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CONTENTS
Let ter from the Editor
4
Market Report
Letter from the Editor
8
Feature
Emily L.G. Untalan
Departments
10
Moving with Kids, Pets in Tow
12
Real Estate Spotlight Home Inspections
14
Profile Jake Su
18
How to D.I.Y. Homemade House Warming Gifts Any Home Owner Will Love
May 2018 • Vol. 11 • 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
[ Editor/Display Advertising ] Emily L.G. Untalan
[ Production Manager ] Mark S. Burke
20
Your World, Our Island The Gift That Gives Back All Year Round
[ Graphics & Layout ] Mark S. Burke Edwin E. Valencia
[ Website Development ] Edwin E. Valencia
22
Curb Appeal How to Get Your Neighbors to Fix Curb Appeal Problems
24
From the Experts Navigating Your Title Report
25
Who Ya Gonna Call?
[ Editorial Contributors ] Carlos U. Diaz Christopher Felix Sarah Fogel Lindsey Galvez Siska S. Hutapea IWFA Peggy A. Llagas Ryan Mummert Emily L.G. Untalan Kim Anderson Young
Hafa Adai Everyone! This month begins a roller-coaster ride of emotions, celebrations and milestones. Which instantaneously become memories, reminding us to live life to its fullest, love with all your heart, and never take time for granted. May’s FEATURE-theme is Moving with Kids, Pets In Tow. I share a little bit of my experience and grief about moving and also provide some tips, from some sources, that will help prepare you and your family when it’s your time to move. Kim Young recommends 10 items that must be on your home inspection checklist in REAL ESTATE SPOTLIGHT. This will help homeowners with their real estate transactions. The Q&A format continues in our PROFILE section. This time it’s with Jake Su, REALTOR® of BHI Realty — an inspiring, young man who looks forward to creating and designing homes for families. Ryan Mummert shares his knowledge on Navigating Your Title Report in FROM THE EXPERTS. This information is a must-read and a mustkeep!! Create Homemade Housewarming Gifts in this month’s DIY! Give your new neighbor(s) a gift that will make a lasting impression and start a promising friendship. Joe Roberto and Tim Roberto, through their partnership with The International Window Film Association (IWFA), contribute a write-up from IWFA in YOUR WORLD, OUR ISLAND. Find out what is The Gift that Gives Back All Year Round. CURB APPEAL offers some hints to help Get Your Neighbors to Fix Their Curb Appeal Problems in the most friendliest and considerate way. :) In WEATHER-READY NATION (WRN), Marcus Aydlett and the NWS team advises: When Thunder Roars…Get Indoors! It is imperative to follow the safety tips provided. GAR President, Christopher Felix, sums up his experience about moving and GAR CEO, Peggy Llagas, lists the Do’s and Don’t’s of the Fair Housing Act: Criminal History-Based Practices and Policies. The roller-coaster ride ends for me here. This is my last message to you as Editor of CasaGuam magazine. Sadly, this is also our last issue of CasaGuam magazine. Thank you to all our readers, contributing writers and advertisers for your commitment through the years and, for embracing me the past 15 months as your Editor and Sales Admin. Stay safe and blessed.
Cover Photo: Mark S. Burke
Fondly CasaGuam is Published by:
28
Closing
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
By Siska S. Hutapea, MAI, AI-GRS, MRICS, MRE, President and Carlos U. Diaz, MAI
Reflecting on our Future Carlos and I co-wrote this article between Guam and London. I was invited to attend The World Built Environment Forum (“WBEF”) in London by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors of which I am a designated member. WBEF is a global network of professionals combining knowledge, skills and resources to shape the environment global populations need. The 2018 Summit theme is “Our Changing World — Urbanization, Innovation and Civilization”. We are taking this month’s Casa Guam theme, Kids in Tow, to reflect on our future. There are many takeaways that we’d like to share to inspire your next real estate investment. JB Straubel, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Tesla Motors ignited the sustainability conversation with the story of Tesla. From Tesla Gigafactory in Reno, Nevada, that is all electric, to the availability of Superchargers (which can charge Tesla cars in 30 minutes, available in each 80-100 mile radius in the mainland US), Tesla becomes the power that be in a sustainable world. Unlike traditional car manufacturers, Tesla does not need advertisements and could not produce enough cars to satisfy the waitlist. JB quoted Sheikh Yamani, former Minister of Oil of Saudi Arabia: “The Stone Age did not end for the lack of stones. The Oil Age will not End for the lack of Oil but because of newer and better technology”. JB also shared the most recent Tesla achievement building the World’s largest lithium battery in Jamestown, South Australia. In September 2017, the city of Jamestown lost power due to a storm (sounds familiar?). Elon Musk offered to build the 100 MW battery to store electricity generated by the nearby wind farm in less than 100 days or Tesla would give it for free. The project was completed in less than 70 days and Jamestown now has a battery that can power 30,000 homes. Imagine this in Guam! JB also noted that the 1.2 billion world population that is currently without electricity may be “leapfrogging” to a more sustainable source and skip the expensive distribution grid. He pointed to the mass usage of smartphones by people in remote areas of the world, skipping the land line all together as an example of leapfrogging. One Futurist in the conference noted that there are three kinds of people when it comes to disruptions: the Prayer (hoping it will go away), the Stayer (refusing to change) and the Player (the one taking part in the gig economy). Although I don’t particularly enjoy the description of Prayer in this example, it nevertheless described that the technology will change the way people use resources, including real estate. In the commercial office sector for example, We Work is currently the largest tenant of commercial spaces in London. We Work is a provider of modern co-working spaces, transforming typical commercial spaces and sells a desk to headquarter spaces. The company motto is Make a Life, Not Just a Living. The company website stated this: “WeWork is a global network of workspaces where companies and people grow together. We transform buildings into dynamic environments for creativity, focus, and connection. More than just the best place to work, though, this is a movement toward humanizing work.” 4 CasaGuam
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South Bank Co-working Space Common Area, London https://www.wework.com/buildings/south-bank--london
Soho Co-working Office Space Common Area, London https://www.wework.com/buildings/soho-medius-house--london
Another concept in retail is also introduced: dominance or convenience. A successful retailer is either dominant in the market or provides convenience to its customers. This will change the need for real estate space requirements for retailers. Both of these concepts were recently put into practice by Amazon with its acquisition of Whole Foods. The old concept of an entrepreneur to not have to change the mindset of its customers is now an absolute obsolescence. A new product will have to challenge the mindset of its customers to think off the grid. The last few points I’d like to share are those risk items that global real estate investors consider in their investment decisions. These include geopolitical and economic uncertainty, changing customer preferences, and inadequate infrastructure. We certainly have room for improvements in these. The rising sea level is another factor that hits home. Investors are putting the climate change and possibility of what one-meter rise of the sea could due to their investment in the next 50 years. The future is certainly uncertain, but keeping abreast of world changes are necessary to make informed investment decisions. Here in Guam, Cornerstone Valuation Guam, Inc. completed the 2018 first quarter Real Estate Activity. Notable sales include The Doc-
