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CONTENTS
Message From GAR
Departments 4
Message from the President
Market Report Market Snapshot January 1, 3013 to April 30, 2013
8
10
Feature Relocating Relief: Plan ahead to avoid the stress
12
Profile Del Artero Ada Always Striving for Excellence
15
How to D.I.Y. Home Equity Line of Credit
16
How to D.I.Y.
June 2013 • Vol. 6 • No. 06 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
Update Your Couch
|Display Advertising| 18
From the Experts Spa at Home
20
Curb Appeal An Outdoor Kitchen An Extension of Your Living Area
Jennifer Santos
|Traffic/Circulation Manager| Josie Redmond
|Production Manager| Mark S. Burke
|Graphics & Layout| 22
One More Thing Customer Surprise!
25 26
Who Ya Gonna Call? In Our Community 2013 Phonebook Roundup Winners
27
Classifieds
28
Closing Guam Association of REALTORS® AIDS Disclosure and Other Stigmas Part 1
Mark S. Burke Edwin E. Valencia
|Editorial Contributors| Faye Varias Creative Services Marissa Borja Clare Delgado Anthony R. Godwin Peggy Araullo Llagas Bryan J.C. Sualog Arlene Taitague Taitingfong Kim Anderson Young
By Clare Delgado 2013 President, Guam Association of REALTORS®
SHOPPING FOR PROPERTIES ONLINE…CALL A REALTOR® FIRST! Homeownership is a dream we all share. It’s part of the three basic necessities in addition to food and clothing. But with the rising costs of owning or renting a home along with a challenging economy, it may appear that pursuing that dream may be harder to attain. With that thought, we shop around, negotiate the best deal and hopefully get the most bang for our buck. Nowadays, looking for properties can be as easy as the click of a computer mouse. Most homes for sale or rent can be found online in various websites. Many of us know the benefits of looking of properties online in that you can search for properties anywhere and anytime. As you browse the listings, you could also see where the property is located, take a photo tour and calculate how much you can afford. There are many websites that advertise property listings. Websites such as Craigslist for example offers a section devoted to real estate listings. But while we are searching for the best bang for our buck, we need to remember that there are certain things we need to be aware of. When considering buying or renting property from an online source, take care that you are aware of whom you are dealing with. Part of being prudent is to know how to avoid online scams. Always deal with someone locally. Your favorite REALTOR® is local and will meet with you on a one to one basis. They can personally show you homes and negotiate the best price and terms for you. Secondly, it is highly recommended never to wire money to secure a property, unless you know the credibility of the recipient. Your local REALTOR® will ensure your deposit is safe and secure in either escrow or their company trust account. You can have peace of mind knowing where your hard earned money is deposited. It’s important to note that Craigslist does not participate in any transactions and also offers suggestions on avoiding scams. Your favorite and local REALTOR® though, can help you find the perfect place that you can call home. They will work hard to protect your deposit and ensure the keys to your home are safely delivered directly to you. Your REALTOR® is also one of your biggest advocates. They will protect your interests and strive to see to it that your dream of homeownership can also be as easy as a mouse click away. REALTORS® adhere to a strict code of ethics and are the ideal professional to help you in your pursuit of the dream of homeownership. Call your REALTOR® now!
GUAM ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® Cover Photo courtesy of LeoPalace Resort CasaGuam is Published by:
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
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
Market Snapshot January 1, 2012 to April 30, 2013 Total Listings in MLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,902 – UP * Average Home Price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $240,626 – UP * Days on Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168 – UP * Average Condo Price . . . . . . . . . . . . . $168,665 –DOWN * Days on Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 – DOWN * Market Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Buyer’s (& Renter’s) Market * Compared to previous report.
MLS Highlights There were four properties that sold/closed over $500,000 during the past thirty days; a single family home in Talo Verde, Tamuning that closed for $746,000; a cliff-side vacant land parcel also in Talo Verde, Tamuning that closed for $700,000; a commercial building in Hagatna that closed for $1,318,888 and a commercial building in Tumon alongFujita Road that closed for $1,800,000. There were 351 apartments/condos/townhomes rented from January 1, through April 30th; 217 single family homes rented during
the same period. Average days on market is approaching 3 months. Renters are looking at more properties before making a final decision to rent. The village of Dededo tops the chart year-to-date with 31 homes sold; taking just over six months to go from listing to sold with an average sold/close price of $219,663.
