Real Estate Journal - November 25, 2019 by Real Estate Journal

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NOVEMBER 25, 2019 ISSUE | REJGUAM.COM 

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Properties to love

Agana Heights Abode The right stuff Holiday decorating made easy

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PAGE 12

The doctor is in Mosaic ain’t so

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PAGE 16

Need to know A helping hand

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 comes with a completely fenced property, paved driveway and two-car garage. Photo courtesy of Ideal Realty

PROPERTIES TO LOVE

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

THE SKINNY 352 SANTA CRUZ ORDOT-CHALAN PAGO, GU 96910 $588,000 Inside • 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms • 2,867 square feet • Clawfoot tub • Marble tiling • Walk-in closets Outside • Fully fenced with gate • Paved driveway with twocar garage • Second story balcony • Back patio space What’s cool • Brand new, built in 2019 • High ceilings • Upstairs den area • Laundry room How to make this your own (quickly) Contact: Lei Unpingco Ideal Realty Call: 649-1883 Email: idealrealtyguam@gmail.com

The second floor den sits right off the stairs.

Photo courtesy of Ideal Realty

The walk-in closer has plenty of storage.

The house includes a two-car attached garage.

Photo courtesy of Ideal Realty

PROPERTIES TO LOVE

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

The spacious master bathroom features a clawfoot tub.

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THE RIGHT STUFF | HOLIDAY DÉCOR

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Holiday decorating made easy For those strapped on time or space, decking the halls can be more of an inconvenience than a festive activity. But tangled lights and giant trees aren’t required to give your home a classic and cozy holiday makeover. This year, simplify decorating with a few simple items to add holiday warmth to your home with minimal effort. Festive pillows and blankets are one way to add coziness without taking up valuable floor space. Nothing says the holidays more than cuddling up with a nice cup of hot cocoa under a warm blanket, surrounded by comfy pillows, Ryan

Torres, store manager at Macy’s Guam, said. Not to mention, there are no ladders or hammers required for these decorative accents. “Our nice, comfortable, throw blankets are always fun to make it feel like it’s the holiday season,” Torres said. “And then, of course, our deco pillows… make the home feel warm and cozy.” There are many options available, from traditional winter patterns to cartoon holiday images the kids will love. “Don’t forget about the pets,” Torres said, “Our dogs are family too.” Pet owners can choose from a number of pillows with

festive dogs and cats, the perfect addition to a pet bed. For those who don’t have the storage space for pillows after the season, Aline Frances A. Bituin, branch manager for SM Island, said pillow covers will do just the trick and are easy to store throughout the year. Homeowners can choose from holiday colors, such as red and green, to bring Christmas spirit to the living room, she said. Torres and Bituin agree no matter how small a home, a Christmas tree is a must. But this year’s tree doesn’t have to take up prime living room real estate

or require hours to set up. False trees are pre-assembled — many come trimmed already with lights or holly berries — and come in a variety of sizes, some small enough to fit atop a table. “We can come up with a small tree with just a few ornaments, just to have that feel,” Torres said. To minimize the number of ornaments, he suggested each family member choose their own special ornament to hang on the tree. Another option Torres suggested is a small 24-inch LED tree light which would give the home the quaint charm of A Charlie Brown Christmas — no ornaments

Festive pillows add coziness. Photos by Jackie Cahill

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

THE RIGHT STUFF | HOLIDAY DÉCOR

Stay warm with patterned blankets for the holiday.

Small holiday accents make a big impact. 18-FHB-Mortgage_RealEstateJournal_Size6.875"X9".pdf