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Market Repor t tor’s Clinic property, next to the Guam Memorial Hospital, sold for $1.1 million ($137 per square foot) to a buyer who also purchased a 33,000 square foot commercial building in Tamuning in 2014. A large land parcel in Tamuning, located between the Royal Gardens Townhouse subdivision and Villa Carmen subdivision also sold in the first quarter. This land parcel is comprised of 104 residential lots, 100 of which have land areas of less than 200 square meters, zoned PUD (Planned Unit Development), subdivided in 1992. This property was originally planned to be the next development phase of the adjacent Royal Gardens Townhouses, with the same protective covenants, conditions, and restrictions as the completed phases of Royal Gardens. An 11,872 square meter land, off of Wusstig Road in Dededo, sold for $800,000 ($67 per square meter). This R1 zoned property is located 3.25¹ miles from the Andersen Air Force Base front gate. Dededo and Yigo have been hot military single family home rental locations in recent years due to their proximity to the military installation. A notable single family dwelling sale includes a $1.4 million sale in the Jonestown subdivision in Tamuning with approximately 6,000 square feet of gross living area. This executive class residence features four bedrooms and 3.5 baths, with a swimming pool, water storage tank, and two car garage. This custom designed home includes a city view amenity. Another single family dwelling sold near the one million dollar mark in Barrigada Heights in February 2018 for $950,000. This two story executive class home includes six bedrooms and six baths with approximately 5,000 square feet of gross living area, and includes a swimming pool and a city and distant ocean view amenity. The following graphs reflect first quarter 2018 Guam real estate sales activity by sales volume dollar amount and by number of sales. First quarter sales volume reflects a five percent decrease at $92.5 million, from one year ago in first quarter 2017, which had a sales volume of $97.4 million. Number of sales from these same time periods reflects a six percent decrease from 365 sales in first quarter 2017, to 343 sales in first quarter 2018.
Residential transactions (single family dwellings and condominium units) summarized in the following graphs show almost no change in total sales volume, a less than one percent increase, from $65.9 million in first quarter 2017 to $66.2 million in first quarter 2018. The number of residential transactions showed a small decrease of four percent, 11 fewer sales, of 255 total sales in first quarter 2018, down from 266 total sales in first quarter 2017. Many market participants point out the lack of supply in Guam real estate market. We hope you enjoyed this article from your Global Knowledge, Local Experts.
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Feature
Moving with Kids, Pets in Tow
By Emily Untalan
rowing up in Guam with six siblings and being raised by a single parent, I knew that change was imminent. Mom was now the new head of household and because my baby sister and I were the youngest in the family we were most affected by the new arrangement our parents created. We moved a few too many times that I can remember (or want to remember) and we went to so many different schools from mid-70’s to the late 80’s. After settling into one home and building friendships at school and in the neighborhood, it was time to up and move…again! It was emotionally draining to leave my “so-called” home, and my friends and neighbors. The thought of moving into a new neighborhood and going to a new school was not something I looked forward to. I was simply not having it and I made sure my mom was aware of my dissatisfaction. Thankfully, I had my sister with me every step of the way. We were each other’s go-to when we needed a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen and a face to vent to!! Looking back now I have to admit that those drastic and sudden changes made me appreciate the many people I’ve met along the way. What I thought was a burden turned out to be absolute blessings in my life. I realized this as I started adulting and meeting up with countless friends from the many schools, neighborhoods and homes I’ve grown to love.
Today, if you’re planning to move either from one village to another or relocating off island, and you have kids and pets in tow, there are many tips and guidelines to help ease the emotion and stress levels for everyone involved. Here you go…
Caroline Schaefer from Parents Magazine shares the following tips: Get Them Ready: For toddlers and preschoolers, begin by calmly breaking the news about a month in advance -- that gives enough time to process the information but not so much that your kid has the opportunity to ruminate on the changes ahead. Of course, if you're selling your home and there are going to be months of potential buyers poking around your house, the conversation can't wait. Whenever you talk, don't just tell them what will be 8 CasaGuam
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different. "Make sure you explain that the important things will stay the same, including that everything in the house, especially what's in the child's room, will come with you," says child-development and behavior specialist Betsy Brown Braun, author of Just Tell Me What to Say: Sensible Tips and Scripts for Perplexed Parents. Braun recommends making a book about the house you're leaving. Give your child a camera or a smartphone and have him take pictures of your house, his friends, school, favorite neighborhood spots; let him choose the shots. When you put the book together the last picture should be his new home. If possible, take your kids on an advance tour of your new house and point out sites that will matter: the playground, library, and ice-cream shop. Doing so will help take some of the mystery and apprehension out of the move so kids will wonder (and worry) less.
Allow Their Angst: Lori Collins Burgan, author of Moving With Kids: 25 Ways to Ease Your Family's Transition to a New Home, says "Even if your children are excited about the move, don't underestimate how difficult some of the losses may be -- especially if the relocation means separating from someone they love and depend on, like a caregiver or a grandparent," says Burgan. Of course, all children accept things at their own pace, but most experts estimate that it takes at least six months for kids to fully acclimate to their new life.
Walk the Walk: “Your kids look to you for cues. So if you're positive, they'll have a sense that everything will be okay," says Tammy Gold, founder of Gold Parent Coaching, in Short Hills, New Jersey. But for kids over the age of 3, it's also important for them to see your feelings
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Feature of sadness and how you manage those emotions constructively. Just don't overdo the downsides. "Negativity rubs off on your child, so don't bad-mouth the new place or compare your new home with your old one. Try to highlight wonderful things about your brand-new town so your kids will look forward to it," Gold says.
Stick to the Schedule: Another way to ease the adjustment is to maintain some of your old routines. "Keeping up rituals like family meals or game night can build a sense of consistency that's reassuring," says Katie Novick, a therapist in Brookline, Massachusetts. For babies and toddlers, provide as much continuity as you can by maintaining the same bedtime rituals in the same order, says Laurie Zelinger, Ph.D., a school psychologist in Oceanside, New York, and director of the New York Association for Play Therapy.
Give them Gumption: “You can ease some of the stress your kids are feeling by finding things that they can make decisions about while you settle in," says Burgan. Have them choose their bedding or rugs for their room(s).
Get to Know Neighbors: Be sure to give your children lots of opportunities to meet new pals. This might be the time to let your kid sign up for as many activities as he wishes. You want your child to try out new experiences with different groups until he finds the ones who click. As for finding some mom friends, if your schedule permits arrive early to chat up other parents.