Market Signals Bank interest rates remain very attractive at around 3% for those with the best credit scores. You read that right 3%! How long will these low interest rates last? Take advantage now. A $10,000 grant for closing costs for home purchases under $250,000. We are still seeing transactions where seller’s have helped out with closing costs or down payments – sometimes both. There’s a great selection of properties to choose with over 1900 available for eithersale or rent on the market now. 4 CasaGuam June 2013
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Market Repor t Municipality Statistics For 1/1/2013 To 4/30/2013 Single Fmly For Sale As Of 05/23/2013 City Active
Volume
For 1/1/2013 To 4/30/2013
Average List Price Active
Volume
Average List Price New Pend Sold
Average Average Sold Sold WithPrice DOM Expr drawn BOM
Agana Heights
6
$ 2,233,000
$ 372,167
7
$ 2,273,000
$ 324,714
2
1
1 $ 185,000
102
0
0
1
$ 2,244,000
$ 204,000
18
$ 3,277,000
$ 182,056
8
6
1 $ 187,500
178
3
1
0
$ 2,049,000 $ 1,024,500
7
$ 2,955,000
$ 422,143
3
1
0
$0
0
2
1
1
Agat
11
Asan
2
Barrigada
17
$ 9,073,190
$ 533,717
36
$ 14,997,190
$ 416,589
17
8
9 $ 262,722
73
6
1
5
Dededo
59
$ 15,983,390
$ 270,905
113
$ 29,134,389
$ 257,826
56
31
37 $ 219,663
186
21
2
15
Hagatna
0
0
$0
$0
0
0
0
$0
0
0
0
0
Inarajan
2
$ 425,000
$ 212,500
5
$ 1,319,000
$ 263,800
2
1
1
$ 63,500
16
2
0
1
Mangilao
28
$ 9,779,500
$ 349,268
41
$ 13,555,900
$ 330,632
15
6
7 $ 234,771
190
6
1
8
Merizo
0
3
$ 1,493,888
$ 497,963
1
1
1 $ 140,000
258
2
0
0
MongMongToto-Maite
7
10
$ 3,527,000
$ 352,700
5
1
2 $ 226,944
156
2
0
1
$
$ $ 2,378,000
$
$ $ 339,714
OrdotChalan Pago
19
$ 7,248,900
$ 381,521
23
$ 9,055,900
$ 393,735
15
2
4 $ 186,255
173
3
2
2
Piti
17
$ 8,751,000
$ 514,765
21
$ 10,508,800
$ 500,419
12
1
2 $ 245,000
181
2
2
1
Santa Rita
12
$ 3,539,700
$ 294,975
17
$ 5,368,200
$ 315,776
7
3
5 $ 278,760
169
5
3
4
Sinajana
8
$ 3,178,000
$ 397,250
13
$ 4,993,100
$ 384,085
6
3
2 $ 255,000
173
3
1
4
Talofofo
22
$ 7,911,117
$ 359,596
35
$ 11,250,617
$ 321,446
9
6
5 $ 168,380
112
6
0
3
Tamuning
19
$ 11,598,999
$ 610,474
35
$ 20,081,836
$ 573,767
17
6
4 $ 615,250
281
6
1
4
Tumon
0
0
$0
$0
0
0
0
$0
0
0
0
0
Umatac
1
$ 2,800,000 $ 1,400,000
1
0
0
$0
0
1
0
0
Yigo
47
$ 13,804,676
$ 293,717
77
$ 23,318,875
$ 302,843
35
11
9 $ 252,211
140
17
2
8
Yona
31
$ 10,854,990
$ 350,161
42
$ 14,031,690
$ 334,088
19
5
5 $ 196,500
211
8
3
7
308 $ 112,452,462
$ 365,105
$ 344,438 230
93
95 $ 240,626
168
95
20
65
Subtotal
$
$
$ 1,400,000 $ 1,400,000
2
505 $ 173,941,385
Information is deemed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed. © 2013 MLS and FBS . Prepared by Anthony R. Godwin, EPRO,ABR,CRS on Thursday, May 23, 2013 3:04 AM
Advice to Buyers! The signals to buy are everywhere… more choices! Low interest rates! Help with closing costs & down payments. These are the ideal conditions to make a home purchase. Will these conditions last forever? No. Supply and demand affect everything—including the purchase of a home. Interest rates on mortgages in Guam are based on the financial markets in the US. As the US financial markets improve, interest rates will most likely start to rise. As demand for real estate increases sellers are less likely to provide concessions and credits to buyers. As the number of properties available for sale decreases then the usual market response is an increase in prices. Property choices, low interest rates, help with closing costs and downpayments… it’s an ideal time to buy!
Finding Properties Perhaps 90% of buyers and tenants start their search on the internet. Nearly all real estate websites on Guam feature all properties from all real estate companies through the Guam MLS. Websites such as http://www.guamrealestate.com even allow you to create favorite folders, save searches and track properties that meet your requirements. When you are ready to make a move, we are here to help. All data in this article is from the Guam Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for the period stated. Oh by the way, I'm never too busy for your referrals… Your REALTOR®… Anthony CasaGuam.com 5
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Feature
Relocating can be one of the most stressful times in your life. It can be an overwhelming experience having to pack up your entire life and move thousands of miles to a little island like ours and of course the opposite is also true. Having to leave Guam where all your friends and family are and move somewhere new is an exciting but also frightening experience. While it’s never easy leaving your old life behind – your comfort zone – and starting anew, with careful planning you can greatly reduce the stress of relocating.
8 CasaGuam June 2013
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Feature
Relocation Relief Plan ahead to avoid the stress By Bryan J.C. Sualog
Probably the most important thing to do is start planning your relocation as soon as possible. You don’t want to wait until the last minute to do something and find out that it’ll take more time than you have to do. It’s a simple but obvious way to prevent yourself from being overwhelmed.
Manglona got rid of as much as he could before relocating back to Guam. “Aside from clothing and personal documents, I didn't have much else to send to Guam. I gave my car and household items - pots, pans, tv, etc.- to my brother. I currently live with my parents so I don't have to buy new household items.”
“Planning in advance is a must. For instance, you need to know how good the job prospects are. Also, finding a new place to live can be challenging and time consuming,” says Dean Mangolona.
You should also start notifying your service providers of your move so you can settle your accounts and they know when to disconnect service.
After attending law school and practicing law in New Mexico, Manglona moved back to Guam in December of 2012. “I moved back home to be closer to family, but mainly because I wanted to takce care and spend time with my dad who is ill,” he says. Relocating was stressful because I had so much to consider – career, my girlfriend, and the cost of moving. Regardless, I was still very excited to move home.”
If you have any pets, you should consult your veterinarian about the best way to transport them and if they need to go through any quarantine process. Guam’s Department of Agriculture is a good source of information on the entire process.
