Here are a few pictures of my project so far.  My only regret is that I didn’t think to take pictures of the old shower before starting the demolition.

It is currently down to the studs.  After first removing the old tile, you can see that the drywall had a film of black mold.  There was standing water on the floor and the shower pan was not able to be saved.  After further investigation, I learned the drain was never installed properly.  It was loose and full of old joint compound and concrete.  The drain trap was not fully functional and also contributing to my standing water issue.  As I progress with the renovation, I’ll be sure to be more diligent with my updates and picture taking.

This gorgeous cypress “log cabin” home is the perfect setting for that special buyer who wants to get away from the everyday hustle and bustle and feel like they are at a cozy, weekend getaway.

I posted the details of this house on the listing page.  I can’t help but think this home is the perfect winter retreat during the holiday season (despite being in Florida).  It may seem like it is in a rustic location due to the 1.65 acre lot.  But in actuality, it’s only a ten-fifteen minute drive to local shopping centers.

image source:  Signature Realty Associates

Perhaps: Gustini notes that “the opening bid for the property is a hefty $249,000,” and you can “Buy It Now” for $499,000. As of 2009, Gustini says, “a detatched house in Shillington sold for an average price of $158,467.”

[....]

If hopes for a big sale do depend on Updike’s name, the owners should probably prepare for disappointment, according to Anne Trubek, the author of A Skeptic’s Guide to Writers’ Houses. As she points out in that book, “Other realtors have tried similar campaigns to no avail.”

The article is an interesting read.  Click here to read the whole thing.

image source: John Updike’s Home advertised on eBay

In terms of square footage, the anticipated drop isn’t drastic. Currently, single-family homes measure an average of 2,400 square feet, a slight decrease from an average of around 2,521 square feet five years ago. In 2015, industry professionals believe it will drop to around 2,150 square feet.

To make up for less square footage, many new homes won’t have living rooms. Of the builders surveyed, 52 percent believe traditional living rooms will be combined into other areas of the home, such as family rooms and kitchens, to form “great rooms.” About 30 percent of builders believe the living room will vanish entirely.

Also likely to become less in demand by 2015? Mudrooms, formal dining rooms, skylights, sunrooms, three-season porches, media rooms, butler ‘s pantries, and homes exceeding four bedrooms and three bathrooms.

However, surveyed builders expect to see more ceiling fans, larger laundry rooms, eat-in kitchens, first-floor master suites with walk-in closets, kitchens with double sinks and recessed lighting. And while two-car garages won’t go anywhere, demand will probably sink for three-car garages.

Sixty-eight percent of builders surveyed say that energy-saving technologies and features including low-E windows, energy-efficient appliances and LED lighting will be common, along with other green features, such as engineered wood products, dual-flush toilets and low-flow faucets. Whole-house Energy Star certification is likely to become the norm for new homes in 2015, but LEED certification will not. Green features considered “somewhat likely” to be in new homes include argon windows, tankless water heaters, above-code insulation, and solar photovoltaic and thermal systems.

Jaws has been in operation since 1990, and was one of the first attractions unveiled when Universal Studios opened its doors. The ride is based on the 1975, Steven Spielberg-directed hit movie with the same name.

“Jaws has been an amazing attraction and an important part of our history,” Universal spokesperson Tom Schroder told msnbc.com. “Jaws holds a special place in the hearts of our guests, but we always have to look to the future and dedicate ourselves to providing new, innovative entertainment experiences for our guests.

“A lot of thought and care went into this decision,” he said.

Schroder didn’t offer details about what will replace the ride, saying park goers will have to stay tuned.

Some of my favorite, memorable rides that have come and gone from Universal Studios were Kongfrontation, Back to the Future: The Ride, and Earthquake: The Big One.  I guess soon it will be time to add Jaws to the list.

image source: msnbc.com

A spending bill passed by Congress increases to $729,750 the maximum size of a mortgage that can be backed by the FHA, which guarantees loans to buyers with down payments as low as 3.5%. The Senate voted to approve the bill Thursday evening, after the House voted earlier in the day.

[....]

An earlier version of the legislation in the Senate would have increased loan limits for mortgage finance companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as well, but that was stripped out due to opposition from House Republicans.

[....]

