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CONTENTS
Let ter from the Editor Letter from the Editor
Departments 4
Market Report Maintaining Your Home
Emily L.G. Untalan
8
Feature
10
How to Put Your Home Maintenance on Auto-Pilot and Keep Your Pad from Turning Into a Money Pit
March 2017 • Vol. 10 • No. 03
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Real Estate Spotlight Estoppel Certificates
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Profile Jiamei Zahnen
P.O. Box 24881 Barrigada, GU 96921 Tel: (671) 472-3495 | Fax: (671) 472-3498 Email: office@yellowpagesink.com
[ Publisher ] [ Business Sales Manager ] Jay-R S. Dominguez
[ Editor/Display Advertising ] 16
From the Experts Hiring A Professional
[ Traffic/Circulation ]
Cleaning Service vs.
Shaun Cruz
Cleaning Your Own Home
18
Emily L.G. Untalan
How to D.I.Y. Mounted Mason Jar Spice Storage
[ Production Manager ] Mark S. Burke
[ Graphics & Layout ] Mark S. Burke Edwin E. Valencia
[ Website Development ] Edwin E. Valencia
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Your World, Our Island Green Home Maintenance
22
Curb Appeal How to Keep Your Upholstery Looking Good
25
Who Ya Gonna Call?
28
Closing
[ Editorial Contributors ] Becky Dietrich Siska Hutapea Rob & Courtney M. Eric M. Palacios Melanie Pinola Arlene Taitague Taitingfong Emily L.G. Untalan Kim Anderson Young Cover Photo: Mark S. Burke CasaGuam is Published by:
Hafa Adai, Guam! We are into the first quarter of the new year and there’s lots to celebrate here at our Casa! This month, we commemorate Mes Chamorro, National Women’s History, and National Association of Social Workers, to name a few. It is also the beginning of the Lenten season and a prelude to Springtime! Maintain Your Home is our theme for the month, and, in preparation for spring, it couldn’t be more fitting. Siska Hutapea delivers the statistics in MARKET REPORT and suggests that maintaining your home gives a good first impression and makes it more marketable for sellers. First Hawaiian Bank shares the benefits of HELOC in FINANCE TIPS. In our FEATURE, I talk about my mom and the many ways she helps me maintain my home. I’ve also included Melanie Pinola’s guidelines to putting your home maintenance on auto-pilot. In REAL ESTATE SPOTLIGHT, Kim Young enlightens us on Estoppel Certificates. Our PROFILE is Jiamei Zahnen. From Gameworks to First Hawaiian Bank, she loves helping others! We are giving our former editor’s article encore exposure in FROM THE EXPERTS. Arlene Taitingfong gives her perspective in hiring a professional cleaner versus cleaning your own home. Take her up on her advice. Our DIY section, shows you how to make creative space in your kitchen for your spices. Eric Palacios gives pointers on how to get rid of old furniture, appliances, and waste in YOUR WORLD, OUR ISLAND. And in CURB APPEAL, learn how to keep your upholstery looking good. Closing out this month’s issue are GAR President Maria Miller who gives her take in maintaining your home, monthly to annually, and Peggy Llagas, CEO and Government Affairs Director of GAR. She includes Part 3 of the REALTORS® Pledge of Performance and Service. We hope you find this month’s issue as informative as the last. If there is something you’d like to see more of, or would like us to write about that we haven’t already, PLEASE send in your comments and suggestions to editor@yellowpagesink.com. And, if you want to write for us, we’d love to have you! Biba Mes Chamorro! Biba CasaGUAM! Until next month, Adios! Sincerely, Emily L.G. Untalan
CasaGuam Advertising Disclaimer All Advertisers agree to hold the publisher harmless and indemnify it against any and all claims, losses, liabilities, damages, costs and expenses (including attorney’s fees) made against or incurred by the publisher, officers or employees with respect to, or arising out of, the content, text, graphics or representations of any ad published herein, including but not limited to the sole negligence and/or fault of the publisher. The publisher is not liable for any claims, losses or damages of any kind, arising from the wording, text, graphics or representations of any ad published herein, or the condition of the articles sold through the publication, or performance of services advertised in this publication. All advertising and/or performance of services advertising and/or submissions become wholly the property of CasaGuam Magazine. CasaGuam Magazine is a registered trademark of PTI Pacifica Inc. Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form without the express written consent of the publisher is prohibited. We reserve the right to edit or refuse any ad and to reprint any photo for promotional use.