required, all this tree needs is a few presents underneath. Stockings can also be hung on Christmas trees for ease of holiday decorating, Bituin said, an ideal solution for those without a mantel. For a smaller tree, there are small stockings available homeowners can fill with small candies and toys, she said. Another easy way to give your home a holiday feel is with candles. “We have some nice candle holders where you could put some tea lights in there and make the home feel warm and cozy,” Torres said. With many holiday scents available, homeowners can choose a different holiday aroma for every room in the home. “Christmas cookie in the bedroom, sparkling cinnamon in the kids’ room … You can go through your scents so you could have different moods and scents around the house,” he said. Holiday potpourri is another way to bring festive aromas to the home while doubling as a seasonal decoration. Potpourri can be displayed on kitchen or living room tables in a clear vase or bowl to add a classic holiday look, Torres said. When it comes time for holiday meals, the table is also a great place to easily add festive charm without much effort. “If you’re expecting some guests over just for a nice dinner, we can make that table look good with the coasters, the place setting, the tablecloth,” Torres said. For the kids, a fun option is easy to clean plastic placemats that countdown the days until Christmas, he said. On the home’s exterior, a few simple touches are all you need, Buiton said. A simple pre-trimmed wreath, holiday themed door-mat, festive door-knob accessory, and a few Christmas lanterns in the windows are easy to install and will give your home that classic holiday look, she said. p

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Photo by Jackie Cahill

PROBLEM PREVENTION | BURGL ARY

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

Don’t let the Grinch steal Christmas The holiday season is the perfect time to connect with family and friends from near and far. But if travel is on your agenda this year, be prepared. According to the National Crime Victimization Survey, robbery and personal larceny crimes are approximately 20% higher in December compared with the rest of the year. It seems as though the plot of Home Alone has some basis in reality. Jerick Cruz, business development manager at SecuritySafe Solutions, said the easiest way to prevent theft during the holidays is to simply stay aware. When leaving your home, make sure every possible point of entry is secure, including doors, windows, garages, and outdoor sheds. While out shopping or at a holiday party, lock your car to prevent holiday Grinches from snatching gifts out of the back of your trunk. Cruz also recommends taking a

few easy steps to make your home less appealing to thieves. “Homes that are more inviting are the ones that just leave stuff out,” Cruz said. “When [burglars] see something that looks nice [sitting outside], it may entice them to come back later and look around.” Lighting is another easy way to discourage criminals. “People aren’t necessarily going to want to be snooping around somewhere where it’s very bright and [where they could be] seen,” Cruz said. Placing lights on a timer to turn on in the evening or installing motion activated floodlights is a great way to deter burglars, he said. Of course, the best way to protect your home is by installing a home security system. “Some people seem to think that a security system is the same as a camera system. That’s always been a myth,” Cruz said. At SecureSafe Solutions there are a wide range of systems

available from camera systems, motion detectors, intrusion alerts and more. Some systems even give homeowners the ability to turn lights on and off and control the thermostat from anywhere. Each security solution is custom to a person’s home size and needs, so pricing varies widely, Cruz said. Once a homeowner finds the right solution for them, SecuritySafe Solutions will install and monitor the system for a monthly fee. The company also provides annual system maintenance as part of its services. If an alarm goes off, the dispatch team at SecuritySafe will receive the alert within minutes, sometimes seconds, and will reach out to the homeowner. From there, the homeowner can decide if they’d like the security company to notify police. If a homeowner is not reachable, SecuritySafe will contact others on the homeowner’s call list, such as neighbors or family members.

“If no one answers on this list we will send someone down there to take a look at your residence from the outside and look around as much as we can. If we see anything that shows the break in we’ll call the police from there,” Cruz said. For those looking for a less comprehensive security system, Ring surveillance cameras are a great option, Cencio Tan C. Vy, president of Benson Guam Enterprises, said. Ring’s motion-activated surveillance cameras connect with a phone app, allowing customers to see camera footage at any given time. Ring’s doorbell camera allows homeowners to see and speak with someone at their door from anywhere in the world. For garages and sheds, Ring’s motion activated camera with floodlight is a good monitoring solution, Vy said. Ring’s cameras also record when motion is detected, allowing homeowners to show videos to authorities if need be. p

A ring spotlight cam lets customers see all day and night.

Photo by Jackie Cahill

THE DOCTOR IS IN | AFFORDABLE KITC HEN RENOVATIONS

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

Here are multiple mosaic tile options to choose from.

