I made a business decision not hold any open houses on Mother's Day.  I am sure my wife would not have appreciated it.  I do not think my clients would have been too excited unless the homes were vacant, which none of my current listings are. More importantly I didn't think I would make friends and influence others by holding open houses on Mother's Day.  So I didn't.I did cheat the weekend a little though.  Yesterday my newest listing, a nice 3 bedroom home in the planned community of Mililani had a couple of Realtor showing scheduled in a home that my client requires she be there to let them in.  I asked her if I could just open it up during those hours and she agreed.The results were that we... 05/13/2007

I met the the Mr. and Mrs.  from a floor call about three years ago.  Actually, I was busy on the phone when my broker answered the phone and as soon as I got off I could hear him saying, "Just a minute".  He put the phone on hold and looked down as me from the second floor and said, "Hey, Sally. Why don't you take this call. I think these are going to be high maintenance people".  I got on the phone and talked to the Mrs. for a few minutes, asked if they were working with a realtor (nope), asked if they had spoken to a lender (yes...already pre-approved with so and so etc.). and proceeded to get some information so i could email them some listings. She said they would be "high maintenance and needed someone who would be patient with them.  She also said that her husband had such a hect... 05/10/2007

The ancient native Hawaiians were environmentalist in the truest form.  They did not protest or lobby congress.  No driving fuel efficient cars to make a statement or National forest to prevent people from clear cutting.The Native Hawaiian understood that they needed to preserve their natural resources.  They lived their daily lives in a manner that today would be considered environmentalist.  Hawaiians lived "Pono" (with respect and righteousness).  By living in righteousness they believed they would be blessed by fertile lands and sea.Hawaiians managed their resources from the mountains to the sea.  They needed the mountain valleys for fresh water and crops.  The used the ocean to fish.  The Hawaiians were so in tune with their environment that they managed their resources in such a w... 04/28/2007

                                                                                         The Mililani real estate market has slowed some from the past few years, but it is still moving and showing price increases in most sectors.  Interest rates are still low and there is a good selection of inventory.  It is still a good time to buy or sell in this balanced Mililani market. For the Month of March 2007        Single Family Homes Number of Sales Average Sales PriceArea20072006% Change 20072006% ChangeMililani Area(including Mililani Town, Waipio Acres and Launani Valley191526.67% $672,500$578,40016.27%Mililani Mauka815-46,67% $753,125$687,3669.57%Total2730-10            Condominiums Number of Sales Average Sales PriceArea20072006% Change 20072006% ChangeMililani Area(including Mililani T... 04/22/2007

Below is a list of condos and townhouses in the Mililani area that are pet friendly.  This is an important question for families with pets.  Also if you are relocating to Hawaii, this issue of animal quarantine comes up.  If you are relocating to Hawaii do your self and your pet a favor and check out the Dept. of Agriculture website for animal quarantine information:  http://www.hawaiiag.org/hdoa/ai_aqs_info.htm   C = Condominium  CP = Cooperative  PH = Public Housing  PHE = Public Housing for the Elderly  R = Rental  TH = Townhouse Board App'd = Board is required to approve the pet RN = Reasonable Number * = Small dogs under 25 pounds + = No dogs over 50 pounds ** = No large parrot-type birds Building Address Bldg. Type Limit Dogs   Cats Birds   Rabbits Board App'd? CATHEDRAL POINTE 9... 04/06/2007

I just came home from our annual Century 21 Awards Banquet.  Congratulations to Randy Prothero (from my office and Active Rainer) for the Century 21 National MASTERS RUBY Award this year!  Every year he has won an award and no doubt will continue to perservere in our Century 21 Liberty Homes office!Our office also had two other agents (whom we're trying to get on this site) who won the Ruby and Emerald awards.  (this is for the % commissions coming into each office ...not total sales prices.....statewide).  Well, we may have a small office but we give the best possible service  on the central side of Oahu.  As independent contractors our business is what we make it...... not what others can do for us but for what we do for ourselves.  Did that make sense? 4/11/2007-  Anyway, take a look... 03/28/2007

While getting my Active Rain morning fix I received a message that I have been MEME'd by Neal Bloom, who is a really cool blogger.  My dirty laundry? I have now been MEME'd  Well here is my life:I am a husband and father of two boys, one in high school and one in kindergartener.   My wife and I have been happily married for 12 years.  At the time we got married my wife had a three year son, Daniel.  I became his dad, a responsibility and joy I gladly took on.  We waited a few years mostly for me to grow up.  My wife finally gave up on that ever happening and added our next big joy in our lives, Jacob.What little spare time I have is spent teaching chess and organizing events.  Both of my son's play competitively and have won a few trophies and medals each.  My youngest Jacob is the Kind... 03/23/2007

