Real Estate Journal - January 3, 2022

JANUARY 3, 2022 ISSUE | REJGUAM.COM 

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Brick and mortar

Accents Upstairs, downstairs Bring it home

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PAGE 6

Checklist Blowing hot and cold

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PAGE 9

Spectrum A whiter shade of pale

t INDEX UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS .............................................3 CHECKLIST .......................................................................6 ACCENTS ...........................................................................7 PROPERTIES TO LOVE ....................................................8 SPECTRUM .......................................................................9

Industrial accents take natural elements and turn them into part of the decor. See page 7.

UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS | ENTRYWAY

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

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Bring it home The entryway of a home is its first impression. What guests see here essentially sets the tone for the rest of the home.

While that makes it intimidating to decorate, the look and feel of an

Whether you have a formal entryway or not, you can use furniture and decor to personalize the entrance to your home.

entryway boils down to one thing: it is the reflection of the homeowner.

Whatever the homeowner wants to convey to their guests about their home should be represented in the entryway.

Some homes may not have entryways or front doors that open into hallways or reception areas.

This does not mean an entrance hall cannot exist. Homeowners can shape their entrances using

furniture pieces, plants and other decor, and aligning them in parallel fashion. This emulates an entrance space that the homeowner can then decorate. continued on page 4

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UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS | ENTRYWAY continued from page 3

If the home is one of a family with children or perhaps extended family, an open space concept would fit the entryway. Instead of prominent tables, lamps and vases, the entryway can take on a vertical approach by decorating along the walls. Hanging photos, installing horizontal lights on the walls and positioning peg boards to hold appropriate items can free up space on the ground for more walking room.

“Vertical storage, for example, can make a home feel taller while also reducing the amount of ground space taken up.”

Giving accessories a home adds style and makes them easy to find.

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS | ENTRYWAY

Decorate rugs and storage can change an area visually into an entryway.

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For a minimalist home that focuses on nature, guests can be greeted with plants and a pair of side tables to store items for on the go. A small bench would also be useful to situate yourself while putting on or taking off shoes. A mat in front of the door gives an inviting look.

An entryway can be decorated, from bold and patterned to simple and small. And while some concepts may suit some homeowners more than others, the entryway has practical functions that can benefit the rest of the home.

Vertical storage, for example, can make a home feel taller while also reducing the amount of ground space taken up. Putting a wall-connected hanger for backpacks above an end table maximizes the space, instead of separating those two components.

A body-sized mirror with a hanging shelf just below it will be able to give a homeowner one last look at themselves before they exit their home. A floating shelf can be a catch-all for items needed when leaving the home, such as keys, wallet, or reminder notes.

Whatever the case, designing the entryway is entirely up the homeowner’s personality. The only incorrect way of decorating an entryway is if it does not represent the atmosphere of the rest of the home. p

Great your guests with greenery and space.

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C HEC KLIST | INSULATION

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

Blowing hot and cold Because Guam does not experience four seasons throughout the year, insulation serves one primary purpose for a home: keeping the hot air out and the cool air in.

Concrete homes are not as sensitive to temperatures as wooden homes that are typically seen in the continental United States. This means that concrete homes are better at retaining hot and cold air, but that may not always be a good thing. For instance, long periods of sunny weather can heat up a concrete home, making it more expensive for energy appliances to cool the interior.

The first approach to insulation is to have heat “bounce” off the home’s exterior. White or reflective paint on the roof or the side of a home where direct sunlight hits can help reduce the amount of heat absorbed. The Guam Power Authority recommends checking if the roof has a vapor barrier — in the form of tar paper, fiberglass batts, or a plastic sheet — that can prevent moisture from entering the home.

“Moisture can reduce the effectiveness of insulation and promote structural damage. Make sure that the roof vents are not blocked by insulation. Seal any electrical boxes in the ceiling

with flexible caulk and then cover them with the recommended insulation,” GPA said.

A good structural foundation can also prevent cold air from leaving the interior. Tevita Tuituu, a certified home inspector with Home Solutions Guam, said a visual inspection every now and then can help in figuring out where air is leaking in or out.

“Homeowners should call a professional once they notice any slight changes to the structure and foundation. Excessive cracks throughout the home are one sign.

Cracks on the floors and walls that start out as a hairline cracks

and continue to get larger mean it is time to call a professional,” Tuituu said.

It is also important to consider the method by which a concrete house was built, either through concrete blocks or insulated concrete forms. The latter is a more modern approach that uses polystyrene foam — a good insulator — to guide the pouring of concrete to form a wall. Older Guam homes likely used concrete blocks, but this can be verified with a home inspector. p

When it comes to insulation, concrete homes differ from wooden homes in temperature control.

ACCENTS | INDUS TRIAL

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Bricks and mortar The industrial aesthetic is a popular choice in home design, but don’t be fooled; even if the design looks “unfinished,” it is not so easy to pull off.

A good way to describe the industrial look is as if a carpenter had just finished installing the foundations of a home and has yet to cover the woods and metals with paint or decoration. This provides a very rustic and natural look to a home. This does not mean that the house is by any means unfinished; instead, industrial accents take these natural elements and turn them into actual decor.