Photos by Jackie Cahill

Mosaic ain’t so The average cost for a kitchen renovation is around $24,000, according to data collected by HomeAdvisor. That price point can be daunting for many, but you don’t have to pay top dollar to give your kitchen a face lift. There are a number of ways to upgrade the kitchen without breaking the bank. One of the largest costs in any kitchen remodel is cabinets, which on average comprise about 30% of a kitchen renovation budget. This is one of the first places homeowners can cut renovation costs. “Refacing your existing cabinets is an economical option that will improve your kitchen’s overall appearance,” according to The Home Depot. “I can personally suggest to repaint the door of the cabinet,” Joyce Santos, sales representative at Builder’s Choice, said. A color change can breathe new life into dated cupboards and completely change a kitchen’s ambience. Additionally, Santos said that older cabinets are

usually higher quality than newer designs, so she recommends keeping cabinets that are still functional for as long as possible. “As long as they are not termite infected, that cabinet is still usable for me,” Santos said. Updating hardware, such as knobs and pulls, is another easy way to modernize a kitchen at a low cost. Cabinet hardware comes in standard sizes, so it is easy to swap out fixtures and doesn’t require professional installation, Santos said. Keeping existing appliances may save money in the short-term, but for those looking for long-term savings it may be worthwhile to upgrade. “Energy-efficient appliances pay for themselves over time by lowering your utility bills, and they help to preserve the environment, too,” according to The Home Depot. Swapping dated appliances for modern designs can give the kitchen a completely new feel. Countertops are another large expense in any kitchen redo.

If a countertop only has minor damage and scratches, Santos said homeowners can save big bucks by simply polishing and sealing to bring new life back into old stones. This can be done by hiring an expert or as a DIY project, she said. If countertops are damaged beyond repair, opt for quartz countertops rather than granite for big savings. “Quartz is more reasonably [priced] and more durable than granite,” Santos said. It provides a similar aesthetic at a fraction of the price. Quartz is also nonporous making it nearly stainproof and difficult for bacteria to grow, she said. Wooden countertops are another cost-effective option and can give the kitchen a warm, earthly ambience. Santos warned, however, wooden countertops are more easily damaged. “The wood slab can be stained, can be porous, unlike quartz,” she said. “So, it might be cheaper [in the short-term], but in the long-term sometimes

that’s where we can see the savings [with quartz].” Another option is laying tile on top of wooden slabs to add protection and give countertops longevity. “Some of our customers use our highquality tile on their [wood] slab,” Santos said. For countertops, she suggests using high-quality porcelain tiles because they are thicker and absorb pressure better. Countertops are not the only place where tile can save the day when it comes to cutting costs in a kitchen reno. “Ceramic tiles are generally an affordable backsplash alternative,” according to The Home Depot. Large tiles cost a third of the price of elaborate mosaics, Santos said. If you have your heart set on a mosaic backsplash, you still may be able to afford it on a tight budget. A bold backsplash in and of itself can transform a kitchen’s look and sometimes is the only upgrade needed. p

VILL AGES | AGAÑA HEIGHTS

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Location with a view Atop the hills behind G u a m ’ s capital city of Hågatña sits the village of Agaña Heights or Tu t u h a n . According to the Mayor’s McDonald Council of Guam, the name Tutuhan is derived from the Chamorro words tuthon luhan, meaning the fear of impending doom. Agaña Heights was historically a ranchland and the only way for ranchers to reach it was by climbing up steep cliffs from Hågatña. “Often ranchers stood at the top of the cliff and surveyed the long climb down and as they did, they would experience a feeling of fear as they contemplated the precariousness of the situation,” the Mayor’s Council website states. After World War II, Agaña Heights was transformed from ranchland to residential village. “Most of our residents moved here after the war from Hågatña,” Agaña Heights Mayor, Paul M. McDonald, said. Today, the village is comprised of family-friendly neighborhoods full of beautiful homes boasting picturesque views and landscaped yards. “It wouldn’t be uncommon to have a house there and, in the

