Looking or planning to buy a home in the Slidell area?  Do you know what flood zone your potential dream home is built on?  Well all you have to do is click on LA Mapping Project and type in the address of the home.  There are many zone classifications.  The vast majority will fall between A,B or C in South Louisiana.  The cost for flood insurance is directly tied to your flood zone rating.  For example I personally paid $1250 (zone A)  a year in my last home.  I recently moved to a C flood zone and my cost is $296 a year for the exact same coverage.  Add this up over ten to twenty years and you can see the difference.  Zone C isn't required to obtain flood insurance by most mortgage companies.  There are some exceptions.  I personally recommend all my clients get flood insurance given ... 01/28/2010

Buy vs. Rent: Cost Comparison The chart below shows a cost comparison for a renter and a homeowner over a seven year period. The renter starts out paying $800 per month with annual increases of 5%. The homeowner purchases a home for $110,000 and pays a monthly mortgage of $1,000. After 6 years, the homeowner's payment is lower than the renter's monthly payment. With the tax savings of homeownership, the homeowner's payment is less than the rental payment after 3 years. Yrs Rent Mortgage Payment Monthly Diff. After Tax Savings Yearly Diff. After Tax Savings 1 800 1000 -200 -50 -2400 -600 2 840 1000 -160 -10 -1920 -120 3 882 1000 -118 +32 -1416 +384 4 926 1000 -74 +76 -888 +912 5 972 1000 -28 +122 -336 +1464 6 1021 1000 +21 +171 +252 +2052 7 1072 1000 +72 +222 +864 +2664 8-30 . . Savings ... 01/28/2010

  Is now the right time for you to buy a home? You have many options to consider and choices to make. Buying a home is a big responsibility, financially and emotionally, but, most people want to own a home. Homeownership often is referred to as "the American dream." Why is it so special? Among the reasons: Real estate often is an excellent investment, perhaps the number one source of wealth-building for families. Owning a home has many benefits. When you make a mortgage payment, you are building equity - and that's an investment. Owning a home also qualifies you for tax benefits that may assist you in dealing with your new financial responsibilities - such as homeowners' insurance, real estate taxes, and upkeep - which can be substantial. But given the freedom, stability, and security o... 01/28/2010

    Money-Saving Tips On Home-owner's Insurance: Part 2 Improve your home security  You can usually get discounts of at least 5 percent for a smoke detector, burglar alarm or dead-bolt locks. Some companies offer to cut your premium by as much as 15 or 20 percent if you install a sophisticated sprinkler system and a fire and burglar alarm that rings at the police, fire or other monitoring stations. Seek out other discounts  Companies offer several types of discounts, but they don't all offer the same discount or the same amount of discount in all states. For example, since retired people stay at home more than working people they are less likely to be burglarized and may spot fires sooner, too. If you're at least 55 years old and retired, you may qualify for a discount of up to 10 perc... 01/26/2010

The responsibilities of owning a home don't have to feel overwhelming-they can be fun!  Taking the care, upkeep, and maintenance of your home into your own hands can be an exciting and rewarding endeavor.  Why not kick off the New Year by taking charge of a few projects around the house? I have created a fun list of tips for the do-it-yourself homeowner.  Please remember that I am always available if you need advice.  You can reach me at 504.717.7408 or visit my Web site at www.PinkSkyListings.com.      FIVE TIPS FOR DO-IT-YOURSELF WORK AROUND THE HOME     1.   Make a list: Spend some time taking stock of the kinds of maintenance and improvement projects you'd like to begin.  A well-considered list will help you to set reachable goals.    2.   Assess your skills: Make sure that you care... 01/26/2010

The Saints as most of you well know were hosting their first NFC Championship game ever.  No one in the city had anything else on their minds.  I had to go to the store at halftime and I think I was the only one in the store besides a couple of workers.  I actually saw an open house sign earlier in the day.  Can you believe an agent would dare do such a thing?  I wonder how many visits she had? Pigs have flown and hell has frozen over.  This was WWL radio play by play announcer Jim Henderson's remarks after the winning field goal.  I have to admit I was pretty happy to see us advance for the first time ever. What a day.  I don't know if I can handle the next game. 01/25/2010

