The multi-talented Mandy Moore has just recently closed on a new home in Pasadena for $2.56 million. The mid-century modern style residence was designed in 1950 by famed architect Harold Zook.
The home boasts 3,551 square feet with 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, a pool, and plenty of windows providing picturesque views of the surrounding mountains. One of the more interesting features of the home is the fireplace with a copper hood.
Check it out here:
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Photos by Sean Gordon via Zillow
Carter Wessman
Carter Wessman is originally from the charming town of Norfolk, Massachusetts. When he isn’t busy writing about mortgage related topics, you can find him playing table tennis, or jamming on his bass guitar.
Inside: Are you moving into your first apartment? Planning a move can be daunting, but with this checklist, everything will be ready for your bed and bathroom you arrive. From a mattress, pots and towels to cleaning supplies and furniture, this list has it all. This is a huge deal!
Moving into your first apartment is an exciting time!
You’re finally out on your own, and you get to decorate and furnish your space however you want.
But before you can start shopping for all the cute home décor, there’s one very important task that needs to be taken care of first: creating a First Apartment Checklist.
This comprehensive checklist will ensure that you don’t forget any essential items when furnishing your new place. From kitchen supplies to bathroom necessities, we’ve got you covered.
So what are you waiting for? Let’s get started!
My First Apartment Mistakes
Moving into your first apartment indeed marks an exciting milestone in life.
However, it is also a moment of awakening when realizing that filling the apartment with all the necessities is not child’s play. My lesson learned the hard way.
It requires great planning and acute mindfulness of one’s budget. While the thrill of setting up your own place can easily lead to overspending, it’s important to keep the budget in check and be judicious about your purchases.
Here are some aspects to consider:
It’s easy to forget that there’s a huge list of big and small things you’ll still need to buy to fully equip your space. However, the keyword here is “need” and not “want”. I should have been better at differentiating between what is absolutely necessary for your immediate living situations and what can be procured later.
Define what you can spend right away by considering the moving costs and other related expenses. After setting the budget, the next most important step is to stick with it. You will be tempted to stretch your limit, but remember that financial restraint is key.
Moreover, remember that you don’t need to get everything right away, certain things can wait. Spend wisely, and stick to immediate needs. You might be surprised to find out that some items you thought were essential, in fact, can be comfortably lived without.
Your home is meant to give comfort, not financial stress.
The above statement is a lesson that stick with you for a long while. Keeping track of your expenses and making wise decisions can help establish your first apartment without breaking the bank.
Learn is $5000 enough to move out?
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Big Items for Your First Apartment Checklist
You’re finally out of your parents’ house and ready to start your own life. Congrats!
This is an important step when you want to move out at 18.
Moving into a new place is both exciting and daunting. To help you make sure you have everything you need for your new digs, we’ve put together a first apartment checklist of all the big items you’ll need to buy.
This is where to focus your money or look to find free items.
1. Mattress
Living in your first apartment?
Do not underestimate the importance of a good mattress.
It’s the foundation for quality sleep, which is crucial for your health and daily performance. Investing in one is non-negotiable even if budget is a constraint.
Personally, this. is the one item I would say to buy new! Thankfully you can find affordable mattresses now.
2. Bed Frame & Headboard
You may be tempted to skip the bed frame in your first apartment, but it’s a key piece that offers myriad benefits.
In full honesty, I didn’t get a headboard for my mattress until well after I was married. But, it was one small thing that made me happy.
Popular bed frame options vary in price from $60 for a simple metal frame to over $200 for wooden or upholstered models. Make sure to evaluate your needs and budget before buying.
3. Couch
Your first apartment is exciting, and the right couch can really set the tone. It’s not only a seating arrangement but also a place for relaxing, entertaining, and unleashing your personality.
When setting up your first apartment, you might be conflicted about whether to buy a new couch or look for a used one. Here are some factors to consider:
For those living by themselves:
A new couch can be a significant investment, but it is worth the cost if you value personal comfort, hygiene, and aesthetics.
Utilize discount stores to find quality furniture that is within your budget. A new couch often comes with warranties or protection plans that can give you peace of mind for any potential repairs or damages.
Investigate measurements and delivery options thoroughly to ensure your new couch comfortably fits your apartment layout.
If you are planning to live with a roommate:
You can consider getting a used couch. This is a great way to cut costs during a time when budgeting and saving money are important.
To make sure the couch you’re acquiring is clean and pest-free, buy or get it for free from trusted sources. Friends or family are often the best people to approach when looking for used furniture.
Look into garage sales or online platforms like Craigslist for options. However, always inspect the couch thoroughly before purchasing it from these sources.
Whether you choose new or used, ensure that the couch fulfills your needs.
4. End Tables and Lamps
End tables and lamps are essentials you need in your first apartment. They offer functionality along with a touch of class to your space.
There are many reasons why they should be on every first apartment checklist.
Versatility: Side tables can be used in various ways, from serving as a coffee holder, providing a place for books and magazines, or showcasing photo frames and indoor plants. It can also function as an extension of your workspace when you need to create an impromptu office setup.
Convenience: Having a side table next to your bed or sofa allows you to have important items within easy reach. This may include your phone charger, eyeglasses, or remote controls.
Decorative Value: Side tables contribute to the aesthetic appeal of your living space. They come in different styles, shapes, and designs that can complement various types of interior décor themes.
More than likely with lamps, you will notice where you need them the most after you move. So, it is okay to wait and buy them.
5. Dining Room Table
Your first apartment isn’t complete without a dining room table. It’s the multi-tasking hero of your living space, essential for meals, socializing, and possibly working or studying.
Finding the right dining room table for your apartment can be a fun and rewarding experience. However, it may be daunting for some, given the myriad of options available in the market.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you find your ideal fit:
Determine the Size Needed: The first step in finding the right dining room table is to measure the space it will occupy. Knowing the size helps narrow down the options and ensures a comfortable fit. Consider the number of people you plan on hosting on a regular basis – that should dictate the size of the table you need.
Consider the Shape: Dining tables come in various shapes, including square, rectangle, round, and oval. Identifying the shape that suits your space and lifestyle is crucial. Rectangular tables are the most common, but circular ones are great for maintaining an intimate dining experience, while an oval one can be a middle ground between a square and a round table.
Decide on Style: Whether you lean more towards a modern, contemporary, or rustic look, there are countless styles of dining tables to choose from. Ensure that the style of the table resonates with the rest of your home decor for a harmonious look.
Remember, choosing the right dining table is a balance of both form and function. Considering these aspects will surely help you find the dining room table that fits your lifestyle and space.
A good friend of mine had great luck finding a dining room table at a Restore resale shop. Something to definitely check out!
6. Kitchenware
Moving into your first apartment often comes with the challenge of equipping your kitchen efficiently.
To help guide you in making thoughtful purchases without breaking the bank, here are some important kitchen items you should consider investing in.
Basic Cooking Equipment: A Starter kitchen at the bare minimum requires at least two pots and a frying pan. These should be supplemented with necessary cooking utensils like a ladle, spatula, whisk, etc. You also need a high-quality knife set, at least one cutting board, and measuring cups and spoons to help you prepare and portion your meals accurately.
Food Storage & Serving Items: Get microwave-safe food storage containers to store leftovers efficiently. Additionally, invest in a good set of plates, bowls, glasses, and coffee mugs.
Countertop Appliances: While these can be a bit costly, consider getting a microwave, an InstantPot, and a coffee maker. These can vastly simplify and speed up your daily meal prep.
These are the basic items for a minimalistic kitchen.
7. Patio Furniture
Patio furniture can be an excellent cost-effective addition to your first apartment. Often overlooked, patio furniture can provide advantages for a first-time tenant:
Getting patio furniture as hand-me-downs or buying used ones can save you lots of expenses.
Plus patio furniture can be easily refurbished or painted to match your apartment’s interior design. You can showcase your creativity and add a personal touch without spending much.
8. Grill
One must-have in your first apartment is undoubtedly a grill. Nothing beats the flavor of a good grill and it’s perfect for friendly gatherings or quiet evenings.
Having a grill can add a sense of fun and adventure to your living situation. It allows for new culinary experiences and outdoor entertaining, especially during warmer months when you can have a delightful barbecue party in your yard or balcony.
Grilling can also act as a social catalyst. Whether it’s a relaxed summer evening cookout with neighbors or a gathering of friends for a sporting event, grilling can bring people together in a fun and casual way.
Thanks to websites like Craigslist, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace, second-hand grills in good condition are often available locally and at a much lower cost than brand-new grills.
9. Storage Items
Stepping into your first apartment, huh? The organization will be your closest ally.
Crisp and neat storage items can help you stay clutter-free and make your space feel like home.
This is something I would wait to buy until you are in your space and know what you need. There are so many storage ideas and organization items.
10. Decor
Making your first apartment feel like home is both exciting and challenging. Decor plays a crucial role, transforming an empty space into a cozy, personal refuge.
You want the decor to reflect your style, but the cost may be more than you can afford.
Enter thrift shopping for some of your favorite items.
You can always splurge on that one item you want!
How do I prepare for my first apartment?
Getting your first apartment can be incredibly thrilling, but let us guide you through a smooth transition.
Before making any purchases, it’s critical to create a budget that takes into account moving costs and other associated expenses.
Additionally, make a checklist of essential items to ensure a smooth move, but remember to prioritize immediate needs as some items may not be necessary initially.
Being prepared and methodical about your approach can help significantly in making your first apartment feel like home. It’s all about spending wisely and sticking to your plan.
