Power rooms, or bathrooms in general, are among the most practical spaces in a home, but this doesn't mean we need to sacrifice their aesthetic. For a reminder of just how beautiful these rooms can be, look no further than Robert Downey Jr.'s pink-hued marble powder room, designed by Fox Nahem Associates in his Malibu home.

While powder rooms are conventionally small, the actor has prioritized making a big statement through his abundant use of marble, decorative mosaic tiles, and rustic stone finishes. With these varying textures and colors combined, the Downey Jr. has ensured his space always feels layered and beautifully luxurious something that, designers say, is replicable (even if it's on a smaller scale) in our homes.

'I love creating classic and timeless bathrooms. By using various textures and finishes, you avoid the bathroom looking like a "spec" house,' comments Cyndy Cantley of Cantley & Company.

Downey Jr.'s combination of rose-toned marble and ornate mosaic tiles creates an uber-luxe bathroom aesthetic, but as Cantley explains, we can experiment with different forms and stones to create a textured bathroom that works for our home.

'I start by selecting the marble and with so many available options, you need to decide on how much movement you want. This is a very personal decision, as there is no right or wrong. (This is also my favorite part of my job.) I love to mix marble with handmade tiles for their versatile impact. Mixing marbles is very fun and gives an immediate old-world feel,' she says.

'A beautiful Rojo marble mixed with limestone is very special, or using a citron or black marble creates a spectacular look. My advice is always to have fun with mixing textures in bathrooms and be as daring as you and your budget allows.'

(Image credit: Sam Frost Studio)

Similarly, for a Downey Jr.-inspired starting point, Courtney Cole, an interior designer at Yabby, recommends pairing marble and tiles a combination with a dramatic impact. However, we need to decorate with caution.

Design expertise in your inbox from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups.

'Because marble and tile are both polished-looking materials, it can be easy to think they can be used together and theyll suit each other immediately. Well, this isnt actually the case there are different ways they need to be used together to make sure they suit,' she comments.

'Marble has natural veining and is smooth, which makes it a great choice to pair with textured tiles for visual interest. Taking advantage of the smoothness of marble and the tactile quality of textured tiles will make it so each material will highlight the other materials' qualities making the bathroom seem more dynamic and less streamlined.'

Buying into the luxury bathroom look doesn't need to involve and whole space renovation. Here are some of our current favorite pieces (for an instant bathroom/powder room upgrade).

See the original post here:
Robert Downey Jr.'s 'old world' textures ensure his powder room will never look like it's part of a 'spec' house,' say ... - Homes & Gardens

#Phoenix builder: The positive is theres light at the end of the tunnel for improving build cycle times. The negative is there wont be customers on the other side of said tunnel.ByWolf RichterforWOLF STREET.

Weve seen the data from the Census Bureau about the downturn in the market for new houses: surging inventories 11 months supply in July, highest since the worst days of Housing Bust 1 exploding construction costs that home builders are facing, though some of those cost spikes are now abating; and plunging sales (-30% across the US, -50% in the West). The National Association of Home Builders reported a dismal traffic of prospective buyers. And weve seen how home builders reacted: construction starts of single-family houses plunged 18% year-over-year, though construction starts of multi-family buildings jumped.

So here are the home builders themselves, in their own words. John Burns Real Estate Consultings Home Builder Survey summarizes feedback from over 300 home builders in over 80 metro areas. The survey results are limited to paying clients. But Rick Palacios Jr., Director of Research at John Burns, when he noted today that the August results were in, posted in his Twitter account some quotes from 21 home builders. These are boots-on-the-ground thoughts and observations from those in the thick of it.

The top themes in the August survey, Palacios said, were:

#Austin builder: A lot of spec inventory to work through. August was a very poor month for sales across the board. Cancellations spiked from July and buyers showed no sense of urgency.

#Baltimore builder: Jumbo loan rates below 5% are helping buyers move forward in that segment.

#Boise builder: Construction cycle time has improved over the last 30 days.

#Charlotte builder: Sales were fairly strong in August. Increased incentives to help with closing costs and a buy-rate appear to be helping.

#Cleveland builder: Build cycle times have been improving over the last 4 or 5 months. Appointments have completely dropped off and traffic is very sparse at the models.

#Dallas builder: The slowing of starts is helping front end (foundation/framing) issues. Build cycle time is down and will go down further as material becomes more available.

#Harrisburg builder: When mortgage rates dropped in early August, we saw a big uptick in buyer activity. This aligned with a large incentive and price reduction rolled out at same time. Took a big hit on margin to generate sales.