Making a checklist of everything that needs to be done can be an easy way to stay organized. Make a list of everything that needs to be done and when it should be done by. A checklist can be a real lifesaver and keep you from forgetting anything. About one to two months before your relocation you should start cleaning out your old home. Decide what you don’t need and what will be going with you. A good rule of thumb is to get rid of anything you haven’t used in two years or more. Having a little extra cash is always nice so consider having a yard sale. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. To add even more money to your relocations fund arrange to collect any security deposits. At this time, you should also try to use up any frozen or canned foods you may have. Any leftover food can be donated to charity before you leave.
Before Manglona moved, he discussed it with his family and then notified his employer about his decision. “Since I represented clients, I also had to notify each one of them of my decision. Since I had active clients, I had to close out each of my cases or assign them to another attorney. I then had to make sure I notified all important contacts of my new mailing address, which was tedious and time consuming. I then had to pack my stuff and mail them to Guam. I only started planning about one month before my move.” Make a list of everyone you need to notify. Aside from his employer and clients, Manglona also notified New Mexico’s tax and revenue office, the New Mexico State Bar Association, USPS, his college and law school alumni associations and his banks. Everyone’s experience with relocating will be different, so this isn’t a list of things you must do. The important thing is to plan ahead and find out what works for you. With the proper planning your relocation can be a smooth experience.
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On The Cover
LeoPalace Resort: Life on the Links
L
eoPalace Resort is quite simply Guam's finest living option and the residential leasing program now includes a wide range of units, pricing and leasing options. The world-class, master-planned resort features the widest possible range of amenities, security and safety, as well as convenient access to military bases, employment centers and shopping. Just 10 minutes away from Agana, the centrally located resort is continually improving the tenant experience. Furnished or unfurnished, long or short term, from $1,400 per month deluxe efficiency to $4,500 per month penthouse suites and $2,500 per month golf course frontage villas, LeoPalace Resort offers the widest range of resort living options on Guam. Tenants benefit from special resort benefits under the Residential Lifestyle Program including complimentary hotel stay, food and beverage discounts, use of luxury hotel pool and other special offerings. Contact Nick Captain directly at 472-1819 to arrange a showing or look for our open house in July!
Nick Captain Principal Broker
(671) 472-1819
C aptain REALTY
Download a brochure at www.captainrealestate.com or email nick@captainrealestate.com
10 CasaGuam June 2013
ADVISORS
RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • SALES • LEASING
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By Bryan J.C. Sualog
Profile
Always Striving for Excellence 2012 REALTOR® of the Year Del Artero Ada
A
“Always have the Lord in the center of your life, and everything else will come together like a fabric weaving itself. Work hard and always do your best.” It’s a good motto and one that has served Century 21 Realty Management Co. REALTOR® Del Artero Ada well throughout the years. As professionals we always strive to be the best whether it’s in publishing, hospitality, or real estate. Rarely are our efforts recognized, but when they are it helps to validate all of our hard work. Every year the Guam Association of Realtors recognizes one of the many outstanding Realtors on Guam by bestowing them with the title “REALTOR® of the Year.” In 2012, the association bestowed this honor on Ada.
“
Del Artero Ada REALTOR®, Century 21 Realty Management Co.
Family:
Parents: Jesus Cruz Artero (dec.) and Rita Calvo Artero Children: Zina, Chuck, Bill and Jared Ada
Casa Guam magazine is a great source of wealth of information for everyone, to including realtors.
12 CasaGuam June 2013
“
The recipients of the award are selected by the Guam Association of Realtors board of directors. “Each member nominates a REALTOR® among its 400 plus membership justifying the candidates’ contributions of service to the association,” Ada says. “Election of the candidates is then voted on by the board of directors.” As a recipient of the award, Ada got to travel to Orlando, Florida to receive her award from the president of the National Association of Realtors, along with 54 other Realtors nationwide. “I am deeply honored and humbled with this award,” she says. The 2012 Guam delegation consisted of 2012 GAR President Liz Duenas who was accompanied by her husband, John Duenas; the 2013 GAR President-Elect Claire Delgado; National Board of Director Chris Felix accompanied by his wife Rose Felix; and GAR Executive Director Peggy Araullo Llagas. “It’s a surreal experience and I am so glad that I made the journey. It’s an experience of a lifetime that gives you rush. I am so proud to be a REALTOR®. I am very blessed,” Ada says. In addition to her REALTOR® work, Ada also served as the GAR Education Chairperson from 2011 to 2012 continuously and as Sub-Committee Chair for the Affordable Housing Program. Through her and her fellow committee members’ efforts, they were able to provide numerous continuing education opportunities to the association’s members. They also coordinated the first Affordable Housing Opportunity Forum through the Ira Gribin Grant, which was awarded to GAR in 2012, to educate and inform the general public of housing opportunities available for first-time home owners. Always striving for excellence, Ada hopes to continue to grow in knowledge and experience and give back to her community. “To be able to provide the best service assisting people from all walks of life achieve the American dream of home ownership,” she says. “I love being a REALTOR®! The Lord is good and he blessed me with a wonderful family and a wonderful second career.”
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Home Finance
Home Equity Line of Credit By Marie Fe Regis-Malaca
A
Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) may seem a bit complicated because of the variety of choices available, but it can be a great option for some homeowners. “Home Equity” is the equity or net value of your home. The equity is determined by taking the actual value of the home and subtracting any outstanding mortgage balance.