First Apartment Checklist for Bedroom
Ready to move into your first apartment and need help setting up your bedroom?
This checklist will ensure you won’t miss any essentials.
Bed: Choose a full or queen-size bed to maximize space.
Mattress: Select the right firmness for your sleep style. Don’t forget a mattress pad and bedding.
Nightstand: You need this to place essentials like a reading lamp and a glass of water.
Dresser: An essential piece of furniture for your clothing storage.
Lamp: A softer lighting option for your bedroom. Don’t forget light bulbs!
Closet Organizers: Invest in baskets or cloth storage cubes for easy organization.
Desk and Chair: A small workspace if your room allows. Opt for a stool or folding chair to save money.
Remember every space is unique, tailor this list to your needs and budget.
First Apartment Checklist for Kitchen
As you embark on your solo living adventure, setting up your kitchen shouldn’t be a brain tease.
Here’s a lifesaver list of must-haves:
Remember, your kitchen is not just for cooking, but for hosting toasts and storing eats. Cheers to your new apartment kitchen!
First Apartment Checklist for Living Room
When setting up your first apartment living room, remember to shop for these essential items:
A Cool Lamp or Two: Lighting is crucial. Pick unique lamps that add both light and character to your space.
Side Tables: Grab a couple; these provide additional surfaces for decorations or mugs of tea.
Storage Solutions: Think TV cabinets or bookshelves where you can neatly store your belongings.
Extra Seating: More seats for more guests.
Window Treatments: Curtains or blinds not only offer privacy but can also tie a room together.
Decorative Pillows and Throw Blankets: For aesthetics and comfort.
Decor Items: This includes wall art, picture frames, coffee table books, houseplants, candles and vases. Make your space you.
Be smart in your selections, ensuring each item marries functionality with aesthetics. Holistic harmony is key in a living space.
Technology for Your First Apartment
In today’s digital era, modern apartments are nearly incomplete without a range of essential tech items.
These add convenience, entertainment, and a sense of security to your cozy abode.
Smart TV: This is essential for entertainment and relaxation. It can be a source of news, sports, movies, and shows that make your apartment a much more enjoyable living space.
Roku Stick: If you opt for a basic TV, then these devices enable you to stream content like Netflix, YouTube, and Hulu directly to your TV. This is much needed if you prefer digital streaming over traditional network channels.
Computer / Laptop: This is useful for work, learning, entertainment, and communications in the current digital era. It helps you stay connected to the world and perform various tasks easily.
Wifi Router: A Wi-Fi router is a must-have in this age as it provides an internet connection for all your devices. It enables you to stay connected to the world, shop from home, stream entertainment, or work remotely.
Chargers: Chargers for phones, laptops, and other electronics are essential. They keep your devices powered up and ready for use at any moment.
Speakers: They enhance your entertainment experience by providing high-quality sound for music, TV shows, and movies. They can also be useful for work or study, for instance when participating in video conferences or online courses.
Thankfully prices have dropped significantly on TVs since I bought my first one!
First Apartment Checklist for Bathroom
One key area to consider is your bathroom – it’s essential to have all the basis to make your daily routines smooth and simple. Here’s what you’ll need:
Cleaning Your First Apartment
Ready to take that first crucial clean sweep in your very first apartment? Here’s how you’ll nail it!
Start with unpacking your cleaning essentials, preferably even before you start arranging your furniture. This will make it easier to spot dust, stains, and dirty spots that are usually hidden.
Now, let’s dig into your basic apartment clean-up kit:
Honestly, these frugal green items are perfect to keep things clean and on budget.
Things you need for an apartment that you wouldn’t think of
Moving into your first apartment is an exciting milestone, but it’s also full of small details that are easy to overlook.
Some essential items might not make it on your moving checklist, leaving you scrambling on your first day in your new place.
Basic Handyman Tools: A Leatherman or small toolkit is essential for assembling furniture and making minor repairs.
Hangers: You’ll need more of these than you think for your wardrobe.
Extension cords and surge strips: You’ll need these to plug in all your electronics in spaces with limited outlets.
Drawer organizers: Helps keep your belongings categorized and easy to find. Especially important in small spaces where efficient storage is key.
Flashlight: You never know when a power outage may happen. A flashlight is a crucial tool for safety and navigation in the dark.
Batteries: Handy for various gadgets like remote controls, flashlights, and smoke detectors.
First aid kit: Accidents can happen anywhere, and having a first aid kit handy can make dealing with minor injuries easier and more efficient.
Light bulbs: Essential for maintaining good lighting in your apartment. You don’t want to be left in the dark when a bulb burns out.
Matches and/or lighters: Useful not only for candles and gas stoves but also a necessity in case of a power outage.
Pen and paper: Although we live in a digital age, pen, and paper are still handy for jotting down quick notes, lists, or reminders.
Fire Extinguisher: Better to be safe than sorry!
Carbon Monoxide Detector: Extremely important to have in your apartment
Duct Tape: It solves every DIY project – while almost any.
Security Cameras: It bums me out completely to add this to the list, but in today’s society it is a must-have.
Renter’s insurance is instrumental for various reasons
It provides financial protection in case of unforeseen circumstances like theft, damage due to disasters like fires, or liability if someone gets hurt in your apartment.
Additionally, considering the value of electronics, furniture, clothing, and other personal belongings, investing in renter’s insurance helps safeguard one’s possessions, making it invaluable, especially for first-time renters.
How do I budget for my first apartment?
Managing your expenses while moving into your first apartment is crucial since it’s usually an expensive endeavor with many large and small essentials needed to fully complete your home.
Having a budget not only helps you to control your finances effectively but also assists in prioritizing immediate needs, avoiding unnecessary items, and managing moving costs and related expenses.
Step 1: Make a Budget
Budgeting is, unquestionably, a crucial strategy to manage your personal finances efficiently, particularly while setting up a new apartment.
Begin by detailing your annual net income.
Subsequently, list down all your essential expenditures, such as food, household supplies, phone bills, car payments, credit card bills, clothing, transportation costs, internet charges, healthcare expenses, school loans, and entertainment.
Don’t forget to add a section for “miscellaneous” to cover any unanticipated expenses.
Make sure your expenses are less than your income.
While rent will be your biggest expense, you want to make sure you can truly afford the amount without going broke.
If you observe that your expenses are relatively high, it’s time to analyze your spending patterns and cut down on unnecessary spending.
Step 2: Save Money
Saving money and living frugally requires strategic thinking and discipline.
Honestly, the simplest thing you can do is to set aside 20% of your income each paycheck. That will ensure you are on your way to becoming financially independent.
Simply remember, frugal living doesn’t equate to deprivation, it’s about making informed choices to optimize your resources.
The 100 envelope challenge is extremely popular!
Step 3: Start a Side Hustle
Side hustles can be a flexible and rewarding way to supplement your income, and they’ve become much more popular in recent years.
Manage your time wisely and ensure the side hustle is something you enjoy or are passionate about. It should be a source of additional income without causing stress or burnout.
Here are ways to make money online for beginners.
First Apartment Tips
Embarking on the journey of renting your first apartment can be both exciting and daunting, hence having some essential tips can be quite handy.
1. Make a list of apartment essentials
A list of apartment essentials plays a crucial role, particularly for first-time movers.
The benefits and significance cannot be overstated. Here’s why:
Prevents Overspending: Moving into a new apartment is already expensive. There are lease deposits, rent due, utility set-ups, and other hidden expenditures that can easily catch first-time movers off guard. Having a list of apartment essentials can keep your spending in check, ensuring that you only purchase what’s necessary and avoid unnecessary or impulsive purchases.
Minimizes Stress: The task of moving can be overwhelming, and missing essential items only adds to the stress. A well-thought-out list can not only help you keep track of what you’ve already acquired but also what you need to purchase or source.
Ensures You’re Prepared and Organized: By carefully creating an apartment checklist, you’re ensuring that you have everything you need in your new home, from cleaning supplies and toilet paper to the necessary items for your furry friends.
Saves Time: A concise and focused list saves you time by clearly stating what needs to be acquired, allowing you to focus on other important matters related to the move.
Follow this approach, and you’ll have a comfy, well-equipped apartment in no time.
2. Consider your budget
Experts advise rent shouldn’t exceed 25-30% of your income. But, don’t forget to include your other costs like food, bills, loans, etc
Remember, your dream apartment isn’t worth it if it’s a financial nightmare. Think smart, save hard, and enjoy your new home’s comforts without breaking the bank.
Learn the ideal household percentages.
3. Research apartments
Researching apartments requires careful consideration of numerous factors such as the proximity to vital facilities like workplaces, grocery stores, hospitals, and entertainment joints.
Try to physically tour potential residences where possible to examine amenities and gauge the atmosphere of the neighborhood.
Don’t forget to make inquiries and view the apartment personally or through a floor plan, all these will help you make a wise decision.
4. Check apartment listings for features and amenities
When searching for the perfect apartment, consider features and amenities that align with your lifestyle.
If there is a sym space, you could eliminate your monthly gym membership.
Just make sure the cost of the upgraded amenities is worth the price tag.
While checking apartment listings, ensure to evaluate the location, amenities, available space, and physical integrity.
5. Think about the size and layout of the apartment
Understanding the size and layout of your new apartment is crucial before you start styling and furnishing it.
Acquire a floor plan from the apartment management, and if possible, tour the apartment physically to note the positioning of rooms, doorways, hallways, and stairwells. Take measurements of these areas and visualize the kind of furniture and fixtures they can accommodate fittingly, taking into account maneuverability around corners as well.
