Datapoints | Presented by Pinpoint Guam

#18: Carlos Camacho – Guam's Low-Income Housing Explained

In this episode, we sit down with Carlos Camacho—Executive Director of the Micronesia Community Development Corporation—to unpack how one man’s persistence turned paper-napkin ideas into more than 600 affordable homes across Guam and the CNMI.
Carlos shares how a lack of access to down payments inspired him to pioneer Guam’s first 100% financing program through USDA Rural Development, and how he later leveraged the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) to bring large-scale attainable housing to market. He breaks down the origins of Ironwood and Summer Homes, why the “missing middle” continues to fall through the cracks, and what new policy tools like the Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) could mean for working families.
We cover:
The origins of Guam’s 100% financing movement and USDA partnerships
How the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit transformed the island’s rental inventory
The “7 out of 10” problem—why most families still don’t qualify for homeownership
The upcoming MCC program and how it could close the gap for middle-income earners
Barriers to new construction—from zoning and permitting to workforce housing
The future of public-private partnerships in Guam’s housing ecosystem
If you’ve ever wondered how affordable housing actually gets built—or how developers navigate complex federal programs to make it happen—this episode reveals the mechanics, mindset, and mission behind Guam’s most impactful housing projects.
Listen now to learn how collaboration, creativity, and policy reform can unlock Guam’s housing future—one unit at a time.
Data Points is presented by Pinpoint, Guam’s leading real estate data company. Our mission is to help you make informed decisions on real property purchases through detailed market analysis and insights.

#17: Maria Eugenia Leon Guerrero – Credit, Liquidity & the Path to Homeownership

In this episode, we sit down with Maria Eugenia Leon Guerrero—Chief Operating Officer at Bank of Guam—to unpack how credit, liquidity, and data are shaping the island’s housing market and the path to homeownership.
Maria breaks down the difference between affordable and attainable housing, why the “missing middle” struggles to qualify, and what tools—from financial literacy to digital lending platforms—can help families cross the gap. She explains how culture, credit scores, and permitting delays ripple through the lending process, why collaboration between banks, government, and developers is essential, and how digital transformation could speed up everything from underwriting to land management.
We cover:
Affordable vs. attainable: what those terms mean for Guam’s families.
Liquidity gaps: why down payments and closing costs are the biggest hurdles.
Credit repair & culture: how debt, family obligations, and financial literacy affect loan readiness.
Digital mortgages: how e-notes, online banking, and real-time credit tracking can transform lending.
Policy fixes: why permitting timelines, shared-equity models, and government incentives matter.
Generational wealth: why homeownership remains a cornerstone for community strength and retaining local talent.
If you’re in housing, finance, or policy—or just trying to understand why so many families feel stuck between renting and owning—this episode reveals the financial realities behind Guam’s housing crunch and where the solutions may lie.
Listen now—and see how better data, smarter lending, and collaborative policies can help Guam’s families move from aspiring to attaining homeownership.
Data Points is presented by Pinpoint, Guam’s leading real estate data company. Our mission is to help you make informed decisions on real property purchases through detailed market analysis and insights.

#16: Randy Salas – Building Capacity Beyond the Fence

In this episode, we sit down with Randy Salas—President of Proferre Inc.—to unpack how Guam’s federal build-up, labor bottlenecks, and procurement rules are shaping not just military projects but the island’s broader housing and development market.
Randy walks us through the realities of being a prime contractor, from navigating “lowest price technically acceptable” vs. “best value” bids to balancing on-base opportunities against the urgent need for local housing and infrastructure. He explains why immigrant labor is essential yet constrained, how permitting delays and zoning choke off new barracks, and why aggregate shortages could soon become the island’s next crisis.
We cover:
Prime contracting 101: what it takes to work directly with the federal government.
Inside vs. outside the fence: why incentives tilt manpower toward base projects, leaving local housing lagging.
Permitting & barracks: how slow approvals create knock-on effects for capacity.
Data as leverage: GIS mapping, safety reporting, and how AI could improve risk management.
Materials crunch: the looming shortage of aggregate and the search for sustainable alternatives.
Future paths: from environmental concrete to turning trash into building material, and how new tech can redefine construction.
If you’re in government, contracting, or just trying to understand how federal dollars ripple into Guam’s housing market, this episode connects the dots between procurement mechanics, local constraints, and long-term opportunity.
Listen now—and see how shifting incentives, smarter permitting, and material innovation can help build capacity where it’s needed most.
Data Points is presented by Pinpoint, Guam’s leading real estate data company. Our mission is to help you make informed decisions on real property purchases through detailed market analysis and insights.

#15: Gina Campos & Liz Duenas – The Guam Real Estate Reality Check

In this episode, we sit down with Gina Campos and Liz Duenas—associate brokers and principals at RE/MAX Diamond Realty—to get a ground-level read on Guam’s housing market and what it will actually take to build more homes people can afford.
 
