Real Estate Journal - February 17, 2020

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FEBRUARY 17, 2020 ISSUE | REJGUAM.COM 

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Properties to love

Fruit farm for family and friends The right stuff Laundry room decor

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PAGE 12

The doctor is in DIY bathtub remodeling

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PAGE 16

Need to know Backyard beauties

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

A sign welcomes guests onto the property.

Photo by Rianne Peredo

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PROPERTIES TO LOVE

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

THE SKINNY VICTORIA QUENGA ST. YONA, GUAM 96915 $4,000,000 Property • Gift Shop • Six studio units • Venue for events Landscape • Mountain view • 200,000 square meters of land • Zone: M14 L90-6-1 What’s cool • Within five minutes of three different golf courses • Guam tourist attraction • Used frequently for field trips How to make this your own (quickly) Contact: Shivrani Daryanani Empire Realty Call: 671-686-8348 Email: rani@empirerealtyguam.com

This 200,000 square meters of fruit farm has numerous fruit trees on it.

The facade of the gift shop and cafe.

Photos by Rianne Peredo

PROPERTIES TO LOVE

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

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The inside of the gift shop and cafe.

Photo by Rianne Peredo

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THE RIGHT STUFF | L AUNDRY ROOM DÉCOR

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Laundry list for decorations A laundry room is arguably one of the most functional spaces of a home, but is also often overlooked when it comes to design.

While most Guam homes have small laundry rooms, or ones that are simply an extension of another

room, the space can still come to life with decorative touches.

These touch-ups can make the room go from dreary and sterile to vibrant and active.

First item on the list? Color and texture.

“Colors make a statement —

anything from painting outdated cabinets to changing colors of your hardware,” said Harriette Gill, assistant manager of Town House Furniture and Appliance Store. “It also makes a difference to add texture to the walls by using wallpaper.”

The patterns and shades of the room are dependent on the homeowner’s tastes, but the idea is to make the laundry room look and feel like its own part of the house, not just a storage or hidden backroom.

Gill also suggested adding

Putting laundry detergent pods in jars is one way to keep your cleaning products organized and customizable.

Photos by John I. Borja

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

“Colors make a statement — anything from painting outdated cabinets to changing colors of your hardware.” some art pieces, signs and stickers to help give the room some personality.

Flooring is another element that can change the vibe of the room. The tiles do not always have to resemble the ones found in bathrooms. Gill said more naturallooking floors, like adding tiles that look like wood, would look great. Be mindful, however, that this space is prone to spills and wet floors, so it is best to choose flooring that can withstand that.

It is very easy for this room to become cluttered, but there are some steps that can be taken to lessen the load. Hidden storage components, Gill said, will help give the illusion of a peaceful ambience. Placing baskets inside cabinets, positioning an ironing board in a storage closet and hanging laundry bags on walls to sort clothing are other options to declutter the space.

“Countertops in your laundry rooms need to be functional, but it can also look great if you neatly arrange and store all laundry detergents and cleaning products,” Gill said.

If more space is needed to hang cleaning equipment such as mops and brooms, she suggested installing a peg wall to organize them. Instead of keeping a full hanging rack in the laundry room, one can position a rod between two walls or over the washing machine for hang drying. Open shelves above the appliances can also help in storing cleaning materials or adding ornamental items like plants to brighten up the room.

How the laundry room is designed is ultimately dependent on the homeowner and the amount of space they are working with. But with some thought, this room can be just like the clothes you bring out of it: clean and stylish. p

THE RIGHT STUFF | L AUNDRY ROOM DÉCOR

Instead of standing rack, put a rod between two walls to hang clothes.

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PROBLEM PREVENTION | PLUMBING

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

Keeping plumbing and pipes in working order With the hustle and bustle of work, family life and other activities, a leaky faucet or backed up toilet would likely be the last thing on a homeowner’s list of “fix-its.”

Routinely checking your plumbing and pipes is not an easy feat, though, because much of the things you are looking for are either hidden behind walls or tucked away in a sink cabinet. The team at Plumbing Pros Guam shared with the Real Estate Journal quick but important tips that homeowners can preemptively do to ensure their pipes are in working order, starting with: “Rust and small leaks should be addressed immediately.”

These signs should not be

overlooked, as they can indicate a more serious problem. It is best to inform the plumber of these observations early on to avoid a more costly situation in the future.

“Homeowners oftentimes wait until the pipes break. Most plumbing companies charge an emergency rate that is much more expensive than during regular business hours,” according to Plumbing Pros.

Another tip from the company is to opt for a water softener system to combat Guam’s hard water. This refers to the calcium deposits that can build up in pipes and cause white spots in sinks, bathtubs or the inside of a toilet bowl. A good

water softener can extend the life of a home’s plumbing, fixtures and appliances.

