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CONTENTS
Let ter from the Editor Letter from the Editor
Departments 4
Market Report The State of the Ever Changing Market
8
Emily L.G. Untalan
10
Feature 10 Ways to Get a Designer Look on a Budget
December 2017 • Vol. 10 • No. 12
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Real Estate Spotlight Access
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Profile Melany Balauro
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 Pests - Where Do They Come From and How to Get Rid of Them
Emily L.G. Untalan
[ Traffic/Circulation ] Shaun Cruz
[ Production Manager ] Mark S. Burke
[ Graphics & Layout ] 18
How to D.I.Y. Last Minute Christmas Gifts
Mark S. Burke Edwin E. Valencia
[ Website Development ] Edwin E. Valencia
[ Editorial Contributors ] 20
Your World, Our Island Tackling Invasive Species
22
Curb Appeal Outdoor Holiday Curb Appeal Ideas!
25
Who Ya Gonna Call?
Stephanie Shore Fisher Anthony Godwin Phil Hagen David Harrison Peggy A. Llagas Maria E. Miller Eric M. Palacios Suzy Emily L.G. Untalan Kim Anderson Young Cover Photo: Mark S. Burke CasaGuam is Published by:
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Closing
Hafa Adai Everyone and Season’s Greetings! It’s Christmas(time) — my favorite holiday — and, for the same reason I love Thanksgiving, it’s a special time to spend with the ones you love. Only this time, we celebrate the birth of the Christ child. He IS the reason for the season! To those who may not have their friends or family (including the furry ones) home this Christmas, maybe due to distance, or time or, sadly, the heavens above — please keep the memories you have of them alive and close to your heart. Surround yourself with those who are here with you now. I’m certain it’s where they would want you to be and where you truly belong, full of peace and promise. This month’s FEATURE is Luxuries on a Budget. It is possible to design your home even on a tight budget. In MARKET REPORT, Anthony Godwin submits the latest stats and breaks down the state of the ever changing market. In REAL ESTATE SPOTLIGHT, Kim Young talks about public, private and legal “access” to your property. Our PROFILE section features bankerturned-REALTOR® Melany Balauro. Phil Hagen shares some tips on how to keep pests away in FROM THE EXPERTS. No budget for gifts, no problem! We got you covered in our DIY section! In YOUR WORLD, OUR ISLAND, if Eric Palacios is not cleaning up our island you can bet he’s got his hands on another project — tackling invasive species. Read up and reach out to him for more info. In CURB APPEAL, it’s the holidays and time to spruce up your home! Whether you’re preparing to get your home on the market or making it the eye candy on your street, give these tips a try! Learn about rip currents in our WEATHERREADY NATION (WRN) section. Take this information seriously and heed all warnings. GAR President Maria Miller has some Christmas decor ideas for those on a budget and shares her thoughts on the meaning of Christmas. GAR CEO Peggy Llagas reminds you to take the best practices for cybercrime prevention. As 2017 comes to a close, reflect on all the memories, cherish them with your whole heart, and prepare to create new ones once 2018 rolls in. Merry Christmas, everyone! See you all next year!! Fondly, 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
The State of the Ever Changing Market?
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Nearly every day a property is being listed for rent or sale on Guam. Talk to most real estate agents and brokers and they will tell you they are quite upbeat about the market. Not too many years ago there were over 1,900 listings in the multiple listing service… today there were 1,316. As of November 24th there were just 70 condominium/townhome units listed for sale in the multiple listing service (MLS). There were 161 single family homes available for sale. Demand for both condominiums and townhomes is high. Supply is low. Will this last forever? No. There are factors that contribute to availability. The most newsworthy item lately is the availability of construction labor. It does appear that a partial solution to this is on the horizon just awaiting signature from the US president that would allow up to 4,000 H2 temporary workers for work on military projects. Hopefully this will free up some of our resident workers for construction outside of the military bases — such as building homes. Another significant factor that affects the residential properties are financing options. Many of our lending institutions offer a variety of programs to fit many circumstances. You will find 100% financing programs, such as the VA loans (for military members, retirees and national guard folks) and Rural Development (RD) loans generally for first time home buyers. There are also conventional loan programs that require some down payment; some as low as 3%. Interest rates are still low — 3.5% to 4.5% — still one of the WOW factors when buying a home these days. Where are folks buying? As of November 24th, the top village was Dededo with 121 homes and condominiums sold, followed by Tamuning with 88 sales. Yigo came in third with 60 properties sold. The villages of Barrigada, Mangilao and Ordot-Chalan Pago had similar activity of around 30+/- each sold. The village with the highest average sold price during the same period was Barrigada at $396,650.00 followed by Piti at $362,714. For Sellers, this market presents a great opportunity to sell fast and at top dollar. It’s not uncommon for a single property to have multiple buyer interest and several offers on the table. Are you looking to buy or sell on Guam? Now’s a good time for both. Feel free to give me a call at 688-8198 or email me at Anthony@guamhome.com. Suggestions for future articles for Casa Guam are also welcome.