Moving to your first apartment is exciting, yet demands careful consideration of the size and layout.
6. Look for apartments with good security
When you’re hunting for your next apartment, don’t forget to check out its security features. This is crucial for your peace of mind.
Ensure the apartment is in a safe neighborhood, close to amenities like hospitals or public transport.
Ask if the apartment complex has features like controlled access gates, security guards, and CCTV surveillance.
Check the apartment for proper alarm systems, well-functioning locks on doors and windows, and that fire safety measures are in place.
Verify the cell phone reception inside the apartment for any emergency calls.
Lastly, always ensure that the parking area is secure and well-lit.
Remember, your apartment isn’t just a place, it’s your sanctuary. It should feel like one, too.
7. Make sure you get a good deal
Before signing a lease, it’s crucial to ensure the rent price is a good deal.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median gross rent from 2015-2019 was approximately $1,097 per month.
8. Talk to the management and make sure you understand the rules
Get to grips with your apartment’s rules by thoroughly reading your lease. Take note of any restrictions, and don’t fear to ask for clarifications. Data indicates that understanding lease terms significantly reduces tenant-landlord conflicts.
It is important you understand your lease as it is a binding contract.
First Apartment Checklist PDF
Moving into your first apartment is exciting but daunting. The First Apartment Checklist PDF helps simplify the process.
Take it at your own pace—don’t rush. This is your journey to your new home. Enjoy!
FAQ
Moving into a new apartment can be quite exciting yet daunting. It’s crucial to carefully inspect the space to ensure it meets your needs and is in optimal condition.
Check the overall cleanliness. Despite initial cleaning, apartments often accumulate dust while vacant. Ensure you have cleaning supplies handy to tackle any overlooked dirt or grime.
Inspect the utilities. Ensure the availability of necessary technology setups and provisions for all your electronic gadgets. And make sure no wires are hanging from the ceiling.
Verify the safety features. Always have a working lock on the door as well as a well lit entrance.
Examine appliances. Make sure essential household appliances like washers, dryers, and a dishwasher are provided and in working condition.
The comfort and safety of your new apartment rely hugely on these checks.
When determining how much you should spend on rent, it’s generally suggested that your allotment should be no more than 25-30% of your after-tax income.
For instance, if your yearly income after taxes is $40,000 per year, your rent should be about $833-$1,000 per month.
Keep in mind, this amount should cover:
Your rent
Utilities (unless they’re included in your rent)
Rental insurance
It’s essential to create a realistic budget by considering your other necessary expenses like food, transport, healthcare, and entertainment. If needed, find ways to cut some of these costs to afford your dream apartment.
Now Get Moving with your Apartment Shopping List!
In conclusion, creating and managing a first apartment checklist requires a judicious mix of prudence and patience.
It’s an exciting journey of setting up your first independent space but it’s also a test of properly managing your resources without compromising on your basic needs.
It’s crucial to remember that you do not need to get everything at once, and it’s okay to take your time to gradually fill your apartment.
Remember, be mindful of your budget and prioritize based on your specific needs and preferences.
And don’t forget, you’re not just setting up an apartment, you’re creating your own unique sanctuary.
With patience and careful planning, you’ll soon have an apartment that’s not only functionally equipped but also a reflection of your personal style. The experience, in the end, will prove to be as rewarding as it is educational.
Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!
Wildfires are destructive and can be catastrophic for homeowners, especially those who are lower income. And unfortunately, fires are getting more frequent, larger, and stronger. The wildfire season in the western US has increased by more than 100 days since 1970, along with larger and more frequent fires. These fires are expensive, too; from 2017-2021, they have cost governments more than $90 billion and have dramatically altered landscapes in forests across the country. As such, it’s important to be prepared.
Regardless of whether you live in a high fire-risk area, like Brentwood, CA, or somewhere with very little risk, such as Duluth, MN, these tips are essential. Climate change is accelerating, helping to prolong and intensify droughts and heat waves throughout the country. This creates a greater risk for wildfires anywhere in the US. So no matter where you live, read on for essential tips from Redfin to learn how to prepare for a wildfire.
1. Clear the ignition zones around your home
First, it’s essential to create defensible zones around your home to reduce the fuel sources for a wildfire. This is called the Home Ignition Zone (HIZ), which is broken up into three subsections ranging from 0-200 feet away from your house. Here’s a quick breakdown of the zones.
Immediate zone (0-5 feet)
The immediate zone is the area directly adjacent to your home, including the structure itself and its immediate surroundings. This is the most important zone to take immediate action on. Make sure to clear your house first and then work your way around your property. The goal of this zone is to eliminate fire risk as completely as possible.
Keep this zone free of all flammable vegetation and materials, especially anything underneath decks and between cracks in patios. Ideally, you shouldn’t have any vegetation in this zone.
If you have trees with long branches, make sure none of them get within five feet of your home.
Clean roofs and gutters regularly to prevent a buildup of flammable debris.
Use non-flammable landscaping materials and high-moisture-content plants.
Store firewood, propane tanks, and other flammable materials away from this zone.
Make sure your home siding is at least six inches off the ground.
Intermediate zone (5-30 feet)
This zone acts as a buffer and is primarily focused on landscaping and creating breaks that can reduce fire spread. Depending on where you live, it may still be beneficial to keep vegetation to a minimum.
Use “fire-resistant” plants that are strategically spaced to prevent the fire from spreading continuously.
Remove dead vegetation and prune trees regularly to keep them away from the ground (creating a separation between low-level vegetation and tree canopies).
Space trees so they have a minimum of 18 feet between crowns and are no closer than ten feet from your home.
You can have grass in this area, but it should be mowed to a maximum of four inches.
If possible, create breaks with driveways, walkways, and lawns.
Extended zone (30-100 feet, 200 feet in sloped areas)
The goal of this zone is to disrupt a fire’s path, not eliminate it entirely. Landscaping should be maintained, but doesn’t necessarily have to be fire-resistant.
Remove ladder fuels (vegetation that can carry a ground fire to treetops) by pruning and maintaining space between shrubs and trees.
Remove any vegetation adjacent to sheds or other small structures within this area.
Keep grass and other vegetation mowed to a short height.
Regularly remove dead plant and tree material.
Keep at least 6-12 feet between the canopy tops of trees.
2. Update your landscaping
Landscaping plays a crucial role in preparing for a wildfire, especially in areas prone to wildfires, like San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Apart from creating a defensible space using the HIZ, there’s a lot you can do. Here are a few suggestions.
Plant selection: Opt for fire-resistant plants that are native to your region. These plants typically have a high moisture content, are low-growing, and don’t accumulate dead branches or leaves. Examples include succulents, some species of rockrose, lavender, and yarrow. Avoid plants that produce resins, oils, or waxes, as they can be highly flammable.
Hardscaping: Use hardscaping elements like stone walls, pavers, concrete pathways, and patios to create firebreaks in your yard. These non-flammable elements can act as barriers, slowing or stopping the progress of a fire, and are great elements to add to your intermediate zone.
Water features: Water features aren’t viable for every home, especially if you live in a drought-ridden region. However, if you are able to install them, consider ponds, streams, fountains, or even birdbaths. These can act as barriers to wildfires and can be a water source for firefighting if needed.
Yard equipment: Avoid storing equipment with fuel still in the tank, such as lawnmowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and other gas-powered tools.
3. Use fire-resistant building materials
You can retrofit your home to prepare it for a wildfire, but installing fire-resistant materials at the outset is much more cost-effective.
Regardless of when you fireproof your home, it’s important to note the Flame Spread Index, which measures how far and how fast flames spread across the surface of a material. There are three ratings from best to worst: Class 1 (A), Class 2 (B), and Class 3 (C). Ideally, most of your home would exclusively contain materials in the Class 1 and 2 categories.
Ensure you never use non-treated materials, especially not fiberboard, hardboard, and plywood. Additionally, some types of wood are more flammable than others, such as pine, oak, and douglas fir. Here’s a list of essential fire-resistant building materials to consider.
Roofing and siding: Metal sheeting, fiber cement, slate tiles, fiberglass-based asphalt shingles, and brick and stone. Brick and metal are some of the most fire-resistant materials commonly available.
Decking and framing: Composite wood, Structural INsulated Panels (SIPs), aerated concrete, steel, and Fire-Retardant Treated (FRT) wood. You can treat wood after installation, as well as purchase pre-treated wood.
Windows and doors: Insulated, double pane, tempered glass windows; steel; fiber-cement; and fire-rated wooden doors. Fire-rated doors have cores that can limit fire and smoke for up to three hours, although 20 minutes is the most common. If you have a garage door, metal is the best choice.
Insulation: Fiberglass, radiant/reflective barriers, foam, and mineral wool. There are many types of wool to choose from, including glass, rock, and slag. It’s also important to note that reflective foil insulation conducts electricity.
4. Consider Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)
Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) are a material and system that consists of hollow blocks or panels made of insulating materials, which are stacked to form the shape of the walls of a building. Once in place, these forms are filled with concrete, creating a solid, insulated wall system. ICFs are extremely energy efficient, durable, and resistant to various natural disasters, including wildfires.
ICFs have unique properties that can withstand wildfires for up to four hours. While a bit more expensive than traditional wood, if you’re building a new home, ICF may be the most fire-safe option.
5. Install fire alarms and monitors
Your next step should be to know when a fire is happening in your home. In the case of a wildfire, you’ll likely know when it’s coming, but it’s still useful to install alarms and protection, so you can help limit the spread to other homes. And without fire detection, you are at increased risk of harm and damage to your home.