#Houston builder: We have slowed starts significantly, as have other builders, and we are confident this will enable us to bring our build cycle times down. Slowing starts are providing some relief to labor disruptions.

#Jacksonville builder: Frame material and labor have stabilized. Garage door delivery times also more predictable.

#KansasCity builder: Most of our build cycle challenges are starting to ease. Subcontractors on the front end of the building process are starting to call and ask for work.

#Louisville builder: Build times are getting better. One of our biggest delays is getting through the municipal permitting process.

#Ogden builder: With reduced sales and moderation of starts, build time on the front end has dropped significantly.

#OklahomaCity builder: Builders are now fighting for the same customers and systematically reducing prices.

#Philadelphia builder: A slowdown in sales helped to relieve the pressure on labor and supply issues.

#Phoenix builder: Incentives continue to grow, with some communities pushing 20% in total discount packages. The positive is theres light at the end of the tunnel for improving build cycle times. The negative is there wont be customers on the other side of said tunnel.

#RaleighDurham builder: Largest schedule constraint is not having electrical power from our local public utility. Weve built everything with generators over the last 24 months! We have closings held up on finished homes due to not having power.

#RiversideSanBernardino builder: The amount of material shortages experienced 6 months ago have started to dissipate, however the current shortage of electrical switch gear has added weeks to our schedule on every project.

#Sacramento builder: No urgency in buyers. Large public [builders] with significant spec inventory are winning more of the sales with very large incentives (discounts and closing costs).

#Tampa builder: Big spec builders are slashing prices on their inventory homes that will close in 2022. If interest rates get to 6.5% the waters will get very choppy.

#WashingtonDC builder: Starts have declined drastically. The new environment is going to cause trades to drop their costs significantly and we expect that to make its way through all of supply chain.

#WestPalmBeach: So far, we still havent seen what most of America is experiencing [slowing]. Anything under $450K is still selling well. THE END

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Read more from the original source:
Boots-on-the-Ground Observations by 21 Home Builders about the Housing Market They're Facing - WOLF STREET

More like her

I am not a monarchist, but I have nothing but praise and admiration for the late Queen. She was a model of quiet strength, dignity and selflessness. The world needs more like her. Rest in Peace, Your Majesty.

Queen section

I enjoyed all your coverage of the said death of our Queen. I had hoped there might be a special section with photos and stories all about her and her legacy? Is that not happening?

(Editors note: The section is in Saturdays print edition.)

Long live this Queen

Long before the advent of social media, television shows and late-night media pundits all of whom at one point or another trashed the British royal monarchy, there was a purpose and deeper meaning to those of us who grew up with the reign of Queen Elizabeth.

The relevance of Queen Elizabeths life has long been lost on the many decades of the public who see the Royal Family as a frivolous unneeded icon of days gone past. However, it is not revisionist for those of us who remember the Britain that in earlier times that held the democracy and freedom of Europe in their trust while the rest of the world held in breath in anticipation of both fascist revolution and cold war destruction.

Queen Elizabeth, albeit not a politician, was instrumental in the direction world politics swayed in the most peaceful means possible. Yes, the Queen and her monarchy have essentially outlived its innate importance on world affairs but regardless of the affairs of today, when direction and leadership was required on a level that far surpassed politics, Queen Elizabeth stood alone and at the forefront of all challengers. In life there are very few iconic leaders who surpass their parameters of a life they were born into; Queen Elizabeth was one of those unique individuals who transcended their role.

Long live the Queen, God praise the Queen, and we will never forget this Queen.

Daniel Kowbell, Burlington

Long live the King

The Queen of Canada is dead. Long live the King!

She deserved more

I am shocked. The Queen is dead and you cant see fit to give her the whole front page! Disgusting and completely disrespectful.

Jane Farrington, Hamilton

Great send-off

Thanks for your excellent coverage of the Queens passing. The stories, and especially the photos, were wonderful and moving. We will not see her like again and you gave her a great send-off.

Sandra McFarlane, Burlington

Health crisis

Canada has fewer ICU beds compared to other developed countries. Recovery from mayor surgery, for example, is not even a one-day event any more. Now patients will be transferred to group homes due to bed shortages as well. But with an aging population requiring more complex care, the problem of accommodation and space will become even greater.

Governments have ignored the health-care crisis for too long; corners have been cut and doctors and nurses are leaving. But if we recall, at the height of the pandemic, China responded to COVID and built a 1000 bed hospital in a week; Canada stood by cancelling surgeries instead. Why not invest in more hospitals to alleviate some of the problems to start? If the redevelopment of Eastgate Square and surrounding area, for example, is being considered for 9000 housing units, with no problem, our governments can accommodate a hospital setting with a dialysis wing, perhaps even at the vacant spot where Sears once stood.