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Market Repor t
Maintaining Your Home was in my friend Gerda’s house a few years ago and remember vividly how her house looks like a brand new house even though it’s been a few years old. She maintains her yard, regularly waterblasts, and puts a coat of fresh paint every few years. Just like most things in life, first impression matters. Even in today’s sellers market, the way you maintain your house can boost marketability and in the end the price of your house. Minimalism, a documentary of about the important things, is a great start to move you in the mood right in time for spring cleaning. While I am aware that minimalism is not for everyone, I think we can benefit by purging and declutterring. My husband and I came from different angles on this subject of collecting things, but we compromise. Clutters are a big negative when a buyer looks at a house. Decluttering gives space to your potential buyers to put their big ideas and make the home theirs. With the rise in construction costs, buying and renovating older houses are now becoming more prevalent. We’ve seen what seems to be unsalvageable older houses turned into beautiful homes with the right design. Various design ideas are available at your closest friends’ homes. When Edward and I built our house, we visited various houses in Guam, Sydney and California. We see what works for our family of seven, like enclosed storage (to hide the kids’ mess), wide hallway to play ripsticks, lots of natural lights, a ‘lived in’ kitchen and larger than typical master bedroom as the kids sometimes camp in it. Back to statistics, the last four quarters in Guam reflects sales volume of $58.1 to $69 million quarterly sales. Number of sales reflect 205 to 265 per quarter, or about 68 to 88 houses and condos per month. Median prices range from $220,000 to $ 230,000 in the last quarters. Details to the last four quarters of residential activity are included on the following graphs. We’ve also included price analysis of all condominium units and single family houses. Majority of single family houses sold in 2016 were in the $250,000 to $349,999 price range with 160 out 667 of total houses sold. Majority of condominium unit prices sold in 2016 were in the $150,000 to $199,999 price range with 60 out 289 of total condominium units sold. Quite interestingly, there are a total of 69 single family residence and condominium above $500,000 sold in 2016. Limited number of supply is in the pipeline, and median price upward trend is expected. A great reason to keep maintaining your home, and start that spring cleaning!
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Finance Tips
An Equity Line Of Credit With A Convenient Feature *Paid Advertorial
uam’s upsurge in property values provide an excellent opportunity for homeowners wanting to take advantage of the increase in their home’s equity. Traditionally, a home equity line of credit (HELOC) allows a borrower to tap into the equity in their home to finance major purchases or pay other expenses. And, because the line uses the home as collateral, interest rates are often much lower than personal loans or other forms of credit. Generally, the amount you can qualify for is 80-percent of the home’s current value less your mortgage balance. A HELOC then gives you access to funds as you need them, and you pay interest only on the money you actually draw. Typically, a HELOC will have a low fixed interest rate during an introductory period but will change to a higher variable rate after that period ends. With an uncertain interest rate environment, First Hawaiian Bank has been promoting a convenient feature to the traditional HELOC that is gaining in popularity: an equity line of credit with a fixed-rate lock feature. “Customers want to have the flexibility of a line of credit, which they can draw on as needed, but they also want to have the ability to lock in balances with competitive rates, like a loan,” says Jose Garcia, Vice President and Tamuning Branch Manager at First Hawaiian Bank. “This is great for homeowners with sufficient equity in their homes and who want convenient access to funds for a wide range of needs, such as to buy a car, refurnish the house, pay for tuition or consolidate bills.” HELOC borrowers can lock all or a portion of the outstanding balance on the variable portion of the line along with any new draws. While the fixed-rate lock portion is part of the line of credit, the locked portion may have a separate amortization schedule than the regular variable line of credit. It’s like two products rolled into one. “We make it easy for our HELOC customers to request a fixed-rate lock since it’s already a part of their line. There’s no need to re-apply like you would for a separate loan,” Garcia states. “Plus, borrowers may have up to five locks at one time.” Garcia highlighted the benefits of a HELOC with a fixed-rate feature: 1. For those who intend to carry a large balance on their line of credit for a longer period of time, locking in a fixed rate on that balance helps protect against variable or rising interest rates the balance would otherwise be subject to.
By First Hawaiian Bank
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2. A fixed-rate lock also provides fixed, predictable monthly payments, which may be more convenient and easier to manage. 6 CasaGuam March 2017
Image by StockUnlimited
3. In addition, as you pay down the fixed-rate lock portion, the credit limit on the line is replenished — unlike a typical loan that you wouldn’t have the option of borrowing from again. “Here’s an example,” says Garcia. “You may want to use the fixed-rate lock to pay for your child’s college or private school tuition (to make it easier to spread out the payments on this large sum over time), but use the remaining line of credit for other expenses, such as a new home appliance.” “Another example might be to use the fixed-rate lock to purchase a new car and then use the remaining line to help consolidate bills, credit cards or other higher-interest loans.” First Hawaiian Bank has a great promotion on its HELOC and fixed-rate locks going on now through the end of April. If you need money to spruce up your home, or perhaps you’re facing unexpected medical bills, or you plan to help your kids with college tuition and expenses — a home equity line of credit with a fixed-rate lock may be just the solution. It’s worth talking with a personal banker at First Hawaiian Bank to see if this option is a good fit for you. Apply online at FHB.com or at any branch. A personal banker is waiting to assist you with all of your home equity financing needs.
