First time homebuyer here and wanted to recognize Michelle Salazar for her professionalism, expertise , follow-up and follow-through. She assisted me in the whole process from identifying the right property for me to its closing last month. She is customer-oriented, positive and knowledgeable. One thing that I really appreciate about her is that if I had any questions, she would not make up and answer but would take the time to research and find the correct info and provide viable options. Homeownership can be a long and arduous process. Michelle made it very doable and as smooth as can be. You can trust her and Watanabe International with all your realty needs! Mahalo Michelle! read more

It should not even be 1 star. I rarely leave reviews, but my experience with this rental company was frustrating enough that I felt compelled to warn others. I moved out of the unit on good terms, left the place clean, and expected a fair return of my deposit. Instead, they kept a large portion of it with no explanation. I had to chase them down just to get pictures and an itemized receipt of the supposed "damages." What they sent looked like routine maintenance and normal wear and tear--nothing that should've come out of my deposit. It felt like they were just trying to keep the money. To make matters worse, the unit had a serious pest problem while I was living there, which I reported multiple times with little action taken. They were quick to blame tenants for every issue but slow to take any responsibility themselves. I strongly advise anyone considering renting from this company to think twice. They are not transparent, and you'll have to fight for what you're owed. Do your research and protect yourself. read more

Got a call today asking if I can come see their rental unit 2.45pm. Wife takes the day off so we can both see it. We arrived in lobby at 2.45pm. Their agent NEVER showed up. Didn't answer any calls. UNPROFESSIONAL, down right sloppy. read more

DON'T EVER DO BUSINESS WITH WATANABE INTERNATIONAL EVER! I saw a rental posting for a unit that I really wanted to see. The listing said to call the number listed for a showing, I called 5 times and no one answers the phone, it said on their recording to leave a message on the unit you want to see and they would call you back to schedule a showing. They don't ever call you back. After calling for three days I finally got in touch with the showing agent and had scheduled a showing. Come the day of the showing the agent Jasmine Chung calls me and asks to reschedule! Yes they called me to reschedule! I thought that was odd so I said okay and had rescheduled the showing. The day of the showing: So the day of the showing my boyfriend and I arrive 15 minutes before the showing time. Jasmine the showing agent NEVER SHOWED UP! We even waited 15 minutes after to see if maybe she was running late. I was beyond pissed off I called the number that was given and she never answered nor did she bother to call me to confirm our appointment for the showing. That same day I checked their rental listings and the unit I wanted to see was no longer on there. If they had found a tenant before I could see the unit they should have had the damn courtesy to call me and tell me. But for them to stand a potential client up is shi**y business. The next day I called as soon as they opened to see what had happened. The lady I talked to wasn't the showing agent, she tried to be helpful but wasn't at all. They are a bunch a liars. The lady took my name and number and told me she would try and find out what happened and would call me back. Call me back? Hahaha that's a damn joke! It's been a few days now and no call back! Don't do business with this company ever they don't care about potential clients! read more

Just happened to search this realty to see if my experience was as horrible as others. Into the first year they raised the Rent even tho the owner spoke to them- Absolutely condescending, communication poor, only available when they want your money or something from you. Dictating appointments with you (Repairs, issues, etc NOT MET W/positive results) Unwilling to be flexible - late first time with rent AUTOmatic penalty fees enforced .... Lost 1400 plus on 1700 deposit. I even left my dryer behind free of charge..... I told the owner they're wasting their money on them since the owners took care of all of my concerns (repairs etc!!). 7 year tenant gets no considerations ( kinda like t-mobile lol) I spoke to former employees and that's why they're "former"!! Oh yeah - if one party breaches the lease- they still give them 1/2 of the deposit anyway even tho the other 1/2 remains a loyal renter !!! What a joke right!!! Like i said- it's all about money!!! Uggghhhh I will never rent from their agency and I will avoid all property managed by them. This is real y'all. :-( YEAH THE STAR WAS ONLY TO COMETE THIS REVIEW..... U gets nada from me not even 1/2!!! read more

