CasaGuam Volume 10 Issue 05

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CONTENTS

Let ter from the Editor Letter from the Editor

Departments 4

Market Report First Quarter 2017 Real

Emily L.G. Untalan

Estate Market Update

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Feature Smart Home? Yes, It Exists!

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Real Estate Spotlight Protehi I Tano’ Mu

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Profile Kimberly Kono

May 2017 • Vol. 10 • No. 05 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

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From the Experts

[ Editor/Display Advertising ]

To Love & Protect

Emily L.G. Untalan

From This Day Forward

[ Traffic/Circulation ] Shaun Cruz

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How to D.I.Y. 5 DIY Smart Home Projects That You Can Complete In an Afternoon

[ Production Manager ] Mark S. Burke

[ Graphics & Layout ] Mark S. Burke Edwin E. Valencia

[ Website Development ] 20

Your World, Our Island Smart Home and Beyond

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Curb Appeal What’s a Kick Plate & Why Do I Need One?

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Who Ya Gonna Call?

Edwin E. Valencia

[ Editorial Contributors ] Siska S. Hutapea Yuka Oguma Eric M. Palacios Brandt Ranj Emily L.G. Untalan Megan Wild Kim Anderson Young Cover Photo: Mark S. Burke CasaGuam is Published by:

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Closing

Buenas and Hafa Adai Everyone! Can you believe it’s already May?! Summer is just around the corner! But before I proceed any further, I want to apologize for overlooking a significant event that took place last month. World Autism Awareness was celebrated on April 2nd. Let’s continue to recognize and celebrate all non-profit organizations like this on our island casa. There are many events lined up this month: Guam Micronesia Island Fair, Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day. It’s also the annual Relay for Life where a flood of supporters and sponsors gather at the G.W. Football Field in Mangilao to relay, support, honor, and remember those affected by cancer, and to raise money to find a cure! Be sure to make your way to one of these events, if not all of them. Our theme this month is Smart Home. It’s a very exciting and broad topic which we will definitely continue in next month’s issue. There are many components to creating the complete smart home. In this month’s FEATURE, I cover one vital component: smart home security systems. In MARKET REPORT, the rise in residential sales continue to from 2016, according to Siska Hutapea. She also affirms that smart homes are gaining some tracks on island. In Finance Tips, First Hawaiian Bank shares their knowledge on smart home technology. Kim Young says protehi i tano’mu (protect your land) in REAL ESTATE SPOTLIGHT. She gives examples of title defects that you should be aware of. In our PROFILE section, we present Kimberly Kono, a Research Analyst who strives to become a certified real estate appraiser and hopes to add more pages to her passport! We give Yuka Oguma’s article encore presence in FROM THE EXPERTS. She lists guidelines when selecting your insurance. Five smart home projects await you in our DIY section! In YOUR WORLD, OUR ISLAND, Eric Palacios takes a different approach with our theme and suggests members of our community set “smart” parameters for things outside and around them. In CURB APPEAL you’ll find out what a kick plate is and how purposeful it can be for your home. CLOSING out this issue, Maria Miller, makes an emphasis on how we can improve our environment, and Peggy Llagas, recognizes Fair Housing’s 49th Anniversary. Do you have a topic you’d like for us to cover, or that you would like to contribute? We welcome you with open arms! Email us your suggestions, comments, etc. to editor@yellowpagesink.com. Here’s wishing all the moms, especially my mom, a Happy Mother’s Day! And, to all our fallen heroes, we honor you and remember you this Memorial Day. 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

First Quarter 2017 Real Estate Market Update he residential sales in the first quarter of 2017 continues the rising streak from 2016. Sales volume year on year between Q1-16 and Q1-17 increased by 17 percent to $67.8 million. Number of sales increased by 35 percent in Q1-17 at 277 compared to Q1-16 at 205. The higher construction costs is expected to further dampen additional supply and push prices up. However, median prices for single family dwelling for Q1-17 reflects $230,000, down from Q1-16 at $239,300 in Q1-16. The same is also reflected in condominium median price. The Q1-17 median price of condominium went down from $185,000 in Q1-16 to $172,750. We suspect these are due to lower quality products that are now attracting buyers as better quality product became out of range as far as price goes. Further, many older buildings are sold as renovation is faster and cheaper than constructing new units. Monthly sales volumes for the first three months of 2017 also remain strong. March 2017 reflects $35.9 million sales and 147 number of transactions. Among notable sales in the first three months of 2017 include: $8.25 million concrete warehouse in Bello Road vicinity, over 70,000 square meter land in Santa Rita, a $2.05 million commercial building in Tumon, $1.8 million concrete warehouse in Dededo, $1.25 million Yang Apartment in Maite, and over 55,000 square meter land along Route 15 in Mangilao for a little over $1.0 million.

