About Mililani's Mililani Hawaii Military Relocation

This Community is not just for people who are relocating to Hawaii but for all military personnel and dependents, residents and visitors too.... who just want information on our neighborhoods, information on purchasing a home, information of what to do to get ready for your move, information on the VA loan process and anything to do with POINTS OF INTEREST, places to see and things to do.

BEST THINGS TO DO IN THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS! is something I put together for residents, military, non military, retirees, visitor or anyone interested in things to do on Oahu, Honolulu County. Have fun!

Military Transfers & Relocations to Hawaii: A Geographical Shock tells my story and travels as a Military Dependent but also that the Hawaii Military Veteran makes up 10% of our population on Oahu & the Active Duty Military Personnel make up about 3.5 % of our population on Oahu. It is without a doubt that the military presence in Honolulu County makes up a BIG Community on our island of Oahu.

We give our Aloha Spirit to you all who serve our country and their dependents that support them too!

Your Military Relocation to Hawaii, Neighborhood Information and Purchasing Your New Home. The following information is basic but pertinent information to go over before you even pack for your transfer and before considering purchasing your Honolulu County (Oahu) home. Moving across the Pacific Ocean to such a diverse culture may be of a shock and you may want to brush up on a few tips to make your transition a smooth one.

• Is the Hawaii Real Estate Housing Market Still Shifting? The big difference with the Housing Market in Hawaii is the fact that we have just so little buildable and usable land.
• 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
• Honolulu County Hawaii Military Bases & Installations- Oahu Neighborhoods Map, bases and installations and all you wanted to know about where that duty station you're being transferred to is located on this island.
• *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!

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• 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.
• Oahu and Surrounding Neighborhood Search: Relocations Hawaii A look into how I set you up to receive automatic listings with your own personal webpage to fine tune your criteria for your home purchase
• What's in Your Wallet? This online relocation packet may be informational but I always send out printed booklets as well. It's just ...well....more personal.
• Visitor and Newcomer Safety Tips for Hawaii! Take heed to some safety tips as it will surely make you one proactive person....and it could save you and your family from harm.
• 10 Simple Things for BUYING YOUR HAWAII HOME For one, you will have your own agent (known as a Buyer's Agent) to represent your best interests. Another, leave the work to us and not your friend, family or yourself. It's like having an operation performed by a school teacher. Doesn't work like that.
• HAWAII OPEN HOUSES (RULES WHILE ATTENDING) Sometimes, buyers are under the impression that they are better negotiators and will be able to get a better deal. Read tips for Open Houses because the agent holding the Open House is thinking in the best interests of the seller...not you.

Stay tuned for Part II with links to all you ever wanted to know about your MOVE to Hawaii, Transfer to Hawaii, Military Relocation to Hawaii, Local Area Information, Housing Information, Sites to See, Pictures and More.

It's a lovely day in our neighborhood!

Paradise at Your Fingertips :)

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

My son was in the United States Navy and stationed aboard the USS Kitty Hawk air craft carrier based out of Yokosuka, Japan until the summer of 2006.

He was aboard the ship and in the Persian Gulf the day the war was announced on March 19th, 2003 and I, as a mom, was sick to stomach and besides myself with worry. It was his birthday. I didn't hear from my son for a couple of months. READ MORE HERE 

He served his ship and his country well, and when the ship pulled into Pearl Harbor yesterday my son was so excited!  He has kept in contact with a couple of his friends and they plan on meeting up as soon as they are allowed off ship! (I told him to get pictures so I can blog about them :)

The USS Kitty Hawk took the place of the USS George Washington for the  Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2008 Exercises due to a fire aboard the USS George Washington on May 22 and currently in San Diego undergoing repairs.  When the repairs are complete then the ship will replace the USS Kitty Hawk as the United States Navy's forward deployed aircraft carrier in the Pacific.

The USS Kitty Hawk was commissioned in 1961 and is the only conventionally fueled air craft carrier left in the US Navy. When the USS George Washington replaces the USS Kitty Hawk in Yokosuka, Japan then the USS Kitty Hawk will head for the United States for decommissioning around January of 2009. Ah...but this ship served our country well.

