Real Estate Journal - June 24, 2019 by Real Estate Journal

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JUNE 24, 2019 ISSUE | REJGUAM.COM 

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Properties to love

Barrigada beauty The right stuff The case for style

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The doctor is in Home smart home

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Need to know Max it out

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

This two story home features a large balcony, an electric gate and a 33-kw diesel genrator. Photo courtesy of RE/MAX Diamond Realty

PROPERTIES TO LOVE

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A large second-floor balcony offers an amazing island-wide view from Ritidian to Pago Bay.

Photos courtesy of RE/MAX Diamond Realty

2019 Household Income Expenditure Survey (HIES)

How do I identify a HIES Survey Worker?

AD MIT MIT ON ON E E

All survey workers are wearing UOG official safety vests and carrying a picture ID. They will also have HIES signage visible on their vehicles.

Phone: (671) 735-2060/51 Email: uoghies@triton.uog.edu HIES Office: University of Guam Agriculture and Life Sciences Building, Room 228 303 University Drive Mangilao, Guam 96913

THE SKINNY 122 SOUTH SABANA DRIVE BARRIGADA, GUAM 96913 $877,300 What is the Household Income Expenditure Survey (HIES) about? • Determines general spending patterns and living standards • Provides basis for measuring inflation • Provides information to determine raises and benefits • Used to help design social and educational programs • Diaries detail household nutrition patterns, food consumption in the house, at fast food places and restaurants, and of home production activities, such as fishing and growing taro. • Shows demographic, social and economic trends • Shows relationship of income to expenditures How was I selected for this survey? • Households are selected randomly • 5% of Guam’s households – 1 in every 20 houses or apartments • Total of 2,500 households • Some households in every village Do I have to participate? • Survey is voluntary • Interview takes about an hour • Households record expenditures for a week • Results form the base for showing inflation • Government and Private companies use results to determine salary raises Will information I provide be confidential? • Guam laws require confidentiality • Survey results cannot identify individual or house • Survey results ONLY in compiled form

Inside • Large, single family home • 5 bedrooms, 4 full bathrooms • Full laundry and storage rooms • 3,379 square feet of living space Outside • One two-car garage plus car port • One main electric gate plus two single gates • One large, second-floor balcony • A 33-kw diesel generator What’s cool • Amazing island-wide view from Ritidian to Pago Bay • Energy saving with seven high-efficiency split air conditioning units • Double pane windows and accordion typhoon shutters • Family-friendly neighborhood How to make this your own (quickly) Contact: Luana Simmons Call: 688-2033 Email: lsimmons@remaxguam.com

PROPERTIES TO LOVE

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

A spacious kitchen offers plenty of storage space.

3,379 square feet of living space makes this the perfect home for large families.

A whirlpool bahttub creates a spalike atmosphere in this spacious full bathroom.

Photos courtesy of RE/MAX Diamond Realty

THE RIGHT STUFF | BOOKC ASES

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The case for style With e-books cornering the market for reading material, modern bookshelves have largely transitioned to such in name only. No longer resigned to the staid library storage space of yesterday, bookcases have stepped out to

showcase the life of the home they decorate. While still a place to keep books in order, they also offer a fresh way to help homeowners create a visual representation of their lives and passions. Looking at the bookcase as an

opportunity to create style in the home, the first step is determining what the ultimate goal is. “You always want to understand your vision and what you want to accomplish. Is it a place just for storage because you need the

storage? Are you showing off a collection, or maybe it’s a bit of both?” said Jessica Leon Guerrero, president of M80 Systems Inc. Depending on the parameters of continued on page 7

Glass bookshelves, Furniture Kathy Style

A-frame shelf, Furniture Kathy Style

Kids tree shelves, Wayfair/M80 Designs

Photos by Leah Nathan

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Console, Furniture Kathy Style

THE RIGHT STUFF | BOOKC ASES

Shelf divider, Furniture Kathy Style 18-FHB-Mortgage_RealEstateJournal_Size6.875"X9".pdf