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In line with the theme of Casa Guam magazine this month on Smart Homes, I’d like to share National Association of REALTORS® published REALTORS® and Sustainability report. The report, published in April 2017, discussed home features that REALTORS® said clients consider as very or somewhat important. These features include: • Home’s efficient use of lighting • Smart/connected home • Green community features such as bike lanes and green spaces • Landscaping for water conservation • Renewable energy systems such as solar and geothermal As predicted, energy efficiency is number one on the list. In Guam, the energy efficiency is a sought after feature considering our relatively high energy cost. Smart homes are gaining some tracks too in Guam as in addition to adding convenience, it 4 CasaGuam May 2017

supports energy efficiency. CNET recently published best devices for smart home for 2017. These devices are fairly affordable and include: • Best Home Centerpiece: Amazon Echo • Best Color Changing Lightbulbs : Lifx Color 1000 • Best White-Light Smart Bulbs: Phillips Hue Wireless Dimming Kit • Best Smart Security Lighting: BeOn Starter Pack • Best Smart Doorbell: Skybell HD Wifi Video Doorbell • Best Outdoor Camera: Kuna Toucan A complete list of the items and where you can find them is on this link: https://www.cnet.com/topics/smart-home/best-smarthome-devices/. In choosing the items to include to your smart home, make sure that the items enhance security, save energy, and add convenience. Also remember, that in Guam, electrical items may deteoriate faster due to our fairly extreme weather. Broken parts may also be difficult to find. Practicality should always prevail.


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Market Repor t

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Finance Tips

Smart Homes: The Rising Trend Of Bringing Houses Into The Technological *Paid Advertorial

There is a fast-rising trend in the home appliance industry that pairs different home devices together with technology making our homes “smart.” “Homeowners usually look to smart home technology for security reasons and to help protect their property,” says Jona Javellana, Personal Banker at First Hawaiian Bank’s Maite Banking Center. Smart home devices can alert homeowners of unwanted visitors in and around their property even when they’re away. Many of the devices are wireless allowing them to be easily installed and assimilated into existing systems. In addition to security, smart home technology assists families with their daily household responsibilities. These devices can connect to the Internet and make home appliances accessible even when users are not in the same room or in the house. Some products include voice activation functionality, which makes them convenient and easy to use.

By There are also “hub” devices on the market that are able to control different devices around the home such as lights, locks, and thermostats from anywhere in the house. These devices can turn a person’s smart phone into a universal remote in their house, giving homeowners the power to command nearly every appliance in the home without moving a muscle. But before you start purchasing all of these new devices and appliances, consider what you need and how you’ll pay for them. “A home equity line of credit (HELOC) is a great way to finance your upgrades or consolidate these expenses with any other home renovation projects,” Javellana says. HELOCs allow homeowners to draw funds as they’re needed and typically have lower interest rates than other loan types or credit cards. For more information, visit any First Hawaiian Bank branch and talk to a personal banker, who will help you with all of your home and personal financing options.

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Feature

Smart Home? Yes, It Exists! By Emily L.G. Untalan

re robots and flying cars taking over the world yet?! No, but that’s exactly what many of us envisioned growing up. What we didn’t foresee, however, was the science of turning a regular home into a smart one. On second thought, if your childhood was in the same era as was mine, then we did get an animated glimpse of a smart home. Thanks to the Jetsons: George, Elroy, Judy and Jane! Let’s not forget their dog, Astro, and Rosie, the robot maid. But seriously, a smart home? Is there really such a thing? Believe it or not, it does exist! There are so many products available out there to help create your smart home. Yes, you can create your own smart home. But, a smart home will not function without these, to name a few: a hub, home internet and a smartphone. And, of course, there are hundreds of apps available for the different types of smart home features you want. Like time, technology comes and goes in the blink of an eye. There are constant improvements and upgrades. One day, you think you have the latest adaptation of a smartphone or gadget. And the following day, you read up on a promo about a newer version that’s due to launch a couple months later. Consumers are constantly looking for the latest and most popular smartphone models. But when it comes to selecting the perfect smartphone for your smart home, looks don’t matter. What’s important is the amount of storage space it has. When shopping for a smartphone, make sure to ask questions about its cores and GPUs and gigahertz’s. Which smartphone has the best processor, the most RAM, and expandability, etc.? Keep in mind, also, that in order for your smart home to function at full capacity, you must have a solid, reliable networking infrastructure. We will cover this topic in our next issue.

In this issue we will narrow down the many different smart home components to just one: a smart home security system. With the increase number of crimes on island, security systems are important to every home owner or renter. Having a security system will help deter (hopefully STOP) a burglary from occurring, trespassers from entering your property, any criminal activity. Period.

