Rose Cottage Ltd

Archive for August, 2013

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

by on Aug.30, 2013, under Images

Here’s a little holiday weekend flower – compliments of my Water Mint plant. Blooms on this plant are a sure sign that cooler temperatures will soon be here!

Water Mint Flower

Please make it a safe weekend!

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Real Estate: Home Package Deal – What Year?

by on Aug.28, 2013, under Real Estate

So my Mom and I were having a whine-fest a day or two ago about how much everything costs in 2013. Anyone over a certain age does this from time to time when they realize they could have nearly purchased an entire house or car in the not-too-distant past – for the price now of one monthly payment.

She found a real estate example I thought I’d share with you. Let’s see if anyone can guess the year this home package was offered. I’ll update later today with the source and the answer.

House Details and Price

The print is a little hard to read, but the guesstimate is that once labor costs are thrown in, the house can still be built for around $1556.00. No comments in the ad about land…but that’s not too unusual for the time frame.

Many people had parents or relatives who owned large parcels of land or had large farms. Graduate from high school, get married and want to start a home and family? Here’s 3 acres for you – you just have to pay for your home. Permitting and land transfers just happened – without the local, state and sometimes federal government all getting a $$$ piece of the action.

Here’s an image of the house…

Picture of the house

And here is the floor plan…looks like the house is around 1,000 square feet total – give or take. Using rough “today” numbers might put this house in the $75,000 – $150,000 price range – dependent on location and land.

Floor plan

Probably no granite counter tops or stainless steel appliances planned for this house! In fact, I am a tad concerned that there is no notation in the plan for…a bathroom…

So in what year would you guess this house plan advertisement appeared?

A. 1919
B. 1934
C. 1950

Check back later today for the year and the source for this home plan.
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Did you guess?

This house plan advertisement appeared in a Montgomery Ward catalog in the year 1934.

Now if we could just find out about that missing bathroom!!!

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Signs of Fall 2013: Think Fire Pit

by on Aug.25, 2013, under Shop@RoseCottage

New for 2013 from Exterior Accents – Many Items w/FREE Shipping!

A cool morning or two make me long for more crisp mornings when I need my trusty sweater. The deck area sure will be more inviting if I also add one of these beautiful fire pits!

Note: Always use a non-combustible hearth pad or brick pavers underneath a woodburning fireplace being used on top of combustible materials such as wood decking. This will protect against fire or heat damage

Black Granite  Copper Fire Pit Set

Black Granite Copper Fire Pit Set

This stylish copper fire pit features a beautiful black granite table top surround and steel frame with a wrought iron finish. Includes a removable screen to contain flying embers, a lifting tool, a log grate for proper wood burning airflow, and a vinyl cover to protect it from the elements. Can also be used with charcoal.
Size: 15″H (without screen).


40

40″ Copper Fire Pit Set

This large copper fire pit includes a removable screen to contain flying embers, a lifting tool, a log grate for proper wood burning airflow, and a vinyl cover to protect it from the elements. Large heavy gauge (0.7mm) copper fire pit. Steel frame with powder coat wrought iron finish.

Dimensions (without screen): 14″H x 40″
Weight: 60 lbs


34

34″ Slate Firepit w/ Copper Accents

This stylish fireplace will quickly become the centerpiece of any patio setting. 34″ diameter slate and marble surround fire pit with copper accents. Features a 22″ diameter black porcelain bowl and a mosaic design with diamond-shaped copper accents. The fire pit has a heavy wrought iron stand that adds stability and comes with an easy lift spark arrestor and steel grate. The easy lift spark guard works great to keep ashes and sparks from flying. The steel grate improves air flow allowing for a larger and warmer fire.

Dimensions: 22″H x 33 13/16″
Weight: 58 lbs.


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Real Estate: Guess the Square Foot Price

by on Aug.22, 2013, under Real Estate

Having some idea of the local square footage price for houses is good info to know. While each house will have different levels of improvements, and while amount of land/acreage and location are certainly a factor, you’ll be looking for anything valid that can provide a baseline.

Unless you are a expert on the area, you can’t make square footage cost estimates without some basic info. We’ll start with just a picture and as we add details, see how close we can come to this home’s listed sale price.

Here’s a property in Florida. I’m leaving the copyright info and will provide a link to the actual listing and the real estate agency later today but NO peeking! Normally you might want the square foot price to run your own “comps” in a given area but this one by itself is just for fun! Who doesn’t like to solve a mystery???

Florida Real Estate

Your first question should be: “Where in Florida?”

Based on the style I would guess this is not in Miami, but it could be. It could be in Jacksonville, or Tampa/St. Pete, or Coral Gables – all of which will greatly impact the price per square foot.