We dealt with this company a few months ago when we were actively looking for a place to rent. I was crazy excited when I found one of their units on Craigslist and immediately gave them a call. No one answered so I left a message. A few days later The Boyfriend followed up and left another message. We really liked the unit and no one ever answers their phone so one day we actually went down to their office and was told the viewing would be next week so I left my name and number. A few days later I got a "courtesy" call at 9AM that they would be showing the unit that afternoon at 4PM. Gee, thanks, right? It was such short notice but I asked how long the showing was so we could try to make it down there and the guy replies "The realtor will be there till 4:15 so try to be on time." This was my face: -_______- How many people can make a 15 minute viewing in the afternoon on 7 hours of notice? Needless to say, we didn't end up renting the unit but looking back on the experience I feel like we dodged a bullet. What if we needed help with something and no one ever answered their phone? As the owner, I also wouldn't recommend this company because they don't seem to be organized and they obviously don't care about renting the unit. read more

Don't mind me giving a star, it should be half a star. This place is a piece of sh*t if you tell me. Peter can't get the exact payment of a deposit right, he will give you a total then call months later to tell you that you owe $2.33. Seriously? After I asked about a thousand times if this amount correct... Not only are they worse at managing ANYTHING, they're a bunch of bullsh*tters just to get money into their company. I'm moving back to the mainland and hoped to get my deposit back but I can't (even when they said they would) and told us that it's even in the "papers" what a f**king excuse Wantanabe! So even when I move back I still have to pay it off until that lease ends in January! If you're in need of a place, this is not the realtor to go to. They'll put you in the crappiest apartment building ever and in the noisiest neighborhood ever. Seriously, this place is horrible. They don't do anything except sit at their messy, unorganized desks and play with a dog... Yes a real dog. I should've waited for a better apartment opening than get desperate for the first thing I saw available. I advise you guys to wait for something better that's not with wantanabe.. read more

This was a really an odd rental company. The rent is due at midnight on the first of every month, there is a mailbox outside the door of the office space, someone literally waits in their car until midnight and then opens the collections box and accounts for it. They make no exceptions ( not even New Year's Day) and there is an automatic late charge. In my entire rental history ( 15 yrs) I have never had anyone keep my deposit, I'm clean, respectful and always pay on time, however for the first time ever Watanabe kept part of my deposit. I payed 150$ to the carpet company watanabe insists on using to be told that the carpets were still dirty and was charged an additional 150$. They also deducted another $150 for a water ring in the toilet. This rental property was in mililani tech park and anyone who lives on this side of the island knows tech park has hard water. I think a $150 for a water ring is ridiculous ....all together it cost me $450 which compared to some of the other horror stories is not bad. I also had problems with the vendors watanabe sent to do repairs!! I requested off from work for them to be No shows, and another quit in the middle of a job claiming he couldn't stand to work for them anymore! When applying for a new apartment with a different company, they didn't return any calls as far as references or history. It was a nice rental property, managed very poorly by Peter and I would not rent from them again. Very stressful! read more

I'm sorry for the prospective owners who want to list their property with Watanabe International and property manager Janice. We asked to view a home after just arriving to the island and her timing didn't work with our schedule and she wouldn't accommodate for a different time. She just said NO... So unfortunate for the company that one person can give the entire business a bad name. read more

I live next to a rental property that is managed by Watanabe International and I can say that dealing with them has been frustrating. They don't return phone calls/messages unless you keep bugging them; They don't get back to you...ever. I guess if the owner doesn't really care what's going on with their property, then that's par for the course. But if I were to hire a rental property management company, I WOULD NOT use this one. Lot's of other ones who care. I hope this helps someone. read more

Was told rental was available for immediate move in. I put in an application before checking out the place. After paying a fee and given 2 showing dates Maryann was a no show and lack communication. She said the unit was not yet available even after reading the ad and being told and application process that it's "immediate move in" Mary Ann won't let you speak, she cuts you off everytime. read more

Thank You Watanabe International for the smooth and easy process of your rental application for renting one of your properties

They are unfriendly and don't keep their third party listings current. Have had a few encounters with their staff and we've found them to be impersonal. They also don't remove listings they place on third party real estate sites which shows a general disregard for potential clients. read more

I'm sure they are nice people, but they do not cater to their customers. They never answer their phones, they don't work on the weekends and they do not share their mobile numbers. God forbid an emergency would arise on a Saturday, you wouldn't be able reach them until Monday. Try to avoid this company. read more

We're new to Oahu and starting our home search. Thankfully, my husband's coworker referred us to Watanabe. Mr. Watanabe educated us on the market. Then, Konrad and Matt put a listings together and took us to see the houses. Their work in compiling house information is outstanding. Konrad and Matt made sure our offer was accepted the first time. Our family now owns a home on the island. We're truly blessed to have met Konrad and Matt. I highly recommend, especially if military. read more