In the last few weeks we have seen a surge in business in Mililani and the surrounding area.Our office had two townhouses for sale.  One was on the market for a little over a year and the other nearly 6 months.  They were just sitting there with very little interest and then it happened.  At the same time they both received multiple offers and went into escrow.  Ok I know that is not scientific, but let's look at a few more.On the first of the month 3/1/07, I listed a 3 bed/ 2.5 bath townhouse for sale in Laulea.  My clients were still moving out and we were putting in new carpet.  We did not have showings until last Wednesday starting at 10:00am.  That afternoon I already had multiple offers pushing it over asking price.  In Mililani Garden Homes 1 another agent from a neighboring Cent... 03/14/2007

I showed a property this morning that was labeled by the listing agent as "Must See to Appreciate."Now that is an interesting statement.What did it mean? Would you like to guess?I will help you out.  The listing gives you nothing to hang your hat on.No pictures to start with.The zoning was mislabeled.The listing gave you a few hints as to the status of the property:It was one of the lowest priced homes in the area.It is only 4 years old.It had a large lot.It was on the market a long time.It was tenant occupied.An interesting thing I observed on the public remarks was a statement to call the listing agent for more information.  The contact information for the listing agent is on the agent's showing instructions, where the public can't see.I called yesterday to make the appointment for 9:... 03/14/2007

I a previous blog I wrote about Mililani Middle Schools big win: Mililani Middle School Brings Home State Chess TitleThere were also several other Mililani standouts at the State Scholastic Chess Championships who walked away with medals or trophies.Robert Lau a homeschool student took the State High School Individual Title.  Robert is a 2-time national champion, a 5-time former state scholastic champion and the current state Open Rapid Champion.Jacob Prothero from Hanalani School finished as the Kindergarten Champ (yes he is my son).Hanalani School took the bronze medals in the high school team division.Alex Farrell finished as the top 12th grader.  Although not a Mililani resident, he is a regular at the Mililani Chess Club. Results from the event can be found at: http://hawaiichess.h... 03/13/2007

On Saturday, March 10, 2007 at Windward Community College, the Mililani Middle School Blazers competed with the top scholastic chess teams in the state and won the State Middle School Title.For the first time since the school opened Mililani Middle School will be the home of the perpetual trophy.  Over the last couple of years they have come close a few times taking silver medals.  In February at the Presidents Day Interscholastic Chess Tournament, Mililani Middle School Blazers won their first set of gold medals, lead by 6th grader Stephen Mau.  What made that feat absolutely amazing was they were missing their top player, former 5-time state champion, Ryan Palomares.With their first team win behind them, they arrived last weekend looking for their first state title.  This time they ha... 03/13/2007

In today's world of internet and technology some buyers think they are ready to go it on their own.  To the contrary they need us more than ever.Back in 1982 when I first went to real estate school to get a license:The purchase contract (DROA) in Hawaii was 1 page long. Mortgages were hard to get and there were not many choices in loan programs and lenders.  Home inspections were not as complicated then either.Mold was something you scrubbed off.  Asbestos and lead paint were commonly found in most homes.  To get information on homes for sale you found an area real estate agent to look them up in the listing book.  The computerized MLS was new and the computer in our office had a 1200 baud modem with suction cups for the phone.  It printed one line of very limited information on listing... 02/22/2007

12 Reasons to live in the All-America City:Mililani is a planned community with beautiful tree lined and landscaped roads.Six recreation centers and a seventh to open soon.Parks, ball fields, soccer fields, a skate park, dog park and roller hockey arena.More activities for children and families than any other community in the state.Three great shopping centers that combine, big box stores, great choices for food, small boutique shops, medical, dental, office spaces and a multi-plex theater. Homes are moderately priced compared to equivalent properties in other parts of the island.Mililani is at a higher elevation, keeping temperatures cooler and breezier.Mililani has a tradition for state and national sports champions.  Both at our high school and our community sports leagues.Less traff... 02/19/2007

While showing property the other day to one of my clients we say two almost identical homes.Both properties were in above average condition.  Both had some nice upgrades to them.  Both were built by the same developer and were in the same neighborhood within a planned community and were the same model with identical floor plans about two blocks apart.  The one my client liked a little more had nicer floors and nicer kitchen cabinets. The real difference in the properties was this they were priced $13,000 apart.  The one my client liked better was priced at exactly what the last comparable closing was; the other $13,000 more.  The higher priced home had been on the market about 6 months and the other two weeks.  The lower priced one is getting lots of interest including my buyer, who may... 02/16/2007