A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) is a line of credit that has similarities with a credit card. It is an established line of credit available for your use when you need it. While a credit card is often used as a system of payment, a HELOC allows you to use a check for payment to a vendor or individual including yourself. In most cases the HELOC allows for higher line amounts than a credit card since it is secured by a mortgage on your property. Also, interest rates are often much lower for a HELOC than conventional unsecured credit cards. In most cases these lines offer flexible rate options and possible tax-deductible interest (please consult a tax advisor). What are the benefits of having a HELOC? • Convenience: You have a line of credit available to use any time during the draw term. Draw terms may vary from one financial institution to another. • Low variable interest rate: Along with a low variable interest rate there may also be an attractive introductory rate, or the option of fixing your rate whenever you want. • Interest paid on a HELOC may be tax deductible: Please consult a tax advisor regarding tax benefits. A HELOC can be used for a variety of needs. Some use the line of credit to renovate their homes, purchase investment properties, consolidate debt, or pay for college expenses. It offers you the flexibility to do what you want, when you want. What to look out for? As with other lines of credit, there are fees associated with Home Equity Lines of Credit. Similar to a mortgage, home equity lines may require an appraisal report to get the current appraised value. Appraisal reports can vary in scope and usually depend on the dollar amount and conditions set forth by the lending institution. In addition, as home equity lines use the property as collateral, government recording fees are also assessed, along with title insurance. Financial institutions may require you to have home and typhoon insurance. Banks may also assess certain fees such as documentation fees or annual fees. Feel free to shop around and ask about the various fees assessed on a HELOC. Some may wonder, why not just opt for a conventional cash-out refinance mortgage? Conventional mortgages are great, but these types of loans have fixed terms and a one-time draw that you take at time of closing. Should you have a need to borrow again, you would need to repeat the same mortgage loan process. We welcome you to stop by any one of our Bank of Hawaii branches to learn more about a Home Equity Line of Credit or call 479-3822 for more information. CasaGuam.com 15
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H o w To D . I . Y.
Update Your Couch By Marissa Borja
Y
You know what’s cool? Taking your old furniture into a shop to get it reupholstered. It’s like designer recycling if you’re able to afford a really nice new print in a fabric that is just as fabulous. What’s not cool? The cost. I know firsthand that the cost to get the job done can be super pricey, especially on Guam. That’s when you take matters into your own hands. Yep, you can do it yourself and I guarantee you’ll spend less than half than what you would have had to invest by taking into the shop. The biggest expense here…is simply your time. For this project, you’ll be reupholstering a couple of old arm chairs that can either be yours or perhaps something cheap you were able to pick up at a yard sale. You can always find a good yard sale on Guam.
Tools and Materials • • • •
Pinking scissors Strong large needle Hammer 2 to 3 canvas drop cloths (8-or 10-ounce tight-weave unbleached cotton – or any fabric of your choice) 6' x 9' or larger — depending on the size of the chair. • Button thread in the same color of canvas cloth • 2 cans adhesive spray (Elmer's multi-purpose) • Upholstery nail heads (found at hardware store)
Cut and Lay Out Each Section Cut the drop cloth into big pieces to cover each large section of the chair. Tuck and fold at the seams to get a finished look. In some areas you can just glue down the fabric to the chair, but in other spots you may have to hand stitch some of the pieces together.
Cover the Arms Use the finished edges of the canvas in the most visible spots -- along the arms and back. If the arms are two separate pieces -- the inner piece folds over the outer piece.
16 CasaGuam June 2013
If necessary, cut each piece down further to the approximate size -make sure you cut extra to allow for curves and padding. Slowly place each piece down with the adhesive spray, pressing along the way to take out folds or wrinkles. The spray is forgiving, so if you need to pull it back up you can, and then place it back down. Cut one piece at a time and make sure the edges are finished edges. Tuck in or folded over to give each seam a finished edge.
Wrap the Skirt The chair's skirt should be done last to cover the bottom edges of all the other pieces. You can do the skirt as one long piece wrapped all the way around or do separate pieces on each side of the chair.
Cover Cushions and Add Nail Trim When all the pieces are in place and are glued down, use the hammer to insert the upholstery nail heads through the fabric and into the chair's framing. All chairs vary, on some you can feel the framing in the arms, others the on the back and some around the edges.
Final Stitching The chair will need to be stitched together at the many of the seams to hold fabric in place. The adhesive is more of a temporary solution to get the pieces in their exact spots. The stitching will give it a rustic chic look. Since 2007, seasoned television personality Marissa Borja (Pacific Home & Garden and My Home with Marissa Borja) has been working to fill Guam's home and garden niche with stories, products and services that locals will find beneficial and relative to their lifestyle. She enjoys the creative outlet that writing and television offer in order to balance out her busy personal life as a wife and full-time mother of five.