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Market Repor t
Market Snapshot January 1, 2017 to November 24, 2017 By Anthony Godwin
Condominium/Townhomes For Sale Average Sold Price: $227,640 Average Days on Market: 114 Units Sold 187 Units Currently for Sale 70
Condominium/Townhomes/Apartments for Rent Average Rented Price: $1,68.00 Average Days on Market: 54 Units Rented 979 Units Currently for Rent 297
Single Family Home Sales Average Sold Price: $298,923 Average Days on Market: 144 Homes Sold 321 Homes Currently for Sale 161
Single Family Rentals Average Rented Price: $2,401.00 Average Days on Market: 55 Homes Rented 657 Homes Currently for Rent 179
Disclaimer: Information from the Guam Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for the period stated and includes only closing information submitted to the service.
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Feature
10 Ways to Get a Designer Look on a Budget hile money does make this easier, there is an ever growing number of affordable furniture and lighting brands that can help create an interesting and beautiful interior without resorting to copies of big name items. Don’t forget that it’s not just about objects. Finishes like paint, wallpaper, flooring and fabrics can emphasize quality beyond their price – adding to the overall look and making the interior scheme more convincing. Here are our top 10 tips to getting a designer look on a budget:
Take your time to develop a good theme for your room or entire interior look. Browsing through quality interiors magazines and websites will provide initial inspiration and will focus your ideas. After a few hours you should definitely know which designer looks you love and those you hate. Assess what makes the look successful. Is it the use of chrome? The abundance of earthy textures? The slick use of colour or perhaps a combination of several factors?
2. Create a mood board Once the key component is confirmed you can mock up your own version in the form of a mood board using cut out images or ones downloaded from online sources. Online research is the fastest way to see where you can find pieces with similar detailing, finishes or shape. There are now a number of aggregated websites that show products from a huge number of manufacturers.
While expensive designer looks use costly materials and finishes there are often much cheaper alternatives that will provide 90% of the same look – all you need to do is spend some time and look for items that have the same feel as a designer piece – be it a lamp with a chrome base or a basic bentwood chair given a great paint job. Powder coating drab metal components in smart metallic finishes or bright colours is another way of converting everyday items to look more expensive than they really are. Photo provided by David Harrison
1. Take your time
3. A little bit of DIY aptitude goes a long way
4. Look for bang for your buck. Stone for example is generally a luxury material but certain stones are less than a quarter of the price of commonly used varieties. Similarly the luxurious look of gold detailing can be achieved with polished brass and printed wallpapers with a touch of gold foil. Both create a sense of luxury at budget prices. Photo provided by David Harrison
5. Invest in showstoppers
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It’s often wise to invest in a couple of showstoppers that lift the level of your room or interior. These can be materials like a stainless steel bench or a solid timber floor as much as objects like furniture, lighting or art pieces. The general aim is to lift the more ordinary objects up to the level of the key pieces. Quality December 2017
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Feature
Photo provided by TopKnobs
is much the same once displayed. Old glass bottles can be bought quite cheaply and a collection of shapes in a common colour theme can be very effective. Italian high end brand Porro recently used plastic plumbing pipes painted bright colours as part of their showroom decoration – anything is fair game – and there is confidence in numbers.
8. Scale is important Remember scale is a highly important part of interiors. Large furniture clutters up small spaces in an unnatural way and makes everything seem out of scale. Equally using small sofas in a large room will look like a sorry excuse for a sofa – so don’t opt for a 2 seater to save money when the room really demands something bigger.
taps generally cost only marginally more than the standard varieties and can add a touch of ‘designer’ to a plain and simple bathroom or kitchen. Good handles on doors and kitchen cabinets achieve the same effect. It’s all a matter of choosing where to skimp and save and where to splurge.
6. Buy vintage
Photo Courtesy of Mary Reiter Anderson
Buying vintage doesn’t appeal to everyone but in the mix a good second hand item will add instant NY chic to an interior. Thrift shop finds are a great way of adding charm and wit to an interior scheme and are generally as cheap as chips. Some may need a little clean or a new lick of paint – others may require a new lampshade but the essence remains that they are a personal and unique feature that doesn’t cost the earth.