Road repair fail

On Central Mountain in the Franklin Road area, we waited 18 years for our pothole infested roads to be repaved. Finally we were informed it would be done soon. First they came around and chewed up our lawns to repair water lines, then they came and dug up the road and started replacing the sewer pipes, all great stuff. At that time we were told everything would be done before they actually paved the road. Wrong! After only three years of having a new road the city is back cutting huge trenches up and down our streets. Get this, they forgot to take out small lengths of lead pipe waterlines still buried under that wonderful new street. Now it all looks like crap again. One has to wonder, when we hear about all that money being burned for lawyer bills and consultants, and then witnessing this kind of screw up when it comes to road repair, does anyone down there at city hall give a darn?

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Opinion | Sept. 10: Spec readers share their feelings and memories on the loss of Queen Elizabeth - Hamilton Spectator

Buying a home is a big investment in your future, so its crucial to choose a neighbourhood that promises to only get better as the years go by.

From award-winning developer Countryside, Beam Park in Rainham and Fresh Wharf in Barking are East Londons brightest new addresses, with everything you need to live life to the full at affordable prices.

With stylish, high spec homes,quick transport connections, fantastic local amenities, and acres of parkland right on the doorstep, these are sustainable communities built to last.

But prospective buyers will need to act fast, as there are only a limited number of apartments with Help to Buy available, and you only have until October this year to reserve a home under the scheme.

Regular buyers and investors should also act quickly to avoid disappointment, with 80% of homes at Fresh Wharf already sold.

Both developments are breathing new life into their local areas, with Beam Park built on the site of Dagenhams famous former Ford factory as part of a massive 1billion regeneration scheme.

Meanwhile, Fresh Wharf will occupy 200,000-square-feet of urban riverside which will feature a music venue, retail space, hotels, and restaurants.

And if that wasnt enough, both are located close to Eastbrook Studios, set to become Londons largest centre of film and television production.

Both sites contain a mix of high spec apartments and family homes designed with modern living in mind.

That means bright, airy interiors, top of the range appliances and luxury flooring throughout as standard, plus fitted wardrobes in all master bedrooms.

Every home has its own private balcony and access to a communal courtyard or podium garden perfect for relaxing in during all that time you save with an extra fast commute!

Of course, with winter coming well soon be spending more time indoors. Due to energy costs being at record highs, theres never been a better time to buy a home where energy saving features are included as standard.

In fact, those who buy a new-build house can see annual savings of 555 equivalent to three weeks of an average mortgage or the cost of a takeaway coffee every working day of the year!

Beam Park, which stretches across two historic East London boroughs, is a brand-new community of 3,000 homes with its own purpose-built public spaces and amenities.

So as not to draw on the resources of the local area, Beam Park will include two new primary schools, a nursery, a gym, shops, a medical centre, a leisure centre, and a multi-faith centre.

The benefits of living close to trees and green space are well documented. More than 40% of the development will be publicly accessible green space, including a seven-acre park at its heart with the River Beam running through it.

And theres plenty more green space nearby, with Beam Valley Country Park and Nature Reserve just across the road.

Beam Park is a collection of one and two-bedroom apartments alongside two, three and four-bedroom family homes, with prices starting from 275,000.

The development is perfect for young professionals looking to take their first step on the property ladder, with a limited number of one-bedroom apartments remaining that have Help to Buy available.

And because not all first-time buyers have the spare funds to furnish their new home, Countryside offers a fantastic home furnishing package worth 2,500.

At Beam Park, you can enjoy the sense of belonging that comes with living in your own self-contained community while also having the excitement of central London only a short distance away.

21 minutes by train from Dagenham Dock to Fenchurch Street

53 minutes to Canary Wharf by bike

2 miles away from Dagenham Heathway Underground (District Line)

Fast and efficient local bus routes

Conveniently close to the A13

Benefitting from 2.7m of investment in local public transport connections

Zip Car hire scheme (all residents receive 1 years free membership and 60 of driving credit)

Situated on the Barking waterfront overlooking the River Roding, Fresh Wharf is an exciting and dynamic new community with a selection of high spec one to three-bedroom apartments and three-bedroom family homes.

Set alongside16,000 square metres of open green spaces, newly created pedestrian walkways and cycle paths,Fresh Wharfs location and superb transport links to London make it ideal for commuters or those simply wanting to live within touching distance of the capital.

Fresh Wharf is about more than just homes, so the development also includes new shops, cafes, parks, a music venue, a hotel, and restaurants. Plus, there are several local schools close by that are ranked Good by Ofsted.

