About Mililani's Mililani Hawaii Military Relocation

WooHoo! You have orders to your next duty station and it's all you've ever dreamed of.....going to that tropical paradise you saw on TV shows and the movies. It's a HAWAII PCS and RELOCATION for you and your family!

It's a magical mystical wonderland with fairies in the woods watching over you and fluttering from each exotic flower to the next. You can live on the beach in a grass shack and drink those Blue Hawaii drinks with the little umbrella in it in the evening while watching the sun set. The hula girls will automatically pop out of nowhere and start doing the hula dance on the beach while in the near distance the surfers are catching their last waves of the day.

ZAP! You awaken to the true reality of it all. You're being proactive in your search for a Hawaii Home or Condo and you don't know where to start. You know it's going to be hard looking for just that right Hawaii Real Estate Agent and Hawaii Loan Officer so just be aware of some myths and facts regarding your Hawaii Home Buying Process.

• Myth: The first Hawaii Realtor® you come across while searching the internet is your ‘lucky' pick ...therefore, that one just has to be the one who is going to fulfill all your needs. You fairy tale come true!
• Fact: Search the internet for Real Estate Agents that not only have a strong internet presence, but have articles and information that know what they're talking about. Contact and interview a couple of the agents so you know if you will be comfortable with them and if they really know what they're talking about.
• Myth: You search for information on Hawaii VA Loans and it appears that all the websites you come across are loan officers who are seemingly working with the Veterans Administration. GONG!
• Fact: A VA Loan means that the Veterans Administration guarantees the lender a % should the vet default on their loan. They are not working in the VA Office. Make sure your loan officer is a seasoned loan officer who KNOWS the Hawaii Real Estate Laws and the Hawaii Real Estate Contract as well as their VA Guidelines for your loan.
• Myth: If the company has other ‘affiliated' entities (i.e. if it's a real estate company and they use a loan company that is based right in their office...or vice versa) in their office they must be good because they do it ALL. NOT!
• Fact: It's a conflict of interest to have real estate, loan company and escrow company that are all in the same office. The buyer is ENTITLED to have a separate entity for all and should not be pressured to use their affiliates. It's like having a loan officer /real estate agent (wears both hats) represent both sides in a transaction. How are they thinking in your best interests?????

It is in your best interests to know who you're working with and get the correct information before you start with your Hawaii VA Loan Process and Buying Your Hawaii Home or Hawaii Condo. There are many things to be aware of before jumping right in. Choosing the RIGHT Realtor® & Hawaii VA Loan Officer, & Hawaii Military Relocation Information may enlighten you just a bit more. Just know that being proactive WAY AHEAD of your scheduled Hawaii PCS will ensure you getting educated and finding the perfect fit for your Hawaii Home Buying with your HAWAII VA Loan Experience.

Note:

The 2009 Honolulu County VA Loan Limit is $783,750. (click here for OTHER 2009 COUNTY LOAN LIMITS) Using the table for your Honolulu County BAH Rates and my Hawaii Home Mortgage Calculator you can let the loan officer know what your budget is for a monthly mortgage. Just because you have great credit and qualify for x amount does not mean you want to afford those monthly payments.

For more information click on the following link to the VA site with their brochure>>>> What VA Does For the Home Buying Veteran

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Want the whole scoop about Hawaii Real Estate & Hawaii Military 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

For the majority of the professionals in the Real Estate Industry we love our 'jobs'. We want our clients to either achieve the American Dream of home ownership or help our sellers get the best price for their homes.

Real Estate Professionals thrive on going above and beyond.

The most important reason of them all is the heartfelt comments and a happy smile on my clients face at the end of the transaction to express their appreciation for the hard work and effort I put into it. Whoever said that we should not put any emotion into our business is not how I choose to conduct business. It's an emotional event for my clients and I do get a little involved with what I do as well.

Caring about my clients and thinking in their best interests are my main priorities.

My client read my posts for about 10 months without a peep. He didn't contact me until October and from there we worked on getting him prequalified for a loan and getting his criteria set for his soon to be purchase of his first home. We closed the transaction less than two weeks ago and he was very emotional when I called him to give him recording clearance. He had just purchased his first home for he and his family and he was emotional.

He gave me written permission to share with you the following testimonial. I was floored and emotional by time I finished reading it.

Our experience with "Sally" from our initial contact to contract:

For many months leading up to our Hawaii move my wife and I had a number of places that we were interested in seeing upon our arrival to rent. During one of our internet searches we came across Sally's blog about buying real estate in Hawaii and how with her help we could actually buy a house and not throw our money away in rent. We were impressed with her qualifications and most importantly we liked the fact that she really listened to our desires, cared about staying in our budget just as much as we cared, and allowed us enjoy our first weeks in Hawaii without any hassles by doing 95% of the work while constantly keeping us informed.

Thanks to Sally really understanding what we wanted from the beginning we were able to see houses that met our desires and dreams. It was not long before we walked into the house we knew would become our home! With meticulous passion for getting things right all of the paperwork and documents that it takes to buy a home, which had originally kept us hesitating to even try to purchase, was signed and filed appropriately by Sally who also took the time to make us aware of certain steps of the process that we should pay particular attention to. It was obvious from the start Sally had been getting nervous families from the mainland into the Hawaiian community for years and not only planting them into a great house but welcoming them and accepting them into the land of Paradise allowing them to grow as new members in the community.