 

 

 

 

Launani Valley lies below Mililani Technical Park and right off Kamehameha Hwy. (Rt. 99) across from Wheeler Army Air Station & minutes from Schofield Barracks Army Installation.

A lush tropical green valley with soft gentle breezes and the sounds of life in peaceful surroundings, you'll be pleasantly surprised at the community that awaits you!

Ridge at Launani Valley complex has 2-3 bedroom units and in the last six months sold 2- 3 bedroom units at $290,000 and $340,000; and six -2 bedroom units priced between $260,000 and $299,999. Two 2 bedrooom are in contract priced at $319,000 & $329,000 and there is only ONE Active 2 bedroom on the market listed at $287,000. Days on Market range from ONE to Sixty days.

With a small stream winding along the same pathway of the paved road in to the valley, a walking/jogging path mirrors the stream to mimic the road as well.

The Streamside @ Launani Valley is a townhouse complex in Launani Valley with 2/2/2 and built between 1996 -2000.

In the last six months there was one unit sold at $315,000; three units are currently in contract priced between $289,000 to $327,000 and currently with 0 currently Active on the market. Days on Market boasts a 4-21 days.

As I approach the lone bus stop, I stop & step outside to take a snapshot; only to realize that the mid of day reveals an empty street as well. Until.....the trash trucks come barreling down the street to clean up the community while residents are away to work.

A wonderous valley of plants, trees and gracefully swaying bamboo, the voices of nature will no doubt soothe you to sleep in the deep of night.

The Gardens at Launani Valley has two and three bedroom units and in the last six months 7 - two bedrooms have sold with prices between $279,000 to $327,000. Two -two bedrooms are in contract listed at $279,000 and $305,000 and there are currently 5- two bedrooms (priced from $279,00 to $309,000) and 1 - three bedroom currently on the market listed at $320,000. Days on Market range from 4-103 days.

The Terraces at Launani Valley complex also have 2-3 bedroom units. In the last six months 4-2 bedroom units have sold with prices between $358,000 and $359,000 and one -3 bedroom sold for $449,000. Two -2 bedrooms & one -3 bedrooms are currently in contract and there are 3-2 bedrooms currently active and listed between $369,000 & $385,000 and 3 -3 bedroom listed between $458,000 and $462,000. Days on market range from 27 to 112.

Evergreen Terrace has 2-3 bedroom units (934-1,393 sq. ft.) and in the last six months 3-2 bedroom units have sold with prices between $340,000 to $365,000 and the Days on Market were 13-93. One two bedroom in in contract and there are currently 4-3 bedrooms price between $400,000 and $439,000 while there is only one- 2 bedroom listed at $354,000.

The Woodcreek in Launani Valley single family homes range in prices from $489,000 to $525,000 for the 3 bedrooms (1,173 to 1,332 sq. ft.) to and $550,000 to $563,000 for the four bedroom (1,326 to 1,658 sq. ft.) There are currently 5 -3 bedrooms on the market and one -4 bedroom with one-3 bedroom currently in contract. Days on Market are 4-124 days.

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If you are Moving and Transferring with the Military to Hawaii and are being proactive in your search for Hawaii Condos & Homes, contact me for listings for the areas near the Hawaii Military Base you will be stationed. And....click on the following link for loads of information regarding your Hawaii 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

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Military personnel who have relocated across the Pacific Ocean to Oahu, Hawaii are always astounded at the differences in homes once they arrive here. Okay, let's say stunned instead. I have had many military clients who were so shocked at the size of homes that they had no alternative but to store the majority of their household goods once they arrived because they brought it all. They also had a cultural shock as well with all our diverse cultural and ethnic groups. And the difference in weather conditions? Tropical paradise to say the least.

If it's one thing we all will agree on is that Hawaii, the island Paradise, is full of beautiful tropical island scenery that will captivate you to no end.

