It all began one summer day with a phone call from a family who'd recently been informed they will be transferring to the New Orleans area with the husband's employer.  A lengthy discussion in which I like to call the discovery phase began as I learned all about the needs of the buyer and their particular situation.  They were calling me because they found me on the internet and saw I specialize in both the suburbs and the city of New Orleans.  After viewing several virtual tours of properties I had hand picked for them, the lovely couple booked their airfare and scheduled a two day visit with me to show them around the area and tour the homes.   The first day turned into a cancellation as they had an issue with retrieving their luggage from the airport which was so traumatic they decid... 11/17/2010

Slidell Short Sale  Whether you are searching for active short sales in Slidell, LA or considering if you qualify to sell your home as a short sale we can help.  Purchasing properties below market value is possible in our market with Short Sales.  Short Sales are properties in which the listing price is less than the current loan balance on the property.  The lender has agreed to allow the borrower to sell the property at a loss instead of going to foreclosure.  You, the buyer, can take advantage of this opportunity and get more for your money with a short sale and the seller can benefit as well by selling before losing your home to a foreclosure.  The process, however, can be time consuming and stressful.  You'll need an agent experienced in the process to be sure the transaction runs ... 11/17/2010

Slidell, La Listing Agents - Stewart & Smith, "Your Home Team" Stewart & Smith, "Your Home Team"  List with Us!   The decision has been made, you're upsizing, downsizing, relocating, or simply ready for a change.  You are now faced with the challenge of finding a Listing Agent to journey with you to the closing table.  You've 'googled' Slidell, La Listing Agents and have arrived at our website - WELCOME!  We're delighted you stopped by!  We now have one chance to  grab your attention, one chance to allow you to determine if we're the right agents for you.  The road to the closing table can be quite a challenge.  Finding the right agent to guide you through your journey will greatly improve all aspects of the process from your stress level, to negotiating the best value and terms.  How ... 11/17/2010

Tips for Finding the Perfect Neighborhood Your neighborhood has a big impact on your lifestyle. Follow these steps to find the perfect community to call home. Is it close to your favorite spots? Make a list of the activities - movies, health club, church, etc. - you engage in regularly and stores you visit frequently. See how far you would have to travel from each neighborhood you're considering to engage in your most common activities. Check out the school district. This is especially important if you have children, but it also can affect resale value. The Department of Education in your town can probably provide information on test scores, class size, percentage of students who attend college, and special enrichment programs. If you have school-age children, visit schools in the neigh... 11/17/2010

10 Questions to Ask the Condo Board Before you buy, contact the condo board with the following questions. In the process, you'll learn how responsive - and organized - its members are. You'll also be alerted to potential problems with the property.1. What percentage of units is owner-occupied? What percentage is tenant-occupied? Generally, the higher the percentage of owner-occupied units, the more marketable the units will be at resale.2. What covenants, bylaws, and restrictions govern the property? What grandfather clauses are in place? You may find, for instance, that those who buy a property after a certain date can't rent out their units, but buyers who bought earlier can. Ask for a copy of the bylaws to determine if you can live within them. And have an attorney review property do... 11/17/2010

Pros and Cons of Going Condo Condominiums and townhouses offer an affordable option to single-family homes in many markets, and they're ideal for those who appreciate a maintenance-free lifestyle. But before you buy, make sure you do your legwork. These are some of the important elements to consider: Storage. Some condos have storage lockers, but usually there are no attics or basements to hold extra belongings. Outdoor space. Yards and outdoor areas are usually smaller in condos, so if you like to garden or entertain outdoors, this may not be a good fit. However, if you dread yard work, this may be the perfect option for you. Amenities. Many condo properties have swimming pools, fitness centers, and other facilities that would be very expensive in a single-family home. Maintenance. Man... 11/17/2010

Understanding Capital Gains in Real Estate When you sell a stock, you owe taxes on your gain - the difference between what you paid for the stock and what you sold it for. The same holds true when selling a home (or a second home), but there are some special considerations.How to Calculate GainIn real estate, capital gains are based not on what you paid for the home, but on its adjusted cost basis. To calculate, follow these steps:1. Purchase price: _______________________The purchase price of the home is the sale price, not the amount of money you actually contributed at closing.2. Total adjustments: _______________________To calculate this, add the following: Cost of the purchase - including transfer fees, attorney fees, and inspections, but not points you paid on your mortgage. Cost ... 11/17/2010

