Brain Teaser

If you were to construct a 7 x 7 checkered square (i.e., a 7 x 7 chess board), how many squares would there be in total?
This is not just asking for the total number of little squares which would be 49, but the board itself is also a square which would add one...and there are also squares made up of 2 checkered squares x 2 checkered squares etc...

If that doesn't make sense let me know and I'll try and clarify it.

There is a pole in a lake. One-half of the pole is in the ground, another one-third of it is covered by water, and 11 ft is out of the water. What is the total length of the pole in ft?

Ann purchased a house for $ 183787. She wants to sell it for a profit of exactly 13%. However, she does not want to sell it herself. She wants a Real Estate Agent to sell it for her. The Agent must make a commission of exactly 5.6% (in addition to Ann's 13% profit). How much must the Agent sell the house for? Give your answer to the nearest dollar.

The answers are now in the comments. I decided to do it that way, rather than post them, on the off chance that someone who likes these things still wants to try. :) I know it's a long shot. :)