Location Answer: Gainesville

That piece of info provides a lot of clues. Gainesville is in Central Florida and is also the location of the University of Florida…Go Gators!

Here are some further important details on this property:

++ Just over 5,800 sq ft
++ 4 bedrooms
++ 3 Full + 2 Half-baths
++ On 1 acre
++ Built in 1981
++ Pool and cabana
++ New roof in 2007
++ Interior upgrades
++ Home & Grounds – Immaculate

Here’s a look at the all-important kitchen:

Florida Real Estate - Kitchen

Woo-hoo! Stainless steel appliances and granite countertops for those who think they must have them!

I’m just as interested in the exterior of a property as I am about the interior. Does my backyard have privacy? Does the house look “right” on the property? This one seems to be ideal for its location and in Florida…who would say “No” to a pool?

Florida Real Estate  - Exterior with pool

I’ve held back on some of the listing details for this property because the agent did a great job providing clear pictures and lots of them – and also gave us other details we need to make a guess at the square footage price which will give us clues on what listing price to expect. I’ll reveal the details and the link later today…

So what do you think? Leave your guess in the “comments” and we’ll see how close you can get to the actual listing price for this beautiful Central Florida home!

A: $155/sq ft

B: $310/sq ft

C: $95/sq ft

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Did you make the right guess? The correct answer is “A.”

This property has a listing price of $899,500. For more info and pictures visit the realtor’s listing here.

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Real Estate: What’s a “Deal”?

by on Aug.20, 2013, under Real Estate

And the answer is as useless as usual…

“It depends.”

The real answer is there is no set rule for investing in real estate or even in making a purchase of a primary residence. What looks like a great deal to me may not look so hot to you. Financially, what looks like a good deal for purchase, may not be a great deal for investment…

Talking to yourself is normally frowned upon, but when it comes to a real estate purchase, you’d better know who you are, what you want, and what you are willing to do. Otherwise, no realtor will be able to assist you and chances are you will make a purchasing error.

I hate to keep picking on people from the HGTV Househunters episodes, but I’ve quickly realized that many home buyers can’t, don’t, or won’t distinguish between cosmetic upgrades and functional issues so here’s my take on what is important and what is not. Figuring out what is important to you will help you decide whether a property purchase is a “deal” or not.

If you want a turnkey property – meaning all you have to do is move in, then comments and concerns about paint colors and wallpaper are probably valid points for you because you don’t plan to or want to do anything to the property. Also, if you are expecting this to be a shorter-term property, you may not have the time or interest in doing anything that is near home “improvement.”

But for some on the HGTV series, they go in looking at homes “where they can raise a family,” (which they haven’t started yet!) and then immediately begin complaining about paint colors! Who cares? You can paint a room for around $150 – and that includes brushes! If you like the rest of the house and you plan on staying, worry less about the color of rooms and make sure instead that you have the square footage you need. Adding square footage is NOT a cheap improvement.

Ask questions about the age of the roof, and the age of the HVAC system, is the property prone to any flooding? Is the house on a well or is there a municipal water/septic system? These are the important and potentially expensive things to ask about – instead of complaining about icky paint colors and other minor dislikes. Only then can you decide whether your proposed real estate purchase CAN be a deal – even if not perfect at the moment.

Is this a

On the flip side, (pun intended for Jeff Lewis fans!) are those who either overestimate their home improvement capabilities or, severely underestimate costs.

Take a look at this little charmer to the right. At least 95% of those interested in real estate should run like their hair is on fire from this property. No matter the “deal” price.

Without knowing or seeing anything else about this property or its location, I can guarantee it will require a LOT of work. Forget the neighborhood for the moment and forget comps. The property has been abandoned for who knows how long. Houses without electric (and possibly water) begin to “die” for lack of a better word – fairly quick. It looks like the front door is some sort of temporary deal – which may mean this house has been broken into – meaning who knows what may have been stolen or, how much damage may have been done.

I’m also concerned about the neighbor house. Can’t see a lot from the image but it looks WAY too much like the subject house. This would give me a first impression of a declining or declined neighborhood.

So could this still be a “deal”? Yes.

+ If you want a full-time job doing renovations – Yes.
+ If the rest of the neighborhood is full of renovated properties – Yes.
+ If you get inside and find all working appliances, no termites, etc., etc. – Yes.
+ If you can get this house for a “steal” price (whatever that is) – Yes.
+ If you have somewhere else to live during renovation – Yes.
+ If you have solid knowledge of the area – crime, economy, sales, etc. – Yes.

Otherwise – walk away.

This is an extreme contrast between turnkey and “fixer” but I am constantly amazed at how many people don’t seem to consider or even know the difference.