7. Group objects together Displaying multiple objects of the same type is an interior designer ‘trick of the trade’ idea that can be appropriated by the budget decorator and recreated with cheaper items while still achieving a great outcome. A collection of stoneware beer bottles may not sound quite so designer as a group of hand thrown ceramic vessels but the effect
9. Look for showroom sales Remember that you can save a lot of money by buying fabric remnants and ends of wall paper rolls and by keeping a keen eye out for showroom stock sales and discontinued models. You can save up to fifty percent this way and still get the real thing. Creating a designer look on a budget takes extra time precisely because the ‘money no object’ mantra DOESN’T apply.
10. Get inspiration online Top international aggregated furniture and lighting websites: Stylepark — A German site that doesn’t sell anything but provides great information. All the best the world has to offer is available to look at here with links to other products by that manufacturer or designer. Architonic — Much like Stylepark, Architonic is an amazing resource. It was probably the original online aggregated furniture, lighting and architectural product specification website. It also has an auction results listing for important vintage items. Unica Home — A great American online store that carries a large range of European and American brands. Shipping to Australia is possible via Bongo — a US shipping company that can consolidate orders from various stores in the US then send them to Australia for you in a job lot. Conran Shop — Worth a look for the British style angle and what is a good range of international favourites – and all the genuine article. Due to the slide of the value of the pound buying from the UK right now is amazing value. Postage can be a killer though so be careful. Marks & Spencer — The British supermarket retailer has enlisted the help of Terence Conran and aims to fill the space left by the demise of Habitat in the UK. Good, solid well designed pieces at great prices. They also have a range by Marcel Wanders the founder of Dutch brand Moooi. Cite Source: David Harrison is a freelance writer in the area of design. He contributes regularly to a variety of magazines and publications, including Homelife at http://www.homelife.com.au. He has worked for over 15 years as an interior stylist and recently started Design Daily, a furniture and lighting app that features new releases from international furniture and lighting fairs.
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On The Cover
State of the Art Executive Home in Yigo Looking for the perfect tranquil house to call home? This brand new Executive house in Yigo, is the perfect house for you! This beautiful house is located in a quiet and peaceful neighborhood near Andersen Air Force Base. You will be amazed with what this 4 Bedroom 5 Bath house has to offer: a fully fenced-in yard with an automatic gate, executive kitchen layout with custom cabinetry that provides lots of storage and up-to-date tech, spacious living and dining room area great for entertaining! It does not stop here! Its modern look, from the exterior custom wall tiles and high ceilings to the beautiful custom LED light fixtures and natural lighting throughout the house. There is more to see in this unique house, call Karen Pan at 988-1883!
Why wait? Call now to arrange the showings! 433 SPC John T Sablan, Yigo MLS# 17-4093 10 CasaGuam
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• For Sale $586,000 • 4BD/5BA • Fully Fenced
karen1282001@yahoo.com
988-1883
Karen Pan Principal Broker
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Real Estate Spotlight
Access - What You Need to Know
By Kim Anderson Young
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If you can drive to a property, it has access, right? Well….maybe not! It is not uncommon for the physical location of the driveway to a property to differ from the legal access. Keep this in mind when considering the purchase of a house or lot. Your Realtor® can provide you with a map of the property that will indicate legal access. In most urban subdivisions it is easy to determine legal access, but if the property is a little off the beaten path, you may need to consult a surveyor to determine the location of the legal access to the property. If the physical access and legal access are not the same, you may need to consider the cost of installing a road to the property within the legal access boundaries. Access, also called ingress and egress rights, fall into a number of categories, the most common of which are: Public Roads These roads are owned by GovGuam and are maintained by GovGuam. Bull Cart trails are unique to Guam in that they provide legal access (and physical access) to many otherwise land locked parcels. Private Roads Families or developers sometimes reserve a road as a right of way for ingress and egress and utility services within a private subdivision and are disclosed by the subdivision map of the property. Maintenance for these roads will ultimately be the responsibility of the homeowners. Easements An easement is the right to use property that belongs to someone else. A right of way falls within the definition of an easement in that it allows another person to travel over your land. Easements and rights of way are usually created by a Grant of Easement instrument, or by a covenant contained in a Deed.
In the case of private roads and easements, it is very important to read and fully understand the rights granted. Some may contain restrictions or reversions that may limit or prohibit your free access and use of the easement. Unless a specific exception to title is taken, your Owner’s Title Insurance Policy guarantees your right of access to your property. And, if there is a problem with access, your title report will disclose the issue so that you can deal with it prior to purchasing the property. 12 CasaGuam
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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
Balauro is the Key to Finding and Securing Your New Home
By Emily L.G. Untalan
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Melany Balauro REALTOR® ELLEN’S REALTY
Thank you for the acknowledgement, Melany. We appreciate it. In her spare time, Balauro likes snorkeling, hiking and “believe it or not practicing WWE moves!” she declares. And, in five or 10 years, she foresees owning more rental properties and traveling for leisure. As ambitious and hard working as you are, Melany, we believe you can definitely have it all! We wish you the best and all the blessings this Christmas brings.
