Thinking About Buying
mgeca
17 years ago
Featured Answer
Comments (34)
jdbillp
17 years agoRelated Discussions
thinking about buying Phyllostachys aureosulcata advice needed
Comments (4)That's a pretty bamboo and is much like any running bamboo in its growth habits. After you plant it, it will probably spend the first two years putting up a few new culms, but will be establishing itself underground and sending out some runners. In the third year you will get more substantial culm growth and it will be spread out from the main, original planting. It's hard to predict how much it will run, although it will keep wanting to spread out. I've had one in the ground for 5 years. This year it sent up growth about 3' out from the center in a coupe of directions. I have seen it spread out further and faster, though. I don''t think it's much work to maintain it, but there will be some. You have two choices: You can buy a specialty product called bamboo barrier, which is a hard plastic that comes in rolls and is anywhere from 40-80 mils thick by 30"-36" wide. You would have to dig a trench around your bamboo at least 24" deep, put the barrier in the ground, secure the plastic where it overlaps with a stainless steel bar, and then bury it. It will stop the rhizomes from expanding beyond that perimeter. You can do what I do, which is to rhizome prune every year at least once. This means digging into the soil all around your bamboo to find any rhizomes that have gone further than you want and to chop them off before they send up new growth. I generally use a pickaxe for this, and just chop in a circle around the plant. Most rhizomes don't go more than about 10" deep in the ground and it's not necessary to dig a big trench...just get the pick end into the ground so you can see if it encounters resistance where a root might be. If there is a root, cut it off with the pickaxe. Newer rhizomes that are chopped off generally die, but I tend to pry out the chopped off piece just to be safe. If, by chance, you miss a rhizome and you see some growth coming up in your lawn, it's not a big deal (unless you have a perfect lawn): you can just trace the rhizome back in a roughly straight line from the nearest aboveground growth, decide where you want to stop the plant and chop the rhizome; then pry the severed section out of the ground. You don't have to get every tiny piece...just the main root. This process can take me anywhere from 2 minutes to a half an hour per bamboo plant depending on what growth has occurred underground, how big I want to let that grove get, and how mature the plant is. It also helps if you plant the bamboo in a slight mound. I put many of mine in a mound about 6"-12" high and about 6' in diameter. This tends to keep rhizomes nearer the surface, and sometimes they will even be along the top of the ground for a bit and this all helps make it easier to spot them. Lastly, and, I hope, obviously, don't plant the bamboo right on the property line or next to a fence, as that will complicate your efforts to contain it and to keep it from getting into your neighbor's yard before you can catch it....See MoreThinking about buying a used condenser unit
Comments (7)double the labor charge or higher isn't uncommon. I never recommend used units, by the time you pay for start up...solve the problems, the unit's useful life is over. investing in a new unit is a better option. used hvac is too much of a crap shoot IMO. that said...I know a couple who has a 25 year old Rudd...it works... but the cost of operation is astronomical. you either pay upfront...or in service charges, changing parts or in utility costs. best of luck....See Morethinking about buying this house and renovating - pics
Comments (18)Thanks for all your responses. We looked at it again with older, wiser folks ;) and there were some issues that they pointed out. Issues that we don't want to tackle. Also, I decided that if I would ever do a renovation to an older home, it should be on an older home with some sort of character or charm. There's really no point in dumping money into this particular home. There's no architectural charm whatsoever. One thing that I was "right" about, however, is that renovations in areas such as this can be profitable since the homes range from 250K to over a million. With that being said though, I was NOT looking to profit. I just want to be in a good location in a house that I like. The example given by an agent is if the land alone will sell for 250K - 290K, then the land with a 2300 sf house all updated nicely can sell for well over 400K. Baton Rouge doesn't follow the usual "rules" in certain locations. Another example, sort of, is there's a mid century modern house that I really want (husband doesn't like it) for 525K, but they purchased it 6 months ago for 319K, and haven't done a thing to it. Agent expects it to sell for 375-400K according to comps, but wouldn't be surprised if they got closer to what they are asking due to location. Someone may come along and buy it for what they are asking then drive up the price per square foot in the neighborhood. This seems to be a trend over here. Location really talks since the city is running out of IN CITY property. @ Artichokey, yes we have large life insurance policies on both of us etc etc. My husband is an insurance nut. He gets it on EVERYTHING. It's annoying, really. Also, if anything ever happened to my husband and I needed to go back to work, I could and would. KickyMarcia, we took a tour of the house you posted, but the pool is an issue and there were a lot of things that I would want to update and or change. I'm the problem. I'm too picky. So, we will just wait until the right house comes up. Livewireoak, public schools in Baton Rouge are a mess right now. It's a political debate not suitable for here. But trust me, they're nothing like the schools in Tennessee. Either way, we LOVE the Catholic school they are currently attending. It's a great school, Church, and Community that makes the drive just something I have to do. Hopefully, however, we will find a home soon that gets us closer to the school. In the meantime, NancyinMich, I will check out those coolers. :) Again, thanks for all of your opinions and advice! Take care!...See MoreI am thinking about buying Shiloh kitchen cabinets, I need a review
Comments (1)Search here, there are plenty available....See Moresager66
17 years agomister_h
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8 years ago
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