Let's Have a Garage Sale! Garage sale, yard sale, tag sale, estate sale,basement sale, house sale, porch sale whatever you call it, they're fun to have and, better yet, have the potential to add substantially to your personal bottom line! However, as with anything that's worth having, there are a few steps and guidelines you should follow to give your sale the best possible chance for worthwhile success. Here are some of the most popular suggestions from garage sale experts, both buyers and sellers alike. Before the Sale Find out if your area requires a permit or has any restrictions regarding garage sales. When choosing items to sell, a good rule to follow is sell anything you have not used for a while, or that you don't foresee ever using again. Pick your sale dates. The most popular... 03/10/2010

Choosing the Right School for Your Children For many families, a move to a new state or community means making difficult choices. Choosing from among the wide array of options of appropriate day care for younger children or schools for the older ones can be a complex and time-consuming chore. Parents need to examine their own basic values, their child-rearing and educational philosophies, and each child's needs when making decisions that will affect their child's future. For many parents, choosing the best schools for their children determines other life choices. Newcomers usually investigate the public school systems thoroughly before selecting an area in which to settle. Each school district determines its own curriculum, requirements, and special programs. However, individual schools... 03/08/2010

Choosing the Right School for Your Children For many families, a move to a new state or community means making difficult choices. Choosing from among the wide array of options of appropriate day care for younger children or schools for the older ones can be a complex and time-consuming chore. Parents need to examine their own basic values, their child-rearing and educational philosophies, and each child's needs when making decisions that will affect their child's future. For many parents, choosing the best schools for their children determines other life choices. Newcomers usually investigate the public school systems thoroughly before selecting an area in which to settle. Each school district determines its own curriculum, requirements, and special programs. However, individual schools... 03/08/2010

Best Bet Home Improvements If you're looking to improve the appearance of your home for resale, or you just want an updated look for your own enjoyment, there are a few things you must consider before beginning any costly project. Sure, you can spend a lot on something purely for the personal pleasure of having it - like that outdoor Jacuzzi under the attached gazebo - or you can go the practical route and make an improvement that will increase your home's market value, such as installing energy-efficient air-conditioning or repairing those shabby shingles. Be forewarned, however, and don't expect to recoup your costs on both counts. Many real-estate brokers agree that just because you put $25,000 worth of improvements into your home doesn't mean that your house is worth $25,000 more! E... 03/05/2010

  Selling it or Smelling It? Pet odors can be a problem when you're in the process of selling your home. If your house has an odor problem, you should remove any offending furniture or carpets or hire a professional to clean them. Be sure to check the cat box frequently and keep the litter fresh. Since some people have allergies or fears of certain animals, it's a good idea to put dogs or cats outside or confine your pets to one area when your house is being shown. It's hard for buyers to fully appreciate your home through itchy, watery eyes or in between sneezes! Even if the house is exactly what they want, your chances of selling it are less if the scent of Spot lingers in their memory. 03/05/2010

03/04/2010

Friday, March 5th Stroke and Vascular Disease Screening when:Mar 5, 2010 at 9:00am where:1534 Seventh Street, Slidell, LA venue:Christ Episcopal Church Of Slidell category:Health and Fitness . Performance - The Children's Hour when:Mar 5, 2010 at 8:00pm where:2024 Nellie Drive, Slidell, LA from:Slidell Little Theater category:Arts and Entertainment . Saturday, March 6th Camellia City Market when:Mar 6, 2010 at 8:00am where:333 Erlanger Street, Slidell, LA from:Camellia City Market category:Clubs and Organizations . Audition - Ragtime when:Mar 6, 2010 at 1:00pm where:2024 Nellie Drive, Slidell, LA from:Slidell Little Theater category:Arts and Entertainment . Performance - The Children's Hour when:Mar 6, 2010 at 8:00pm where:2024 Nellie Drive, Slidell, LA from:Slidell Little Theater categ... 03/04/2010