Communicate and label. When our packing process started, I had two different systems going at once. Some of my piles were for the Salvation Army, and some were items that I intended to keep forever. Because of my inferior labeling and communication, now someone perusing the shelves of the Salvation Army will be able to help themselves to my treasures for the low, low price of $3. If you don’t want your keepsakes ending up at your local secondhand store, label your piles and be sure your partner knows what’s what.
Don’t stop buying groceries altogether. Neither my husband nor I relished the prospect of moving our frozen packages of ground turkey or jars of mayonnaise across the city. That’s why I stopped buying groceries about three weeks before our move. That was a mistake, because no one wants to eat freezer-burned meals and canned vegetables for three straight weeks. My suggestion is to continue to buy fresh produce and foods that your family loves to eat—just buy smaller portions.
De-clutter when your kids are asleep. I can’t tell you how many times I found my kids playing with toys that I had just thrown away. And the meltdown that ensued when my daughter found her beloved giraffe art project in the trash still makes me shudder. Avoid these scenes: Do it when they are asleep, and take the trash all the way out of your house. If you just leave it in the kitchen trashcan, they will find it and will react. Poorly. Continued on Page 16
Soup Up Their Social Skills: Have kids practice a conversation opener at home, something like, 'Hi, my name is Avery. I just moved here from New York because my dad got a new job.' It also helps to pinpoint games or pastimes that are popular in the area. If all the kids are playing box ball, say, teach your child to play. Finally, give her a little pep talk.
Christie Tate of mom.me shares her tips: Ask for help. So many people offered to help us. Let us take the kids while you pack, some said. I can come over and help you sort out your closet, others offered. I demurred. I didn’t think it would be that hard to pack the worldly possessions of four people into boxes. I thought wrong. When I relented and asked a friend to come over to play with the kids while I packed up my kitchen, I got so much more done and ended the day so much less [grouchy].
Give your kids something to do. OK, don’t hand them a Sharpie along with some tape and scissors, letting ‘em loose. But give them all a box that they can fill up with their stuff. You may have to repack it later, but when I brought my kids into the process, it gave them a sense of ownership and control over this massive process that was upending our lives. CasaGuam.com 9
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On The Cover
Southern Comfort and More As life on Guam gets more hectic and crowded, quality of life issues become increasingly important as we search for that special property we call “home”. Here is your opportunity to own that special property. Whether you are looking for your family’s dream home, a place to enjoy retirement, or an investment, this property offers all the features and amenities to address your needs. At the end of the day, a short 20-minute drive (looking at Guam’s beautiful coastline) brings you home to #16 Clubhouse Drive, located within the Windward Hills Golf Course in Yona. At first glance, you may say it’s too far to drive, but how far is too far if once you get home, you can truly unwind and enjoy the peace and tranquility this property offers. This beautiful home is situated on 1,926 square meters of fee simple land, has 3,231 square feet of gross living area, a 381-square foot enclosed garage with extra storage space, a 197 square foot covered entry, and a 1,657 square foot flag stone deck with a gorgeous salt water swimming pool that looks out over a sea of rolling green hills. Once inside, you will appreciate the spacious open floor plan highlighted by vaulted ceilings and skylights that provide natural light. The home features a large sunken living room with decorative stone walls, a formal dining area, a gourmet kitchen, a breakfast nook, a den, three spacious bedrooms, 4 designer baths, a master bath suit with Jacuzzi, indoor laundry room, and custom built-in cabinets throughout offering a ton of storage space. By the way, every room in the house is a “room with a view” as they open to the beautiful flagstone deck and salt water swimming pool with the rolling fairways as a backdrop. In addition to the features mentioned above, the home has many additional amenities not found in other high-end properties including: one-half inch typhoon-proof imbedded glass, two 18-Seer central air-conditioners, a 20 KW back-up diesel generator, full back-up water system including water softener and purifier, and a 500-gallon water tank with booster pump. As power rates continue to increase on Guam, this home is fully insulated providing you with “affordable luxury”. The home has been immaculately maintained and is professionally landscaped with manicured lawns, tropical plants and trees, and beautiful rock gardens. If quality of life issues are important to you in finding that perfect home, take that short 20-minute drive and experience this unique property first hand. It may be the best 20-minute ride you take this year! For your own private tour of the property call Chris Murphy at 488-7371 or email him at chris@homerep.net. You can also enjoy a virtual tour of the property at www.tourfactory.com/1727963
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Real Estate Spotlight
Home Inspections By Kim Anderson Young Your REALTOR has all the information you need to both obtain a home inspection, and to negotiate past any hurdle the inspection may reveal. Buyer BE AWARE!
I recently caught up with Anthony Godwin, Principal Broker of Today’s Realty as he was on his way to a meeting with a home inspector. Our conversation turned quickly to the value and importance that a home inspection brings to the real estate transaction. Not too long ago, home inspections were rare for Guam real estate sales, giving a whole new meaning to “let the buyer beware”! A homeowner interested in selling their home can benefit from a home inspection prior to listing their home. The inspection will reveal items that should be resolved in order for the seller to get the highest price for their home. It will give the seller time to make needed repairs that will enhance the value of the home. Purchasers utilize the services of a qualified home inspector in order to determine if there are any items that will need repairing or replacing in the near future. A qualified home inspector will examine details such as structural components, plumbing, mechanical and electrical systems, safety hazards, air-conditioning systems, doors, windows, roofing, decks and patios, grading and drainage systems, even household appliances! So what happens if the home inspection reveals something that needs to be repaired? Let’s assume the air conditioners need about $4,000 worth of work in order to function properly. The solution can be different for each transaction, depending upon the parties, but here are a few options:
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1. Seller handles the repair prior to closing. 2. Buyer agrees to accept the house “as-is” and will deal with the air conditioning system after closing (but they have full knowledge of the deficiency). 3. Buyer and seller may instruct escrow to hold funds to pay for the repairs once they have been completed. 4. Seller may give a credit to the buyers at closing and the buyer can resolve the issue as they see fit. 12 CasaGuam
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Inspection Checklist • Air Conditioning & Fans • Mechanical • Plumbing • Electrical • Structural Components • Doors • Windows • Roofing • Decks & Patios • Appliances
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
Jake Su - REALTOR® and Aspiring Developer By Emily L.G. Untalan Q. How did you get into this business? Has anyone helped you in your decision to become a REALTOR® or was there an experience that inspired you to enter this field?