Our house closed on the exact day Sally said it would and we know that the only reason it did was due to Sally's diligence and passion for getting people what they have always dreamed of. As first time home buyers Sally has given us something we thought we were not going to have for many years. You would be completely short changed if you don't allow Sally to assist you in your move to Hawaii. Give her a call or send an email like I did and I can assure you of an adventure like no other on the face of this planet! Never in our wildest dreams did we think we could ever own a house in Hawaii. A place where people of all countries long to visit or live. Thank you again Sally for the present you have given to our family!

Robert & Zarina
11JAN09

***THESE are definitely the rewards that make it all worthwhile.***

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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

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

Everyone knows how to use a bucket, right? As children we used buckets when we played in the sand box or on the beach making sand castles. As adults we use buckets to haul all kinds of things and occasionally we use them as something to sit upon. However, there is much more to discover about how to use a bucket!

Those of you who knew Bruce know he was notorious for using simple devices to teach or make a point easily understood.

One of the stories he shared about a bucket came from Frank, his dad. Frank was a man of few words and preferred to demonstrate than to explain things.

One day when Bruce was a young boy he told his dad he wanted to be a very important person when he grew up. He wanted to be the BEST at something special—to do things other people couldn't do. Frank told him it was good to have lofty ideas and goals, but they needed to be tempered with a dose of reality. Bruce didn't "get it." So his dad told him to fetch the bucket and fill it with water. Bruce did as he was told. Then his dad told him to make a fist, stick his fist in the bucket and remove it. Again, Bruce followed his dad's instruction. With a look of bewilderment on his face, Bruce stared at his dad. He wasn't sure what that was all about. His dad asked him if he noticed how fast the water filled in after he removed his fist from the bucket of water. Bruce said the water rushed back in on itself very quickly. His dad said, "my point exactly!" The lesson being, "To be the best and remain the best you must work very, very hard because there is always someone else that can fill your shoes very quickly!"

Frank also used a bucket to teach his son about the importance of character. He told him to fetch the same bucket and fill it again with water. He told Bruce this represented his storehouse of character—honesty, integrity, responsibility, loyalty, trustworthiness, excellence, etc. He wanted Bruce to understand that if he used his supply of character wisely his bucket would always be full. However, if he lied, didn't keep his word, didn't do his job well, betrayed a friend or didn't do his best, he would discover his bucket empty without any way to refill it.

So, every time I see a bucket I think of Bruce, the lessons we can apply in our business whether we are Realtors, mortgage bankers, loan officers, processors, consultants, loss mitigators, other professions as well as in our personal lives, from such a simple, ordinary item, and wonder at the wealth of ideas it can provide for us to draw upon.

I used "the bucket" idea with a different spin for a post on my blog yesterday. See link below.

If you have any other bucket ideas be sure and let me know.

If you haven't seen the film, The Bucket List, check it out. It's a terrific movie with Jack Nickalson and Morgan Freeman. A good take on living life to the fullest.

How to help our nation through the “rain”... one drop at a time

Copyright by Linda Bourgault. All rights reserved. 2008

Yesterday my daughter and I went to the Super Shopping Plaza. The NEX (Navy Exchange) at Pearl Harbor. The NEX back in 1967 was a single story old building with a couple of separate ones scattered around the Moanalua Shopping Center area and up the road from the Makalapa Gate- Pearl Harbor Navy Base.

A few years ago they built this giant double level mall NEX consisting of 275,000 sq. ft of oodles of shopping, other stores and a giant Commissary too. It is Hawaii's Largest Navy Exchange and named the "2006 Bingham Award" winner for excellence and outstanding performance.

Not only is this "mall" HUGE to accomodate the hundreds if not thousands that trapse through all the shopping mall, it is also tastefully decorated to entertain Active Duty Military In Hawaii, their dependents, Vets in Hawaii and their guests.

The waterfall pictured to the left starts from the pool on the second floor and tiers down with cascading waterfalls to three or four levels and ending at the bottom pool. The sculpture is a Wyland sculpture titled "A Leap of Faith".

While coming down the escalator I noticed many children and adults tossing coins to make a wish.

What a sight!

Yes, I ran around taking pictures of the gigantic mural on the ceiling that highlights the entry and the middle of the mall. Guess who did this "Ocean's Sanctuary" mural? Ah...of course it's Wyland!

This mural features Wyland's 89th mural (he just painted his 100th one in China in honor of the Olympics) and spans 10,000 sq/ft and features three adult and two baby whales.

In 2004 Wyland returned to the NEX to add on a HAWAIIAN MONK SEAL to the mural. Do you see it right in the skylight?

We ate at the Food Court and got our fill so we could romp around the Hawaii Navy Commissary without stuffing our basket with unneeded items (that one usually does when they're all hungry before shopping). Right inside the entrance there was a flower/plant 'shop' and I decided to pick up two plants to give my little courtyard garden some color.

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Hours of operation:
Daily: 9 AM - 9 PM

Telephone: (808) 423-3330
Customer Service: (808) 423-3274

Mailing Address:
1025 Quincy Avenue, Suite 1020
Pearl Harbor, HI 96860-4512

Physical Location:
4725 Bougainville Drive, Building 631
Honolulu, HI 96818

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