Single Family Home for sale in Slidell, LA Overview Maps Photos Description $189,000 Single Family HomeFor Sale Main Features 4 Bedrooms2 BathroomsInterior: 2025 sqftLot: 9,000 sqft Location 219 GoldenwoodSlidell, LA 70461 Karin Smith & David Stewart ABEK Real Estate(985) 707-7624ksmith.realestate@gmail.comhttp://www.propertypromenade.com Listed by: ABEK Real Estate Our recent listings Single Family Residential for $147,000 in Slidell, LASingle Family Residential for $189,000 in Slidell, LACommercial for $1,150,000 in New Orleans, LACommercial Rental for $7,000 in New Orleans, LACommercial Rental for $1,950 in New Orleans, LA Subscribe to our listing feed See more Slidell, LA real estate for sale 03/03/2010

Your Mortgage Has Been Sold:Now What?If you receive a letter from XYZ Mortgage telling you they've bought your loan and you should now send payments to them, don't do it unless you receive a coinciding letter from your current lender. This type of mortgage scam goes on all the time, and many homeowners don't even think twice before sending off a check. Congress took note of these scams, and in 1990 moved to regulate the assignment, transfer or sale of mortgage loans. As part of the National Affordable Housing Act, certain provisions were added to the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA): 1.The lender must disclose to the borrower its policy on assigning or selling loans at the time a borrower applies for a mortgage loan. HUD has written a model disclosure statement that all fed... 03/03/2010

Foreclosures Explained There are a lot of alarming statistics out there about foreclosures. But when you understand what a foreclosure is and how it works, it takes some of the fear out of the unknown. To break it down to its bare bones, a mortgage foreclosure happens when a lender exercises its lien against a borrower's home in order to sell the house to pay off the mortgage loan. This, of course, only happens after the borrower has failed to make mortgage payments for an extended period of time, has ignored notices that the payments are behind, hasn't bothered to call the lender to see what can be worked out. So how did we get from popping the champagne cork on closing day to having our belongings set out on the lawn? It didn't happen overnight: Step 1 - Notice of default is recorded ... 03/03/2010

Slidell HomesSearch Slidell Homes for Sale at: http://www.PropertyPromenade.com The decision has been made, you're upsizing, downsizing, relocating, buying your first home, or simply ready for a change.  You are now faced with the challenge of finding a Buyers Agent to journey with you to the closing table.  You've 'googled' Slidell, La Buyers Agents and have arrived at my website - WELCOME!  I'm delighted you stopped by!  I now have one chance to grab your attention, one chance to allow you to determine if I'm the right agent 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 will you decide?  I'm... 03/01/2010

Any agent who has been in this business                                                                                 for any amount of time knows this isn't anything close to a normal real estate market.  With the Federal Tax Credit for first time and repeat buyers buoying the market.  With many agents making a living on short sales and foreclosures and a much smaller percentage of the usual arm lenght transactions taking place.  With the coming arrival of Spring and the tax credit deadline buyers are flocking to buy homes.  I wonder how much demand is being pulled forward by the rapidly approaching deadline.  What will fill the vacuum once it pasts?  After all banks can't stay in business if they loose money on each sale. I think our Congress and President would be better serving th... 03/01/2010

How To Start A New Garden Spring is on the way, I thought it would be helpful to post a few tips to start your new garden. You can never go wrong with great curb appeal. Regardless of whether you are a novice or seasoned expert, you can enjoy the benefits of a garden with nothing more than a little knowledge, some seeds and the proper tools.  Step # 1: Pick Your Plants Before you start a new garden, the first and most obvious step is to choose your plants.  Some things to consider when making your selection include your geographical region, climate, soil condition and the size of your space. Different climates demand different plants, which means you must choose wisely in order to get the most out of your garden.  Your soil condition is important because most gardeners find it best to h... 03/01/2010

  Breckenridge Brecken Ridge is located east off of Gause Blvd.on Pearl Acres street outside of Slidell's city limits. Nearby subdivisions include French Branch to the west and Eden Isles to the extreme south west. Brecken Ridge is in the school district of Cypress Cove Elementary (kindergarten and first grade), Honey Island Elementary (second and third grades), Little Oak Middle (fourth though sixth grades), Boyet Junior High (seventh and eighth grades), and Northshore High.  Click here to view listings in this neighborhood. 02/26/2010

