The Royal Kunia Community is a 270 acre master planned community located in Central Oahu and high above the Ewa plains. Royal Kunia is a developement of partners, a joint venture partnership with Halekula Development Corp (a Horita company) and Castle & Cooke. They completed their first homes in 1988 and to date have built approximately 1,930 homes with the first of 2,000 more homes that are scheduled to be completed by 2010.

The Royal Kunia Community Park has been completed and the second phase for the Community Center had their ground breaking ceremony this past November. The Royal Kunia Community Center is expected to commence building this year.

Across from the park is the Royal Kunia Country Club and it's described as the most scenic golf course on Oahu. With a panoramic view high above the Ewa Plain it will surely take your breath away looking from Pearl Harbor to Diamond Head along the south shore.

Royal Kunia home sales have picked up for single family homes although the townhouses are slow going. The location of this community to freeway access may be a plus for the Hawaii Military Relocating to Hawaii as it is centrally located to Hickam Air Force Base and Pearl Harbor Naval Base off H-1. Royal Kunia Community is located right off Kunia Road that leads to Schofield Barracks and the Naval Communications Master Center.

The following statistics for the Royal Kunia Housing Market depicts the last six months activity for single family homes and townhouses.

Bottom line is that Royal Kunia Community is centrally located on the island of Oahu with many shops in the Kunia shopping center, a Walmart and close to the new Costco and Target stores in Kapolei.

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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

ALOHA!

Back in the day, there were Realtors® and Loan Officers that did not want to deal with VA Loans. Why? Because they're strict with their guidelines and criteria. When overpricing and overbidding were running rampant in all cities, VA remained the ever conservative loan for the Veteran of the Armed Forces.

I say Woohoo! Yeah! Great! It is with this criteria that has kept the VA Guaranteed Loan going and the only 100% financing loan in Hawaii that remains a good loan for the military and vet of the US Armed Forces. Remember, the VA Guaranteed Loan means that VA guarantees the lender a portion of your loan; they do not fund the loan.

Now a days you'll have everyone trying to solicit your business with advertising that they are the "VA Expert" or like me I say, "VA Home Loan Transaction Specialist". There are many pertinent parts to a VA Home Loan and Purchasing a Property in Hawaii so be sure your Realtor® and Loan Officer know their stuff!

• The Realtor® HAS to know the VA Transaction Process. Right now, they are so back logged with appraisal reports and so forth (because it is the one loan that is running rampant here due to our high volume of military presence) so we structure our contracts to accommodate the timeline. This agent keeps on top of all involved in the process.
• The Realtor® HAS to know which lenders and loan officers KNOW their VA Loans. Chances are the incoming member does not know a good loan officer and it is up to us to refer them to one that KNOWS THEIR VA LOAN. Just because someone has signs all over the place displaying their expertise in the field, does not mean it is so. The seasoned Realtor® has worked alongside experts in the field and will refer you to a couple who know their stuff.
• The Loan Officer HAS to be punctual and keep on top of the lender to get all parts of the transaction together. Ordering the appraisal quickly so they can get notice of a VA appraiser being assigned to the case is a start. For incoming personnel there are loads of other documents to retrieve as they are just arriving and their Honolulu County BAH will not automatically be in their LES (pay statement).
• The Escrow Officer has to know the process as well in case other parties need something from the other. We do not communicate with the buyer if representing the seller and do not sign documents all together. It's a conflict of interest and everything should be complete before signing anyway.
• The VA Buyer has to be realistic in their part of the process. If you are serious about buying your Hawaii Home, then keep an open mind. If the sq/ft is smaller than you'd hoped but you are able to buy at that lower price then it may be something to consider. Waiting for a later time and the interest rates may go up, the prices may start going back up or circumstances may not allow purchasing in ‘hopes' something will pop up. We don't have crystal balls but if you are seriously ready then hop off that fence.
• The Seller (or bank) has to be realistic in their part of the process as well. Prices are not going up! Sales numbers are down. Overpricing or being stubborn on the price may just lose a serious buyer. Your home may be the same floor plan as the another but your property is definitely not nicer....what do you do? You aggressively price your property to meet the needs of the market and get that home sold! And remember....VA loans are one of the best 100% financing loans out there!

Times have changed in the housing market nationwide. The VA Loan is now the most popular 100% financing loan for incoming military personnel to Hawaii and by far the most secure for lenders. Remember though, you still have to have money for closing costs (escrow & title fees, lender fees, prorated property taxes and so forth) but you may be able to have those covered by a seller credit if they are open to negotiating and getting off the fence too!

Let's all work together as a team to make each VA Loan Transaction go through smoothly for the Military Member and Veteran Relocating to Hawaii!

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More Information for the Armed Forces Member or Veteran:

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© 2007-2009 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog. 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

Mililani Mauka Townhouse for Sale!

95-1163 Makaikai Street., #183, Mililani, HI 96789 View Map

Entering the Hilldale Townhome complex through 30 foot high palms bordering each side of the entrance. No doubt you will feel like you're in paradise!

With well maintained lush landscaped grounds it becomes more appealing. You then enter Unit #183 and you are now ooo'ing and ahh'ing. A spacious ground floor level townhouse with an additional 150 sq/ft fenced in courtyard you are that much more delighted!

The possibilities for the amateur gardener await... and this humble abode occupy your memory bank!