The move by Congress will give borrowers seeking loans between $625,500 and $729,750 in pricey markets two options. They can take out “jumbo” loans that carry higher interest rates than those backed by Fannie and Freddie and require down payments of at least 20%. Or, they can take out an FHA loan, which allows for lower down payments but charges insurance premiums that add to borrowers’ costs.

The FHA does not guarantee loans to buyers, but insures loans to minimize the default risk that lenders face when buyers put down less than 20 percent.  FHA loans are great for first-time homebuyers (usually,  FHA loans require only 3.5% down) or for buyers with less than perfect credit (you can obtain an FHA loan after two to three years after a bankruptcy or a foreclosure).

Click here to find the FHA loan limit in your area.

The St. Pete MacDinton’s will be located in 4,000 square feet of leased space at the Jannus Liveentertainment complex and will have access to the courtyard.

[....]

The original MacDinton’s opened on South Howard Avenue in 2002 with about 5,000 square feet of indoor space and 2,000 square feet of outdoor space.

The new location has plans to open its doors sometime next month, just in time to host a New Year’s Eve party a few weeks following the opening.

image source: virtualtourist.com

After waiting for nearly two months, I received a notice that my purchase order from The Container Store had been finally shipped.  I’m so excited!  I first saw the Little Black Dress jewelry organizer in a fashion magazine I was flipping through while flying to Seattle.  My brother, Michael, lives in Seattle and I was meeting him there before we both headed to Hawaii for vacation (more on that trip in a future post).

The LBD jewelry organizer is shaped exactly like that of a full-sized little black dress that also hangs in your closet.  One side holds your necklaces and bracelets while the other side has 39 clear compartments that holds earrings and smaller charm pieces.  It was like a work of art to me, yet a clever way to neatly store and display my entire jewelry collection.

I knew they had a Container Store in Seattle and asked Michael if he would take me there.  He called the Seattle store ahead to ask to place one on hold for me but they were sold out of the LBD organizers.  I was heartbroken!  I wanted to go anyway because I didn’t want to believe him.  There could have been one tucked away in a back corner of the store, just waiting for me to find it.  Besides, who doesn’t like to shop at The Container Store?  There are so many great ideas there to organize your home.

While in Seattle, we were running out of time preparing for our Hawaii trip that we couldn’t find time to go.  I couldn’t get that organizer out of my mind.  I purposely bought jewelry in Hawaii hoping I’d one day have it to display my purchases.

I broke down and finally ordered the LBD organizer online. I’m not one who likes to order online without first seeing the product in-person, but it was my only option. Plus, there were so many positive online reviews about it I was sure I’d be happy with my order. After finding out it was out-of-stock online too, I called the customer service line for more information.  They told me the item was back ordered and there were 2000 orders in front of mine! (makes me wish I was the one who invented this organizer.)

Anyway, my LBD is due to arrive any day now.  I hope it turns out to be as wonderful as the reviews say and well worth the wait.  The Tampa store will be built in the Westshore area and due to open its doors sometime in May of 2012.  Soon, traveling to Seattle won’t be needed to physically shop there.

image source: Metro Pointe Shopping

First, the Fun Card is back!  Pay admission for one day and get unlimited play at the park from now until Dec. 31st, 2012.

Second, Busch Gardens has two new deals offered for a limited time.  Florida residents can purchase a single-day ticket and enjoy a free Serengeti Safari Tour.  This tour involves an open-truck, up-close-and-personal with the animals tour of it’s 65-arce Serengeti Plain.

The other offer is available exclusively online- an all-day dining deal.  This deal provides you with an wristband that grants you free food and drink at participating locations around the park.  Both these deals offer a savings of about $30 and are available until Dec. 15th.

image source: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Cuba announced a new property law Thursday that promises to allow citizens and permanent residents to buy and sell real estate — the most significant market-oriented change yet approved by the government of Raúl Castro, and one that will probably reshape Cuba’s cities and conceptions of class.

[....]

For the first time since the early days of the revolution, buyers and sellers will be allowed to set home prices and move when they want. Transactions of various kinds, including sales, trades and gifts to relatives by Cubans who are emigrating, will no longer be subject to government approval, the new law says.

“To say that it’s huge is an understatement,” said Pedro Freyre, an expert in Cuban-American legal relations who teaches at Columbia Law School. “This is the foundation, this is how you build capitalism, by allowing the free trade of property.”

This new law goes into effect on November. 10th.  There are still a lot of fine print details and unanswered questions that need to be addressed.  Read the article for more information.

image source: New York Times