worried grandma (Hilo: real estate, apartments, rentals) - Hawaii (HI) - City-Data Forum

jessiesma · 12-31-2007, 08:25 AM

Aloha, y'all, my daughter just told me she has tickets to Hilo starting on Jan. 9 with a stop to see family in CA. She is taking the whole family and this will be the big trip, not an exploration. I can't say much or I'm "being negative." but she also told me that she has not been able to get any sort of a rental from the mainland even thru Craig's list. they are going with no sure place to stay. She thinks it's the culture and that it's better to do this in person. They have money but not enough to blow for more than a day or two in a hotel. Any ideas, people? Her husband is a skilled carpenter and they can live a little off the grid but why aren't people getting back to her about a place to live? They're responsible people and her credit is excellent. Is it cause there are 4 kids or what?
If anyone has a place they can rent on the Hilo side please pm me. Thanks.

Sweetbeet · 12-31-2007, 08:38 AM

When did she start looking? A lot of folks are just not dealing with business-type stuff now, because of the holidays.

Maybe she should get a real estate agent to help her out, they do rentals sometimes too. But I'd wait until after New Year's.

Does she have pets? A lot of landlords don't want to rent to people with pets.

Can she get access to a local newspaper for the Hilo area? For Kauai, the Garden Island News is a better source of rentals than Craig's List. I'm sure there's a similar rag on the BI.

Just a few thoughts.

jessiesma · 12-31-2007, 09:44 AM

Thanks Sweetbeet,
Actually she only got her tickets last week and I think she didn't expect it to be so soon. She was aiming for Feb. but it's either now or a long wait for some personal reasons. No pets, no time to get them ready. I think you're right about the Holidays. I'll mention it to her. I'll also suggest the paper.

Brav989 · 12-31-2007, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jessiesma

Thanks Sweetbeet,
Actually she only got her tickets last week and I think she didn't expect it to be so soon. She was aiming for Feb. but it's either now or a long wait for some personal reasons. No pets, no time to get them ready. I think you're right about the Holidays. I'll mention it to her. I'll also suggest the paper.

Why in such haste? Fugitive?

Anyway have her look at http://westhawaiitoday.com/ and http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/index.html (broken link)

Good luck!

jessiesma · 12-31-2007, 01:45 PM

Brav989, ha ha, no where they live is extremely difficult right now not a lot of work and she can't get started on what she's been wanting to do but her ex is upsetting the kids so she wants a clean break. She's been researching and as I said tickets came up rather suddenly.
I was online looking at maybe visiting in the fall and seat assignments are already pretty booked.

With a gaggle of kids they need a block of at least 4 together. Baby can be on lap and oldest can be by himself but 4 together minimum where they won't be too disruptive to others.
Thanks,

kani-lehua · 12-31-2007, 02:41 PM

all great suggestions. i read in the honolulu advertiser several days ago that the big island is giving tax breaks to landlords who keep their rentals at affordable rates. personally, i don't rent to anyone unless they are physically here (o'ahu).

jessiesma · 12-31-2007, 03:08 PM

interesting, what's your reasoning? I only ask because it might help her deal with the situation.

kani-lehua · 12-31-2007, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jessiesma

interesting, what's your reasoning? I only ask because it might help her deal with the situation.

well, i want to see the person(s) to whom i'd be renting. first impressions count a lot. credit and background checks are done, too. and, personal references are a plus. as for other landlords, i don't know their reasons.

i sent you a direct message with additional information.

jessiesma · 12-31-2007, 04:01 PM

saw the PM and replied same way.
well the first impressions is important and I understand doing the other checks too, I just wasn't sure if that was all or what. My husband and I have rented twice online and it was we who got the short end of the stick. One was a large corporation and the other an individual who had a number of rentals scattered thru the area but both apartments were awful and I'm not being fussy. We did it for the same reason daughter is trying; limited time and money better spent on actually living there.

kani-lehua · 12-31-2007, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jessiesma

saw the PM and replied same way.
well the first impressions is important and I understand doing the other checks too, I just wasn't sure if that was all or what. My husband and I have rented twice online and it was we who got the short end of the stick. One was a large corporation and the other an individual who had a number of rentals scattered thru the area but both apartments were awful and I'm not being fussy. We did it for the same reason daughter is trying; limited time and money better spent on actually living there.

yes, that's the very reason to do a "look and see" for all parties involved. sent cynmkolohe a direct message regarding your inquiry. if she isn't able to help, check out my realtor. he's fabulous! and, i'm pretty sure that his company does rentals. hopefully, one of the two can help.