What do you need to install a smart home security system? According to pcmag.com, “The internet has made it very easy (and relatively affordable) to monitor your home from just about anywhere with a smart security system. Smart security systems are highly customizable and are available as do-it-yourself kits or as full-blown setups that include professional installation and monitoring. You can go with a system that you monitor yourself. Here's what to look for when deciding how to outfit your home, along with the top systems we've tested.” “A smart home security system connects to your home Wi-Fi network so you can monitor and control your security devices using your smartphone and an app. Entry-level systems typically 8 CasaGuam May 2017


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Feature include a couple of door and window sensors, a motion detector, and a hub that communicates with these devices using one or more wireless protocols. You can add extra door, motion, and window sensors to provide coverage for your entire house and build a comprehensive system that includes door locks, garage door openers, indoor and outdoor surveillance cameras, lights, sirens, smoke/CO detectors, water sensors, and more.”

Integration and Apps “Any smart security system worth its salt offers components that work together in a seamless environment and can be manipulated using customized rules. For example, you can create rules to have the lights turn on when motion is detected, and have a camera begin recording when a sensor is triggered. Some systems store recorded video locally on an SD card or a solid state drive, while others offer cloud storage. Locally stored video is a good choice for do-it-yourselfers on a budget, but you have to be careful not to overwrite video that you may need later. Cloud storage makes it easy to store and access recorded video, but it can cost hundreds of dollars per year depending on your subscription.” “All security systems feature a mobile app that lets you use your smartphone as your command center to arm and disarm it, create rules, add and delete components, and receive push notifications when alarms are triggered. Most apps also allow you to do things like view live and recorded video. Some apps will even use your phone's location services to automatically arm and disarm the system according to your physical location.”

DIY “Do-it-yourself setups are ideal for homeowners on a budget, because they can save you a bundle on installation charges and subscription fees. Most DIY systems are sold as kits that you can configure to suit your specific needs, and give you the option to add additional components at your convenience.” According to amerifirst.com, “Cameras may range from a variety such as wired cameras, wireless surveillance cameras, hidden

cameras, and IP surveillance cameras. Having a complete alarm system at your home may be expensive but it is a sure and spotless way to give you a good night’s sleep without having to worry about burglars from entering your home.” “Having a smart home security system at home will surely give you security, accessibility, and comfort in your everyday living. Making your home fully-automated may cost you a lot of money with the high-end security alarm systems. Although this may seem hard on your budget, there are a number of benefits you and your family will experience in the long run.” Check our local electronics and security systems stores, or go online, and do your own research on the products available.

Benefits “First of these, is the improved value of your home. In case you have to sell your property, this can serve as an attractive feature to home buyers. Security is an important aspect that most buyers look out for and having a complete alarm and surveillance equipment is enough to make them say yes. Second, it can ensure lower insurance rates. Insurance companies calculate risks of each home according to many factors, one of which is security. If your home is highly secured from burglars, fires, and other threats, then insurance companies will consider this as a low-risk investment, thus lowering your insurance costs.” Call your local insurance companies like Guahan Insurances Services for information on their theft deterrent discount. A smart home security system is a good investment. It may cost a lot of money but when you think about it…you can never, ever put a price on the safety and well-being of your home and family, and your peace of mind. CasaGuam.com 9


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On The Cover

Talofofo Executive Home his beautiful house in Ipan, Talofofo has everything you need to make the move to “God's Country!� 2,200 square feet of living space with four spacious bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, lofty ceilings and ceramic tile floors. Bedrooms feature large windows, built-in wardrobes and loads of storage space. Bathrooms feature deep soaking tubs and separate showers. Ceiling fans and five energy-efficient split-type A/C units are installed throughout the house. With a pitched ceiling and open kitchen/dining/living room, the space has an expansive airy fell, with room for gatherings and entertaining. The modern kitchen is equipped with cherry wood cabinets, granite countertops, and stainless refrigerator, gas stove, and dishwasher. The attached laundry room includes a washer and dryer. The property is set on a 929 square meter log and is completely fenced-in, providing privacy and security. Other features include a manicured lawn and backyard, two-car enclosed garage, and a concrete standby generator room equipped with a cut-over switch. This quiet refuge is just minutes away from the Pacific Ocean, Jeff 's Pirates Cove, and three golf courses. You have to see this house to appreciate it!

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Real Estate Spotlight

Protehi I Tano’ Mu (Protect your Land)

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“A forgery 50 years ago; a deed executed under duress, bigamy that went unknown, an error by a clerk in the county recorder’s office; a misapplied tax payment, these are but a few of the hidden “title defects” that could cause you to lose your property. And even if you don’t lose your property altogether, title problems could make it impossible for you to sell.” This is the opening paragraph of a First American Title brochure entitled: 70 Ways to Lose your Property. You would think that Guam and the CNMI would be somewhat insulated from title issues due to our close knit community, but I have seen these and more! In fact, the following are a few examples of title defects that we have seen right here at home: • Deed affecting property of deceased person, not joining all heirs • Conveyance by heir or survivor of a joint estate who murdered the decedent • Conveyance void as in violation of public policy (payment of gambling debt, payment for contract to commit crime, or conveyance made in restraint of trade)