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the room and what the objective is, there is sure to be an option to carry out the vision. From custom builtins on a wall or even as part of a door, to making use of corner space that might otherwise go to waste, or perhaps even to non-traditional shapes that add whimsy to a child’s room, imagination is the only limit to design and function. In general, staying on trend means non-traditional and well incorporated. “Floating shelves are really popular right now because you can do all kinds of things and fit them into any space, using all kinds of designs — or even make them the focal point of a room,” said Lissa Kinsella Talavera, manager of design for Furniture Kathy Style. Making use of difficult space, such as under a staircase or along a hallway, offers the opportunity for the imagination to create functional display space for favorite books, photos and family heirlooms. There is no reason to limit function to form, either. “I’ve seen people repurpose bookshelves into a tidy workstation, creating a floating desk at the bottom and storage at the top. Another fun option that optimizes space is bookshelves as a room divider,” Talavera said. Enlisting shelves for double duty makes a room look modern and unique. So, look around, do you have a bookcase in your house? Is it so stuffed with stuff that you’ve forgotten all about it? Maybe it’s time to turn it into a handy and creative bit of furniture, perhaps even a centerpiece in your home. The good news about bookshelves is that there are no rules to what is right, so find your inspiration and a creative solution is sure to follow. p

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Photos by Leah Nathan

PROBLEM PREVENTION | ELECTRIC AL WORK

Wired right Do-it-yourself home electrical work is all about safety. More than any other home project, installation should be done properly from start to finish to avoid dangerous outcomes. Cutting corners could mean short circuits, electrocution or even fires. While there are a host of common blunders when dealing with electrical systems, there are a couple of basic avoidable mistakes that top the list. “One,” said Dave Laughlin, owner and general manager of ACR Electrical/ Mechanical, “is adding on to an existing circuit to power more appliances or fixtures without checking proper amp draw or wire size.” This could lead to continuous breaker trips from over amperage, or possibly melted and burnt wires that may ultimately lead to fires. Additionally, Laughlin said, mislabeled breaker boxes set the home handyman up for dangerous outcomes when setting out to get the job done. “For example, you shut off a breaker that said kitchen, then go to work on some outlets in there only to find that it’s still live because it was marked incorrectly.” Taking the time to double check is always well worth the trouble. Before starting a larger project, it’s recommended to have a licensed electrician verify that the sub panel, main breaker box and wires can handle any additional load or revisions. Making sure to install Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter outlets, especially in rooms with more water activity such as kitchens, washrooms and bathrooms, will certainly lessen household electrocution risks. Additionally, as a good rule of thumb, Loughlin said, “Check your appliances prior to purchase and know what you’re working with to ensure your amperage will meet your demand.” p

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THE DOCTOR IS IN | SMART DEVICES

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Home smart home Smart home technology uses internet-connected devices to enable remote monitoring and management of appliances and systems, such as lighting, heating, technology and security. This technology offers homeowners reassurance, comfort, convenience and efficiency by allowing control via smart devices, often via a smartphone app. Like a lot of decisions in the home, how to apply these technologies to your own life should begin with asking, “What do I want my end goal to be?” From there, it’s a question of customizing options towards the individual needs of the home and homeowner. Once you’ve established the home with a strong internet connection — a requirement for smart home capability of any kind — the technology options can generally be broken down into

two primary categories. “The first are convenience items that have to do with controlling things like lighting, HVAC and AV systems,” said Derek Collins, operator at Digital By Design. Whether it’s integrated into a new home build, or a retrofitting upgrade, having one-touch control of things like home theater, window blinds, lights and temperature offer the potential for energy savings and added comfort. Maintaining settings that optimize the home when you’re in it and keeping it safe when you’re not is an attractive investment for those looking to harness the power of technology in every day living. The other side of smart home technology, and one that holds court as the most utilized on Guam, is home security. There are a number of options for surveillance and intrusion systems that offer

