B4 • Friday, June 4, 2021
thegardenisland.com
THE GARDEN ISLAND
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Julie Black, Principal Broker & Owner (808) 652-6174 with daughter Kela Caspillo, Realtor Sales Person (808) 652-6173 kauaidreams.com
Featured Homes
Kapaa
5691-A Hauaala Rd. #2 This 5 bedroom /3 bath home is located on 1.44 ac. , in the Keapana area. A private setting featuring 3 covered decks, vaulted ceilings, granite counters, an open floor plan, and covered parking. Unit 2 of a 2 unit CPR, the house is on a septic tank system. Shown by appointment only. Sold AS IS. MLS # 650673. $962,500 Julie Black RB (808) 652-6174 Kauai Dreams Realty Call to see this home.
US average mortgage rates flat to higher; 30-year at 2.99% ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON — Mortgage rates were flat to higher this week. The benchmark 30-year home loan remained below the 3% mark amid continued positive indications of the economy’s recovery from the pandemic recession. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the average for the 30-year rate rose to 2.99% from 2.95% last week. At this time last year, the average long-term rate stood at 3.18%. The rate for a 15-year loan, popular among those seeking to refinance, was unchanged from last week at 2.27%. In the latest economic news, the government reported that the number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits dropped last week for a fifth straight week, to 385,000, a new pandemic low and additional evidence that the job market is regaining its health as the economy further reopens. With historically low mortgage rates prevailing, the U.S. housing market has grown so overheated as demand outpaces supply that prices keep hitting record highs — and roughly half of all houses are now selling above their list price.
Construction spending posts modest gain in April
AVOID RAINY DAYS
How to protect your home from costly water damage
BRANDPOINT
There’s nothing quite like owning a home. You feel the pride of achieving a financial goal and the comfort of having a sanctuary and space of your own in which to build a lifetime of memories. Occasionally, there’s also the element of surprise when things suddenly break — like appliances, the furnace or water heater — and need to be fixed or replaced. Water damage is the most common — and unwanted — surprise for homeowners. According to Mercury Insurance, water-related damages accounted for more than 45% of its homeowners insurance claims in 2020, resulting in $160 million in property damage. “A water leak can happen at any time, so it’s important for homeowners to routinely check for potential sources to help combat this,” said Christopher O’Rourke, vice president of property claims at Mercury Insurance. “It’s also important to address the cause of brown spots on the ceiling or bulges in the walls immediately — these usually indicate a leak or water build—up and most homeowners insurance policies don’t cover long—term leaks. Left untreated, this can lead to extensive damage.” Show your home a little TLC to protect against water damage by inspecting these three areas in and around it.
Consider replacing this type of hose with a steel-braided version as these are less likely to fail. Your washing machine probably isn’t in your kitchen but be sure to inspect its hose as well. The hose connection can loosen during wash cycle vibrations, so check to ensure it’s tight. The home’s exterior and roof
or corrosion. Regardless of the cause, consult with a professional to have them assess and fix it. The seal created by the caulk around your sink, tub and shower helps prevent water from seeping into spaces where it doesn’t belong, but it won’t last forever. Ensure the caulk isn’t worn or cracked and apply a new layer if needed. If water leaks from the base of your toilet, or it wobbles when The bathroom you sit, it’s time to replace the Periodically check the pipes un- wax ring. Wax rings help form a watertight seal between the botderneath the bathroom sink for cracks or leaks. A leaky pipe can tom of a toilet and the sewer pipe. The ring usually lasts the life of be a sign of a larger issue that might eventually cause your pipes the toilet, but it’s possible for it to to burst, like high water pressure dry out and fail so pay attention
Be sure to keep rain gutters and downspouts free of debris to prevent clogs, and position downspouts to direct water away from the house. Holes, cracks and gaps can be entry points for unwelcome water, which can cause rot or structural damage. Walk the perimeter of your home to look for imperfections in its facade. Inspect the condition of the weather stripping on your windows and doors to ensure they are properly sealed to keep out the elements. Also, look for damaged, missing or loose roof shingles, which can be seen from proper vantage points on the to malfunction signs. ground. “Once a week, make a point of If you note any damage to your turning faucets on and off, and home’s exterior walls or your roof, flushing toilets to ensure water consult with a professional to decontinues flowing through the pipes properly,” O’Rourke adds. termine next steps to fix the spots where water can potentially enter. The kitchen O’Rourke also recommends Just like in the bathroom, the that homeowners consider installpipes beneath the kitchen sink ing a water leak detection system. need to be checked regularly for “Smart home devices like water leaks and cracks. leak detection or shutoff systems Kitchen appliances with hoses can monitor for leaks around the that connect to your water supply clock, and some can automatically — refrigerators with icemakers or shut off the main water supply if a water dispensers, and dishwashleak or burst pipe is identified. These types of devices can offer ers — are another potential peace of mind and might even source for leaks. Rubber hoses can wear out, blister or crack, and qualify you for an insurance diswill need to be replaced over time. count.”
Hawaiiana Management Company, Ltd. Serving Kauai’s Condo & Community Associations with award-winning service
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Sunshine Ruiz Hatto Director Kauai Operations
BOB WILSON SR. MANAGEMENT EXECUTIVE
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99% retention rate among clients Local (vs. mainland) banking All employees are in Hawaii Serving nearly 60 associations on Kauai
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ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON — U.S. construction spending rose a modest 0.2% in April as strength in housing offset further weakness in nonresidential construction. The April increase followed a much stronger 1% gain in March which was revised up from an initial estimate of a slight 0.2% advance. The April increase pushed construction to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.52 trillion in April, 9.8% higher than a year ago, the Commerce Department reported Tuesday. Through the first four months of this year, construction activity is 5.8% higher than the same period in 2020. Home building, a standout performer over the past year, rose 1% in April and is now 29.7% higher than a year ago, underscoring how strong home construction has been in the past year. Construction of single-family homes was up 1.3% in Aril and apartment construction rose 1.9%.
WHIT VAN BLARGEN MANAGEMENT EXECUTIVE
Hawaiiana’s Kauai Properties: $OLKL /DQL Alii Kai at Hanalei Alii Kai II $OLRPDQX (VWDWHV Apopo Hale (PPDODQL &RXUW +DODXODQL &RQGRPLQLXP Hale Honu Halelani Village at Puhi Halemalu at Puhi Hanalei Bay Villas +RROXDQD &RQGR DW .RKHD /RD +RRNHQD DW 3XKL Kahala at Poipu Kai Ka‘iulani of Princeville .DNHOD 0DNDL 2FHDQYLHZ Kalaheo Pali Kai Kalihiwai Ridge
Kauai Beach Resort Kauai Beach Resort Association Kawaihau Sports Villa . * (QWHUSULVHV &RQGRPLQLXP .RKHD /RD 0DVWHU $VVRFLDWLRQ .RORD *DUGHQ $SDUWPHQWV Kuhio Shores at Poipu .XNXLĢXOD /DH 1DQL 0DNDQXL 0DQXDORKD Paliuli 3LNDNH Plantation at Princeville 3RLSX &UDWHU Poipu Kai Association 3RLSX .DL 5DFTXHW &OXE Poipu Kai Water Reclamation
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For more information about Hawaiiana’s services, contact Sunshine Ruiz Hatto at 792-0515 or email sunshine@hmcmgt.com.