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CONTENTS
Message From GAR
Departments 4
Message from the President
Market Snapshot January 1, 2013 November 25, 2013
8
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Feature 5 New Year’s Resolutions for Your Home
January 2014 • Vol. 7 • No. 01
12
Real Estate Spotlight Contingencies
14
Profile Kimberly Pacay Turning Pressure Into Motivation
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
|Display Advertising| Evelyn Trinidad
18
From the Experts Bruce Poon Tip
|Traffic/Circulation Manager| Josie Redmond
Hire Slowly, Fire Quickly
|Production Manager| 20
22
How to D.I.Y.
Mark S. Burke
DIY Bleach Gel
|Graphics & Layout|
Curb Appeal
Mark S. Burke Edwin E. Valencia
Termites Will Eat You Out of Your Home
25
Who Ya Gonna Call?
27
Classifieds
28
Closing Guam Association of REALTORS® Key Facts You Need to Know About REALTOR® Trademarks
|Editorial Contributors| Faye Varias Creative Services J.C. Cruz Clare Delgado Melinda Fulmer Anthony Godwin Arlene Taitague Taitingfong Meg White 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: Mark S. Burke 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, 2013 - November 25, 2013
MARKET SNAPSHOT JANUARY 01, 2013 TO NOVEMBER 25, 2013 Total Listings in MLS:
1,932 (as of November 25, 2013)
Average Home Price:
$250,533
Days on Market: Average Condo Price: Days on Market: # of Agents/Brokers: Market Type:
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173 $184,855 148 400+ Buyer’s (& Renter’s) Market
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The NOW Triggers! Is NOW a good time to buy?
real estate. Need more information? Log on to http://www.guamhome.com to view all real estate listings on Guam for sale or rent.
We REALTORS get that question on almost a daily basis. Your "now" might be different from some else's "now". Oftentimes circumstances dictate the right time to buy for you. There are, however, market signals that can help with the decision. What are some of these signals? Buying signal number 1... Interest rates are still incredibly low. This "cheaper" money brings the housing opportunity to more buyers than ever. When I purchased my first property my interest rate was 16%... and that was the going rate at the time. Many friends told me I was CRAZY to borrow money at that rate. Well, that was my NOW. Some food for thought... A $150,000 loan with a 16% interest rate would have monthly principal and interest (P&I) payments of $2,018.00 a month; the same $150,000 loan a 5% interest rate would have monthly P&I payments of $805.00. Buying signal number 2... 100% financing! There are several lending programs that allow for financing of the purchase price with NO DOWN PAYMENT! That would definitely contribute to a NOW trigger. Buying signal number 3.... Selection of properties. There is still a wide selection of properties to choose from. Very few properties are receiving multiple simultaneous offers. There are several markets in the mainland and Hawaii where inventories are tight. Tight inventory typically results in higher prices and multiple offers. There were 365 single family homes for sale on Guam at the time of this writing. The lowest priced home was $87,500.00 and the highest was $1.6 million. The monthly P&I payments on that $87,500 home would be about $500!! Having a good inventory of well priced properties is also a NOW trigger. Buying signal number 4.... Tax benefits. Home ownership can bring tremendous tax benefits. If you itemize you may be able to deduct 100% of the mortgage interest on your tax return. It's almost as if the government was paying your mortgage payment. Compare that to a rent payment. None of the rent payment is deductible. In any market definitely a NOW trigger. Buying signal number 5... Investment for the future. Many home buyers consider their real estate investment(s) as part of their retirement planning. Years from now when that home or condominium is paid off you will appreciate the additional rental income from the property can bring. Plus, you will have property or properties that you can pass on to your children and grandchildren. In any market definitely a NOW trigger. Is NOW your time? Give me or any of our agents a call. We will be happy to help you and your family with an investment in Guam CasaGuam.com 5
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Feature
Every year when January rolls around you vow to lose weight, save money or spend more time with family and friends. But what goals do you set for your home? In the spirit of new beginnings, experts weighed in with some resolutions that will make your home a more beautiful, efficient, clean and green place in the coming year.