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By Kim Anderson Young

• Disputed release of prior mortgage or lien, as given under mistake or misunderstanding • Deed recorded but not properly indexed so as to be locatable in the land records • Erroneous or inadequate legal descriptions • Deed to land without a right of access to a public street or road • Claims resulting from use of “alias” or fictitious name by a predecessor in title • Deed challenged as being given under fraud, undue influence, or duress • Deed executed under falsified power of attorney Be Safe! An Owners title insurance policy not only protects your property investment from title defects such as these, but can also provide legal fees necessary to defend an attack against your ownership. Protect your land…protect your home! 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

An Email Links Kono to Cornerstone By Emily L.G. Untalan

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This UOG Grad didn’t waste any time putting her degree to use. Kimberly Kono is a Research Analyst for Cornerstone Valuation Guam, Inc. She majored in Business with a concentration on Finance and Economics. In 2015, when college graduation was drawing near, she felt it was the opportune time to update her resume. It was then she received an email from Dean Annette Santos of UOG’s School of Business and Public Administration. It was a job announcement for a commercial real estate appraiser and it got Kono’s attention! “I’d like to give it a shot,” she replied. “In that same hour, I landed an interview with Cornerstone and since then, I have been loving my job.” This month marks exactly two years with Cornerstone. Her mentor, Siska Hutapea, MAI, MRICS, MRE and President of Cornerstone Valuation Guam, Inc. shares her own success and stories which gives Kono an insight to becoming an appraiser and hopefully, one day, an MAI just like her. “The MAI is the highest designation in commercial real estate profession granted by the Appraisal Institute in Chicago,” Kono explains. “Not only does she mentor me in becoming an appraiser, but she motivates me that being a mother should not make me strive less for success.” Kono will soon become a real estate appraiser trainee. A real estate analyst is the first step/position to becoming an appraiser. “I may not have been in the industry long, but I have acquired so much knowledge and experience in the real estate industry. Starting at the bottom is a perfect place to be, so that when we do reach our peak in our career, we can reflect on where we started and be very grateful and humble.” Prior to Cornerstone, she was with NAVFAC Marianas performing administrative and clerical duties in their Environmental Department. She learned “crucial office skills such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Outlook.” These skills came in handy during her interview at Cornerstone where she executed a Microsoft and Excel test. “I felt I did so well in my interview all thanks to my previous job.” Kono loves everything about being a Research Analyst. She enjoys learning the field and the process of gathering data and materials. “There are a lot of aspects to consider when analyzing real estate. The physical aspects, the bundle of rights and the finance aspects.” She noted, “We appraise hotels. I find hotel jobs very interesting. You learn the story behind how the hotel came about, you study the hotel’s operations and how they are doing as a corporation, and you also witness the day-to-day operations.” Being a Research Analyst hasn’t really impacted her livelihood. “When I do start climbing the ropes of my career, I think becoming an appraiser will allow me to live a comfortable lifestyle, provide a quality lifestyle for my family and quality education for my children.” She says, “Anyone who aspires to 14 CasaGuam May 2017

Kimberly S.N. Kono RESEARCH ANALYST CORNERSTONE VALUATION GUAM, INC.

becoming a real estate research analyst and one day an appraiser, it would be because you have a passion for learning about the economy and studying the behaviors of real estate. If you do not possess these passions, then this might not be the field for you as the process is long and tedious. This is not an instant gratification kind of career, although I get ‘closures’ every time we finish a report.” “If you’ve read some of Cornerstone’s articles in the Market Report section of CasaGuam, then you’ve seen some of my graphs!” Kono exclaims how CasaGuam “provides a snapshot with great color pictures of what’s available in the market.” When she’s not researching data, you can find Kono exploring the outdoors; hiking, sunset beach gatherings and weekends with family. She’s also very active in her church, attending her church’s youth groups and embracing the fellowship. In five to 10 years, Kono foretells being a certified real estate appraiser, striving for her MAI, living in her own home with more kids. “My passport needs more pages to stamp because I’m traveling to the many places I’ve always wanted to see, striving harder each and everyday until I’ve reached the place I want to go, Heaven.” We are all destined to reach Heaven one day. But, for now, and maybe 100 years more, we see Kimberly continually enjoying years of data researching, basking in the sun, traveling and family! Blessings to you, Kimberly!


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From the Experts

To Love & Protect From This Day Forward The two of you met through your real estate agent, or maybe you crossed paths through a real estate magazine. Regardless, you replay that first meeting over and over in your mind—the first day you saw your dream home. You remember every detail from the white picket fence to the way the lawn smells. You recall the homey neighbors who you felt like waving at as you drove into your soon-to-be new home. The one that you have been looking for, dreaming about, and working so hard to possess. Now that you have fallen in love with this new place and are going through the courtship of documentation for ownership, it is time to find the right protection that will endure a lasting relationship. Here are three key components that should be your guide to selecting your insurance.