Friday, January 22nd Performance - Much Ado About Nothing when:Jan 22, 2010 at 8:00pm where:Slidell, LA from:Slidell Little Theater category:Arts and Entertainment Saturday, January 23rd Camellia City Market when:Jan 23, 2010 at 8:00am where:Slidell, LA from:Camellia City Market category:Clubs and Organizations Performance - Much Ado About Nothing when:Jan 23, 2010 at 8:00pm where:Slidell, LA from:Slidell Little Theater category:Arts and Entertainment Sunday, January 24th Sunday Morning Worship Service when:Jan 24, 2010 at 8:00am where:Slidell, LA from:Christ Episcopal Church Of Slidell category:Religion and Spirituality Sunday Bible Study when:Jan 24, 2010 at 9:30am where:Slidell, LA from:First Christian Church Of Slidell category:Religion and Spirituality Sunday School when:Jan 24, 20... 01/22/2010

Home Clean Home If your house is for sale, then you're not only selling your home, you're showing it, too. So, as you continually clean, dust and straighten-up (not to mention threaten anyone who even thinks about making a mess) you wonder-is all this fuss and aggravation really worth it? Well, the answer is definitely 'yes.' Even everyday clutter (that we all can relate to!) may be sending negative messages to a potential buyer: The house is messy = it hasn't been maintained. Bathtub rings = plumber's bills. Dirty registers = need to replace the furnace. Oftentimes buyers act more upon what their emotions are telling them, rather than what logic is telling them. That's why even making the beds everyday helps your realtor by reducing the amount of imagination that buyers will need in or... 01/21/2010

Northshore Beach near Slidell Louisiana features affordable waterfront homes.  Located just off the old Hwy 11 bridge it's an easy commute to and from New Orleans.  This is one of the original waterfront communities of Slidell dating back to the 1960's.  Much of the construction is not more that 10-15 years old.  One can live and fish from the backyard.  Minutes to Lake Pontchartrain by boat.               Northshore Beach Slidell Louisiana market report: Homes Sold 2009: 4 Average Price Sold: $171625  (Two were for land value only) Homes Currently for Sale: 4 Average Asking Price: $277,200  Price Sq. Ft. $156 Northshore Beach Homeowners johnwwalters.com       01/20/2010

Increasing Your Home's Value Like most Americans, your home is probably your single largest investment. While the value of your home is largely determined by such things as location, size, condition and amenities, there are still steps you can take to maximize its worth. First, you need to evaluate your plans carefully if you're improving your home to put it on the market. Cutting corners could hurt rather than help your prospects, but you don't want to go overboard either. Your home's value should be no more than 20% above the average. That means a $10,000 kitchen improvement project might be a better idea than a $10,000 hot tub, especially if no other homes in your area have hot tubs. In other words, it's best to keep changes simple. Here's a list of remodeled projects that buyers are... 01/19/2010

Masters Point Subdivision in Slidell, La. Masters Point Subdivision in Slidell, La is a gated, golf course community in Oak Harbor.  It is only a 30 minute drive to the city of New Orleans.  Easy access to the Interstate 10 and Hwy 11.  This beautiful community has a mix of french and traditional architecture and the houses are from 2400 - 4600 square feet.    School District: Abney Elementary/St. Tammany Jr. High/Salmen High School   For more information about Masters Point Subdivision in Slidell, La check out www.propertypromenade.com www.propertypromenade.com Your Source for Slidell, La Real Estate. 01/18/2010

  Mariners Cove Subdivision - Slidell, La.   Click the link below for All Homes for Sale in Mariners Cove; Updated Daily! Courtesy of Karin Smith, Smith Realty Group.   http://www.propertypromenade.idxco.com/i/11227/Homes_for_Sale_in_Mariners_Cove       Mariners Cove Subdivision is located in Oak Harbor, Slidell, La.  It is a Gated Waterfront Community with lush, tropical landscaping.  Very well manicured lawns with lots of palm trees welcome you as you enter this neighborhood.  Very convenient to Interstate 10 and only a short drive to the city of New Orleans.  Navigate your boat right into Lake Pontchartrain or beyond from your own backyard!  Houses range in size from approximately 2200 square feet to approximately 4500 square feet.  For more information on this or any other Slidell S... 01/18/2010

 Eden Isles Subdivision in Slidell, La. Eden Isles Subdivision in Slidell, La has established itself as on of Slidell's original watefront communities.  With deep water canals that lead to the beautiful Lake Ponchartrain and beyond it is a boaters paradise!  This subdivision is a sailboaters favorite as it provides easy navigation to the lake without having to go under any low bridges!  The architecture is a mix of Acadian, Ranch and Traditional and the houses are approximately 1500-6000 square feet.    School Districts: Abney Elementary/St. Tammany Jr. High/Salmen High School   For more information about Eden Isles Subdivision check out www.propertypromenade.com www.PropertyPromenade.com Your Source for Slidell, La Real Estate. 01/18/2010

