 I would like to share with you, briefly, how my life journey has brought me to this beautiful Pacific Island of Oahu. I was born in the Appalachian Mountains in the state of West Virginia. At the time of my birth, my dad, who had been partially blinded at age 16 in a W.Va. coal mining explosion, was devastated by becoming totally blind. He could no longer determine night from day. I think he may have named me Noble, partly due to his projected need for courage and strength about his world becoming total darkness. Also, he used to say that I didn't cry for two days after my birth and he considered that bravery. He told my mom, "He's a brave lil' fella' Evelyn, let's call him Noble." The middle name got placed, "Hartsell," since he thought that went well with Noble.
I grew up under conditions that were astounding, including no electricity, an out-door toilet, coal and wood-burning stoves, no indoor running water, in a shack with cracks in the floor boards. My mom used to say she didn't need a dustpan; she could simply sweep the dirt down the cracks.
 My dad had a pension check for $26.00 a month, and from this, my mom, dad, three brothers and I survived. My mom canned vegetables in Atlas jars from the summer crops. We milked two cows that provided milk and butter, raised hogs for butchering, and had an old workhorse named Frank. We hunted certain animals for food, ie. groundhogs, squirrels, and deer. My dad raised chickens and cleared the wooded areas, by hand, working at night utilizing the cool nighttime temperatures. This area was turned into meadows for growing hay to feed the cows and, Ol' Frank. My three brothers and I never realized that we were poor, since almost everyone on Wickwire Creek was in a similar position to ours.
 Summers were spent working in the gardens and swimming in the Molly Hole (a deep place in the local creek, surrounded by rocks). I loved music by age five, listening to my dad and uncles picking and singing at the Sunday fried chicken dinners. Dad played the fiddle. I used to pretend playing a guitar, while using the broom from behind the kitchen door. Years later, after we obtained electricity, I listened to the Grand Ol' Opry on the radio, continuing to play along on the broom.
I became a creative business child at an early age, catching and selling night crawlers (very large fishing worms, .15 cents a dozen) to fishermen, raising and selling strawberries and potatoes beside the road, and shoveling chicken manure into burlap bags to sell as fertilizer to the neighbors. (.50 cents a bag) I paid my way through undergraduate college, playing electric bass guitar in a rock band. I majored in vocal music, and after graduating, taught in schools in Florida and Massachusetts. In Boston, I modeled for T.V commercials and magazines. Traveling to Hollywood California, I was determined to be in the movies, however, Hollywood was not what I had imagined it would be, and I returned to the North East. I opened a leather and suede boutique and factory that became successful. I still wanted to do something more fulfilling, so I went back to college, receiving a Masters degree in Psychology and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. I operated my own psychiatric clinic for 16 years, while buying and renting out homes in the Boston area. In 1987, I sold my clinic and many of my homes and arrived in Hawaii in 1988. I immediately got involved in real estate, developing a Hanapepe Loop home and selling it during the, "Japanese Bubble" of the late 1980's.
I invented the 'Water trampoline' in 1991, and have the U.S patent for that water sport invention. (a floating circular polypropolene trampoline) I got involved in lucrative private lending during the 90's and also created my own plant nursery called, "The Nurseries of Nobility." I loved collecting and planting various kinds of tropical seeds. In 1997, I went to a local Seminary College, earning a second Masters degree in Religion. I have enjoyed volunteering with several groups, including, Hospice Hawaii, River of Life Mission, and singing for state mental hospital patients, and working with the homeless. I have been involved in many aspects of real estate for the past 28 years. I enjoy meeting new people, developing trusting relationships, and helping people sell or purchase the home of their choice.
 Having come from the peace and the poverty of the W.Va. Mountains, (Wickwire Creek) I am humbled by my life journey, grateful, and very appreciative of all that I have been blessed to experience and attain.
I love living in Honolulu. I love raising my 19 year-old son, and, I love working with people, daily, to achieve their dreams. Please feel free to contact me for any help or information you need when buying or selling real estate.
Now that you know a little about me, let me share with you why I've come to love and appreciate this beautiful Island of Oahu...