As a Hawaii Realtor Associate® and Relocations Specialist I guaranty that the following information will help you in your Hawaii Military Relocation across the Pacific Ocean!

ENVIRONMENT: Expect a totally different environment! You will need an open mind for a brand new experience with Hawaii's diverse community full of ethnic groups and cultures from all over the world! Do not expect everything to be the same as the Continental United States because you will be disappointed! Wherever you look you will have Japanese, Chinese, Filipino. Portugese, Hawaiian, Tongan, Samoan, Caucasian, Korean, African American, Vietnamese, Spanish, Guamanian and Polynesian races with different beliefs and styles of living. And the food? We have all the fast food places but why keep eating burgers when we have such a variety to choose from?

JOBS: Hawaii has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation. The vast number of military stationed in Hawaii make up the majority of the federal government employees although spouses surely have an advantage if they have been previously employed on a military installation and transferring to a new duty station. We also have many jobs in the tourist industry including but not limited to hotels, restaurants, historic and scenic sites and so forth.

HOUSE HUNTING: Make arrangements with this Realtor® to give you information, send you a relocations packet and start you out with your online search for your Honolulu Hawaii Real Estate. Remember, Hawaii is not the same as the last time you were stationed here in back in 1975 and the change will shock you. We have many freeways, traffic, high rises and such. We may be more laid back but change is always inevitable with just so much buildable land.

MORTGAGE LENDER: Make sure to use a local lender as Hawaii lenders know the Hawaii real estate laws and you will have someone face to face to walk you through the loan process too! There is no recourse (RED FLAG!) if something goes wrong with a mainland lender, negotiating the best price and time lines are a very important factor in a real estate transaction. Even if your cousin or uncle is a Loan Officer it is a given that they will not know about Hawaii mortgage funds. I guaranty that I can tell you some stories about the deals that fell through due to using lenders not familiar with our Real Estate Laws, Contracts and Contingencies. Also, make sure and hand carry your important financial papers as you will need them!

VA GUARANTEED LOAN: The most important thing to consider before utilizing your benefits is what you want to allot yourself for a monthly mortgage payment. The current VA Loan Amount is $625,500 (this is INCLUDING the funding fee) and soon to go up to $700,000 and the following chart is the monthly BAH for 2008 for Honolulu County Hawaii.

Rank	With Dependents	Without Dependents	Rank	With Dependents	Without Dependents
E-1	$1,985	$1,699	W-4	$2,906	$2,329
E-2	$1,985	$1,699	W-5	$3,064	$2,502
E-3	$1,985	$1,699	O-1E	$2,497	$2,114
E-4	$1,985	$1,699	O-2E	$2,734	$2,189
E-5	$2,114	$1,794	O-3E	$2,930	$2,286
E-6	$2,286	$1,873	O-1	$2,134	$1,855
E-7	$2,460	$1,993	O-2	$2,282	$2,069
E-8	$2,650	$2,109	O-3	$2,797	$2,277
E-9	$2,868	$2,201	O-5	$3,124	$2,567
W-1	$2,289	$1,935	O-5	$3,352	$2,661
W-2	$2,538	$2,147	O-6	$3,380	$2,804
W-3	$2,769	$2,206	O-7 +	$3,419	$2,860

MEDIAN HOME PRICES: During our home search online you may see a home that may interest you. I'll be sure to give you the median home price for that neighborhood. If it's way below the median price...well, it just may be too good to be true! If this is your first time to Hawaii we will cruise the different neighborhoods so you can get a feel for the community. We will also need to choose between condos, town houses and single family homes according to your price range. (which is determined by your conversation with your local lender who prequalifies you)

HOUSEHOLD GOODS: Our homes are smaller so be prepared to bring half of the household goods you currently have in your 3,000 sq. ft. interior home on the mainland. A 1,200 to 1800 sq. ft. for a single family 3 bedroom around the $500,000 to $600,000 range in Central Oahu is about the median sq/ft for the price. Be flexible and open minded!

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.

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®!

http://www.hawaiihomesmarket.com/