The kitchen is open and airy with a window to peek out of while cooking or holding a conversation with loved ones in the living room. Loads of cabinet and counter space to your culinary delight!

Two bedrooms, two full (tub/shower combo) baths and two assigned parking with many guest stalls besides. Wonderful!
A walking jogging path for those early morning struts or a romantic evening stroll. Double wonderful!

The Mililani Town Association boast SEVEN Recreation Centers (five have pools) with a skateboard park, tennis and basketball courts and loads of baseball/softball fields besides. Many activities are held throughout the year including movie nights, teen dances and more!

Come join us in this Planned Community of Mililani and be a part of the Hillsdale Association.

You need not look no further..... for you have found your comfortable abode in paradise!

Details

Asking Price:

$292,000

MLS:

2900161

Sq. Feet:

847

Bedrooms:

2

Bathrooms:

2

# of Floors:

1

HOA/Maintenance Fees:

$33/$221

Subdivision:

Mililani Mauka - Hillsdale IV

Year Built:

1993

Contact Info

Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman- (RA) e-PRO
Hawaii Relocations & Real Estate

Cell (808) 375-1404
Dir (808) 375-1404
Email | Website

If you are Relocating to Hawaii you may want to be proactive in obtaining information for your Hawaii Relocation and getting started with your search for Hawaii Homes for Sale!  I will LISTEN to YOUR needs and discuss all your options to give you a clear view for your Hawaii Home Buying experience.

With many successful VA transactions I have the experience and the know how to represent, assist and guide Active Duty and Veterans of the United States Armed Forces with their Hawaii Relocation & Real Estate needs. 

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

© 2009 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman, All rights reserved

Yesterday we decided to head over to Ala Moana Shopping Center and eat lunch at Tanaka of Tokyo -Japanese Steak & Seafood House. With a wide variety of steak and seafood dishes on the menu to choose from each dish is prepared by a skilled Master Teppan-Yaki (teppan meaning iron griddle and yaki meaning fried or broiled) chef.

The seating is situated around the iron griddle with the chef in the middle preparing the food with an entertaining show of flying spatulas and knives. With the chef cracking us up with jokes and flinging shrimp tails into his hat and pocket it was a very pleasurable meal.

The chef first started off with a shrimp appetizer and then afterwards flavored grilled beansprouts while the waitress brought us miso soup and pickled vegetables. Then he made our calamari steak appetizer (we ordered extra) and then the fried rice (steamed rice is usual but we chose fried rice) and our main course of filet mignon grilled to perfection with a slight sause cooked in for extra flavor. (others chose teriaki chicken or lobster or shrimp with steak combos).

Eating in little courses like this allowed us to digest before moving on to the next course. In the end we felt full but not overstuffed and we topped it off with Japanese green hot tea.

Tanaka of Tokyo is one fabulous restaurant!

For a peek at Tanaka of Tokyo's menu click here >>>>> Tanaka of Tokyo's menu

Ala Moana Center, Hookipa Terrace, Fourth Floor, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu, HI 96814;

TEL(808)945-3443

Business Hours Lunch- 11:00AM ～ 2:00PM (Open Daily) Dinner- 5:00PM ～ (Open Nightly)

© 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

 With cameras and video in tow we headed down to Waikiki from Central Oahu to the Waikiki Aquarium. Long talked about for something fun to do we hopped in the car after talking about it last night. We did everything we needed to do early this morning so we could have a few hours of pleasure.

It was well worth the half an hour trip and after going from window to window at the Waikiki Aquarium's displays we came upon ......

NEMO!  Okay, so we couldn't know for sure but it sure struck a chord when we saw this lovely little beauty.

 After literally taking pictures and video of the whole aquarium and their wonderous creatures from the ocean we rushed outside in hopes that my most favorite creature of them all finally surfaced. The Hawaiian Monk Seal!  Oh, and a show this one did give us! Posing from side to side and at times taunting and teasing us by turning around to have only the backside showing, this beautiful creature finally turned to gaze lazily at us so we could snap a few.

Hawaii is considered to be the "Endangered Species Capital of the World" with more than 317 plants and animal species that are endangered per sq. mile than anywhere else in the world.  The most endangered mammal that is on the endangered species list is the HAWAIIAN MONK SEAL and every day there is something on our local news stations about these precious creatures. READ MORE HERE:

• Endangered Hawaiian Monk Seals: What about "All Those Years Ago"?
• Endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal Spotted on the North Shore of Oahu!  

The Waikiki Aquarium is located next to the living reef and shoreline of Waikiki and founded in 1904. It is the third oldest public aquarium in the United States.

• Location:  Queen Kapiolani Park. 2777 Kalakaua Avenue at the end of Waikiki Beach
• Hours - Daily 9:00 am to 4:30 pm; Closed Christmas Day; special hours on Thanksgiving and New Year's days. Admission
• Rates: $9 for visitors; $6 for local residents, active duty military with ID, students with ID and senior citizens; $4 for Youths (13-17), and persons with disabilities; $2 for Juniors (5-12). Children 4 and under are free. Each paid admission includes an Audio Tour Wand. 

Following is the video I took while the Hawaiian Monk Seal decided to grace us with a show. So please enjoy the show of gliding movements and the graceful display of this beautiful endangered species.   

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