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A. Working with the real estate professionals sparked my interest to pursue a real estate career. The decision wasn’t set in stone until I spoke with a close friend, Dexter, who was a licensed real estate agent. He showed me where to enroll the sales agent’s course with the N.I.C.E. school and taught me how to list my first property in the MLS. Q. What did you do before becoming a REALTOR®? A. After I graduated from the University of Guam with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Tourism and Hospitality Management, I worked in my father’s construction company for two years. My job duty was affiliated with the property development, so I had the opportunity to take part in discussion with the real estate agent and broker about purchasing raw lands and selling developed properties. A. I’ve been a REALTOR® with BHI Realty since 2015. Q. What do you enjoy about being in this field? A. The most enjoyable moment in the real estate field is finding the right and favorable properties for my clients. But I’m also thrilled to see newly built homes around the villages in different structure designs, concepts, and finishing. Q. What advice would you give to a new REALTOR®, or anyone interested in getting into the field? A. Becoming a licensed real estate agent is not difficult, the most challenging part is to sustain your career in the long run. This business is all about networking. You need to utilize the social media, newspapers, and magazines to advertise yourself and, more importantly, to provide good quality services to your clients. They will do the word-ofmouth marketing for you. Q. What do you like about CasaGuam Magazine? How do you use it?
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Jake Su REALTOR® • BHI REALTY
A. CasaGuam Magazine is not only a great source to provide properties exposure for the realtors, but also bringing in local experts from different professions, including mortgage officers, contractors, title and escrow officer, and appraisers, to share their fields of perspectives. Q. What do you like to do when you are not working i.e. hobbies, reading, etc.? A. Surfing websites for contemporary house designs and learning to select house construction materials. Q. Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years? A. Looking to own a construction team to develop unique houses in Guam under my guidance. Jake you are so young yet you are so well-versed in the real estate/development market! Your determination to develop structures in our growing community is truly inspiring! We look forward to seeing your creations come to fruition but even more, seeing families and businesses living and working in them!
CasaGuam Magazine is not only a great source to provide properties exposure for the realtors, but also bringing in local experts from different professions, including mortgage officers, contractors, title and escrow officer, and appraise rs, to share their fields of perspectives.
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Q. How long have you been in this field?
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Feature Moving with Kids — Continued from Page 9
Don’t underestimate the emotional energy it will take to move. Because we are only moving 36 blocks away, I didn’t think there would be much emotional upheaval. Sure, I’ll need to get used to a new grocery store and dry cleaners and parks, but I didn’t understand why I ended most nights crying into my husband’s sweaty arms after loading boxes up and down the stairs. No matter how many times someone told me that moving is the third-most stressful thing that you can go through (after death and divorce), I was still surprised at all the emotions. There is the excitement of a new home and neighborhood and the sadness from goodbyes to neighbors we have loved like family. There’s the stress of the “to-do” list that feels like it goes on forever. It’s a big life change, so be sure to give yourself some space to feel all those feelings.
MOVING WITH PETS
Update: Effective April 3, we are allowing an exception to our suspension of new PetSafe reservations for members of the military and their spouses, and State Department Foreign Service personnel and their spouses, who wish to travel with or ship their pets out of Guam between April 3 and April 30.
Sam Landa, Content Manager of You Move Me shares their tips on moving with pets: Moving can be stressful for people, so just imagine how anxious it can make your pets. They can easily get stressed out when there's unexpected activity in their home or when they're introduced to a new environment. I've moved with four cats and a fish, and it's not an easy task. These challenges don't come with a formula solution, but here are some tips that should make the experience a bit calmer for your beloved companion(s).
Prepare an Overnight Kit Prepare an easily-accessible 'overnight kit' that has enough dog food, kitty litter, toys and grooming tools to sustain your pet and keep them comfortable during the first few days of unpacking.
Contact Your Vet If you're moving out of the area, inform your vet so you can take records and any prescription medications with you. See if they can recommend another vet in your new neighborhood.
Keep Your Pets Away from the Action
For those with pets, moving from one village to another is not as complicated or stressful as it would be moving overseas. With the recent and unfortunate news from United Airlines about suspending the transporting of pets in the cargo holds of its planes, as part of its PetSafe travel program, this makes it more difficult for families. (Pulled from the United Airlines website www.united.com:) Effective immediately, we are not accepting any new reservations for PetSafe travel or military pets. We will honor any existing PetSafe and military pet reservations confirmed as of March 20, 2018, although we will assist any customer that wishes to cancel their reservation. This suspension does not affect pets that travel with us in-cabin. We are taking this voluntary action to conduct a thorough and systematic review of our PetSafe program and make improvements that will ensure the best possible experience for our customers and their pets. We expect to complete our review by May 1, 2018. 16 CasaGuam
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During the move itself, the best way to reduce stress on an animal is to keep them in the quietest area possible. If you don't want to leave them with a friend or a kennel for the day (which is recommended), at least remove them from the action. This could mean emptying a bedroom on another floor and closing the door, or putting them in their carrier or kennel in the garage or car (take proper caution to ensure they'll be at a safe temperature and that they have water and food if they will be there for some time). Make sure you check in on them regularly, and try to feed or walk them at the time you usually would; having some sense of a routine in the midst of all the changes will help a lot.
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Feature Take Your Pet In Your Vehicle
Moving with Fish
Take the pet to the new house in your own vehicle. Cats and small dogs can be put in a carrier in the back seat, which can then be secured with a seatbelt. A bigger dog can be moved in a kennel in the back of the car; you may need to put seats down if possible. Some animals feel more comfortable if you throw a blanket over their carrier during the car ride so they can't see the environment changing outside.
Are you planning on moving with fish? Fish respond strongly to stress and a move can be traumatizing, if not fatal. It isn't ideal, but you can transport them short distances in bags filled with their old tank water (check with your local aquarium store for supplies and more details). If you have a long distance to travel it's best to give them a new home with a friend, empty the tank, and buy new fish after you unpack.
Don't Let Your Pet Out Until You’ve Arrived
Moving with Guinea Pigs
Be careful when transporting the animal to your new neighborhood because if they get out they can easily get lost. Once they're in the car, it's important to not open the kennel until the pet is in the new home, even if the pet is usually well-behaved or docile. Give them a few days in the new home to adjust. Tip for cat owners: more and more people are keeping their cats indoors for safety reasons, and a move is a good opportunity to get them used to being inside as they won't be used to being allowed out in the new home. Use this transition to your advantage.
Guinea Pigs also are known to suffer from change or being jostled around. Their hearts are particularly susceptible so please take care with guinea pigs and make sure they are transported in a warm, comfortable, small carrier.
