How would you invest $25K?
Slimy_Okra
11 years ago
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myfamilysfarm
11 years agoRelated Discussions
$25k budget..is inground possible?
Comments (5)Friends of ours in Michigan got a 16X32 vinyl inground for 24K three years ago. So it can be done. 7 (or 8?) foot depth. I'm not sure of the equipment, though. Diving rock. No experience with semi inground. I don't know how much a standard concrete surround is but if I needed to knock something off to make budget that would be it. I happen to love the look of grass right up to the coping. That way, the surround of your choice could be added at a later date. Or just leave it grass. I just love that look....See MoreMy Builder just RUINED my 25K+ deck .. please help!
Comments (18)The cuts are nice and straight ... he used some sort of track/stop to run the saw along. We did have him sand yesterday (with the thought that if that doesn't work, anything else we'd do would be more drastic and the sanding wouldn't matter). It was pouring when we got home so I have to go outside now and see how much it helped. That actually isn't anchorseal, it's all splinters and chew marks ... it looks darker because those are the boards he put down last fall, so they have faded, and the chew stuff exposed the new wood. The screws are a little shiny, but they are countersunk a bit, so as long as you're not looking straight down on them (like I am here), it's really not too obvious ... plus I thought they'd go better when the deck is gray (and if I stain the stain will fill the little sink holes and obscure them a bit). Anyway, I'll post an update tonight with some new pictures ... I know he did go get "another" new blade (with 60 teeth) after we yelled at him, so perhaps the few remaining boards to be cut will be better. Do circular saw blades really run "backwards"? That's what he said ... Thanks for all the support guys! It probably wasn't as bad as I made it out to be but I was REALLY upset when I first saw it (after all, all the other cuts he made on the deck were perfectly smooth). Thanks again, Birgit...See MoreWould like to know if this property is a bad investment or not
Comments (8)"The condo probably will not reach the original $490,000 value again because the reason that real estate values went so high was the ease of lending which probably wonÂt happen again because lending is more regulated now and lending institutions are not as heavily backed by the insurance industry so heavily hit when the bubble bursted as a result of the economic downswing. " I'd give the odds of this statement being true at about 0%. 50 years from now, your friend will look back and tell his grandkids how people used to be able to buy a house for "ONLY" a half mil. The question is IF property values will rebound but WHEN. Unfortunately, nobody knows the answer. BTW - your friend really needs to consult a lawyer. California law is pretty strange for foreclosures and short sales. The recourse rules change if you refinance but I'm not sure if they treat the loan restructuring the same way. He may be right about being able to "get away with it" but I wouldn't assume that is necessarily true....See Morehow much remodeling can $25K do ?
Comments (16)Hi Mary, I live in Alaska and our last house was on a sloping lot, so we had to have the foundation done by a structural engineer, with a retaining wall and drainage built into it, etc. I've done four projects. The land here can range from almost clay like to permafrost and bog, which all have to be dealt with differently. Our current house is on a flat lot with our typical yuck soil, so we were able to just hand dig for a foundation of five feet and it was done with cinder blocks. I needed a 4 x 25 bumpout at the back of the garage for relocating the furnace and for a bit more storage. Obviously, I have really different consideration with cold here. This winter, the freeze has gone down to nine feet. Lots of water pipes breaking. I am not all that knowledgable with this stuff and rely heavily on the contractors/plumbers/electricians, etc. for their advice and recommendations. Everyone from the hardware store to the workers to the code people have all been willing to share their knowledge. I like staying GC so that I can keep a close eye on expenses. I give purchasing power to the people so they can go get what they need, when they need it, but I can go over those bills closely, return what isn't used, make sure I don't get billed for items which aren't part of my job. And that has happened. Subcontractors often prefer to work with certain people and I let the guys working give me the first recommendations, but as GC if anyone gives me problems or isn't doing good work I can tell them not to come back. More than once I've had to find a quick replacement in order not to hold up the project. My last contractor turned out to be a real problem. He had done a great deal of work for us, but he started drinking again and things were a mess. I was able to keep him off the job, where had he been GC it would have been more difficult. But, really, for the most part I enjoy the remodeling process. I've learned so much and can really appreciate the work and skill that goes into someone doing a good job. Find someone to start with. Maybe a framer and they can connect you with all of the other jobbers like foundation, roof, plumbing, electrical. Most of my guys called for their own inspections once they were ready or told me to call it in. I followed the inspectors around like glue, took notes and learned as much as I could from them. At some point you have to just trust your judgement and go with it. Nice thing about remodeling is that screw-ups can be fixed. It's not brain surgery or a heart attack where you don't get second chances. Things will go wrong. People will mess up. Costs will go up. Just try and build yourself a cushion with expenses and time, be good at confrontation and standing up for yourself while remaining diplomatic. Gloria...See Moremagz88
11 years agocole_robbie
11 years agorustico_2009
11 years agorandy41_1
11 years agoboulderbelt
11 years agorustico_2009
11 years agojrslick (North Central Kansas, Zone 5B)
11 years agobrookw_gw
11 years agomyfamilysfarm
11 years agobrookw_gw
11 years agodirtdigging101
11 years agosandy0225
11 years ago
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jrslick (North Central Kansas, Zone 5B)