Barking and Dagenham has some of the most affordable house prices in London, and by buying here you can be part of the regeneration success story in the area, which continues to outperform the wider London housing market.

While theres plenty of green space right on the doorstep, theres lots more just a short walk away too.

The River Roding offers plenty of calm riverside walks that extend all the way to the River Thames, while fitness fanatics need look no further than Barking Park, which has football pitches, tennis, basketball and five-a-side courts, a skate park and a large boating lake.

For those simply wanting to relax and watch the world go by, theres also a beautiful community orchard and wildflower meadow.

Barking Station (District, Hammersmith & City + connections to National Rail) is just a 15-minute walk away

Cycle Superhighway 3 is 1.5 miles away and runs from Barking to Lancaster Gate

London City Airport is 21 minutes away by train

Located close to the North Circular

Easy access to the A406, A13 and M25

Your dream Countryside home could be yours with just a 5% deposit thanks to the Governments Help to Buy: Equity Loan scheme.

The Help to Buy scheme is a great way for first-time buyers purchasing a new-build home to take that first step onto the property ladder.

There are still a limited number of apartments with Help to Buy available at Beam Park and Fresh Wharf.

The final deadline for homebuyers to reserve a new home with the Help to Buy: Equity Loan scheme is 6pm on Monday October 31, 2022, and final Help to Buy reservations must be legally complete by March 31, 2023.

The Help to Buy scheme only applies to first-time buyers purchasing a new-build home and includes maximum regional house price caps. You can read more about the scheme on the governments website.

Go here to read the rest:
Why NOW is the right time to get on the property ladder - Metro.co.uk

The Houston Association of Realtors reports that July saw the fourth consecutive month of decline in home sales in every category except the $500,000 to $999,000 price range, which actually saw a surprising 40.6 percent increase in sales. Sales in the million dollar and above segment dropped 11.6 percent, edging back toward the pre-pandemic levels. But no worries for those agents accustomed to astronomical commissions. The mega mansions continue their allure for those with deep pockets.

The scorching pace of Houston housing throughout most of the pandemic was completely unsustainable, so the cooling that we have experienced over the past four months was expected and is all part of a market normalization, HAR chair Jennifer Wauhob with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene says in an HAR release.

Whats still selling? Lets take a look at HARs list of the 10 homes in the Houston area that sold at the highest prices last month. From River Oaks to West U and Lake Conroe, these are Houstons 10 Highest Priced Homes From July:

The elegant manor house, designed by architecture firm Wirtz, Calhoun, & Trungate, was one of the few River Oaks dwellings to remain on the market for more than eight months. A surprise considering the 1.6 acre lot and the majestic interiors. Four fireplaces, two staircases, separate quarters and slate roof contribute to the appeal of the 7,211-square-foot home.

Listing agent: Laura Sweeney of Compass RE Texas. Selling agent: William Wheless of Wheless Realty. List price: $15 million.

Its a builders dream when your spec home sells practically before completion. Such was the good fortune for Wimmel Design & Construction, which built this 7,275 square foot showplace in West University Place. Six bedrooms, 6.5 baths, custom finishes and a central courtyard add up to an appealing domicile.

Listing agent: Marnie Greenwood of Compass RE Texas represented both the buyer and seller. List price: $4,999,000.

With 480 feet of Lake Conroe waterfront, this 17,393-square-foot behemoth centers 2.5 acres and offers enough amenities to stand alone as a resort hotel. Consider the game room, media room, exercise room, dry and wet sauna in a private spa, office, library, craft room with built-ins, a massive wine room, eight bedrooms, nine full and three half baths and five kitchens. Two of those kitchens are in the boat house that includes four boat lifts.

Yes, there is a boat house.

Listing agent: Tara Anderson of Keller Williams Realty. Selling agent: Non-MLS. List price: $4.9 million.

Estate lions welcome guests to this 10,400-square-foot home designed by Christopher Sims and Robert Dame with a nod to Santa Barbara esthetics. Rising from a tree-shaded acre in Memorial Woods, the house features six bedrooms and notable features that include a wine room, a butlers bar with a silver closet, a private casita retreat on the ground floor, a custom elevator, a media room with built-in bar/kitchen, and a heated pool and spa.

Listing agent: Heidi Boy with Compass RE Texas. Selling agent: Jue Hu of Y&R International Corp. List price: $4,699,000.

The new construction in Piney Point Village sold before the final touches were installed, evidence that buyers are trolling the landscape for houses that are yet finished. This one is your typical new-build with 7,040 square feet of living space including five bedrooms, five full and three half baths, and a three car garage.