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Feature
How to Put Your Home Maintenance on Auto-Pilot and Keep Your Pad from Turning into a Money Pit By Melanie Pinola ome could imply many different things — your family, your health, your environment, etc. When you maintain your home, you are maintaining the health and wellness for you and your family. It takes work, organization, and time. If you’re a working mom and wife like me, driving your child(ren) to and from their after-school activities i.e., karate, dance class, and then rushing home to make dinner, you are convinced that there is simply not enough time in the day to do everything, let alone maintain your home. In reality, there IS time. You just have to MAKE the time. But that’s not always the case. When I finally find time I want to take a power nap. Okay, maybe a long nap. I know it’s all a balancing act: your budget, family, your job, life in general. In my household we have a schedule of chores on the fridge. We’ve had it up for years. Our household is very small and just as small as our apartment. Oftentimes, my family and I overlook the schedule because we simply do our chores on impulse or on the daily, maybe weekly...as needed, when needed. The real reason for this is because we have Mom. If you have hired help, lucky you! I, on the other hand, have my mom. Lucky me! No, she is not my hired help. She’s simply my dearest mom who lives with me. Like many old-fashioned moms, she LOVES to clean EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. without expecting anything in return. Mom is in her mid-70’s and a cancer survivor and a stickler on cleanliness. She can’t keep still. She loves to make her bed, my son’s bed, clean the kitchen, take out the trash, flush the porch, do laundry, etc. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. I’m convinced she purposely makes things untidy just to clean them back up. Honestly, it’s like I hired a cleaning lady. I feel obligated to leave a tip on the dresser, just for her. It’s too funny. Mom has been this way since she was a little girl growing up in Chalan Pago, and being the eldest of eight siblings and later, a mother of seven. When mom learns my husband is ready to clean outdoors and bush cut around our apartment complex, you can be sure to find Mom armed with a rake and ready to scour up the leaves and freshly cut grass. And, on days when my husband water blasts the driveway, porch, sidewalks, mom is there with her modified mop ready to clean up what the waterblaster left behind. She says she enjoys maintaining our home-apartment. It helps keep her busy and active and leaves our home clean and healthy for all of us. My mom is definitely a big help in maintaining our little home. Here’s an article I found by Melanie Pinola. It’s an old article but her advice and tips are far from old. Read for yourself ! - Emily LG Untalan HOME MAINTENANCE Home maintenance is one of those things that's easy to forget or put off, because many tasks only need to be done once in a while or a few times a year. If you're not careful, though, you can end up being that house in the neighborhood with the overgrown yard, peeling paint, and a list of expensive, but possibly could-have-been-prevented repairs. But what if you're the busy or forgetful type? Turn to technology, of course. We've created a home maintenance schedule which you can copy, customize, and subscribe to in a simple click so you'll never forget important maintenance again. Well, the truth is, I need this too. Home maintenance checklists abound, but the problem with those is the lack of a reminder. I've downloaded and saved scores of checklists over the years, but honestly cannot remember the last time we checked our roof for repairs or had the chimney cleaned—basic things that I need my computer to nag me about and keep a record of. (If it's not on a calendar, I've learned, it's probably not getting done.) Most of these tasks apply more if you own a house, but there are also some safety and other home maintenance tasks that even apartment renters or condo owners should keep in mind.
running (plumbing, heating, and so forth), can save you money (e.g., weatherproofing projects), and also helps reduce threats to your home's and family's safety (e.g., twice-yearly fire alarm checks and making sure your dryer vent won't catch fire). These aren't all things you need to pay for—some are just chores you have to remember to do. So the problem is knowing what you need to do to maintain your home and when. Our solution: A one-click-to-subscribe Home Maintenance Calendar that lays out all the most common, necessary home maintenance tasks so you won't forget.
Maintenance You Need to Do to Keep Your Home from Falling Apart That sounds kind of dramatic, but it's the little things like caulking around the tub and making sure your gutters aren't clogged that prevent bigger things like serious water damage, interior and exterior. Beyond checking that everything's working, simple maintenance also extends the life of your appliances and the systems that keep your home
In the sample schedule below, you can subscribe in just one click by clicking the +Google Calendar button at the bottom of the widget
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How to Use the Home Maintenance Calendar The Google Calendar embedded below will make sure recurring home maintenance tasks get done (or at least stay top of mind), plus you can easily share it with your partner, if you're the delegating type. If You Use Google Calendar
(https://calendar.google.com/calendar/render?cid=9fjf6vkf1ou50j2umnju2lnrss@g roup.calendar.google.com#main_7).
If you want to customize the tasks that copy over to your Google Calendar, click any item and copy it to your own Google Calendar by
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Feature clicking the "copy to my calendar" link (the calendar is embedded in Agenda view so you can more easily view the different tasks), then adjust the dates if you wish. If You Use Another Calendar If you don't use Google Calendar, you can download the calendar in various formats from the links below. Below the calendar are descriptions of these repairs and tasks, by season. http://www.google.com/calendar/feeds/9fjf6vkf1ou50j2umnju2lnrss%40group.calendar.google.com/public/basic http://www.google.com/calendar/ical/9fjf6vkf1ou50j2umnju2lnrss%40group.calendar.google.com/public/basic.ics http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=9fjf6vkf1ou50j2umnju2lnrss%40group.calendar.google.com
The Home Maintenance Tasks We've Included Most of the things you have to do to help keep your home operating smoothly happen in the fall and spring, when we're preparing for the winter or giving it an annual spring cleaning and check-up. What to do in the fall When the weather starts getting colder, look to your heating equipment and weatherpoofing. I've spread these tasks out in groups across two weekends in October and one in November, but, again, you can adjust for your schedule. We don’t have to worry about heaters here in Guam. But these tips may work for the rainy season. Outdoors: • Take down window screens to store (label them for quickly putting up in the spring, and repair or replace now, if needed). After you wash your windows, replace with storm windows. • Seal windows and doors with weatherstripping and also check caulking.