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Feature
5 New Year’s Resolutions for Your Home By Melinda Fulmer
1. Streamline the stuff One of the best and least expensive ways to feel better about your home is to clear it of clutter. Each year most of us acquire a mountain of stuff. Without some regular purging, cabinets and drawers get jam-packed and it becomes hard to find the things you use and enjoy the most. (All that clutter also makes your house look dated and dirty, designers say.) This year resolve to go room-by-room periodically clearing anything that you don't use, wear or love and donate it to charity. After that, think twice about what you bring in. Fill your home with the things that raise your energy level and make you feel good, and get rid of the things that drain your energy or are broken. Stash useful (but not beautiful) items such as DVDs, remotes and those kicked-off shoes in simple woven baskets. Group similar items together on sleek trays. Clear your counters of everything you don't use on a daily basis. And get ready to breathe a little easier in your own home. 2. Make it safe and sound Your home may be beautiful, but is it safe? There are a few things that every homeowner should do to ensure that they're not living with a potential health hazard or fire risk. First, check your house for radon. This colorless, odorless gas causes about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year from the radioactive particles it traps in your lungs as you breathe, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. One in every fifteen homes has elevated levels. And with test kits costing as little as $20 at your local hardware store, there's no reason not to get right on that. Watch out for dryer lint. We know you clean the little trap inside the door, but most people neglect to clean the vents and ducts behind the dryer. Lint may seem innocent, but it's highly combustible, according to the U.S. Fire Administration, accounting for more than 15,000 building fires a year. Make sure your house can breathe. If your bathrooms aren't vented to the outside (or the vents are covered over with shutters), this makes you a prime candidate for mold. And if you're considering a remodel — and your home was last built or remodeled before 1978 — consider testing for lead paint and asbestos flooring. It will have to handled properly during removal, or particles can be released into the air for you to ingest. 3. Shrink your bills (and your carbon footprint in the process) When people think of going green, they often think it takes solar panels or a hybrid car to make a difference. Not so. It just takes a little old-fashioned common sense. The best place to start is by cutting your energy usage in your home: · Remember your mom's advice and switch off the lights when you leave a room. · Turn off your air conditioner and water heater when you leave the house. · Install compact fluorescent bulbs and low-flow showerheads. · Try drying some of your clothes on the line and wait for the dishwasher or washing machine to be full before you run them. · Turn off your power strips and/or set your home computer to revert to sleep mode when not in use.
· Water your yard less. Put in drought-tolerant landscaping if necessary. · Give composting a try. Your garden will thank you. 4. Work out a weekly system for keeping your house clean Here are a few tips for keeping the mess under control. Daily: Dishes go in the dishwasher (or get hand washed) every night - no excuses! Dirty clothes go in the hamper and jackets or clean clothes are hung in the closet. Bring everything back to its assigned place. Weekly: Clean your entire house, using these tips: · Keep all of your cleaners, as well as rubber gloves and spare cleaning cloths - in a portable carryall that moves with you from room to room. · Stash cleaning implements such as a toothbrush, scraper, sponge, a few cleaning cloths and plastic bags in a builder's apron that you wear when you clean. Hook your glass cleaner and all-purpose cleaning spray on the loops to keep your hands free as you work around the room clockwise, cleaning from high (cabinets) to low (floors.) · Focus on one type of cleaning at a time. It's faster. Wipe down finger prints on all of the cabinets, for instance, before moving on to spraying and wiping counters. Then move on to windows and mirrors and appliances. Once that's done move on to sweeping and then mopping floors. · For optimum efficiency, enlist the help of your family. If you can, divide the jobs among at least three parties: One of you can do the dusting/vacuuming and changing beds, the other can do the bathroom cleanup, leaving only the kitchen and trash emptying for you to handle. The upside? You can get the whole house done in 45 minutes, leaving more time on the weekends for the park or the movies. 5. Get your place ready for entertaining Each year most of us vow to spend more time with family and friends. To make you feel like inviting people in, why not give the areas you entertain in a little update? You don't have go for broke here and invest in a new kitchen remodel. All it takes to get a fresh new look is a little bit of rearranging and a few updates. One easy update that makes your home seem more "finished" is the addition of plants. They bring in new energy and help clean the air and it's a great way to decorate if you're on a budget. A couple of dramatic presentations like a large flowering agapanthus or potted palm in a bright ceramic planter that complements your existing color scheme will do the trick. Pulling out a new accent color from your existing decor can make the whole room seem fresh. Pick an underused color in the room and add more of it in the form of a new pillow or throw to update your look. A colorful rug or runner can also help anchor your space. Lastly, take some time to rearrange your furniture so it is oriented in conversation groups and not just facing the television. That just might up for chances for real conversation and connection in the New Year.