Listing agent: John Prell with Creekview Realty. Selling agent: Non-MLS agent. List price: $4.7 million.

It took only six days for this palatial home rising amid 1.4 acres in this coveted neck of Memorial to change hands. With the primary suite on the ground floor, the second level offers a game room, a well-appointed home theater, a secret room and five additional bedrooms with ensuite baths. Extra special is the separate casita with a full bath and cooking area tucked into the backyard. Other backyard amenities include a pool, spa and a fire pit.

Listing agent: Van Pham with PY Realty Co. Selling agent: Abigail Coleman with Del Monte Realty. List price: $4,195,000.

Who wouldnt love this striking mansion designed by Robert Dame and crafted by Parker House, located steps from popular Tanglewood Boulevard? Everything about this 9,681-square-foot dwelling speaks of class from the regal reception hall to the second floor primary suite with fireplace, private covered balcony, and a luxurious bath with separate dressing rooms. We also love the fact that the home has a generator and elevator. All total there are six bedrooms, six full and four half baths.

Listing agent: Laura Sweeney of Compass RE Texas. Selling agent: Dee Dee Guggenheim Howes, also of Compass. List price: $4.3 million.

This throwback to the architectural grandeur of the Old South resting on more than an acre tree-shaded lot was an easy sell on the market for only seven days. Special appeal: Four wide verandas wrap the house in traditional grace along with Bevolo gas lanterns, cypress wood doors, 12-foot ceilings, reclaimed heart pine floors, antique French light fixtures and Old Chicago brick wood/gas log fireplaces.

Listing agent: Oliver Carter of Connected Realty. Selling agent: Colleen Sherlock of Greenwood King Properties. List price: $3,450,000.

Built in 1930, the 6,371-square-foot home was modernized by mid-century architect Charles Pagan and more recently updated by interior designer Ginger Barber and Chateau Domingue. On the market less than two weeks, the River Oaks house includes Old World elements such as Rejuvenated hardwood floors, millwork and paneling; antique marble fireplaces; banks of French doors and full-length windows. Add a guest apartment with a kitchenette and full bath.

Listing agent: Ruthie Porterfield of Martha Turner Sothebys International Realty. Selling agent: Jay Monroe of Martha Turner Sothebys International Realty. List price:$4,250,000.

It took only 30 days for this 6,500-square-foot Georgian style residence to find a new owner. While the home currently has four bedrooms each with a bath and one flex room, there are large spaces on the second and third floors for the build-out of additional bedrooms with bath and closets or movie theater/ exercise room. Its the new owners choice.

Listing agent: Norma Moore of Coldwell Banker Realty. Selling agent: Non-MLS agent. List price: $4,395,000.

Excerpt from:
Houston's Highest Priced Homes From River Oaks to West U to Lake Conroe, These Mega Mansions Are Still Selling - PaperCity Magazine

An outdoor porch completed by Foxcraft Design Group Inc. (Photo: FOXCRAFT Design Group Inc.)

Is it better to remodel or rebuild? There are many factors to consider when looking into these projects. From upgrading appliances to building a new home from the ground up, different projects will work better for different people.

Falls Church City is home to almost 15,000 people according to the 2020 census with an average of three people per household. The area is popular due to its proximity to the Washington D.C. area, public school systems and sense of community. However, living in this area means you sacrifice the size of your home for the other benefits that come with living in the area.

According to Chandler Fox of Foxcraft Design Group and a real estate agent for Sothebys Realty, there are two types of builds spec and custom. Spec building means that a builder will buy a lot without yet having a buyer, speculating that they will be able to sell the house for a profit when the build is complete. Custom building involves building what a customer wants using their money and budget for a home built to their specifications.

When the pandemic hit in early 2020, many people found themselves at home and realized they were unhappy with their surroundings or wanted changes. In some cases these were smaller DIY projects done by the homeowners themselves but often times the projects were too large and they needed to outsource.

The older ramblers you see around town are too small for most modern families and they want to expand and have more space. Especially in this Covid world where space at home as taken on a whole new meaning and having one if not two home offices in addition to a screened porch has become more of the norm, said Rob Zimmermann of Zimmermann Homes. A renovation can be less expensive, however, in comparison with new construction you would additionally get a new foundation and water management system, taller ceilings, taller windows and more natural light, more flexibility on the floor plan, and you gain a garage which often can not be added to a rambler due to setbacks. On top of all of these benefits, a new construction home when completed is worth significantly more then the extra $75k you spent to put it there. So from an investment standpoint, you get a great return on the extra money spent to build new vs. a renovation.

Fox stated that the most important thing to consider is cost versus value what renovations are you looking to make in your home versus how much you are looking to spend.