  Clipper Estates This neighborhood was recently developed within Eden Isles as an extension of Moonraker Island in 1994. The neighborhood is well kept with high land values, wide streets, access to a man made lake, and close proximity to other surrounding areas such as Eden Isles drive, Oak Harbor, and a Marina. Clipper Estates is apart of the Abney Elementary, Slidell Junior High, and Salmen High School district. Click here to view listings in this neighborhood. 02/26/2010

Cross Gates   Cross Gates is a large, popular subdivision in a rapidly growing area. This well-maintained neighborhood contains thousands of houses surrounded by tall pine trees. Cross Gates is located less than two miles from I-10 (exit 266), near the intersection of Gause Boulevard East and Military Road. It is outside Slidell city limits and in the school district of Cypress Cove Elementary (kindergarten and first grade), Honey Island Elementary  (second and third grades), Little Oak Middle (fourth though sixth grades),  Boyet Junior High (seventh and eighth grades), and Northshore High. Cross Gates is home to the Cross Gates Athletic Club, which includes a swimming pool, tennis courts, and weight rooms. The neighborhood is also  conveniently located close to a shopping center. It i... 02/26/2010

  Belair   Belair is a newly constructed subdivision which lies in no real close proximity of other developments with the exception of Camp Villere and the adjacent Royal Golf Club. While the subdivision inherits a very pricey masque from its similarly named Californian counterpart, these top of the line homes are reasonably priced. In addition, Belair has a member's house, swimming pool, tennis courts, and the nearby Royal Golf Club which are available to residents. Belair is located beyond the city limits within the Bayou Woods, Carolyn Park, Slidell Junior High, and Slidell High school district. Price Ranges $145,000 - $240,000 Click here to view listings in this neighborhood. 02/26/2010

How Do I Choose an Appraiser? Although federal and state laws usually require that the lender must hire the appraiser when the appraisal is to be used for a real estate loan, some lenders will allow you to select an appraiser from their list of approved appraisers. For all other appraisals, you are allowed to select your own appraiser. Licensed real estate appraisers can be found on the internet or by talking to your friends who have previously used an appraiser. Be sure to interview the appraiser carefully to determine if he or she is licensed and experienced in appraising your type of property. Most licensed appraisers will provide an advance estimate of the cost to perform the appraisal, and many will commit to a fixed fee for the appraisal. It is always wise to obtain a written cont... 02/26/2010

Saturday, February 27th Camellia City Market when:Feb 27, 2010 at 8:00am where:333 Erlanger Street, Slidell, LA from:Camellia City Market category:Clubs and Organizations . Sunday, February 28th Sunday Morning Worship Service when:Feb 28, 2010 at 8:00am where:1534 Seventh Street, Slidell, LA from:Christ Episcopal Church Of Slidell category:Religion and Spirituality . Sunday Bible Study when:Feb 28, 2010 at 9:30am where:102 Christian Lane, Slidell, LA from:First Christian Church Of Slidell category:Religion and Spirituality . Sunday School when:Feb 28, 2010 at 9:45am where:59463 North Pearl Drive, Slidell, LA from:Pearl Acres Baptist Church Of Slidell category:Religion and Spirituality . Sunday Morning Worship Service when:Feb 28, 2010 at 10:30am where:102 Christian Lane, Slidell, LA fro... 02/26/2010

Classical music in Slidell's backyard.  Those of us who love this kind of music are in for a treat this weekend.  Sunday, February 28 at one o'clock The Louisiana Philharmonic orchestra will be performing at the Harbor Center in Slidell nearLakeshore Estates.  This is as easy as it gets.  The actual concert begins at two o'clock.  There will be an introduction and talk starting at one o'clock.  What are they playing? Hindemith: Mathis der Maler Symphony        Mendelssohn: Violin ConcertoMussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition Anyone seeking more information can go to the Slidell Symphony Society. One can catch a concert and search for homes in Slidell for sale in the same day.                                                                                   (photo courtesy of microsoft f... 02/25/2010