Hawaii Living — Local services in Honolulu

We are so lucky to have found Michelle Brown,the best realtor ever! Our experience with Michelle started before we even arrived in Oahu. She spent time on the phone with my mother and me, who were hoping to move to Hawaii for our retirement. Having not been to Hawaii in decades Michelle took the time to let us know about all the different neighborhoods on Hawaii. Based on our input (budget, ideal home, ideal location), Michelle provided ideas on neighborhoods that might fit our wants/needs and what type of home we might expect to find within our budget. You can tell this isn’t just a numbers job for her; Michelle brings with her a keen understanding of people and an ability to discern the needs of her clients while they are making one of the biggest life decisions. To start, we came to Hawaii for a few weeks, looking in each of the neighborhoods we selected and checking out listings while Michelle spent time talking about the pros/cons of the different things we saw in each house/community. We had very specific needs as home shoppers, So many questions!! Michelle’s knowledge about local communities and the various types of homes was absolutely indispensable. One of the many things that set Michelle apart from any realtor we have ever met (we have each bought and sold several houses) was the fact that she also had such amazing input about everything from the details of each property and ideas for how we could make a property work for us (with the correct layout for us, landscaping ideas, etc.). We went back to the Mainland to finalize our move, and Michelle took care of us even after the house closed! She generously let is ship a faucet sent to her house and she had it installed for us, she hired the painters, negotiated a great rate for us, oversaw the painting of our entire house, even down to which types of paints we should use because we weren’t knowledgeable about the importance of the humidity and salt air... all before our arrival to our new home. She also put us in contact with our Loan officer, and she facilitated all aspects of the loan process.

Most important for us, Michelle was always honest about what she thought about each property; she was always available and helpful, and we always knew that she truly had our best interests at heart. She made us feel as as if we were her only clients ( thought we know that is not the case)She always cheerfully had the time to not only show us properties, but to give advice and to help us with logistics. She never pressured us to buy any property; and she even suggested that we might go home and think about it before we bought a house… However we left Hawaii with the perfect place in the perfect neighborhood. We could not be happier. Michelle is beyond Amazing!! We cannot recommend her enough and we are so grateful that Michelle helping guide us into the best part of our lives.. We couldn’t have done it...

Review for Tanner Bolts

This review is meant to serve as a cautionary warning to anyone considering hiring Tanner Bolts. Based on our experience, potential clients should be aware of his lack of responsiveness, substandard service, and apparent lack of concern for clients who may not fit his ideal profile. Please proceed carefully.

Our experience with Tanner Bolts was extremely disappointing. From the beginning, he was unresponsive, requiring constant follow-up from us. He wasted our time, and my husband even had to take time off work and use a vacation day to be present for a photographer who came to take pictures of our unit.

The photographer told my husband that the photos would be ready and sent to Tanner Bolts on Wednesday, September 17, in the afternoon. Yet, by Friday, September 19, I still had not received them, so I had to text Tanner Bolts to ask where the pictures were. He never responded. I asked a colleague if I was being unreasonable, and she said no. Based on what I shared with her, she inferred that Tanner Bolts might not care about clients who don’t fit his ideal profile ($$$), though of course he has no idea about our finances.

On Monday, September 22, I emailed Tanner Bolts to inform him that we would not be moving forward with him and were choosing another realtor who was more responsive to our needs. He initially responded briefly, offering the photos. Instead of attempting to restore trust by calling to resolve the issue, his response was cavalier and dismissive, which only made me more angry.

I then sent him a second email, clearly stating that his lack of responsiveness and failure to follow through was highly unprofessional, and that his excuse regarding personal matters did not justify the poor service or lack of integrity we experienced.

Only after this second email did Tanner Bolts send a longer, detailed apology explaining personal matters and attempting to make amends. He also called twice, which I did not answer. This demonstrates that he waited until someone confronted him before taking responsibility or offering excuses and apologies. By that point, the trust had already been broken, and his responses did nothing to restore it.

Although Tanner Bolts is a new licensed realtor (since 2020), being new is no excuse for poor communication or lack of professionalism. As a self-employed business owner myself, I expect honesty, accountability, and basic respect in any business interaction. If Tanner Bolts wants continued success, he must remember to treat clients the way he would want to be treated.

Although Tanner Bolts did eventually send an apology and call twice, the lack of responsiveness, repeated follow-ups required on our part, and cavalier attitude made it impossible to recommend him. Based on this experience, I am...

It’s with immense pleasure that I share my experience with Tracy, a realtor who I wholeheartedly endorse for anyone navigating the O‘ahu real estate market. From day one, communication with Tracy was refreshingly easy. He listens intently, articulates his points clearly, and ensures that every question is answered with precision.

Tracy’s expertise in the local property market is unparalleled. He has a vast network of contacts that proves invaluable in every transaction. It’s not just about having a realtor with knowledge; it’s about having one who can harness that knowledge to connect you with the right people and opportunities.

Over the course of our four-year acquaintance, Tracy has patiently worked to understand our specific needs. For my wife and me, relocating from Texas meant finding a home that wasn't just a space to live, but a place that resonated with our lifestyle and aspirations. Tracy’s approach to real estate goes beyond the transactional aspect; he has an intuitive grasp of what makes a house a home for his clients.

He has been an anchor, offering candid and practical advice. His straightforward feedback has been crucial in helping us discern the best choices for us amidst a sea of possibilities. Navigating the technicalities of real estate can be daunting, but Tracy provided us with the guidance and support needed to understand the finer points, ensuring we made well-informed decisions.

Our professional relationship with Tracy has evolved into a cherished friendship. His integrity and dedication are evident in his every action. He's a realtor who gives you the unvarnished truth, ensuring you have all the facts to make decisions that are right for you.

As our long and sometimes challenging journey to find the perfect home comes to a close, we reflect on the path we’ve traveled with gratitude. Tracy has been more than a realtor; he has been a trusted advisor, a confidant, and a friend. We’re profoundly grateful for his relentless dedication to our cause.

Mahalo, Tracy, for your exceptional service and for being an integral part of our life-changing adventure to find our dream home in the beautiful state of Hawai‘i. I...