Smoke detectors: Smoke detectors are legally required. Ensure you have working detectors in every room of your home, test them monthly, and replace batteries annually. Make sure to follow your local building codes when installing and maintaining detectors.
Heat sensors: These can detect unusual spikes in temperature and can be especially useful in garages or workshops where you might store flammable materials.
Remote monitoring: Some smart security systems can pair with smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to offer remote fire monitoring, allowing you to be alerted even if you’re not home. This can be crucial for early detection and response.
6. Purchase and maintain fire extinguishers
Home fire extinguishers may not be useful for large wildfires, but they can help suppress a fire and prevent it from spreading further. While not required for one- and two-family homes, they are invaluable tools.
Maintaining extinguishers is crucial. Every month, check the pressure gauge to ensure it’s in the “green” zone. And once per year, have a professional inspect it. After any use, recharge or replace the extinguisher. Over time, even if unused, extinguishers degrade; typically, you should have them served every six years and replaced every twelve
7. Invest in a home sprinkler system
Home sprinkler systems can be an invaluable tool to reduce your risk of fire damage inside and outside your home. There are two types of sprinkler systems that can be useful during a wildfire: interior and exterior.
Home sprinkler systems are similar to those found in commercial buildings but are tailored for residential environments. They can play a crucial role in saving lives, reducing property damage, and providing an added layer of safety to homeowners. Homes that had
Exterior sprinkler systems, sometimes called “wildfire sprinkler systems” or “defensible space sprinklers,” are designed to wet the home and its immediate surroundings. This helps prevent wind-blown embers, radiant heat, and direct flame contact.
The benefits of these systems usually outweigh the costs of installation and use, as damage from a fire or firefighters is often far worse. Remember that your system must also be able to deliver water for up to eight hours straight. So if you live in a region parched by drought, this may be impossible. And, if you live in a windy area, an exterior sprinkler system may not be able to reach as far or as consistently.
8. Install a generator for emergencies
Power outages are common during wildfires, as fires can damage infrastructure and utility service providers may perform Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) to prevent further fire spread.
A generator can provide power to a home or facility during these outages, ensuring that essential appliances and systems remain operational. This can include supporting medical equipment, running external sprinkler systems, and charging communication devices.
It’s also critical to keep an AM/FM/weather radio and battery-powered lanterns on hand for government communications.
9. Keep your emergency kit stocked
Your emergency kit should contain essential supplies that will last at least 72 hours. This includes food, water, a first aid kit, tools and supplies, clothing, shelter, identification, cash, and special needs products. It’s also critical to keep an AM/FM/weather radio on hand to communicate with authorities and emergency responders.
10. Make sure your community is prepared
Protecting your own home is the first step, but is ultimately futile if your neighbors aren’t protected as well. Even if you install state-of-the-art sprinkler and fire detection systems on your property and follow the HIZ guidelines perfectly, water can run out, the power can go out, and fires can spread from your neighbor’s house more quickly than an exterior sprinkler system can put them out.
To truly reduce your wildfire risk, it’s critical to talk to your neighbors and ask them to remove fire risks. For a community to survive a wind-driven fire, each household must properly prepare. One of the primary ways fires spread is by jumping from an unprotected house to a protected house. This means that even if you prepare your house using the HIZ, if your neighbors aren’t prepared, your home is still at risk.
Preparing for a wildfire hinges on small daily tasks and community responsibilities more than individual action. Communities must prepare together to reduce the risk of burning together.
How to prepare for a wildfire: final thoughts
While there is no surefire way to protect your home from wildfires, preparing individually and as a community can help reduce risk. While reducing your risk is the best short-term action, the best long-term solution is to reduce your carbon footprint and slow the effects of climate change. If you have any questions, contact your local authorities or utility company.
This article is for informational purposes only. Individual results may vary. This is not intended as a substitute for the services of a licensed and bonded home services or fire prevention professional. Always seek expert advice and follow all official guidance before, during, and after a fire.
Few industries require as much curbside appeal as real estate: it is a buyer’s market and competition is undeniably fierce. However, when it comes to establishing a memorable and appealing brand for your business, too many realtors fall back on cliched logos using sloping roofs and square windows, suspended in abstract space or agglomerated onto one another in physically baffling clusters. Or worse, they skip the logo altogether and go with tried-and-true photo on a business card approach.
Instead of taking the generic route, just follow some of these tips to create a unique and effective real estate logo.
Tip 1: Don’t just go with your favorite – or the most common – colors Just because you personally love the color pink, you shouldn’t necessarily gravitate there when designing a real estate logo. Nor should the fact that blue or green are fairly safe and common hues among realtor logos drive your choice. Instead, the most important element of choosing the colors for a real estate logo is ensuring they communicate the values and attributes that are most important to your brand. According to a recent analysis of real estate logos created on 99designs, realtors broadly identify their desired brand personalities as being luxurious, mature, modern and serious. This largely explains the prevalence of blue, black, and generally quite subdued branding in the industry.
Warm colors like yellow and orange rank relatively low in terms of popularity in the real estate industry, but they are a strong option for accenting given their associations with friendliness, comfort and happiness. After all, every prospective tenant or buyer is looking for a happy home, so it makes sense to capitalize on the emotional connection created by these colors.
Tip 2: Focus on a sense of place It’s not just about what property you’re selling, but where you’re selling. Consider what’s unique about the area you cover, whether it’s a neighborhood, a city skyline, or iconic architecture. Now imagine someone moving here from the other side of the country, or even the world. Don’t you want a logo that highlights what makes your properties special?
Tip 3: Consider creating a wordmark. One way to help clients remember you(or your company’s) name is to turn the name into the logo itself. This is called a “wordmark.”
What’s great about a striking wordmark is that it helps people remember the name even when they’re not holding your business card. If a former client has a friend or family member who’s looking to buy a new property, they’re that much more likely to recommend you over someone else if they can remember your name. In terms of style, a wordmark keeps things simple and classic, but also personal.
Tip 4: Don’t be afraid of the abstract. Sometimes the nature of your agency is ineffable. Or perhaps it’s always changing; that’s not too unusual in real estate. An abstract realtor logo allows you to be different and keep your brand identity consistent in an ever evolving market. But it doesn’t have to be totally abstract. It only takes a few lines to imply the shape of a skyscraper or a house, while still retaining the dynamism of an abstract business card.
Pamela Webber is Chief Operating Officer at 99designs, the global creative platform that makes it easy for designers and clients to work together to create designs they love. Earlier in her career, she served in various corporate strategy and marketing positions with eBay and its subsidiary, PayPal, Inc., True&Co, and other fast growing companies in the consumer Internet space. A resident of San Francisco, Pam received her BA from the University of Pennsylvania and MBA from Harvard Business School.
Welcome to Virgo season, a time synonymous with practicality, organization, and meticulous attention to detail. For people born under this Earth sign — or anyone who appreciates the Virgo way of life — this time of year resonates deeply with their core values. Virgos are renowned for their analytical approach to life, focus on improvement, and knack for bringing order to chaos. As they strive for efficiency and practicality in every aspect, they also have an inherent desire to create harmonious environments.
These diligent individuals believe that everything has its place and purpose, whether in their personal life, professional goals, or home décor. In essence, Virgo season is a celebration of the functional, the orderly, and the beautiful. It’s about creating spaces that are not just clean and organized but also meaningful and serene.
As we journey through this special season, let’s take a leaf out of the Virgo book and strive to create a home environment that reflects these traits. We’re bringing home decoration tips embodying the Virgo spirit’s practicality and harmony with a dash of elegance.
1. Kiss Dirt Goodbye: Tumble’s Washable Rugs
As we bask in the energy of Virgo season, it’s time to bid farewell to stubborn dirt and grime — especially the kind that clings to your beloved rugs. While charming, traditional rugs can be a nightmare to keep clean. The solution? Tumble’s washable rugs! They shout practicality and whisper elegance in every thread.
Imagine sipping your morning coffee, curled up on your sofa, your feet luxuriating on a soft, clean rug. A clumsy spill? No problem. You have a washable rug, which means all you need to do is toss it into your washing machine, and it’ll emerge as spotless as the day you bought it.
These rugs don’t just offer easy cleaning, they also add to the harmony of your home. They’re available in a plethora of designs and sizes, meaning you can find the perfect match for your hallway, living room, or even your bathroom. Choose a calming pastel hue to bring serenity to your study or a vibrant pattern to add a touch of joy to your kitchen. Either way, it’s the perfect stylish yet practical touch for any Virgo or Virgo-lover.
2. Shield Against Mayhem With Steadily
In our quest for a harmonious living space, we shouldn’t forget the importance of a strong, reliable shield against unforeseen mayhem. Yes, we’re talking about home insurance. A well-organized home is about more than neat shelves and pretty décor. It needs to ensure the safety and security of your space.
If you’re renting your space, it can be challenging to figure out where your coverage begins and where your landlord’s ends. That’s why it’s important to have Steadily on your side, to help clarify everything you need to know about coverage, from the landlord insurance cost to whatever you need to know to protect your space.
No more fretting over potential water damage or fire incidents. Instead, you can enjoy your neatly arranged bookshelf or beautifully coordinated living room without worry. As we embrace the practicality of Virgo season, let’s not forget to protect our homes. After all, a secure home is a serene home.
