Gorgeous Waterfront Home in The Inlets of Oak Harbor Overview Maps Photos Description $367,000 Single Family Home Main Features 4 Bedrooms3 Bathrooms1 Partial BathroomInterior: 3400 sqft Location 12 Harbor CoveSlidell, LA 70458USA To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the "Like" button below: Karin Smith ABEK Real Estate(985) 707-7624ksmith.realestate@gmail.comhttp://www.propertypromenade.com Listed by: Karin Smith - ABEK Real Estate Our recent listings Fabulous Home on Corner Lot in Meadowlake Subdivision for LeaseGorgeous Waterfront Home in The Inlets of Oak HarborSeller will pay up to $5,500.00 in Buyers Closing Cost! Free Home Warranty! Subscribe to our listing feed Nearby properties for sale 10/18/2010

Fabulous Home on Corner Lot in Meadowlake Subdivision for Lease Overview Maps Photos Description $1,700 Residential Rental Main Features 3 Bedrooms2 Bathrooms1 Partial BathroomInterior: 2275 sqft Location 1947 WyndemereSlidell, LA 70461USA To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the "Like" button below: Karin Smith ABEK Real Estate(985) 707-7624ksmith.realestate@gmail.comhttp://www.propertypromenade.com Listed by: Karin Smith - ABEK Real Estate Our recent listings Fabulous Home on Corner Lot in Meadowlake Subdivision for LeaseGorgeous Waterfront Home in The Inlets of Oak HarborSeller will pay up to $5,500.00 in Buyers Closing Cost! Free Home Warranty! Subscribe to our listing feed Nearby rentals 10/18/2010

Your Property Wish List What does your future home look like? Where is it located? As you hunt down your dream home, consult this list to evaluate properties and keep your priorities top of mind.NeighborhoodsWhat neighborhoods do you prefer?SchoolsWhat school systems do you want to be near?TransportationHow close must the home be to these amenities: Public transportation Airport Expressway Neighborhood shopping Schools OtherHome Style What architectural style(s) of homes do you prefer? Do you want to buy a home, condominium, or townhome? Would you like a one-story or two-story home? How many bedrooms must your new home have? How many bathrooms must your new home have?Home Condition Do you prefer a new home or an existing home? If you're looking for an existing home, how old of a home wo... 10/12/2010

5 Factors That Decide Your Credit Score Credit scores range between 200 and 800, with scores above 620 considered desirable for obtaining a mortgage. The following factors affect your score:1. Your payment history. Did you pay your credit card obligations on time? If they were late, then how late? Bankruptcy filing, liens, and collection activity also impact your history.2. How much you owe. If youowe a great deal of money on numerous accounts, it can indicate that you are overextended. However, it's a good thing if you have a good proportion of balances to total credit limits.3. The length of your credit history. In general, the longer you have had accounts opened, the better. The average consumer's oldest obligation is 14 years old, indicating that he or she has been managing credit f... 10/12/2010

Budget Basics Worksheet The first step in getting yourself in financial shape to buy a home is to know exactly how much money comes in and how much goes out. Use this worksheet to list your income and expenses below. INCOME   Take Home Pay (all family members)   Child Support/Alimony   Pension/Social Security   Disability/Other Insurance   Interest/Dividends   Other   Total Income   EXPENSES   Rent/Mortgage (include taxes, principal, and insurance)   Life Insurance   Health/Disability Insurance   Vehicle Insurance   Homeowner's or Other Insurance   Car Payments   Other Loan Payments   Savings/Pension Contribution   Utilities (gas, water, electric, phone)   Credit Card Payments   Car Upkeep (gas, maintenance, etc.)   Clothing   Personal Care Products (shampoo, cologne, etc.)   Groceries ... 10/12/2010

How Big of a Mortgage Can I Afford? Not only does owning a home give you a haven for yourself and your family, it also makes great financial sense because of the tax benefits - which you can't take advantage of when paying rent.The following calculation assumes a 28 percent income tax bracket. If your bracket is higher, your savings will be, too. Based on your current rent, use this calculation to figure out how much mortgage you can afford.Rent: _________________________Multiplier: x 1.32Mortgage payment: _________________________Because of tax deductions, you can make a mortgage payment - including taxes and insurance - that is approximately one-third larger than your current rent payment and end up with the same amount of income.For more help, use Fannie Mae's online mortgage calcula... 10/12/2010

