Rose Cottage Ltd

Here we are past the middle of the month in the middle of the year and time for the longest day of the year. I won’t start counting down the days until Christmas just yet though – we’ll leave that for some other blog.

Here are some items of interest from the world of real estate for this past week…

++ VA home loans underused, real estate experts say

++ Housing Market Falters Amid Rising Prices, Lower-Paying Jobs

On the other hand…

++ Eight housing markets at all-time highs

++ Here’s What Wealthy People Want In Their Luxury Homes

++ Cow Hollow home listing price jumps from $3M to $13M after flip (WHOA!)

++ Thinking Out Loud: Creating Native Landscapes

++ Are Home-Remodeling Reality Shows Distorting Reality? (VIDEO)

My answer: Only if you forget you’re watching a “reality” TV show…

++ Previews: International Luxury Real Estate

++ Decorative Outdoor Faucets – Great Gift Idea

You’re cutting it close but there is still time to plan a fantastic Father’s Day feast for your Dad! The first is from Chicago Steak Company – the Ultimate Steak Experience.

In case you weren’t sure, YES – it is crab season! Check out the Father’s Day and other specials from The Crab Place. I’ve ordered before so can say for sure you will NOT be disappointed – but you’ll need to order TODAY to have crabs for a Father’s Day crab fest!

Want to let your Dad make his own gift selection? Seafood Gifts Online are also available from The Crab Place. Lobster, Maryland Crab Cakes, fish, Gulf Shrimp – you name it, it’s there!

Where is the year going? Is it just me or does life seem to be at warp speed?

++ Drones used for aerial real estate videos

++ SunTrust: Benhem listings have been reinstated

You’ll remember these guys – HGTV dropped their proposed TV program because they were “too” anti-gay, and “too” faithful to their religion. Then their bank, SunTrust – which apparently is NOT that trustworthy, dropped them. They reinstated the Benhem brothers’ business after the negative publicity started having an impact. Banks are a service organization and have no place in politics (cough,) or the personal lives and beliefs of their customers. End of rant.

If you missed the main story – you can read a recap of it here.

++ Real Estate Rebound in Asheville, N.C.

It’s a beautiful spot, but you’ll need deep pockets.

++ Mortgage Rates Today: Up-To-The-Minute Current Mortgage Rates

++ On global scale, Miami luxury home prices puny

I’m guessing their definition of “puny” and mine – are two different things…

Take a break from the world for an hour or two – pretend money is all “puny” and take a stroll through some of the properties on these luxury real estate web sites…a little escapism now and then is good for the soul!

+++ Unique Homes

+++ French Castles!

+++ Fine & Country UK

+++ Luxury Properties – Australia

Happy Weekend!

Mississippi Aluminum Oval 9-piece Dining Set

This Mississippi Oval Nine-Piece Dining Set is beautifully designed to enhance any outdoor dinner setting. It is just the right size for any backyard or patio, and includes one oval dining table and eight dining chairs. It features rust-free cast aluminum construction and hardened powder coat finish for years of beauty. It also has an opening for an umbrella.

Have a smaller space to work with?

7 piece with Swivel Chairs option.

Here’s a great and traditional choice when it’s just you and your newspaper or novel, and a glass of wine or frosty iced tea…

Cedar American Forest Adirondack Rocker and Table

The Cedar American Forest Adirondack Rocker and Table is seamlessly designed to grab attention. The beautiful collection of Adirondack chairs exudes flawless designs, robust construction and durability. Created for easy storage and added convenience, these chairs are sure to provide you with exceptional comfort. Here you will definitely find that perfect Adirondack chair for spending a lazy afternoon and enjoying the beauty of your backyard patio. Click the link for sizes, weights and dimensions.

Amazonia Rennaisance 9 Piece Dining Set

Great designs, beautiful colors and varied styles let you add the perfect finishing touch to your favorite space. Set can be used indoors or outdoors. Free feron gard wood preservative for longest strap durability. It works great against the effects of air pollution, salt air and mildew growth.

Fabric/Material: 100% FSC Eucalyptus table/Aluminum and Synthetic wicker chairs.

Amazonia Teak Luxemburg 7Pc Wicker Dining Set

Real teak – built to last, great look and can withstand all the seasons might have to offer!

++Table is made from genuine plantation-grown teak.
++Stackable side chairs are made from all-weather wicker.

Dimensions: Table – 59″L x 35″W x 29″H

Did I mention FREE SHIPPING on orders over $99? That means any of the table and chair sets above ship FREE!

Adding a statue to your yard or garden can be an inexpensive and quick way to add a bit of whimsy or to highlight a particular point of interest. Kids love them – and I’ve known a few (adult) neighbors who will “kidnap” garden statues and make it a neighborhood summertime event to figure out “Where is the statue this week?”

I have several already and am in the market for maybe one more. Let’s look at a few potentials for Summer 2014…

Just Chillin’ Garden Statue – $199.99
from: DIRECT GARDEN DÉCOR / Garden-Fountains.com

Sprouts – $49.99
from: DIRECT GARDEN DÉCOR / Garden-Fountains.com

Vintage Dog w/ Basket – $178.99
from: DIRECT GARDEN DÉCOR / Garden-Fountains.com

Wow – this next one is a beauty and will be sure to be THE point of interest in your garden this year! The price is a little high, but think of the money you will save on feed and boarding!! Plus you might make one HAPPY child recipient for this summer!!

