[ HAWAII AT WORK ]
CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Realtor dreams Ever since I can remember, I have had dreams about houses. Not fantasies, but real tucked-in-your-bed kinds of dreams. These houses may be houses that I've been in or lived in, but, more often, they are houses that I haven't even seen. As a child, I spent these dreams exploring the houses, looking in closets, climbing stairs, peeking out of windows, finding good places to play hide-and-seek. In my dreams they were places of potential adventure.
about houses
Cathy Ostrem finds rewards
in guiding buyers and sellersI continue to live my dreams in adult life. Only now, I explore those houses for a living. I am a Realtor associate.
Every house has its own energy. Some houses are warm and inviting, while others are cool and elegant. It is a lot of fun to imagine putting people into these houses and matching up lifestyles and personalities.
Real estate should be a "win-win" situation. Whether representing a buyer or a seller, a Realtor must always put the interests of her client first. Sellers want to feel successful and finish their transaction with a positive attitude. They want to know that I, as their Realtor, exposed their property to as many prospective buyers as possible and negotiated the best possible price. They should feel it was done in a timely and organized manner. My buyers, on the other hand, should feel gently guided and informed while not feeling pressured and manipulated. This will, after all, be their home long after I have completed all the paperwork and handed them the keys.
For both buyers and sellers, my job is to make the client aware of both the potential for problems, as well as the endless possibilities for success. Buying or selling a house is an emotional process and a big part of my job is to level out some of those emotional issues.
I find it important to urge my buyer clients to meet with a lending professional to determine a financial comfort level. It is good to have a pre-qualification letter from the lender in hand when we submit an offer. The seller will then know my buyers are serious, capable and eligible. Both parties should feel that I have provided them with proper and complete information. This will create informed decisions on both sides.
I am an independent contractor with East Oahu Realty in Hawaii Kai. Because I am independent, I am able to determine my own workload. I am fortunate to have my husband, Robby Ostrem, help me on a part-time basis. He sells insurance full-time and brings a lot to the team with his background and expertise. Robby's assistance affords me the precious moments I am able to enjoy with our growing family of two children and four grandchildren. I can also take time to pursue my other passions, hula and Hawaiian culture. I have been a member of a halau for more than 32 years and enjoy the study of Hawaiian language.
The popular adage "location, location, location" while true, is only a small part of the world of real estate. Success in this business depends not only on location, but also on sensitivity to the client's wants and needs. It's really fun when I see a house and immediately know it's perfect for a particular client. That's happened a few times. I'll call them and say "I found your house!" and I'm usually right.
Hawaii At Work features tells what people do for a living in their own words. Send submissions to: business@starbulletin.com