What is Appraised Value? Appraisals provide an objective opinion of value, but it's not an exact science so appraisals may differ. For buying and selling purposes, appraisals are usually based on market value - what the property could probably be sold for. Other types of value include insurance value, replacement value, and assessed value for property tax purposes. Appraised value is not a constant number. Changes in market conditions can dramatically alter appraised value. Appraised value doesn't take into account special considerations, like the need to sell rapidly. Lenders usually use either the appraised value or the sale price, whichever is less, to determine the amount of the mortgage they will offer.Used with permission from Kim Daugherty, Real Estate Checklists and Systems, www... 10/11/2010

Appraiser ChecklistHelp 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. ... 10/11/2010

6 Landscaping Tricks That Wow Buyers In today's market, sellers have to work harder to persuade buyers that their property is worth the bite. By Barbara Ballinger | April 2009 Landscape designer Michael Glassman has cooked up a recipe for guaranteed curb appeal.   1. Add splashes of color. With every changing season, a landscape should provide a new display of colors, textures, and fragrances. "It's best to use one or two and repeat them," Glassman says. Example: white iceberg roses that bloom in spring, summer, and fall as a backdrop; in front, a contrasting punch of purple salvia or lavender that will flower at the same time; and as an accent, a crape myrtle tree that provides changing leaf colors in fall and interesting branches come winter.   2. Size trees and shrubs to scale. These... 10/11/2010

4 Interior Painting TipsPainting is a quick and easy way to liven up a listing. But some smart prep work can make a huge difference in the quality of the results. April 2009 1.Get the surface ready. You want the paint to glide on smoothly, so be sure the surface is clean before you start painting. Remove any handprints, dirt, or scuff marks. Lightly sand any glossy spots to avoid streaks.   2. Select a paint sheen and color. Ah, the choices! Many paint stores are making it easier to narrow down your choices by offering small trial sizes so that you can test the color at home and look for any variations in daylight and night. Lighting has a big effect on the way color appears. Remember: Higher sheen paints tend to offer more durability than flat paints, so use them in high-traffic areas.... 10/11/2010

7 Photo Tips From the ExpertsOnce you've decided on a new camera, here are a few tips to help make your photos look their best. By Erica Christoffer | March 2010 Photo experts Nic Boie, Megan Boesen, and Darrick Olson from National Camera Exchange in Golden Valley, Minn., offer up some tips that can improve nearly every real estate practitioner's picture-taking techniques:   1. Tripods: Want to make sure you have a sharp image? Tripods can help achieve a better light exposure without blur caused by camera shake. Using a tripod will eliminate camera shake. It will also help to slow down the shooting process so you can compose a better image.   2. Lighting: When shooting indoors, sometimes a flash can create harsh shadows or overexpose other areas of the frame, which loses detail. Try sho... 10/11/2010

8 Camera Tips to Capture a Room's SizeMake sure every square foot counts when photographing interiors. Try these tips to expand the space. By Melissa Dittmann Tracey | August 2010 Buyers love spacious homes. They also love to look at online property photos. But it's not always easy to squeeze square footage into a camera shot-and sometimes furniture arrangements or floor coverings actually do a disservice to the way your listing is presented online or in marketing photos, says Debra Gould, president of home staging company Six Elements Inc. in Toronto and creator of the Staging Diva training program.   She offers these tips for making sure that every room of your listing looks as large in photos as it does in real life.   1. Remove area rugs. Rugs break up the expanse of the floor and c... 10/11/2010

Specialty Mortgages: Risks and Rewards In high-priced housing markets, it can be difficult to afford a home. That's why a growing number of home buyers are forgoing traditional fixed-rate mortgages and standard adjustable-rate mortgages and instead opting for a specialty mortgage that lets them "stretch" their income so they can qualify for a larger loan.But before you choose one of these mortgages, make sure you understand the risks and how they work.Specialty mortgages often begin with a low introductory interest rate or payment plan - a "teaser"- but the monthly mortgage payments are likely to increase a lot in the future. Some are "low documentation" mortgages that come with easier standards for qualifying, but also higher interest rates or higher fees. Some lenders will loan you 10... 10/05/2010