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From the Experts
Spa at Home
By Marissa Borja
To make an exfoliating papaya body polish: • ⅔ cup fresh papaya • 4 to 6 tablespoons cornmeal (or ½ cup white or brown sugar) • 3 tablespoons milk (or coconut milk) Directions: 1. Cut papaya in half, and remove the seeds. Scoop out the papaya pulp and transfer to a medium bowl. Mash the fruit well with a fork until there are no lumps. 2. Add cornmeal and milk. Mix all ingredients together to form a paste. 3. While in the shower, scrub mixture over entire body in a gentle circular motion for 2-3 minutes. 4. Leave it on for about 10-20 minutes, and rinse off with warm water. 5. Dry your skin dry gently with a soft towel. Moisturize with your favorite body lotion. A trend that continues to gain popularity is home spas. Creating a tranquil environment within your personal space so that you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars a year on relaxation requires just a few modifications and you’re off to pampered city. What’s more is that you can just as easily make your own facial and body scrub mixes with every day ingredients in your cabinet and refrigerator! All you need is a bathroom, a tub and a block of time that goes completely uninterrupted. 1. Privacy: Perhaps the most important part of the home spa experience is being sure you have some uninterrupted time for just you. If you have to hop out of the tub to circum vent a catastrophe with your toddler or answer a string of calls, you may end up feeling even more tense! So make arrangements for some uninterrupted solitude, let the phone go to voice mail, and prepare to indulge. 2. Music: If you can arrange to have music in your bathroom – perhaps use an ipod – you’ll be glad you did. The right soothing melodies can help melt away the stress, make you feel more removed from reality, and, if you’re like me and live in an animated house hold, drown out the sounds that may remind you of everything else going on, taking your attention away from the here and now of your home spa experience. 3. Lighting: This is always the one that helps me. You’d be surprised at how lighting can create a stress-relieving mood. Light your room with candles that fill the area with a sooth ing scent and create a very relaxing atmosphere. 4. Bath Products: If you can, purchase a loofah to rub your dry skin with your homemade beauty products and a pumice stone to scrub calloused feet. It may be a little more work, but you’ll love the results…and it’ll only take a few minutes. 5. After Tub Care: You may want to follow up after you get out of the tub by applying a rich conditioning cream (depending on which home treatment you decide on) to your skin and a coat of nail polish to your toes. Again this will keep you feeling more pampered between spa treatments. Tips: 1. Block off a specific amount of time for yourself. Sometimes busy people have a hard time just doing nothing because we can think of so many other things that need doing. If this break is scheduled to be a specific length, you may feel more entitled to just enjoy it. 2. Try to do this on a regular schedule, like once a week or twice a month. With repetition, you may see your spa time making a significant impact on your overall stress level! 3. Don’t feel guilty for taking some time for yourself—you deserve it! Homemade facials & body scrubs: I absolutely love knowing that I can create my own all-natural concoctions at home that will likely provide me with the same results as any other treatment I would have received at a spa. I’ve even chosen the ones where I can get what I need from my backyard – like papaya and calamansi. Here’s what you need:
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Brown Sugar & Lemon Body Scrub • 1/2 cup brown sugar • 1/2 cup salt • 1 Tablespoon Calamansi • 1 Tablespoon Virgin Coconut Oil • 1 Tablespoon Honey Mix together the brown sugar and salt before adding the calamansi, virgin coconut oil and honey. Mix well before use. Avocado Face Mask (with cucumbers) 1. Remove the pit from half an avocado and scrape the remaining flesh out of the peel and into a bowl. With a fork, mash the avocado until its consistency becomes creamy and free from lumps. 2. Add 1 tsp. lemon juice to the mashed avocado if you plan to save some or all of the paste for later use. 3. Mix the avocado paste with any optional ingredients you choose to include in your mask-including 1 tbsp. honey, 1 tbsp. olive oil or a raw egg white. Although avocado facial masks are effective when made with avocado alone, these ingredients contain additional properties that may promote skin health, especially if your complexion tends to be oily. 4. Wash your face with warm water to remove any dirt, cosmetics or other accumulated debris. Clean skin will absorb the avocado mask's oils more readily than skin coated with other substances. 5. Apply a thin layer of the avocado puree to your face with your fingertips, avoiding contact with your eyes and hair. Continue rubbing the paste onto your skin until your face is fully coated. Then apply a couple of slices of cucumber over your eyes to moisturize and stimulate circulation. 6. Leave the avocado mask on your face for at least 15 minutes or until the mixture fully dries. The longer you wear the facial mask, the more chance your skin has to absorb the mixture's nourishing nutrients. 7. Remove the mask by rinsing your face gently with warm water; avoid harshly scrubbing the mixture off of your skin. Splash your face with cold water after removing the paste in order to close your skin pores. Dab your face with a towel to dry. * Be sure to always test your scrub/polish on a small part of your body before applying to ensure that you won’t have any reactions. These scrubs are also meant for one-time use.
Since 2007, seasoned television personality Marissa Borja (Pacific Home & Garden and My Home with Marissa Borja) has been working to fill Guam's home and garden niche with stories, products and services that locals will find beneficial and relative to their lifestyle. She enjoys the creative outlet that writing and television offer in order to balance out her busy personal life as a wife and full-time mother of five.
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Curb Appeal
An Outdoor Kitchen - An Extension By Arlene Taitague Taitingfong of Your Living Area uamanians are a very hospitable nationality and we love entertaining – no matter what size home we have. We are family oriented and often have gatherings to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays with friends and family. What am I saying?! We ALWAYS find a reason to have a gathering! If you live on Guam, an outside kitchen is not an unfamiliar sight. Outside kitchens range in size from the simple to the most elaborate.
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K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Sweetie) If you are looking to add an outside kitchen and are on a tight budget, the best way to start is to keep the design simple. The “kitchen triangle” design can come into play. The HGTV website defines the “kitchen triangle” as “. . . an efficient kitchen layout. The refrigerator, range or cook top, and sink should form three points of a triangle, with no leg of the triangle measuring more than 10’ feet additionally, the legs of the triangle should be unobstructed by structures like cabinets or a kitchen island” Okay, that sounds too complicated. For this article, let’s simplify the definition - a kitchen is a place equipped for cooking. That being stated, we can define, for this article, that the basic elements of a kitchen are a sink, (a few) cooking appliances (grill, stove, and/or oven) and prep area. (Prep area optional but it sure does help to have one). Of course, if you plan to entertain outside, you will want to plan to have an area for your guests to gather.
patio into an entertainment oasis perfect for hosting parties or enjoying a quiet evening alfresco. DESIGNING TIPS 1. PLAN YOUR SPACE. How much space can you allocate for your outdoor kitchen? If you don’t have too much space to work with, design your kitchen to place your cooking appliances near each other. As illustrated in this photo below, all the outdoor appliances fit into one workable area. You can place a small sink at either end of this block.