Source: HGTV
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On The Cover
Summerville Residences
C
ore Tech Development, LLC patiently waited until 2009 for the right time for its first real estate acquisition when it took over the rundown 114 unit apartment formerly known as Royal Hawaiian Apartments centrally located in the heart of Tamuning, Guam. The apartment consisted of 59 units of 1BR/1BA and 55 units of 2BR/1BA units contained in 5 separate 3 story buildings. In June 2011, we completed the renovation of all the units and renamed the complex as Summer Garden. It is now fully rented serving the local residents who enjoy the safe, clean, modern, and affordable living.
CORE TECH DEVELOPMENT, LLC 139 Summerville Drive, Apt. 101, Tamuning Guam 96913. Tel: 473-5050 / 649-5055 • Fax: 473-5050 • Email: admin@ctdevelop.com 10 CasaGuam Januar y 2014
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Real Estate Spotlight
Contingencies By Kim Anderson Young ebster’s dictionary defines contingencies as:
W
1. Depending on the fulfillment of a condition. 2. a contingent event; conditional on something uncertain. 3. something incidental to another event. It is very common for an offer to purchase a property to contain one or more contingency’s. Let’s explore some of them!
property, it may also interfere with where you plan on building your dream house. The number of potential contingencies is as varied as each and every one of us and is unique to each situation. USE your REALTOR’s expertise to make informed decisions regarding contingencies in your real estate contracts! And remember the team at Security Title…our job is making sure you actually own the property you think you just bought!
Loan Approval. If you are the seller, you should be aware that the buyers application for the loan is not a guaranteed thing. Most banks will issue the buyer a conditional approval that will give you some comfort that the buyer is qualified for the loan. However, this conditional loan approval also contains CONTINGENCIES! The loan will certainly be conditioned upon proving that the buyers income is sufficient to repay the new loan, along with all other expenses for which the buyer is liable. Sale of Current Home. The sale of the buyers current home is another very common contingency and one that can be a significant issue in a transaction depending on the current real estate market and how long houses are taking to sell. Your Realtor can guide you through the process and provide very valuable insight as to how much time it can take to sell the existing home and what amount of money you can expect to earn from the sale. Status of Title. Another CONTINGENCY on a purchase agreement is for the buyer to review the title report issued by the title company. Our title reports disclose items that affect the property and you would want to make sure that there are no items that might affect your use of the property. For example: • If there is a lease on the property that does not expire for 10 years, it may interfere with your plan to build your dream home. • If there is an easement going through the middle of the 12 CasaGuam Januar y 2014
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
Turning Pressure Into Motivation By J.C. Cruz
F
In an industry where one’s reputation and experience are keys to success, it can be difficult for anyone new. Some people wilt under that pressure and others use that as motivation. Kimberly Pacay of Today’s Realty is the latter. “I’m still quite new, but I’d say the biggest challenge I’ve encountered thus far is just getting my name out there,” she says. “So far, I have been marketing myself among peers, former classmates, colleagues, and other professionals. I have also marketed myself via social media outlets and at public events.” Kimberly got her first taste of the real estate industry because of a college internship. “I had to complete an internship in a field I had no prior experience in. Growing up, I had always had an interest in houses, but never thought to make a career out of it. My former boss mentioned there being an opening as an assistant to one of the associate brokers at Today's Realty, which I gladly took up. Not only was I able to use the job as part of my internship, but as an entryway into the world of real estate. As an assistant I gained some knowledge about the industry, the sale and rental of properties, and customer service. I was also able to familiarize myself with the inventory on the market. After graduating college in May, I decided to take some real estate classes and got my license. I just recently transitioned from assistant to realtor, but so far it's been great.”
