My cell phone rang at 3:07 pm CST this afternoon. The caller ID identified it as a local call and as is customary, I answered. "Hello this is Mike. How may I help you?" "Hi Mike this is Julieta. Can you help me find a pig?" "Excuse me? Would you mind repeating that please?" "Yes. Hi, my name is Julieta and I am looking for a pig. Can you help me locate one?" "Um, Miss Julieta how did you acquire my name and contact details?" "Oh I was on the internet and your name came up. I was reading an article you wrote on boudin and cajun food." "Ohhhhh, OK I understand now. So you are looking for a whole pig to roast? For a cochon de lait?" "Yes. Can you help me locate one?" "Why of course Miss Julieta. Allow me a few minutes to locate my contact details and I will call you right back. Is that OK... 06/21/2011

I'm often asked, "Is now a good time to buy a home in Lafayette or Acadiana?"  My answer is a confident, "Most definitely!" The question that usually follows is, "Why?" Well there's several reasons it's now a great time to buy a home in Lafayette and Acadiana: It's a Buyer's market! You have a greater selection of homes from which to choose. In addition, you can often negotiate a better sales price with such an abundance of inventory currently on the market. Mortgage interest rates are at a historic low! i List For Less Realty is comprised of vigilant professionals who work only with reliable and trustworthy financial firms and mortgage brokers. Secure your financial future! According to the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development statistics, 60% of the average homeowner's wea... 06/18/2011

Friends don't let friends pay 6%, 5%, or even 4% real estate commissions. If you're selling your home in Lafayette, Louisiana, you can potentially save thousands of dollars by choosing an alternative to the commission-based firms.                              i List for Less offers offers consumers a more cost-effective means to achieve their real estate goals. Our professional services are pre-set at a fixed fee enabling sellers to save thousands of dollars. Now you no longer have to pay 6%, 5%, or even 4% real estate commissions. Benefits of Listing with i List for Less: Great Exposure!Buyers are using the internet to begin their home search. i List for Less advertises your home on the the major web sites and social media sites to match Buyer and Seller. Save Money! By unbundling the ... 05/26/2011

i List for Less, a local real estate firm in Lafayette, Louisiana offers sellers a more cost-effective means to achieve their goals. By unbundling the services offered by traditional full-commission brokers, our customers and clients select the marketing products they want, enabling them to save thousands of dollars. i List For Less was founded on an approach to real estate that emphasizes both transparency and accountability. Our mission is to set the industry standard for quality, providing exceptional service at a reasonable price, calculated in a fair way.   WHAT IF...    YOU HAD CHOICES...     THAT WERE AFFORDABLE...     TO MEET YOUR GOALS?     If you're looking to buy or sell a home in Lafayette, Abbeville, Breaux Bridge, New Iberia, Opelousas, Youngsville, or one of the many othe... 05/25/2011

RED Day was a success once again here in Lafayette, LA as it was across North America. RED Day (Renew, Energize, Donate) is "an initiative dedicated to celebrating Keller Williams Realty’s year-round commitment to improving our local communities. Each year, on the second Thursday in May, tens of thousands of associates from across the United States and Canada participate in a wide range of projects, devoting their time to renewing and energizing aspects of the neighborhoods in which they serve." (From KW. To read more, click here.) Our market center, Keller Williams Realty Acadiana, traveled back to the Acadian Village and helped by painting the tables and benches used in the village's event hall. They most definitely needed it! The first picture below is of all the benched and tables w... 05/21/2011

One of the most dramatic changes you can make involves flooring. If you're considering creating a new look underfoot, then "YOU REALLY FLOOR ME!" may offer some assistance with choice and selection. Updating, upgrading or replacing old, worn flooring can help you add value to your home. It's considered a worthwhile home improvement task if you're selling your home. Each choice offers advantages and disadvantages, requires distinctive care and maintenance, and is ideally suited for different areas of the home. So, as they proclaim is formal meetings, "The floor is yours!" and in this case, your room will receive the attention and focus.   WOOD                                                                                                                                                Typ... 05/20/2011

