Real Estate Journal - January 20, 2020

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JANUARY 20, 2020 ISSUE | REJGUAM.COM 

PAGE 6

Properties to love

Oka oasis The right stuff Global inspiration

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PAGE 12

The doctor is in Wrestling water damage

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PAGE 16

Need to know Minimalist vs. maximalist

t INDEX PROPERTIES TO LOVE....................................................4 THE RIGHT STUFF...........................................................6 PROBLEM PREVENTION................................................8 THE DOCTOR IS IN.........................................................12 VILLAGES........................................................................14 NEED TO KNOW.............................................................16

Oka Towers is a multi-story condominium complex that overlooks the ocean.

Photo by Steve Graff

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PROPERTIES TO LOVE

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

THE SKINNY OKA TOWERS 162 WESTERN BLVD. APT. 211 TAMUNING, GUAM 96913 $385,000 Inside • 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms • 1,128 square feet • Open floor plan • Balcony Outside • Tennis court • Swimming pool • Oceanfront building What’s cool • Unit washer and dryer • Reverse osmosis water purification system • Updated kitchen and bathrooms • Gym How to make this your own (quickly) Contact: Jeremy Michael Looby Paradise Realty Call: 689-6100 Email: jeremy@ paradiserealtyguam.com

This 3-bedroom, 2-bath condominium is low maintenance.

Photo by Paradise Realty

The cozy kitchen features stainless steel appliances and ample storage options.

The second-floor unit comes with a large balcony with city views.

The open-concept living and dining room has a clear view to the kitchen.

This 3-bedroom, 2-bath condominium is low maintenance.

Photo by Steve Graff

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THE RIGHT STUFF | GLOBAL INSPIRATION

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

Going global — The well-travelled look Having a global look or design for your home is all about your take on what worldly adventure means and how that makes you feel. You don’t have to hop on an airplane to get inspiration for your interior design. Just think about all the places that inspire you.

According to Harriette Gill, assistant manager at Town House Furniture & Appliances, when deciding on a theme or mood for your space, start with throw pillows and other fabrics.

“I would always suggest working from the colors of your pillows and then work outwards,” Gill said. “It’s easier to work with solid colors because you can add different elements, depending on the style of the furniture.”

For a tropical and islandinspired theme, Gill suggests incorporating solid colors, such as greens and yellows as part of the color palette. Other decorating tips include hanging decorative prints with palm trees or tropical flowers

on the walls, dressing tables with succulent centerpieces and even giving the room an extra flair by placing life-sized real or artificial plants in the corners of the room.

Allow yourself the flexibility to incorporate your other desired tastes and styles such as having a retro flair a modern clean look to your well-traveled look.

Having a global look does not mean you have to flip your entire home to fit the theme. Instead, add an accent by letting your trinkets and decorative pieces stand out; one can still have a modern look with Southeast Asian influences and accents.

Bali, Indonesia has become one of the most popular travel destinations for Guam residents, and incorporating simple element, such wooden table settings or even a wooden coffee table can make all the difference. Keep in mind, it all comes down to choosing a color palette and working with a chosen color.

Patterned curtains that match the color pallet can add a global flair to a bedroom.

Photo by Akina Chargualaf

Seating adds coziness.

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

THE RIGHT STUFF | GLOBAL INSPIRATION

Indonesian inspiration can use wood carved tables and spiritual wall hangings.

Greens, yellows and palm leaves can bring island inspiration to any room.

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“It’s easier to work with solid colors because you can add different elements, depending on the style of the furniture.”

“There’s always one main color that the customer decides. Beige is a common neutral color that is easy to work with,” Gill said.

The neutral color of beige works well with a modern city chic decor.

When one thinks of cities from around the world New York City, Paris or Tokyo may come to mind.

Give your space an industrial yet chic look by matching the color beige with black, whether it be a bookshelf, a modern art piece or a rug.

Shen Furniture in Yigo sells mostly modern furniture that’s typically found in the states — which is popular with its customers, said Eve Shen, the store manager.

“The younger generation, nowadays, want to change their look [more often],” she said. “So, it’s more so about cost.”

Keep in mind to shop for furniture as if you are shopping for an art piece. If you’re up to the challenge, incorporate a brick wall aesthetic to a room or a single wall.

