DECEMBER 7, 2020 ISSUE | REJGUAM.COM
Life is at home. So is your bank. DIGITAL BANKING Learn more at fhb.com/digital.
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Beachside beauty
Properties to love The right stuff Awnings
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The doctor is in Mattress care
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Need to know Fenced in
t INDEX PROPERTIES TO LOVE ....................................................3 THE RIGHT STUFF ...........................................................5 PROBLEM PREVENTION................................................6 THE DOCTOR IS IN...........................................................7 PROFILE............................................................................8 NEED TO KNOW...............................................................9
There are few other houses nearby. Photo courtesy of RE/MAX Diamond Realty
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PROPERTIES TO LOVE
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THE SKINNY VACANT LOT AGAT, GUAM 96915 $650,000 What’s cool • A 1.06-acre vacant lot • Beach front lot • Ideal for your dream home by the water • Lot stretches from Route 2 to the beach on the Philippine Sea • Zone A, or agricultural How to make this your own (quickly) Contact: Patricia Feore RE/MAX Diamond Realty Call: 671-688-6989 Email: patfeore@ guamrealestate.deals
The lot has the foundation of a previous home.
A private flora-and-fauna-lined driveway takes you right up to the lot.
Photos courtesy of RE/MAX Diamond Realty
THE RIGHT STUFF | AWNINGS
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Shady dealings Throughout the year, especially during the dry season, Guam can experience some harsh sunlight that deteriorates and discolors outdoor furniture. An awning can fix that. Awnings can be set up over garages or patios to provide a cool area for vehicles or outdoor activities. Canopies can serve the same function, but setting them up requires more labor than an awning installation. When working with the right installer, awnings can be longterm fixtures on the home, with certain accessories to make them multi-functional. “Ultraviolet sun rays are what cause the most damage to outdoor furniture. You’ll see slow color fading and deterioration over time. Awnings act as a buffer between these harmful rays and your beautiful outdoor furniture,” according to the sales team at Paradise Awning. There are various types of awnings that can be installed, and choosing one is a matter of what functions the awning would serve. Fully welded, fixed awnings can be long-term installations to a home, preferably as an extension of a garage or patio. However, with Guam’s odds of stormy weather, a retractable awning may also be ideal. Then there is the fabric of the roofing material. If the awning is mainly in an area with little to no rain, woven and mesh fabrics can complement the home. In rainy weather, homeowners will want to choose something sturdier and waterproof, such as a PVC tarpaulin fabric. Some awnings have an easily detachable roof that can be removed when preparing for a typhoon. While most awnings are attached to a home, Paradise Awning said the awnings could stand alone, too. “All of our awnings are custom made. Most of the awnings we have installed, around 80%, are attached to the walls of a residential home or commercial building. However, we can also do standalone structures. The posts can be surface mounted to an existing concrete driveway or patio,” the company said. An additional layer of UV protective coating can also make the awning work better not just as shade from the sun, but from rain, too, according to Paradise Awning. But before installing an awning, homeowners should make sure that it follows regulations, mainly in that it does not obstruct or extend over public areas. While awning installers will know how
best to set up on awning at home, some additional regulations like those from the local Homeowners Association should also be taken into consideration. Paradise Estates, for example, does not allow awnings or permanent shade-type fixtures within the subdivision, according to its homeowner’s handbook. So homeowners who live within subdivisions or gated communities A standalone fully welded awning with a heavy-duty PVC tarp roofing rests over a garage. This type of awning can should first consult with their HOA withstand both direct sunlight and rain. p before proceeding. 20-FHB-PureChecking_Nov-Dec_REJ_Size7.5"X10".pdf 1 11/10/20 9:55 PM Photo courtesy of Paradise Awning
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PROBLEM PREVENTION | RUST BUSTING 101
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Keeping the outdoor deck rust-free Guam’s tropical weather can be a haven for those who want to get away from the cold, but long-term residents will know that home maintenance can be a bit tricky because of the island’s humidity. Excessive moisture can cause rust to form on outdoor metal furniture, such as armchairs, tables and guard rails. This can eventually become a health hazard and an overall eyesore to an outdoor setup. Luckily, there are products that can help prevent and remove rust buildup. Val Tanondong, a sales representative with Benson Guam, shared two products that can either prevent rust from building up or remove rust from furniture. These products can be bought at hardware or home improvement stores.
