Randy L. Prothero - Hawaii REALTOR®

http://www.housingpredictor.com/ chose Honolulu as their pick for the hottest housing market in the country. All I can say is from their lips to God's ears.

While other parts of the country have suffered, Oahu (Honolulu County) has been a pretty stable market. Even though the resale volume is down from the hot market in 2004 & 2005, prices have remained stable.

Why do I think things have been generally better in Hawaii?

1. People in Hawaii pay their mortgages. We constantly are among the lowest for foreclosures and delinquent mortgage payments.
2. Our unemployment rates have been among the lowest in the nation for a few years now.
3. We are on an island, the supply is limited.
4. There are several large military bases and a fair amount of troop movements.
5. The dollar exchange rate makes us look like a bargain to foreign investors, especially the Canadians.
6. Some west coast markets, not only are slower, but the prices are higher. We look like a bargain to some of their folks.
7. According to http://www.housingpredictor.com/ the J-REIT (Japanese real estate investment trust) will allow capital to purchase in Hawaii. Hawaii has been a favorite for Japanese investors and this change may provide a large influx of money from Japan.
8. We are in Hawaii, who wouldn't want to live or invest here?

I think No. 8 says it all. Aloha From Sunny Hawaii!!

One of the unique things about Hawaii is our openness. We have what is called the sunshine law. Most government meetings have to be open to the public. All hearings and any sessions that have voting at the legislature and our County councils are open to the public to attend. Most are televised on public TV. It is one of the more civilized parts of our local government.

Being here on an island we have a saying, "everyone knows everyone here". That is also true of our elected officials. Many of us know our State Representative and State Senator personally. I and most of my friends knew the Governor before she was elected to the position. I am sure that if you are from New York or California you be lucky to have even shaken their hands let along know them personally.

In Hawaii we have a tradition of the public visiting the capitol on opening day of the legislature. There will be a floor session for both the House and Senate followed by an open house of their offices. Most of the elected officials will have out a spread of food and some even entertainment. I have attended probably about 10 out of the last 12 opening days. If I can sneak away today, I will be there again.

One of the things that make our Capitol Building unique is that it is wide open. The courtyard in the center is open from 2 sides. You can walk up from the street and hit an elevator button or take the stairs. Does all of what I said mean our politicians are any better than those in other states? (The answer is NO). It does mean that we in the public have much more access to them and the process. If they mess up we probably know not only know them but also their family. We can always call mom to help straighten them out.

You are in the Military; you have your orders and will be relocating to Hawaii. What are some of the things you may want to know about moving to Hawaii?

Housing is quite expensive here.

• Fortunately you will receive a higher BAH than you probably are used to getting. Here is a chart with the 2008 Basic Housing Allowance for Honolulu County (BAH).
• VA mortgages are usually the best deal for you and the VA cap here for 100% financing is $625,000. You can go higher if you add some down payment. If you speak to a loan officer and they say they have a better deal than a VA loan, be careful. That usually means they either can not do VA or have something they make more money on. My best recommendation is to use a local loan officer and a primary lender; this will help you avoid many of the problems that come up when dealing with middleman and those who do not know the local market or laws. I can easily provide you a list of quality loan officers and lenders who specialize in Military/ VA. You can do a pre-approval with the lender before arriving in Hawaii. This will take a lot of stress off you and speed up the process. It will also help you set a budget.
• The government has and is building a large amount of base housing. Some of it is new and much of it is not so new and not so nice. If you take base housing, you will not receive BAH.
• Most rental inventory here are either single family homes (a small percentage) or individually owned condominiums (the large majority of the inventory).
• If you are planning or considering buying a home. I have the ability start your search through the internet to allow you to be informed a ready to hit the ground running when you arrive.

Picking a community to reside in.

• Some basic rules about pricing. If you are planning to live close to KBAY (Kaneohe or Kailua). You will find residential housing higher priced than many parts of the island. If you are looking to cut costs areas a little further out will be less expensive. You may also consider a drive over the H-3 freeway to some of the areas across the mountain. One tip before I forget, there are some properties in some areas that are leasehold. Leasehold is where you buy the home and lease the land. These may appear as less expensive, but may not be and may. A good professional real estate agent can help you with this situation.
• If you are stationed at Pearl Harbor areas closer to Honolulu usually cost more for less. If you go west (Leeward) there are several planned communities with newer and more cost effective housing. The trade off is a little further drive.
• If you are looking into schools in the area, you can find information about Hawaii Schools on the following sites.
• Hawaii Public Schools
• Hawaii Association of Independent Schools

If you are moving here with a pet, there are a few things you need to know.

• Be sure to get shots and medical records in advance per Hawaii State requirements. If you do not follow the procedure carefully your pet will be quarantined for an extended period of time. We have no rabies in Hawaii and the State is very care to keep it that way.
• Some pets and animals are strictly forbidden. For example we have no snakes in Hawaii and want to keep it that way.
• The Hawaii Humane Society has additional information about pets in housing, including a good list of pet friendly buildings.
• Some of the forbidden animals:
• Alligators
• Bearded dragon lizards
• Bees (alive or dead)
• Bulbuls
• Coconut crabs
• Electric catfishes
• Ferrets
• Gerbils
• Geckos
• Hamsters
• Hermit crabs
• Land snails
• Lion fishes
• Lories
• Monk parakeets
• Piranhas
• Snakes
• Snapping turtles
• Toucans

Similar restrictions apply to plants. We live in a fragile environment here in the islands and we try to keep invasive species of not only animals from getting in, but also plants.

