For all those moving to Hawaii - New business advice. (apartment, rentals)

[movingtoaloha]

I'm moving to Oahu in August. (30 days out from now). I've been thinking about the questions I've had moving and what I wish was available.

I'm considering offering sort of a "freelance" service where I go and take pictures, make video of areas where people are moving/considering. You know scope out neighborhoods and time commutes for those who are on the mainland.

For example: when you look at a new purchase, they only show you the GREAT side of things. I would be a set on unbiased eyes checking out the area. I'd document what's in the area, local amenities etc, give you a real first impression.
There would be a very small fee for such a service.

Would you out there moving to a new location use such a service?


Thanks for the feedback.

[mdand3boys]

Originally Posted by movingtoaloha

I'm moving to Oahu in August. (30 days out from now). I've been thinking about the questions I've had moving and what I wish was available.

I'm considering offering sort of a "freelance" service where I go and take pictures, make video of areas where people are moving/considering. You know scope out neighborhoods and time commutes for those who are on the mainland.

For example: when you look at a new purchase, they only show you the GREAT side of things. I would be a set on unbiased eyes checking out the area. I'd document what's in the area, local amenities etc, give you a real first impression.
There would be a very small fee for such a service.

Would you out there moving to a new location use such a service?


Thanks for the feedback.

I really like this idea.
You could also help out those who are wanting to rent vacation rentals, etc. and are unable to see them in person. Maybe there is a way to also get owners of vacation rentals who are not on the island, have you document condition of the premises.

Do you need someone on the Big Island to help out on this one?

[KonaKat]

Sounds like a good idea. I hope it works for you. You probably would not gain access to most vacation rentals but you could at least film the area that it's in. Good Luck!!

[mdand3boys]

I guess to clarify - what I meant was that owners of vacation homes may want to see verification of the condition of the exterior, including lawn care.

[wb3690]

Originally Posted by movingtoaloha

I'm moving to Oahu in August. (30 days out from now). I've been thinking about the questions I've had moving and what I wish was available.

I'm considering offering sort of a "freelance" service where I go and take pictures, make video of areas where people are moving/considering. You know scope out neighborhoods and time commutes for those who are on the mainland.

For example: when you look at a new purchase, they only show you the GREAT side of things. I would be a set on unbiased eyes checking out the area. I'd document what's in the area, local amenities etc, give you a real first impression.
There would be a very small fee for such a service.

Would you out there moving to a new location use such a service?


Thanks for the feedback.

a friend of mine did a similar service in japan and loved her job. I actually knew of a few people who did this for military families who were relocating to Oahu but didn't want to live on the bases and wanted to live out on the economy.

I think it's a fantastic idea personally. We are in the process of moving from hawaii to florida and we are building a home there.....we were not able to fly out to house hunt and thankfully had a good friend out there who was able to do walkthroughs for us before we decided to build. It makes a difference when you have a non biased or influenced eye to help you out.

[KonaKat]

p.s. From a former investigator, let me offer a suggestion when you contract with clients. Make it clear that you will do a. b. & c. but cannot guarrantee their final result. Quiet to me may be noisy to you. Traffic at 10 p.m. to one person may appear negligble but annoying to another. In other words you can complete an "assignment" as factually as possible, but you cannot guarantee what you find is what they want found. What you want to avoid is someone coming back at you later because their sight-unseen rental wasn't the perfect spot they expected. Many people move here with unrealistic expectations, I have learned. I still think it's a very good idea. Keep us posted!

[movingtoaloha]

Hi KonaKat,
This was a perspective I actually had not thought of. I know I'd have to put some disclaimer but did not think that far- I really appreciate the examples given and will put that into the prospective idea.

Hi mdand3boys and wb3690,
Thanks again for the feedback. The Big Island is definitely on the list of first expansion areas- but of course, you have to crawl before you walk.

I'll be definitely offering this up to those on the mainland starting in mid-late August.

[Jonah K]

Originally Posted by movingtoaloha

I'm considering offering sort of a "freelance" service where I go and take pictures, make video of areas where people are moving/considering. You know scope out neighborhoods and time commutes for those who are on the mainland.

Interesting idea. Be sure to study Hawai'i's General Excise Tax before you take on any clients, since our local politicos will want their "cut."

Here are a couple of links that might be helpful...
The Basics of Hawaii's General Excise Tax - Video (http://www6.hawaii.gov/tax/video/a2_b2_7csurchg_vid_04.htm - broken link)
http://www.state.hi.us/tax/brochures/ge_bro.pdf (broken link)

[mike6623]

How much woudl such a serive cost? And I would assume you wold need the momney first, so how would people be able to trust you are not going to take the money and change your number? Its a great idea, but that is stuff people would like to know. Also, if someone was interested in a certain apartment, would you actuallly make na appointment and go inside the apt and video tape, the outside may be decieving.

[movingtoaloha]

Hey Jonah, thanks for the tip. We definitely have to iron out the legalities. But we'll get on it asap as I'm working out the real details now.