3. Elevate Your Throne With Squatty Potty
It’s time to talk about a throne that isn’t adorned with jewels or velvet cushions … it’s your bathroom’s porcelain throne! Embracing the practicality of Virgo season means taking a hard look at every aspect of our daily routine, including our bathroom habits. That’s where Squatty Potty comes into play.
This quirky but practical tool might just revolutionize your bathroom experience. Offering a new level of comfort and efficiency, squatty potty can improve your bathroom game.
The design of this tool helps you assume a more natural posture, aligning your body in a way that eases the process. Trust us, once you start using the Squatty Potty, you’ll wonder how you managed without it!
This little gem can also contribute to your bathroom’s harmony. Available in various styles, squatty potty can blend seamlessly into your bathroom decor, adding a touch of elegance to the most private room of your home. So, why not take your bathroom experience up a notch this Virgo season? After all, harmony starts from the most basic routines.
4. Harmonize With Good Essential’s Essential Oil Sets
When we talk about creating a harmonious environment at home, it’s about what you can see and what you can smell. The power of scent to influence mood and create a sense of peace and calm is undeniable. That’s why Good Essential’s essential oil sets should be at the top of your Virgo season shopping list.
Each drop of essential oil holds the power to transform a room. Whether you’re looking to bring a sense of calm to your home office, energize your living room, or create a spa-like atmosphere in your bathroom, these oils have you covered.
With essential oil sets, you’re not limited to just one scent. You can mix and match, creating your own personalized home fragrance that perfectly captures the essence of your space. It’s like having a secret weapon to combat stress, lift your mood, and promote a sense of harmony within your home.
As we navigate through Virgo season, let’s not forget to pay attention to scent’s invisible yet powerful element. With essential oils, you can fill your home with the fragrances that resonate with you the most, creating a space that’s not just organized but also emotionally balanced and inviting.
Ever wish you could simply wave a wand and make clutter disappear? Unfortunately, we don’t live in a magical world. That said, an ottoman with storage from One Kings Lane gets you pretty close. It’s a simple, effective solution for the common and often frustrating problem of clutter in our living spaces. Plus, it looks stylish and at-one with your living space, so you don’t have to worry about solving one clutter problem with another type of clutter.
On the outside, it’s an elegant piece of furniture, perfect for resting tired feet or offering an extra seat when guests arrive. Inside, it’s a spacious storage unit ready to hold your knick-knacks, magazines, or those throw blankets you always need on chilly nights.
Isn’t it refreshing to have a clean, clutter-free living room to relax in after a long day? Or a neat bedroom where you can retreat and recharge? If you want to embody the Virgo spirit fully this season, it’s all about creating a harmonious space where everything has its place.
Who would’ve thought curtains could play a vital role in harmonizing our living spaces? But the truth is, they do. They add warmth, create privacy, and contribute significantly to the aesthetic appeal of a room. When they’re custom curtains from Pepper Home, they become even more magical.
Pepper Home’s custom curtains are an opportunity to express your style while adding a touch of elegance to your rooms. Whether you prefer dark, heavy drapes for a dramatic effect or light, airy curtains for a minimalist vibe, Pepper Home has fully covered you (and your windows).
While curtains can be a hugely grounding element in any room, which leads into this earthy sign, they’re also incredibly practical, making them a doubly perfect addition to your decor this season. Curtains also help control the light and temperature in your rooms, contributing to a more comfortable and eco-friendly home environment.
7. Sip Some Goodness With Olipop’s Healthy Soda
Let’s take a quick departure from home decor to talk about something equally important if you’re looking to ground your life: what you eat and drink. If you love soda, you probably know that all that sugar and questionable additives aren’t good for you.
Not to mention, the caffeine can get in the way of your internal harmony, too — and when your body isn’t at its best, it doesn’t matter how sleek your living space is … you’ll feel out of balance. That’s why Olipop’s healthy soda is the perfect addition to your harmonious Virgo home. It has all the flavor you crave and satisfying fizz without the negatives.
Working healthy soda into your lifestyle doesn’t just make your taste buds happy, but it also contributes to a well-organized and harmonious kitchen. With no sticky spills or sugar-laden residues to worry about, you can maintain a clean and tidy kitchen effortlessly.
8. Claim Your Space: Ewart Woods’ Cute Desk Organizer
Piles of paper, scattered pens, and misplaced Post-it notes are a recipe for chaos. Just in time, Virgo season brings the promise of order. We have what you need to tidy up your trust desk: Ewart Woods’ cute and customizable desk organizer.
Imagine having a spot for everything on your desk. Pens? Check. Sticky notes? Check. Phone? Check. Not only does this streamline your workflow, but it also reduces the time you spend hunting for that one elusive pen that always seems to disappear.
This desk organizer isn’t just about functionality, though. It also makes your workspace a lot more pleasing to the eye. You can choose the shape and combination of the pieces to this desk organizer, ensuring that you have the perfect accent to suit your space and hold everything you need. When everything has the perfect place to go, your office space will feel more harmonious instantly.
9. Shelf the Chaos: Songmics’ Shelves for Kitchen Cabinets
While your kitchen cabinets may hide clutter, that doesn’t mean they aren’t cluttered. These areas often become a wild jungle of pots, pans, food containers, and more. The best way to keep your cabinets clean and make sure that all of your kitchen supplies stay clean, safe, and visible so you don’t forget what you have and end up with forty of the same cups is by getting some cabinet organizer shelves.
They’re your secret weapon in taming this wilderness. These shelves help maximize the space in your cabinets, allowing you to neatly stack dishes, organize pots and pans, and arrange your food containers in a way that makes everything easy to find.
Just picture opening a cabinet and seeing all your baking supplies neatly arranged on a shelf or your collection of spices lined up in alphabetical order. It’s enough to make any Virgo swoon with joy!
These organizer shelves also contribute to the overall harmony of your kitchen. With everything in its right place, your kitchen becomes a more enjoyable space where you can unleash your culinary creativity without worrying about the chaos that usually follows.
Make Every Season Virgo Season
Embracing the practicality of Virgo season isn’t about transforming your home overnight — it’s about making mindful choices that contribute to a more organized and harmonious space. It’s about incorporating products that simplify your life and add a touch of joy to your everyday routines.
Whether it’s a washable rug that makes cleaning a breeze or a cute desk organizer that personalizes your workspace, these tips are all about celebrating Virgo’s love for order, efficiency, and beauty.
As the last days of summer give way to the freshness of Fall, let’s take a moment to appreciate the practicality of Virgo season by creating spaces that are not only well-organized but also warm, welcoming, and uniquely ours. Here’s to a harmonious home and a harmonious life!
It’s no secret that television and movies make life look much simpler and more convenient than it actually is. We’ve all caught ourselves wishing we could replicate the effortless lifestyles of our favorite characters, unbothered by everyday annoyances like traffic jams, lineups at the bank, or difficulty scheduling meetings. Unfortunately (or fortunately?), the reality isn’t quite as simple as what’s depicted on screen; most of us experience these mundane inconveniences all the time. Regardless of how annoyed you are with your daily commute, let’s explore some movie tropes that almost never happen in real life.
1.Broke People with Expensive Apartments
One user posted, “People with [terrible] jobs living in spacious lofts and apartments in big cities.”
Another added, “Shows like The King of Queens and Married with Children had to put their low-wage families in middle-class houses. Those shows had to work hard to differentiate themselves from The Honeymooners, where Ralph and Alice Kramden lived in a (more realistic) crummy little apartment.”
2. Amnesia
One Redditor shared, “Amnesia.”
Another added, “Yeah, Changnesia is much more relatable even though we don’t know much about it.”
“Amnesia feels so cheap as a plot device,” replied another user.
One commenter added, “It is. Writers need to be more creative when explaining the backstory.”
“Yeah, in the same category as ‘it was just a dream’ with the option of ‘..or was it?’” another replied.
3. Nobody Finishes a Good Meal
One online user posted, “A meal is served, but no one finishes. They run off and leave everything.”
One added, “And it’s like $60 for breakfast food.”
Another replied, “Ugh, that makes me so angry—’I’m running late’ and grabbed a slice of toast or chugs half a glass of orange juice, left the table of lovely bacon, eggs, and pancakes, and bolted out the door. Just get [yourself] together, wake up at a reasonable time, and enjoy some food with your family.”
One user commented, “They take one bite of toast and a sip of orange juice and run off, leaving pancakes, bacon, eggs, fruit, etc., just to be wasted.”
4. People Get Knocked Out Too Easily
One user shared, “I feel like people getting knocked out is made easy on TV. Just a quick bump on the back of the neck, and out they go.”
Another added, “And if multiple people were knocked out, they would all regain consciousness together.”
One user replied, “It’s funny because people will get their ears flicked and spend 3 years in a coma. Or they’ll get launched into the side of a building because their car exploded, and they’ll just get up and walk away. There is no middle ground.”
5. Perfect Hair and Makeup after Days of Running
One sharer posted, “In action movies where the girl spends days in the middle of nowhere, without taking a shower, having to fight and run, but her hair and makeup are impeccable.
Another user replied, “Or they wake up with perfect hair and makeup. Also, people spend weeks stranded in the woods, but somehow still being able to shave.”
6. Accidentally Double-Booking
One Redditor commented, “Accidentally agree to go on two dates simultaneously and have to sneak between them both.”
Another user replied, “And then Brie Larson shows up to help you get away with it.”
One commenter said, “I knew someone who did this. Not only did they agree to 2 dates on the same day. They had invited them to the same venue. They never found out because there were other people and too much commotion to expose it.”