Naval Jelly (and other products like it) is a rust dissolver that can be applied to a rusted surface to treat the metal, Tanondong said. After wiping down the surface, the gel can be slathered over the area and scrubbed down with a wire brush. “If the rust is flaking, wire brush it before applying the gel. Then brush it again after using the gel,” Tanondong said. “If the rust is too thick, apply it one more time with the same procedure. The process should take about five minutes.” Naval Jelly also serves as a protective coating. Once applied, it can prevent rust from building up on that metal surface again. Another prevention product, Zero Rust, is applied “like a primer,” Tanondong said. This item comes either in the
form of a spray or paint, but both are primarily used to cover a metal surface to stop rust from appearing. This is a proactive method for outdoor furniture, as it can put a stop to deterioration before it surfaces. There are also at-home remedies that residents can try if they opt not to buy chemical products. The Pro Desk team at Home Depot recommended using sand paper or salt and vinegar to remove rust. With sand paper, the rusted furniture must first be wiped down with a degreaser and then wire brushed to get rid of flaking rust. Then, the sand paper is used to remove the thicker patches of rust. Continue buffing the rusted area with the sand paper until it is no longer visible. However, keep in
mind that this method can alter the look of the furniture piece if over-buffed. If sand paper does not work, try applying salt and vinegar over the surface. This mixture softens the rust so it is easier to remove for a wire brush. This method does take some time. “The vinegar and salt mixture need some time to break down the rust. This can take anywhere from one to three days,” according to the Home Depot service team. Once the rusted area looks loose, scrub and wipe the area to remove the rust. p
Guam’s often unpredictable weather and humidity can cause rust to build up on outdoor furniture and appliances.
Photo by John I. Borja
THE DOCTOR IS IN | MATTRESS C ARE
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A hard day’s night Getting a good night’s sleep is heavily dependent on how much you like your mattress. If it’s a bad mattress, you’re in for a long night. Anne Suarez, administrative support at Furniture Outlet, said the type of mattress to buy — and routinely maintain — depends on what a person likes. Softer mattresses can start to sink deeper than normal, while firmer mattresses can feel uneven after a while. Memory foam mattresses may lose their “memory” feature, and stray coils can just out from the fabric of spring mattresses. “It really depends on how the person is using the mattress,” Suarez said. “Spring mattresses can
last up to three years, but you can extend that by putting a topper over the mattress. Memory foam can last between five to ten years, but again, that depends on whether the person likes soft or firm ones.” There are some easy-to-follow rules on keeping a mattress in good shape: don’t add unnecessary weight to it, clean stains and make sure the foundation of the bed is leveled so there isn’t uneven weight on either side of the bed. It is also good to rotate the mattress every once in a while so your weight will not be concentrated on one side of bed, causing unevenness. The “KonMari Method,” coined
by organizing guru Marie Kondo, also recommends that people make their bed every day and wash their sheets regularly. Doing so can prevent dirt or bacteria buildup on the mattress, which can lead to fabric discoloration and deterioration. Several upholstery and cleaning business on Guam also specialize in mattress care, like Advance Management Inc. and Guam Cleaning Masters. Mattress restoration can include repairing the frame, readjusting the springs and deep cleaning the fabric to remove stains and bacteria. When you start experiencing physical pain after sleeping, you
should consider getting a new mattress, Suarez said. “Mostly, people who come in looking for a new mattress say they are experiencing back pain,” she said. “They want something that’s firmer and doesn’t sink too deep. This is a good time for them to switch to a new mattress. That really helps with sleep a lot.” Suarez recommended memory foam mattresses, as there are varying types suitable to each type of sleeper. They also last longer than spring mattresses, she said. p
Spring mattresses require a bit more care than other types of mattresses.