On future posts I will describe communities convenient to some of the bases.

This week I finally took the long awaited trip on the Hawaii Superferry. I give the vessel and its crew 5 stars and 2 thumbs up!

Earlier in the year the Hawaii Superferry offered a $5 introductory rate. They immediately got tied up with a legal challenge and stopped sailing. I bought a couple of those tickets for a round trip voyage and for my vehicle. This last Tuesday I finally used them.

Let me start be saying I was anticipating this trip. The ability to bring my car and all my gear was so exciting. For those of you who go through the airports know it is impossible to bring even some of the basics for a short trip.

The check in process was so cool. I drove up with my car loaded. They checked our ID, the vehicles registration and insurance card. Popped the hood they checked with mirrors, etc. and checked the inside and back of the car. A quick scan of the vehicle tag and away we went on the ship. I had read that they have some new high tech security scanning equipment, that allows the process to go faster.

They were so efficient on both ends; we were unloaded in 5 minutes flat with our car on the other end.

The trip across:

I did see a few young children get sea sick going to Maui. One of the mom's had given her children orange juice. (I am sure she did not do that on the return trip). I felt a little nausea towards the end of the trip. The crew was giving out complimentary ginger pills. On the return trip they announced rough seas were expected. They also offered some type of drop you put behind your ears. I tried that ate a scone and drank some bottled water and did not feel anything at all the entire trip. I spent a fair amount of the trip taking pictures as we passed the islands. The return trip lasted about 2-1/2 hours.

Every employee of the Hawaii Superferry I came across was extremely friendly and helpful. I have decided that we will be traveling with them in the future. I am anticipating long weekends with the family on Maui and also Kauai once they start sailing there again.

If you are a resident of Hawaii the Superferry is charging about the same prices as the airlines to go to Maui. If you are going for more than a day or two the real savings is the ability to bring your vehicle loaded for $59 each way. For business people that is huge. I saw a few work trucks with their tools and supplies loaded aboard. A few other cars had canoes and surf boards strapped on top. Try taking them through the airport. The farmers will really be the big winners here. They can ship fresh produce the same day for a lot less money than on the airlines.

If you are a tourist you can also walk on the ship and enjoy seeing the islands from a different perspective.

Congratulations and good luck to the owners and employees of the Hawaii Superferry. What a great ship and wonderful service!

We have been talking about this gathering ever since we learned the CRS Sell-a-bration was coming to Hawaii. WooHoo Sally (Celeste Cheeseman) has reserved the location so it is on!

We will be gathering at the Gordon Biersch micro brewery. For those of you who know Sally and I you may see the humor. Neither of us drink, making us good designated drivers.

Monday January 28, 2008

7:00pm until they throw us out

1 Aloha Tower Drive Suite 1123
Honolulu, HI 96813
phone: 808-599-4877

We chose Gordon Biersch for a couple of reasons.

• They are easy to find from Waikiki and the Hilton were the CRS convention is going on.
• It has a large enough area to support us and they have similar gatherings regularly there
• They have great food and pupus (appetizers in Hawaiian).

Directions from: Hilton Hawaiian Village (Location of the CRS Sell-a-bration):

1. Turn left out of driveway on Kalia Rd. (0.1Miles)
2. Turn Left on Ala Moana Blvd. (2.6 Miles)
3. Turn Left at Ala Moana Dr. (200 ft.)

There is valet and self parking on your right. Gordon Biersch is in the back along the waterfront.

** If you need a ride, I will have limited seating in my SUV. My cell phone is (808) 384-5645

Attached is a list of those who have already confirmed their attendance to the Active Rain Honolulu Gathering:

• Randy Prothero - Hawaii
• Celeste "Sally Cheeseman & husband Gary - Hawaii
• David Kucic & wife Tonya - Hawaii
• Sharon Simms - Florida (Contact Sharon for CLHMS class on 1/24 & 25 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village)
• Marlene Bridges - California
• Tami Simms-Powel - Florida
• Pete Castillejos - Hawaii
• Jerry Bangerter - Hawaii
• Jeff Dowler & wife - California
• Lynda Eisenmann - California
• Joeann Fossland - Arizona
• Rob Lang - Kansas
• Jack Patton & wife- Florida
• Kathy Sperl-Bell & husband Bill- Delaware
• Mickey Hayward & wife Darlene - Maryland
• Kathleen Barnato - California
• Jay Oku - Hawaii
• Mario Romero - Arizona
• Matt Heaton & wife Lydia - Active Rain

So far we have commitments from those in the warmer climates of Hawaii, Florida, Arizona and California. I know the list will be growing as those in snow country get the word. The water is warm at the beach here. I look forward to seeing the list grow.

Rob & Kathy Broke the warm weather crowd lock. We now members from Kansas, Delaware & Maryland on the list. Welcome aboard!

Aloha from warm sunny Hawaii.

Woo Hoo Sally has also posted about the Hawaii Active Rain gathering.