One Redditor added, “While I’ve never planned two dates at the exact same time and date, there was a period in my life where I was guilty of lining them up consecutively (almost at the risk of overlapping). The first few times, it felt awesome as I was maxing my time. But do it enough, and it’s just really exhausting.”
7. Immediately finding a parking spot right
One user shared, “Driving to any destination in a city and immediately finding a parking spot right in front of the building you need to be at.”
“And leaving the windows down/ car unlocked,” another commented.
One user replied, “Okay, but imagine a totally normal movie is just derailed when the protagonist can’t find a parking spot for 10 minutes and then finally finds one that’s a 30 min walk to their building. The entire plot just stops while we watch this person be frustrated for 40 minutes. Sounds like an interdimensional cable from Rick and Morty, tbh.”
8. Happy Endings
“As sad as it is to say, Happy endings. In many movies and TV shows, the story ends with a happy resolution where the main characters achieve their goals or find true love. While happy endings can certainly happen in real life, they are often much more complicated and may not come as easily as they do in fiction,” one user posted.
Another user added, “I always imagine how the relationship continues after the romantic ending in a rom-com. Super messy/toxic lead-up. They’ll last two weeks. Movies where they’ve known each other for only 15 hours? One political talk, and they’ll break up when they realize their views are completely different.”
9. The Wreckage Superheroes Leave Behind
One user shared, “Superheroes destroying cities and killing tens of thousands of people battling bad guys and moving on as if nothing happened.
Another replied, “Superheroes.”
One user answered, “I think they had to deal with that in Marvel. So they set up an organization to deal with that.”
Another user added, “Also in The Incredibles. Apparently, a whole government bureau will deal with damages.”
10. Crawling through HVAC Ducts
One user posted, “Crawling through HVAC ducts.”
Another added, “That one is so dumb. Ever looked inside a vent? Here’s what you’ll find: tons of dust, bugs, sharp metal edges, thin aluminum that can definitely not support your weigh, a tunnel far too small for a person… Here’s what you won’t find: light.
“And even if you did have a perfectly immaculate, enormous, well-lit vent tunnel, the noise would be absurd.”
One commenter shared, “A. Razor sharp edges inside B. Two inches of crud 3. Cannot support your weight at all.”
Source: Reddit.
Who is one actress you can never stand watching, no matter their role? After polling the internet, these were the top-voted actresses that people couldn’t stand watching.
10 Actresses People Despise Watching Regardless of Their Role
These 7 Celebrities are Genuinely Good People
We’ve all heard the famous adage that “no publicity is bad publicity,” and while it tends to be accurate, there are certainly exceptions. But what about those few stars who stay out of the limelight and get along without a hint of trouble?
These 7 Celebrities are Genuinely Good People
Have you ever known someone and thought you liked them—until you learned about their hobbies? Then you get to know them and then you’re like, “Wow, red flag.” Well, you’re not alone.
These 10 Activities Are an Immediate Red Flag
Some celebrities definitely seem to enjoy the limelight and keep working to stay in the public eye. While others quickly move out of the spotlight. Many of these actors and actresses stepped out of the spotlight to live a more private life without constant media pressures.
10 Celebrities That Made the Big Times Then Disappeared Off The Face of the Earth
We’ve all been there – sitting through a movie that we can’t help but cringe at, but somehow it still manages to hold a special place in our hearts.
These 10 Terrible Movies Are Still People’s Favorites
How did the United States become a nation of debtors? When did credit cards become popular? Did you know that many modern credit card policies are the creation of one man?
The Secret History of the Credit Card was a 2004 “Frontline” presentation from the Public Broadcasting System. The program examines the nation’s use of credit and, more specifically, the methods used by credit card companies to obtain enormous profits. The Secret History of the Credit Card won the 2004-2005 Emmy Award for Outstanding Investigative Journalism.
PBS has made the entire program freely available online in RealMedia and Windows Media formats. The broadcast is divided into five segments of roughly twelve-minutes each for easier download.
When this program was produced, 145 million Americans carried credit cards. Of these:
55 million paid in full every month
90 million carried balances
35 million paid the minimum required
Of those who carried credit card debt, the average amount owed was $8,000. “It’s nice to be able to spend what you don’t have,” says man. But the show’s panel of citizens didn’t really understand how credit cards work. They were ignorant of their credit scores, for example.
The Secret History of the Credit Card provides a brief overview of credit reporting agencies and of the credit scores developed by FairIsaac. The median FICO score is 720 out of 850. Risky customers have scores below 600. Three-quarters of American adults have a credit score. A FICO score often determines how much interest a person will pay — terms usually spelled out in the small-print of the contract. (For more on this subject, see my previous explanation of how credit scores work.)
Credit cards are a relatively recent invention. Until the 1980s, they didn’t play a prominent role in American life.
In the early eighties, inflation began to outstrip interest rates, making credit cards a losing proposition for the banks that issued them. (Interest rates were limited by anti-usury laws.) Facing a bleak future, Citibank of New York began searching for options. They found South Dakota, which had recently discarded its anti-usury law, opening the way to unlimited interest rates. Citibank moved its offices to Sioux Falls and, under an obscure Supreme Court decision, was able to export its new higher interest rates to New York and to the entire country. Other credit card companies soon set up shop in South Dakota. And other states — including Delaware — repealed their anti-usury laws in an attempt to lure white collar banking jobs and the associated taxes.
Many current credit card practices can be traced to one man: Andrew Kahr, a sort of credit card whiz kid. Before him, credit cards required customers to pay 5% of their balance every month. Kahr convinced banks to lower minimum payments while raising credit lines, which caused profits to soar. (People charged more and strung it out over longer periods of time.) “High balances are more profitable than small balances,” says Kahr.
From what I’ve seen and read, I believe Kahr is truly an evil man, single-handedly responsible for a lot of the credit trouble Americans face.
The Secret History of the Credit Card describes how Providian, which grew from Kahr’s First Deposit Corp, would receive a check, deposit it, but not credit it to the consumer’s account for several days (or weeks). The consumer would then suffer escalating penalties and fees.
No wonder the credit card industry generates more consumer complaints than any other.
Credit card companies can change their terms at will. There is nothing to prevent issuers from changing their terms. Interest rates are not regulated. Fees are not regulated. Due dates on Sundays and holidays are intentional, and designed to generate late fees.
It is unsurprising that the credit card industry is the most profitable sector of banking.
The Secret History of the Credit Card is a fascinating program, though it’s not really a history — it’s a profile of the credit card industry and its current state. I wish that it were available for download, though. Like a lot of streaming videos, these are flaky. When I paused to answer the phone near the end of one segment, Firefox lost my place and I had to watch most of it over again.
A complete transcript of the program is available. Check out the Secret History of the Credit Card web site for even more information.
Step into a world where sleek lines, open spaces, and a harmonious marriage of form and function reign supreme.
Mid-century may be a classic style from the mid-1900s, but homes built in this style have a timeless appeal. With their distinct architectural features — which often include flat roofs, horizontal planes, and geometric shapes — they embrace simplicity, functionality, and a seamless integration with the surrounding environment.
Nature and lifestyle were key when designing mid-century houses, so many of them were built with floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the yard, sliding glass doors, and many access points to the outdoors.
Incorporating clean lines and basic shapes, simple furnishings, a practical Scandinavian approach with muted color palette, and warm inviting earth tones, simplicity is a notable characteristic of mid-century design. Mid-century modern homes also used spaces efficiently with their split-level design, which makes it easy to see why the this architectural style continues to fascinate with both its practicality and its aesthetic appeal.
Our favorite midcentury modern houses
For those who want to immerse themselves in the world of midcentury beauties, we’ve rounded up our favorites. Carefully restored by their owners while preserving their original character and incorporating modern amenities and technologies, we believe the examples below have done a great job at striking a balance between maintaining the historical integrity of the house and making it functional for contemporary living.
Without further ado, here are 13 stylishly refreshed-yet-classic mid-century modern houses that we’ve covered in the past, many of which had some quite famous owners (or architects).
#1 A secluded mid-century modern home with unique features and views of lush surroundings
There is so much to love about this Santa Clarita property — which was home to ‘Dallas’ Star Linda Gray for almost FIVE decades. Named Oak Tree Ranch after the stunning oak trees that grow on the property, the private California compound has many unique features.
Designed by acclaimed architect A. Quincy Jones, the mid-century house is unquestionably elegant and captivating. True to the principle of bringing the outside in, the floor is made of heart pine, (meaning the heart of the pine tree), sourced from a New Orleans schoolhouse.
The freestanding fireplace is another unique feature of this property. The kitchen was designed by renowned architect Josh Schweitzer who added beautiful racks to hang pots and pans out in the open, pro-style appliances, and a pizza oven.
Sitting on 2.7 acres of lush land, the property has stables for four horses, a tack room/barn, a north-south tennis court, a large swimmer’s pool with spa, organic gardens, koi pond, chicken coop, and an endless lawn to enjoy the outdoors.
#2 This mid-century modern home built by Steele & Van Dyk resembles a semi-secluded paradise
The 8.86-acre property located in the Sonoma County town of Sebastopol is one of the most spectacular (and most lovingly preserved) mid-century homes you’ll find.
It was once owned by Charles M. Schulz, the creator of the beloved comic strip Peanuts and his children have fond memories of the property, which was used by their father as a creative studio.
There were several lots on the original 27-acre property such as Schulz’ main house, his grandmother’s house, a large pond, a baseball field, a miniature golf course, a large swimming pool, an enclosed entertainment pavilion, and his studio, all surrounded by vineyards and apple orchards.