With renovations, projects can be spaced out over a larger period of time and changes can be made as the homeowners have the budget in place. A new build requires more money up front but allows for more to be done at once.

In my experience larger renovations have been happening less over the last ten years as more people are demolishing old smaller homes and building new bigger ones, said Mark Coupard from Coupard Architects and Builders. You reach a point where working with an existing structure is more difficult and expensive than building new. People sometimes push those limits and add on if they really like the home they have and just want more of it, or the house is a special place to them and they dont want to see it destroyed. Clients often decide to build new if the practical renovation options wont provide them with the space, aesthetics or efficiencies they desire. Some houses are begging to be knocked down but if thats not the case it is worth a look. We try to understand what our clients really need in their home and if they value the structure and prioritize quality over quantity, a major renovation can still make sense.

As reported in the News-Press last week, real estate assessments have gone up by 11.42 percent in the City. Higher real estate numbers means more equity in the home and more opportunity to borrow against that and renovate.

If prices have gone up as much as they have, its comforting as a homeowner to know that your house has increased in value. Its frustrating for people who want to buy an existing house because theyve gone up 10 to 20 percent. Its frustrating for people who want to build a new house because lot prices and the construction have both gone up. I would say its good news to existing homeowners and people in the real estate market and its bad news to everybody thats on the outside looking in.

Overall, the most important factors to consider when deciding whether to renovate or build are budget how much money youre looking to spend, and time how long are you willing to spend waiting for the project to be completed.

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The Pros and Cons of Remodeling Vs. Building From Scratch - Falls Church News Press

A 3,000,000 luxury home in Abersoch has been placed on the market, making it the most expensive property on sale in North Wales. The four bedroom house is located on a road called Lon Golff due to its proximity to the golf course which is not far from the beach.

Construction of the state-of-the-art house was completed earlier this year and it is now looking for a new owner who can meet the eye-watering asking price. Estate agents Beresford Adams say the property "has outstanding architectural merit reflecting the highest standards of workmanship of a local builder of high repute."

The high-spec house comes with ground sourced under floor heating, photomatic solar, remote monitored heat exchanger, together with cctv and a built in security alarm system as well as other modern features such as a Tesla charging point. The airy design allows for plenty of natural light across the property's open plan layout.

Read more Pub in the heart of Gwynedd thrives after locals raise almost 500k to save it

A light oak effect tiled flooring runs throughout the interior which features the four spacious bedrooms on the ground floor. Each bedroom has its own luxury en suite shower rooms and fitted wardrobes with the master suite having its own dressing room area. An oak tread contemporary staircase with a glass balustrade leads up to the first floor onto a glass platform/landing area.

The main living/kitchen area is located on this floor which is described in the listing as "the heart of the home". This area leads to a balcony which overlooks the nearby golf course. The house is approached via an electric gate which leads to an oak frame car port. The port forms part of an outbuilding which includes its own shower room.

The property was added to Rightmove on Wednesday, March 23. Based on a 10% deposit and 25 year mortgage, monthly repayments would stand at around 12,525. For more information on this property, visit its Rightmove profile here. Last year most property sales in Gwynedd involved terraced properties which sold for on average 150,548. Detached properties sold for an average price of 327,870, while semi-detached properties fetched 287,951.

Gwynedd, with an overall average price of 235,433, was similar in terms of sold prices to Conwy (232,572) and Anglesey (241,403), but was more expensive than Denbighshire (208,669). The priciest area within Gwynedd was Abersoch (818,842) and the least expensive was Blaenau Ffestiniog (113,618). During the last year, sold prices in Gwynedd were 19% up on the previous year and 26% up on 2019 when the average house price was 186,213.

Elsewhere in Abersoch, a small beach hut went up for sale for a staggering 200,000 last week. The hut has a private deck which, said the agents, afford stunning sea views across to St Tudwals Islands. And despite the absence of running water, drainage or electricity, buyers can be reassured it provides ample storage.

The sum being demanded is 25,000 more than the previous highest asking price for one of Abersochs brightly painted beach huts. The figure of 175,000 was a guide price, and it is not known what fee was eventually agreed. The official record price stands at 160,000 for a bathing hut sold in 2017.

Naturally, the village is popular with second home owners. Earlier this month, tough new measures were announced on second homes in Wales. The measures will see the maximum level of council tax for second homes and long-term empty properties tripled to 300% from April 2023.

The current figure, as it stands, is 100%, which was paid on more than 23,000 properties in Wales last year, according to the Welsh Government. The measures will seek to address the issue of second homes and unaffordable housing facing many communities in Wales, as set out in the Co-operation Agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru.