“
REALTOR®, TODAY’S REALTY
Education:
Bachelor’s in Business Administration, University of Guam Certificate of Master in Marketing, Guam Community College
dream home or rental and she’ll do whatever it takes to accomplish that. “My most memorable real estate moment thus far was closing my first transaction. Just being able to say that I contributed to some else’s happiness by fulfilling their needs is a reward in itself.”
Kimberly’s top priority is helping her customers find their
Casa Guam is a wonderful outlet to get insight into the world of real estate.
14 CasaGuam Januar y 2014
“
Being so new to the industry, Kimberly realizes how important experience is in this line of business. Real estate veterans have the edge over her when it comes to experience which is why she is trying to absorb as much as she can. “I plan on gaining more knowledge and experience in the industry, building my career and becoming a reputable Realtor,” she says. “I’d like to help as many people, as I can, find their perfect home or rental. I also plan on going back to school and getting my master’s degree within the next few years.”
Kimberly “Kim” Pacay
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From the Experts
Bruce Poon Tip: Hire Slowly, Fire Quickly Meet the man who transformed the travel industry and learn how he finds and motivates passionate people to achieve his company’s goals all over the world.
Bruce Poon Tip—founder of travel company G Adventures and author of the new book Looptail: How One Company Changed the World By Reinventing Business—was not only far ahead of his time in terms of what he was offering his customers. His relationship with his employees is equally innovative. Here, Tip shares how to pick recruits wisely and motivate them to achieve greatness. Can people be taught passion and purpose, or do you just need to recruit passionate, purposeful people? You have to recruit them. You can’t teach people, no. People have to be genuinely passionate and understand your purpose, and so the recruiting process is the most important part. But in order to be clear and recruit the right people, your business has to be very clear about what its purpose is. Because people can’t be passionate without knowing what the purpose is. So if your business is just about square footage and leasing space and maximizing revenue, then you’re going to attract people who are just passionate about that. But if you have a greater purpose about living space and people finding happiness when they get the perfect workspace, and you engage people in that way and you start recruiting people based on that purpose, then you will attract the right people who will deliver on your brand promise. And that’s when you start building a brand that differentiates from others. As I mention in Looptail, every one of us knows doctors who look at their work as a job. And everyone knows school janitors who they grew up with who looked at their job as a calling, taking care of kids. They were so happy doing what they did. And it doesn’t matter what you’re doing, it just matters on your mind-set of your purpose in life. You talk a lot about the importance of employee loyalty. But how can a real estate broker generate employee loyalty when most sales associates are independent contractors? It’s all about engaging people beyond your product. No matter what business you’re in, you have to engage your customer as 18 CasaGuam Januar y 2014
By Meg White
well as your employees beyond what you do. Most businesses today want to engage people or try to motivate people based on money, and there are so many studies that have shown that doesn’t work. I think the rise and fall of Wall Street is a great example of that. I mean, people have to be fairly compensated, but it’s not the only way to engage people. And when you do engage people with just money, it’s a dangerous slope because there’s no loyalty. But when you really build a business model around your purpose and you transcend what you do and build something that people want to be part of, its more like creating
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a movement and being part of something greater than one’s self. That’s when you get all the great things that businesses want. You attract the best people, you get retention, you get loyalty, and you get all those things that people can’t put a finger on, but that all businesses want. And that’s when it starts paying dividends, too. That’s when it starts affecting the bottom line. That’s an interesting concept. By not focusing on money as a motivator, you can actually affect the bottom line of your business in a positive way. Yes. There are common threads with what people want in their businesses. We all want the best people. We’re all competing for the same people in crowded spaces. We all want staff retention; we want loyalty. And then we want people to be passionate about delivering on our brand promise. And you put all those things that we’re all searching for together, money comes after. There’s a side of my business that gets at the karma of business as well. If you get everything else right, the growth numbers and the profitability will fall into place. We’re certainly