• Replace seals as necessary. • Check roof for leaks, damaged or missing shingles, and pests hiding in vents. While you're up there, check for concrete/bricks and mortar falling apart, and, again, pests. Yard cleanup! Trim trees and shrubs closer than 3 inches from your house. Check your outdoor faucet for leaks, then drain and turn them off. Store hoses. • Clean gutters and downspouts. Bob Vila will tell you how. Gutter covers of some kind can also help keep debris out of your gutters. • Clean, oil, and store garden tools. (You could also store them in a bucket of sand to prevent rust.) • Clean and store patio furniture (or cover with weatherproof material). Indoors: • Check smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, and replace batteries, if needed. Also check fire extinguishers. This is a good time to do fire drills and review your emergency documents. • Remove air conditioners or protect with weatherproof cover (if applicable). • Check attic for insulation, leaks, hiding pests, etc. A simple attic inspection is easy to do when you know what to look for. • Flush out water heater to get rid of the sediment. Instructions from DIY Network (Continued on Page 27)
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On The Cover
Sinajana Secret Garden inding streets and mature trees lead you to this oasis that shouts “Welcome home to peace, comfort and relaxation.” Tucked away on a private cul-de-sac it's hard to believe that the bustle of Hagåtña is just minutes away! Well located and well maintained! Oh and did I mention the view overlooking the lush emerald Agana Springs and, YES, a bit of the blue Philippine Sea? Open floor plan gives a sense of SPACE! 4 bedrooms & 3 bathrooms for the growing family. Ensuite included! 949+/- sm lot area. Plus more! Once you see it you will want to own it! This home demands action. Contact your REALTOR® for a showing today!
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Real Estate Spotlight
ESTOPPEL CERTIFICATES By Kim Anderson Young
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What is an estoppel certificate? Generally speaking, it is a certified statement made by a tenant that confirms the current status of the lease between the owner and tenant. When the owner of a commercial building decides to sell or refinance the property, it is common for the buyer or lender to request the owner provide tenant estoppel certificates in order to determine if the lease is in full force and effect. The process will also ensure that the buyer or lender has a complete copy of the lease and any amendments. This action is intended to prevent any surprises when a new owner buys the property or a lender forecloses and takes ownership. Typical items addressed by an estoppel certificate include: • Starting date and term of the lease • Any and all amendments to the lease • Statement that the lease is in full force and effect and has not been modified other than by existing amendments. • Amount of Security deposit being held by owner • Amount of current monthly rent being paid and if there are any past due rents or prepaid rent. • Assurance by the tenant that the landlord is not in default of the lease. The word estoppel is derived from “estop,” meaning to stop. It prohibits a tenant from taking a position or saying something contrary to what they have certified in the estoppel certificate, so an estoppel certificate is a document to be taken seriously. Occasionally there will be verbal agreements between the owner and tenant that can come to light in an estoppel certificate. Estoppel certificates may also be drafted in such a manner that they give a new lender rights that were not present in the original lease, (effectively amending the lease). A common example of such an amendment is a statement that the lender can assume the lease if the tenant defaults. Most commercial leases require that a tenant sign an estoppel certificate within a reasonable time frame in order for an owner to be able to finance or sell the property. Some leases go so far as to state if the estoppel is not received within a certain amount of time, the certificate is deemed approved by the tenant! While they are valuable tools in the real estate transaction, estoppel certificates are serious documents with far reaching consequences. If presented with one, I would make my first call to a real estate attorney for guidance through the process.
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Image by StockUnlimited
About the Author Kim Anderson Young, president of Security Title, has over 30 years of experience in the real estate industry. Contact her at kim@securitytitle.net or 647-8100.