The most conservative budget can still afford a great outdoor kitchen area!
If you have a larger area to design, you can go full on with the alfresco kitchen as shown here.
Here is a simple outdoor kitchen. As you can see, you don’t need a whole lot of room if you design your kitchen wisely.
An outdoor kitchen area is great way to add that little extra something to give value to your home. Transform your deck or 20 CasaGuam June 2013
If you have an existing patio or deck, you can expand your outdoor kitchen to its full extent as seen here.
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Curb Appeal 2. MATERIALS. Please take into consideration Mother Nature. Remember, Guam can have some pretty intense dry and rainy seasons so make sure the materials you use for your kitchen are weather proof. There are many types of material available that come in a variety of textures and styles. Below is an example of an alfresco kitchen. You can sense that the owners entertain outdoors a lot. Notice the tracking on the patio ceiling. It makes protecting and enclosing the area easier.
3. BUDGET. Determine your budget and stick to it. One can be easily persuaded to add a few other appliances or use really expensive materials. Stick to the budget. Remember the adage, “less is more”. Even the most conservative budget can bring out a creative design. Kitchen Types Straight Line Kitchens: Similar to an indoor "kitchenette", this kitchen is installed against a wall. It’s ideal for smaller, more budget-friendly spaces where only one cook will work at a time. Keep in mind that if the kitchen will be against the wall of the house, you'll have to choose non-combustible materials to protect the siding. It's best to consult a professional in any case. U-shape Kitchens: If you're planning a larger, freestanding kitchen with a grill, refrigerator, dishwasher, a sink and a bar area, this shape may be for you. This design mimics most indoor kitchens, becoming the ultimate backyard focal point. Kitchen Islands: Probably the most common of all built-in outdoor kitchen designs, an island layout, which clusters the grill and all appliances in one central unit. It is cost-effective and great for creating an entertaining hub. Consider raising one side of the countertop to separate the cooking and socializing areas. In today’s society, the outdoor kitchen is truly an extension of your home and your living area. Whether you want to have a space to entertain family or friends, or just want to have a nice relaxing retreat for yourself, you can turn your desires into reality. CasaGuam.com 21
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One More Thing
Customer Surprise! By Kim Anderson Young something. This is what we do when we return phone calls. This is what we do when we deliver a title report to a customer, or a commission to a broker. In other words, with this type of behavior, we are reacting to someone’s request. The simple fact is that anyone can do that. If we think this type of service separates us from the competition we are not only wrong, it is worse than that. This type of service confirms that we are exactly like the competition! The second realm is “Responsive Service.” Have you ever considered what it would be like if your customers never asked for a return phone call because you were actually available to take the call when it first came in? Wow, what would things be like if we could respond to our customers’ needs by making ourselves available to them at the time they needed us? It is sad when the customer no longer expects anyone to be available to take a call. It is also not easy to make the change toward being available! In order to be responsive in your service you will have to realign some things in your life. I learned from Darryl that I need to let go of some tasks on my “to do” list in order to make myself available to my customers. On May 14th, Security Title was honored to host author, motivational speaker and business coach, Darryl Turner, bringing him to Guam as part of our “partnering for success” commitment to the Guam Association of Realtors. Over a monster drink, Darryl and I talked about the concept of customer service and his ideas surprised me! Darryl explained that there are three realms of perspective when it comes to Customer expections and service.
The third realm is “Proactive Service.” Better known as “Customer Surprise.” If you want a customer to never forget your service, surprise them! According to Darryl, it is just as simple as this. The more you do for them without them asking for it and then communicating that to them, the more you have surprised them. In conclusion, you will not keep your customers by simply serving them. You will keep them by surprising them!
The first realm is “Reactive Service.” This is the most common definition of the literal word “Service.” This is what we provide when someone asks us for 22 CasaGuam June 2013
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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W h o Ya G o n n a C a l l ?
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In Our Community
2013 Phonebook Roundup Winners
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Classifieds Commercial Rentals Dededo 106 East Sta. Barbara, Dededo 4bed/1 ba corner house, fenced, and gated. Centrally located close to church, school and malls. Asking $1,200/month. Call MYRNA @ 488-0144
Ordot-Chalan Pago Commercial space for rent. Approx 850 sq ft., video store or retail business. Asking $850/mo. Please call ANGIE @ 727-2228
Residential Rentals
Large 4BD/2.5BA. Single home. Pool. Security. Tennis Court. $2,450/month. Call 637-7165/688-0887/689-7700. Harmon Ct. Townhome. 3BD/2BA. Sec. 8 OK. $1,200/month. Call 637-7165/ 689-3333/688-0887.
Asan Nimitz Hill. 2BD apartment including ocean view. $950/mo. Modern upgraded, all ceramic tiled, typhoon shutters. Available approximately 6/19/13. Call 687-6900.
Barrigada 2b/1b, near Subway with water $830/mo. Please call 637-7165 / 688-0887 / 689-3333
Dededo Ester Garden: Large 2BD/2BA. Very nice. 1,000 SqFt, $800/month. Call 637-7165/688-0887/689-7700. Paradise Estates. 4BD/3BA, Exc. Condition, Fenced. $2,450. Call 637-7165 689-3333/688-0887.
