Are you planning to sell your home?

Are you one of the home owners that are planning to sell in 2016?

Whether it's a pending relocation or a thoughtfully planned downsizing that can occur at your own pace, it's a seller's market out there right now. Regardless of that, it never hurts to take proactive measures to ensure your home sells as quickly as possible and for the best price!

Here are some suggestions:

Exceed buyers' expectations. Get your property into tip-top shape before you put it on the market and you’ll eliminate most buyers’ potential objections. If there is no immediate turnaround pressure, sellers should spend some time figuring out what they can afford to do to make their property appealing and what repairs are necessary. Work with a REALTOR® to gain additional insight, suggestions and advice on what would bring sellers the most “bang for the buck”.
Don’t price your home without a comparative market analysis. Ask an experienced Realtor for a CMA to help you understand what it will take to sell in your neighborhood.

Don’t wait for values to go higher before you put your home on the market. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, new home construction is still lagging behind job growth. Additionally, there are more buyers considering the housing market today, as a result of continued improvements in the job sector.

For more useful information got to http://www.homesalesneworleans.com/

Home Sales on the Rebound despite Affordability Concerns

Accordingly to Lawrence Yun, chief economist of the National Association of Realtors®, existing-home sales are expected to finish the year at their highest pace since 2006, but accelerating price growth and rising mortgage rates have the potential to slow sales. Existing-home sales are measurably higher than a year ago, and strengthened in March when more buyers entered the market as the spring buying season got underway. The sustained job growth and interest rates below 4 percent have been the catalyst behind the improvement in sales.

Yun expects home sales to steadily improve, ending up at a pace around 5.30 million (the highest since 2006) this year and 5.5 million in 2016. Yun also expects the national median existing-home price to rise to around 6 percent this year (5.7 percent in 2014) before moderating to 4 percent in 2016.
On the topic of home prices, Yun says increasing demand in recent months, without meaningful gains of new and existing-homes available for sale, is starting to negatively impact affordability and is pushing price growth to unhealthier levels.
Unlike the existing-home market, demand for single-family new home construction remains weak. Yun is forecasting housing starts to come in around 1.1 million this year and reach 1.4 million in 2016, which he says is still below the 1.5 million needed each year to keep up with the underlying demand. New-home sales are likely to total 570,000 this year, and increase to 720,000 next year.

For more information visit http://findneworleansproperties.com/

What Attracts Millennials When Buying a Home

Social spaces
Entertaining friends is very important to millennials, the more places in the home that are conducive to socializing, the more attractive it is to younger buyers. Put taller than usual table with bar chairs in the kitchen to give the impression of being a good place for a crowd to place their drinks during a cocktail party. If there is a balcony, try to fit a grill out there if it is allowed, it represents freedom and adulthood more than most other pieces of furniture.

Millennial-preferred amenities
Access to superior technology is important to this demographic, so take the time to research options available for those in your home. Millennials want a place to charge all of their gadgets, so build in shelves right next to electrical outlets as designated charging stations.

Showcase storage
Many millennials in urban areas don’t want to own a car, so their biggest burden is what to do with their bike. In small condos there isn't usually room to store them so they end up taking up space in the living room. One of the solutions is to mount a bike vertically in the wall space behind the entry door.

For more staging tips go to http://findneworleansproperties.gardnerrealtors.com/

This Home is Coming On The Market Soon

For more information visit http://findneworleansproperties.gardnerrealtors.com/

THE FUTURE OF SHORT SALES

Short sales and foreclosures played a starring role during the Great Recession. According to National Association of REALTORS® statistics, in the summer of 2009, distressed sales made up just under 50 percent of all transactions as. Fast forward to last fall, and that number dropped to only 14 percent.

Short sales are becoming less common for many reasons. For one, many markets are now well into recovery mode. Home values are rising and sellers who were underwater only a year ago have a bit more breathing room today. With fewer homeowners in financial distress—and the worst of the cleanup from the housing bubble behind us—banks and courts are finally processing through their backlogs of distressed properties. And employment growth means more homeowners can afford to stay in their homes and make their mortgage payments.

In addition, short sales are becoming less favorable for sellers. For the last few years, the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007, which protects sellers from having to pay tax on unpaid or forgiven debt, has made short sales a viable option for many underwater homeowners. However, the Act was sunset at the end of 2013. A short sale in 2014 could significantly impact your tax obligation, making it less attractive.

