There are a few things that you should think about when shopping for a home on Guam that you might not have thought of when choosing your last home in other parts of Earth. We've been getting more email now that the summer move season is on the horizon, so I thought we'd touch on the "top three" questions here. Please feel free to add any to the comments section!
Storm Shutters: Aka "Typhoon Shutters" are not required by law and are not a base housing requirement if you're a military renter, but it's wise to have them whether you're renting or buying. A lot of homes have them, but if they're not already installed, that's something you can negotiate for. We may not have had a typhoon here for going on 10 years, but storm shutters are also a good extra security measure if you're leaving your place unattended for a time. It makes a God-awful racket when you open them, even if you have the key. They can also help keep the heat out if one side or another of your home is getting cooked by the sun. Accordion typhoon shutters are the easiest to close.
Commute times: A lot of people ask about commute times. Keep in mind that Guam is very small, only 33 miles long, but you hardly notice it when you're hear. A bad commute here is about 30 minutes. Assuming you don't get behind a tractor or anyone's grandmother, you could drive the length of the island in less than an hour.
Schools: Schools are a hot topic for parents. Many of the public schools seem to be suffering from funding shortfalls and other issues that plague any government run organization. Many parents choose private schools, of which there are plenty. Private schools don't offer transportation, so you may want to base your house hunting on which school you want your kids to attend. DoD schools have bus stops all over the island, even in Tumon to accommodate military families residing in hotels.
And here's a free bonus!
Chickens: More specifically, roosters. Maybe not a frequently asked question, but it's something that usually doesn't come up until after you've moved into your new home. You may laugh now, but you won't laugh at 0200 when the roosters are crowing! It's not uncommon for chickens to be running around in some of the neighborhoods here. If you notice a lot of chickens running about when you're house hunting, chances are there are a couple roosters around too. And they don't just crow at sunrise.