Demand is shifting, inventory is tight, permits are slow, and financing math—not just list price—decides what’s truly attainable. The conversation flips the script on single-family first thinking and lays out how multifamily, data discipline, and real timelines can unlock supply.
 
We cover:
Attainable vs. affordable: why monthly payment (rates + PMI + rehab) is the real constraint—not the sticker price.
Permits in the real world: builders budgeting 6–8 months, stalled projects, and what a 30–60 day statutory clock would change.
Missing middle, practical path: using programs + rental income to qualify for owner-occupied duplex/triplex/fourplex.
Infrastructure first: sewers, density rules, and how nitrates policy/design choices bottleneck new housing. Data that travels: why national “buyer/seller market” headlines don’t map to Guam—and what structured local data fixes.
Market timing: pricing to payments, why some developers are pausing, and why buyers should get pre-qualified now.
Reality checks: flippers bidding up fixers, material lead times, and the stigma/cost of alternative builds.
Civic mindset shift: clear roles, consistent answers, and investing in the basics over bureaucracy.
 
If you’re in real estate, government, or just trying to buy your first home on island, this episode trades buzzwords for mechanics—how deals actually get done here, and where policy meets the jobsite.
 
Listen now—and see how smarter permitting, infrastructure, and multifamily can turn “out of reach” into “in contract.”
 
Data Points is presented by Pinpoint, Guam’s leading real estate data company. Our mission is to help you make informed decision on real property purchases through detailed market analysis and insights.

#14: Chirag Bhojwani – From Silos to Systems: Building Guam’s Digital Front Door

In this episode, we sit down with Chirag Bhojwani—director of UOG’s Regional Center for Public Policy, instructor in public administration and legal studies, and former chief of staff at the Guam Legislature—to map out a practical playbook for modernizing how Guam works. 
Chirag argues that Guam’s growth isn’t capped by ambition—it’s capped by silos and manual processes—and makes the case for a true digital front door that welcomes investment, speeds permits, and reduces friction across agencies. 
We cover:
What’s really slowing everything down: GFMS delays and a permit path that moves paper sequentially instead of simultaneously.
Proof automation pays: a GPA pilot of robotic process automation with an ~900% ROI—and what scaling it island‑wide could unlock. 
Turning data into buses: how UOG’s Regional Center is collecting GRTA data to unlock more federally funded routes—while training a student talent pipeline.
Building faster without cutting corners: innovation zones that let inspectors work alongside projects—so new construction tech actually saves time. 
Buying like a modern state: the Amazon–Oklahoma procurement model (local vendors listed once, instant payment flow) and what a Guam version could look like. 
Why Taiwan is watching Guam: direct flights are increasing interest from Taiwanese firms—but investors still need clarity, speed, and reliable data. 
“Front door” fixes: consistent messaging across EDA/Chamber/partners and a one‑stop, online first experience for permits, licensing, and inquiries. 
Changing the mindset: a Medicaid group‑procurement bill that saved money—and why fear of “who benefits” slows down commonsense reforms. 
If you’re in government, business, or simply care about Guam’s future, this conversation swaps buzzwords for systems, scale, and execution—and shows exactly where to start.
Listen now—and see what a real digital front door could do for Guam.

#13: Mary Rhodes – Why Guam’s Tourism Recovery Hinges on Data, Not Dollars

In this wide-ranging conversation, we sit down with Mary Rhodes, President of the Guam Hotel & Restaurant Association, to unpack what’s really holding Guam’s visitor economy back—and why the answers are already sitting in our spreadsheets.
With decades of leadership across healthcare, hospitality, and public-private partnerships, Mary breaks down the systems failure at the heart of Guam’s slow recovery: we collect data, but we don’t use it. We talk about tourism, but we don’t coordinate. We invest in construction, but not in the workers who make it all run.
We explore:
Why Guam’s market recovery is stalled—despite flights resuming from Japan and Korea
How siloed data and missing infrastructure are costing us $100M+ per year
The surprising link between food waste, refrigeration, and pricing
How transportation and housing failures are creating workforce shortages
Why per diem reform, not promotion, might be Guam’s biggest tourism win
Mary makes one thing clear: the tourism industry isn’t just broken—it’s being overlooked. And unless we fix how we plan, how we partner, and how we prioritize, we’ll miss the window to build a future that works for everyone.
Whether you’re in government, business, or just someone who cares about Guam’s long-term future, this episode is a call to get serious—about systems, scale, and strategy.
Listen now—and rethink what recovery really means.