a prime example of that, because once G Adventures got the business culture side and the back end of our business right, we grew more than we ever had and we’ve been more profitable than we ever have. And we did that all through recessionary years. How do you give managers and leaders a sense of autonomy and ability to make decisions on their own but keep them from turning their individual departments into independent silos? As someone who has a lot of employees all over the world, how would you recommend owners and managers strike that balance? Companies spend most of their energy managing their bottom ten percent, their most difficult employees. I think that’s the biggest problem that we have in the corporate world. Most human resources practices are set to create rules and create systems in order to deal with the lowest-performing people in your organization. Small entrepreneurs and businesspeople can actually start managing their businesses from the top down as opposed to the bottom up, where they can recognize their top-performing people and not be ashamed of it. Most entrepreneurs like to create these flat organizations because they want everyone to feel equal, but there’s nothing equal in performance. It’s the hard part of happiness, I always say: managing people, hiring slowly, and firing quickly. You have to acknowledge your top performers, but it’s not just on numbers, by the way. People have to contribute in various ways to be at the top of our company. One of the biggest things is contribution to culture. It’s not just people who have the best numbers. We’ve gotten many people who we call “brilliant jerks,”
people who are great with their numbers but who don’t contribute to the company culture. And those types of people are the most difficult for business owners to manage. So, it’s how you manage people, it’s how you blatantly identify your top performers based on a certain set of criteria that contributes to your business culture as well as your financial success. And then, how you manage the bottom ten, spending less time. With us, for those bottom performers, it’s either up or out.
Source: http://realtormag.realtor.org CasaGuam.com 19
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H o w To D . I . Y.
Bleach Gel By Debbie at Me and My DIY www.meandmydiy.com was in the laundry room the other day trying to get some stains out of a white sweatshirt, when my bleach gel pen ran out. Unfortunately, the stains were near some sewn-on navy letters, and I was afraid I might accidentally bleach them out if I used regular liquid bleach, but I also didn’t want to drop everything to run to the store.
I
my little experiment will last, but as long as it still works, I’m not sure I’ll be buying the name brand stuff again. The savings are huge, because corn starch and liquid bleach cost next to nothing. Not to mention how much you’d save if you needed it for a big project. Or lots of little ones. Recipe:
They say necessity is the mother of invention, so after a little bit of Googling and a whole lot of experimenting, I’m happy to say that there is a way you can safely make your own bleach gel. Just to be sure I wasn’t giving you bad information, I wanted to try it out myself first. I started by bringing 3/4 cups of water and 3 tablespoons corn starch to a boil on the stove, stirring frequently. It didn’t take long before it was translucent and pudding-like. You’ll need to let this cool before adding the bleach. While I was waiting, I mixed up a bowl of ketchup, barbecue sauce and chocolate syrup. Then I painted two patches of the “stain stuff ” onto an old t-shirt my son had outgrown. After letting the t-shirt sit for about an hour, I rinsed it out and let it dry. Isn’t it funny how when you actually want something to stain, it requires a lot of effort? I actually painted the stuff on a second time and it still didn’t stain as dark as I wanted it to! When the shirt was dry, I added 5 or 6 tablespoons of liquid bleach to my cornstarch pudding. I could have just painted the bleach on the t-shirt, but I used a bulb suction to squirt it into an old glue squeeze bottle instead. You can also put the bleach gel into a Ziploc bag, cut the corner off and squeeze it into a bottle. Then for the fun part. I squeezed some out onto each stain. Waited an hour, then rinsed and dried the t-shirt again. As far as I’m concerned, it works just as well as the original. I read somewhere that bleach weakens over time, so I’m not sure how long 20 CasaGuam Januar y 2014
DIY Bleach Gel Prep time: 2 mins Cook time: 2 mins Total time: 4 mins A little cornstarch, water and a few tablespoons of bleach make this homemade version of a bleach pen. Ingredients: • ¾ cup water • 3 Tbsp corn starch • 4-7 Tbsp household bleach Instructions: Mix water and corn starch together in a small pan. Bring to a boil, stirring continuously until mixture becomes translucent and pudding-like. Let cool. If you need to make it more than a few hours ahead of time, cover the pot with plastic wrap so it won’t dry out. Start adding bleach by the tablespoon, until you have the consistency and strength you desire. Gel will thin a little bit after sitting. Use as you would regular bleach gel.
