Real Estate Journal - May 3, 2021

MAY 3, 2021 ISSUE | REJGUAM.COM 

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Table talk

Upstairs, downstairs — Decorating ideas room-by-room Upstairs, downstairs Table talk

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Accents Once upon a time

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Spectrum Tan goes

t INDEX UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS .............................................4 CHECKLIST .......................................................................6 ACCENTS ...........................................................................7 SPECTRUM .......................................................................9

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UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS | DINING ROOM

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Table talk With the rise of modern design and space efficiency, the dining room is becoming less of a room of its own and more of a conjoined space between other rooms.

The perception of a typical Guam home often has the dining room integrated with the kitchen as one single space. That is the observation from the team at the Guam Home Center.

In a modern home, the dining room can be an integrated area in a leisure concept.

“No one really comes in and asks about dining rooms. But sometimes when they ask about kitchen parts, some of those can be applied to the dining room, too,” according to the customer service team. Even for painting advice, Guam Home Center said customers describe the kitchen and dining room as one space to coat.

Here’s how dining spaces are

typically arranged: a dining room table — arguably the main piece of this space — would be situated a few feet from the sink, stove and refrigerator, in the center of the kitchen. The dining space can also be a part of the living room space, where people can sit and watch TV or converse. In some cases, a dining space is non-existent in a home.

Even if a house does not have a dining room in its blueprint, several steps can be taken to create such a space without tearing down or building walls. If a homeowner would like to create the illusion of a home or apartment’s dining space to be its own room, the space can be divided with partitions, screens, or even decoration, according to the Guam Home Center.

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS | DINING ROOM

A circular dining table can use less space, but still offer a defined area for meals.

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A change in aesthetic can also help differentiate the space from other rooms, even if there are no dividers. Wall color, chair fabrics, lighting and other design changes can instantly transform a corner of a room into a captivating dining room. And of course, don’t forget the dining table.

In an interview with Elle Decor Magazine, Eberlein Design president and creative director Barbara Eberlein suggested that homeowners consider the type of environment they want to create with a dining room, and to find furniture and decorative pieces to match that. She gave the example of round dining tables and how they can optimize conversation among guests, while a long, rectangular table creates a different atmosphere for conversing.

Traditionally, this room is what brings family and friends together to eat and talk, but that sort of environment can also be in a different room of the home, depending on personality.

The “dining room” can really be anywhere you want it to be, as long as it creates that same environment for people to enjoy each other’s company. p

Rectangular tables offer a more formal dining option.

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C HEC KLIST | SEPTIC TANKS

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

Septic shock Septic tank systems can be one of the most overlooked infrastructure in a home or neighborhood, mainly because a septic tank is not something that is easily visible. But when a septic tank is backed up, it becomes a very noticeable — and odorous — problem.

Not every home has or needs its own septic tank, especially if a centralized sewer system is in place.

For those that do, however, the homeowner will need to periodically check the area where the septic tank is hidden to ensure that the wastewater treatment is working.

GRESCO Wastewater Solutions, which is a part of GRESCO Pacific, breaks down septic systems to two components: a tank and a drainfield.

When wastewater flows from a house’s plumbing to the tank, it gets broken down into liquids and solids. Solid waste remains in the tank and is later pumped out, while the remaining wastewater seeps out of the tank and is absorbed into the surrounding soil, which becomes

the drainfield.

The most common problems of a septic tank arise when there is too much solid waste stuck in the septic tank and water is not properly separated before passing through the tank. This buildup can lead to strong odors that can lead all the way back to a home’s plumbing system.

“Septic tanks will not fail immediately if they are not pumped.

However, an unmaintained septic tank is no longer protecting the soil absorption field from solids. Continued neglect may result in system failure and even replacement of the soil absorption field,” according to GRESCO. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency advises to call a professional if you notice the following visible signs: • Wastewater is backed up into household drains.

• Bright green, spongy grass grows in the area where the wastewater is drained to.

• Water or muddy soil persists around the topic of your septic system.

• A strong odor can be smelled around the drainfield.

How often a septic tank should be pumped depends on the size of the septic tank and the number of occupants in a home. Guam law requires a 750-gallon minimum for

septic tanks hooked up to homes with two or less bedrooms.

“If four people reside in a twobedroom house, the tank should be pumped every 1.8 years. If the same system serves a family of only two, the tank would be ready for pumping every 4.2 years,” GRESCO said. p

Photos courtesy of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

ACCENTS | UNFASHIONABLE S T YLES

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

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Once upon a time It goes without saying that the pandemic has changed our perspective on how we utilize our home — what rooms can be made into workspaces, how much space is needed to feel at ease and how much of our possessions do we really need?

This change in mindset has altered the way we want to stylize our homes. Here are three common design trends that experts are saying will be going out of style soon.

Full white interiors Staying at home has forced people to really look at their living spaces and assess how they can change them to feel more comfortable. Once representative

Fake plants are expected to go out of style as people are now choosing real ones.

of cleanliness and minimalism, allwhite rooms may become outdated this year as people are looking for more interesting colors to look at.

Even high-end materials may see less white. In an interview with Forbes, Artistic Tile founder and president Nancy Epstein said the kitchen space will likely opt out of white countertops and go for richer patterns.