The family who bought the property after Charles Schulz’ ownership made a few changes to the studio but made sure not to alter the nature of the design.
They renovated the studio and turned it into an inviting one-bedroom home which operated as a licensed vacation rental for a few years.
True to the architecture of mid-century modern houses, the former art studio has clean lines, minimal decoration, and large, flat panes of glass windows and doors which allow a connection with nature.
With the home surrounded by natural beauty, you’ll find a four-hole golf course, Redwoods groves, and walking trails lined with numerous rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, dogwoods, several varieties of ferns, fruit trees, and plenty of flowers.
#3 One of legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s last projects, a mid-century masterpiece
Sitting on 14 acres of protected land in New Canaan, Conn., we find one of legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s final projects, built in 1955, just a few years before his death in 1959.
Known as Tirranna — a moniker inspired by an Australian Aboriginal word meaning “running waters”, as the home is cantilevered over a pond and overlooks a waterfall on the Noroton River — the property is one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s largest residential properties.
The architect also lived here while building the Guggenheim Museum and even used some of the scalloped glass windows from the Guggenheim Museum project to complete the home’s south-facing greenhouse.
Clocking in at a generous 7,000 square feet, the 7-bedroom, 8.5-bath home blends geometric complexity with nature’s flowing curves, in typical Frank Lloyd Wright style.
Throughout the home, the architect combined and contrasted soaring ceilings and open living spaces with cozy and cocoon-like mahogany-paneled bedrooms.
The home’s functional wood-paneled and stainless-steel kitchen epitomizes the mid-century modern aesthetic, while each of the bathrooms are spa-like and adorned with spectacular wood panels and unique features.
#4 A Mid-century home in Palo Alto that has maintained the integrity of its original design
This mid-century modern home is so simple that it reads as sophisticated.
It bears the signature of internationally recognized architect and Frank Lloyd Wright protégé Aaron Green. The 3-bed, 2-bath home features extensive use of mahogany, slab floors with radiant heat, built-in beds, desks and dressers, and Formica counters.
With flat roofs, both the exterior and interior have a clean and functional design. Inside the home, there is minimal decoration and the various cabinetry adds depth and variation in elevation.
The large windows give magnetic views of the yard. All in all, a gorgeous home updated for modern living while still retaining its mid-century authenticity.
#5 One of the most spectacular mid-century modern houses with a Moroccan theme and great views of the Coachella Valley
This stylish home is located in a compound in Rancho Mirage’s Thunderbird Heights — a prestigious gated hillside community adjacent to Thunderbird Country Club.
The mid-century home was custom-built for famous entertainer Bing Crosby and his second wife, Kathryn Grant, and was an absolutely perfect fit for its celebrity owner who loved to live large.
Among its most striking features, Bing Crosby’s former home lists a large living room with a stone fireplace and bar, a chef’s kitchen, a movie theater, and a beautiful and spacious 1,400-sq. foot master suite with a stunner of a walk-in closet and a fireplace, as well as four additional en-suite bedrooms.
Spread over 1.36 acres of land, the phenomenal home has approximately 6,700 square feet of living space that extend into the outdoor areas.
The home’s most famous guests, though, were definitely Marilyn Monroe and John F. Kennedy. In honor of their stay there, the two-bedroom attached casita has been named the JFK Wing.
#6 An architectural gem with mesmerizing views of its lush surroundings and direct entrance to Rustic Canyon Park
Set in Los Angeles, this mid-century home designed by notable architect David Hyun has formerly been the residence of prominent entertainment lawyer Gary Concoff and his wife Jean.
The house dubbed ‘the Modern Tree House’ has large floor-to-ceiling windows which provide scenic views of the century-old trees that surround it and encourage a sense of harmony with the outdoor spaces it’s built around. The combination of the large windows and open floor plans let in a lot of beautiful natural light into the two-story home.
Notable features on the lower level of the house include an eat-in Eggersman kitchen, a full-service bar, a formal powder room, and three bedrooms. The distinctive spiral staircase leads to the primary suite upstairs fitted with generously sized closets as well as two separate offices and a large den/media room.
The massive backyard of the nearly quarter-acre property features a large swimming pool, a unique area for dining set amongst the trees, and a gate directly into Rustic Canyon Park, said to be one of the best parks in Los Angeles.
#7 The lovely mid-century modern house Richard Neutra designed for his secretary
One of the most impressive celebrity homes on our list, Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea’s house is made out of two architecturally significant structures: The first is a modern heptagon-shaped house designed by AD100 architect Michael Maltzan and the other is a lovely midcentury-style house built by famed architect Richard Neutra in the early 1950s.
Clocking in at 1,350 sq ft, the midcentury-style home has 2 bedrooms, and one bath, and is surrounded by walls of glass.
The home was built by Richard Neutra for his secretary, Dorothy Serulnic and her husband, George, back in 1953. Neutra, one of the most influential architects of the twentieth century, made sure that his secretary’s home is as livable and comfortable as it is visually appealing.
He designed several built-ins including a sofa system with a record player and concealed speakers, multiple desks, shelving systems, a dining room table, and a sliding breakfast nook, which are still present in the house today (or, rather, were still there when Flea tried offloading his La Crescenda compound a while back).
Architect Michael Maltzan then built a dramatic, seven-sided house on the property half a century later. The spaceship-like house is surrounded by seven exterior walls (some made out of glass) and is anchored by an open-air courtyard that sits right at the center.
A small cabin built by artist and craftsman Peter Staley provides a little extra space for guests and an eye-grabbing feature.
#8 Master architect Richard Dorman’s award-winning home, the Seidenbaum Residence
Tucked away down a long private driveway into a quiet, secluded compound we find architect Richard Dorman’s Seidenbaum Residence.
With its timeless appeal and unique design, the home is nestled in the Hollywood Hills on Mulholland Drive, overlooking outstanding views of the San Fernando Valley and the Hollywood sign.
Spanning 3,198 square feet, the five-bedroom, three-bathroom home has two peaked roofs and clerestory windows that capture the California sunshine inside the main living area.
Boasting an open-concept layout, the home blends mid-century and modern designs. From the dining and main living areas to the kitchen, the fluid design captures a sense of tranquility amid the walls of glass that draw in the natural light.
Providing warmth and intimacy, the see-through, double-sided fireplace is a show-stopper in the great room.
#9 This elegant home with a zen factor beautifully remodeled for modern-day living
Originally built in 1955, this home offers a fresh, contemporary take on the timeless midcentury style. Esteemed architectural firm OWIU (which stands for the only way is up) updated the property, building on its mid-century modern legacy.
The 1,516-square-foot home is in Mount Washington, a historic neighborhood in the San Rafael Hills of Northeast Los Angeles. It has bright, warm interiors, and is filled with the natural finish of attractive light oak wood.
The house — which has retained its original charm —is all about comfort, timeless design, and an approachable elegance.Kane Lim from the popular reality show Bling Empire was once the owner of this beautiful property.
It has all the standard features of a mid-century home and then some,with floor-to-ceiling windows, clean lines, breathtaking views, and a deck in the primary suite that leads to a Japanese-style garden with bonsai and maple trees.
The house’s exterior has fresh pathways and gardening beds, a gate that leads to the lower portion of the property, and a large open space that has a sculptural staircase and custom wood bench surrounding a fire pit.
#10 A charming, thoughtfully updated former celebrity home on a quiet hilltop
On a quiet hilltop right above the famed Mulholland Drive sits a 4-bedroom hilltop hideaway once owned by power couple Emily Blunt and John Krasinski.
The secluded, single-level mid-century home has a large open plan design and walls of glass that allow light to enter rooms from multiple angles.
With soaring, beamed ceilings, wide plank hardwoods, and original stonework, the living room is as eye-catching as it is inviting and features a gas fireplace.
The primary bedroom suite is one of the main highlights of this home and it looks and feels like a retreat in itself. With its vaulted, beamed ceilings, and massive windows inviting the outdoors in, a sitting area, custom built-ins, a walk-in closet, and a marble-clad ensuite bath with a soaking tub and steam shower, it truly is a stylish and elegant space.
The flagstone patio is surrounded by mature oak and olive trees and features a bubbling fountain, making it a great place to relax and soak in the picturesque views of mountains, the canyon, and the slivers of the city skyline.
#11 A spectacular stilt house with jaw-dropping views and a unique taste of Los Angeles history
Nestled in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, this is one of 17 unique homes propped up over the side of the Beverly Glen Canyon. The mid-century house was tastefully modernized by its previous owner, acclaimed architect Donald M. Goldstein. It’s undoubtedly a part of architecture history in Los Angeles.
Known as Neutra’s Platform Houses because they were originally designed by legendary architect Richard Neutra, these gravity-defying homes are incredible. Also known as the Stone-Fisher Speculative Houses (as they were built for the Stone-Fisher development company), the unique abodes were later completed by architect William S. Beckett.
The one-story home creates the illusion of a floating vessel in the sky. The unique structure has a rectangular form, horizontal emphasis, long balconies stretching the full width of the house, and large windows to display magnificent views of the San Fernando Valley.
Some of the notable features of the 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom home include pyramid skylights, raised ceiling and roof lines, a 300+ bottle wine cellar, a Roman soaking tub, and its black metal exterior is coated with a 24-gauge Kynar finish.