#12: Monte Mesa – How Guam's Retail Collapse Signals a Deeper Economic Shift

What happens when your favorite local stores quietly disappear—and no one asks why?
In this essential episode, we sit down with Monte Mesa, General Manager of Guam Premier Outlets (GPO) and Tumon Sands Plaza, to unpack the real story behind Guam’s retail unraveling—and what it reveals about the island’s economic future.
With over four decades of retail experience, Monte lays out the uncomfortable truth: local shops are closing, national brands are hesitant, and Gen Z workers are leaving the island—not because they don’t care, but because we haven’t built a system that includes them.
We explore:
Why digital retail has left Guam’s small businesses behind
How workforce gaps are tied to housing, transport, and purpose
The hidden consequences of not having sales tax—and what it’s costing us
What Guam can learn from Hawaii, the Philippines, and Singapore
The one policy change Monte believes could reignite visitor numbers
This isn’t just about malls—it’s about meaning, systems, and survival. Whether you’re a policymaker, business owner, or someone who wants Guam to thrive, this episode asks you to look deeper—and do better.
Listen in, challenge your assumptions, and let’s reimagine what’s possible for Guam’s economy.

#11: Fernando Esteves - Why Guam's Housing Crisis is a Policy Crisis

What if the foundation of a thriving community isn’t just roads, jobs, or education—but housing?
In this powerful episode, we sit down with Fernando Esteves, Deputy Director of the Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority (GHURA), to confront the crisis hiding in plain sight: Guam’s attainable housing shortage.
With clarity and conviction, Fernando unpacks the hidden social costs of unstable housing—how overcrowding, couch-surfing, and rent insecurity quietly unravel communities through cycles of domestic violence, educational setbacks, and generational poverty. But more importantly, he offers a blueprint forward.
We explore:
Why middle-income families are falling through the cracks
The structural barriers that block smarter, denser development
How out-of-date zoning laws are sabotaging solutions
What GHURA is doing—and what it can’t do alone
This isn’t just a policy conversation—it’s a wake-up call. A call to build better, together. Whether you’re a developer, policymaker, homeowner, or just someone who believes in Guam’s potential, this episode is for you.
Listen in, get informed, and help lay the foundation for Guam’s future.

#10: Regine Biscoe Lee – Tourism, Territory & Opportunity: The Guam Experience

📍 Tourism, Territory & Opportunity: The Guam Experience 💡 In this episode of Data Points, Ryan Mummert, president of Pinpoint, and Guam Visitor’s Bureau President Regine Biscoe Lee discuss:
✔️ Her leadership roles throughout the years✔️ What are her thoughts about the consumer / visitor coming to Guam?✔️ How does social media affect the decisions of visitors?✔️ What is Guam’s competitive edge in the market?✔️ What should the Guam experience be?✔️ How does Guam create that experience?✔️What are the challenges to increasing hotel inventory?✔️What is Team Guam?✔️What changes can be made to improve the tourism product on Guam?✔️How do Guam’s social issues affect tourism?✔️ What does the Guam market need to do to attract visitors?✔️ How do we use data to better understand our visitors?✔️ How can the market better understand data?✔️ Opportunities in collecting data and using software.✔️ How to attract the right retail mix for the market?✔️ How can private-public partnerships help tourism?✔️ How can local government assist local businesses? This episode is full of valuable information.
📈 Need real estate data for your purchase?
Pinpoint Guam provides market comps, rental trends, and valuation insights to help you buy smarter and finance faster.   Visit PinpointGuam.com (http://pinpointguam.com/) to learn more.

#9: Lt Gov Josh Tenorio – Building Guam’s Future: Solutions for the Island Housing Crisis

📍 Building Guam’s Future: Solutions for the Island Housing Crisis 💡 In this episode of Data Points, Ryan Mummert, president of Pinpoint, and Guam’s Lt Gov. Josh Tenorio discuss:
✔️ What is to be done about Guam’s housing crisis?✔️ What is the mindset of a younger person looking for housing?✔️ Cutting red tape for housing ✔️ Providing opportunities for families & the younger generation✔️ What can our economy and taxpayers afford?✔️ How do we solve the housing crisis on Guam?✔️ Where are the bottlenecks in approving new developments?✔️ Can mixed use development add new housing?✔️ Lots of work, lots of opportunity.✔️ What is self-certification?✔️ Creating a marketplace of new, innovative housing. ✔️ What can be done to quicken the development cycle?✔️ Can bonding for contractors be improved to increase development?✔️ What is the best tax policy for development in Guam?✔️ What new technologies are being incorporated into GovGuam?✔️ Workplace is changing to embrace new technology. ✔️ Embracing modernization.✔️ Good data solves problems. ✔️ Breaking down gatekeepers in the government. ✔️ What type of data should be collected?✔️ Optimism about progress within the government.✔️ Data transparency allows for greater automation, speed.
This episode is full of valuable information.
📈 Need real estate data for your purchase?
Pinpoint Guam provides market comps, rental trends, and valuation insights to help you buy smarter and finance faster.   Visit PinpointGuam.com to learn more.