Moving with Birds Finally, more than one feathered friend has been known to fly the coop on moving day. Many people proudly announce that their bird has never flown off the shoulder, and sadly regret the complacency. Birds, like most pets, are very jittery about change. So even when the smartest parrot balks at the idea of being put in a cage, please do it on moving day. For more information about pets traveling overseas, check the Guam Pet Passport and Import Regulations on PetTravel.com
Keep Your Pet Secluded Move the house before you move the pet. Set up as much as you can, even just in a room, before you introduce the animal to the new home. Confine them to a section of the house while they slowly adjust to their surroundings. Give your pet lots of attention and introduce familiar objects like toys or blankets as soon as possible. Make them feel as at home as you do!
Update Their Info After you move, make sure you update their tags or microchip information to the new address and phone number. CasaGuam.com 17
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H o w t o D . I . Y.
Homemade Housewarming Gifts Any New Homeowner Will Love
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If you have family or friends who just moved into a new home or apartment, you'll want something beautiful to give to them. These homemade housewarming gift ideas are easy and fun to make—and mean so much more than anything you could have bought at a store.
Wood Slice Painted Wreath It's important to have the right house gift for every occasion. And with farmhouse decor being so on trend right now, this wood slice painted wreath would make a lovely housewarming gift for anyone. It could be customized with a last name initial or made in advance, so you have lovely housewarming presents readily available to gift at any time!
Pasta Dinner Gift Basket Who doesn't love to get food, especially when they're busy moving into a new home with no time to cook? Check out these great healthy food gift ideas that everyone will love. And this DIY Pasta Dinner Gift Basket includes everything—even fresh herbs to go with the meal.
Herb Kit Gift In A Jar Have a family member or friend with a green thumb? They'll love this mini herb kit, and it's perfectly packaged in a mason jar. Within the jar, they'll have everything they need for a mini windowsill herb garden, including planters, seeds, and chalkboard markers. Here are more fun things you can do with mason jars. 18 CasaGuam
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By: Lindsey Galvez
Homemade Hand Soap Most of us know by now that making homemade cleaners and soaps is better for our health than store-bought bottles filled with chemicals (here's why you really don't need to use antibacterial soaps or sanitizers to stay germ-free). That's a great reason for gifting them too! You can make your own homemade hand soap relatively easily and with very few ingredients. Make up a large batch so you can keep some for yourself too! I love that this gift tag lists the ingredients so your recipients can make it themselves once they run out.
DIY Herringbone Canvas Art Everyone loves to hang beautiful art in their new home, so imagine the delight your friends will feel when they open a beautiful piece of custom artwork for a housewarming present. This DIY Herringbone Canvas looks like it was made by a professional, but with a little bit of tape and paint, you'll be able to make it yourself !
Burlap Succulent Décor Do you have a friend who doesn't have the greenest of thumbs? Succulents are often a good idea but this adorable Burlap Succulent Decoration is perfect for even the blackest of thumbs! Combining two of the hottest items—burlap and succulents, this accent would look great in any type of home setting. These decorating tips will make your home look more expensive.
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H o w t o D . I . Y. Personalized Address Stamp When friends move into a new home, having a new address is an exciting change. Gifting a personalized address stamp is even more personalized with this adorable DIY gift bag. Check out more personalized gifts we love.
Homemade Housewarming Gift Basket A housewarming gift that is functional is a great gift for any new homeowner. This beautiful basket is filled with items your friends will need in those first few days—towels, soap, and a beautiful plant for décor.
DIY Pallet Plaques Here's another DIY housewarming gift that can be completely personalized for new homeowners. If you have access to pallets, there are so many wonderful crafts you can make including these Pallet Plaques! With a lovely decorative clip at the top, they can hold pictures, special notes, calendars, and the kids' art projects About the Author: Lindsey Galvez writes for Readers Digest.
Cleaning Bucket Housewarming Gift Talk about practical, this Cleaning Bucket Housewarming Gift will be very welcomed by your friend or family member. So many of those first few days in a new home are spent cleaning, and now they'll have everything they need, including a cleaning bucket, all within this gift! Here's how often you should be cleaning everything in your house.
Cacti And Succulent Gift With this gift idea, not only are you giving a lovely decorative accent, but you'll actually be helping to purify your friend's new home. Did you know that plants can help detoxify your indoor air? Potted succulents and cacti in any type of container—even a bowl for displaying in the kitchen—make for a beautiful, multi-purpose DIY gift idea. CasaGuam.com 19
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Your World, Our Island
The Gift that Gives Back All Year Round
By IWFA
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The International Window Film Association (IWFA) encourages consumers to consider professionally installed window film. If you’ve thought about protecting yourself and your loved ones with professionally installed window film you’ve definitely made the nice list! The International Window Film Association (IWFA) is encouraging consumers to consider giving the gift of professionally installed window film. It’s truly a gift that gives back all year round. Professionally installed window film provides an effective way to protect the skin and eyes, as well as provides energy savings and more, whether you’re in the home, office, or in a vehicle. “Professionally installed window film is a gift that continues to give back, not only during the winter holiday season but during the summer months as well,” said Darrell Smith, Executive Director of the IWFA. “From blocking harmful UV rays, to cutting down heating and cooling costs, professionally installed window film is a budget friendly gift that will deliver dividends for many years.” The IWFA lists 12 reasons professionally installed window film gives back during the holiday season and beyond: • Protects your skin from UV rays. By blocking up to 99 percent of UV rays from passing through your home’s and car’s unprotected windows, window film can reduce your risk for skin cancer more than window glass alone. • Reduces eye damage. Untreated windows only protect eyes from about 25 percent of UV rays. Window film is a proven way to reduce the dangerous impact of the sun on your eyes. • Diminishes sun glare. Window film helps reduce excessive sunlight from entering your vehicle, preventing dangerous sun glare that can nearly blind you while behind the wheel, even from side windows. • Protects your furniture, floors, and family heirlooms. Professionally installed window film reduces premature fading, slows deterioration, and can add an extra layer of protection for some of your most beloved possessions. • Offers safety and security. Accidents and storms can shatter windows, sending shards of glass everywhere. Professionally installed window film can mitigate the damage of broken glass, helping hold glass together upon impact. • Cuts down on heating and cooling costs. Up to one-third of your home’s heating and cooling costs can be lost through inefficient windows. Window film rejects up to 55 percent of solar heat – offering a more energy efficient environment. Some films can even help to retain room heat in the winter months. 20 CasaGuam
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• Saves money on your home improvement project. Window film is a great choice when you want to enhance windows that are still functional but might not be up to contemporary standards. • Offers “Go Green” perks. Many states across the country offer homeowners and business owners incentives for undertaking “green” projects. Window film may qualify for project reimbursements and tax reductions! • Improves window performance. Old windows do not offer the same level of protection or energy efficiency available today. Window film can help improve the overall performance of a window - alleviating the need for full replacement. • Works with various types of windows. Window size, shape, and location are not factors for window film. Whether you’re looking to cover a floor to ceiling window, or a uniquely shaped window, professionally trained and accredited installers can install window film on different types of windows. • Provides an aesthetic accent to interior glass panels or windows. From frosted to specialty designs, decorative window film can offer an extra interior touch of styling and transform the look and feel of a space. • Offers an extra level of customization and privacy. Window film comes in a number of shades and colors. By choosing the right level of visible light transmittance (VLT) for your environment, you can enhance the look of your car or home and even increase privacy without the losing your view, if so desired. About the Author: The International Window Film Association (IWFA) (www.iwfa.com) is a unified industry body of window film dealers, distributors, and manufacturers that facilitates the growth of the window film industry though the use of education, research, advocacy and consumer awareness. The organization builds alliances with trade associations, utilities and government agencies to advance dealers’ and distributors’ businesses which includes East Island Tinting and North Island Tinting (www.islandtintingguam.com) and provide value to their customers.