Charlotte’s Choice – $469.99
from: DIRECT GARDEN DÉCOR / Garden-Fountains.com

And here’s one that won’t eat your plants!!

Snail Garden Statue – $39.99
from: DIRECT GARDEN DÉCOR / Garden-Fountains.com

Take a stroll through Garden Fountains web site for many more selections and also for lots of other yard and garden accents!

I can’t believe more people are not using Tracfones. I prefer no-contract cell phones and service versus paying hundreds per month – but then again, I don’t live my life via phone either!

Tracfones are now available that can handle just about anything more expensive “smart phones” can do – for a fraction of the cost. I’m still holding my cell phone expenses to around $90 per year. How many can say that?

I’ve had the same model phone now for about 4 years – and it cost me all of $19.95 when I bought it. I see no need to buy a model with more bells and whistles, but check out the link above and to the right if you’re in the mode for a new model.

Mother’s Day Offer! Free Overnight Shipping on Phone or Phone Bundle Orders over $19.99!

Happy May!

++ These cities are rising real estate stars

++ The Plug-and-Play Luxury Home

++ Grow Plants Indoors!

++ The Housing Rebound Stalls

Note: Thank you! I am so tired of reading about but not seeing our “thriving” US economy – which means those doing well now were always doing well. Some markets have seen SIGNS of movement toward recovery and the luxury market will always have interest but many areas of the US remain flatlined.

++ Debunking 4 Mortgage Loan Myths

++ Free Shipping on Select Bird Feeders

++ The True Cost of Bad Credit

++ The 10 Best Cities to Flip a Home

++ America’s Highest (and Lowest) Property Taxes?

++ $237 million apartment sale sets record

++ Garden.com Clearance – up to 80% off!

And free shipping if your order is $250 or more!

Some really annoying people were shown on House Hunters International over the past week. Or maybe I am just more cranky than usual since pollen has hit North Carolina and half the time I can’t breathe!

People who only want “American” appliances and “American” sized rooms should NOT, I repeat NOT move overseas. Particularly, you should not move to say Paris, or Milan, or Geneva – unless you have a MASSIVE budget. Otherwise, you will be wasting your time looking for what you can’t afford, will annoy the realtor trying to assist you, and will aggravate people like myself – who are wondering what the heck you were thinking???

Now on to some real estate “gossip” for this week…

++ 5 Tips On How To Enjoy Horseback Riding Holidays
For our rural adventurers!

++ Living Off the Grid – What Does This Mean?

++ Want to live in Beautiful Carmel, California?

++ Are Real Estate Brokers Obsolete?

++ Cities where real estate investors are finding deals

++ 17 Most Magical Houses in the World!

++ HGTV Alert! “Flip or Flop” begins new season April 8, 2014!

++ Do It Yourself Real Estate Forms

++ Sotheby’s Waterfront Properties
You know you want to look!

++ Homebuyers getting priced out in cities across U.S.

Can you guess what the hottest housing market is in the US right now? Answer below – no peeking!

++ Las Vegas

For those who own real estate:

Spring is upon us, and whether you still have a bit of snow on the ground or not, now is a good time to get ready for Summer 2014.

Think about lawnmower, trimmer, etc., maintenance now – before equipment repair people get too busy. My lawnmower required a new blade for the coming growing season. Done! If weather permits, now is also a good time to get some mulch down to control weeds, apply any of those “pre-emergents” to get rid of the annoying crabgrass, etc., and to begin organizing any larger outdoor/landscaping projects you are planning to accomplish.

If you have any minor renovations to do or have decided to do some painting – inside or outside – do it now. You won’t have bugs (and maybe snakes,) or as much humidity to deal with as you will in a month or two.

Winter is also a slow time for many home improvement contractors. If you have work planned, get them out now for an estimate or to get your project started. They’ll have more time to devote to your project now than in June or July.

If you don’t own real estate, now is the BEST time to get looking!

Most families who are planning to sell want the deal over and done by mid-Summer so they can get organized for the next school year. You’ll usually find many new homes on the market in the next month – and maybe get some bargains too! Plants and trees are beginning to bloom in most areas of the US so you can get a better idea of what your new location will look like in summer.

For those who don’t own and won’t own real estate this year…

You can still buy a nice plant! Garden centers at places like Lowe’s or local nurseries are LOADED with plants for small spaces. Get yourself a exotic plant or even a small, flowering tree. If you are saving to buy a home of your own, you can still enjoy playing in a little dirt while you’re saving for your big purchase.

Whine for the week…

I see a LOT of homes where I know a couple of teenagers reside, and where I see hired landscaping service trucks and workers. You might be amazed at how good it feels to get outside and do some chores yourself once and awhile. It’s a way to get a little exercise, some fresh air, and often I find it reduces stress I might have lingering from the work week.

If I had kids over the age of 5, you’d also see THEM out doing something on a bright sunny day – even if I had to make something up for them to do. Younger kids usually enjoy planting something new and then being responsible for its watering, etc., and they can’t wait to see things grow and bloom. Older kids may require a swift kick to get them going, but once they do, most can get with the program and be reminded that a little work won’t kill them!

Happy planting!