Take a virtual tour of the property via our gallery here

Currently, properties that are available to let for at least 140 days, and that are actually let for at least 70 days, will pay rates rather than council tax. The change will increase these thresholds to being available to let for at least 252 days and actually let for at least 182 days in any 12-month period.

The change is intended to provide a clearer demonstration that the properties concerned are being let regularly as part of genuine holiday accommodation businesses making a substantial contribution to the local economy. Both changes follow a consultation processes including businesses, the tourism industry and local communities, the Welsh Government has said, and are said to represent more steps taken to ensure people can find an affordable home in the place they have grown up.

Could you live in a house like this? Let us know in the comments section.

Read more:
North Wales' most expensive property goes on sale in Abersoch for 3m - North Wales Live

LUBBOCK, Texas Volunteer firefighters responded to a power line down and grass fire near the Lubbock-Cooper High School. The time was approximately 9:30 a.m. Monday, and South Plains Electric Coop reported 576 homes or businesses without power at the same time. At 9:58 a.m., SPEC said power was restored.

SPEC said, We had a truck back into our pole near Cooper High School. Crews will work on restoring our members, just wanted to let our members know what is going on. Thanks for your patience while crews work.

Lubbock Cooper ISD said:

Due to a power outage in the area, South Elementary, Lubbock-Cooper Middle School, the LCISD Administration Building and several district operational buildings have temporarily lost phone service. If you need to reach one of these campuses, please email info@lcisd.net, and the district will ensure your message is relayed.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation. We will let you know when phone service has been restored.

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Truck hit power line, hundreds affected by outage near Lubbock-Cooper HS - KLBK | KAMC | EverythingLubbock.com

Covington Electric Cooperative has announced that the Buzz Broadband office isnow open and ready to serve current and future customers.

The new office is located at 18146 Galileo Drive in Opp and will be open every weekday from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., with the exception of holidays.

The establishment of a Buzz Broadband office represents the next important step in CECs commitment to providing the area with its most reliable and fastest internet service, representatives said.

Buzz Broadband is bringing fast, reliable fiber optic broadband to Southern Alabama homes and businesses in the CEC service area, making it possible for many in the area to get a dependable internet connection. This connection willhelp improve how locals work, learn, enjoy entertainment and more. Buzz Broadband brings top quality internet with equal upload/download speeds of up to 2 Gbps without data caps or contracts, according to the announcement.

Opp Mayor Becky Bracke said she is excited about the new addition to the Opp community.

Im not sure everyone knows what Covington Electric does for our whole area and this broadband commitment is just the latest example. We welcome Buzz Broadband to Opp, Bracke said.

The location for Buzz Broadband came about thanks to forward thinking, according to Rick Clifton, president and CEO of the Covington County Economic Development Commission.

This shows the importance of having a spec building in your community, Clifton said. Having the spec building in Opp meant we had a facility in place to serve as a distribution center and central office for Buzz Broadband when the need arose.They were able to move in quickly and Buzz Broadband has a new home.

Buzz Broadband technicians have already connected the first homes and businesses to our lightning-fast fiber optic network, and crews are working hard to connect more services every day.

Potential customers can be notified when Buzz Broadband becomes available at their location by pre-registering online at https://www.buzzbroadband.com, by email at customerservice@buzzbroadband.com, or over the phone by calling 833-399-2899.

Once registered, customers will receive an email when Buzz Broadband becomes available in their area and will then have an opportunity to schedule their installation. Covington Electric Cooperative is proud to provide this top-notch internet service with the local, knowledgeable and friendly service team that every customer deserves.

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Covington Electric Cooperative opens broadband service office in Opp - The Andalusia Star-News - Andalusia Star-News

The Toyota bZ4X the Japanese company's first dedicated pure-electric car and the first in a range of zero-emissions models from the new bZ ('beyond Zero') sub-brand is now available to reserve in the UK, priced from 41,950.

First deliveries of the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Nissan Ariya,Mercedes EQA,Skoda Enyaq iVandVolkswagen ID.4rival will commence in 2022. Previewed at the 2021 Auto Shanghai motor show, the bZ4X sits on the newly developed 'e-TNGA' mechanical platform, shared with sister cars the Subaru Solterra and Lexus RZ.

The platform uses the batteries as an integral part of the chassis, promising the usual electric-car benefits of a low centre of gravity, good front/rear weight balance and strong rigidity. Plus, the bZ4X is offered with four-wheel-drive by means of a dual-motor setup on higher-spec models.