Do your best to enjoy the job and remember to take a personal day off for your love ones December 2017
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Melany Balauro of Ellen’s Realty is a banker-turned-REALTOR® who knows both sides of the coin when it comes to real estate and mortgage financing. “I had been a residential mortgage loan specialist since 1997 and enjoyed everything about real estate from lending to home ownership and sales,” says Balauro. She got into real estate by observing others in the field, “I started off watching and hearing about the success of many realtors who are now well-famed. I started buying then later flipping land and homes. In the process I began to really enjoy the creativity and inspiration it brought.” She gives much credit to Ellen’s Realty. “My broker, Ellen Wilkinson, was inspirational as she is a sole proprietor and successful woman which helped motivated me.” Balauro has been in real estate for five years. Prior to that she was a banker with specialty in residential loans for 15 years (1997). Speaking about her experience as a REALTOR® since 2012, she says, “I enjoy meeting people, touring all types of homes to see the latest trends, the dos and don’ts of renovation, visiting land and imagining the possibilities and most especially creating rehab homes.” She appreciates the freedom and flexibility that real estate brings and “the decision to create your own success and see failure as a learning curve to become better,” adds Balauro. The advice Balauro would like to offer those considering the real estate field, “Make sure you have a back up plan and save up money before starting as you need to keep in mind real estate is not easy money, it takes time and hard work or pure talent.” Furthermore, “Network as much as you can and develop relationships everywhere you go. Follow up and stay honest in the process. Do your best to enjoy the job and remember to take a personal day off for your love ones.” Pretty straightforward and sound advice which comes from experience and wisdom. Balauro appreciates the media exposure CasaGuam provides and how it gets the public to notice her and the homes she represents. She also adds that the management and staff, “Are the kindest and friendliest team with professionalism under pressure.”
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From the Experts
PESTS - Where Do They Come From and How to Get Rid of Them By Phil Hagen
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Dealing with pests is a never-ending battle. They are everywhere and they come in drones. You, armed with a swatter, will very likely find yourself outnumbered many a times. Self surrender, and let the professionals handle it for you. Phil Hagen of Pacific Pest Control offers Q&As, and some tips to help you reduce, rid this very annoying problem. - Emily Untalan Pest Details - Q&A Q: What kind of termites are on Guam? A: There are currently three species of termites on Guam; Drywood, Formosan and Subterranean. Q: Where do termites come from? A: Termite colonies are located underground. They are usually found near rotting wood (dead trees, old pallets, firewood, etc.). They also need a water source, areas where the ground is moist because of a water run-off or a leaky faucet. If there are termites located around your home, eventually they may enter the interior of your home if no previous treatment has been done. Q: Where do ants come from? A: Ants live around plants and trees. They nest in the soil in moist areas such as mulch and other micro-habitats. They enter your home through gaps under the doors, conduits, drains, gaps around windows and also by 'hitchhiking' on people. Q: How do I get rid of fruit flies? A: The best way to get rid of fruit flies is to treat their breeding source. These sources can be dirty drains, over-ripened fruits/produce and stagnant/slimey water. By cleaning the areas mentioned above and removing over-ripened fruits/produce you can reduce the amount of fruit fly infestation. Q: Where are roaches most likely to be found? A: Roaches like moist areas with limited light. These areas include behind refrigerators, water heaters and under sinks. They also like tight places such as between walls or along plumbing. Also, they do not want to travel far for food. Wherever there is exposed food, roaches may be near. Q: Why do you have to trench or drill along the exterior of my home? A: The reason for this is to get the chemical into to the soil at the required depth in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. The best way to protect yourself from termites is to place a barrier around your home and be vigilant in removing clutter from the exterior of your house. We limit the need to drill the interior of the home’s floor-slab. Q: What are those termite stations in the ground for? A: Termite Baiting is another for of termite control. Bait stations are placed into the ground around the house and monitored on a regular basis. This method does not require any chemical injections and is seen as a “green solution” to termite treatments.