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Insurance cost depends on the information you provide to your agent. In order to get the most accurate pricing, you need to look into the details. Some components of your home may result into major savings. Age of the house, Value of the house, Deductible, Roof Type, Location, Size of your Home, and Payment Term are some of the details you may be required to provide. You would rather want your agent to be asking you questions involving some of the key terms mentioned above, so that he/she may quote you properly. If not, start asking them! Don't be ashamed to inquire what factors of the home they will be using as basis for the underwriting. After all, the underwriting determines the price tag of the premium. Ask your agent what type of discounts are offered for homeowner’s policy, and go down the list to see if you may qualify for any of them. Ask if there are some improvements or additions you can make on your home to qualify for additional discounts or a lower rate. Compare and see if this will save you some money in the long run.

By Yuka Oguma, B.B.A., A.I.S.

COVERAGE One of the main reasons you buy an insurance policy is for the coverage it provides. A homeowner’s policy covers more than just damage to the building. Other Structure: applies to other than the dwelling building, that are not attached to the dwelling. Storage sheds, detached garages, and outside kitchen are few examples. Personal Property: applies to the contents of the insured property that you own or use. Note that there are special sub-limits. Some items such as money, gift cards, jewelry, and firearms are subject to smaller sub-limits. Some items also have limitations for theft exposures. Additional living expense: apart from the property damage itself, if the residence is damaged so badly to a point of inhabitability and you and your family must live elsewhere until the home is repaired, it will pay for any necessary living expenses. Medical Payments to Others: expense to include reasonable charges for medical, surgical, x-ray, dental, and ambulance etc. are typically included in homeowners policy for a specified limit and under applicable conditions. Personal Liability to Others: If a claim is made or a suit is brought against you for bodily injury or property damage arising from a covered accident, it will pay damages and the cost of defense. Coverage details vary within the agencies. The cheapest home insurance is rarely the best choice. Adequate coverage is important as long as you are in this long term relationship.

CLAIMS Disaster strikes and your home is now needing some major repairs. The last thing you want to do is go to battle with your insurance agent. You are emotionally drained at this point; you do not need an additional quandary. All those years of paying your premium, but you never knew what you were paying for until this very moment when you dig through your files and look for your homeowner’s coverage forms. Before you bind your coverage with the agent, read through and make sure you understand what you are purchasing to avoid this predicament. Claims filing is when your insurance transaction reaches full circle. Choose an insurance carrier that has a superior financial rating. You want to choose a company that has the ability to fulfil its financial obligation with you - the policy holder. 16 CasaGuam May 2017

About the Author: Yuka Oguma is the Assistant General Manager of Guahan Insurance Services, Inc. She has been in the insurance industry for five years. You can contact her at 475-1172


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H o w To D . I . Y.

5 DIY Smart Home Projects That You Can Complete In an Afternoon

By Brandt Ranj, Insider Picks

Do you wish your home was smarter? Do you wish your Wi-Fi was better? Or maybe that you could check in on your place when you're not there? Renovations like those used to be a real pain. You'd have to put holes in your walls and have someone come in and install things for you. Now, it's easier than ever to do home upgrades like that, and more. I've done four out of the five home hacks on this list myself, and I'm not the most handy person. Even if you're not super into DIY, these projects won't take you much longer than an afternoon. After a couple of days, you'll be happy you did them.

Control Your Lights This is the hack: Controlling your lights Here's why you should do it: Ok, admittedly part of the reason I did this hack was because it's cool and fun. Who doesn't want to be able to control their lights from across the room, or house, for that matter? But after the novelty wore off, I was still glad I invested in some smart bulbs. My studio apartment only has one source of light: a two-bulb ceiling lamp. Space is at a premium, and I don't want to buy another source of light, so that's what I use when I read at night, or do any after-work chores. The light switch is on the opposite side of my apartment, so if I wanted to turn my lights off at night, or turn them back on because I forgot to do something, I had to fumble around and hit the switch. Now I can turn them on and off with a few taps on my phone, or my voice through the Amazon Echo. People with larger houses can set geo fences, so your lights turn on and off when you leave. You can set the lights on timers, too, if you'd like to give people the impression that you're home even when you're not. Here's what you'll need: Philips Hue Bulbs Total spend: $179.99

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Install a USB Outlet This is the hack: Installing new outlets with USB ports Here's why you should do it: This is something I haven't done in my apartment, but will be doing in my mom's condo sometime soon. The reason is pretty simple; we're all guilty of hogging outlets with power adapters for our phones and tablets. You can buy a multi-port USB hub (and should if you live with a lot of people, or travel often), but what if you didn't have to use any outlets at all? Installing outlets with two USB ports built into them solves your charging problems; instead of using an adapter, just plug your device into the outlet's USB ports. They're 4AMP USB ports, too, so your devices will probably charge faster than they would through the adapter they come with. You can install them everywhere, but I think the best place for these outlets would be the kitchen. It's usually one of the main hubs of a house; there probably aren't a lot of outlets there and kitchen gadgets need power, too. You shouldn't have to unplug your toaster to charge your phone. Here's what you'll need: TOPGREENER 4 Amp Dual USB Charger Outlet Total spend: $19.99

