Justin Willingham
To Waianae from Michigan
Justin was a beloved member of Team Lally who WE tragically lost much too early in 2011. Although he is gone, We’ve chosen to include his interview in this book in order to help his spirit and expertise live on.
Please tell me a little bit about yourself.
I’m a single 21 year old with no children. I repair computers for RE/MAX as well personal computers. I was born in Macomb, Michigan, which is highly known for General Motors.
How long have you lived in Waianae?
I’ve lived in Waianae for 6 months. But when I was younger I lived here for 3 years.
Is your home a house or condominium?
My rental home is a 5-bedroom, 1-bathroom house.
Where is Waianae and what is it like as a community?
It’s set far back toward the west side of the island. It’s in a very quiet location.
Is Waianae more of an urban or suburban environment?
I think it’s more suburban because it’s not a huge city. It’s also very laid back.
Do you worry about crime in Waianae?
Yes, crime is everywhere. I just do not choose to seek it out.
Was it hard to meet people when you moved to Waianae?
It was hard because I normally stay to myself. But soon I started to love the people and began to open up.
Do you work in the city of Honolulu? What’s your commute like?
I currently work in Kapolei and the bus takes a while but it’s actually nice to have “me” time.
Would you have any advice for the newcomer regarding transportation or traffic in Waianae and the city of Honolulu?
For Honolulu, don’t be a person with “Road Rage” because from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. the traffic is horrible. Really the bus is the most amazing thing on the Island. It’s cheap and much less expensive then gas.
What surprised you most about moving to and living in Waianae?
The cost of rent for the 5-bedroom house I live in is $1,750 per month.
What would you say is the one “can’t miss” event or place that a family living in Waianae and Hawaii should be sure to experience?
I guess the “can’t miss event” is during the holidays. The people of Hawaii band together to take care of each other. That is really a true event … to see people helping each other.
What places should you avoid if you don’t want to see a lot of tourists?
Ha, ha. Waikiki. But really the Island is a mixture of everything and without tourists Hawaii would not be Hawaii. So WE must take pride that WE are not in as bad of shape financially as the rest of the U.S. So WE embrace the tourists!
Did you live in Hawaii before you moved to Waianae and, if so, how would you compare where you lived before and living in your neighborhood?
The funny thing is I’ve always lived in Waianae, even when I lived here before as a child. Being from the mainland I’d much rather live in a city environment. The quiet calm area just isn’t enough for me.
Do you have a favorite restaurant in Waianae or in other parts of Honolulu?
Yes, a small little place called Waianae Chinese Kitchen. They have the most amazing food. Also, in Ala Moana the Curry House is a place that I’ve just discovered.
Is there anything that you don’t like about living in Waianae or living in Hawaii?
The fact that it takes almost 2 hours to get into town, and an hour to get to Kapolei.
Testimonials
“Adrienne and her team helped tremendously with the sale of our home. I had relocated to the mainland on short notice due to a job and my wife was left with the daunting task to prep and sell our home before she could follow. Adrienne helped her get the property ready and advised her along the way. The sale closed pretty close to the schedule that Adrienne estimated and soon after my wife was able to join me on the mainland. Thanks Adrienne and Team Lally.”
“Adrienne Lally and the team are absolutely wonderful. Adrienne exudes excellence and knowledge in the real estate field. Customer service and great communication skills are just a few of the qualities that Adrienne and the team take pride in. She looks out for the best interest of her clients and makes sure that the buying and selling process is easy and pain free! I would strongly recommend Adrienne and the team for the purchase or sale of your Hawaii home or condo.”
“Aloha, My name is Bryon Tucker. My wife and I sold our home via Short Sale with Remax Team Lally. We are very pleased with the sale! I have had the pleasure of working with Adrienne & Attilio for the past several years. They work hard and educate themselves. There is nobody in this business that works harder, studies more, and has the experience to sell your home.! And their marketing systems is second to none!! They make it easy….they handle the banks for you…so you don’t have to! When it comes to selling your home in distress, do what I did! Sell your home with Remax Team Lally! Yay!!!!”
“Team Lally did a fantastic job in every aspect of my home buying process. Adrienne was always quick to respond to any and every question I could come up with. She and her team did every thing they could to make sure my home buying process was successful. Adrienne also proved to be a great resource for recommending local contractors after I bought the house and needed a bit of work done to it.”
“I am a retired, disabled veteran. In the summer of 2013, I faced significant financial, professional, and personal challenges. At the center of these challenges was the fact that my home was under water and I could not continue making payments. I had previously worked with three other real estate agents on island (two from major companies and one independent) and could not better my situation. Facing the brink of foreclosure and financial ruin, I called Team Lally on a recommendation from a friend. From that moment forward, I was able to take comfort in the belief that these people would achieve the best possible outcomes for my circumstance. While all Team Lally members went above and beyond to help me, I would like to highlight a few.Adrienne Lally, President/Team Lally – Simply the best real estate professional I have ever worked with. Within 36 hours of first contact, she had personally assessed my home and situation, and developed a cogent, strategic plan for presentation, foreclosure avoidance, and best-pricing. Her knowledge of the Hawaii real estate market is beyond reproach and she repeatedly took the time to answer every question and concern that I had. As a veteran herself, she offered unique insight on my circumstance and developed a rapport I found with no other real estate agent. Most importantly, she maintained consistent contact throughout the process via weekly updates, even after I left the islands. I was never just a number to Adrienne Lally. If I am e…
“Team Lally helped me with the shortsale of an underwater, upsidedown mortgage. I am so glad I found them. Thanks.”
Sold a Condo home in 2013 in Kapolei, HI.
“When it was time to sell our family vacation property we interviewed many people. Team Lally has amazing marketing which draws buyers from all over the United States and even the world. They had the property sold for a great price in a reasonable timeframe plus they had fabulous staff who took the time to keep all of our family informed throughout the entire process. I can’t say enough good stuff. Call them!”
“I am Adrienne Lally’s Real Estate Partner. If you think I’m a little biased. Your are correct. But I would challenge any one to say I’m not being totally honest when I say that Adrienne is the hardest working Reatlor I know. She cares for clients like family and always puts their interest first. I’ve personally seen her generosity in action. If you are looking for a true professional, a great Mom, a Veteran, an Athlete, a former gymnast, a Roller Derby Lady, a Military Spouse, a talented and experienced Realtor who leads the number one Keller Williams Team in the State with production making her one the top 50 Realtors that do 90% of the business in Hawaii look no further. There are Realtos who are great at internet marketing with no track record and those who are great at internet marketing and a top producing Realtor. Adrienne Lally is the later.”
“Team Lally is amazing!! What a great experience dealing with a stressful time in our family’s life! They were easy to talk to and knew everything we needed! I would recommend them to anyone looking to buy OR sell a home in Hawaii!”