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Profile
Zahnen - Fascinated with Finance and Helping Others
By Emily L.G. Untalan
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How ironic that a million dollar question would lead our Profile feature to the banking and financing industry. Jiamei (pronounced Jay-Me) Zahnen has been in the banking industry for 13 years. “I was going to college and one of my professors, Dr. Bouchard, asked the class, “Who wants to be a millionaire?” Of course, all of us raised our hands. “Well if you want to, then you need to open up a Roth IRA.” He gave us a list and that night I opened up my Roth IRA and just really became fascinated with finance.” Jiamei continued to further her studies in finance. The more she invested in the classes, the more interested she was in the finance industry. “I then decided to apply for a Teller at First Hawaiian Bank (FHB) and the rest is history.” She grew from being a Teller to a Customer Service Representative, then to Personal Banker and now a Personal Banking Officer. Before working at First Hawaiian Bank, she was Assistant Operations Manager at Gameworks. For those who don’t remember/know of Gameworks, it was thee place to take your family for fun, food, games and entertainment. Games and rides for all ages occupied two-stories. It was a lively place that once nestled in The (South) Plaza in Tumon, where Beyond the Box is today. At Gameworks, Jiamei managed between 15 to 20 people. “I had to learn a little of everything from each department. I would help my fellow co-workers when they have questions or if they needed help with customer complaints. Working at Gameworks taught me a lot about customer service and building a strong bond with the people you work with.” Jiamei continues her love for helping others. “At FHB, the customers I have helped become friends, we can talk about anything that comes to mind. My fellow- coworkers are like family to me. They give me great advice and share their knowledge and vice-versa. We all work as a team to achieve our goals.” Jiamei enjoys helping customers with their financial needs. She finds it very rewarding knowing that she and her team made a difference in their customers’ lives, especially when helping them get their dream home. As a banker, “We are also dream makers.” But there are times when she has had to break the bad news to her customers. She would advise them to never give up and encourages them to return at a certain time to review their updated status and reapply. “I had one customer in the past who didn’t qualify for a mortgage because of his debts so we went over what he can do to clear out his debts. After two years, he came back and we were able to help him build his dream home.
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Jiamei Zahnen PERSONAL BANKING OFFICER FIRST HAWAIIAN BANK
Another customer came in and was denied by two other financial institutions. We reviewed the documents and decided on a different loan program. In the end, both of our customers were able to achieve their dream home.” Anyone interested in the banking field must love to help people, Jiamei advises. They also need to love everyday challenges. “There is never a dull moment at the bank.” Jiamei loves reading CasaGuam! “It provides a lot of information on the developments on Guam, the housing market and great ideas on home decoration.” Her family life consists of a daughter, three German Shepherds and a “great husband who loves to spoil me!” Her family time is going to the beach, going out and watching movies. On her own spare time, she loves gardening and crafts. Perfect subjects for CasaGuam! In the next 10 years, Jiamei sees herself still with First Hawaiian Bank and perhaps becoming a branch manager. All the best to you, Jiamei!
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From the Experts
Hiring A Professional Cleaning Service vs. Cleaning Your Own Home By Arlene Taitague Taitingfong Editor’s Note: Some things are worth repeating. We revisit one of our great atricles on Home Maintenance from January 2015. Life can be easier when we have choices!
Cleaning your home regularly is the first step to having a healthy home. For some of us, finding the time to clean is hard, especially if you are working parents with children, or singles or couples who have demanding jobs. It can be hard to find the time (or the energy) to do a thorough cleaning. Have you thought about hiring a professional cleaning service? Years ago, because I was working a job that had demanding hours, I hired a cleaning person to come in once a week. In addition to performing general cleaning, she dusted, swept, mopped and waxed my floors. Coming home to a clean home after a long day was glorious! What I liked about having a cleaning service was that I didn’t have to worry what my apartment looked like if I had unexpected guests drop by. I had peace of mind. There are many benefits to using a professional cleaning service versus doing home cleaning yourself. A professional cleaning service will be able to come into your home and clean it from countertop to floor. They will vacuum, dust, and disinfect your home’s surfaces. This will help remove or control allergens like dust, pollen and dander. John Arroyo, President and CEO of Service Masters, says, “One of the benefits of having a cleaning service is time savings, especially if you are a busy person.” Arroyo’s company has serviced residences and commercial properties since 1998. Another reason to hire a professional cleaning company is they have commercial-grade equipment and professional-strength products than what we might use in our homes. Do you have a pet? A professional service will be able to better address the pet dander, pet hair and other allergens with their specialty vacuums. Also, their employees are trained on the proper use of their products and what surfaces they can be used on. “Some customers are sensitive to some cleaning products,” says Reynaldo Dela Cruz, owner of Dirtbusters Janitorial Services, “so we use ‘green’ solutions.” Dela Cruz has been in the business for nearly eight years. Arroyo also commented stating Service Masters trains their housekeepers with processes and procedures that are time-tested and true. “We take the job of making your home clean seriously, resulting in quality service.” They too use environmentally friendly cleaning products and are partnered with Aramark, a large facilities maintenance company. “We have cutting edge technology and are able to use cleaning solutions not available anywhere else.
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”Often times when we do our own cleaning, we overlook areas that a cleaning service will clean like the ceiling fan blades, under beds, window sills and the range hood. A good cleaning service will cover all areas, maybe places you didn’t think of. Before you call a professional, determine what you want done and what is your budget. Do they offer package deals? Some companies will work with you on this and Dela Cruz commented that there is more cost savings with packaged services. Don’t forget to find out what the company’s cleaning procedures are. Whether you want a specialized service or a thorough first time cleaning session, followed by weekly or bi-weekly maintenance cleaning, make sure you use a professional you can count on and trust. Hiring a cleaning service will enable you to save on hours of time that you can spend focusing on other areas of your life.
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H o w To D . I . Y.