“The high end of the market has moved away from the staid whites and man-made agglomerates that dominated design for the last decade, and is once more embracing the exotic, rare stones, and detailed patterns that have historically defined luxury tile and stone,” Epstein said.

Single-purpose spaces Gone are the days when a living room can purely be a space for entertainment, or a closet is only for clothes. Now, people are being more creative and combining functionality of multiple spaces into one room.

Working from home has led people to set up desks in the corner of their living room or bedroom, and experts think this trend may continue. Vicky Baldonado, sales manager of Furniture Outlet, said customers are looking for desks that match their sofas, implying that they will be within proximity of each other in the home.

“People are trying to work from home now, so they are looking for

things that will help with that,” she said.

Fake plants Sustainability is a trend these days, especially for Guam, and people are slowly ridding themselves of plastic and inorganic decoration to make way for a natural aesthetic.

Last year, people made a hobby of collecting and trading real plants, which slowly moved from outdoors to indoors. Real plants provide a refreshing appeal to a space that fake plants can’t replicate.

And with an island rich in flora, it wouldn’t be difficult to go out and find a plant to grow at home and continue to nurture it. p

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REAL ESTATE PROFILE | MODERN REALTY

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Real Estate Profile — Modern Realty

YEAR FOUNDED ON GUAM: March 2021 PRINCIPAL BROKER: Matt Strickland NUMBER OF REALTORS: 13 (as of April 21) WEBSITE: www.modernrealtyguam.com PHYSICAL LOCATION: 167 E Marine Corps Dr. Ste. 204, Hagåtña, GU AREAS OF EXPERTISE/SPECIALTIES: Full-service real estate brokerage. Providing cuttingedge technology and highest-level customer service to our buyers, sellers, tenants and owners. As a veteran-owned and operated company, we specialize in military PCS for our incoming buyers and outgoing sellers, in conjunction with our in-house sister firm, Modern Home Services, we provide property management, maintenance and home inspections.

INVESTMENT TIP: • Did you know that as of Jan. 1, 2020, the VA Loan cap was removed for any qualified service member with full entitlement available?

• There is also a misconception about the uses of the VA loan. Did you know that you can purchase up to a four-unit building with your VA entitlement? And if the other units are rented, up to 75% of the rental income can be used towards your qualifications.

• VA renovation loans are back. VA Circular 26-20-13 took the product out of commission, but it has been canceled as of April 1, so the renovation loans are back in motion.

With a large parking pad and second-floor balcony, the façade of this home is sure to be a show-stopper.

This open-concept kitchen-dining area with dark-wood cabinets is perfect for a family.

PICK OF THE MONTH: 113 Callasan St., Tamuning, GU 96913 This fabulous executive home is one of four unique houses very well located in the heart of Tamuning, near St. Anthony’s school and close proximity to malls and restaurants. An elegant en-tryway leads you to a comfortable spaced living area and rich hardwood kitchen cabinetry. The spacious rooms upstairs feature hardwood floors, a large lounge and roomy bedrooms with vaulted ceilings. Don’t miss the great opportunity to own this home.

A white fence also surrounds the property, providing both looks and safety.

Photos courtesy of Modern Realty

SPECTRUM | TAN

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

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Tan goes If you’re a fan of neutral colors that can work well with virtually any other color, tan is a strong contender.

Neutral can sometimes be perceived as bland. However, tan does well when it pairs with other colors to augment them. This lighter variation of brown is a great start for wall color, especially if one is looking for something a bit warmer than white or off-white.

Tan can also work well as an accent color with dark-colored furniture, such as sofas and coffee tables. If you are going for a beach theme, tan is a close resemblance to the color of sand after waves wash over

Tan closely resembles the color of sand, and can make for a nice base color for a beach theme.

it. A tan carpet or rug can provide a beachy atmosphere.

“If you have a light tan sofa, you can greatly elevate its design status by simply adding pillows that mix black and tan, no matter the pattern,” writes Rosemary Sadez Friedmann, author of “Mystery of Color.”

Alternating levels between black and tan can make a space masculine or feminine, whichever way you go. A black bedspread with tan accents can make a bedroom appear more masculine, Friedman wrote, while a tan bedspread with black accents will appeal more to feminine taste. That’s not to

say that these ratios are genderexclusive; however, homeowners can experiment with combinations of tan and dark colors to see what works best for them.

But tan can also do great with light colors, too. Pastel blues, reds and greens can imitate natural themes when paired with tan. If you are looking for an especially bright color combination, tan and yellow can make a nice space for a sunroom or a children’s bedroom.

Consider pairing tan with house plants, too. Elizabeth Meachum, interior design writer for the House Tipster, wrote that a warm tan wall can make the greens of

indoor plants appear more vibrant.

“After all, plants are always in style and a great way to add some color to a room without having to overcommit to a particular color palette,” she said.

When working with tan, it is also best to choose lighting that will compliment it. Warm light can make a tan wall appear more inviting, but white or cool light can make the wall look bland or washed out. Natural sunlight can also make tan look a bit pale, so it is best to keep furniture of that color away from direct sunlight. p

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