Nothing Splashy: Daryl Hannah’s Malibu Retreat for Sale

AUTHOR:EMILY HEFFTER
ZILLOW

Environmentalist-actress Daryl Hannah is selling her sustainable Malibu compound, a hippie hideaway suited for relaxation after an anti-fracking rally.

Source: IMDb

The “Splash” and “Steel Magnolias” star has been in the news recently because of a reported romance with Neil Young. But that life change isn’t likely the reason she’s selling her Malibu property. She listed it in 2012 for $4.995 million.

Now The Agency holds the $4.25 million pocket listing for the gated 17-acre organic oasis. The property has three buildings: a house with an art studio; a standalone master suite with a Japanese-style soaking tub and a fireplace; and a guest room with a loft and views of the ocean.

It’s not your typical sleek oceanside celebrity retreat, but the home has its own brand of luxury charm, with a historic stone cottage, several gardens and beautiful stained glass.

Photos courtesy of The Agency.

Simple Fixes for Common Appliance Problems - Washer

By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine

When a washing machine cabinet rocks, it makes a horrible racket during the spin cycle. The solution is to simply readjust the legs. Screw the front legs up or down until the cabinet is level. When both legs are solid on the floor, tighten each leg's locking nut. In most washers, to adjust the rear legs, gently tilt the machine forward and gently lower it down. The movement will self-adjust the rear legs.

Level the front
Quiet a noisy washer by leveling it.

Leg adjustment
Turn the leg up or down, then lock it in place by tightening the locking nut

Home Purchase Considerations

From the Superpages.com

Finding a new home is an exciting time in anyone’s life, no matter how much experience you have with the process. You typically consider the layout, neighborhood and proximity to activities, but the financial considerations of your home purchase are just as important to the process. Without proper thought, you may find your dream home turns your finances into a nightmare.

Down Payment

You already know that lenders require private mortgage insurance (PMI) when your mortgage exceeds 80 percent of the purchase price and you may wish to avoid it. Before you write a check for 20 percent, always make sure you can afford it in addition to the closing costs and miscellaneous expenses of moving. Dipping into too much of your savings is the fastest way to sour your home purchase experience.

For example, if your home costs $200,000 then a 20 percent down payment is $40,000. If you assume five percent for your various closing costs and fees, your total check the day of loan closing is $50,000. Maybe you knew to expect that and saved money for your home purchase accordingly, but that figure can be a shock if not.

Even if your lender told you up front to be ready with $50,000 out of pocket, she most likely could not estimate your moving expenses. Your lender could also not know whether you’d need to purchase new furniture for the home or spend money on paint and home decorators once you closed the loan. If every penny of your savings went to the down payment, all these extra expenses end up on credit, causing potential problems later.

Monthly Payments

Lenders and financial experts throw around varying percentages when discussing what percent of your income should go to your monthly mortgage payment. Generally, you don’t want to consider a home purchase if the monthly mortgage payments exceed 35 percent of your gross monthly income, but that guideline is not applicable to everyone. In your situation, you may find that sticking to 35 percent causes money woes.

To ensure your home purchase doesn’t hinder your quality of life, toss out the guidelines of what mortgage you should be able to afford and focus on the hard numbers. Take a look at your budget and current spending. If you find it difficult to make your current housing payment and save money for the future, consider housing options that won’t raise your monthly payment very much. Houses are available in a variety of price points, so there’s no reason to make drastic cuts to your standard of living just to realize the dream of home ownership.

On the other hand, your level of expenses may allow you to spend upwards of 50 percent of your gross income on your monthly payments without compromising your lifestyle. Although it’s always best to plan for the worst, this opens up new avenues to consider. As long as the bottom line makes sense to your financial situation, your home purchase can be a joyful experience.

For Sale: David James Elliott’s Old-World Mansion

AUTHOR:EMILY HEFFTER
ZILLOW

Source: IMDb

Television star David James Elliott, whose most recent turn on the small screen was as Dave Wooster in “Mad Men,” is selling his Brentwood mansion for $9.895 million.

The nearly 8,000-square-foot home on a double lot was custom built for the actor and his wife and “JAG” co-star, Nanci Chambers, in 2007.

It’s full of high-end touches with an intentionally Old World-feel, with marble vanities, imported tile in the bathrooms, antiqued paint finishes and a yard that “feels like Tuscany” with a big covered patio, a swimming pool with a cabana and a terrace off the bedroom. There’s even an outdoor pizza oven.

Elliott and Chambers have two young children.

Property records show they built the home when the TV show’s 10-year run was in full swing. In the last year the home was rented out for $35,000 a month.

Mark Smith of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage – Beverly Hills South holds the listing

.

Top Woodworking Tips - Clamp small stuff with hot glue

From The FamilyHandyman.com

Hot glue holds small stuff better than clamps
When you have to cut, shape, file, sand or finish something small, reach for your hot glue gun and glue the piece to a pedestal stick. The hot glue will hold just about anything as well as or better than any clamp ever could—if using a clamp is even possible. When your project is complete, try to pop it loose with a putty knife, but don't use too much force—you might tear out the wood or break the piece.

Try cold or heat to un-stick it
You have two options for breaking the grip: cold and heat. First, try sticking the work piece into the freezer for an hour or so. Frozen glue will usually give way with very little force. If that doesn't work, try a hair dryer to soften the glue. Still stuck? Reach for the heat gun. But warm the piece slowly and from a distance to avoid scorching the wood or damaging the finish.

It pays to own a home

WASHINGTON – Sept. 10, 2014 – Homeowners are building net worth at a pace up to four times faster than renters.

In the past 15 years, the net worth of a typical homeowner has ranged between 31 and 46 times that of the typical renter, according to the Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances, which is based on 2013 data.

On average, homeowners had nearly $200,000 in net worth compared to the average $5,000 net worth of renters, according to the survey.

"Homeowner equity is a substantial component of homeowner wealth," says Danielle Hale, research economist at the National Association of Realtors® on the association's Economists' Outlook blog.

Source: "Net Worth of Home Owners vs. Renters," National Association of Realtors® Economists' Outlook Blog (Sept. 8, 2014)

© Copyright 2014 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD (301) 215-4688

Aventura Mall Happenings

Maria Tettamanti | Miami.com

Lululemon is getting new digs. Same goes for Michael Kors. Oh, and Brooks Brothers just opened shop, too.

We recently hit up Aventura Mall (pictured here is their epic Lego store) for our new iPhone 6 from the Apple store and couldn't help but notice the substantial amount of coming-soon and reopening shops. We were thrilled to see Lululemon is expanding and relocating to the second floor and J. Crew is undergoing a massive facellift (how Miami!). We figure we'd snoop around a little further for you all — here's the 411 on the most recent changes and additions at Aventura Mall:

Lacoste: The alligator logo is relocating next to Sandro on the first level, and is slated to open its new location in October 2014

Michael Kors: All-American Designer Michael Kors is relocating next to Tommy Hilfigeron the first level, and slated to open its new location in November 2014

J. Crew: The preppy and chic retailer is remodeling and slated to reopen in October 2014

Lululemon: Everyone's fave workout gear brand is relocating next to Sony on the second level, and opening its new location in November 2014

Express: The American fashion retailer is remodeling as well and slated to reopen in October 2014

Brooks Brothers: The beloved brand just opened shop on the second floor, too. Shoppers can scoop up men’s, women’s and children’s apparel which is proudly made in America