I recently just closed on my first house in Hawaii. There are a lot of hoops you have to know and way different than on the mainland. Watanabe held my hand and I'd rate them 5 stars over and over. They know their stuff. When a problem arose, they knew the solutions. They are the best. Now I'm in my new house before the holidays, (they even gave me a bottle of nice wine and a gift certificate to eat) , if you ever need a house and want to trust a company, go to Watanabe. Akamai Watanabe. read more

AVOID THIS COMPANY, It is a self owned IRRESPONSIBLE company. I was shown a decent rental unit by Janice Wananabe that rents for $1675.00 /mo in Waikiki which is slightly below the average I was told EACH ADULT over 18 is required to pay a $25 application fee. I have been tracking this unit that has been available for a while now. It is being shown about every two weeks to gather up a larger number of interested people to increase the non refundable application fees. To date no renters have been selected out of countless applicants ??? IN WAIKIKI are you kidding me, the company is pocketing the application fees and not renting the property. They are likely the owners, and are making more on applications than they would in rent. These people are crooked and thiis company will be reported to the BBB today if they have not already been. read more

If you're a first time home buyer or just looking for help to find a place of your very own to enjoy, ask for an agent Matthew Iannaccio he was very knowledgeable and patient while looking for our place for the first time. read more

I can't say enough,after giving up from affordable housing thought I was doomed did not quafly and having dogs was also a problem they sat me down with my husband which was very spectacle was able to tell us how we could be able to to this!! We were able to purchase our first home . Matt guided us through everything and was always available for any questions or problems. read more

Call and call...no one picks up. E-mail and e-mail...no one replies. Very unprofessional and pathetic that a renter has to chase down the property management. Now the rental unit I wanted is gone. I talked to Mary Ann Goro who happened to pick up her cell phone and voicemails once after several tries to tell me she's not showing til X date...umm ok, took my number and I never heard from her again. Go to check their website and the listing is gone 4 days later... I call and call no answer until today to find out the listing has been rented?! Ugh... beyond frustrating. I find it odd that this company has SO MANY bad reviews and now suddenly all 5 stars? Puh-lease... Sadly in Hawaii this is common..these joke of agencies charge their clients and then don't follow up with potential (mind you good) tenants. Landlord market to the max, you'd never get away with this kind of ridiculousness on the main land... Try KFC property, IPM, or Apartment Advisors. At least these places pick up their phones and answer your questions. I have a feeling if your a home buyer looking to spend money they'll be all over you within hours. read more

This is a horrible business. I tried to rent pre moving from the mainland. They took my money and denied me based on false reasons and refused to credit my money. When I purchase my home I will not do it through this company. Unethical and greedy company. read more

Watanabe International had provided us with exceptional service within the area of rental. We have been renting with Watanabe International for six months and the rent process from beginning to end went very smoothly. Our property manager MaryAnn Garo had always been there to answer any of our questions or maintain our unit as needed. I highly recommend to look into Watanabe International for rental properties to rent! read more

I would only give a half a star or not a star at all. Peter was a nice guy from the beginning but now I have to think to myself wtf was I thinking. Our deposit was $1600 and when we moved out they only gave us a $1400 check says no that we owed them for the water bill, I called peter how many times regarding the deposit today I get a check for $22. My water bill was never that much, looking over the invoice they charged us for a month we have already paid for and the month after we left. I leave him messages to give me a call & he doesn't ever respond. Never going through them again. Do your research before renting with a realty company. I've learned my lesson. read more

Do NOT rent from Watanabe International! They do not take care of the units they manage. Problems do NOT get repaired or replaced. The people are very rude and dishonest. AVOID AT ALL COSTS!!!! read more

If I could give zero stars for this company I would. We rented a home that had a "tight" lease with an un-tight company. Peter was late for showing the property and he nor the owner of the company Janice know anything about the homes they rent and manage. We moved into a home that we had to clean before we moved in. The company as a whole is unfriendly and never keeps their promises. Nothing gets fixed without 3 calls about the issue. If you are looking for a company to manage your home run....if your looking to rent from this company run! We've had so many property management company's being military and this is the worst thus far. Janice is two faced and treats her customers like trash and has no respect for anyone. We've been such good tenants, never late rent and she still give us heck......they talk and good talk and can't back it up. I haven't even moved out yet and I'm fearing that day..... read more

The owner is rude and arrogant. Anybody who would become confrontational over a single parking space when five more are available is not one I would not want working for me to find the home of my dreams. Clearly about his bottom line. read more