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Curb Appeal
Termites Will Eat You Out of Your Home
By Arlene Taitague Taitingfong
t was when I was sitting on the patio enjoying the night air a few nights ago that I noticed a swarm of termites flying overhead. Of course the weather was wet as it had just finished raining and the humidity was just right for their ceremonial dances. This is usually one of the signs that there is a nearby tree or stump that is home to the swarm. If you don’t have a tree or stump near your home, most likely they are making themselves at home in yours.
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Termite treatments and good building methods can't completely prevent a termite infestation. Homeowners in termite-prone areas have to keep an eye out for signs of the wood-eating insects! If you find them in your home already, then they have managed to eat into your home in some way, most likely through the walls or roof area. And although most of the homes on Guam are concrete, these rascals will find a way into yours! Remember, these critters can work from the inside out of a house so it might be hard to tell if you have an infestation. Here are a few signs of to look for. • Wings: Termites shed their wings just after swarming. When the termites are inside your home, they typically shed their wings on windowsills or near lights. • Decayed wood: Termite damage generally follows the grain of the wood. Termites also line the damaged wood with soil. Damage from other sources, like water or fungus, doesn't follow this pattern. • Shelter tubes: Termites will dig tubes up cinderblocks, concrete, brick and other surfaces in order to get to wood. Sometimes, if you break the tubes open, you will see live termite workers in side. Although some of the chemicals that kill fleas and roaches will also kill termites, applying them to a termite infestation requires special tools and training. This is where the need for a professional exterminator comes into the picture. He can determine if there you have a termite problem. Other insects, including some species of ants, can also damage homes (and Guam has a lot of THESE pesky critters). 22 CasaGuam Januar y 2014
Some people may also mistake water damage for termite damage. An exterminator will use tools like long probes, heat sensors, sound sensors, infrared cameras, hammers and drills to look for termite damage. Once the exterminator finds conclusive signs of termites, he may use one of three treatment methods: • Baits are wood, cardboard or other cellulose-containing products soaked in a pesticide. Termites eat the baits and carry particles back to their nests, poisoning the rest of the colony. • Repellents discourage termites from entering a particular area. These can help keep termites from colonizing a new site in your home. • Termaticides kill the termites. Sometimes, exterminators have to pump hundreds of gallons of termaticide into termite nests in an attempt to treat the infestation. Another tactic involves applying an insecticide around the entire perimeter of the home and at every possible termite entry point. This keeps termites from getting inside, and any that are already inside usually die of dehydration. Fortunately, it takes years for termites to do significant damage to a home. So if you discover an infestation on your property, you have time to get estimates from several exterminators. Find out if the exterminator offers a warranty or guarantee on their work and whether you will have to pay for further treatments if the termites reappear.
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Curb Appeal Solutions to Termite-Conducive Situations Susan C. Jones, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Entomology, shares her solutions to some problems one may come across. Problem: Cellulose (wood, dead plant material, paper, etc.) in contact with soil provides termites with ready and unobservable access to food. Solutions: • Keep all wooden parts of the house foundation at least 6 inches above the soil. • Keep mulch levels several inches below the siding and wooden parts of the structure. • Avoid or minimize use of wood mulch next to the foundation. • Remove dead trees, stumps, and roots near the structure. • Never store firewood, lumber, or paper against the foundation or in the crawl space. • Remove wood debris and form boards. Problem: Moisture accumulation near the foundation provides water needed for termite survival. Solutions: • Grade or slope soil away from the foundation. • Divert rain water away from the foundation. - Maintain clean gutters and down-spouts. - Install down-spout extenders and splash blocks. - Use drain tiles if site is flat. • Divert lawn sprinklers and irrigation water away from the foundation. • Promptly repair leaking faucets, water pipes, and air conditioning units. • Use mulch sparingly (no more than 2 inches depth is recommended).
