Featured article on www.localism.com
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/
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Hawaii Relocations, Hawaii Military Relocation Move PCS. Listening to YOUR needs for your Hawaii Home Buying or Hawaii Home Selling experience for a smooth & successful landing! © 2008
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I'd love to relocate to Hawaii....But I'll have to settle for a visit... hopefully soon.
Sally, Not only would I love the weather but wouldn't mind in the least downscaling to find a home in that paradise you have. And I would love the diversity, we have some here but not nearly as much as you have. I love to see other cultures and ways of living and find it all very respectful.
Sally,
Thats sounds great for everyone including Veterans. I know some Military guys who moved to Hawaii with their family.
Sally - I wish that I could move there, and if I could, you would definately be my Realtor(R)! Great information for someone in the military wanting to make Hawaii there home.
Monika: Yeah...you best get over here so we can see those dance moves Randy told me about! You are a wise woman and I sure would love to meet you!
Carole: ah....not much for me to clean...I have plenty of time to blog hehe....Like right now...I have a head cold but I cleaned a few days ago ....so I'll just nurture my cold :) Thanks so much Carole...I think I needed to hear your words of inspiration right about now :)
Tom: Well, let them know there's a great agent here :)
Alecia: Thanks for stopping by...been awhile...I better go check what you've been up to lately...thanks for your support ;)
Sally...I can only attest to the beauty of Hawaii having never priced the cost of housing while there. I can only imagine. There are other spots as well (many in California) where people are shocked by the prices. It all depends on where you are moving from.
AMAZING, you have "too good to be true" houses also. We have them too, especially the waterfront ones and even more...the waterfront lots. (What waterfront?...I can't see the water, where is it?...how can anyone say this is waterfront?) These are the lots often advertised by developers. It's a real let down for most people and then we have to find them their vision of living on the water at a price that is impossible. It takes lots of explaining and lots of showing.
Thanks, Kathleen
Kathleen: I agree...why do people falsely advertise is beyond me....are they hoping it'll reel someone in who just maybe consider buying something other than what they reeled them in for? Go figure.
Cheryl: Yes it is Cheryl! Thanks!
Sally, even moving between States can be a major cultural and economic shock, much less moving half way across the Pacific to Hawaii. I fully agree with using local Lenders, if I am spending that kind of money I want to do more than just talk to someone on the phone. I am sure that there are out of state lenders that can do a good job, but I would not take that chance. There is enough risk that you might deal with a bad in state Broker or Loan Officer, than to further increase that risk by going out of state for a loan.
George: I agree George! The one relocating needs to find a local Realtor® and Local Lender to guide them before they even get here. All states have different Real Estate laws, contracts etc. Thanks for your input...I know a lot of LO's do not agree although they are not wearing the shoes of a Hawaii Realtor® or the consumer in Hawaii.
Your localism posts are an example of how to do it right. Great post I want to relocate.
Rebecca: Thank you so much! And I commend you on the Week in Review....that's how to do those recaps right! Great...may I send you a relo packet? :)
Sally,
Always :0)
Tom: Mouth open ....that's it? lol!
Sally- WoW! Your posts continue to outdo the last! I am so impressed with your writing and the way that you put it all together on this post! I have already resigned myself that I will have to scale down to move to Hawaii! I stopped buying material things so my load can be lighter! It is still some years away, but it is there waiting for me! Katerina
Katerina: That's exactly what we do! My husband goes through cabinets and closets one at a time at different times and unclutters. I am very happy in my small house (of course the kids are grown and live in gramma's big house and help her out) .... it makes for ridding of material things and being happy with what we do have :)
Sally -- congratuation on the localism feature. This is so full of important information. I must say that moving from San Francisco to Nashua, N.H. 10 year ago was sort of an opposite type of culture shock. The people, the climate, the small town, the yankee culture -- it is amazing how diverse this country is!
Joan: No kidding! I've lived all over the United States, Japan, Phillippines, Turkey and I don't think I can get shocked anymore. One thing about Hawaii ... I have grown up with so many ethnic cultures it's diversity is just wonderous actually. :)
Sally,
You are doing such a wonderful job showcasing Hawaii in so many ways, this one is no exception. It's obvious you know your market, it's easy to see why your the Oahu real estate pro.
Lynda: I'm sooo waiting for you and Marlene and the others to come....if anything...we're going cruising and going to the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet! North Shore! Fun...fun...fun! And thank you for your kind comment!
I am glad they continue to increase the VA cap and the housing allowance here locally. Our military folks deserve it and the cost of housing continues to rise.
Randy: The military is a vital part of our economy .. just as tourism is. If they did not take care of "their own" they wouldn't have anywhere to live but on base...and even then...there is not enough housing to take care. They surely deserve it!
Sally, this is great! Such a short but concise description of what to expect and how it may differ from their past experiences. FYI, I am changing my post to put it in Positive. thanks!
Sally,
It's obvious that you are the pro here. If I ever get the bug to relocate to Hawaii, you'll be my first call!!
Sally, when my husband and I were first married, we vacationed in Hawaii every year for several years. We loved it so much we wanted to move there. We somehow knew it was not for us to do, however. After some years, we bought a boat and put it on the Estuary in Oakland, across from Jack London Square and began a 10 year odyssey and love affair with boating and coastal cruising. Not exactly Hawaii, but we got to enjoy it on a full time basis. I love reading your posts and going back in time to my memories of Hawaii and how beautiful it is. We both live in beautiful places. I still have pretty little stickers I use that say "Aloha" and "Mahalo".
Diane: Thanks! I would hope that people "just know" that no matter where they move it's going to be different :) Although I believe Hawaii is a whole different "world".
Andrew: Okay then!
Jeanean: I would love to see those pictures! I am not too fond of boating although pictures on the open sea I love!
Sally - No wonder this got featured on Localism - what an amazing post! You really packed in the information. If anyone had sent us material like that when we were in the military, they would have had us for clients! Congratulations!
The announcement of the VA cap being raised to $700,000 in Hawaii is good news. It will finally reach our median price.
Margaret: Thanks! I'm hoping that's what this will bring...in the relocation packet I sent it had this article in it too :)
Randy: Yes it will. (and you commented twice :)
Sally, This is really a wonderful overview. What a great resource you've created! Worth bookmarking. Thanks
Thanks Joeann!
I can see why this was featured and got the attention of a buyer - congratulaitons on closing him.
Georgina: Thanks! It was a "her" and she is thrilled!