“You can have a wooden wall, for example, that’s unpainted, but you polish and smooth it out and now

Color and materials can combine to offer stunning industrial accents.

it’s a good accent (wall),” according to the Pro Desk at The Home Depot.

“You see the natural grooves and rings from the tree that the wall used to be. It’s like art.”

The industrial look emphasizes minimalism while also keeping things clean. Exposed pipes, mostly unfunctional, along walls or ceilings can serve as faux shelves or fixtures to hang lights. Clay bricks built around a furnace or by windows can make it look like you are seeing the exterior of a home, rather than the inside. Concrete floors are also among popular industrial choices, although they are sanded or polished, so the surfaces feel smooth.

Commercial properties also lend

themselves to industrial design.

Three Squares in Tamuning, Crust Pizzeria in east Hagåtña and the former Rotten Apple restaurant in Tamuning. Savage Sandwich Co. and Primo Pizzakaya in Tumon also have industrial elements.

The colors that compliment an industrial look are the same ones found in industrial equipment.

Grays, blacks and metallics go with metals and PVC pipes, while browns and dark reds can come out of wood and clay bricks. Transparent glass is also complimentary to industrial design.

Design experts on Vevano Home recommend using iron, brass, chrome and copper for fixture finishes, while using vintage

photographs, abstract art and plants to add texture accents to a space.

The home design blog also stresses that in industrial design, shapes are clearly defined. An example would be square metal frames going up to ceilings or hanging light fixtures with a straight pipe connecting an exposed light bulb.

“If you want to go simple with an industrial look, you can line bare plywood along your doorways or windows,” according to The Home Depot. “Wooden furniture pieces also have that sort of industrial look and you can add cushions or mats on top of them for comfort.” p

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PROPERTIES TO LOVE

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

Mid-island multiple

THE SKINNY FOURPLEX APARTMENT FOR SALE 109 PACASO PATALING JAY C’S, TAMUNING, 96913 GU $990,000 Inside • Four units with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom each • Two-story structure, with each unit approximately 850 square feet • Installed typhoon shutters and split air conditioning units • Installed refrigerator and stove/oven per unit Outside • Fully gated complex • Two parking lots per unit • Communal recreational area What’s cool • Location is close to shopping areas, banks, restaurants, beaches and the Guam Memorial Hospital How to make this your own (quickly) Contact: Nadja Sandra Rillamas Sunrise Realty Call: 671-486-2913 Email: nadja.sunriserealty@ gmail.com

Photos courtesy of Sunrise Realty Guam

SPECTRUM | WHITE

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A whiter shade of pale Among all the colors to use in a home, white offers the purest, simplest and cleanest look.

A neutral color, white can be a blank slate to let your creativity soar in accents, decorations and furniture. It can also be the primary color to convey an elegant and

White can either be a blank slate or convey a look of elegance and simplicity when styling a home.

bright room. White also serves a functional purpose; its reflective properties can bounce sunlight to either reduce heat in the home or to spread natural lighting.

Local experts regard white as a constant color in the house. Austin Grant, owner of Grey by Grant, said

that white can be incorporated in any home style, whether it be a traditional home or a modern one.

And Alan Torrado, independent design consultant, said that white is an ideal stage setter to showcase bolder and prominent colors and decorations.

“Because white is such a neutral color, you can swap out decorations and furniture without having to worry if it matches,” Torrado said.

Brandon Murphy, owner of In and Out Painting Guam, said his continued on page 10

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SPECTRUM | WHITE

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

continued from page 9

PUBLISHER Maureen N. Maratita EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Morgan Legel CONTENT COORDINATOR John I. Borja

clients prefer using white as the main color for interior walls, with one accent wall of a different color.

Other elements such as window and door frames have a clean look when they are white.

“The most popular trim and door color is white, as it makes the wall colors really stand out. Accent walls on the exterior is also a popular

choice these days for my clients,” Murphy said.

White is prominently used in kitchens and bathrooms, as it compliments cleanliness. Interior white walls are also common, although some homeowners opt for an off-white or cream look for a warmer or cooler look. It is the best color to paint a rooftop, and some exterior side walls can benefit from a splash of white to reduce heat absorption.

It does not come without its disadvantages, however. Because white is a blank slate, it is very easy to see unwanted markings and stains. This can be especially problematic if furniture is pressed up against a while wall, which can leave scratches. Therefore, the more white color there is in a home, the more cleaning and maintenance there needs to be to ensure a spotless home. p

CREATIVE CONTENT MANAGER Vikki Fong DESIGN & PRODUCTION Conrad Calma LJ Mingoy DIGITAL MEDIA SALES Natalie Gilbert ADMINISTRATION Jennifer Orot DIRECTOR Ken Duenas MANAGING DIRECTOR Marcos W. Fong

The Real Estate Journal — January 3, 2022. Entire contents copyrighted 2022 by Glimpses Media. The Real Estate Journal is published monthly by Glimpses Media.

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White can either be a blank slate or convey a look of elegance and simplicity when styling a home.