• Do not build flower planters against the house. • Regularly inspect cracks or joints in concrete slabs for evidence of termites. • Install metal flashing when attaching porches or decks (even when using "treated" lumber) to an existing house. • Remove mulch that contacts siding or obscures a clear view of the foundation. • Never install foam board insulation (polystyrene) below grade.
• Keep plants and ground covers 3-4 feet away from the house foundation. Problem: Hidden termite access. Solutions: • Install trellises and trim plants so that they do not contact the house.
Prevention is the first step. So check your window sills, wood decks, roofing, veranda and anything in your home structure that has wood. If you find that you already have these critters living among you, see a pest control specialist immediately and deter from further damage to your property. It will keep you happy and the curb appeal of your home high. CasaGuam.com 23
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W h o Ya G o n n a C a l l ?
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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
Harmon Ct. Townhouse. 3BD/2BA. Sec. 8 OK. $1,200/month. Call 637-7165 689-3333/688-0887
Residential Sales
Talofofo
Large 4BR/2Ba 1800sqft. House Only 248,000 637-7165 / 688-0887 / 689-3333
Talofofo
Dededo
Two 2BD hse. 1 Full Concrete & 1 semi concrete in one lot. $96K. Negotiable. Call 727-4985.
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.
Ordot-Chalan Pago Tamuning Commercial space for rent. Approx 850 sq ft., video store or retail business. Asking $850/mo. Please call ANGIE @ 727-2228
Residential Rentals Asan Nimitz Hill, 2BD apartment including ocean view. $950/mo. Modern upgraded, all ceramic tiled, typhoon shutters. Call 687-6900
Barrigada 2b/1b, near Subway with water $830/mo. Please call 637-7165 / 688-0887 / 689-3333
Dededo 1Bd / 2BD / 3Bd located near schools/church/store and just front of park across St. Barbara Church S/F S8/Mil OK Call/LvMsg 727-6456 Ester Garden: Large 2BD/2BA. Very nice. 1,000 SqFt, $800/month. Call 637-7165/688-0887/689-7700.
Dai Ichi Condo. 3BD/1BA, Pool, Sec 8 OK, by O/A. $1,250. Call 637-7165/688-0887 Sunrise D Condo. Large 2BD/2BA. Pool. Very nice. 1,000 SqFt. $1,000/month. Call 637-7165/688-0887/689-7700. Tumon 2bd / 2 ba + Den. excellent condition. Asking $1200. Please call 637-7165 / 688-0887 / 689-3333 / 477-7042 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 Tumon Horizon Condo: 2bd/2ba, 5th floor, water incl., pool, security $950.00 CSR- PB 649-6088
Barrigada
Multi-Family House/Good Investment located front of Dededo Mayor’s Office/Park & Library Greath Neighborhood / Gated/ Corner Lot/Serious Buyers Only! FOR SALE BY OWNER. Call/LvMsg 727-6456 Villa Rosario Condo: 3bd 2ba Excellent Condition, Pool, Tennis Court, Play Ground. Good Location $160,000.00 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 Pacific Gardens. 1st Floor. Pool. Security. 1BD/1BA. $47,000. Call 637-7165 689-7700/688-0887/689-3333.
Harmon 3BD/2.5BA Townhouse. Pool. Security. Tennis Court. $1,900/month. Call 637-7165/688-0887/689-7700 Large 4BD/2.5BA. Single home. Pool. Security. Tennis Court. $2,450/month. 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!