Harmon 3BD/2.5BA Townhouse. Pool. Security. Tennis Court. $1,900/month. Call 637-7165/688-0887/689-7700
Barrigada Large 4BR/2Ba 1800sqft. House Only 248,000 637-7165 / 688-0887 / 689-3333
Tumon Heights. 4BD/2BA. Oceanview, Corner Unit, Large Living Room, Patio, 100% Back up Generator/Water, Exc. Condition. Only $355,000 Call 637-7165/688-0887
Tumon
Talofofo Dededo Ipan Talofofo. Just footsteps away from Pacific Ocean beach, gigantic 3BD/2BA home awaits you. Family room with more than 400sf. $2200/month. Call 687-6900.
Tamuning
Villa Rosario Condo: 3bd 2ba Excellent Condition, Pool, Tennis Court, Play Ground. Good Location $160,000.00 Call 637-7165/688-0887
Dai Ichi Condo. 3BD/1BA, Pool, Sec 8 OK, by O/A. $1,250. Call 637-7165/688-0887
Las Palmas Ph3. 3rd Floor. Large 3BD/2.5BA/2Den. Pool. Excellent Condition. $255,000. Call 637-7165 689-3333/688-0887.
Sunrise D Condo. Large 2BD/2BA. Pool. Very nice. 1,000 SqFt. $1,000/month. Call 637-7165/688-0887/689-7700.
Pacific Gardens. 1st Floor. Pool. Security. 1BD/1BA. $47,000. Call 637-7165 689-7700/688-0887/689-3333.
Tumon 2bd /1 ba, view, near beach, ex. condition, fully furnished. $1350. Call 637-7165/688-0887/689-7700/689-3333.
For Sale By Owner Summer Palace Estates Located close to Cost-U-Less in Harmon 4Bd/2.5Ba 2100 Sq. Ft. Home located in a secured gated community with swimming pool, tennis court, and playground. New granite countertop and tile floor throughout with typhoon shutters. $440,000.00 Please call 777-0951
Agana Heights Cliff Condo. 2BD/2BA. Newly renovated. New appliances. Water/Power incl. Sec. 8 OK. $1,150/month. Call 637-7165/ 689-3333/688-0887.
Residential Sales
San Vitores Terrace Condo: 3bd/2ba, 3rd floor unit with oceanview, upgraded unit with new carpets, pool, security and basic cable TV. $1800. Call Coral Sea Realty 649-6088 San Vitores Terrace Condo-2bd/1ba, 3bd/2ba – walking distance to beach, rest/bars, church. Asking $950 $1800/mo. CSR- PB 649-6088
Tumon
Ordot-Chalan Pago Chalan Pago 2bed1bath SFD for sale. 1169sq.m lot Asking $119k. Call Karen 988-1883
Tumon View Condo. 2bd 1ba. Near beach. $110,000. Call 637-7165/688-0887/689-3333 Lily Village Tumon Condo. Nice. 3BDM 2BA Fully Renovated. $2,000/mo.
Yigo Executive 2-story house with a great view, fully fenced and a quiet area. 5bd/3ba w/ 2 huge balconies. SS appliances, wash/dry, 2-car garage. Huge storage shed, a must see! $425K Sale. Call Joe @ 483-3333!
Yona Winward Hill Estates: Lovely 4 bedrooms / 2.5 ba with beautifully upgraded kitchen and bathrooms, nicely appointed living & dining spaces & bedrooms. Large, well maintained yard with lots of gorgeous plants, flowers, trees and a cozy verandah & spacious tool shop in the middle of it all! Come see this beauty in Yona. Asking $289,000. Call MARILOU @ 988-5600
Land for Sale Chalan Pago
Sinajana Tumon Horizon Condo: 2bd/2ba, 5th floor, water incl., pool, security $950.00 CSR- PB 649-6088
Yigo Single Home. Excellent Condition. 3BD/2BA. Large yard. Good Location. $1,400/month or for sale $200K. Call 637-7165/688-0887/689-7700. Executive 2-story house with a great view, fully fenced and a quiet area. 5bd/3ba w/ 2 huge balconies. SS appliances, wash/dry, 2-car garage. Huge storage shed, a must see, Military OK! $3500/mo. Call Joe @ 483-3333!
Large, villa style home. 5bd/3ba. Completely remodeled. Private and beautifully landscaped. Asking: $579K. (Priced below appraised value.) Call 489-3285. Large 4BR/3Ba 2755sqft w/1600sqft covered deck/porch. Detached util & gen. room. Walled/Gated & beautifully landscaped. $592K. Call Michael@ 487-4111
1,387 SqMtrs, Good Location, 5 min. drive from Agana. Only $46,000. Serious Inquiries. Call 637-7165/688-0887 Chalan Pago LAND FOR SALE Wow! What a view you have to take a look at this large lot. Come see and fall in love! Only $210K. Call Century 21 Commonwealth Realty @ 649-2121.
Dededo Tamuning Jonestown. 3bd/2ba. Large Yard. Fenced. $320,000 or $1,350 for rent. Call 637-7165/689-7700/689-3333
Dededo Lot with a fabulous view overlooking the city. Great potential for future development. $400K. Call HANA @ 777-3660
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Closing
Message from the Executive Officer By Peggy Araullo Llagas
AIDS Disclosure and Other Stigmas – Part 1 gency disclosure, property condition disclosure - what other kinds of disclosures do real estate professionals need to make to consumers? How about stigmas such as murders, suicides, or AIDS? Do these factors need to be disclosed during the real property transaction? The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® defines stigmatized property as: “a property that has been psychologically impacted by an event which occurred, or was suspected to have occurred, on the property, such event being one that has no physical impact of any kind.” In other words, when dealing with a stigmatized property, real estate agents are not dealing with facts about physical characteristics — they are dealing with the fears of a potential purchaser. The most common events associated with stigmatized property are murders, suicides and criminal activity. Stigmatized property also includes property in which a current or former occupant has been infected with HIV or diagnosed with AIDS.