Mounted Mason Jar Spice Storage By Rob & Courtney M., Hometalk Team This DIY works hand in hand with our Maintain Your Home theme. One of the most common advices to maintain your home is to de-clutter. To all you home-cooks…I mean home-CHEFS who need room in their sanctuary — the kitchen — this is especially for you! - Emily LG Untalan
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I'm not sure about y'all, but with a lot of my spices, I buy in bulk because I go through them so fast (specifically Italian spices such as Oregano, Parsley, Basil and Garlic, because my husband is Italian and let's face it, when you live in NY, you make and eat a lot of Italian food!). The big, bulky spice containers that I get from the grocery store and Costco take up too much room in my spice cabinet, so I decided to try my hand at this cute little spice storage idea using mason jars. I'm so happy with how they came out and even happier that I don't have to deal with the bulky plastic spice containers anymore--I can simply re-fill my blue mason jars when I'm running low and then store the rest.
• mini hot glue gun sticks • wood screws (I used 1/2" screws but you'll want to get whatever size is good for under your top cabinets that won't blow through your shelves.)
STEP 1: Hot glue seals Because I was going to be mounting these jars to the underside of my top kitchen cabinets, I needed them to be secure, so I hot glued the flat seals to the lid of the mason jars.
SUPPLIES: • Ball mason jars (I used 8 oz. blue jars, but feel free to use whatever style mason jar you wish!) • Dewalt 12v drill/screw gun • HiTemp mini hot glue gun
I made sure to apply pressure while the glue was still hot to ensure a good hold.
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H o w t o D . I . Y. STEP 2: Mount lids to underside of cabinet Next, I took my drill and screws and drilled one screw from the underside of the mason jar lids to the underside of my top cabinet. I tried to get the screw as close to center as possible. Feel free to pre-drill a hole in to the center of your lids before mounting.
I couldn't believe how quick and easy this project was! We plan to eliminate our top cabinets in the coming months as part of our kitchen reno, but I may use this same concept with our open shelving because I love how easy these cute little jars are! Time: 15 Minutes Cost: $17 Difficulty: Easy Then, I screwed my spice-filled jars onto my mounted lids.
Citing Source: Rob and Courtney are a husband and wife duo, and in-house creators for the Hometalk project team. They love working together to create any and everything, from home dĂŠcor to furniture primarily made from reclaimed materials. http://www.hometalk.com/27697310/mounted-mason-jar-spice-storage?se=fol_new20170220-1&date=20170220&slg=5976a18e1b3bd9f3e1a61dbd8e29251a2098397&post_position=1 CasaGuam.com 19
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Your World, Our Island
Green Home Maintenance
By Eric M. Palacios
Whether you’re living the Guamanian dream or working your way towards it, owning and maintaining a home requires time and work. Did you replace old furniture with new ones? Got some new appliances, maybe? If you’re lucky, you can give your old items to family or friends, or sell them online or in a yard sale. If you don’t have either of these options, figuring out where to properly dispose of the items can be dizzying. Here are a few ways to save you from that headache:
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• If you’re a Guam Solid Waste Authority customer, call them up and schedule a “bulky items” pick-up. This service is offered to every GSWA customer — for free — twice a year. • Dispose of the items at one of the residential transfer stations. The cost to dispose of this type of waste varies up to about $10. • If the items are still in decent condition, donate them to a local charity-focused organization, like the Salvation Army. Do you generate a lot of green waste from grass-cutting and tree trimmings? The worst thing that you can do is to pile them up in a corner, and then it turns into a breeding ground for rodents and pests, like the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle. Instead: • Dispose of the waste at any of the composting companies. Contact Guam EPA at 300-4751/2 for a list of permitted facilities. • Apply for a burn permit from the Guam Fire Department. The conditions are straightforward and the permit costs maybe a couple of bucks. Whether or not you are a Guam Solid Waste Authority customer, recycling aluminum cans should be coordinated with the nearest public school. By giving the cans to the school, you will help tremendously when it cashes in on the value of the cans. The money generated goes a long way towards helping the school with many of its objectives. It you leave it up to the GSWA to do as they please with your recyclable aluminum, the funds that are generated are deposited into an account that it out of ordinary citizens’ control. Do you have old electronics, such as computers and printers that are collecting dust? Consider donating them to the Guam Community College. The college uses items such as these as hands-on tools for students who study in the field. In addition, you may also give these items to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, who manages the Comps for Kids program. Either 20 CasaGuam March 2017
way, you are lessening the waste stream of electronic waste and helping to build local capacity in one swell swoop. Win-win, for sure. There are many things in and around our homes that, while trash to us, are treasures for others. Knowing how to connect these dots can sometimes be daunting. However, once these partnerships are formed, the victories are many. Not only do we reduce the amount of waste around our homes, but we also reduce a waste stream that otherwise could end up in our only landfill. Many companies offer recycling opportunities for various types of waste. With the ever-changing world of recycling, your best bet is to contact the Guam Environmental Protection Agency for guidance. The awesome staff there will direct you to the proper facilities to properly dispose of various types of household waste. You can find Guam EPA on Facebook or visit them at: www.epa.guam.gov. About the Author: Eric M. Palacios is the former administrator for the Guam Environmental Protection Agency. He currently serves as Gov. Eddie Calvo’s special assistant for education and the environment.