back, to have this great mountain and valley view,” Rodney W. Washington, sales associate with Ellen’s Realty, told the Journal. Some Agaña Heights homeowners even enjoy dual views of the island’s interior mountains and Agaña Bay. In addition to attractive views, the village also boasts a central location. “You really can’t get any more central… you just have so many access points to the major roads,” Washington said. With nearby Route 4, everything on the island — north, south, east or west — is just a hop, skip and a jump away. “Agaña Heights is a closely knitted community,” McDonald said. The village has the longest serving neighborhood watch, making it very safe. “Now we have over 250 on our neighborhood group chat for our neighborhood watch,” he said. The village also has a separate group chat for community members to share neighborhood updates. “As far as residential wise, Agaña Heights does have the more traditional neighborhood feel. It’s not as spread out as some of the larger villages like Yigo or Dededo,” Washington said. And those who move to the village tend to stay there, many residents are second and third generation. For families with children, Agaña Heights is home to Agaña Heights Elementary School, Guam

High School, and the Maria Artero School. The village also has a public community center which hosts an after-school program, McDonald said. There are also a number of active youth sports leagues. “Per capita we have the most baseball teams,” McDonald said. Residents of Agaña Heights also have easy access to many nearby amenities. Pay-Less Supermarket is in neighboring Sinajana, and Hågatña’s restaurants, shops, and public buildings are also close by. “If the kids wanted to walk to the library [in Hågatña], that’s walking distance,” Washington said. There are a number of outdoor activities available such as the Fonte Valley River, a popular swimming and hiking spot, and Tutujan Park. The village also hosts its Coconut Fair every May and its annual Fiesta will take place this year on Dec. 1 in front of the mayor’s office, McDonald said. Government House, the island’s gubernatorial residence, is also located in Agaña Heights. This holiday season locals can look forward to Government House’s annual holiday light display. “They do the light show every year,” Washington said. “It’ll expand [from Tutujan Park] and it’ll go all the way up to the Governance Complex. It is fun and it’s open to the public.” p

AGANA HEIGHTS POPULATION: 3,800 SCHOOLS: 3 • Agaña Heights Elementary School • Guam High School • Maria Artero Catholic PreSchool and Kindergarten

SHOPPING AND RESTAURANT HIGHLIGHTS: • Simply Food, NEX Mini Mart, Subway, New Nana Store, KNS Food Market, Agaña Shopping Center, Sinajana Pay-Less

PROPERTY AVAILABILITY/ PRICE RANGE: • 1 land plot for sale, priced $799,000 • 2 homes for sale, priced $320,000 to $360,000 • 5 condos for rent, priced $1,100 to $2,205 • 1 single family home for rent, priced $1,800 • 1 commercial property for sale, priced $100,000

ATTRACTIONS: • Government House, Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church, Fort Santa Agueda, Fonte River, Tutujan Park, Agaña Heights Community Center & Senior Center, General Baptist Memorial Church

MAYOR: Paul M. McDonald

Photos courtesy of the Mayor’s Council of Guam

NEED TO KNOW | KITC HEN APPLIANCES

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

A stand mixer can offer lots of help during the holidays.

Photo by Jackie Cahill

Less cooking, more eating Turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, red rice, cookies, pies… the list of festive food favorites is seemingly endless. And while we love to eat it all, prepping meals for the holidays can be a time-consuming and stressful chore. To make holiday meal prep easier this year, utilize kitchen gadgets to minimize work and maximize time enjoying holiday meals with family and friends. For vegetable prep and chopping, a large food processor

is a “must,” according to Rosemary Laguana, home appliances manager at Kmart. Not having to manually chop onions and other veggies is a huge holiday time-saver. “And what we do in my family, is we prep the day before,” she said. “We cut all the vegetables and everything, they go into baggies, they’re in the refrigerator, so the next morning everything is done.” Alora Brown, culinary professional for The Spice Fairy, agrees. “Do not make everything in

one day. Too much pressure. I make desserts one to two days before the big day. I prepare take and bakes for my sides. I pretty much prep my sides the day before so that on the day of I can just pop them in the oven for about 30 mins.” Having enough cooking space also helps to minimize stress during holiday meal prep, allowing multiple dishes to be prepared at the same time. “Do not make the oven your only tool,” Brown said. “I have a plug-in roaster that I

can cook a large piece of meat in. My crock pot, toaster oven, and pressure cooker are all countertop tools that take pressure away from the oven and help me to make dishes simultaneously.” For Laguana, a convection countertop oven is the way to go. “I have three at my home,” she said. Not only does it help when preparing many dishes, but Laguana said throughout the year she uses it in lieu of her traditional continued on page 18