homeowners peace of mind. Depending on your budget, systems can send alerts to your smart devices alone or be patched into a larger security network that will respond in kind to an emergency. In particular, “On Guam, security systems enabled with lighting modules and doorbell cameras are really popular right now,” said Kevin Gumataotao, sales manager at Secure Safe Solutions. Most systems are not isolated in their functionality, either. Home lights that turn on when a linked phone is close, buttons for the elderly that connect to dispatchers in an emergency or pre-timed lighting when on vacation are all part of an integrated system that contributes to the well being of the home. With so many options available to order online, taking a do-ityourself approach may save some

Smart home

Doorbell Camera

Password protected

money in the short term. However, experts warn a lot can be lost in failing to create a unified system. For full automation, you’ll be doing yourself a big favor to call in the professionals. Creating a userfriendly interface is the goal, Collins said. “You can get all of these little subsystems — controls for lighting, door locks, AV, and controls for your camera and put them all together. When you do a DIY system, you are directly interfacing with these systems, versus when you professionally automate a home you take it a step further and say, ‘Hey, system, when this happens then do this,’ making the house basically talk to itself for you.” As budget is always of concern, “Everything can be expanded to fit needs. You can grow the systems as much as you want as you go along,” he said. p

VILL AGES | SINAJANA

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Good life in the hills Overlooking Agana Bay and some of G u a m ’ s more notable scenery from its perch atop the hills above H a g å t ñ a , Sinajana’s central seat Del Mundo in Guam is more than just location. “Almost everyone on the island can trace some form of lineage back to the historic community of Sinajana, which shows its importance and role in the island’s history,” said Sinajana Mayor Robert Hofmann. In existence well before the arrival of Spanish missionaries in 1668, Sinajana historically has deep agricultural roots that most likely gave it its name. It is linked to the plentiful harvests of wild yams cooked in a process using earthen ovens dug into the ground known as chinåhan, extended to chinahån-ña — “his or her cooking ground.” Today Sinajana prides itself on fostering classic residential CHamoru village vibes, with many single-family homes and rentals. “There’s not a lot of homes for sale,” said Leah del Mundo, vice president of Living on Guam Realty. “People want to stay there. It’s just a great village. … Sinajana is the kind of place where you get to know your neighbours, and that is a valuable environment to live in.” With an eye on maintaining that experience and growing for the future, the mayor’s office is looking forward to upcoming private and public developments that promise to improve government services as well as enhance access to goods and professional services. With its scenic central location near the Naval Hospital, Hagåtña and East Agana Bay; a short drive to all of the other business and pleasure locales on island; and an engaged community and active mayor’s office, Sinajana is a place people can truly live on Guam. “It is unique in its convenience, while also being so family oriented,” del Mundo said. p

SINAJANA POPULATION: 2,582 SCHOOLS: Public: 1 • C.L. Taitano Elementary School Private: • Academy of our Lady of Guam

SHOPPING AND RESTAURANTS HIGHLIGHTS: • B utlers Emporium, Tutujan Quick Stop, Pay-Less Market, Dream Market, Mrs. G’s Sweet Tooth, Mobil Gas Station

PROPERTY AVAILABILITY/PRICE RANGE: • 11 land plots for sale, priced $35,000 to $4.2 million • 1 commercial space for sale, priced $400,000 • 9 homes for sale, priced $169,000 to $4.2 million • 1 condo for sale, priced $950,000 • 7 homes for rent, priced $1,150 to $5,000 • 1 condo for rent, priced $2,205

ATTRACTIONS: • Latte Stoned Wellness Center, Ada’s Funeral Home, St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority, Sinajana Community Center and Senior Citizens Center, Imagination Park/ Playground, Saint Fidelis Franciscan Friary

MAYOR: Mayor Robert D.C. Hofmann

NEED TO KNOW | GARAGES

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

Heavy duty metal storage shelves, Home Depot

Garage storage hooks, Home Depot

GU Self Storage

Photos by Leah Nathan

Max it out Guam homes traditionally are built without an abundance of closet or out-of-sight storage space, and we can all relate to nowhere-toput-this-stuff headaches. If you’re fortunate enough to have a home with a garage or covered outdoor space to stow belongings, then it’s time to make getting things organized a priority. Taking time and a little forethought to do it once — and do it right — can make your garage into a well-ordered storage oasis.