American Watertek, a local water systems installer, manager and repairer, echoed the need for softening and filtration and, depending on where you live, some homes may need it more than others.

“In the south, the water is not too hard, but it can get pretty dirty, whereas in the north, the water is not too dirty but it can get pretty hard,” according to American Watertek.

The company advised that if a homeowner is interested in having a water softener installed, they

should consult with a certified technician who can inform them of any special instructions unique to their living conditions.

Preemptive strategizing can add more years to a homeowner’s plumbing and piping system, but if the situation happens to turn south, homeowners should know how to shut off the water.

“To avoid major plumbing issues, ensure that all emergency shut off valves in your home are functioning and operational. This includes the building control valve.

Homeowners should always have the capability of shutting off the water in the event of an emergency,” according to Plumbing Pros. p

A leaky faucet is one sure sign that something may be wrong with your pipes.

Periodically check drains to make sure there are no obstructions.

Photos by John I. Borja

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THE DOCTOR IS IN | DIY BATHTUB REMODEL

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

Bath time Easy bathtub upgrades like mood-setting lights and accessories to hold items can help turn this functional piece into the focal point of a bathroom, without having to buy a fancier tub.

Instead of using the bathroom’s main lights, a homeowner can install dimmer accent lights to provide a more relaxing environment around the bathtub.

“You can upgrade your bath time lighting with a dimmer centered above the tub. This will brighten the space with the right amount of light during relaxation,” according to The Home Depot.

For freestanding bathtubs — ones that are not connected to a wall — a homeowner can add decorative stands on the sides to hold candles,

music players or cleansing products.

For bathtubs that are combined with a shower, installing small waterproof shelves along the shower wall will add more space to place items.

The Home Depot recommended adding a seat or some means of elevation in the tub so that it is easier to settle in. A bathtub mat that is not too slippery when wet is also ideal.

Most bathtubs are made of acrylic, fiberglass and plastic, according to the company. These are the easiest to take care of, as they take on less water damage than other materials. Other bathtubs are made of wood for aesthetic reasons.

While this adds personality to the space, it also requires more care.

Wooden bathtubs should stay away

from sunlight and should be dried after each use.

Decorative touches to a bathtub can revitalize the look and feel of the bathroom, but the first and foremost goal of any homeowner should be to ensure the functionality of the tub is not compromised. Jessica M. Barrett, president of Barrett Enterprises Inc., which does business as Barrett Plumbing, said regular cleaning of the bathtub and its drain will improve its longevity.

“If it is used frequently, it’s good to give it a quick clean at the end of the day. But only when the bathtub is dry. So maybe assign the last person who uses the tub to be in charge of cleaning it,” Barrett said.

There are several cleaning products made for bathtub cleaning,

but Barrett cautioned to do some research on them. Some liquids can corrode the pipes connected to the bathtub and cause water leakages.

“Instead, try a simple home remedy: baking soda and vinegar,” she said. “Washing the bathtub down with hot water will also get rid of soap scum.”

It’s also good to check the drain for any obstruction, she added.

Hair, bottle caps and hardened pieces of soap can be removed with a plumbing auger or vacuum. To reduce obstruction, a stopper can be added to the drain to catch the clumps.

So if upgrades are currently not within a homeowner’s budget, at least a good bathtub cleaning will make the space look refreshed. p

Shower walls can be added to your bathroom to give your tub an upgrade.

Photo by John I. Borja

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VILL AGES | MERIZO

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

Pristine beauty of Guam If anyone wanted to get a glimpse of what life was like in Guam before urban development, Merizo is the place to be, thanks to its pristine and Chargualaf culturally enriched natural environment.

The southernmost village of Guam is fortunately tucked between mountains, rivers and the ocean, which provide its people with an abundance of resources and beautiful sweeping views. And the mayor would be so bold to call his village the “last stand” in cultural preservation for the island.

“A lot of our residents prefer to try to stay as pristine as possible,” Merizo Mayor Ernest T. Chargualaf said. “The people who live here enjoy how laid back it is and not so busy.”

Much of the land in Merizo, stretched across approximately seven miles, is used either for residential or agricultural purposes, and the only major commercial entity is the Cocos Island Resort. While the village does not generally discourage commercial activity, Chargualaf said it could be complicated when discussing potential developers or investors coming into the village.

“I wear two hats,” he said. “As a resident, I want to keep Merizo as pristine as possible. But as mayor, I also want to help landowners here to maximize their property potential. There’s no point in owning a property if you don’t plan to do anything with it.”

But times are changing, Chargualaf said, and urbanization may eventually make its way into the village. Certain conveniences like stores or restaurants would be very helpful to residents, he said, because shopping currently requires a lengthy drive north.

