakers, dances, coffee hours,
  potlucks and much more. 

Call the MTA Admin Office at 623-7300 to be put on the class list. When there is enough interest you will be notified by the Recreation Manager and classes will begin! 

Days:    Monday thru Friday
Times:  10 am to 11 am
Place:   Recreation Center 2
Fee:     $35 with valid MTA ID card
               $40 with valid MTA sponsor

Mililani Community, Honolulu County, Oahu, Hawaii.

© 2008 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog. All rights reserved

Currently, my buyer is in contract for a Mililani Condo and it is from a direct hit from an ActiveRain post that I received this wonderful client. My client contacted me after reading my ActiveRain post *Across the Ocean to Paradise: Military Relocations Hawaii* on the internet.

I created this series so you can follow along with this transaction because this is my FIRST transaction that WILL close that was a direct hit from ActiveRain. Exciting? Yes! I moreso want to stress the importance of how ActiveRain has helped many with leads and getting contacts from potential clients.

Photo to right: Mariner's Ridge looking down to Hawaii Kai and the ocean.

 If you would like to read the other posts before continuing with the rest of the story please click on the links below:

• From Call to Contract: Doing My Homework (Part I)
• Be Proactive: Know Your Lender (Part II- From Call to Contract)

Going 'above and beyond' is a given in my real estate business because more often than not, I will have a client who needs additional help beyond the "scope of a real estate agent". (whatever that means) In other words, there are just things that I do for my clients that maybe some others may think are not necessary. Well, I think differently....obviously.

On a couple of other occasions I have taken clients to this particular Loan Officer's home office because they were new to the island or they had not been to East Oahu which is on the opposite side of the island from where our office in Mililani is centrally located. Well, Tuesday was the day to meet with the Loan Officer and go through the VA Loan paperwork, signing some docs for submitting to the underwriter and so forth.

It was actually a fun time too because I had not been to this side of the island for awhile as well. On the way up Mariner's Ridge in the Hawaii Kai area I stopped a couple of times on the side and hopped out to take pictures for this particular post :)  I explained it was for the ActiveRain Real Estate Network and of course she didn't mind one bit. Like I said before, she found me through my post and ActiveRain and she knows it is for professional purposes of writing for my business.

After my client was done with the meeting at the Mortgage Broker's office and finished with all that paperwork (it was about two hours) we headed back home.

You know, I can always make certain parts of my job worthwhile and fun. They say, you have to like your job for it to feel worthwhile, right?

In this case it was a nice drive, an appreciative client and beautiful scenery in our land of Aloha!

Photo to the right: Coming back down Mariner's Ridge....wow! Look at that view of the ocean!