#12 A classic mid-century house in a prime location with a long list of past celebrity owners
The star-studded Los Angeles Tree House — carefully tucked away from prying eyes in the famous Mulholland Drive — has attracted names like Ellen DeGeneres, Heath Ledger, and Hunger Games star Josh Hutcherson as its owners.
The charming home with its lush surroundings is as serene as it is private. Inside, the clean mid-century modern style is warmed by a blend of natural textures, with walls of glass opening the home to the beautifully landscaped outdoors.
The home’s most extraordinary feature is its expansive 2,500-square-foot outdoor deck which is pretty phenomenal.
It overlooks the leafy treetops illuminated with ethereal lights at night and is furnished with an outdoor grill, lots of seating areas, and an open-air screening room with a retractable projection screen.
#13 A two-story mid-century gem in Bel Air with artsy appeal
Set in a quiet cul-de-sac, the 5,134-square-foot mid-century modern home features 5 bedrooms and 4 baths and has been fitted with everything from stone counters to auto window shades, radiant limestone floors, and high-end SS Thermador appliances.
The two-story Bel-Air home features dramatic vaulted ceilings that soar over the living, dining, and family rooms.
With its seamless indoor/outdoor living, scenic surroundings and the floor-to-ceiling windows and doors that are popular in mid-century modern houses, the house is flooded with natural light.
The home’s interior is stylishly refreshed with inviting warm-toned furnishings providing a relaxing and enriching experience, with art and pops of color accenting its midcentury aesthetic.
Midcentury modern houses continue to captivate and inspire with their timeless charm and architectural elegance. From their clean lines and expansive windows to their innovative use of materials, these houses represent a design movement that has left an indelible mark on the world of architecture, one that will continue to attract homeowners and renovators for years to come.
Especially since, as we’ve seen with the examples listed above, updating these midcentury gems creates true masterpieces.
Welcome to the vibrant and thriving city of Nashville, where luxury living reaches new heights amidst the enchanting landscapes and soul-stirring music. If you’re contemplating living in Nashville or already on the hunt for a home in the city, you’ll find yourself surrounded by an array of exquisite features and amenities that epitomize opulence and comfort. mike
From elegant architecture and expansive living spaces to state-of-the-art technology and breathtaking views, Nashville’s top luxury home features are a testament to the city’s dynamic allure and unparalleled lifestyle. Join us on a journey to explore the finest residences that encapsulate the essence of luxury in Music City, USA.
Top neighborhoods with luxury home features in Nashville
Nashville’s luxury neighborhoods, Green Hills, Belle Meade, and Brentwood, boast exquisite home features, each offering a distinct blend of opulence and charm where homebuyers are willing to pay premium prices. In fact, the median sale price of homes in these three neighborhoods is a minimum $543K more than the median sale price for the city.
Green Hills, with its tree-lined streets and proximity to high-end shopping and dining, offers an exquisite blend of convenience and elegance. The median sale price for homes in Green Hills was $990K in June 2023.
Belle Meade evokes timeless elegance, characterized by grand estates and a historic charm. Belle Meade tops the list for most expensive neighborhood in June 2023, with a median sale price of $2.1 million.
Brentwood’s allure lies in its stately residences, expansive lots, and nearby amenities, creating an ideal suburban retreat with a touch of sophistication. The median sale price sits at $1.3 million for homes in Brentwood in June 2023.
Leiper’s Fork, a charming village near Nashville, exudes rustic elegance with sprawling properties set against picturesque landscapes. This retreat is perfect for those in the market for a refined countryside lifestyle, with homes also set at premium prices.
1. Outdoor living spaces
Outdoor living spaces are a highly sought after feature in the luxury home market in Nashville. The “glass wall,” or collapsible sliding doors, allow the indoor living space to flow seamlessly to the outdoor living space. These spaces often have high-end kitchens, fireplaces, TV’s, and all of the comforts of the indoor space. This design provides the perfect solution for a mix of indoor/outdoor entertaining. They are also great for offering the homeowner their own private respite after a long hard day. Plus, if the outdoor living space is private, that tends to add more value. This is typically achieved with privacy fences, screens, plantings, and pergolas, creating intimate and secluded retreats.
One of my recent listings perfectly encapsulated the fusion of luxury and aesthetics. This exquisite home spanned four stories with an impressive five balconies, each offering breathtaking panoramas of downtown Nashville. The top floor featured a captivating wrap-around balcony, providing an unparalleled vantage point to soak in the city’s skyline and dynamic energy.
2. Wine room
With the growing interest in wine comes the growing demand for wine rooms, a popular luxury home feature in Nashville. The wine room has quietly replaced the wine cellar as homeowners have shifted towards displaying their collection instead of hiding it away in a cellar. These spaces, often accommodating 300 to 500 bottles, provide a cozier and more-intimate way to entertain and enjoy a bottle of wine. Beyond the functionality, wine rooms serve as a way to highlight a wine collection years in the making.
3. Luxury pools
Luxury pools are a must-have for luxury homes in Nashville, yet uniquely challenging due to the city’s rocky terrain. Because of this, building a pool can be expensive because of the need for blasting or chipping out of rock.
In Nashville’s housing market, private pools are more than just amenities – they are extensions of the luxurious lifestyle. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, these pools seamlessly integrate with the architecture, blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living. You’ll often find creative pool designs, such as a pool within a barn, each providing a reflection of the homeowner’s taste and personality.
4. Breathtaking views
Breathtaking views are a highly desirable feature in Nashville homes, and luxury properties are often strategically positioned to maximize the beauty of the natural landscape. For estates nestled on expansive acreage, the view might be of gently rolling hills with green pastures, magnificent trees, and ponds or other water features. Or, if the home is in the heart of Nashville, it might be perched on a hilltop, providing incredible views of downtown.
These residences feature expansive windows and meticulously crafted floor plans to enhance the seamless blend between indoor and outdoor realms. This design philosophy ensures that the mesmerizing landscape remains a constant presence, forging an unbroken connection between the interior and the natural world beyond.
5. Guest houses and DADUs
Guest houses, or separate living spaces that are attached or detached from the house, are a highly desirable feature for luxury homes in the Nashville market. A growing trend that has been embraced throughout luxury homes is multi-generational living, where different generations within a family have separate spaces on the same property. This allows adult children to live with their parents (or vice versa) yet each still has their own space and privacy.
A guest house provides a dedicated space for visitors and overnight guests, ensuring their comfort and privacy while maintaining a sense of separation from the main residence. From an investment perspective, guest houses add versatility and potential for rental income. Homeowners can lease these separate living spaces for additional financial gain, making their luxury property not only a residence but also a potential source of revenue.
DADU‘s (Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit) is a specific type of guest house that is fully detached from the main residence. A DADU must be placed behind and smaller than the primary residence, typically 700-1,000 sq. ft. These dwellings have become popular in recent years – especially for those homes located in a historic overlay district that might prohibit changes to the principal home.
6. Land and privacy
In Nashville’s luxury market, larger land and privacy translate directly to higher home prices. Homes with ample acreage offer room for innovative designs and serene surroundings, and the scarcity of open space makes seclusion a premium.
Homeowners can use their land to create expansive gardens, add amenities like pools or tennis courts, and build peaceful retreats. Privacy also grants an escape from city life, providing room for various leisure activities.
If you’re buying a luxury home in Nashville, your Redfin Premier Agent is equipped to offer valuable insights into the local market, including insight into the neighborhoods, highly sought-after amenities, pricing trends, and available luxury properties.
So a guy, an Austrian fellow named Andreas Gindelhuber, with apparent dreams of making money in real estate here in the United States, resorted to selling his home in exchange for an iPhone 6 last week.
He originally purchased the foreclosed 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath Detroit home (you probably already knew it was in Detroit) for $41,000 in April 2010, per Zillow.
Two weeks later, it was listed for rent at a seemingly reasonable $750 per month. After languishing on the market for two months, Gindelhuber lowered the rental price to $695 per month and finally found some tenants.
But the neighborhood where the home is located was hard hit by the housing crisis, prompting nearby residents to move out and leave their properties behind.
Eventually his tenants also headed for the exits, leaving the place vacant and in disrepair. He also had a $6,000 delinquent property tax bill to worry about, so he hired local real estate agent Larry Else to market the property.
It’s unclear how the property got so badly damaged, but it’s supposedly missing all its doors and windows, and also has extensive smoke damage. I’ve heard about houses getting set on fire in Detroit…
Anyway, it seemed no one wanted the thing, even for the price of FREE.
Still, Gindelhuber listed the badly damaged property for $5,000, hoping to get some interest from somewhere, hopefully.
Then reality set in, forcing him to lower the asking price twice in two months, first to $4,000 and then to $3,000.
Then His Real Estate Agent Got Creative
That still didn’t cut it, so Gindelhuber and Else brainstormed. At some point Else remembers Gindelhuber telling him he would trade the house for an iPhone 6 or a new iPad 32 GB.
Realizing it could be a great publicity stunt that would no doubt put Else’s name on the map, they decided to add the potential barter to the official listing.
It didn’t take long for news outlets to pick up on the story, including a local Fox affiliate and Yahoo!, then it went viral.
A short week or so later the property has been sold to a local man (who lives down the street) for an unknown price, but apparently less than $1,000. He plans to fix it up.
The funny part about the story is that Gindelhuber didn’t actually get his iPhone 6 or iPad in exchange for the sale.
But thanks to the Internet and its greatness, a man from Germany has offered to donate his brand new iPhone 6 to Gindelhuber.
The story also wound up in a German magazine, prompting the man to e-mail Else, claiming the story “touched me somehow.”