However, should new development or prospective residents enter the

village, they should first consider whether or not their infrastructure can be self-sustained, so it does not disrupt the lives of Merizo residents, he added.

Even realtors acknowledge that Merizo residents prefer a more discreet living space away from the noise. Julie Paxton, associate broker and realtor of Today’s Realty, recently helped sell properties in the village, and some of the feedback she received from her clients included not wanting to “exploit” this community.

The village certainly has a lot to offer for residents and visitors, however. Paxton said, with a handful of water-related activities, hiking and sightseeing. There aren’t many places on Guam where one can see a sunrise or sunset as spectacular as in Merizo, she added.

“In the event you do become a resident within Guam’s southern village of Malesso, just know that anytime you feel like cooling down, the ocean is just few feet away,” Paxton said. p

MERIZO POPULATION: 1,850 SCHOOLS: • Public: Merizo Martyrs Memorial School

RECREATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: • Cocos Island, Cocos Lagoon, Malesso’ Fiestan Tasi, Merizo Pier, Priest’s Pools, Merizo Crab Festival

HISTORICAL LANDMARKS: • Kampanayun Malesso (Merizo Belltower), Malesso Kombento, Merlyn G. Cook School, Santa Marian Kamalen park

PROPERTY AVAILABILITY AND PRICE RANGE: • 7 land plots for sale, priced $35,000 to $239,000.

MAYOR: Ernest T. Chargualaf

Photos by John I. Borja

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NEED TO KNOW | BAC KYARD OASIS

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

Choose the right planting pot or bucket for a more personalized experience in your backyard design.

Photo by John I. Borjaa

Hidden beauties behind your home A home’s backyard is great for activity, whether it be children frolicking about or family and friends gathering for a fiesta. But with the right elements pieced together, this outdoor space can easily become a quaint extension of the indoors.

To realize this backyard oasis, a homeowner need only think of ways to create an illusion of an enclosed space — one that still feels like being outside but is also private. One way of shaping that intimate space is by use of flora.

Kathleen Thomas-Benavente, owner and event director of the

Occasion, suggested trees, shrubs and plants to help enclose a backyard and still make it blend in with the outdoors. Palm trees, hibiscus, plumerias and even the native gaosali, also known as the torchwood plant, are just some of the many different flora found around the island that would also work well in your living space.

Plants placed in large pots will add personality to the space, but be wary of how much sunlight they get.

“Use natural plants. But if you choose to use artificial plants or turfs, be sure they are not too

exposed to sunlight and rain,” Thomas-Benavente said.

Guam’s inclement weather may also prompt homeowners to install a permanent overhead frame that can be covered with a tarp to prevent outdoor furniture and equipment from rain, she said.

This can be seen as an extended awning with sturdier support.

If a homeowner prefers to have an open overhead in the backyard, then the outdoor furniture pieces should at least be able to withstand some sun and rain damage.

“Stick to nylon and plastic pieces that are mildew- and mold-

resistant,” Thomas-Benavente said. “And avoid glass, especially if it would be in direct sunlight and rain.”

Once the enclosed backyard space is set, it’s time to throw in some homestyle pieces.

Hammocks, bench swings, a barbecue pit and even outdoor game pieces are great for leisure.

To reduce noise pollution, Thomas-Benavente said water features could help drown out traffic or neighborhood noises.

She suggested a handy way of continued on page 18

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NEED TO KNOW | BAC KYARD OASIS

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PUBLISHER Maureen N. Maratita MANAGING EDITOR Steve Graff EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Morgan Legel CONTENT COORDINATOR John I. Borja CREATIVE CONTENT MANAGER Vikki Fong DESIGN & PRODUCTION Conrad Calma Luisa Joy Castro Sean Davis Vandrick Veloria MEDIA SALES MANAGER Mike Mafnas SENIOR MEDIA SALES Kevin Iwashita ADMINISTRATION Tricia Scott DIRECTOR Ken Duenas MANAGING DIRECTOR Marcos W. Fong

The Real Estate Journal — February 17, 2020. Entire contents copyrighted 2019 by Glimpses Media. The Real Estate Journal is published monthly by Glimpses Media.

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Palms are great ornamental pieces, but they can also help create an enclosed space in your backyard.

Photo by John I. Borjaa

continued from page 16

making a faux waterfall: “Instead of having a rain spout for rain to drain from the roof, try using a heavy duty chain and a rock bed where the water hits the ground.”

The furniture pieces or accessories used are up to the homeowner, but it is ideal to make more efficient use of the backyard so it can become an everyday space for conversation and relaxation. With some work on this space, one won’t need to look anywhere else to find their peace of mind. p

“Use natural plants. But if you choose to use artificial plants or turfs, be sure they are not too exposed to sunlight and rain.”

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