One thing good about living in the south you can go to the beach in November and not freeze to death.  You can have the beaches to yourself and the rates are less than half of peak Summer time.  I took my family there this weekend to basically do nothing and unwind.  You would not believe how good the fishing is right now.  We caught Pompano, Redfish and a Black Drum.  All but the Pompano were released.  Man did those fish grill up nice. Gulf Shores white sand beach in Alabama is only a two and a half hour drive from Slidell or Pearl River.                                                                                 11/15/2010

5 Property Tax Questions You Need to Ask 1. What is the assessed value of the property? Note that assessed value is generally less than market value. Ask to see a recent copy of the seller's tax bill to help you determine this information.2. How often are properties reassessed, and when was the last reassessment done? In general, taxes jump most significantly when a property is reassessed.3. Will the sale of the property trigger a tax increase? The assessed value of the property may increase based on the amount you pay for the property. And in some areas, such as California, taxes may be frozen until resale.4. Is the amount of taxes paid comparable to other properties in the area? If not, it might be possible to appeal the tax assessment and lower the rate.5. Does the current tax bill r... 11/12/2010

5 Common First Time Home Buyer Mistakes 1. They don't ask enough questions of their lender and end up missing out on the best deal.2. They don't act quickly enough to make a decision and someone else buys the house.3. They don't find the right agent who's willing to help them through the homebuying process.4. They don't do enough to make their offer look appealing to a seller.5. They don't think about resale before they buy. The average first-time buyer only stays in a home for four years.Source: Real Estate Checklists and Systems, www.realestatechecklists.com. This has been Reprinted from REALTOR® magazine (REALTOR.org/realtormag http://www.realtor.org/realtormag) with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. 11/12/2010

Tips for Buying in a Tight Market Increase your chances of getting your dream house in a competitive housing market, and lower your chances of losing out to another buyer.1. Get prequalified for a mortgage. You'll be able to make a firm commitment to buy and your offer will be more desirable to the seller.2. Stay in close contact with your real estate agent to find out about the newest listings. Be ready to see a house as soon as it goes on the market - if it's a great home, it will go fast.3. Scout out new listings yourself. Look at Web sites such as REALTOR.com, browse your local newspaper's real estate section, and drive through the neighborhood to spot For Sale signs. If you see a home you like, write down the address and the name of the listing agent. Your real estate agent will sc... 11/12/2010

Tips for Finding the Perfect Neighborhood Your neighborhood has a big impact on your lifestyle. Follow these steps to find the perfect community to call home. Is it close to your favorite spots? Make a list of the activities - movies, health club, church, etc. - you engage in regularly and stores you visit frequently. See how far you would have to travel from each neighborhood you're considering to engage in your most common activities. Check out the school district. This is especially important if you have children, but it also can affect resale value. The Department of Education in your town can probably provide information on test scores, class size, percentage of students who attend college, and special enrichment programs. If you have school-age children, visit schools in the neigh... 11/12/2010

Thank you Marines for 235 year of courage, commitment and sacrifice! Happy Birthday to you all and enjoy your special day. My thoughts and prayers are with all who have served and your families who have stood behind you! If you see a Marine today, please be sure to wish them a Happy 235th Birhday, it will mean the world to them! Semper Fi! Karin Smith - Realtor - Proud Marine Wife! 11/10/2010

Maintenance Must-Dos First-time buyers often don't know much about home maintenance. You can help by giving them a maintenance schedule that'll prevent small problems from turning into big headaches. By John Frank | February 2008 First-time buyers often don't know much about home maintenance. You can help by giving them a maintenance schedule that'll prevent small problems from turning into big headaches. Our maintenance checklist was compiled with the help of Lou Manfredini, Ace Hardware's home improvement spokesperson and star of the "Mr. Fix-It" show on Chicago's WGN-AM radio, and Frank Lesh, president of the American Society of Home Inspectors and head of his own home inspection company, Home Sweet Home Inspection Co., in Indian Head Park, Ill.   Change your furnace filters monthly.... 11/09/2010