Good storage means safety for people and belongings, accessibility and protecting valuables. “There are a lot of reasons to take precautions in storing things in a more orderly and organized manner,” said Terry Debold, PR and sales manager at GU Self Storage. “For more than just aesthetic and accessibility, organized storage makes for a safer home.” Preventing loss from weather or pests, keeping people and belongings out of harms way

from negligent piling and simply the ease of accessing what you need when you need it are all worthwhile reasons to prioritize a garage overhaul. A fresh start begins with thoroughly sorting through storage items. Separate chemicals, flammables, sharp objects and other potential hazards into a safe place or properly dispose of as needed, and organize the rest. Smaller items and anything that needs to be stowed should ideally

end up in sturdy waterproof and pest-resistant containers, such as heavy plastic bins, and clearly labeled for later ease. From there, getting things off the ground makes all the difference. “If you get it off the ground, it makes it more difficult for pests or moisture to take over,” Debold said. Though carefully stacking bins will ultimately do the job, there are plenty of heavy-duty shelves continued on page 18

NEED TO KNOW | GARAGES continued from page 16

PUBLISHER Maureen N. Maratita BUSINESS EDITOR Meghan Hickey ASSISTANT EDITOR Jackie Cahill CONTENT COORDINATOR Leah Nathan CREATIVE CONTENT MANAGER Vikki Fong DESIGN & PRODUCTION Conrad Calma Luisa Joy Castro Sean Davis Angelica Eleno MEDIA SALES MANAGER Kevin Iwashita MEDIA SALES Mike Mafnas ADMINISTRATION Janice Castro Jenalyn Aguon  DIRECTOR Ken Duenas MANAGING DIRECTOR Marcos W. Fong

The Real Estate Journal — June 24, 2019. Entire contents copyrighted 2019 by Glimpses of Guam Inc. The Real Estate Journal is published monthly by Glimpses of Guam Inc. 161 US Army Juan C. Fejeran St., Barrigada Heights, Guam 96913. (671) 649-0883; Fax (671) 649-8883. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Marianas Business Journal, P.O. Box 3191, Hagåtña, Guam 96932. Send e-mail to glimpses@glimpsesofaguam.com. All rights reserved. Subscriptions: 6 months $60; 1 year $120. Payment must accompany order. No material may be printed in part or in whole without written permission from the publisher. Printed by Guam Daily Post LLC, on Guam. In the Northern Mariana Islands, contact Marianas Business Journal at Glimpses of Saipan Inc., 2nd Floor Transpac Business Center, Middle Road, Gualo Rai, Saipan, MP 96950, or call (670) 235-7645; Fax (670) 234-1801. Send e-mail to subscriptions@glimpsesofguam.com.

Glimpses Media includes Guam Business Magazine, Marianas Business Journal, MBJ Life, The Real Estate Journal, Beach Road Magazine, Buenas, Drive Guam Magazine and Pocket Deals. Glimpses of Guam Inc. Mission Statement: To connect people with information.

and DIY systems that can take things to the next level. Keep in mind, while a lot of people like the look of wood cabinet systems, Vincent Cruz, sales associate at Home Depot advised against them in favor of coated metal or durable plastic. “Humidity and bugs will break wood and core board down very quickly on Guam,” he said. Luckily, with so many options on the market, there is guaranteed to be a storage solution for any space. Shelving units are a good start, but for someone with a lot of tools or a sports-centric family, plenty of systems can be customized to make a place for everything. If

