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One of Stamford Connecticut’s most beautiful historic luxury homes is Marion Castle built in 1914 by Frank Marion, one of the first early motion picture pioneers. This stunning waterfront Neo-French Renaissance chateau at One Rogers Road, Shippan Point exemplifies the era of Stamford’s emergence in the early 1900’s from a farming community to the year-round residences of wealthy New York families.

Marion Castle was built by one of the first true movie moguls, Frank Marion, whose Kalem Company produced some of the earliest one reelers shown at nickelodeons and silent movie houses across the country. His first big hit was Ben Hur in 1907 that was fifteen minutes in length focusing primarily on the chariot race. The film was shot at the beach with firemen as actors using the horses that usually pulled the fire wagons pulling the chariots.

Ben Hur was one of the most popular novels of its day and the film was an immediate success. Frank Marion proved himself to be not only a good businessman but also having a social conscious when he raised the daily wage of actors to five dollars a day – forcing the rest of the emerging motion picture industry to do the same.

However Marion was on the cutting edge of what at the time was the emerging technology of his day. The publisher and estate of the author of Ben Hur took the company all the way to the US Supreme Court and established the first copyright precedent that although the film only focused on the chariot race that was a very short portion of the book, motion picture producers must first obtain rights to printed work before they can produce a film based upon that work.

Undaunted, Marion’s Kalem Company next made motion picture history by sending a crew to Ireland in 1910 to make what was the first American motion picture to be shot on location outside of the United States. Two years later, he sent a camera crew to Palestine where From the Manger To the Cross was filmed.

These films were very successful, he sold the company after ten years in the motion picture business and built Marion Castle as his retirement home for the enjoyment of his wife, son and four daughters.

Marion Castle was designed in the style of a French Renaissance chateau by the noted New York City based architectural firm of Hunt & Hunt who had made this style very popular on Fifth Ave at the turn of the century. Marion Castle is a composite of several Loire Valley chateaus.

It features a steep slate roof with copper crestings rising high above the main body of the mansion. The front face has large dormer windows with high pediments bordered by finials. A gabled wing that faces the seaward side has a large triple window with mullions and transom bars and steps leading down to the grade.

On the north side of the home, a long half-timbered bay projects from the main wall leading up to a circular turret giving it its distinctive “castle” look. The interior includes a balconied main hall and almost thirty additional rooms of various sizes and uses.

Frank Marion built and occupied Marion Castle until his death at 93 in 1963. The property was then sold to Martha and David Cogan, an inventor and leader in the development of radio and television who helped develop the first color television tube. Martha was widely renown and respected for saving many children from Hitler during World War Two.

In 1978, Jay Kobrin and Gordon Micunis purchased Marion Castle and were very influential in getting it placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 – the only structure in Stamford’s Shippan Point listed in the Register.

Since 1998 Marion Castle has been owned and occupied by Thomas L. Rich, a well known Stamford real estate developer. Mr. Rich has allowed the home to be used extensively for non-profit events such as the Shippan Point Association’s annual community party.

Today, the beautiful waterfront historic luxury home of Frank Marion is one of Stamford CT’s most distinctive landmarks. Having been owned by several innovative civic minded entrepreneurs, Marion Castle continues to be the center point of many of the town’s important community and social events.

To most people a Toyota motor home built in the 1980s looks like a cute and charming recreational vehicle. And for the most part this is exactly what they are. But there was a fatal flaw built into these early 1980 motor homes was that caused heartbreak and disaster for hundreds of people.

As the motor home size was expanded past 18 feet, the original Toyota pickup chassis which was only rated at 1/2 ton capacity, was simply not up to the job. Specifically the rear axle began to fail. When this happened bad things occurred to good people.

Completely empty, these little campers have a marginal carrying capacity for people and possessions. This meant that the typical motor home left the driveway in probably an overloaded condition. This was normally not a problem because the performance of the camper insured that slow speeds would be maintained on the trip. The hundred horsepower four-cylinder engine would not move three tuns of house in a very fast pace.

As the size of the camper increased it wasn’t long until the rear axles began to fail. The camper manufacturers compensated by adding a second set of wheels on the axle. This created a dual set of tires on each side. However this did not correct the problem. The problem lie in the fact that the bearings and the axle itself were just not heavy-duty enough to carry the load.

Excessive load caused the bearings to overheat, fail, and then disintegrate with disastrous consequences. Victims of this problem reported that the wheels would actually leave the truck. This was such a serious problem that the national highway safety administration became involved and issued a recall of certain Toyota motor home models.

There was no way to predict when the axle would fail. Some units failed almost immediately, some units went thousands and thousands of miles, and some units have not failed yet. However any Toyota motor home without the heavy-duty axle should be considered as a suspect vehicle.

There is an easy way to tell if your Toyota RV has a safe axle. First of all, all models of Toyota RV built after 1987 were built with the upgraded safe axle. All models of Toyota motor home built in 1984 and before are required to have the upgraded axle due to the safety recall. In 1985 and 1986 some models were built with the upgraded safe axle and some were not. So it is up to you to be careful when inspecting the axle on any Toyota motor home you are considering to buy.

A simple inspection of the axle itself will tell you if it is safe or needs to be replaced. The safe axle will have six lug nuts, the unsafe axles were built with five lug nuts. The safe axle will also have a protruding center hub that has a ring of nuts around the outer edge.

If the axles on the Toyota motor home you are considering only have five lug nuts and the center does not stick out and have a ring of bolts on the center hub, keep looking for another camper to purchase.

