Page 5 - Hawaii Island MidWeek - Nov 9, 2022

Keeping It ‘Real’ For 100 Years
FROM PAGE 4
NOVEMBER 9, 2022
HAWAI‘I ISLAND MIDWEEK 5
COMMUNITY BUILDERS
As the island’s landscape changes, Young is filled with optimism when thinking about O‘ahu’s real estate future.
“Never before has housing had this attention that it’s had recently,” she says. “All of that has redirected the attention toward affordable housing.”
And, even in the face of intimidating headlines about the real estate market — including the pandemic’s effect on the industry, the shortage of inventory and rising mortgage inter- est rates — she has a word of encouragement for homeowners.
“It’s important for us to make sure people know they can have hope,” Young says. “Whether it’s themselves or their parents or kids, the journey to homeownership is possible. Our goal is to make sure that people still know there’s possibilities for them if they plan, prepare and reach out to work with a professional to get educated. We’re the place you can come if you need help or information.”
Honolulu Board of REALTORS president Chad Takesue (left), president-elect Fran Villarmia-Kahawai (second from right) and CEO Suzanne Young (far right) presented Leona Soto with a donation to her charity of choice, Soroptimist International of Central O‘ahu. The gift was part of the Good Neighbor Awards ceremony in July. PHOTOS COURTESY HONOLULU BOARD OF REALTORS
Honolulu Board of REALTORS members delivered technology kits to 217 educators across more than 60 different schools on O‘ahu and Moloka‘i in 2021, including Momilani Elementary School (pictured).
That concept of hope extends past the emotional and into the tangible through the trade organization’s homebuyer ed- ucation program, aptly titled HOPE (Housing Opportunities are Possible for Everyone).
pact on those around them, HBR has implemented its RE- ALTORS Care Fund to offer financial assistance wherever necessary. This year, the goal was to raise $100,000 for 10 local housing agencies.
always get thanked for what they do, and this was our little way of showing appreciation to them,” Young adds.
“It’s a great place to start,” Young continues. “I’ve referred so many people to our HOPE program.”
Also part of the 2022 celebration is the 100 Acts project that recently wrapped its fall “Share a Pair of Footwear” campaign in preparation for the school year. Donations from HBR real estate agents went to Boys & Girls Clubs on the island, as well as schools on the North Shore.
HBR was also on the move during the pandemic, gifting more than $200,000 to the community during that time. The organization also launched Tech for Teachers to equip 217 educators at more than 60 schools on O‘ahu and Moloka‘i with monitors and headphones to conduct virtual learning.
The initiative partners with Hawai‘i HomeOwnership Center, which educates homebuyers on requirements for loans, and offers coaching, counseling and more. Plus, those working with an HBR real estate agent save on the Hawai‘i HomeOwnership Center membership fee. Visit hicentral.com/ hope to learn more.
HBR real estate agents are neighborhood experts, who live and work in the communities they serve, and while the mem- bership list is extensive, Young has a tried-and-true suggestion for finding someone to work with.
“Nothing gives us greater satisfaction than celebrating when our Realtors help first-time homebuyers, when local kama‘āina become homeowners,” Young notes. “We know that homeowners create strong families and communities.”
“Realtors are everywhere in the community, and so many collaborate with other businesses,” explains Young. “We also did the mahalo postcard campaign to allow them to thank individuals they work with.”
“We always recommend checking with family and friends,” she says. “There needs to be a personal connection. You can then check online (at hicentral.com), which has a directory of all of our Realtors. Interview them, interview several, until you feel that connection.”
GOOD NEIGHBORS
Everyone from contractors and cleaners to gift basket mak- ers and hair dressers got a special thanks from the Realtor in their life. The effort saw agents across the island give “ma- halo” cards to people who help them get the job done, take a picture with them and then post it to social media. Each week, a drawing would be held and the winning HBR member and their community partner would win a gift card.
But before even finding an agent, Young notes there’s one question she gets asked quite a bit: Is right now a good time to buy a home?
Young will be the first to acknowledge that HBR’s agents are among the most gracious people she knows, and it shows in the way they give back. To help its members make an im-
“The right time to buy is when you’re in position, and it’s the right house and you’re prepared,” she explains.
“We’re surrounded by people in our community who don’t
And when that time comes, the members of HBR will be there to help.
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hawaiianrealty.com 800-667-5028 ext. 8122
Denise S. Nakanishi
RB-17031, ABR, CRS, GRI, SRS
“Major Mom is a Major Difference”
cell 808-936-5100 majormom@ilhawaii.net
You’d be hard pressed to imagine some of the calls REALTORS® get. None are more interesting than those who want information about adversely possessing property. Several years ago, a popular storycirculatedaboutanadversepossessoronthe mainland “buying” a home worth over $300,000 for about $16. We’ve had our fair share of those looking to pursue adverse possession of our listings. To do
so requires moving in without permission. Some have even removed my sign and lockboxandchangedthelocks!Afterbeing
orderedtoleaveandlockedout,some
even returned!! They likely thought they’dsucceedunderthelawsofadverse possession. Truth be told, the “$16 Dollar
Man” probably didn’t get to stay long. Thankfully, all of our hopeful “homesteaders” left peacefully. Here’s reality. There are several ways an owner might lose property without permission. Property can be foreclosed to satisfy liens, the government can condemn it for public good or an estate might be
surrenderedtotheStateifnoheirscanbefound.Itcan be seized when use is related to criminal activities. It is also possible that, by omission, property could be lost through adverse possession. To be successful in anadversepossessionclaiminHawaii,theclaimant (person trying to adversely possess) must occupy the property continuously for 20 years. This period varies from state to state. Other requirements in Hawaii are that that anyone attempting to claim adverse possession must occupy the property completely without the owner’s permission. The occupancy mustbemadeinsuchafashionthattheownerwould absolutely know someone was on the property if they visited.Thepersonattemptingtoclaimtitlemusthave always represented that they own the property. This may include paying the taxes but remember, the tax office doesn’t care who pays their bill. Even making consistent tax payments won’t establish ownership. The tax office will mail the bill to the address they are given. Land Court properties and any parcel over 5 acres in size cannot be adversely possessed under
any circumstance. Many of our larger subdivisions, including most Puna subdivisions, are Land Court properties. Unique to Hawaii, Land Court is an additional system of recordation. All deeds, liens or transfersactuallygobeforeajudgewhoapproves the transaction. One of the criticisms of Land Court is that the original registration process is cumbersome. It seems that in our remote island state, having this protection might make a lot of sense. Thousands of parcels were originally sold through the mail. Many ownershavestillneverseentheirproperty.Asmuch asthoseinvolvedintoday’srealestatetransactions complain about land court, the original developers werewiseintakingtheextrastepinvolvedinLand Court registration. As an owner, be wise; visit your property now and then to be sure you don’t have uninvited guests who might want to threaten your ownership rights. If you are interested in adverse possession, you may want to think twice before becoming just a garden variety trespasser .
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