In December 2021, Toyota revealed a raft of new electric concept cars previewing forthcoming models, including several additions to the bZ range, both above and below the bZ4X in terms of size and likely price.

The bZ4X is available from launch in four trim levels: Pure, Motion, Vision and Premiere Edition. The Pure is available only with front-wheel drive, the Motion and Vision offer a choice of front or all-wheel drive and the range-topping Premiere Edition is all-wheel-drive only. Pricing is as follows:

Standard kit on the Pure includes 18-inch alloys, an eight-inch dashboard display, aseven-inch digital driver's display, a reversing camera and climate control. Options include roof rails and a towing pack. The Motion adds a rear spoiler, rear privacy glass, a poweredbootlid, parking sensors, heated front seats, ambient lighting and wireless phone charging. Options include afixed panoramic roof and 20-inch alloys.

The Vision kit list encompasses 20-inch alloys, rear parking sensors with automatic braking, remote parking assistance, synthetic leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, a powered bootlid with kick sensor and a heated steering wheel. Options include the panoramic roof and towing pack.

The limited-run Premiere Edition packs in everything you get on the Vision, plus a nine-speakerpremium sound system and the panoramic roof. Unlike the other three trims, it can only be ordered through Toyota's website.

Both versions of the bZ4X available from launch feature a 71.4kWh battery, which allows the front-wheel-drive car to return a driving range of more than 280 miles in industry-standard testing.Meanwhile, the four-wheel-drive model will be able to cover over 255 miles on a single charge, according to Toyota.

Rapid charging at up to 150kW will be possible, allowing for 80% battery capacity to be reached in around 30 minutes from fast enough public charging points. Towards the end of 2022, Toyota will make an 11kW on-board charger available in the bZ4X, for faster overnight wallbox charging at homes or premises with a three-phase electricity supply.

According to the manufacturer, the batteries are anticipated to retain 90% of their original capacity even after 10 years or 150,000 miles on the road. It's not yet known whether smaller or larger-battery variants will also be offered in due course.

Like many electric SUVs, the bZ4X will be available in both cheaper two-wheel-drive form and as a four-wheel-drive range-topper. The single-motor, front-drive version has a power output of 201bhp and peak torque of 265Nm, which results in a 0-62mph time of 8.4 seconds and a top speed of 99mph.

The four-wheel-drive version has two motors, with one each driving the front and rear axles. Peak power here increases to 215bhp and torque goes up to 336Nm, taking the 0-62mph time down to 7.7 seconds. Toyota says the four-wheel-drive bZ4X will get various off-road driving modes, too, suited to "snow or mud", "deep snow or mud" and "tougher off-road driving".

The concept version of the bZ4X seen in April 2021 featured a 'yoke'-style steering wheel an element of 'steer-by-wire' technology that does away with a mechanical link between the steering wheel and front axle, reducing the need to move your hands around the wheel. However, Toyota says this system is now planned for introduction in Europe "at a later date" and the production version has a conventional circular wheel.

Elsewhere, Toyota says it went for a "living-room" ambience when designing the bZ4X's interior, making use of soft, woven trim textures, details finished in satin and slim, low-set instrument panel to give a greater sense of openness from the driver's seat. A "hands on the wheel, eyes on the road" philosophy sees the driver's seven-inch instrument and infotainment display placed directly in their eyeline, just above the line of the steering wheel. While in the centre of the dashboard is a 12-inch infotainment touchscreen. A panoramic sunroof is offered as an option, as isa solar panel roof in some European markets.

Practicality is boosted by a long wheelbase and short overhangs to maximise the amount of interior space, with Toyota claiming passengers will enjoy as much legroom as in a luxury saloon like the Lexus LS. Boot capacity is up to 452 litres and on the safety front, the bZ4X is set to feature the latest third-generation iteration of the now-familiar 'Toyota Safety Sense' suite of driver-assistance and collision-avoidance tech.

Toyota has also announced that it'll sell its range of pure-electric vehicles, starting with the bZ4X, through a series of in-dealer hubs that'll offer customers specialised advice about the switch to zero-emissions motoring. Toyotas European product and marketing boss, Andrea Carlucci, told DrivingElectric that these bZ Hubs are likely to be store-in-store facilities in effect, a dedicated area of the showroom floor in certain locations. However, not all Toyota dealerships will be expected to offer this more specialised service.

Regardless of where the customer orders their bZ4X, the zero-emissions SUV will be available as part of an all-inclusive leasing solution that combines maintenance, insurance, connected services and a home wallbox, plus a single card that gives access to multiple public charging networks as well.

Read more:
New Toyota bZ4X electric SUV: prices, specs, pictures and on-sale date - DrivingElectric