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Q: How long does I-Maxx Pro last? A: We use I-Maxx Pro with our Termite Shield Program. With this program Pacific Pest Control is offering a 5-year warranty. This warranty covers the interior exterior of the home. It also comes with inspections at no extra cost! Q: Do we have to evacuate our home? A: No. There is no need for you or your pets to leave the property. The chemicals are safe to use around people and pets. There is no mess to clean up and no heavy odors to deal with. Q: Is the chemical safe? A: The chemicals that we use are EPA approved and there is no need to evacuate your home during our treatment. What we use for our termite programs are engineered to only attack the health of a termite, it won't affect your health or the health of your pets. Tips to reduce the amount of pests in your home: • Keep food in containers • Clean your kitchen counters after use • Trim trees and shrubs so that they are not touching your home • Double check to make sure windows are sealed tight (including the caulking) Tips to reduce the infestation of termites: • Remove dead or decaying wood from around your home • Use pretreated wood when installing new shelves, cabinets or door jambs • Eliminate water sources outside your home as much as possible Tips to avoid/reduce flea and tick infestation: • Use a flea and tick shampoo on your pets on a regular basis • Keep your grass cut short • Isolate pets from stray animals or those that already have fleas or ticks • Do not allow your pet to roam near areas other animals frequent • Have your home treated quarterly as a preventive measure a variety of pest control services besides ants, roaches and termites. Pacific Pest Control also offers other services such as: · Rodent Control · Fly Control Systems · Mosquitoes · Cat Removal · Yard Sprays · Fumigation · Inspection Reports (Real Estate) · Retail Products · Prices vary for each service. Pacific Pest Control has a long track record of satisfied commercial customers. (List of satisfied customers available upon request) We have experience servicing hotels, hospitals, restaurants, offices, warehouses, airports, military ships and shipping containers. All the materials that we use are safe to use around food and food preparation areas. Our technicians are professionally trained and EPA certified so that we can give you the service your business deserves. We have convenient scheduling so that our services do not interrupt your production and your customers. We also provide free sanitation and exclusion advisement to ensure pests are kept to a minimum without the use of pesticides. Our results are immediate and guaranteed! Contact us today for a free estimate and inspection. About the Author: Phil Hagen is the Operations Manager of Pacific Pest Control. Pacific Pest Control has been in business for over 25 years. For more information about their services, please contact 637-8959/8960 or visit www.guampestcontrol.com
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H o w To D . I . Y.
Last Minute Christmas Gifts By Stephanie Shore Fisher INSTRUCTIONS:
The holiday season is always a hustle and bustle time of year. And, although a check list may come in handy, there is a slight (unintended) chance of forgetting someone or something. Here are two DIY semi-homemade gift ideas by Stephanie Shore Fisher that will make anyone feel extra special because of the time and thought put into it; straight from the heart and made with an extra dash of holiday cheer. - Emily Untalan
How to Turn a Pringles Can Into a Christmas Cookie Container Homemade cookies are the go-to when you're staring down a long Christmas list. Sure, you can buy a bunch of less-personalized tins or basic gift boxes to house those Snickerdoodles, but if you're feeling kinda crafty, this so-simple cookie container DIY has taken Pinterest by storm. Plus, it comes with an added bonus: You get to snack on salty chips after that marathon baking session. 18 CasaGuam
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SUPPLIES: • • • • • • • •
1 can of plain Pringles Wrapping paper or scrapbook paper Scissors Double-sided tape Ribbon Optional: Baker's twine or string Optional: Mini ornament 2-3 dozen cookies per container (pick your favorite flavor!)
1. Empty your Pringles can and wipe the inside clean with a damp cloth or paper towel. Optional: Eat all of the Pringles (hey, someone has to do it) or move to a large baggie and save for later. 2. Cut your wrapping paper or scrapbook paper to size: 10 inches wide by 9.5 inches tall. 3. Wrap the paper around the can and secure both ends with double-sided tape. 4. Trim your ribbon to your designated length. We used a 40-inch-long ribbon to create a voluminous bow. 5. Tie your ribbon around the can, and finish off with a festive bow. This tutorial by Lia Griffith is especially helpful. For variety, try rick rack trim ($12, amazon.com) or two different types of paper for contrast. 6. Optional: Tie a cute, mini ornament around the bow for an extra embellishment — and a bonus gift! 7. Fill 'er up with your choice of two-tothree dozen cookies, homemade or store-bought. We won't tell anyone, we promise.
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H o w To D . I . Y.
How to Turn Dollar Store Candles Into the Most Charming Snowmen Add a little bit of paint, some glue and cute ribbon, and you've got yourself an adorable little man for your mantel. It goes without saying that we love a good Dollar Store craft. We've seen some pretty good ones this winter, but we have to say, the candle-turned-snowman just might be our favorite. The snow may melt away, but we'll be keeping this one on our mantels until spring.
