This Disney Vacation Villa is Not Overlooked, 3 bed Pool Home in Highly Desirable High Grove community. Ideal for short term, long term, or primary residence. Resort style gated community with clubhouse, mini golf, fitness, lounge, concierge service, and community pool. Close to major roads, shopping, and restaurants.
142 Sandy Point
Davenport, Florida 33897
$174,000
3 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms
1, 527 Sq. Ft. | 2015 Taxes: $855.06
Click Here to See More Property in Davenport Lakes
11 tips that will save your garden, lawn, and flowers … not to mention your green thumb rep.
Whether you’re dealing with a California drought, an mid-Atlantic heat wave or Deep South downpours, summer can be a tricky time to garden. Here’s what you need to know before you leave the comfort of the air conditioning for a steamy backyard jungle.
Here is a list of Do’s and Don’ts of Summer Landscaping …
DON’T: Plant cool-season vegetables
Generally speaking, it’s a bad idea to attempt veggies like peas, lettuce, carrots and radishes in summer. They will quickly bolt in the heat, meaning that they’ll devote their energy to blooming and producing seeds, making the edible parts bitter.
DO: Plant hot-season vegetables
Take advantage of summer’s plentiful heat and sunshine by planting these heat-loving edibles: okra, sweet potatoes, chili peppers, cowpeas, yardlong beans and eggplant. Okra produces prolific pods all summer long, and is drought-tolerant as far as vegetables go. Sweet potatoes make an excellent temporary groundcover in veggie gardens and flowerbeds, shading out weeds until the arrival of cold weather, when they can be harvested.
DON’T: Water unless necessary
It’s tempting to set the sprinklers on a timer, kick up your feet and consider it taken care of. But here’s why that’s a problem: First off, do you really want to be the guy or gal who’s caught running sprinklers in a rain storm? Water plants when they are newly planted, or are wilting and/or dropping leaves due to drought.
DO: Use drought-tolerant plants
Drought-tolerant plants are all the rage, and not just because they conserve water. Grow drought-tolerant plants because they’re low-maintenance and because you’re an average person with — you know— a life. That said, ‘drought-tolerant’ does not mean that you can plant it and forget it. Keep the soil moist until the plant takes off on its own.
DON’T: Turn your back on the garden
Because in summer, things can change in a heartbeat. Plants can succumb to pests, drought, wet soil or rot in a matter of days. Pay attention to weather forecasts and be on the lookout for plants that are clearly struggling. Don’t hesitate to use those pruners on any bullies that seem to be taking over less vigorous plants. When in doubt, rip it out.
DO: Water deeply
Water like you really mean it — with a deep soak so that the water penetrates the soil without running off or evaporating in the summer heat. Watering deeply will also encourage deeper root growth, which helps plants (especially shrubs and trees) stay healthier and more drought-tolerant in the long run. Water in the root-zone with a high falutin’ garden nozzle, a soaker hose, or nothing more than a hose and a full stream of water.
DON’T: ‘Scalp’ your lawn
If you plan on turning your summer lawn into a practical putting green and you mow your lawn close, you’ll be sorely disappointed by the results. (Unless you’re willing to settle for a putting brown, that is.) Short cuts mean less drought-tolerance, patchier growth, more weeds and shallow roots. When in doubt, cut high.
DO: Fertilize warm-season grasses
Give your lawn a pick-me-up to cope with the summer heat. Your local garden center should have a good selection of fertilizers to suit your region and/or lawn type. Fertilize according to label instructions, using a broadcast, handheld or drop spreader for even coverage. Generally speaking, don’t feed on a hot day with temps above 90 degrees.
DON’T: Water in the afternoon
It’s a myth that sunlight will become magnified by water droplets and burn the plants, but watering in the hottest part of the day is still pretty useless because many plants will go semi-dormant, and water quickly evaporate in summer. Water in the early morning so that the plants’ roots have a chance to absorb moisture.
DON’T: Let weeds go to seed
Procrastinate all you want, but pull those weeds before they have a chance to bloom and go to seed, spreading their progeny all over your garden to proliferate and give you headaches. Don’t settle for hand-pulling everything either: use a hoe or cultivator for new weeds in loose soil, or a heavy-duty weeding tool like a hori-hori knife, hook or mattock for tough, established weeds.
DO: Plant tropical bulbs
Much of your garden will slow down in the heat of summer, but tropical bulbs such as caladiums, elephant ears, cannas and gingers will only grow faster. Create a lush and jungly understory beneath shady trees by planting en masse, or use sparely for architectural interest in container combos and flowerbeds.