When decorating your home for a global look, be mindful of how many accessories you are using as decorative pieces or pictures you may have on the wall. Having one large portrait versus hanging multiple of portraits may work better in your favor, especially if you are going for a clean and minimalistic feel. p

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Photos by Akina Chargualaf

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PROBLEM PREVENTION | FLOODING

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

The flood gates are closed Guam is often prone to flooding caused from extreme weather conditions, like typhoons and heavy rains, as well as by the malfunction of appliances or pipes due to the heat and stress on the fixtures. Flooding itself may be unavoidable different places the island, but there are several steps that can be taken to prepare, and possibly prevent, water from taking over your home and belongings.

When it comes to tropical storms and extreme weather, the way to keep the inside of your home dry is to start the prevention outside your home, with your lawn and garden.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s website, utilizing green infrastructure in landscaping can help drastically reduce the chance of flooding within your home.

Section 502 of the Clean Water Act defines green infrastructure as “...the range of measures that use plant or soil systems,

Proper drainage throughout a yard can help to prevent flooding.

permeable pavement or other permeable surfaces or substrates, stormwater harvest and reuse, or landscaping to store, infiltrate or evapotranspirate stormwater and reduce flows to sewer systems or to surface waters.”

The U.S. EPA cites rain gardens, underground infiltration trenches, underground storage and infiltration systems and stormwater ponds as examples of green infrastructure on a personal property. Retaining walls around the property can divert water away from the house, too.

The grade of the soil around the property should also angle away from the house and into the yard.

Robert Salas, owner and director of Landscape Management Systems Guam, said flooding “boils down to basic physics: water runs with gravity.” He said some options to battle flooding are to “invest in grading as it could save you many headaches and thousands of dollars down the road.” If grading

is not possible, be sure to install proper drainage around the home, he added.

“If you have problems with saturated soil or poor drainage, dig a trench around the home and fill with drain rock,” Salas said. “Additionally, you can install plants, like vetiver grass that slow water down on slopes.”

Some of the worst cases of flooding occurs in Santa Rita and areas down south, according to data.gov, which tracks flood zones.

Flooding also goes beyond weather issues and can be caused by a leaking pipes, clogged sewage and drainage systems as well as malfunctioning appliances.

According to Jenna Blas, public information officer for Guam Homeland Security Office of Civil Defense, to reduce the risk of damage from flooding by elevating critical utilities, such as electrical panels, switches, sockets, wiring, appliances and heating systems.

“In our experience, the most

dramatic water leak is from the water heater,” said Pauline Manubay, operations manager of Plumbing Pros Guam. “Another common issue is a water leak from a malfunctioning emergency shutoff valve.”

While you cannot prepare as well for these types of leaks and floods, Manubay said the best ways to battle it are to “ensure that all emergency shut off valves are operational, know where your main building control valve and water meter are located and ensure that your main building control valve is operational; if you do not have one, get one installed.”

In the event water damage from flooding occurs in your home, visit your local hardware store for simple DIY solutions, while other and more severe cases is best handled with a professional contractor especially when dealing with electrical sockets. p

Stormwater ponds are a functional and visually appealing way to combat flooding.

Photos courtesy of LMS

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THE DOCTOR IS IN | WATER DAMAGE

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

If windows are not properly sealed, damage can cause a saggy ceiling.

Water damage can cause peeling paint and mildew on your walls, floors and ceilings.

Wrestling water damage Wrestling water damage is never fun, especially when it can potentially damage your prized possessions. Luckily fixing water damage doesn’t have to be a difficult process, and often just takes a trip to your local department store.

Common causes of water damage can occur from issues with the plumbing system, bursting or leaking pipes, natural disaster and malfunctioning household appliances. It’s best to assess each room for potential leaks and damages and to take photos to show to the experts at the stores.

According to Peter Finona, a sales representative from the Guam Home Center, the source of some known water damages occur from a rooftop leak.

“If there’s water damage coming from a crack in the ceiling area, go

look for it on the rooftop,” Fiona said. “Once you find that, you treat it and insert the epoxy on top of the concrete.”

When observing leaks, take special care if a leak is coming from an electrical socket. Finona highly advisees consulting with an electrician or a contractor when dealing with these cases.

“If you have an outlet on the water and you see water, you go to the main breaker for that outlet and turn that breaker off, and get an electrician,” Finona said. “They will professionally change the outlet.”