Common Closing Costs for Buyers You'll likely be responsible for a variety of fees and expenses that you and the seller will have to pay at the time of closing. Your lender must provide a good-faith estimate of all settlement costs. The title company or other entity conducting the closing will tell you the required amount for: Down payment Loan origination Points, or loan discount fees, which you pay to receive a lower interest rate Home inspection Appraisal Credit report Private mortgage insurance premium Insurance escrow for homeowner's insurance, if being paid as part of the mortgage Property tax escrow, if being paid as part of the mortgage. Lenders keep funds for taxes and insurance in escrow accounts as they are paid with the mortgage, then pay the insurance or taxes for you. Deed... 10/05/2010

What's a Home Warranty? A home warranty is a service contract, normally for one year, which helps protect home owners against the cost of unexpected covered repairs or replacement on their major systems and appliances that break down due to normal wear and tear. Coverage is for systems and appliances in good working order at the start of the contract.Check your home warranty policy to see which of the following items are covered. Also find out if the policy covers the full replacement cost of an item. Plumbing Electrical systems Furnace Water heater Heating ducts Water pump Dishwasher Garbage disposal Stove/cooktop/ovens Microwave Refrigerator Washer/dryer Swimming pool (may be optional)Source: American Home Shield, www.ahswarranty.com, REALTOR® Benefits Partner This has been Reprinted ... 10/05/2010

What Not to Overlook on a Final Walk-through It's guaranteed to be hectic right before closing, but you should always make time for a final walk-through. Your goal is to make sure that your home is in the same condition you expected it would be. Ideally, the sellers already have moved out. This is your last chance to check that appliances are in working condition and that agreed-upon repairs have been made. Here's a detailed list of what not to overlook for on your final walk-through.Make sure that: Repairs you've requested have been made. Obtain copies of paid bills and warranties. There are no major changes to the property since you last viewed it. All items that were included in the sale price - draperies, lighting fixtures, etc. - are still there. Screens and storm windows are in pl... 10/05/2010

Tips for Lowering Homeowner's Insurance Costs 1. Review the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) report on the property you're interested in buying. CLUE reports detail the property's claims history for the most recent five years, which insurers may use to deny coverage. Make the sale contingent on a home inspection to ensure that problems identified in the CLUE report have been repaired.2. Seek insurance coverage as soon as your offer is approved. You must obtain insurance to buy. And you don't want to be told at closing that the insurer has denied your coverage.3. Maintain good credit. Insurers often use credit-based insurance scores to determine premiums.4. Buy your home owners and auto policies from the same company and you'll usually qualify for savings. But make sure th... 10/05/2010

Things Your Buyers Might Not Know About Title Insurance 1.    Your mortgage lender is going to require it. Title insurance protects the lender and the secondary markets to which they sell the loans from defects in the title to your home and property. It ensures the validity and enforceability of the mortgage document. Title defects could include mistakes made in the local property office, forged documents and claims from unknown parties. The amount of the policy is equal to the amount of your mortgage at its inception. You pay a one-time fee as part of your closing costs. If you are purchasing a home, you should also purchase an owner's policy which provides coverage up to the purchase price of the home you are buying. In some states it is customary for the seller to purchase the owner'... 10/05/2010

What to Leave for the New Owners Owner's manuals and warranties for appliances left in the house. Garage door opener. Extra sets of house keys. A list of local service providers - the best dry cleaner, yard service, plumber, etc. Code to the security alarm and phone number of the monitoring service if not discontinued. As a courtesy, you could provide numbers to the local utility companies. If it's a condo, leave information on how to contact the condo board. 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. 10/05/2010

Slidell Waterfront Market Report 10/5/2010 October 5, 2010 - LAST SIX MONTHS OF ACTIVITY Sold: Navigable/Single Family Residential/Waterfront Properties sold in the last six months.Total: 52 Sold Prices Range: from $60,000 in Bayou Bonfouca Estates to $600,000 in Lakeshore Estates. Active: Navigable/Single Family Residential/Waterfont Properties.Total: 107 Under Contract/Pending: Navigable/Single Family Residential/Waterfront Properties.Total: 9 10/05/2010