Photo by John I. Borja
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REAL ESTATE PROFILE | SUNRISE REALTY
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Real Estate Profile — Sunrise Realty EMPIRE REALTY YEAR FOUNDED ON GUAM: February 2020 PRINCIPAL BROKER: Nadja Rillamas (with support of husband and real estate agent Randy Rillamas) NUMBER OF REALTORS: 8 WEBSITE: www.sunriserealtyguam.com PHYSICAL LOCATION: Fortune Guam Building, Suite 203, 109 Ysengsong Road, Dededo AREAS OF EXPERTISE/SPECIALTIES: Residential real estate, raw land, property management and military relocation INVESTMENT TIP: “Moving could be stressful, especially if your house is still in the market to be sold, while you have left to new adventures already. With the current mortgage rates historically low, and limited inventory, you might want to take advantage of the current seller’s market and sell your home early. Your realtor can help you find a short-term rental for the rest of your assignment here on island.” PICK OF THE MONTH: 121 Kayen Aga Makao, Yigo, GU 96929 Single-family home in gated community with a 1,824 square-foot living area. The home has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms, a den and two car garages. It features newly double-pane vinyl frame windows, a new dishwasher and refrigerator, a gas stove, water softener, a whole-house free-standing water purification system, a 500-gallon water catch system, new silicone painting on the roof and provisions for a back-up generator. For sale: $425,000.
This Yigo home is on sale for $425,000
Photos courtesy of Sunrise Realty
NEED TO KNOW | FENCED IN
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Secure the perimeter What better way to feel more secure in your property than with a sturdy fence? A good perimeter fence can add a sense of privacy and security to a home. On Guam, fences have the additional responsibility of keeping out stray animals, chickens and even feral pigs from uprooting the yard. In some cases,
a fence is the only divider between a property lot and a main road. Before getting a fence installed, it is important to take a look at the zoning laws and regulations for it. Chapter 61 of the Guam Code Annotated states, “A fence, lattice work screen, wall, or hedge, not more than six feet in height, may be located in any required
front, side or rear yard.” This is the regulation for residential and commercial properties; any fence taller than six feet will need special permission from the Guam Department of Public Works. There are also special rules to fencing when it comes to subdivisions and parks. Licensed contractors who specialize in
fencing installations typically will know how to navigate through the processes, so residents considering a fence should get in touch with an expert to learn more about permitting. Figuring out what type of fence is best for a property may be dependent on a property owner’s continued on page 10
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NEED TO KNOW | FENCED IN
THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL
PUBLISHER Maureen N. Maratita EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Morgan Legel CONTENT COORDINATOR John I. Borja CREATIVE CONTENT MANAGER Vikki Fong SENIOR MEDIA SALES Kevin Iwashita DIGITAL MEDIA SALES Natalie Gilbert ADMINISTRATION Tricia Scott DIRECTOR Ken Duenas MANAGING DIRECTOR Marcos W. Fong
Chain link fences are especially popular on Guam.
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The Real Estate Journal — December 7, 2020. Entire contents copyrighted 2019 by Glimpses Media. The Real Estate Journal is published monthly by Glimpses Media. 161 US Army Juan C. Fejeran St., Barrigada Heights, Guam 96913. (671) 649-0883; Fax (671) 649-8883. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Glimpses Media, P.O. Box 3191, Hagåtña, Guam 96932. Send e-mail to glimpses@glimpsesofguam.com. All rights reserved. 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 Glimpses Media 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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budget. Don I. Weakley Jr., general manager of Fence Masters, said the nine-gauge galvanized chain link fence is the most popular type on Guam. These can be seen almost anywhere on Guam, particularly at schools, parks and businesses that are by the road. “They are available on island and are more affordable,” Weakley said. “The others are the aluminum fence with a limited lifetime warranty and the vinyl fence, with a 50-year warranty. These both cost more due to special order processing and shipping costs.” Weakley also advised that property owners seek out a specialized contractor first instead of trying to install the fence themselves. Contractors can help give customers some leverage to seek assistance with the Guam Contractors Board if they have problems with their fences in the future. Because these types of fences can wear down due to Guam’s weather conditions, maintenance can be a bit tricky. They can last for quite some time, but some basic maintenance can help keep the fence in good shape. “Average maintenance and repair may be every five to10 years. But for basic maintenance, paint and rust inhibitor will help the fence last longer,” Weakley said. p