Behrens Ranch Homes

Round Rock real estate is a comfortable, cozy neighborhood that is perfect for your family to settle down in. With a relaxed atmosphere and beautiful homes, Behrens Ranch homes offer prime real estate for potential buyers to settle into a new home. There are so many reasons for you to decide to build your family in Behrens Ranch; you should not hesitate any longer!

Behrens Ranch Real Estate

This subdivision’s real estate homes are also located in a very convenient location. Although the relatively small neighborhood has a cozy and rustic charm, this neighborhood is conveniently located twenty minutes away from the major metropolitan center of Austin, Texas. This subdivision is also very close to the major highways I-35, FM 1452, RR 620 and Toll 45. While you immerse yourself in the welcoming community, you will also find that the homes are located next to fantastic local restaurants and coffee shops. A few of these locations include the Daily Grind and the popular restaurant Louisiana Longhorn.

Behrens Ranch Homes for Sale

This would be a beautiful community that would make Behrens Ranch homes for sale are ideal for you to build your new home. There are also great shopping, restaurants and entertainment areas nearby, such as Lakeline Mall, Dell Diamond and the Round Rock Premium Outlets. This subdivision is also located close to major employers, such as Scott & White, Dell, Seton and La Frontera. These major employers being so close by can cut down on your commute time from work. This neighborhood is also only a few minutes away from numerous parks and lakes, which have many activities such as camping, boating, fishing, and several hiking and biking trails. This neighborhood also has easy access to I-35, FM 1452, RR 620 and Toll 45, which means that you can easily navigate yourself to other locations and shopping and recreational areas.

Round Rock Real Estate

These homes are a comfortable, cozy neighborhood that is perfect for your family to settle down in. With a relaxed atmosphere and beautiful homes, this subdivision offers prime real estate for potential buyers to settle into a new home. This neighborhood has almost everything that you could possibly be searching for in a home, with a welcoming and friendly community and a huge range of amenities and features. Located twenty minutes north of Austin, Round Rock is conveniently located five minutes away from the downtown portion of Round Rock. This subdivision is a beautiful community.

Are you on the verge of buying a new home in the city? It can be a thrilling episode altogether if you’re planning to change the neighborhood or moving to a new city. The townhouses stand to be a favorable choice for most property buyers interested to move to cities. The traditional narrow and terraced houses with more than two to three floors are good choices for families looking forward to budget homes. Again, investors consider buying such properties for their future benefits. But, if you and your family are excited to get a new residence in the town, few suggestions might help you.

Make your priority list

If you have a family with you, then you guys should sit along and discuss the priorities based on which choose the townhouse. For instance- a single person’s apartment differs from that of a family. If you are a family person with one or more kids, you need sufficient space for the children. You’ve to think about the future when your kids will grow up and will seek individual rooms. If you have are intending to buy this property as your permanent address, you have to consider the future. Moreover, you need some extra space, if you’ve pets along with you.

Stick to the additional features

Along with the spacious rooms and the living area for the family, you might have the interest in some special and additional features. It might include the number of balconies, how the rooms are faced, whether the rooms are receiving ample light and air and so on. If you have kids, you need to buy an airy home that receives ample sunlight and fresh air. You can also have a preference of choosing a sea facing or a riverside property so that you can enjoy the view from your townhouse.

Location matters

The location has a very important role to play when you are looking for the house. You gave to stick to the priorities and the location that might also include the priority list when you are about to choose a new residence. Make sure the area has easy access to the marketplaces, gas stations, medical stores, hospitals etc.

Take the help of a reliable real estate agent to find the best homes for sale in your preferred location. Make sure, the professional has the reputation of having the most updated property listing in the area. Besides, the agents help throughout the whole process of selecting and buying the house.

When the market is down, homes for sale can sometimes sit longer than homeowner’s would like. Generally, lowering the price moves it quicker because buyers want to feel like they got a good deal. However, lowering the price isn’t the only option, and it is helpful for homeowners to learn tips to help them sell their home fast.

1. Create Curb Appeal

When you sell a house, it’s important to remember that appearance is everything, and so are first impressions. The first thing a potential buyer sees is the outside of your house. Make sure your yard is well-kept, clean, and uncluttered. Replace any old or faded shudders, give the house a fresh coat of paint if needed, and replace outdated or worn gutters. In short, make it look as nice as possible on the outside so potential buyers want to see the inside.

2. Differentiate From Your Neighbors

There may be several homes for sale in your neighborhood or on your block, and you need to set yourself apart from them. Start by making your home memorable, which should also increase its value. You can get custom landscape designs, high-grade windows, or a new roof. Just make sure that you don’t go overboard with pricey renovations that may not pay off.

3. Update Your House

In a down market, buyers have a lot of options, and they don’t want a house that they need to fix up after buying it. Your job is to make them feel like they can move in and hit the ground running with their new life. Ensure that the doors, appliances, electrical, and plumbing fixtures are in compliance and good working order. Change the batteries in the fire alarms, make sure the molding and baseboards look nice, and update anything that is outdated or unattractive.

4. Clear the Clutter

Potential buyers need to see themselves living in your home, and it’s difficult to do when it is cluttered. Go through everything and either get rid of stuff or take it to storage. You want your home to look simple and clean so buyers can easily picture themselves there. Consider hiring a stager to help you make the most of your space, and create the right image for potential buyers.

5. Sweeten the deal

You may not need to lower the price of your home to sell it, but buyers still want to feel like they got a good deal. In that case, consider some perks. Offer a credit to go toward closing costs or offer to pay closing costs outright. Check with your realtor to see if there are specific deals buyers want that you can consider in your offer, as well.

Selling a house in a down market doesn’t have to be difficult, and homeowners don’t have to immediately lower their price. Start with one of these tips to help you with your homes for sale, and increase your chances of selling it quickly.