Honolulu is a place where I really enjoy coming home, no matter where on this earth I have visited. When getting off the plane, the gentle trade winds are always blowing at around 15 MPH. Tropical flowers are always blooming and the smell of fresh Plumeria is in the air. Volcanic mountains rise above an aqua blue, gorgeous, crashing ocean. I have traveled the world and I know there is no place on the planet that is more beautiful than these Islands. Bora Bora and a couple of Islands in the Pacific come close, but these Hawaiian Islands are indescribably beautiful. In the morning, turtle doves, minah birds and other tropical creatures sing outside my windows. No one needs air conditioning or heat here, for the tempature is always in the low 80's with the trades making it feel like 70 degrees. 365 days a year, my sixteen year old son can boogey board and surf in the ocean, ride his skate board, and enjoy incredible ocean recreation. Most of the people of this Island are warm, friendly, and filled with true aloha spirit. You can sit at an intersection, 'distracted' for an entire green light, and the people behind you would consider it rude to blow their horns. On the mainland, horns would be blasting after 2 seconds of sitting at a green light. A known fact is that we have the most diverse racial mix found anywhere on earth. There are more interracial marriages than anywhere else. The children, many of whom are 'Hapa Haole,'(some combination of a mix of Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Fillipino, Afro-American and Anglo Saxon) are the most beautiful offspring to be found on this planet. I truly love living here, and while it is exciting to travel, I could not imagine ever wanting to live anywhere else.
How Can I Help You?
- Buying a Home? I will listen to your needs and desires, and help you find your dream home. I have been involved in real estate and development for 28 years. During and prior to that, I successfully operated my own psychiatric clinic in Boston, Massachusetts. As an experienced professional and with the resources of NobleTurner Realty International at my fingertips, I provide service that is unparalleled in the Hawaiian Islands. From the time we meet you at the airport and drive you to your hotel, until you are in your new home, I will help you locate ptofessionals for all facets of your home buying experience, including, Lending, insurance, all inspections, and every other aspect of your purchase. Your total satisfaction is my number one priority.
- Selling a home? I will get your home sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. My online (including unique video tours) and offline marketing programs will give you the edge you need to sell your home. I will list your home and sell it in the least amount of time possible, and for the best possible price. My website is often displayed on the first page of the three major search engines, under local real estate key words like: Honolulu Hi Homes.
- Relocating? If you are moving to the Islands, I can assist you in collecting the information you need, and in making your transition as smooth as possible. I will help you find a temporary rental while you are looking for a property. Feel free to contact me for any information. I love to assist people in relocating. I have assisted many people in their move to the the Island of Oahu! I have built a reputation for client satisfaction, and I am devoted to making your move as easy as possible. You will have the added benefit of working with agents who understand your needs when buying, selling, or relocating.
- Finding the right home is only the beginning. I will assist you every step of the way to ensure a smooth transition all the way to the closing and recording.
Thank you for visiting my site. Please bookmark it, and visit it often. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely and Aloha,
Noble Turner, Realtor, P.B.
Client of the Month; Z57 Web Designs
The following is the content of an interview that took place regarding this award..........
Noble H. Turner, Ph.D.
www.Aloha
LuxuryHomes.com
Noble Turner is the type of client who you really wish you could interview in person. His Realty business is nestled in the fertile mountains of Hawaii, caressed by ocean breezes and copious sun. Unfortunately, phone service has been invented and no amount of finagling could convince my manager that a trip to Hawaii to speak with our September Client of the Month was in order.
Nonetheless, Noble was generous enough to share with us his experience in not only surviving, but downright thriving, in Hawaii's cut-throat luxury real estate market.
Z57: What are the unique challenges you face selling real estate in the Hawaii area, and how have you utilized your website to help meet these challenges?
Noble: There is one licensed real estate broker for every 7 people in our city of one million people. There are approximately 5500 brokers for 1,000,000 people. Everybody has an aunt, uncle, cousin, mom or dad, daughter or son who sells real estate. Competition is fierce.
Fortunately, many of our buyers come from the mainland or other foreign countries. Many buyers speak Japanese and Korean, and require agents who speak these languages. Many of my relocation clients are from the mainland and Canada, and require a different kind of interaction than ones who live in Honolulu.
I have designed my website to offer more ways to search for Homes or condos than many of my competitors. Most agents with websites send their potential clients out to a company home search system. I retain my clients by having my own IDX system, and an easy way to search in the areas that are my farming communities.
Z57: You utilize imagery often on your website, both on the homepage and on the listings page. Have you found your clients respond positively to images rather than text information?