Homeowners, i List For Less Realty offers a more practical approach to selling your home in Lafayette, Louisiana. The phrase, "There's a new sheriff in town!" originated in films known as "spaghetti westerns" that were popular in the 1970s. However, the phrase can easily be adapted to fit the i List For Less Realty business model and approach to marketing and selling real estate in greater Acadiana.   As large, national real estate brokerage firms and franchises downplay their higher-cost business models, i List For Less Realty, a locally owned and operated firm, promotes a range of choices in both type and cost of services offered to consumers. The current housing market and economic state has led many home owners to seek cost efficient alternatives to the traditional commission-based ... 05/19/2011

"Mais oui! [may wee] How you dun pronounce dat word, Mike?" So you want to Speak Cajun like a native. I consider myself blessed to have been born in Louisiana. The French influence is abundant and self-evident. We possess a distinctive culture, a rare outlook on life, and truly unique words and vocabulary. If you're not a native, it can be a bit daunting. Adapting to the Acadian way of life may require a slight adjustment. It's not uncommon for new residents and visitors to mispronounce, and perhaps even misunderstand, the terms and words locals use. My blog, "Mais oui! [may wee] How you dun pronounce dat word, Mike?" will help you speak Cajun like a native! In an effort to assist those who are visiting or moving here to fit in a bit better, I have compiled a short list of common words ... 05/13/2011

Yes, it is that time of year again! RED Day is this Thursday, May 12th, 2011. RED Day (Renew, Energize, Donate) is a day where Keller Williams agents and offices across North America give back to the communities in which they live. The initiatives are varied, from rebuilding homes, refurbishing local parks, giving to local food shelters, hosting blood drives, etc. Last year, Keller Williams Realty Acadiana spent the day at the Acadian Village and refurbished some of the flower beds at the entrance and that of a couple of homes (see image below). This year, we are going back to Acadian Village and we will be painting the table and benches that are in the reception pavilion. I will most certainly be posting pictures of our day and our results later this week. To read about what Keller Wil... 05/10/2011

The Property Value Freeze Program enables eligible homeowners to "freeze" the assessed value of their homes at the January 1, 2011 value. In other words, if your home in Lafayette Parish was valued at $100,000 as of January 1, 2011, that value will be frozen until the home is sold or remodeled. It is important to note that this does not mean that your taxes are frozen. Property taxes will not be frozen because those taxes are calculated by multiplying the taxable assessed value by the assigned millage rate. Although the taxable assessed value will not change, the millage rate may change from year to year. As an example, if your home was valued at $100,000 on January 1, 2009 and you claimed a $7,500 homestead exemption, your taxable assessed value would be $2,500 ($10,000 - 7,500). If yo... 05/08/2011

One of the questions I'm often asked by sellers is, "Mike, do those "Just Listed" postcards really work? Are they effective?" My answer is, "Yes they do when they are carefully designed, professionally printed and engage the recipient." It's important to realize that we live in a society that is constantly being "sold" to. While the Do Not Call List has all but eradicated those pesky phone solicitations, we are still bombarded with television commercials, spam email, and junk mail. It isn't unusual for most of us to sort our snail mail while standing over a trash can, pitching anything that appears to be unimportant into the waste receptacle without blinking, without thinking and without ever opening it. A sociological shift has occurred. Mail that was once received with great anticipat... 05/07/2011

Festival International de Louisiane is underway in downtown Lafayette, Louisiana. Festival International de Louisiane is 25 years old and commemorating its Silver Anniversary, April 27-May 1, 2011. This FREE family event is celebrating the French cultural heritage of southern Louisiana with music, arts, culture, food and heritage! Festival International de Louisiane is not just about about music, it's also about SHOPPING! Clothing, jewelry, handcrafted pottery and other goodies may be discovered in the Marché des Arts and Marché du Monde areas of the festival. And don't neglect your taste buds. Be sure to satisfy your palette with treats and beverages from one of the many food vendors. The Marché des Arts is located near the LUS Pavillon de Cuisine near Jefferson Street. Skilled craftsm... 04/29/2011

Festival International de Louisiane is next week, April 27 - May 1, 2011, and this 25th anniversary edition promises to be something to remember! Click on this year's logo to be taken to the Festival's web site. For the past two years, I've been a member of the Board of Directors for Festival International and this year, everyone worked hard at making the 25th edition very special. The line up is fantastic, as always, and this year, the programming committee made it a point to invite popular artists from past editions of the Festival. One of my favorite bands from Canada, "Suroit," is back this year and so are the Burundi Drummers, Balkan Beat Box, MarchFourth Marching Band, Ricardo Lemva & Makina Loca, and Maria de Barros.  New and exciting performers are Bomba Estereo, JJ Grey & Mofro... 04/22/2011