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Curb Appeal
How to Keep Your Upholstery Looking Good You wouldn't expect your car to maintain itself. Show your sofa and chairs the same courtesy with this 3-part strategy.
By Becky Dietrich
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“What do you mean I have to maintain my new sofa? I spent all this money on the thing and now it wants more of my time and attention?!” I used to hear this all the time when I sold furniture for a living. As soon as I started to tell my clients how to care for their new upholstery, the rivers of resentment would flow. Let me share with you what I told them about why simple maintenance is not only necessary but worth the effort. There’s your new sofa or chair reigning gloriously in your living room: the perfect shape, style and size, resplendent in the fabric that you agonized over for weeks. And yet all too often, a year later it looks as though it’s been through a bad episode of Survivor. The cushions are lumpy, the fabric is LORRAINE G VALE, Allied ASID wrinkled and dingy, and everything looks crooked and unkempt. What happened? Assuming you started with a quality piece, you didn’t remember to fluff, flip and fuss!
Fluff. Because cushions are not made of concrete, but of soft materials, they must be regularly fluffed to maintain their shape and comfort. By fluffed, Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer I mean punched, prodded, poked and pushed around to refresh the shape and loft of the cushions… just like you do with your bed pillows when they flatten out. Actually, fluffing can be therapeutic. When life gets frustrating, punching my cushions (rather than something less appropriate) has a positive effect, and I kill two birds with one stone! 22 CasaGuam March 2017
Firmer cushions generally take less fluffing, and squishy ones filled with down take more, but any cushion that gets sat on should be fluffed at least every few days. I generally fluff mine every night
Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer
just before I go to bed to keep them looking and feeling great. And it’s no big deal; it takes about two minutes. Flip. About every two weeks, you should flip your
Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer
upholstery cushions. This will ensure that they wear evenly and will help to maintain their shape. Both the seat and back cushions need this regular change to perform their best. If your chair or sofa has an attached back cushion, this will be a bit more difficult but can still be accomplished. Attached back cushions usually have a zipper opening at the bottom, and the cushion innards can be pulled out, turned over, and reinserted. Given my druthers, I always choose detached back cushions. They’re not only easier to maintain, but since they have two sides, they last twice as long … providing I flip them regularly. On a three-cushion sofa, people generally avoid the center Halifax Fine Furnishings cushion like the plague. bnl-interiordesign.com
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Curb Appeal
Bed & Board
Consequently, that cushion will get the least wear. If your sofa has T-cushions (meaning they wraps around the front of each arm, as in this example), you can’t move the center cushion to the end — you can only flip it over. But if your sofa has cushions that are all
the same size and shape, the center one can be regularly rotated to the ends, greatly extending your cushion life. Fuss. I use this word for the sake Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer of alliteration, but by fuss I mean regular vacuuming. It’s easy to see dust on a shiny tabletop, and you’re quickly motivated to get out the feather duster. But even though you usually can’t see it, the same amount of dust has settled on your upholstery. In this case, “Out of sight, out of mind” results in a reduction of the fabric’s life. As we sit on a dusty cushion, the dust gets down into the fibers and acts like sandpaper, causing the material to wear much more quickly. So every time Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer you dust your wooden furniture, remember to be just as kind to your upholstery. Get out the vacuum and give the fabric a quick once-over. I find a little handheld vacuum to be very effective and convenient. When I was a little kid, I would look at these “under penalty of law” tags and think the police would come haul me off if I dared remove them. Lots of other people must have thought the same thing, because when I would go to check out a client’s new sofa, there was often — in front of God and everybody — the ugly tag hanging from the upholstery.
Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer Please do remove this tag, but do not throw it away. It contains a fount of valuable information about your new upholstery, like the body and cushion content, style and fabric numbers, and delivery date. Staple it to your invoice or warranty and file it safely away. Doing this will practically guarantee you will never need it. Do not remove the manufacturer’s tag that is adhered to the deck of your furniture. It provides the provenance of your piece. Even if you eventually reupholster it, make sure the tag is reattached. Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer
A couple of other things: Direct sunlight is the bitter enemy of your new upholstery fabric. Ultraviolet rays are just as destructive to your piece as small children with permanent markers. Fortunately, there are alternatives to keeping your blinds permanently closed. Stain protection is one of the best investments you can make in upholstery care. I completely avoid every extended warranty offered to me by a salesperson, but even I buy stain protection. Not only will professionally applied stain protection help make your piece easier to clean, but it will help retard the effects of ultraviolet rays. Guardian is my personal favorite stain protection brand, but be sure to ask the store where you purchase your piece what protection plan is offered. Honestly, would you ever expect your shiny new car to maintain itself ? Your new upholstery is just as needy. Citing Source: Becky Dietrich, Houzz Contributor. Becky's passion for personal, welcoming, hospitable interiors, interiors that make people want to sit down, put their feet up, and stay a while, has defined her four-decade career in interior design. http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/26084035/list/how-to-keep-your-upholstery-looking-good CasaGuam.com 23
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W h o Ya G o n n a C a l l ?