SUPPLIES: • White candles in glass jars • Glass-friendly paint • Small paintbrushes • Ribbon • Scissors • Hot glue gun and hot glue • Buttons • Twist ties
INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Paint on the snowman's face. We gave ours coal-black eyes, a mouth and plus an orange carrot for a nose. Handle delicately until dry, or if you have time, wait a day for the next step to allow paint to full set. 2. Tie your ribbon to make a scarf, securing each side with hot glue. Optional: Cut fringe into the ends with sharp scissors. 3. Use the hot glue gun to attach a neat row of buttons. These will be secure and dry within seconds. 4. Fold a twist tie in half and twist the ends to look like branches/arms. Add a dab of hot glue and attach to your snowman underneath his scarf. Repeat for the other side. Cite Sources:: Stephanie is the senior social and video editor for GoodHousekeeping.com and HouseBeautiful.com. She's deeply passionate about salt and vinegar chips, velvet furniture and metallic pleated skirts.
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Your World, Our Island
Project to Tackle Invasive Species in Place
By Eric M. Palacios
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We all see the devastating effect that the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) has on our island. For decades, our jungles, shorelines and roadways were teeming with coconut trees. At present, sadly, is an entirely different story. We see stumps, diamond-shaped fronds and lifeless reminders of those days. For several years, the government experimented with various methods to combat this ecological and economical pest. Most of these attempts produced some degree of success, but none made the impact that people were hoping it would. To top it off, we found out that our CRB is a “super” specimen, and more resilient and hardy than others in the Asia-Pacific region. Thankfully, there is a project in place that should produce the level of results that we are looking for. And although it likely will not eradicate the CRB, we expect it to tip the proverbial scales in our favor. This project targets the CRB where it is most needed: breeding sites. It involves the use of an air curtain burner (ACB) and the burning of green waste that the CRB both reproduces and matures in. Led by the Department of Agriculture’s Biosecurity Division and Governor Eddie Calvo’s Invasive Species Task Force, the contract to dispose of green waste — primarily infested stockpiles — was awarded in late September. In the weeks leading to this milestone, much collaboration took place with the Guam Environmental Protection Agency (GEPA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to ensure everything was on the up-and-up, especially since the ACB technology is relatively new to Guam.
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In just the first month of the project, many tons of active and would-be breeding sites had been burned, and work continues to identify more waste piles so that it may be analyzed for the presence of the Little Fire Ant (LFA). Non-LFA debris is then hauled to the contractor’s facility for disposal. Other than monetarily, these efforts are not limited in scope. In fact, each village mayor has been asked to identify sites in their respective district. Little Fire Ant Then there is this: the LFA. Although not as widespread as the CRB, this pest likely will have an even greater impact on our community because of the human health problems in is known to cause. Not seen by the naked eye, its bite will cause pain and swelling, and it is even worse for children and the elderly. Several colonies have been identified by Agriculture, and the fine staff there actively monitors and tracks its movement. Through this same ACB project, debris that is infested with the LFA will also be burned. However, the process is a little different. Rather than hauling the debris — and risk further spread from origin to the ACB facility — the contractor will deploy a mobile unit to burn the debris at the site. Feel free to e-mail me at: jjeecp@gmail.com for information about best practices on controlling invasive species around your home. About the Author: Eric M. Palacios is the former administrator of Guam Environmental Protection Agency. He currently serves as Governor Eddie Calvo’s special assistant for Infrastructure, Invasive Species, Environment & Natural Resources.
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Curb Appeal
Get Your Home Spruced Up with Our Outdoor Holiday Curb Appeal Ideas! t’s that time of year again where twinkle lights, giant red bows, and wreaths are all we can think about when it comes to home decorating! Decorating for the holidays is fun, cheerful, and is a great way to make your home stand out from the rest in the neighbourhood. To really amp up your holiday curb appeal, here are some unique ways to make your home shine this holiday season:
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Photo: Xerxes
Get Down to Curb Appeal Basics Before you get started on your outdoor holiday decorating, make sure to do a full clean-up of your home. There is nothing more ugly that hanging decorations when your windows are muddy and your porch is looking run down. If necessary, hire curb appeal professionals to do a full clean up including pressure washing your driveway, roof, and walls, as well as trimming your grass, bushes, and removing dead trees. Here are some quick ways to increase your home’s curb appeal this holiday season: Find a perfect day and then get down to your holiday cleaning. On a sunny day, it will be easier to tell what needs cleaning and what doesn’t. You’ll also want to make sure to do a full blow cleaning before the temperatures drop even further to prevent your washing from freezing over.