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Real Estate: US Treasury Auctions

by on Aug.17, 2013, under Real Estate

If you’re really looking for a deal on a property, investment or otherwise, an interesting place to research is real estate auctions via the US Treasury.

Here are just a few examples of properties coming to auction soon:

++ Las Vegas, Nevada: Single Family Home, 3 bedooms, 2.5 baths

++ Centennial, Colorado: Single Family Home, 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths

++ Cedar Hill, Texas: Single Family Home, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths

++ Orlando, Florida: Condo, Leasehold Interest, DisneyClub Points!

++ Keswick, Virginia: (Near Charlottesville) Single Family Home, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths

All info that is available regarding these and other properties can be found online. Info regarding opening bid levels, any restrictions, date, time and place of sale, buyer’s requirements, etc., etc.

Here’s the link to view properties coming to auction in August and September 2013.

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Gardens: Need some “Wow?” Think Arbor

by on Aug.16, 2013, under Shop@RoseCottage

Amazing how much a sometimes minor change can make to the atmosphere of your backyard/garden. Adding a birdbath, a few garden stones, or an arbor can instantly enhance your property’s “personality.” Here are a few suggestions:

New England Arbors Rosewood Pergola Arbor

This New England Arbors Rosewood Pergola Arbor features a classic arch top and elegant side panels for a look that is eternally stylish.

The Rosewood Arbor is also easy to assemble and install.

Included with the Rosewood Pergola Arbor are ground stakes, assembly and installation instructions.

Material: Cedar
Dimensions: 86.7″H x 47″W x 24″D
Price: Just under $300.


Eden Arbors Westhaven Pergola Vinyl Arbor

Also under $300 is the Eden Arbors Westhaven Pergola Vinyl Arbor.

If you need a low maintenance option, this is an elegant open lattice piece designed to train woody vines and create an outdoor piece of art.

You’ll love walking through your favorite greenery and blossoms after an enjoyable growth period – think of the possibilities!

Crafted to last, this arbor is built with PVC that is guaranteed against rot, cracks, warping, yellowing, and weather damage.

Post size: 2 x 3.5 inches
Width: 50 inches


Have a larger space to fill?

Dura-Trel Grand Colonial Vinyl Arch Arbors w/Wings

This arbor with “wings” might be your answer.

The Dura-Trel Grand Colonial Vinyl Arch Arbors w/Wings provides total freedom from maintenance. They never need painting, staining, or sealing to keep their exceptional good looks. 32″ Ground Anchors are included and limited assembly is required.

Dura-Trel’s line of lawn and garden compliments are an unbeatable and maintenance-free enhancement that will transform the outdoors from average to outstanding. As you would expect from a national corporation with over 25 years experience like theirs, Dura-Trel offers affordability, 20-year warranties, and easy to follow instructions.

Arbor Size: 58″ W x 100″ H x 48″ D 50″
Width with wings is 132″ Wide
Post Size: 4″ x 4 ” posts.
Price: Around $1,000.

Happy Weekend!


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I Hate “Invalid Links”

by on Aug.15, 2013, under Shop@RoseCottage

There are a few advertisers I’ve been working with as an affiliate since I started this blog. If I’ve purchased their products and found them to be as advertised and effective for the purpose, I’ll recommend them here with a link to the online location where the product can be purchased. With most I will receive a small (trust me SMALL) commission. That’s it. And I don’t promote what I don’t know.

Sometimes advertisers seem to prefer that I push sales rather than useful information and they drop me from their programs for lack of enough sales. So be it.

However, this means that over the course of a blog with a 5-year life, it is darned near impossible to remove all the (now) broken links, and the content around them is still worthwhile.

Apologies to anyone who reads this blog, clicks on a product link – and is then taken to a page with a “invalid link” or “invalid advertiser ID” notice. The products are likely still available and the links WERE valid when I placed them – I just didn’t push readers hard enough to BUY, BUY, BUY and was summarily dropped by the advertiser – in some cases with no notice.

Just FYI: I won’t change my process to suit an advertiser and I’ll never recommend or review a product as being useful unless it actually is.

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Georgia: Absolutely Absolute Auction

by on Aug.13, 2013, under Real Estate

Check out the Supreme Auctions web site for more details on this and other amazing real estate properties.

What does “Absolute Auction” mean?

It means no reserve meaning no minimum bid price…

If only I had more coins!!!

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August Temperatures: Thirsty

by on Aug.12, 2013, under Images

Looks like it is hot and muggy enough this August in North Carolina to prompt some new visitors to the Hummingbird feeder:

Butterflies at Hummingbird feeder

These two butterflies hovered around the feeder for nearly an hour. One seemed to get the understanding of how to get to the juice a lot faster than the other!

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