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FEATURE: How to Put Your Home Maintenance on Auto-Pilot and Keep Your Pad from Turning Into a Money Pit Continued from Page 9 • Bleed radiators if you have hot-water heat. Don't do this when the system is use, because the water will be hot. DIY Online has some instructions. • Vacuum and clean refrigerator coils. • Inspect kitchen and bath fixtures and cabinets for leaks, and prevent water damage by recaulking or regrouting countertops and tiles in the kitchen or bathroom as necessary. Services to schedule: If you don't have a contractor yet, you can find one in the yellow pages section of the Guam Phone Book which is also available online at www.guamphonebook.com Spring maintenance involves many of the same tasks needed for fall. Now, though, we're preparing for warmer weather and checking in with our home systems once more to make sure everything's still running smoothly. I'm scheduling these for April and May. Outdoors: • Wash windows and replace storm windows with screens. • Check gutters and downspouts and clean if necessary. • Check outside walls for damage or deterioration (e.g., brick/concrete work or siding repairs, peeling paint) • Check your deck for water damage or stains. A pressure washer can help rid your deck of mold and moss.
Indoors: • Check smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, and replace batteries, if needed. • Check basement for cracks or leaks, dampness and mold. • Inspect kitchen and bath fixtures and prevent water damage by recaulking or regrouting countertops and tiles in the kitchen or bathroom as necessary. • Check clothes dryer vents and rid them of lint. • Though not exactly a home maintenance task, now is also a good time to de-crapify your home. More Resources If you don't like the Google Calendar method, and prefer a pen-andpaper planner, you can use this printable household planner to track your household chores. Previously mentioned Homespot can also help you create a list of home maintenance tasks (and also plan home improvement projects) and the webapp links to Google Calendar or other digital calendars. Printable Household Planner Keeps Your Home Running Smoothly With busy lives, it's easy to let chores around the house slip through the cracks. The important thing is that you actually remember to complete these essential tasks (so you're not like me and suddenly find pigeons have been living in your attic all winter. Just kidding, sorta. That was only one winter.) About the Author: Melanie Pinola http://lifehacker.com/5844978/how-to-stop-neglecting-your-home-and-keep-it-from-turning-into-themoney-pit CasaGuam.com 27
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Closing
Message from the President Maria E. Miller 2017 President Guam Association of REALTORS®
This month’s theme for Casa Guam is “Maintain Your Home” When you buy a car, what is the first thing dealers remind you to do? Oil change and filter every 3 thousand miles, etc. So, when you make one of the largest financial investments of your life — your home—it does not come with instructions! However, if you want to keep the value up, there are things you have to do periodically. Here’s a partial list that you can use.
EVERY MONTH • • • •
Clean kitchen sink disposal Clean range hood filters Inspect your fire extinguisher(s) A/C Filters need to be cleaned at least every other month if not monthly
QUARTERLY • • • • •
Test smoke/carbon monoxide detectors Test garage door auto-reverse feature Run water and flush toilets in unused spaces Check water softener, add salt if needed Check under sinks and in closet areas and places near water for termites • Clean out gutters. They’ve likely accumulated leaves from rain.
EVERY 6 MONTHS • • • • • • • • • • • •
Give your house a DEEP clean Vacuum your refrigerator coils Water blast cement areas/stairs/walls to fight mold Tighten any handles, knobs, racks, etc. Check all locks and deadbolts on your doors and windows Check your GFCI Outlets Clean garage before summer starts and after Christmas Inspect plumbing for leaks, clean aerators on faucets. Check caulking around showers and bathtubs; repair as needed Remove showerheads and clean sediment Check roof to make sure it is clean free of debris . Inspect the exterior of your home for cracks, paint peeling, etc.
ANNUALLY • Get your air conditioning system serviced. • Repair screen doors and windows 28 CasaGuam March 2017
Message from the Chief Executive Officer and Government Affairs Director Peggy Araullo Llagas Guam Association of REALTORS®
REALTORS® Pledge of Performance and Service: Part 3 REALTORS® are different from non-member licensees in that they voluntarily subscribe to a strict Code of Ethics. If you believe that a REALTOR® has violated one or more Articles of the Code of Ethics, you can file an ethics complaint alleging a violation(s) through the Guam Association of REALTORS® where the REALTOR® holds membership. You may call the association office to verify if your agent is indeed a REALTOR®. In addition, REALTORS® agree as a condition of membership to arbitrate contractual disputes and specific non-contractual disputes as provided for in Article 17 of the NAR Code of Ethics. The Guam Association of REALTORS® have several resources to help you understand what filing and processing an ethics complaint and arbitration request entails, and the general process you can expect when filing an ethics complaint or arbitration request. Contact the Association office to ensure you have the proper forms required for filing your complaint. - National Association of REALTORS® Ask if your agent is a REALTOR®. A member of the Guam Association of REALTORS® who shall remain your leading advocate in protecting your best interest. Visit our website at www.guamrealtors.com.
GUAM ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® The Voice for Real Estate on Guam Suite 236A Julale Center 424 West O'Brien Drive, Hagatna, Guam 96910 Office: (671) 477-4271 • Fax: (671) 477-4275
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