Archive for the ‘Fun Stuff’ Category

Rotating, Shape Shifting Skyscraper

Wednesday, July 9th, 2008

An architect has designed an 80 story building that continually changes its shape by using the wind.   The “first if its type” building is under construction in Dubai, with a grand opening scheduled in 2010.  There are also plans to construct two more moving buildings, with one located in Moscow and another in  New York City.   

The building design is like nothing we’ve ever seen before.  It offers sweeping and constantly changing views, as the building exterior shape actually moves. 

The downside… being fabulous and cutting edge will not come cheap.   Rumors are circulating that residences will be priced around $3000 per foot.  

del.icio.us Reddit Digg Technorati Google Yahoo RealEstateVoices

Bug Off — Plants that Naturally Repel Pesky Insects Away

Tuesday, June 24th, 2008

Mosquito Researcher

Another unforeseen problem buzzing around foreclosures and the bad economy is the dramatic increase in the mosquito and garden pest population. 

Many entire neighborhoods now feel the sting, as millions of vacant properties, along with those owned by cash strapped homeowners, have turned overgrown lawns, swimming pools, hot tubs, water gardens and koi ponds into insect breeding grounds.   

Before you light the citronella candles or coat yourself in insect repellent, consider heading to your local garden center for relief.   Some plants are natural insect repellents and keep summer bugs away, while improving the curb appeal of your home.

NATURAL “BUG OFF” PLANTS

Marigolds–Marigolds don’t have the greatest smell, but mosquito’s and other pests literally hate it.  The bright, inexpensive and easy to grow annual is a proven workhorse in deterring pests around patio’s porches and vegetable gardens.

Catnip– In addition to being a favorite of your beloved feline, catnip is 10 times more effective than DEET when it comes to repelling the universally hated and dangerous mosquito.   The annual plant grows easily in a sunny, dry location like the one found around most patio area’s.

Lemon Thyme–  Smells and Tastes Great to Humans.  Its lemon scent is a wonderful to smell as you walk or brush by and its lemon flavored leaves can be used in salads or recipes calling for lemon or lemon zest.  This perennial grows great in most climate zones, requires little to no watering and thrives with a little sunshine.

Lemon Basil–  Is another plant that smells great to people and is delicious to eat with summer tomato’s.  Lemon Basil is a tender annual that needs watering.  It is does self sow, but buy starter plants versus sowing seed packets for the best results with this yummy option to a pest problem.

To learn more about natural insect deterrents and repellents click here.

del.icio.us Reddit Digg Technorati Google Yahoo RealEstateVoices

Video of US Home Prices Plotted on a Roller Coaster Ride

Monday, June 23rd, 2008

This video is a fun way to experience home prices since 1890.  Feel the pull of appreciation and the drop of depreciation on this fun wild ride through the US real estate market.

Click Here to Take a Ride:

del.icio.us Reddit Digg Technorati Google Yahoo RealEstateVoices

Bad Photograph Examples of Homes for Sale

Wednesday, April 9th, 2008

The 60’s music group “Bread” coined the truism that..”a picture paints a thousand words…”  and whether you remember the song or not, the words are as true as the day they were first penned.

Photograph’s are a representation of your home and a vision of an imagined lifestyle for the home shopper.    They can immediately paint a picture of a home that is well maintained, or not; light, dark, cramped, or spacious, bright and inviting.  

When selecting a photograph to represent your home, view it objectively and ask yourself what picture are you painting?  What words come to mind when you look at the snapshot?   Is this a picture someone would excitedly forward to their friends, co-workers and family?  If not, stage the shot and update the photograph.

Below is a collection of photo’s that conjure words, but are the words ones that encourage a sale or stop interest in its tracks????

deer-head.jpg

 Deer hunter, dark, rustic, rural

clutter.jpg

Cramped, no storage, clutter, small

dark-hall.jpg

I’ll go if you will; dark, scary, what’s the point

funny-frig.jpg

Eddie Kruger, Halloween, Only the Shadow Knows…

Have a chuckle, but do take a look at your photographs.   Photographs sell houses…and don’t.  What picture do your photo’s paint????

Thank you for visiting www.infotube.net   If you have some funny real estate photo’s, please send them our way!

del.icio.us Reddit Digg Technorati Google Yahoo RealEstateVoices

Creative, New Plumbing Fixtures

Thursday, March 20th, 2008

Low Flush.  Dual Flush.  Power flush. Gravity Flush.   And, just when you thought plumbing could evolve no further… witness the Creative Flush.

image003.jpgimage002.jpg

del.icio.us Reddit Digg Technorati Google Yahoo RealEstateVoices

A New Concept for High Rise Condo’s

Tuesday, March 11th, 2008

An Innovative Approach to High Rise Condo’s

 Innovative Approach to High Rise Condo’s

del.icio.us Reddit Digg Technorati Google Yahoo RealEstateVoices

Walkable Neighborhoods are in Vogue

Monday, February 25th, 2008

Walkable neighborhood 

With falling home prices, rising energy prices and expanding waist lines, a walkable neighborhood is always in demand.   A play on that idea is found at a new website which identifies walkable neighborhoods in any town.   

Check out the “walkability” of your neighborhood by going to www.walkscore.com .  Enter a property address and the website will rate the neighborhood on a scale from 0-100 on how easy it is to walk in the area and destinations within a one-mile radius.   Walkscore.com makes it fun to identify grocery stores, shops, churches, parks, etc. in any neighborhood and also provides info on area demographics, crime, etc.  

If you are buying or selling a home, visit the walkscore.com website and check out your location for walkability, community and accessibility.

As always, thanks for visiting infotube.net.

del.icio.us Reddit Digg Technorati Google Yahoo RealEstateVoices

Workout for Housing Bubble Hangover

Friday, February 8th, 2008

workoutbubble.JPG

del.icio.us Reddit Digg Technorati Google Yahoo RealEstateVoices

Unbelievably Ugly Real Estate Photos

Thursday, April 12th, 2007

A hilarious look at some of the worst photographs of houses for sale. Laugh and Learn, but don’t repeat. Cut and paste the link highlighted below into your browser. Enjoy

http://www.visualtour.com/applets/flashviewer/viewer.asp?t=830679&sk=46&dm=teamfisher.com

del.icio.us Reddit Digg Technorati Google Yahoo RealEstateVoices