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Curb Appeal Turn Everyday Decorating into Holiday Themed We all know how trendy large lanterns have become for outdoor decorating, and you probably already have some outside. A smart way to decorate your home for the holidays is to use what you already have. Fill up your lanterns with extra Christmas ornaments you may have and then tie a ribbon at the top of the lantern. To add some extra cheer, take a few ever-
Photo: Nesting With Grace
Create Easy Christmas Signs Photo: Elle Decor
Signs with joyful sayings are easy to make and are a big holiday mood booster for guests and those passing by. You can easily use old wooden pallets, use a belt sander to sand them smooth, paint them white, and finally purchase large letters from your local Michaels store. Give them a few coats of red paint and you’ve got yourself a cheerful sign ready to kick start the holiday season!
green clippings and tie them at the top as well. There you have some instant holiday decor, literally for free! Suzy’s Tip: Stocking up on holiday decorations is a no-no for me. I try to use what I already have around my home. For example, my tomato cages from this summer’s harvest make great mini trees wrapped in garland. Try to get creative with what you already have to save money, and reduce your carbon footprint.
Make a Statement with Oversized Pieces Wreaths have long been a holiday staple, but why not take them to the next level and oversize them? If you have large gates in front of your home, cheer them up with huge hanging wreaths tied with a red bow and beautiful pinecones. You won’t need any other additional decor since your huge wreaths will already be making a beautiful statement.
Cite Source: Suzy of Better Decorating Bible is a DIY-er who specializes in “getting the look for less and believes that money can’t buy style. With the right muse and eye for detail, anyone can mimic and enjoy a glamorous, classy home.”
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Weather Ready Nation
Escape the Grip of the Rip to Avoid the Grief of the Reef! Hafa Adai Guam! The 2017 typhoon season will soon come to an end as we quickly head into the holiday season. Let’s remain vigilant, though, as late-season typhoons can s ll occur in our area of the Paci c. Looking ahead, the winter months can provide improved weather condi ons such as less rain, more sun, a pleasant trade wind breeze and a rela vely comfortable air mass that isn’t quite as hot or humid as we’ve experienced the last few months. However, strong winter storms in the north Paci c can generate hazardous seas and surf across the Marianas. Rip Currents kill more people in the Marianas than any other weather hazard. Dangerous rip currents occur frequently when we have strong winds, high seas and inclement weather; but they also occur on nice sunny days! Don’t be deceived by the nice weather if large seas and surf are near because strong currents may lurk just below the surface. So what exactly is a rip current? They are currents of water owing away from the shore. Rip currents are common and can be found in reef channels, along reef ats and at river mouths. They can also form near man-made structures such as je es and piers. Rip currents are dangerous because they can pull people away from the shore and out past the reef line. Rip current speeds vary and can increase rapidly, becoming dangerous to anyone entering the surf. They can sweep even the strongest swimmer out to sea!
We monitor sea and surf heights daily at the weather forecast o ce. We also collect surf observa ons from our network of surf observers across the Marianas. This helps us verify the surf zone forecasts we issue twice a day. You can nd the Surf Zone forecast at: h p:// www.prh.noaa.gov/guam/public.php. We issue High Surf Advisories and Warnings when surf reaches certain thresholds. For most reefs of Guam, high
Rip currents can be di cult to see but there are clues as to where they may occur. Look for a channel in the reef or a channel of churning, choppy water. Also look for a di erence in water color, a line of sea foam, sea grass or other debris such as palm fronds, coconuts or trash moving seaward. If the surf is big, there are most likely dangerous rip currents. If you are caught in a rip current, stay calm! Do not ght the current. Instead, escape the current by swimming in a direc on that follows the coastline. If you are unable to escape by swimming, then oat or tread water un l the current weakens. Then swim toward shallow water. If you feel you are unable to reach the shore, draw a en on to yourself by waving and yelling for help.
surf advisories are issued when surf reaches 9 feet. This coincides with a high risk of rip currents. Surf and rip currents become dangerous and life-threatening when surf reaches 15 feet or more. Stay out of the water when there is a High Surf Warning in e ect! With all of this in mind, we do want to o er you these safety ps for your next trip to the beach: Know how to swim and never swim
alone. Swim near a lifeguard for maximum safety. Obey instruc ons from lifeguards. Always swim with a ota on device and wear reef walking shoes. Be cau ous at all mes: when in doubt, don’t go out! Tell someone of your plans. Check for the latest surf forecast.