I woke up early this morning grappling with a nagging question. Sleep evaded me as I lay there bewildered and perplexed. Perhaps someone has a resolution to one of life's uncertainties. The question? Why is it....                         we DRIVE on PARKways,                                   ...and PARK on DRIVEways? Am I the only one who finds such discrepancies alarming? -Thinking on Thursday in Lafayette, Louisiana... a dangerous ordeal.  Whether you're looking to buy or sell a home located on a Parkway or simply one with a Driveway, i List For Less Realty can help you achieve your goals! Give us a call. 04/21/2011

The 2nd Annual Top of the Hops Beer Festival will be held at the Cajundome Convention Center in  Lafayette, Louisiana on Saturday April 9, 2011 from 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm. Top of the Hops Beer Festival will showcase craft beers from around the world. Patrons will receive a commemorative sampling mug and have access to unlimited, 2 ounce sampling of over 150 craft beers, beer education sessions, live music featuring The Backlight Bros and Badcats, and fun games. The festival will also feature the Samuel Adams Brew University Education Area where patrons can enjoy beer seminars and other beer education sessions. Tickets to the festival are $35 for General Admission, Party Central VIP tickets are $60, Designated Driver tickets are $15 and Party Central Designated Driver tickets are $25. Ticket... 04/04/2011

If you've been thinking about a career in real estate, this free seminar is an excellent opportunity for you to learn more about what it takes to be successful in today's market and to learn what Keller Williams has to offer.   04/04/2011

The 2011 edition of the (49th) annual Parade of Homes from the Acadian Home Builders Association in the Lafayette, LA area begins next weekend! Mark your calendars: April 9, 10, 13, 16 & 17, 2011 The Parade of Homes is the public's opportunity to view brand new homes built by some of the best builders in the area. This year, you will be able to view 38 homes in 22 subdivisions in Acadiana. A total of 25 builders will be showcased. Tickets are $6 each and are now available at Doug Ashy Building Materials (2 locations: Johnston St and Verot School Road) and at the AHBA office (135 N. Domigue in Lafayette). During the Parade, tickets are available at the clubhouse in Grand Pointe subdivision. Guidebooks and maps are available while supplies last. Below are the subdivisions and builders fea... 04/03/2011

Downtown Alive! will kick off its 27th season on March 11th in Lafayette, Louisiana. Each Spring and Fall area residents and visitors head downtown to enjoy free outdoor concerts. Performances by renowned musicians and up-and-coming stars offer great entertainment in a variety of genres ranging from Cajun, Zydeco, Blues, Rock, Soul, Country, Latin and more.   Concession vendors offer food and beverage beginning at 5:30 p.m.; musical performances start at 6:00 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m. Bring your lawn chairs or spread a blanket and find a spot to enjoy Downtown Alive! For more information, visit www.downtownlafayette.org.   Downtown Alive! Spring 2011 Season Schedule: March 11   -   Andy Smith Band  (Covers & Variety - Parc International) March 18   -   Eric Lindell  (New Orleans Blues/S... 03/08/2011

  This weekend is the big Louisiana Fur and Wildlife festival in Camerson, and after blogging on it I got some questions about Gumbo.  For all of you unfamiliar with this delicacy, it deserves a few comments. Gumbo is a stew or soup which originated in south Louisiana in the 18th century.  Hunters and fishermen took meat of the day and mixed it with a strong stock, a thickener, and vegetables, often celery and bell peppers and onion which were plentiful.  One of the more famous varieties uses a spice called "Fele".  This powder is made from dried and ground sassafras leaves.  "Fele" can give some thickening when okra is not in season, as well as giving the stew a very distictive flavor.  Over the years ingredients and culinary practices of several cultures influenced the hundreds of re... 01/06/2011

In Lafayette on a 10-acre grounds you can enjoy Christmas at Noel Acadien au Village.  There are lighting displays, carnival rides, nightly live entertainmnet, food in Santa's kitchen, shopping in the Christmas store, photos with Santa and more. Nightly December 23rd, 5:30- 9:00pm, you can see lighting displays with over a half a million lights. 12/14/2010