In any case, if there’s a flood, always keep an eye out for wooden products and furniture pieces as they absorb water quickly. In the event your wooden furniture is damaged, remove any mold or mildew promptly before any repair

or restoration. Direct water exposure to veneered wood can cause peeling and compromise the furniture. In this case, use resin glue, which is ideal for woodworking applications.

Using residential air blower fans can dry carpets and floors quicker to lessen the effects of water damage.

Items exposed to toxic water from raw sewages or from outdoor flooding should be disposed — these include, clothing, padded furniture and consumer electronics. Any electronics completely submerged in water should not be powered until it’s turned into a professional technician to fix it.

Residents and homeowners should follow the U.S. Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration fact sheet when considering what family valuables and heirlooms are salvageable.

According to the sheet, “Air dry wet or damp objects indoors, if possible.

Sunlight and heat may be too intense, causing splits, warping and buckling. Increase airflow with fans, open windows or air conditioners, but do not point fans directly at drying objects. Inhibit the growth of mold and mildew by reducing humidity with dehumidifiers.”

Consider putting all important documents in a waterproof container or converting them into digital password protected copies to risk losing in potential future flooding.

With proper preparation and the consultation of a professional after the fact, the stress of water damage in a home will be lessened. p

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VILL AGES | UMATAC

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

Humåtak – the coastline beauty Some of Guam’s most iconic and beautiful l a n d s ca p e s lie in the southern most villages of the island.

T h e village of Quinata Humåtak, also referred to as Umatac, is enriched with cultural and heritage sites and churches, and is the home of Fouha Bay — the significant landmark of two of our island’s treasured legends.

According to the Mayor’s Council of Guam, the village derives its name from the word “uma,” which means to carry a heavy load on the shoulders or

back. It’s one of Guam smaller villages, with just under 800 residents. It’s known for its quieter atmosphere and beautiful ocean and mountain views.

Umatac is also the village where Portuguese seafarer and navigator Ferdinand Magellan landed, and it was through his escapades with the villagers that led him to name the island of Guam, the “Island of Thieves.”

“Aside from the historical sites, it’s known for its fiesta, which occurs in October, honoring our patron saint San Dionisio and our Guam History and Chamorro Heritage Day Festival, which kicks off in February and leads into Chamorro month,” said Umatac Mayor Johnny A. Quinata.

Umatac is also known for its scenic hiking trails that go along the beautiful coastline. The Grand

Coastal Trek hiking trail runs about 7.5 miles and covers the Nimitz Beach, the village of Agat and Umatac Village. The trail leads you to Fouha Bay and the iconic Fouha Rock. Guam’s original hiking guide, The Best Tracks on Guam

by Dave and Bev Lotz with Abby Crain and Jerred Wells, covers this specific trail and also shares the importance of this landmark.

Fouha rock tells the tale of two CHamoru legends — one being the story of a CHamoru named Fu’a who escaped the god of wind, waves and fire named Chafi.

Chafi attempted to destroy Fu’a but failed, which then led Fu’a to become a volcanic pillar known as Fouha Rock. The other legend tells the CHamoru creation story of a brother and sister, and how the first people emerged.

One popular tourist attraction in Umatac includes Fort Soledad, which overlooks Umatac Bay and the Pacific. It was built by the Spanish in 1810 and named for Our Lady of Solitude.

The village is also the home to the Humåtak Community Foundation — a non-profit cultural preservation organization.

According to its website, Humåtak is “focused and centered on our vision that land and water conservation and the preservation of our cultural heritage is the responsibility of our community, through education, cooperation and advocacy, all linking to maintaining the balance between the need for our natural and cultural resources today and the need to sustain those resources for our future generations.” p

SANTA RITA POPULATION: 782 SCHOOLS: 0 SHOPPING AND RESTAURANT HIGHLIGHTS: • Only a few small shops and fruit stands along the main road.

Umatac’s beautiful landscapes include beaches and overlooks.

PROPERTY AVAILABILITY/ PRICE RANGE: • 3 homes for sale priced, $239,000 to $950,000.

• 1 land plot for sale, priced $40,000

ATTRACTIONS: • Fouha Bay/Creation Point, Guam Veteran’s Memorial, San Dionisio Church, Fort Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, a Spanish-era fort, and Umatac Pride Outdoor Library

MAYOR: Johnny A. Quinata

The Umatac Bridge is one of the unique structures within the village.

Photos courtesy of the Mayor’s Council of Guam

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NEED TO KNOW | MINIMALIS T VS. MAXIMALIS T

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

Bolder colors, patterns and décor can bring a zany influence to your living space.