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Curb Appeal
How to Get Your Neighbors to Fix Curb Appeal Problems By Sarah of Ugly Duckling House
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Over the last few years of living and working on a house largely by myself, I’ve found few substitutes as valuable as a friendly, helpful neighbor. There are the ones who lend tools, the ones who are experts at something I am a complete dunce at (like the neighbor who reminds me when to fertilize the garden beds), and the ones who have similar floor plans or have dealt with the same problems (our homes are all around the same age and built by the same company). In exchange, I am usually the house that has an extra beer or refills for various tools (string trimmer line, etc.).
I learned most of my habits from watching how my parents got to know their neighbors. They both grew up in small towns and understood the importance of being “neighborly”. Even without an HOA or established subdivision organization, it wasn’t at all unusual for our house to be a place where neighbors stopped by if they needed something. I’m thankful that when I first moved in, I made an effort to get to know one or two of my neighbors (and when I got Charlie, it was even easier… everyone loves puppy kisses!). Even those that I haven’t actually met, I wave, smile, and I try to be nice to their kids (within reason; soccer balls bouncing into my yard are fine, but kicked into my SUV are not). Still, it can be hard to know how to handle bigger issues like curb appeal problems. Trees can grow into fence lines; yards can go unmaintained. Hell, on more than one occasion, I’ve been the neighbor who has something weird in their yard, so we all know it’s not a onesided thing. 22 CasaGuam
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Out of curiosity, I recently went searching online for advice on the subject. And the top autofill options I found? • how to get away with a murderer (uh, that’s not even the actual title of that show) • how to get neighbors wifi password (these guys are $%%@!*&%) • how to get neighbors cable • how to get neighbors evicted • how to get neighbors car towed • how to get neighbors dogs to stop barking • how to get neighbors to fix fence • how to get neighbors to cut grass, cut trees, etc. Yikes. And when I finally found some actual articles on the subject, most of them briefly touched on being a decent neighbor, but most of the advice (like this one) came off super passive-aggressive to me: • dropping off a “friendly” note (with or without a gift) • notifying the HOA (I don’t have one in my subdivision, but most of my friends that do tell me they are pretty aggressive with “friendly” notes all on their own) • calling the city to have them enforce housing codes Oh, man. I so, SO do not agree with these methods as a first or even second course of
action, and I’m genuinely disappointed that these methods pop up in the top three (!) suggestions for many articles. I get that sometimes there’s just no other way, but I couldn’t help but wonder if these were mostly searches by people who had never even spoken to their neighbor. According to one survey, 75% of respondents made no direct contact with a neighbor over an issue. When it comes to confrontation, a lot of people are bad at it (or at least, they feel that they are, which can make almost anyone feel uncomfortable). But avoidance and passiveaggressive note-making are generally terrible ways to deal with other disagreeable situations (breaking up with your significant other, a coworker constantly cooking fish and boiled eggs for lunch, etc.). So why do people suddenly think that this is a good or ideal solution for neighbors? Your neighbors can be your biggest allies. They can keep solicitors out, watch your dog when you go out of town, and call the cops if they think someone is breaking into your home (or in my case, break into your house for you, dig you out of a snowbank, or give you lawn care advice). So, since this article has gone on long enough with my own griping (ha), here are a few things I’ve tried that have served me well to establish long-term benefits with neighbors, make the neighborhood a nicer place to live in, and help motivate those around me to care for their own homes the way I care for mine.
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Curb Appeal REALIZE WHOSE PROBLEM IT REALLY IS. Real talk: the fact that you think your neighbor’s house is an eyesore isn’t really their problem—it’s yours. You are the one who wants it to change, so it’s your problem to deal with, and your job to find out if there’s a solution. Some things are easy to figure out just by having a quick conversation and asking your neighbor how they are. Maybe they’ve recently fallen ill or left/started a new job that has them preoccupied. Maybe they just haven’t noticed that part of their siding fell off during a recent storm, and you’re the first person who even brought it to their attention. MAKE FRIENDS. Making friends with your neighbors (or at least making them the kind of people who will acknowledge you when you smile and wave, allow you to pet their new puppy, etc.) is a huge part of how happy or pissed off on a daily basis you might be when you come home. This includes being friendly with neighborhood kids, even if they are oblivious that they are tromping through your new flowerbeds (because it previously looked like crap and it was okay before) or making the dog bark her head off by walking through your yard. Do this just because, but also because when the time comes, you can tell them nicely what the issue is. It’s even easier to casually mention home improvement tips when you’re already sharing stories about your own recent improvements (ex: “Did you know that red or yellow flowers are recommended when you’re trying to sell a house?”). Don’t forget to say please and thank you.
BE CONSIDERATE. Drag your bins to the curb and away from the curb promptly. Put your trash in trash bags so that loose debris doesn’t find its way into a neighbor’s yard or draw hungry vermin. Bring your dog inside if she’s barking. Simply try to be a better neighbor. Even if you aren’t trying to be passive-aggressive to anyone, there’s no telling when someone might infer that you’re trying to deliberately inconvenience them with your behavior. In the same way that bad
behavior can fester and create more problems, remind yourself that having better neighbors starts with your own actions, and no one is perfect.
OFFER TO HELP. Like I mentioned above, there might be an actual reason why your top priority for getting their house repaired isn’t their priority. Illness, age, travel, job status, family status, etc. could all play a role in whether or not your neighbor even notices that there’s something they should be dealing with right now. If you’re already doing your part in trying to get to know them—as, you know, people—you can also offer to help; that might be all that they needed to help them realize that people in their neighborhood are looking out for them. It won’t kill you to put another nail in their broken fence picket if you’re already replacing one of your own. And if you can get the issue taken care of that much faster by lending a tool or a few hours of your time, it’s win-win.