If you’re thinking about selling your home, you may be stressed out about all the things you need to do to get it market ready, and all the costs associated with those updates. Renovations don’t have to cost you a fortune. By thinking smart about some of the updates that will have the greatest impact, you can minimize your spend and maximize your investment. Here’s a list of 7 Smart Renovations Under $500
1. Give your kitchen some attention
If there’s one spot that can make or break your home sale, it’s this. You could spend thousands on new countertops and cabinets – and your agent may advise you to do some of these larger updates depending on the age and condition of your current kitchen and the competitiveness of your local market. But, for many of us, attention to a few key areas can help detract from the negatives and highlight the positives.
“Naturally, there are limits to what you can do on a budget. But many home-remodeling experts stress that moderately handy homeowners with just a little cash to spend can make a big difference in their kitchen,” said Bankrate. “And if the work looks good, you’re adding equity to your home,” Erin Davis, lead designer for Mosaik Design & Remodeling in Portland, Oregon, told them.
For under $500, you can paint your kitchen cabinets – use white for a classic yet updated look – and add hardware. You’ll be surprised how much impact these two changes can have in an outdated space. Finish it off with a fancy new faucet that can be swapped out for under $100, like this brushed chrome single handle pullout.
2. Get a new appliance
It’s not likely that you’ll find a new appliance package for under $500, but you may be able to find a great deal on a new fridge or dishwasher if yours is a bit ratty by looking at scratch and dent items. Sometimes, the scratch is in a place that will be obscured by a wall, meaning you can save tons of money and not ever see the issue. If you can only afford one, think about the fact that you can take the refrigerator with you to your new place.
3. Bring in the light
One of the most important things you can do to prepare your home for sale is to fill it with natural light. That means opening drapes and pulling blinds for showings—and making sure your windows are clean behind them! If your home doesn’t offer a lot of natural light, careful placement of mirrors can help bounce whatever light there is around. Painting lighter colors can also keep the space airy, and is recommended by stagers as well.
Bringing in new light fixtures to replace anything that is outdated or builder grade can help give the home a modern feel for little financial output. Hanging two of these pendants over an island or peninsula captures one of the hottest trends in lighting today and will only set you back $104.
4. Refresh the bedrooms
Making sure the bedrooms have just the right amount of furniture – not too much, not too little – is key. Remove unnecessary pieces to emphasize the space and add key pieces like nightstands in a master (if you don’t currently have them) to highlight function. You can pick up a pair at IKEA for under $30. Style them with a lamp and a book or stylish accessory and no one will know they cost less than dinner. Don’t forget to add a new comforter for another modern touch. This three-piece set is just $49 from Wayfair.
5. Create some architectural interest
Crown molding can make a room look elegant and is also one of the features that can woo a picky buyer. Having a pro come in to install it can get expensive, but if you can use a saw and are somewhat adept at math, you can do it yourself. Materials should cost you abot $1.20 a foot at Home Depot. You can get some DIY tips here.
Creating interest in a space that needs it doesn’t have to involve power tools. Peel-and-stick wallpaper is one of our favorite tools for dressing up a wall without the hassle of working with paste and now it comes in textured looks we love, llike this reclaimed wood version.
6. Create some curb appeal
Some of the most important things to do in the front of your house won’t cost you a thing outside of elbow grease: mow, rake, and clean up. Next, lay down a new layer of mulch, which will cost you a couple bucks per bag, and plant some fresh flowers or bring some flowerpots close to the door.
If your front door has seen better days, a fresh coat of paint will keep buyers from wondering what else needs work on the inside.
7. Throw some accessories at it
You may not have money to make large changes to your home, but you can make it look freshened up with a little smart staging. Make sure furniture arrangements in living spaces make sense—it costs you nothing to move stuff around or store an extra-large chair that’s impeding the flow of traffic in the garage while the home is for sale.
Some fresh flowers, a few throw pillows, an inexpensive new rug to anchor the seating area, and maybe a few modern knickknacks scattered around can make the space feel inviting.
The emptiness of a new home can be overwhelming. With so much space to fill and so many decorating decisions to make, you might feel like your house will never be truly yours.
But there’s no need to go hog-wild in a furniture store three days after closing on your new home. Buying too much now might mean restricting your flexibility later
However, there are a few must-haves every new homeowner should add to their shopping list to make the space feel cozy in no time. So here’s a list of 10 Things you should buy for your new home, Let’s take a look….
1. Nothing
Yes: Nothing.
“The biggest mistake new homeowners make is to run out and buy a lot of third-rate furnishings just to fill a space,” says Beverly Solomon, the creative director at Beverly Solomon Design.