Noble: They say a picture is worth a 1,000 words. I use lots of photos. I think a unique video tour, with music, is worth 10,000 words, or more. Traditional virtual tours are static and boring.
Z57: Your video tours are amazing. Can you describe briefly how that came about and how/if they impact your sales?
Noble: The brilliant video tours were created by RealEstateShows.com. The shows definitely impact my sales by giving clients an appealing look at the inside of a home and different angles of the outside. It creates the sense that you are moving in and out of the setting, rather than the traditional virtual tour where you are sitting in one place and the image is moving up, down, right, and left. And, a one year contract for unlimited usage is only $99.00
Z57: What types of online marketing do you do, and what are the results you typically see as a result of them?
Noble: I have stopped buying hits from major search engine companies like Yahoo, and Google, through a process called BuyerLink. They cost an average of $1.50 per hit. Some were bogus surfers who were not in the homebuyer market, but I found that 4 or 6 of every 100 hits became real clients of mine. I have also stopped buying new leads from www.RealtyNow.com, where leads from buyers cost $29.95 and leads from sellers cost $49.95. When I used that system, I was careful about the leads I chose, and Realty Now was good about crediting my account if I chose a bogus or phony clients. I send email to all past clients, at least every three months. I am often in touch by email and phone with all my current active clients, which at this time number close to 175 buyers and sellers.
Z57: What do you consider the most valuable form of online marketing for you?
Noble: I have moved my website to the 1st or 2nd page of the major search engines. I believe this is my greatest source for future clients. I no longer need to buy hits or leads from outside sources, since my www.AlohaLuxuryHomes.com is on the 1st or 2nd page of the major engines. (key words: Honolulu Hi Homes) In fact, I may need to begin selling leads to others, or add more assistants. I am convinced that the internet is the future for real estate business.
Z57: How has your website benefited your business? Any unusual clients obtained because of it?
Noble: I have had several mainland clients who came to me by my website. Through phone conversations and email interaction, I developed a trusting relationship with them. I have actually sold four homes to buyers who never saw their home until they arrived in Honolulu, sometime after the closing. I simply did the search for them, took many digital photos, emailed those to the clients and told them I thought this was their best choice. In all four cases, each client was thrilled with the choice. I have a California investor couple who often ask me to go see a home, and, if I think it is right, to write up the offer. I have made offers on seven properties for this wonderful couple.
One 78-year-old client from the swamps of Louisiana visited a relative with a computer and stumbled onto my website. He left his phone number, by email, and went back to his cottage in the swamps. I stay in touch with him by phone, and send listings that fit his criteria by U.S. snail mail. He swears he will make it to Oahu, and I swear I plan to help him attain that dream. He is one of my favorite clients.
Z57: Do you follow your website statistics closely, and if so, how do you use this information to improve your website?
Noble: I am excited, daily, to look at my website statistics. I see a spike in activity after I have done a major mailing, or after the release of a full-page ad. August has been a record breaking month for me, topping 3000 hits. Also, I have just added color picture self-promotional ads in our local newspapers, The Honolulu Advertiser, and the Star Bulletin. I am constantly driving people to my website through U.S. postal mailings, mass emailing, magazine and newspaper ads, and handing people cards and saying, "Please check out my home search on this website".
Z57: How do you distinguish yourself from other real estate agents on the island?
Noble: I am branding the name Noble Turner. I am branding the image (photo) of myself. I am positioning myself to be a future leader in the high end, luxury market in Honolulu. I spend more advertising money and focus on my image than I do on houses. Houses will sell themselves.
I find that constantly sending, "Just listed," "Just sold," "In escrow," cards have high impact. I say things like, "Another waterfront home listed by, Noble Turner." On each postcard, I place the name WWW.ALOHALUXURYHOMES.COM in very large letters, for the sole purpose of driving potential clients to my website. I offer them a Home Search and unique home videos. Once they see what Z57 has done, many will become my clients.
Z57: Have to ask - what is your favorite aspect of living in Hawaii? I think most of us are jealous!
Noble: Honolulu is a place where I love coming home, no matter where on this earth I have visited. When getting off the plane, the gentle trade winds are always blowing at around 15 MPH. Tropical flowers are always blooming and the smell of fresh Plumeria is in the air. Volcanic mountains rise above an aqua blue, gorgeous, crashing ocean. I have traveled the world and I know there is no place on the planet that is more beautiful than these Islands.
Z57: Thanks Noble! We're coming to visit!
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