Buyer interest in distressed properties has also cooled. Too much hassle, and most short sales and foreclosures are not such a great deal after all. Finally, lenders themselves are also less interested in short sales. As market values increase, there is less need for lender/borrower negotiated sales. Added to that, the return of third-party purchasers (institutional investors or cash buyers purchasing at foreclosure auctions) is shifting the pendulum back toward traditional foreclosure auction and REO.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT http://findneworleansproperties.com/ 

Power of Gray in Staging

Gray is a subtle color that can bring sophistication to interiors while also the neutrality that home buyer crave.

It’s the hot new neutral, a sleek and sophisticated color option that adds refinement to almost any room. Walls that are painted gray are great backdrops for almost any style of décor, and gray is such a dignified color that it can elevate the appearance of even the most modest furnishings.

Gray can be a great color choice for embellishments throughout interiors, such as a gray wash on wood furniture or the fabric in seating.

2014 color forecast expects grey to be used more in homes, and the grey’s flashier cousin, silver, used as an important accent color.

For more tips and suggestions visit http://findneworleansproperties.com/

Housing Predictions: How 2014 Will be Different

Next year looks to be the year of the repeat home buyer, as worsening affordability discourages first timers and investors; also, the buying process will be less frenzied. Hot markets to watch are primarily in the South, Plains, and Mountain states. Rental activity will swing back toward urban apartments, away from single-family homes.

1.      Housing Affordability Worsens. Buying a home will be more expensive in 2014 than in 2013. Although home-price increases should slow from this year’s unsustainably fast pace (see #4, below), prices will still rise faster than both incomes and rents. Also, mortgage rates will be higher in 2014 than in 2013, thanks both to the strengthening economy (rates tend to rise in recoveries) and to Fed tapering, whenever it comes.

2.      The Home-Buying Process Gets Less Frenzied. Home buyers in 2014 might kick themselves for not buying in 2013 or 2012, when mortgage rates and prices were lower, but they’ll take some comfort in the fact that the process won’t be as frenzied. There will be more inventory on the market next year, partly due to new construction, but primarily because higher prices will encourage more homeowners to sell – including those who are no longer underwater.  Also, buyers looking for a home for themselves will face less competition from investors who are scaling back their home purchases (see #3, below).

3.      Repeat Buyers Take Center Stage. 2013 was the year of the investor, but 2014 will be the year of the repeat home buyer. Investors buy less as prices rise: higher prices mean that the return on investment falls, and there’s less room for future price appreciation. Who will fill the gap? Not first-time buyers: saving for a down payment and having a stable job remain significant burdens, and declining affordability is also a big hurdle for first-timers. Who’s left? Repeat buyers: they’re less discouraged by rising prices than either investors or first-time buyers because the home they already own has also risen in value. Also, the down payment is less of a challenge for repeat buyers if they have equity in their current home.

For more real estate facts visit http://findneworleansproperties.com/

Date Night Ideas in Louisiana

With the cooling weather, there is no better time to schedule a romantic date night with someone you love. Here are a few fun ideas you may want to consider for a date night in Louisiana.

 A Reveillon Dinner (New Orleans)

If your special date night happens to take place on Christmas Eve, you can't beat the romance of a traditional French Reveillon Dinner. The Reveillon is a Creole New Orleans feast that takes place in the hours after midnight mass on Christmas Eve. Culinary extravagance is the hallmark of this unique and romantic dining experience. Offered at several dozen fine restaurants throughout the city, a Reveillon Dinner date is one that will never be forgotten; it's a great way to welcome the wee morning hours of Christmas.

 Holiday ballet (Baton Rouge)

Nothing makes a date more romantic than a little bit of culture. Immerse your date in beauty in an entertaining and romantic way by getting tickets to The Nutcracker: A Tale from the Bayou. Heralded as one of the more uniqueNutcracker productions, this beautiful ballet is a holiday favorite featuring the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra. Performances take place on Dec. 21 and 22. Afterward, take your date out for a romantic dinner for two at an area restaurant.

 Romantic carriage ride (Lake Charles)

For a special date night, consider planning a romantic carriage ride. Arrange for a New Orleans-style carriage pulled by beautiful Belgian mules to transport you and your special someone to dinner and on a tour through the historic district of Lake Charles. You can cuddle in the carriage and have an unforgettable evening.