Control Your Appliances This is the hack: Controlling your dumb appliances through your smartphone Here's why you should do it: Buying all new appliances with smart features built-in is the best way to live in "the house of the future," but it might not be necessary. If the electric tea kettle you've been using for six years still works, do you really need to replace it with something different? That's the position I found myself in, and so instead of buying new appliances, I started using smart plugs. TP-Link's smart plugs are easy to set up and use. Just plug the smart plug into an outlet, plug your appliance into the smart plug, and you're done. You can now turn your appliance on and off through an app, the same way you can control your smart lights. Now, the only control these smart plugs give you is the ability to turn your appliances on and off. Smarter appliances will let you do fancier actions, but if you think about it, turning something on and off is pretty powerful.


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H o w To D . I . Y. I use my smart plug with an electric tea kettle, and can start boiling water for tea from my bed. By the time I've brushed my teeth the water is ready. If you use it with something potentially dangerous, like an iron, you can check to make sure you turned it off if you left the house in a hurry. Better safe than sorry. Like the Hue bulbs, you can connect these smart plugs to an Echo and control your appliances with your voice. Here's what you'll need: TP-Link Smart Plug Total spend: $29.99

Secure Your Home This is the hack: Securing your home Here's why you should do it: Nobody likes the idea of being unsafe, but for better or worse, it can be easy to feel that way. There are a lot of connected security solutions out there, but I really like Blink. The best part about Blink cameras is the fact that they connect wirelessly and run on batteries. That gives you a lot of options for camera placement without having to consider stringing wires through your house and putting holes in your walls. Blink cameras even come with mounting brackets. Blink cameras have a battery life of one year, and run on AAs, so if you put a reminder on your phone to change them you, won't have to worry about it too often. In my experience, the video quality from these small cameras has been great, and the motion detection has been accurate. Every time a Blink camera senses motion it takes a video clip. Then it enters a short, cool-down period, and if it senses more motion, it takes another clip. Clips can be up to 10 seconds long, and they're automatically saved to Blink's servers free of charge. Setting up Blink cameras is pretty simple: Once you set one up, adding others takes about a minute. There are a couple of things I wish Blink would change about their app, but its performance is rock solid. I've always been able to connect to each camera for live monitoring, and been alerted to motion consistently when the cameras were armed. If you're trying to secure a house with multiple entrances and don't want to rewire your place, Blink is a great option. You can read my full review here. Here's what you'll need: Blink Home Security Camera System Total spend: $229

Extend Your Wi-Fi Network This is the hack: Extending your Wi-Fi network Here's why you should do it: Wi-Fi and walls aren't best buddies. If you live in a big house, or an old one with thick walls, you've probably already found this out. The problem is so widespread that companies have sprung up to sell you multi-router packages to cover your entire home. I have no doubt that a solution like that will work very well, but it's pretty expensive. Instead, you can buy a repeater to extend your current Wi-Fi router's range. I did this recently, and it worked very well. My mom's condo has two floors, and the router is located in the first floor toward the front of the house. Her bedroom is on the second floor toward the back of the house. There are a bunch of walls and a staircase between the signal and her room, and she barely had a connection in there. Using the range extender I'm recommending here, I was able to improve her Wi-Fi network tremendously. It's not as fast as the speeds she can get right next to the router, but it's more than enough for her to stream videos off of YouTube or browse the internet. The setup for this is a breeze; I followed the directions and had it up and running within about 10 minutes. If you're worried about having some ugly device taking up an outlet in your house, don't be. It basically looks like a Glade plug, except it's doing a lot more work. Here's what you'll need: TP-Link Wi-Fi Range Extender Total spend: $29.99 This article was originally published on 10/3/2016. Disclosure: This post is brought to you by Business Insider's Insider Picks team. We aim to highlight products and services you might find interesting, and if you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners, including Amazon. Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon, is an investor in Business Insider through his personal investment company Bezos Expeditions. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Have something you think we should know about? Email us at insiderpicks@businessinsider.com. Read the original article on Insider Picks. Copyright 2017. Follow Insider Picks on Twitter. Cite Source: Brandt Ranj is a tech reporter for Business Insider. He previously worked as an associate editor for ReadRetro.com. He graduated with a degree in journalism from Le Moyne College in 2013. (All products listed are avalable on Amazon.com) CasaGuam.com 19