And my favorite tip of all: FIX UP YOUR OWN HOUSE! A contractor once told me, “Curb appeal is contagious.” And I have found that to be such a true statement that I try this approach all the time. It can take a little more time than say, dropping in a passive-aggressive note into
your neighbor’s mailbox, but it really works! Plus, there’s no risk of possible retribution by looking like an asshole (save your sweet treats and flowers for when you’re truly trying to give something to your neighbor without asking for anything in return). Sure, the argument could be made that this is still passive confrontation, but this is by far the easiest and most pleasant (read: least cringeworthy) way of doing so. The trick is simple: focus on your own house’s problems and curb appeal issues; we all have areas to improve (glass houses and whatnot). By leading as an example, you are establishing that you care for your home. Through guilt, pride, jealousy, or some combination of emotions, they will be reminded to care for theirs as well. After all, no one really wants to have the crappiest looking home on the block, just as no one (usually) wants to be labeled the person stinking up the break room with their nasty, sulfury lunch. But anonymity is the enemy of good neighbors, both in the workplace and next door. The more you work on your own yard, the more you’ll start to see other neighbors picking up a rake, cutting back bushes, etc. It’s almost like when someone starts the wave at a stadium: it may not hit everyone all at once, but it will grow in size and come back around again and again. It also makes your neighbors more forgiving if you’re taking your sweet time in fixing something that was bothering them (“hey, he/she’s at least working on it… maybe I should cut him/her some slack.”). I would know…I’ve been working on my house little by little for a long time! And better yet, while you’re out working on your house, you have a 100% greater chance of actually having a conversation with your neighbor face to face, which can lead to accomplishing all of the other things above in a much more natural way—even if it involves a more confrontational request that they deal with the overgrown tree that’s uprooting your fence line. About the Author: “I’m a thirty-something single gal with a penchant for craft beer, dog snuggles, and rambling about my DIY renovation projects. I guess you could say that I like tearing my house apart and putting it back together again… enough to have done it for nearly seven years with no intention of stopping.” Sarah Fogle, The Ugly Duckling House IG@uglyducklingDIY
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From the Experts
Navigating Your Title Report
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Title is everything in real estate. Title is a “catch-all” term that is used to describe the party who has legal ownership of a particular property, and what legal rights said parties have to use, control, or sell, said property. I believe that the best money spent on any real estate transaction, is the money spent to engage a title company to research the title history and identify title defects in a preliminary title report (PTR) or, similarly, an ownership and encumbrance report (OER). With a title report in hand, you will be able to establish whether or not the person representing themselves as the owner of the property has the full authority to sell the property and identify any factors related to the title that will affect your ownership interest in the property. When reviewing the title report to your property, there are several things you should note: • The name of the person(s) on title. What is their interest (fee simple or leasehold)? If you are purchasing or leasing the property, do they match the names on your purchase agreement? • The legal description. The legal description describes the property in “Lot and Block” format (Lot 1, Block, 2, Tract 232, Dededo, Suburban, etc…) referencing the lot number, document number for all reference documents, and the map number for the map that created the parcel. The legal description on your title report also references the lot size in square meters, which you should also cross check against your information and your purchase agreements, if any.
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By Ryan Mummert • The “exceptions” to title. The “exceptions” can be the most complex items to navigate on the report. Some exceptions are typical, such as exceptions for easements. Some, such as covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&R’s) restrict the use of the property in specific ways. Some are of greater concern, such as old mortgages still showing from previous owners, claims or interest, or notices of pending litigation (lis pendens) and could affect your ability to hold clear title. The key to navigating exceptions is requesting and studying the associated documentation. Request maps and exhibits for the easements; ask for copies of and review the CC&R’s; review the recorded notices and documentation. Your title company will happily provide you with all the supporting documentation for your review. Title companies understand the complex legal issues that affect the title to your property and can help you navigate said issues. For the price of the report, you get a full run-down of all the factors affecting the title to a property, guidance as to how those issues might affect you, and may potentially help you avert a serious problem down the road that may cost you thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars. That, in my opinion, is money well spent! About the Author: Ryan Mummert is the General Manager of Title Guaranty of Guam. If you have any questions, please call 477-7147 or email rmummert@tgguam.net.
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W h o Ya G o n n a C a l l ?
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Weather Ready Nation
When Thunder Roars… Get Indoors! By Marcus Aydle , NWS Meteorologist
Many people on Guam naturally think about typhoons when discussing hazardous weather in the Marianas. Others may think about rip currents and hazardous surf—the number one natural killers on Guam (and a topic we discussed a few months ago). But this month, we want to talk about lightning. We will soon enter the transi onal period going from the dry season to the wet season. Passing showers will be slower to move o shore and rainfall will become heavier. With enough deep convec on, thunderstorms will occur more frequently. We recently had a good thunderstorm event early in April when much of Guam experienced an evening full of heavy showers and lightning. This will become more common later in the year and more strokes will hit the ground.
There are a number of mechanisms that can generate lightning. For us, the most common genera on sources are: tropical disturbances, island convec on and upper-level disturbances in the tropical upper tropospheric troughs (TUTTs). Follow our Facebook page @NWSGuam as we will discuss island convec on and TUTTs in more detail in the coming months. Regardless of how the storm forms, when lightning is near, you may be in danger. How do you know if you’re in danger? Easy. We have a slogan in the Na onal Weather Service: “When thunder roars, get indoors!” Simply put, if you can hear thunder, you are in danger. You can determine how far a lightning strike is from you by coun ng the seconds between seeing the ash and hearing the thunder. Thunder travels slowly at the speed of sound, so for every ve seconds, the thunder travels one mile. This is important because lightning can strike as far as 10 miles from the area of heavy rain.
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Casual es have occurred on Guam from lightning strikes. Most of these casual es occurred in the water; while people were swimming or shing. Naonally, most casual es occur in open areas or on high elevaons. Keep in mind, if you are outside when a thunderstorm approaches, you do not want to take shelter under a tree. You may want to consider where you can take shelter at the Libera on Parade in July if a thunderstorm develops nearby. Many parade a endees will be standing under trees and metal-framed canopies. We want to give you these ps to avoid the lightning threat: Have a lightning safety plan: Know where you’ll go for safety and ensure you have me to get there; Postpone ac vi es: postpone or temporarily stop ac vies and take shelter if you hear thunder; Monitor the weather: look for signs of a developing or approaching thunderstorm; Get to a safe place: If you hear thunder or even a distant rumble, seek safety immediately. Fully enclosed buildings or a hard-topped metal vehicle with windows closed are good op ons. If you hear thunder, don’t use a corded phone; Keep away from electrical equipment and plumbing. For more informa on on lightning safety, Visit h p:// www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/ CasaGuam, a dba of Yellow Pages Ink and PTI Paci ca, Inc., is an Ambassador of the Weather-Ready Na on. In partnership with the Na onal Weather Service, CasaGuam will reserve this space to help disseminate important informa on on weather safety and preparedness to our community. Preparedness is key! If your organiza on would like to join the Weather-Ready Na on, contact Marcus at Marcus.Aydle @noaa.gov. Follow the NWS on Facebook at US Na onal Weather Service Guam, or @NWSGuam, and on the web at www.weather.gov/guam. If you would like to sponsor this page, give CasaGuam a call at 4723495 or email Emily at euntalan@yellowpagesink.com or editor@yellowpagesink.com.