CasaGuam, a dba of Yellow Pages Ink and PTI Paci ca, Inc., are Ambassadors of the Weather-Ready Na on. In partnership with the Na onal Weather Service, WFO Guam, CasaGuam will reserve this space to help disseminate important informa on on weather safety and preparedness to our community. Preparedness is key! Visit h p://www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov/ to learn more about Rip Currents. If your organiza on would like to become a Weather-Ready Na on Ambassador, contact Marcus at Marcus.Aydle @noaa.gov
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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
Message from the Chief Executive Officer and Government Affairs Director Peggy Araullo Llagas
Guam Association of REALTORS®
CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS ON A BUDGET: 1. Light the whole house with projectors. One of the newest and cheapest ways of decorating is using projectors, such as the Star Shower Motion LaserLight or the StartasticAction Laser Projector, instead of strands of lights. One holiday light projector can cover the entire front of your home or townhome with twinkling lights, snowflakes, snowmen, reindeer or Santas for less than $50. Plus, it takes less than 10 minutes to stake a projector into the ground and plug it in. 2. Use netted lights for a big impact. Netted lights can be thrown over anything hedges, bushes and small trees, windows, etc., to create a big look in just minutes. You should be able to buy these at Kmart or Home Depot for around $10. 3. Use light curtains. Light curtains, that hang down in one color is another way to make a nice impact for little money and minimal effort. 4. Just change a bulb. If you have many outdoor lights, simply change the bulbs to red and/or green. Your house and yard will be covered in a festive for very low price. 5. Don't use Christmas lights at all. Use colored solar-powered pathway lights that can give you all the shine and color of Christmas lights, but without the cost. Since they are solar no need for extension cords – just stick them in the ground – Home Depot should have them – priced between $30-$50. 6. Make mini trees. Plain dry branches from your yard – spray with silver or gold, hung or stuck in a vase look great in an entryway or use as a “mod” Christmas tree! 7. Make your own decorations. Pinterest.com has hundreds of ideas that are so easy and cheap – you should check them out. One I saw and liked was taking a wire clothes hanger and making it round then inserting all colors and sizes of Christmas ornaments to make an adorable, colorful wreath. The other I liked was taking a bag of ping-pong balls and making a cross-slit on them and sticking the color lights of a string of Christmas lights into the balls — the soft glow is very appealing. Before we get totally caught up with Christmas and decorations: Let’s think about what it means. Christmas means different things to different people. To most, it is a heartwarming time with family and friends. To many children, it’s about presents and Santa. To merchants, it means a season when many retailers finally begin making money. But, if you were to go back seven hundred years before the birth of Christ and ask the prophet Isaiah what it means to him, he would tell you Christmas is about the birth of a special child: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6). Regardless, The true meaning of Christmas is love – so as you prepare your house and your family for this blessed season remember to do it in LOVE!
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
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Guam Association of REALTORS®
Best Practices for Cybercrime Prevention Cybercrime has become one of the most profound and immediate threats to businesses around the world. While national news headlines would lead us to believe that governmental entities and international banks are the prime targets of cybercriminals, that’s not necessarily the case. Let’s start with some scary statistics: • In 2016, approximately 50% of small to midsized businesses reported an attempted cyberattack. • When that attack resulted in the loss of business assets - including confidential or sensitive business data - the average cost to the victimized business ranged somewhere between $690 thousand dollars to $1.8 million dollars. • Perhaps unsurprisingly, given those numbers, the U.S. National Cybersecurity Alliance reports that approximately 60% of small businesses go out of business within 6 months of being victimized by cybercrime. Our real estate industry – right now – is squarely in the sights of cybercriminals. Over the past two years, real estate professionals have been victimized – repeatedly and often – by a particularly dangerous and successful cybercrime involving wire fraud. The crime is as follows: A hacker breaks into the email account of a real estate professional, or someone else involved in a real estate transaction, and quietly gathers information. He then sends a convincing, well-crafted fraudulent email to the prospective homebuyer. In this email, the hacker pretends to be the real estate professional or another trusted advisor, and instructs the buyer to send transaction-related funds - often the earnest money or down payment - via the hacker’s fraudulent wiring instructions. The homebuyer wires the money, and as soon as the wired money lands in the hacker’s account, the funds – and the hacker – disappear forever. This is happening all the time. So what do we do? First let’s talk prevention. • Inform prospective buyers about this fraud • Buyers should confirm wiring instructions prior to sending • Consider using a secure transaction management platform • Never click on links or attachments in unverified emails • Monitor your email account settings • Regularly purge email • Employ strong password practices And what if, despite your best efforts, your client’s transaction is hit by wire fraud? The victims should consider the following damage control measures: • • • • • •
Contact the FBI Contact financial institutions Report to local police Change passwords Run anti-virus Contact insurance as appropriate
- National Association of REALTORS® -
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