 A very electric date (New Orleans)

Consider a night of theater for you and your loved one, followed by a stroll through the French Quarter. Throughout December, the Joy Theater — located on Canal Street, right on the edge of the romantic French Quarter — is featuring a special holiday production, Lightwire: A Very Electric Christmas. Holiday music and unique "electroluminiscent" puppeteers will start your evening off with a warm holiday glow.

 The romance of lights (Natchitoches)

Last but not at all least, consider a romantic night visit to the Festival of Lights, held each year in Natchitoches. Whether you are taking in events and entertainment as a couple or just walking hand in hand to enjoy the twinkling lights of the state's premier holiday display, you are sure to have a memorable evening together in this quaint Southern city.

These are only a few ideas for you and your special someone to enjoy this December. The holidays present many opportunities for warm cuddles in front of the fireplace and walks outside to enjoy the falling leaves and finally crisp Southern air.

For more tips and ideas http://findneworleansproperties.com/ 

Michael Jordan to Auction off Chicago Compound

http://www.luxuryportfolio.com/property/highland_park/home_of_basketball_legend_michael_jordan.cfm

For Real Estate related information visit

http://findneworleansproperties.com/

TIPS FOR A GREAT LOOKING HOME THIS FALL!

It’s hard to believe that fall is already upon us. Summer may be over, but now is not the time to neglect a home’s exterior, especially if it’s going to soon be listed for-sale this season. Here are a few tips to help you embrace the fall season and keep your property looking its best:

·     The most obvious tip: rake up leaves on a frequent basis;

·     Inspect your gutters regularly and remove any leaves that get trapped;

·     Carry on weeding garden beds and walkways;

·     Remove all annual flowers that are no longer blooming and plants that are past their “best before” date.  Dead vegetation gives the impression of a home not cared for;

·     Readjust the timers on outdoor lighting displays since it now gets dark earlier;

·     Give your gardens some liveliness by planting fall flowers such as chrysanthemums. Choose a color that compliments the exterior of your home;

·     Redesign your flowers pots – it’s time for a fall theme;

·     Add some vignettes. Sometimes, it’s the little things that produce the most attention.  My personal favorite for generating anticipation in potential buyers is to create a simple fall vignette on the porch. Pumpkins add a punch of color and provide a warm, welcoming look when blended with something interesting like a couple of antique lanterns, for example.  Be careful not to add too many items to the vignette or it will appear too cluttered.

If there’s a swing or rocking chair on the porch, add cushions with a generous amount of orange in them to tie everything together.  If you pay this much attention to the exterior of your home, buyers will be anxious to see what awaits them behind the front door

Have I missed anything?  Feel free to add your fall tips to the list!

For more real estate related tips go to http://findneworleansproperties.com/

PRIDE OF HOME OWNERSHIP

In such a depleted real estate market as we see today it’s not often that a really nice home comes up for sale. Here is one that is definitely going to grab buyers’ attention. Listed only a few days ago, it shows the pride of ownership.

2313 Burdette St., New Orleans, LA 70118

For more information on this home or other homes in the Greater New Orleans use this link

or visit 

findneworleansproperties.com

Quintessential New Orleans side hall home just listed for sale

This home has been stylishly renovated into a 2 bedroom 2 bath luxury home with a cocktail pool and pool house. Gorgeous white marble kitchen with high end appliances. Outdoor wood burning chimney with arbor and mature grape vine. Perfect location not too far uptown for easy downtown access. Walkable neighborhood. $500,000

For information on homes and condos for sale in New Orleans visit
FindNewOrleansProperties.com

CRAFTSMANSHIP IS IN THE DETAILS

The exteriors of many Uptown, Midcity and Garden District, New Orleans, homes are absolutely breathtaking. The superbly crafted woodwork is truly amazing. You can tell that the owners carefully selected contractors that are passionate about classical design, and the level of detail and craftsmanship they brings to every project. The step-by-step process of beautifully restoring century old homes is painstakingly and accurately executed to last for generations.

For more information on New Orleans architecture use this link,

or visit FindNewOrleansProperties.com

UPTOWN NEW ORLEANS

The Uptown District is a self-contained residential world. It’s a place where late 19th century homes are scrupulously maintained and small scale restaurants and shops reinforce the feeling that you are visiting a village, not a city.

 Today’s Uptown retains many of the grand homes built in the 1890s. On oak-shaded streets frame houses with ample galleries are the norm. Closer to the river, more modest shotguns built to house 19th century workers are steadily being refurbished, insuring that this premier urban residential neighborhood for over a century will continue its legacy of gracious living.

Learn about Homes for Sale in Uptown New Orleans here