Tag: vacation homes

Historical Shelters

The James Batterton House: Sprawling Space with a Big Place in Kentucky History

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KentuckyBy Deb R. Brimer
Contributing Writer

You can get lost in this 4,932-square-foot home and its rich Blue Grass history in Millersburg, Kentucky.

Located on a quarter-acre lot at 1001 Main Street, the two-story gem is filled with 19th century wow factors and current upgrades. A gorgeous wooden staircase winding from the front room is the centerpiece of the single-family home.

In addition to two more staircases, features range from a living room, parlor, formal dining area, and stainless-steel kitchen to four large bedrooms, two full baths, and stunning hardwood flooring. (more…)
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Celebrity Homes

Elko Ranch Once Owned by Bing Crosby Will Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive

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Historical Shelters
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bing crosbyIt’s been decades since the late Bing Crosby moved to the remote Elko, Nevada, but his presence still looms large in the town — and his ranch there is now up for sale.

Crosby purchased property there in the 1940s with the idea that it would become a respite for his family, remote enough to be able to shed the expectations that came with being a famous movie star and singer. He would end up owning seven ranches in the area around the town, which is about 400 miles from Las Vegas.

His Lawson Ranch property is up for sale for $7.28 million — and while that might seem like a premium, it includes a working cattle ranch, a private airstrip and hangar, and a six-bedroom main house that serves as a working bed and breakfast currently. There are additional buildings that serve as living quarters for guests and staff as well.

The original homestead from the 1860s is also still on the site, and has been preserved.

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Budget Billets

Want Truly Frugal Retirement? Try Cedar Rapids, MoneyWise Says

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Cedar Rapids

Downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons/Cory Munson)

Editor’s Note: Recently, MoneyWise revealed its list of the 40 most frugal and friendly places to retire. In a bid to provide an idea of what housing inventory is available in these cities and towns, we’re taking a look at listings in each of the cities on the list.

Not everyone can spend $1 million or more on a second home, even if it’s with the idea that eventually you’ll retire there. So when MoneyWise’s list of 40 places to retire that are more budget-friendly came out, we were curious — what kind of homes could you find in these towns?

Last week, we looked at the 26th city on the list — Springfield, Missouri. This week, we look at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and found three great homes — all for less than $225,000.

“This small city of 128,000 is developing at a quick pace. Traffic can be heavy during rush hours, but you will find easy access to the interstate highway,” MoneyWise said. “Cost of living is low, with a median income of $53,000. Winters can be quite cold and long, while summers are hot and humid.”

“For people who are used to definite seasons and want to take advantage of investment potential in this growing city, Cedar Rapids is a great retirement option. This community has 16 healthcare centers and rates highly for medical access.”

Want to see examples of what you can find in Cedar Rapids? Let’s jump! (more…)
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Budget Billets

Springfield, Missouri Tapped As Budget-Friendly Retirement Spot

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Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Editor’s Note: Recently, MoneyWise revealed its list of the 40 most frugal and friendly places to retire. In a bid to provide an idea of what housing inventory is available in these cities and towns, we’re taking a look at listings in each of the cities on the list.

Not everyone can spend $1 million or more on a second home, even if it’s with the idea that eventually you’ll retire there. So when MoneyWise’s list of 40 places to retire that are more budget-friendly came out, we were curious — what kind of homes could you find in these towns?

Last week, we looked at the 27th city on the list — Charleston, South Carolina. This week, we look at Springfield, Missouri, and found three great homes — all for less than $350,000.

“Springfield is an inexpensive place to live: the median income is around $34,000, and rent can be less than $700 per month,” MoneyWise said. “Median home prices come in at just over $100,000.”

“You will see some snow in the winter and summers can be hot, but not extreme. The city has three hospitals, as well as extensive home care offerings.”

Want to see examples of what you can find in Springfield? Let’s jump! (more…)
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Celebrity Homes

Rocky Mountain High: John Denver’s Aspen Estate On the Market

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AspenWhile the house itself may look a bit different from when John Denver and his wife Annie bought it in the 1970s, the Aspen estate still has the views that inspired him to write “Starwood in Aspen.”

The local couple that bought the home in 2016 put the home on the market last month, after doing extensive remodeling, telling the Denver Business Journal that they installed new floors, and replaced the windows and the roof. They took pains to save the fireplaces, stained-glass work, copper sinks and fixtures, and the cabinetry, which was refinished and, in places, repurposed.

Denver purchased the home, and expanded it while he lived there. (more…)
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Texas Gulf Coast

South Padre Island Offers More Bang for Your Buck

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South Padre Island

Homes on South Padre Island can be found for as little as $100,000, or for more than $500,000 (but the latter gets you views like this).

Although they’re native Texans, Gary and Lynne Tate spent eight cold years in Alaska before finally coming back to the state. Before they left, they had a ceremony to destroy their snow shovel.

Then they moved to South Padre Island.

Nowadays, the two Realtors with Keller Williams Lynne Tate South Padre Island spend their time helping people find their new home, home-away-from-home, or investment property on the island.

“It happens every year, somebody will come down and catch more fish here than they ever have and want to get a place here,” Tate said.

“We see a lot of interest in buying around the summer,” fellow Realtor Gayle Hood agreed.

And Hood said you can find almost anything you want — inventory is wide open and very affordable. (more…)
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ski homes

Mother Nature’s Hot Tub: Mystical Secrets of Steamboat Springs

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Steamboat Springs Hot Springs

Photo courtesy of the Colorado Tourism Office

Every ski town seems to have its own appeal. It’s easy to get to, or it’s isolated and exclusive.  It’s snowboarder heaven, or it’s snowboard-free. It a great place for beginners, or  it’s dominated by advanced-level runs and black diamond-lovers don’t have to navigate around skiers like me.

Steamboat Springs in northwestern Colorado is known as an exceptionally family-friendly town. It’s known for lots of programs for children, kids-only lifts, and play areas and parks designed with juveniles in mind.  But,  the area has a unique natural feature with special appeal for adults: mystical natural hot springs where skiers, snowboarders, and hikers can relax and soak away tired muscles and aches and pains.  Click here for a look at these therapeutic wonders and a gorgeous new vacation home listing in Steamboat Springs:

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Hawaii

Live Like a Local: Regency at Kahala Offers a Slice of Old Hawaii

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regency-exterior-1

When I say “old Hawaii,” I mean places where locals have lived for decades.  These are not the new flashy high-rises in Kaka’ako, but rather buildings like this one that rose from the ground in 1969.  The Regency at Kahala is a tall, 20-plus-story slice of Hawaii.

There are four units per floor … a one-bedroom, two two-bedrooms, and a three-bedroom unit.  There are minor differences in square footage in the same floor plan due to some units having enclosed their patios (and you know how I feel about that!).

Sunday, I braved sheets of rain to walk over to a quadruple open house that featured two one-bedroom units and one example each of two- and three-bedroom units.  My favorites were the one-bedroom and the three-bedroom units, which mostly came down to view.  These two face the water, though on Sunday they all faced the rain.

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