NEED TO KNOW | KITC HEN APPLIANCES continued from page 16

PUBLISHER Maureen N. Maratita MANAGING EDITOR Steve Graff EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Morgan Legel CONTENT COORDINATOR Jackie Cahill CREATIVE CONTENT MANAGER Vikki Fong DESIGN & PRODUCTION Conrad Calma Luisa Joy Castro Sean Davis 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 — November 25, 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) 6498883. 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.

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oven to help save on power bills. Portable gas burners are another way to increase cooking space. “In my outside kitchen, I have two gas ranges,” Laguana said. This gives her the space she needs to cook everything for the holiday meal and keep it hot to boot. “I don’t need burners or the Sterno warmers,” she said. Additionally, portable gas burners can be used if the power goes out and are great to have during typhoons, she said. If you don’t have the outdoor space for a portable range, electric skillets and portable burners are another option Laguana recommends. For those looking to “set it and

forget it” this holiday season, a crock-pot is the perfect option. “They’re good for time,” Laguana said. Many crock-pots also come with attachable lids, making it easy to bring a dish to any festive gathering. Instant pots are also very popular and provide an even faster way to get your holiday dish on the table with minimal effort, Laguana said. Serving dishes directly out of these cookers will also help minimize cleanup time. “Cook and serve in the same dishes,” Brown said. “Using these items makes cleanup a breeze.” When it comes to dessert prep, a stand mixer is great for multitasking. “With one of these, you could be doing something else,”

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

Laguana said. While the cookie dough is mixing, why not use free hands to quickly and easily make fresh whipping cream with an immersion blender? A dollop of that atop a slice of pie makes for the perfect ending to a stress-free holiday meal. Don’t stop there! If you’re scratching your head about what to gift someone this holiday season, these kitchen appliances make great gifts that won’t end up in the back of someone’s closet. Those interested in meal-prep services or holiday cooking classes can visit www.thespicefairy.com or contact Alora Brown at 489-8024. p

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Yona Land | $399,999

Piti Home | $675,000

Tamuning Building | $10,000/mo

Agat Commercial Building | $670,000

Talo Verde Estates Home | $1,288,000

Tumon Commercial Space | $1,750/mo

Santa Rita Land | $85,000

Agat Home | $359,950

Yigo Home | $350,000

Dededo Commercial Building | $599,000

Barrigada Home | $550,000

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•2nd Floor corner unit •Walking distance to Ypao Beach •Common area fee included •Office furniture included ID: 193281

•3bd/2ba •1,700+/-sf •High ceilings •Great starter home •Near bakeries, supermarkets, dining & more ID: 194453

•Huge price reduction! •2-Plus acres •Route 4 frontage •Lots of potential for investors/developers ID: 191289

•4,477+/-sf •Along Route 2 •Spacious & expandable •Includes kitchen, social hall, rooms & more ID: 192143

•Beautiful mountain & valley views •2,023+/-square meters •Zoned A •See your home here! ID: 194339

•4,130+/-sf •Situated on a 1/2 acre lot •Large kitchen, social hall, rooms & more •Located off Bello Road ID: 192075

•4bd/4ba •3,192+/-sf •Hill-top living •Views from the 2nd floor •Open spaces •Tenant occupied •1,126+/-sm lot ID: 194275

•Premier living at its finest! •4bd/3ba •Luxurious & beautifully designed •Executive amenities ID: 194107

•Walking distance to beach & boat basin •4bd/2ba •Huge lanai •Possibility for expansion •Newly painted ID: 184874

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

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