Monthly Archives: March 2010
A full weekend
My main goal was to transplant as many bulbs from the front and back garden as I could since we will be rototilling up most of the backyard and the side yard.
I started with the irises along the back of the house and side yard. They were all moved to the bed next to the carport.
Next, I moved to the front yard and dug up the sparaxis and freesias.
I am not sure how the bulbs are going to do. I have noticed some of the transplants have wilted, but unfortunately their wasn’t another way to do it.
I also transplanted a Cleveland sage that was growing haphazardly between the roses in the front yard. It has also wilted, but I hope it will come back strong. From what I have read about the plant, they like deep waterings spread far apart so I am just going to let this guy alone for awhile.
Have you turned in your US Census survey?
Have you filled out your US Census 2010 report? I just mailed mine in.
Spring Flowers
Our yard is alive with blooms! Take a look!!
Egad! Supplemental Property Tax
I knew this supplemental tax bill was coming. My mortgage broker had also told me that it was going to come 6-9 months after I purchased my house. Then, I got a notice in December that the County Assessor was in the process of evaluating my property.
Regardless that I was prepared for it, when it arrived it was still a little shocking. Its a lot of money!
But it’s just one of the perils of purchasing an older house.
Let me explain.
Supplemental tax is calculated when your county assessor appraises your property after a change of ownership (or completion of new construction). The difference between the new appraisal AND the old assessment value is then used to calculate your supplemental assessment.
In my case, it meant the property value had increased since the last time my house was assessed was in the 1970s. I am then required to pay taxes based on the change in value.
What most people do not realize is the supplemental tax bill is separate from your regular property tax bill. So if you have a monthly amount of your mortgage that goes to your biannual property tax bill, you can’t use that to pay for your supplemental tax bill. They are separate.
So those looking to buy an older house, remember to put money aside for supplemental tax. Your loan officer or broker should be able to estimate how much.
Fun with Dad
Nate was out of town this weekend at a bachelor’s party but that didn’t stop me from getting some projects done!
I had thought ahead and called my dad to see if he would be willing to help me take out the old, decrepit gas water heater for the pool. I was thrilled when he said he could help! I really needed help to disentangle it from pool pump.
Here’s the monstrosity.
And here is the jungle-gym of pipes to and from the pump. The original pool setup had both a gas water heater and solar panels on the roof. Neither work anymore so we are taking out both.
Luckily the gas had already been disconnected from the heater, so all we had to do was disconnect the pipes from the heater and then redirect the water outflow from the pump with new pipes.
So the pipes were disconnected.
And then new PVC pipe was added to redirect the outflow from the pump back to the pool.
Next the pipes going to the solar panels on the roof were disconnected. Nate is going to remove the panels next week during his spring break.
Poor Dad had to deal with a little excess water in the pipes.
After everything was disconnected we pushed the heater on its side so it could drain and be ready to be moved next week.
Sweet Pea Update
They are still growing. Can’t wait until I have some blooms!