For your convenience here is a quick directory of the schools in our planned community of Mililani, Hawaii.  To get better details and tests results for the public schools you can search them through the Hawaii Department of Education website: http://doe.k12.hi.us/index.htmlFor Hanalani School you can additional information from their website: http://www.hanalani.org/A great resource to look up schools around the country: http://www.greatschools.net/ Schools Type Grade Enrollment Mililani Mauka Elementary School95-1111 Makaikai, Mililani, HI 96789(808) 626-3000publicPK-5705Mililani High School95-1200 Meheula Parkway, Mililani, HI 96789(808) 627-7747public9-122411Mililani-Waena Elementary School95-502 Kipapa Drive, Mililani, HI 96789(808) 627-7300publicPK-5638Mililani-Uka Elementary Scho... 02/16/2007

I may have insulted a few folks with my previous blog: Full Time Professionals vs. Part Time Hobbyist or Limited Service Agents For the benefit of those who were insulted we need to take a 2nd look at what I said and what they are doing.  It is not a question of how many hours a week you work or what you charge for your services.  It is about the service you provide or the lack there of and the competency of what you are doing.I recently responded to a blog that was somewhat tongue and cheek.  It disagreed with my point of view.  I responded with the following:"I recently put up a featured post that you may be referring to.  I called part timers hobbyist, and mentioned that they rarely take quality education classes or gain designations.  In our state they are not eligible to get a brok... 02/12/2007

 This was the most amazing thing to happen to me in a long time.  Today, I pulled up home and parked my car about 5:30pm.  There were a group of about 8 or 10 of the neighborhood youngsters playing in front, ages ranging from about 4 years old to about 10.  After pulling my briefcase out of the car I heard the voice of one little girl asking me if I was the guy on the front page of the newspaper. (Our community paper put a big picture of me and my best friend Guy on the front page about a week or two ago playing chess at the community club we run)  I said yes that was me.  Another little boy piped in and said I saw your picture on the sign by Foodland.  "How did your picture get there?"  I explained that I pay for that.  The first girl asked if I was still on TV (I was never on TV).  I ... 02/08/2007

I read a blog that stated it is about professionalism and not whether you are full-time, part-time or a discount broker.  I feel the need to speak my mind.Let's talk about professionalism for a moment.  Professionalism is the product of hard work, training and dedication.If it is about professionalism, tell me how many part time agents you know who spent the time and money to get the training and have earned their GRI, CRS, CRB, brokers license or any of the designations that require real education? Not one I can think of.  Let me make one thing perfectly clear.  The term discount broker is a terribly misused term.  There is no such thing.  All commissions are negotiable, there is not standard fee.  What they are normally referring to is a "Limited Service Broker".  I think limited serv... 02/07/2007

Mililani defeated Campbell to win their first O'ahu Interscholastic Association (OIA) softball title since 2002.  Pitcher Makani Duyaylonsod pitched a complete game and hit a solo home run in their 4-2 victory over Campbell High School.During the regular season Campbell beat Mililani in both of their meetings and scored a total of 13 runs.  In the championship game pitcher Duyaylonsod threw 7 strike outs and gave up only 1 walk.  The Mililani Trojans have played errorless ball in their last two games and are looking sharp.Mililani improved their record to 13-2 and earned a first round bye at the state tournament which begins January 31st at UH Rainbow Wahine Stadium.MILILANI Trojans (13-2) 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 - 4 8 0CAMPBELL Sabers (13-2) 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 - 2 6 1---------------------------------... 01/27/2007

Congratulations to the Mililani High School Cheerleaders, coach  Renesha Kierstedt her staff and parents!Mililani won their first state title in front of a crowd of 2500 at the University of Hawaii's Stan Sheriff Center.  Mililani won the large school division with Kamehameha close behind in second place.  Mililani finished with 332.5 points followed by Kamehameha with 327 and Kealakehe with 285 points. Kamehameha had won state titles in the past 5 years and was the favorite to repeat this year.It was reported in the newspaper that Mililani changed their routine just two days before the meet so they could get more points.  It obviously was a great decision.The Rules of the Event:  Squads perform 2 1/2 minutes, and can't exceed 1 1/2 minutes of music. They must also perform a minimum of ... 01/27/2007