Buyers Want Cozy, Connected Kitchens Kitchens and living rooms are combining to create a new look for kitchens. By Melissa Dittmann Tracey | October 2010   The kitchen isn't just for cooking. Today it's used as a gathering place for families, a central work space, and an open area to pursue craft projects or entertain.   "Living room and family room activities are merging into the kitchen, and it's changing how kitchens look," says Susan Serra, a home designer in Huntington, N.Y., who specializes in kitchens. "Particularly as homes are getting smaller, we're using the kitchen for much more than we have in the past. Home owners want a more versatile floor plan."   The walls in kitchens started coming down in the 1980s and 1990s, Serra says. First to go were walls separating the kitchen f... 11/09/2010

10 Things Every Remodeling Contract Should Include The contract is a critical step in any remodeling project; it holds the job together and ensures that all parties agree to the same vision and scope. By Kelly Quigley | April 2009   The National Association of the Remodeling Industry spells out the following key elements that every remodeling contract should have:   1. The contractor's name, address, phone number, and license number.   2. Details on what the contractor will and will not do.   3. A list of materials for the project in your contract. This includes information about the size, color, model, brand name, and product.   4. The approximate start date and completion date.   5. All required plans. Study them carefully for accuracy. Insist that you approve them and that they are i... 11/09/2010

Staging on a Budget What's your best, most affordable staging idea? Dozens of real estate pros offer their best tips. By Melissa Dittmann Tracey | March 2009 REALTOR® Magazine asked readers of our Daily Real Estate News e-mail to send in their best tips for sprucing up listings on the cheap. Here are some of the quick, creative ideas that poured into our inbox.   Ideas for: Living Room Bedroom Bathroom Color and Lighting Kitchen De-cluttering Exteriors Special Touches     LIVING ROOMS Create a Focal Point "Pick out the most visible corner and put a large plant-I've found that silk trees work best. Set up a spotlight behind it so it lights up the leaves and throws an interesting shadow on another wall. It really makes a difference in a person's perception of the space, especially if it's... 11/09/2010

Appraiser Checklist Help clients understand what to expect during the appraisal process by sharing information on how appraisers reach their property value estimates. By Barbara Ballinger | April 2009 Here are some of the factors that appraisers Joni L. Herndon of Real Property Analysts/Gulf Coast in Tampa, Fla., and John A. Hillas of Hulbert & Associates Inc. in Modesto, Calif., say they consider when determining value.   Incentives and concessions. Most of today's buyers expect to pay the lowest possible price and still get some extras. Sellers and home builders are offering money toward closing costs, remodeling and decorating, upgrades, and association dues. The price set initially may not be the final price once concessions are factored out. Appraisers care about that final number.... 11/09/2010

7 Steps for Removing Mold From Listings Mold is a common home intruder that can quickly turn a desirable house into a risky purchase for potential buyers. So, what can sellers do about it? April 2009 What Is Mold?   Mold is a type of fungus made up of tiny microscopic organisms that can grow practically anywhere, such as on ceiling tiles, wallpaper, wood, paints, carpet, and insulation. It multiplies via spores and shows itself in a variety of colors, from greens to browns to pinks, grays, blacks, and yellows. The most common mold growth area in the house is the bathroom, since mold grows on moist materials.   If you spot mold in one of your listings, you'll first want to size up the problem, and then create a plan for safe and complete removal.   If the mold is found in a small area, l... 11/09/2010

Search Slidell Real Estate at http://www.propertypromenade.com Feel free to sign up for your Personalized Home Search on the site. This exclusive search will allow you to fully customize your search with all search criteria to suit your individual needs.  PropertyPromenade.com is a courtesy of: Karin Smith, Broker Licensed in Louisiana Smith Realty Group1290 Seventh Street, Suite 6Slidell, La. 70458 Cell: 985-707-7624  Email: Ksmith.realestate@gmail.com 11/02/2010