Photo by Rianne Peredo

Less is more… or is it?

With lifestyle shows like Tidying up with Marie Kondo and documentaries like Minimalism making their way on Netflix, there is no doubt that the minimalist style is becoming one of the trendiest looks to have in a home today. While there are benefits to minimalism, like having a clearer mind or saving money from not purchasing excessive amounts of furniture, one can still achieve a bold and colorful maximalist look without overpowering their home with clutter.

These two trends can complement each other instead of

vying for attention.

According to Furniture Kathy Style design manager Lissa Talavera, a minimalist style can be described as simple and clean functional designs that follow a neurtal color palette. The overall look consists of having minimum furniture and details, and instead focuses more on shapes, functionality, color and texture of the space.

On the other hand, the maximalist style focuses on personalization, and less on perfection. The goal for this particular look is to add

more of what brings comfort, personalization and happiness to the space.

In acquiring the minimalist look, focus on the types of furniture that serve multiple purposes — coffee tables that serve as a television stand, poufs or dining room benches that can easily be broken down, and utilizing boxes and bins to tuck clutter away.

Although this particular style is known for its neutral color palette, your home does not have to look or feel dull. Instead, give it some life by adding a splash of color or a unique texture.

For furniture, like chairs and couches, greys are popular for customers looking for that clean, modern look, said Eve Shen, store manager of Shen Furniture. It’s up to them, she said, to spruce it up with pillows from places like Ross Dress for Less to add any extra flair.

“Every now and then, we come across red or green sectionals” that we can sell to customers,” Shen said. “Our goal is to offer variety.”

“Because there is always going to be small niches who are tired of continued on page 18

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NEED TO KNOW | MINIMALIS T VS. MAXIMALIS T

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

PUBLISHER Maureen N. Maratita MANAGING EDITOR Steve Graff EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Morgan Legel CONTENT COORDINATOR Akina Chargualaf CREATIVE CONTENT MANAGER Vikki Fong DESIGN & PRODUCTION Conrad Calma Luisa Joy Castro Sean Davis Vandrick Veloria MEDIA SALES MANAGER Mike Mafnas SENIOR MEDIA SALES Kevin Iwashita ADMINISTRATION Janice Castro Chelsae Lizama DIRECTOR Ken Duenas MANAGING DIRECTOR Marcos W. Fong

The Real Estate Journal — January 20, 2020. Entire contents copyrighted 2019 by Glimpses Media. The Real Estate Journal is published monthly by Glimpses Media.

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Neutral colors and metals provide can help provide maximum style with minimum pieces.

Photo by Rianne Peredo

continued from page 16

seeing brown and grey,” she added.

While the maximalist look focuses more on incorporating multiple of pieces to your home, it’s about catering to your style and bringing out more of you. The maximalist style is known for its vibrant colors, lots of wall art or personal DIY projects and happy patterns. The rule of thumb when decorating using the maximalist style is to always bring it back to creating a space that is most comfortable for you.

“You can easily shift from a minimalist look to a maximalist style just by adding additional things to your space that bring personalization, comfort and happiness, and introducing new pops of color into your space,” Talavera said. “Adding these pieces to your minimalist space will transform your space from a minimalist style to a maximalist style.”

When decorating, get creative and add a global well-traveled spin to the room. Achieve the island-inspired look by adding bright green and yellow hues in your cushions or go for an elegant European feel by grouping together several of your sentimental vintage collections. p

GUAMHOME.COM

Mangilao Unit | $2,205/mo

Barrigada Home | $550,000

Mangilao Home | $525,000

Yona Land | $349,000

Sinajana Home | $335,000

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Tumon Chichirica Condo | $430,000

Barrigada Home | $370,000

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Commercial Space | $4,000/mo

Santa Rita Home | $2,450/mo

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•Newly built •Great location •4bd/3.5ba •Great floor plan •High ceilings •Fully fenced & gated •932+/-sm lot ID: 194316

•Well designed layout •3bd/3.5ba •2,157+/-sf •Oversized patio on 2nd floor •Mountain view •Solar water heater ID: 193693

•Spacious 3bd/2ba home •Take in the valley views from your living area & covered deck •929+/-sm lot ID: 194806

•3bd/2.5ba •1,700+/-sf of space •Bonus family room with half bath •Surrounded by tropical foliage •Partially fenced ID: 194935

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