Exec. 2 Story/Very Spacious For Sale by Owner. Growing in a great location beside Cost-U-Less Tamuning and Guam Premium Outlet. Great lifestyle and community environment with 5bd/3ba corner lot; nice sized bd on 1st and 2nd flr; master suite w/ jacuzzi spa tub; quality granite staircases; red hardwood railings; crown molding all over the house with open spacious kitchen. Dream home and a good investment! Call/LvMsg 727-6456 Jonestown. 3bd/2ba, Large Yard. Fenced. $320,000 or $1,350 for rent. Call 637-7165/689-7700/689-3333
Tumon View Condo. 2bd 1ba. Near beach. $110,000. Call 637-7165/688-0887/689-333 Lily Village Tumon Condo. Nice. 3BDM 2BA Fully Renovated. $2,000/mo.
Yigo
Chalan Pago 2bed 1bath SFD for sale. 1169sq.m lot Asking $119K. Call Karen 988-1883
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! $425KSale. Call Joe @ 483-3333!
Sinajana
Land for Sale
Large, villa style home. 5bd/3ba. Completely remodeled. Private and beautifully landscaped. Asking: $579K. (Priced below appraised value.) Call 489-3285
Chalan Pago
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.
Tamuning
Tumon 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
Ordot-Chalan Pago Paradise Estates. 4BD/3BA, Exc. Condition, Fenced. $2,450. Call 637-7165 689-3333/688-0887.
Large 4BR/3Ba 2755sqft w/1600sqft covered deck/porch. Detached util & gen. room. Walled/Gated & beautifully landscaped. $529K. Call Michael @ 477-4111
Back of Island Fresh Market. $45,000. Bank Owned. 1,387 +/- sm. Call 637-7165/688-0887/689-3333
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Closing
Message from the Executive Officer
By Peggy Araullo Llagas
Key Facts You Need to Know About REALTOR® Trademarks 1. REALTOR® = Member of the Guam Association of “broker,”, “real estate agent” or “job title”. REALTORS® The Member Board or Association must advise the media of the The term REALTOR® should never be used as a substitute for registered status of the MARKS and request to use initial “real estate agent”. The REALTOR® mark is not only a trade- capital letters to distinguish the terms REALTOR® and mark owned by the National Association of REALTORS® and REALTORS® from words of ordinary use. protected by federal law, it’s a valuable membership benefit that distinguishes members from other real estate licensees. In the event a Member Board or Association discovers a misuse of the MARKS in the media, a letter to the media outlet 2. Limitations of using the REALTOR® Trademark providing notification of the misuse and seeking a correction to be issued is in order. A copy of all correspondence sent or Members are licensed to use the marks only in connection with received by the Member Board or Association relating to a their real estate business and in connection with the place of misuse of the MARKS should also be sent to the National business with which their membership is associated. Association of REALTORS® Trademark Protection Coordinator. If the matter cannot be resolved locally or if an impasse To maintain the value of the mark, it is important that it be develops, NAR may assume primary responsibility for recognized by the public as identifiers of membership with the obtaining compliance. association and never be used generically to denote a vocation or a business. 6. News Releases may use the AP or UPI Style Most newspapers follow either the Associated Press (AP) Style Book or the United Press International (UPI) Style Book in Non-members are never allowed to use the REALTOR® trade- preparing news items for publications. These style books do not marks in reference to or in connection with their business or call for use of full capitals or a federal registration symbol “®” for themselves. registered marks. Therefore, it is permissible for a Member Board or member to follow the AP or UPI guidelines when 4. MARKS may not be used as a Directory Headings using a MARK in a news release. 3. Non-Members may not use the REALTOR® Marks
The term REALTOR® should never be used as a subject heading in any directories, such as the “Yellow Pages” phone directory, since such usage is tantamount to suggesting that the term REALTOR® identifies a vocation or line of service rather than membership in GAR. Any use of the MARKS in a directory should include the definition of the term REALTOR®. 5. Misuse by the Media The media must keep in mind that the MARKS identify members of the Guam Association of REALTORS® and that the term REALTOR® is not synonymous with “real estate broker,” 28 CasaGuam Januar y 2014
News releases should include the definition of the term REALTOR® at the bottom of each page. The Guam Association of REALTORS® office is available to answer questions or concerns in using the REALTOR® Trademarks and accommodate reporting of any misuse of the MARKS. 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
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