CasaGuam Magazine would be nothing without our readers, contributing writers, advertisers and partners. You all have been there since its inception and we can’t thank you enough for your loyalty, commitment and trust in our publication for all 10 years!! I may have only been your Editor and Sales Admin for 15 months but the friendships I’ve made along the way will forever be cherished! Thank you to our contributing writers and advertisers for your patience with my constant, sometimes nagging, reminders for your article and ad submissions before the deadline, on the deadline and even after the deadline! The deadlines never seem to stick (LOL) but you always come through!! And, to our Production team, thank you also for your patience with me. As many times as you hound me for content on or before the deadline, you also understand that I wear two hats (Editor and Sales Admin) and how much I needed to bring in the numbers even at the 11th hour! I’ll miss everything about CasaGuam Magazine, but, most especially, I’ll miss all of you!! In closing, remember to live life to its fullest, love with all your heart and never take time for granted. Stay safe and blessed! Fondly, Emily L.G. Untalan Editor/Sales Admin. To all our readers, writers and advertisers, thank you for supporting our CasaGuam Magazine for the past 10 years!! Thank you to Mr. Jose Ricardo Delgado for creating this beautiful publication and entrusting me to run with it for 10 years. I am forever grateful for the opportunity. This is so bittersweet. Wishing everyone good health and fortune! Sincerely, Jayr S. Dominguez Business Sales Manager
As I sit and think about the last 10 years that we have been publishing CasaGuam Magazine, I have to say a great big “Thank You!” to all our advertisers, writers, contributors and readers who made this endeavor a wonderful success. For me, it has been an adventure and a journey and an adventure, I have been able to hone my craft as a photographer and a graphic artist, I have learned so many interesting techniques and skills that have challenged and stretched my craft. (I won’t tell you how many times I had to do “landscaping and yard work” on the covers). It was fun to add grass to lawns that hadn't grown in, swap out skies that were just too boring and crop out construction materials that got in the shot. (Oops, am I giving away trade secrets?) I have been privileged to see some of the most beautiful and amazing homes and properties on the island, meet some incredible people and work with the great professionals of the Guam Association of Realtors®. When it comes to Real Estate professionals, Guam is World Class! Thank you so much for your willingness to trust us to feature your awesome properties. It has been a blessing to meet many of our readers and hear them say “CasaGuam is my favorite magazine!” Thank you so much for the privilege of serving you all these years. I especially want to say, “Thank you” to our editorial team who listen to me bark about deadlines every month. You’re awesome! God Bless, Mark S. Burke Production Manager/Photographer
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Closing
Message from the President Christopher Felix 2018 President
Message from the Chief Executive Officer and Government Affairs Director Peggy Araullo Llagas
Guam Association of REALTORS®
Guam Association of REALTORS®
FAIR HOUSING ACT: Criminal History-Based Practices and Policies
Hi again! The theme this month is moving with kids and pets in tow. After all the stress and hassle of buying a new place now comes the MOVE!!! Unfortunately, I have moved 7-8 times in the last 20 years and every move seems to get tougher than the last one. First, you have to decide what gets moved - what stays - what gets given away - what gets sold and what gets thrown away. Then comes, the packing and moving. The last few times we used a mover and this really helped, but many times we moved using a caravan of friends pickup trucks and pray that it doesn’t rain (it always seem to no matter how clear the skies look in the morning). With all that we have the kids and our dog to keep happy and explain what we are doing and why and try to keep them from crying or losing their favorite toy. The last move was better as our two girls were old enough to help and pack their own items (Of course they wanted to go out with their friends and had big plans for that day). If you are planning to move soon I wish you well and hope the rain will not fall (too much). Good luck. Chris
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
HUD's guidance comes on the heels of the Supreme Court's decision (link is external), which held disparate impact claims are cognizable under the Fair Housing Act.1 While persons with criminal records are not a protected class under the Act, HUD stresses that criminal history-based barriers to housing have a statistically disproportionate impact on minorities, which are a protected class under the Act, and as such, creating arbitrary or blanket criminal-based policies or restrictions could violate the Fair Housing Act ("FHA" or "Act"). To be clear, HUD's guidance does not preclude housing providers from crafting criminal history-based policies or practices, but the guidance makes evident that housing providers should create thoughtful policies and practices that are tailored to serve a substantial, legitimate, and nondiscriminatory interest of the housing provider, such as resident safety or the protection of property.
Do’s
3 Create tailored criminal history-based policies/practices. 3 Be sure to have clear, specific reasoning for the criminal history-based policy/ practice that can be supported by evidence. 3 Exclude individuals only based on criminal convictions that present a demonstrable risk to resident safety or property. 3 Consider the nature and severity of an individual’s conviction before excluding the individual based on the conviction. 3 Consider the amount of time that has passed since the criminal conduct occurred. 3 Consider criminal history uniformly, regardless of an individual’s inclusion in a protected class. 3 Treat all applicants for housing equally, regardless of protected characteristics. 3 Conduct individualized assessments that take into account mitigating factors, such as facts and circumstances surrounding the criminal conduct, age at the time of the conduct, evidence of good tenancy before/after conduct, and rehabilitative efforts. 3 Housing providers may exclude persons convicted of the illegal manufacture or distribution of a controlled substance.2
Don’ts
3 Don’t create arbitrary or overly-broad criminal history-based policies/practices. 3 Don't maintain a policy/practice, or any portion thereof, that does not serve a substantial, legitimate, nondiscriminatory interest. 3 Don’t create exclusions based on arrest records alone. 3 Don't create a blanket exclusion of any person with any conviction record. 3 Don't provide inconsistent explanations for the denial of a housing application. 3 Don't use criminal history as a pretext for unequal treatment of individuals of a protected class. 3 Don't use comparable criminal history differently for individuals of protected classes 3 Don't make exceptions to a policy or practice for some individuals, but not make the same exception for another individual based on the individual’s inclusion in a protected class. 3 Don't include a blanket prohibition against individuals convicted of drug possession.
- National Association of REALTORS® 28 CasaGuam
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