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Your World, Our Island

Smart Home and Beyond By Eric M. Palacios

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Reality check: Building a new home or upgrading an existing one and incorporating smart technologies is not cheap and not for everyone. I’m sure, like me, a lot of you want to “get with the times” and make our homes easier, and fun, to live in through gadgetry and other technological tools. In a day and age where we can set timers for just about everything in our homes, so, too, can we set smart parameters for things outside and around them. Imagine, for a minute, if we did more than we are already doing. I’m talking about big-picture efforts that will aid in the maintenance of the health and beauty of our surroundings well beyond our outside kitchens, garages and gardens. My vision of home extends beyond my property lines. It doesn’t encroach onto anyone else’s property but, in a big-picture way, it reaches everyone’s backyard, too. In fact, there are a ton of things that we can do to make home better, more inviting, fun and aesthetically pleasing. I’m talking about OUR home—all 200-plus square miles of Guam. Each year, and multiple times during any given month, there are public, private and military groups that conduct beach and jungle cleanups. Sure, no one enjoys picking up other peoples’ trash, discarded, illegally dumped, or left behind for no good reason. And doing so repeatedly can get aggravating. But it can also be very rewarding. It feels great to volunteer for cleanup events because we leave with a sense of pride. The park, beach or stretch of road we just cleaned looks good and there’s money to be made by selling the recyclable products that are collected. This money can be donated to schools, churches, or nonprofits that will invest it back into the community. The Office of the Lt. Governor Ray Tenorio’s Islandwide Beautification Task Force is one entity that coordinates and partners

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with a bunch of organizations and groups on cleanup events. Recently, the task force launched its ‘Basta I Basula’ (stop the trash) program and will have completed its second beautification drive by the time this month’s edition hits newsstands. Another way that we can enhance the beauty of our island, and in a way that is closer to our front porch, is by helping with grasstrimming and other spruce-up activities at our child’s school. Reach out to your child’s Parent Teacher Organization and see how you might be able to help out through sweat equity or a donation. One of the civic organizations that I am a proud member of is the Knights of Columbus Santa Teresita Parish Council. Among our many charitable events is the maintenance of our church grounds every month. Numerous other parishes around our island also have councils and likely perform similar work there. This concept is alive and well at other religious institutions, I’m sure, so your labor-of-love choices are many. Another civic organization that I am a proud member of is the Young Men’s League of Guam. Like the Knights of Columbus, our organization exists to give back to the community in many different ways, including through beautification efforts. As you can see, there are many different ways that we can build a stronger, more vibrant smart home. All it takes is a little vision and looking outside our comfort zone — or beyond the technologies in our castles. For more information about the Islandwide Beautification Task Force, please contact the Office of Lt. Governor Ray Tenorio at 475-9380/1/2/3/4. For more information about the Knights of Columbus or the Young Men’s League of Guam, you may contact me at: jjeecp@gmail.com. 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

What’s a Kick Plate & Why Do I Need One?

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Maybe you’re like me. I walk out of a store with my arms full of bags — I hate those squeaky carts — and I’m faced with the door. It’s not automatic, so I’m on my own. Do I panic? Not a bit. I just push it open with my foot…and I don’t even worry about damaging the door. Not because I’m a heartless beast, but because the building designer has ingeniously installed a kick plate. You may not even have noticed this unsung hero. Kick plates are so common, they’re virtually inconspicuous in commercial buildings. But homeowners, too, can benefit from the protective properties of kick plates to keep scuffs, scratches and scrapes from marring their doors. Home Kick Plate

I Need a Kick Plate? Really? The purpose of a kick plate is pretty straightforward: It covers the bottom of a door to guard against damage. You’re more likely to see them in business structures than homes, but think about it: How many times do you arrive at your front door with your arms full of groceries, books, luggage, small animals, small children or sacks of gold? If you manage to unlock the door without losing your load, you have to push against the door to open it. This technique is highly personalized: A bump with a hip, lean-in with the shoulder or kick with the shoe. Because of footwear, the last approach does the most harm to the door over time. You can mark up the door, ding it or perhaps, if you’re a steel-toed boots fan, take a few chips out of it. A kick plate keeps all that from happening. And though it’s called a “kick” plate, doors need protection from other things that go bump in the night — and day — such as strollers, animals and toys. Kick plates aren’t limited to front doors. Any door that swings into a room can benefit. Pay attention when you’re out and about, and you’ll notice lots of plates. Here’s a start: Check restaurant kitchen doors, restroom doors and office doors. Your next assignment: As you walk through your home, see how many times you open a door without using your hands. You may be surprised…

By Megan Wild

Want an unusual hue to match your décor? No worries. You won’t be denied the perfect kick plate if it’s your heart’s desire…or even just a good idea for your house.

Where Do I Find This Thing? Kick plates aren’t rare, and they seldom hide. Large home mprovement stores, such as Lowe’s and Home Depot, carry them. Or you can order a kick plate from Amazon while you’re stocking up on glow-in-the dark toilet paper, spandex bodysuits or bacon bandages. Online specialty stores also offer wide varieties. With these choices, you should be able to find the perfect plate. If not, the internet also brings you manufacturers who are more than willing to make your custom kick plate dreams come true.