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

you’re someone who knows how to use those tools that have been clogging up the garage, there are also plenty of creative from-scratch plans online to put them to good use. For homes that simply don’t have space for storage, there is always the option of a self-storage unit. With the added benefit of climate control and regular pest treatments, renting storage space can be the perfect solution. Within the locker, however, the same rules apply; organization, cleanliness and the right equipment always win the day. So, this summer, set aside a day or a weekend to go through the piles you’ve been ignoring,

and impress your family with a job well done. But don’t let a good deed go to waste. Debold gives a perfect example of the importance of sticking with it; the universal end of year holiday decoration rush. “We’re all in a hurry to get it put away and just stuff things into spaces, and then for the next 12 months you have to deal with a mess that leads to other messes around it. The amount of time it takes to be organized from the beginning saves so much time in the long run and is better overall for you and your stuff.” While it might not get the most praise from visitors, the benefits of an organized garage will serve your home for years to come. p

GUAMHOME.COM

Agana Beach Condo | $3,450/mo •Awesome beachfront living •3bd/3ba •Sunset views galore! •1,904+/-sf of living space ID: 191659

Beautiful Tumon Property For Sale •Developer alert! •RARE! 4,125+/-sm lot •H zoned •Happy Landing Road frontage ID: 191684

Ipan Talofofo Home | $550,000 •4bd/3ba •2,704+/-sf of space •Large kitchen •Spacious fully fenced yard •Must see! ID: 191095

Tamuning Home | $575,000 •Executive design & features •4bd/3ba •Open floor plan •Beautiful condition •Must see! ID: 19767

Commercial Building | $10,000/mo •Located in Tamuning •Marine Corps Dr. frontage •4,010+/-sf •Large rear parking lot ID: 191585

Route 4, Yona Land | $415,000 •Investor/developer alert! •8,421+/-sm •Rezone as you need •Huge return value •Lots of potential ID: 191289

Dededo & Agat Churches For Sale •Includes kitchens, bathrooms, several rooms & large lots for expansion •Take a look today! ID: 192143 & 192075

Tamuning Building | $850,000 •Prime location •C zoned •1st fl. - great for small business •2nd & 3rd fl. are residential units ID: 191988

Tamuning Home | $729,000 •4bd/4ba •3,000+/-sf •Extra kitchen •Open concept •Fully fenced & gated •Roof top access ID: 191583

Yigo Home | $355,000 •$5,000 of buyer’s closing cost paid by seller •3bd/2ba •Great floor plan •1,161+/-sm lot ID: 191787

Beachfront Land | $6,500,000 •Developer alert! •Beautiful 3 acre lot •Fronting Agana Bay & Camp Watkins Rd. •See it today! ID: 182855

Santa Rita Land | $120,000 •Beautiful ocean & valley view lot •Route 17 frontage •2,355+/-sm •Utilities nearby ID: 191797

Tamuning Home | $2,600/mo •Near major establishments •4bd/4ba •Spacious •2 kitchens •Fully fenced & gated ID: 19901

Dededo Home | $2,205/mo •3bd/3ba •2,100+/-sf •Tons of storage space •Indoor laundry •Near NCTAMS & AAFB ID: 191997

Ipan Talofofo Home | $475,000 •3bd/3ba •Ocean view from every floor •2,800+/-sf •Solar panels •Near Ipan Beach & Talofofo Bay ID: 191821

WE CAN HELP YOU BUY, SELL OR RENT!

Anthony 688-8198

Julie 687-6900

Christine 682-2412

Dennis 727-3815

Beverly 688-8550

Janet 687-1841

Michael 988-6900

Duane 689-7777

Kimberly 489-5232

Sandy 687-6006

Yumiko 688-7791

W: 671.649.4361 | F: 671.646.0832 | 1700 Army Dr, Ste 101, Dededo, GU

Suzanne 482-6426

Ray 685-5070