A
AIDS DISCLOSURE The 1988 Fair Housing Act Amendments established the handicapped, which includes people diagnosed with AIDS, as a new protected class. It is now illegal to discriminate against people with handicaps just as it is illegal to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin or familial status. According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), it is illegal for real estate agents to make unsolicited disclosures that a current or former occupant of the property has AIDS. If a prospective purchaser directly asks an agent if a current or former occupant has AIDS, and the agent knows this is in fact true, HUD advises that the agent should not respond. NAR advises that the agent respond as follows: It is the policy of our firm not to answer inquiries of this nature one way or the other since the firm feels that this information is not material to the transaction. In addition, any type of response by me or other agents of our firm may be a violation of the federal fair housing laws. If you believe that this information is relevant to your decision to buy the property, you must pursue this investigation on your own. OTHER STIGMAS...to be continued -National Association of REALTORS®The Guam Association of REALTORS® shall remain your leading advocate for promoting and protecting homeownership on Guam. REALTORS®’ knowledge about compliance with federal regulations means that they have your best interest in mind. Ask if your agent is a REALTOR®. Visit our sites—www.guamrealtors.com and www.guamhousingprograms.com. For More Information Contact: Peggy Araullo Llagas, Executive Officer Guam Association of REALTORS® Suite 236A Julale Center 424 West O'Brien Drive, Hagatna, Guam 96910 Tel: (671) 477-4271 • Fax: (671) 477-4275 Mobile: (671) 689-4271 • www.guamrealtors.com 28 CasaGuam June 2013
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We speak Russian, Farsi, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Filipino, and Chamorro facebook.com/Century21CommonwealthRealty
RENTALS Chala St., Hagåtña - 4Br/3.5Ba - $1,600 - #13-1591
Kadada Circle, Piti - 4Br/2Ba - $2,450 - #13-1691
Dededo $295K 4Br/3Ba #13-1497
Yigo $280K 4Br/3Ba #13-1509
Tumon $159,900 3Br/2Ba #13-1706
Yigo $200K 2Br/1Ba #13-1401
Yigo $220K 3Br/1.5Ba #13-1419
Ordot-Chln Pago $699K 5Br/4.5Ba #13-1770
Dededo $325K 4Br/3Ba #13-1177
Tamuning $165K 2Br/2Ba #13-582
Tamuning $240K 3Br/2Ba #12-4305
Mangilao $430K 4Br/2.5Ba #13-373
Mangilao $39K 2Br/1Ba #13-882
Tamuning $658K 5Br/4Ba #13-1166
Mangilao $89K 2Br/1Ba - #12-3209
Dededo $130,900 4Br/2.5Ba #13-1875
Yona $137,500 3Br/1.5Ba #13-75
Dededo $142K 3Br/2Ba #12-1932
Yona $169,500 3Br/2.5Ba #13-1205
Agana Heights $175K 3Br/2Ba #12-1164
Yigo $225K 3Br/2Ba #12-4758
Tamuning $170K 1Br/1Ba #13-920
Summer Palace, Dededo - 3Br/2.5Ba - $1,900 - #13-1619
Tumon Hts Ct., Tamuning - 3Br/2Ba - $1,200 - #13-1371
Alupang Cove Condo, Tamuning - 1Br/1Ba - $1,600 - #13-1377
Alupang Cove Condo, Tamuning - 2Br/2Ba - $2,200 - #13-1523
Keiyo A Condo, Tumon - 1Br/1Ba - $1,600 - #13-1725
San Vitores Terrace, Tumon - 2Br/1Ba - $2,300 - #13-1386
Homes & Condos
Holiday Tower Condo, Sinajana - 2Br/2Ba - $1,950 - #13-1726
University Gardens, Agana Hts - 1Br/1Ba - $600 - #13-1768
Tun Josen Diego Rd., Yigo - 3Br/1Ba - $1,375 - #13-1734
S. Upi St., Yigo - 3Br/2Ba - $1,600 - #12-4367
Chln Kanton Tasi, Ordot-Chln Pago - 3Br/2.5Ba - $2,200 - #13-629
LAND
Rt. 16, Barrigada - 4,171sm - $465,000 - #13-1613
Commercial & Multi-Family
Johnny Taitague St., Talofofo - 929sm - $53,700 - #13-1803
Lot 88-2-4, Yona - 1,365sm - $48,000 - #13-1804
Tun Akin Cabesa, Yigo - 1,321sm - $54,000 - #13-1179
Mangilao $369K Multi-Family #13-1771
Tamuning $1,020,000 Multi-Family #13-1677
Tamuning $1.2M Multi-Family - #13-1676
Yigo $172K Multi-Family #13-1491
MongMong-Toto-Maite $2.4M
Tamuning $650K Commercial #13-1488
Yigo $5M Commercial - #12-3100
Tamuning $4.8M Commercial #12-458
Rt. 15, Yigo - 7,407sm - $180,000 - #12-3365
N. Paulingo Hts, Talofofo - 990sm - $59,900 - #13-358
Rt. 4, Yona - 2,992sm - $314,160 - #13-1908
Multi-Family #13-1344
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