Barbara Abe's page about Real Estate in Hawaii Kai, East Oahu, Honolulu, Hawaii

The grand opening of the Hawaii Kai Dog Park June 29 was fantastic!

I was there at 8:00 to set up for opening and left at 10:45, then went back at 12:30 and was amazed at how many people and their dogs were there - and they were all thanking us - they were so happy - it is working!

The story of the creation of the park is a real lesson in community public and private partnerships. Hawaii Kai dog walk started 4 years ago to raise people's awareness of what we were trying to do and to raise money for the park. We became a 501c(3) corporation as soon as we could so that we could get donations.

In total we raised $58,500 which includes a $10,000 donation from Stanford Carr (Peninsula developer) $2,500 from D.R.Horton (Schuler Homes) $5,000 from a family foundation (we had to raise a matching $5,000 in order to get theirs) and $6,000 (fencing contractor reduced his price by that much).

In addition we had in-kind donations: a civil engineering co. provided grubbing and construction plans ($25,000 value) landscape architects provided irrigation plans ($8.200 value) and Dennis from DJNS did the property survery & staking ($11,500 value).

We also got many donations from the general public: Jack Leslein of East Oahu Realty gave $1,500 for a picnic bench, several people donated benches, my mum included, for $1,000. Even at the dog walk the week before the opening, people were writing checks for $20 and $50 in addition to the fees for the dog walk. I think the whole of Hawaii Kai is excited about it. When we gifted the park to the city our total gift was worth $103,200 - not too shabby for a group of volunteers and their dogs!

Getting your Hawaii Kai property ready for sale involves more than cleaning and staging the home. If you have pets, their welfare needs to be considered - but so does their effect on potential buyers.

In Hawaii, we love our pets but they don't always help a sale. Not all buyers like cats - or dogs. Some Hawaii Kai condos are grandfathered only for the pet in residence, not future ones. Here are some tips if you are considering selling a home in Hawaii Kai, and you own a pet:

1. Get rid of pet odor - like kitty litter, hairs, dog smell in carpets. This should be part of your cleaning process.
2. Don't show the home with the pet in residence. Cats may hide, but dogs want to be found. Take them for a walk or, at the very least, step outside with your dog while buyers preview the property. If you work, consider doggie day care.
3. Also hide pet toys, food bowls, etc. - if buyers don't like pets, they won't like the evidence that your property has one.
4. Some folks have allergies to pets. If they want to see your Hawaii Kai home even after you have advertised the resident pet, then be as accommodating as you can and remove the pet during showings.
5. No pets at home during open houses - it just isn't worth the risk of your losing your best friend through a door someone left open.
6. Realize that when you clean before closing, you will have more work and expense to remove all pet odors and hair from your home. Plan and budget ahead.

Visit my web site pet page for informative pet links and news about the pet scene in Hawaii Kai and Oahu. Also featured are ways you can help homeless pets, and pets for the deaf.

Contact me with any questions about the Hawaii quarantine process, if you are relocating to Hawaii Kai, and the real estate market in Hawaii Kai or East Oahu.

Barbara Abe
Hawaii Kai Realtor
barbara@barbarashawaii.com
http://www.movetohawaiikai.com/
808-226-2537

Questions? Getting in touch with me is easy:
Barbara Abe
East Oahu Realty, Inc.
6600 Kalanianaole Hwy, Suite 114, Honolulu, HI 96825
barbara@barbarashawaii.com
808-226-2537 or 800-999-6090

Check out my listings here:
www.movetohawaiikai.com