Sit down—or walk around—in your new space and get a feel for it. How does it flow? How does the light track across the room? What colors add joy to the home—and which don’t? Once you’ve spent some time in your new house, you’ll be better able to choose items that complement your lifestyle.
2. Window treatments
Of course, at some point you do have to fill that space. You can’t live in an empty home forever.
Drapery, blinds, and shades may not be sexy, but they should be first on your to-buy list. Unless you’ve purchased a mountain home surrounded by thick evergreen trees, window treatments will keep your new home from the prying eyes of peeping toms and curious neighbors—and prevent you from being rudely awakened by early morning and afternoon sun.
3. Books and objets d’art
Sad, empty shelving does your new home no favors. If your home comes with built-ins, immediately fill them with your favorite books and decorative objects. If it doesn’t and you don’t have any bookshelves, pick some up to organize your stuff as well as add a touch of character.
You don’t have to spend big bucks on bronze elephants and weird metal spheres to break up your blocks of literature. Marcotte recommends displaying sentimental items such as signed baseballs and your grandmother’s fine china.
4. Updated hand-me-downs
OK, fine: You’re technically not buying this stuff. But you are purchasing the sandpaper and paint to transform your favorite aunt’s buffet table into a contemporary masterpiece.
Not only is revitalized furniture much cheaper than something brand-new, but it’s an easy way to bring a feeling of familiarity and warmth to your new space.
5. Side tables
Picture this: You pour yourself some wine to celebrate your new home—and then you don’t have anywhere to put your glass. Save yourself the horror and buy some side tables.
The beauty of these pieces is they don’t necessarily have to blend in with the rest of your decor. This is your chance to highlight a statement piece or put your crafting skills to work.
6. Lighting
If you’ve snagged a sweet Mid-Century Modern house with vintage fixtures, ignore this step. But if your new space could be described as “builder grade,” get thee to a home improvement store ASAP.
7. Live plants
Stop whining about your black thumb. We’ve all killed a plant or two. Don’t let your past failures keep you from trying again.
Pick up large plants such as ficus, palms, or the wildly popular fiddle-leaf figs to fill the space. Truly challenged gardeners can try succulents, which require little care.
8. Flowers
You’ve got plants. Now, go colorful with your favorite flowers.
“It’s one of the simplest ways to make a new space feel like home,” says Kate Ziegler, a Realtor and designer in Boston. “Flowers brighten up a space that may still be in transition, and bring warmth and care to unfamiliar territory.”
9. The building blocks of your ‘color story’
Every house has what designers call a “color story”: the palette, tone, and saturation of the colors used in your home that create stylish cohesion throughout the space. You don’t need to decide on your story immediately—over time, the pieces will fall into place—but now’s a good time to start scoping out building blocks.
Look for printed pillows, decorative plates, or artwork–those will help you focus on the hues of your color scheme.
10. Baskets
There’s no need to set up a full-scale organization system yet—although if that’s your thing, go forth and prosper. Instead, pick up several large baskets and use them to store all of those pesky items that clutter up a new home.
Florida Vacation Villa SOLD in Popular Community of Polo Park East
200 Patricia in Polo Park East
3 Bedroom | 2 Bathroom
2015 Taxes: $806.00 | 1,728 Sq. Ft.
This Florida Vacation Villa was JUST SOLD in Polo Park East – Large home on a corner lot. Three bedrooms, two baths, large kitchen, sunken living room. NEEDS WORK!
Orlando – World’s Largest Entertainment McDonald’s on I-Drive
Orlando – The World’s Largest Entertainment McDonald’s in Orlando’s tourist corridor opened yesterday March 15 after being closed for redevelopment since last summer.
The new two-story, nearly 19,000-square-foot McDonald’s sits on 2.29 acres of land at 6875 Sand Lake Road, adjacent to the site that held the original that was built in 1976. It features eight kitchens to prepare traditional McDonald’s meals like Big Macs and golden fries, but also new ones from a “create your taste” concept being tested in Florida McDonald’s. The concept allows guests to customize their order of burgers, chicken sandwiches, pizza, pasta, waffles and omelets, and then see it be made right in front of them.
Other new features include six electronic kiosks for ordering, a brick-fire pizza oven, a new 22-foot-tall kids’ play area with slides and more than 50 new arcade games that all were released last spring or summer.
The World’s Largest Entertainment McDonald’s has welcomed millions of the region’s tourists since it opened in 1976. It was also previously recognized as “The Best McDonald’s to Play In.”
Source: Orlando Biz Journals
Orlando – World’s Largest Entertainment McDonald’s on I-Drive