Belair Subdivision in Slidell, La.   Belair Subdivision in Slidell, Louisiana is located off of Airport Road just north of the Interstate 12 and south of the airport.  It is a very short drive from Slidell's Northshore Square Mall, Target, Walmart and Home Depot.  It is also near many fine restaurants.  The houses in this  lovely subdivision are a mixture of acadian, ranch and traditional construction. Houses range in size from 1500-4300 square feet and have 3-6 bedrooms.    School District: Bayou Woods Elementary/Carolyn Park Middle/Slidell Jr. High/Slidell High School   For more information about Belair Subdivision in Slidell, La check out www.propertypromenade.com www.PropertyPromenade.com  Your Source for Slidell, La Real Estate! 01/18/2010

HELPFUL HINTS FOR INDOOR AND OUTDOOR PLANTS ·    For an environmentally safe insecticide boil five or six chopped garlic cloves in a gallon of water until soft.  Add one tablespoon of biodegradable detergent and let sit for a day before spraying on plants.   ·    A spray bottle of two parts vinegar and one part water is good for getting rid of slugs on your garden plants.   ·    For indoor and outdoor plants clay pots are better than plastic.  Clay pots allow the plants to breathe and are cooler for the plant roots.   ·    When you change the water in your aquarium save it to use on your houseplants.  They will love it!   ·    A paste of baking soda and water will remove most stains from your plastic garden furniture.   ·    When planting flowers, first scrape a bar of soap across your ... 01/18/2010

1.  Before you start your room re-arrangement, first empty the room completely.  Take down all the wall décor and remove any rugs.  Now, look at the room as if you are seeing it for the first time.  Consider what activities you want to take place in the room.  Let form follow function.   2.  The number one mistake people make is to push all the furniture back against the walls of a den or living room.  This makes conversation difficult and creates a walkway through the middle of the conversation area.  Try pulling your furniture out into the room into a cozy grouping for conversation.  Experiment with placing the seating group at an angle instead of neatly lined up with the walls.  A rug and a coffee table can anchor the seating group so that it looks like it "belongs" in the center of ... 01/18/2010

DID YOU KNOW...? NEW WAYS TO USE OLD PRODUCTS 1.  You can use steel wool to: ·    Fill a screw hole that has become too big for the screw.  Stuff the hole with steel wool and re-insert the screw. ·    Make an instant pincushion.  Stuff an old sock with steel wool and tie tightly for a pincushion that will keep pins and needles rust free. ·    Repel kitchen pests, by placing steel wool around the pipes under the sink. 2.  You can use nail polish remover to: ·    Remove sticker residue from glass objects. ·    Unstick your fingers after a superglue mishap. ·    Remove marker and ink from appliances, glass, and stainless steel. 3.  You can use olive oil to: ·    Revitalize leather shoes and baseball gloves. ·    Clean greasy hands. ·    Repel moles in the yard.  Soak a cloth in olive oil a... 01/18/2010

Friday, January 15th Performance - Much Ado About Nothing when:Jan 15, 2010 at 8:00pm where:Slidell, LA from:Slidell Little Theater category:Arts and Entertainment . Saturday, January 16th Camellia City Market when:Jan 16, 2010 at 8:00am where:Slidell, LA from:Camellia City Market category:Clubs and Organizations . Performance - Much Ado About Nothing when:Jan 16, 2010 at 8:00pm where:Slidell, LA from:Slidell Little Theater category:Arts and Entertainment . Sunday, January 17th Sunday Morning Worship Service when:Jan 17, 2010 at 8:00am where:Slidell, LA from:Christ Episcopal Church Of Slidell category:Religion and Spirituality . Sunday Bible Study when:Jan 17, 2010 at 9:30am where:Slidell, LA from:First Christian Church Of Slidell category:Religion and Spirituality . Sunday School when:... 01/15/2010

01/15/2010

The U. S. economy is on adrenalin.  Locally the Slidell Real Estate market is getting some of the jolt this adrenalin gives when first injected.  The economy is like a patient with a bad heart in critical care.  When the heart rate is low or barely palpable one pushes adrenalin to boost the pressure and heart rate.  The economy is on a government stimulus (adrenalin) at this time and barely has a blood pressure.  Eventually the adrenalin doesn't work anymore and then we are in big trouble. While some brokers and agents had great years last year and maybe better ones this year something has to give.  Banks can't keep losing money on short sales and foreclosures.  See Jim Crawfords blog.  If this cycle isn't broken it will start eating itself.  With our current administration seemingly co... 01/15/2010