What’s It Like? Kick plates are rectangles between 10 and 16 inches high. The larger ones are often used when wheelchair traffic is likely. To make sure the door still opens properly, the length of a kick plate is two inches narrower than the width of the door. That means no kicking along the edge of the door or near the door jam! Traditionally, kick plates are metal: stainless steel, aluminum or brass. The material often matches the door’s hardware. Nowadays, acrylic and vinyl are also options and may be more attractive for homes. Pick your favorite color or even go clear and colorless. See-through kick plates are all the rage. You can even find manufacturers who custom-build kick plates to customers’ specifications. Got a non-standard sized door? 22 CasaGuam May 2017

Photo: www.deckthedoordecor.com


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Curb Appeal

How Exactly Do I Hang It? It’s really no big deal to attach a kick plate. But note: You’ll do a better job if you take down the door. Seriously. Lay it on sawhorses or on the floor. The work will go faster, and it’ll be easier to make sure the plate is straight. Don’t be lazy. To start, you need to center the kick plate on the door. Leave one uncovered inch on each side. Don’t eyeball it — use a measuring tape to make sure the plate is in position. Expend a little time and effort to get the kick plate in the right place. These babies last, so you’ll be looking at it for a long time. Screws and adhesive are the most common ways to mount kick plates. Sheet metal screws or an industrial adhesive ensure a secure attachment. However, if you’re so inclined, it’s possible to find a magnetic kick plate for a metal door. A kick plate won’t solve all your problems. It’ll just make your door look nicer. You won’t frown each time you smack it open with your foot. Maybe you’ll smile instead — and who couldn’t use a few more smiles? Looking for more information on your front door? Check out this blog post on ways to improve your home’s curb appeal, which includes tips for your front door! Citing Source: Megan Wild is a millennial home improvement blogger who enjoys delving into a variety of topics: environmental side of home improvement and home decor, along with other projects that she comes across. She loves dogs, coffee, and HGTV. Catch her in the #homeimprovement, #construction, and #sustainability corners of the interwebs. YourWildHome.com CasaGuam.com 23


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W h o Ya G o n n a C a l l ?

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Closing

Message from the President Maria E. Miller 2017 President Guam Association of REALTORS®

Message from the Chief Executive Officer and Government Affairs Director Peggy Araullo Llagas Guam Association of REALTORS®

OUR ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT

Fair Housing marks its 49th Anniversary this year

We celebrated Earth Day last month on April 22nd. Earth Day is a time to reflect on how we can do our part as an individual and as a community to improve our environment. We should carry out this mindset every single day because Earth is where we live and breathe. Making a few small changes can even improve the value of your home. It doesn’t matter where you live or the type of home you own, you can still make positive impact and reduce your environmental footprint. Start by doing a visual inspection of your home and get around to that much needed home maintenance you have been putting off. Look for leaks and repair any leaky faucets and running toilets. This will not only save on your monthly water bill but prevent further damage to your home. Replace broken light fixtures with LED lighting. Inspect your roof, remove any debris from the drain covers and if it is black – get it cleaned! If you notice your doors are allowing air to seep in or “daylight” through, make the necessary adjustments and install a quality weather stripping and a door sweep. If you make the necessary repairs as they are needed the cost of the repairs will be low and you are also saving yourself from the problem getting worse! Sprucing up the outside of your home may seem tedious but it is important to protecting the value of your home. Landscape your lawn with colorful native plants. Remove any rubbish and junk vehicles from your lawn. Get out with the family and do a neighborhood cleanup. Today there are plenty of products on the market that offer environmental savings that improve the value of your home and can put money back in your pocket through energy and water savings. Look for high energy efficient hot water heaters, air conditioners, and install a programable thermostat. You don’t have to invest a lot and you certainly don’t have to do it all at one time.

Why you should work with a REALTOR®?

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 28 CasaGuam May 2017

Not only do REALTORS® adhere to a strict Code of Ethics, REALTORS® recognize the significance of Fair Housing and confirms their commitment to upholding the law, as well as commitment to offering equal professional service to all. Herewith, the Fair Housing declaration affirms that REALTORS® agree to: • Provide equal professional service without regard to the race, color, religion, gender (sex), disability (handicap), familial status, national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity of any prospective client, customer, or of the residents of any community. • Keep informed about fair housing law and practices, improving my clients' and customers' opportunities and my business. • Develop advertising that indicates that everyone is welcome and no one is excluded; expanding my client's and customer's opportunities to see, buy, or lease property. • Inform my clients and customers about their rights and responsibilities under the fair housing laws by providing brochures and other information. • Document my efforts to provide professional service, which will assist me in becoming a more responsive and successful REALTOR®. • Refuse to tolerate non-compliance. • Learn about those who are different from me, and celebrate those differences. • Take a positive approach to fair housing practices and aspire to follow the spirit as well as the letter of the law. • Develop and implement fair housing practices for my firm to carry out the spirit of this declaration. - 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.


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