How to Make your Home Look Expensive on a Budget

You want your home to look luxe, but your bank account has other ideas, know that

you don't have to spend a lot to make it look like you did.

Splurge on Focal Pieces. You may not be able to break the bank on every item in your

home, but consider splurging on attention-grabbing pieces.

Layer Rugs. Rugs are a cost-effective way to add warmth and style to a room. To create

a custom look, layer rugs beneath a furniture grouping.

Employ Trim. There's no way around it. Wainscoting, crown moldings and other types

of custom millwork make a home look elegant.

Use Paint to Your Advantage. Not only is paint affordable, but it is transformative.

Simply painting walls a sophisticated color will achieve the high-end look you desire.

Paint can also transform thrift-store furniture and decor. With many types of paint readily

available, you can easily alter textures within your design scheme. Use chalk paint to

distress a vintage table or a metallic spray paint to refresh picture frames.

Paint Front Doors. Set the tone from the moment a guest arrives at your house. Paint your

front door a color that complements your home’s interior. The door's color will anchor your

home while adding drama and style to your entryway.

Opt for Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring. Love the look of hardwood, but can't afford the

price tag? Luxury vinyl plank flooring is an affordable alternative. You can probably install it

yourself, which means you don't have to pay labor costs.

Fake It 'til You Make It. Expensive homes often have soaring ceilings. Your home's ceilings

may be decidedly lower, but you can make them look higher. Just hang your curtains closer

to the ceiling than the window frame. This creates an optical illusion that makes the room

seem taller.

Embrace Your Artistic Side. Large artwork is a great way to set your home apart, but it's

usually pricey. Try to make it yourself. Simply buy a huge, white canvas and create a masterpiece.

Display your art prominently in your home. When friends ask about it, just tell them you had

the piece commissioned by an up-and-coming artist!

 

Making your home look like a million bucks doesn't have to cost a fortune. You can achieve

a high-end look for less using some creativity and these tips.

For more ideas go to https://homesalesneworleans.gardnerrealtors.com/

Should you refinance?

Have you thought of refinancing? The option is becoming more of a possibility for many borrowers as housing values across the country continue to increase. The real question is whether homeowners should follow through with the cash out refinancing option.

A cash-out refinance means you refinance your mortgage for more than the current outstanding balance and keep the difference between the old and new loans. For instance, you want $25,000 to start a business. But you still owe $100,000 on a $200,000 house. You can refinance the mortgage at $125,000 and use the $25,000 in equity you pulled out for your business venture. Depending on the rate you started with, you could end up with a lower rate and a lower payment on the new mortgage, too.

Here are some Pros of Cash-Out Refinances:

— Satisfy big expenses: A cash-out refi is a way to access money to pay off big bills such as college tuition, medical expenses, new business funding or home improvements. It often comes at a more attractive interest rate than those on unsecured personal loans, student loans or credit cards.
— Improve your debt profile: Using a refinance to reduce or consolidate credit card debt is also considered a cash-out refinance and is a popular option.
— More stable rate: Many of borrowers choose to do a cash-out refinance for home improvement projects because they want a steady interest rate instead of an adjustable rate that comes with home equity lines of credit, or HELOCs.

Here are Cons of Cash-Out Refinances

— Worse terms: While you may get a lower interest rate than your current mortgage, your cash-out refi rate will be higher than a regular refinance at market rate. Even with a credit score is 800, you will pay a little more, usually an eighth of a percentage point higher, than the market rate on a regular loan.
— Cumbersome, and sometimes pricey, process: Gathering many of the same documents you did when you first got your home loan: past two years of tax returns; past two years of W-2 forms; 30 days’ worth of pay stubs; two most recent bank statements; and possibly more, depending on your situation.
— You’ll also have to pay closing costs at the end of the refinance, which can range from hundreds of dollars to thousands of dollars, depending on a variety of factors.
— Home at greater risk: Taking out equity puts you at greater risk of owing more than your home is worth when housing values go down.

So, is it for you?

To search for homes or for more useful information go tohttp://www.homesalesneworleans.com/

Curb Appeal When Selling a Home

Is the interior or the exterior more important when selling a house? Before buyers decide to go in, they will look at how appealing your home is by driving by. While the inside of a home is important, sellers make a big mistake when they neglect the exterior. Curb appeal is often a potential buyer’s first impression of a home. If you’re selling your home or about to, how can you quickly and effectively tackle the outdoor appeal? Here are some tips:

1. Start with the Front Door. A new entry door consistently ranks as one of the best projects in home repairs, yielding an increase in home value that’s greater than the costs to install one. To make the door especially captivating, consider painting it a bold, pleasing color that will grab attention and add charm.

2. Make Any Necessary Repairs. Is the window cracked or the front doorbell busted? Fix that! Buyers want turnkey, move-in-properties, and that means they want properties with repairs already done.

3. Landscaping. From mowing the lawn to pulling weeds, make sure you’re keeping up with your outdoor landscaping so that your home looks presentable and well cared for at all times. Landscape lighting can make all the difference in terms of how a home looks, so make an investment in attractive lighting options that illuminate and add interest to your property.

4. Touch Up Paint. Repaint the exterior or at least touch up problem areas. Another idea is to paint the trim a new color that creates either a nice complement or contrast to your home’s overall look.

5. Make Over the Mailbox. You might not think a mailbox matters much, but it’s yet another one of those little details that can add up together to make a strong impression on a buyer.

6. Add Outdoor Furniture. From rocking chairs on the front porch to an outdoor patio set on the back deck, outdoor furniture creates outdoor living spaces that expand your home’s appeal. Whether or not you include these pieces with the home sale, setting them up is a great way to stage your home for greater resale value.

The bottom line when it comes to curb appeal is that a little investment today can add up to big rewards tomorrow. 

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

This Home is Coming On The Market Soon

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

MAKE YOUR HOME MOVE-IN READY!

The moment you even begin to think of putting your home up for sale is the time to start thinking like a buyer. Why? Because thinking like a buyer will help you make your home move-in ready for just the right buyer. The less they think about what  they have to change, the shorter the distance will be between the viewing, their offer, and the day you say, “Sold.”

1.      Host a pre-listing party. Invite a few trusted friends over for an inventory. Make some cocktails and go from room to room in your home asking what they would either change if they were to buy your house, or see as a red flag if they were a potential buyer. This can help you create a solid list of potential improvements to discuss with your Realtor before you list.

2.      Consult with a great agent. Now that you have your friends’ opinions, run them by an expert.  See which problems you should address before listing and which fixes won’t be of financial benefit. 

3.      De-clutter. Closets get full. Extra pieces of furniture get crammed into corners. Bookshelves overflow with odds and ends. Help the potential buyers see your actual home and not the stuff in your home by moving out the extras. Try renting a portable storage unit that can be delivered to your home. This way, you can box up extras, and they’ll be ready to be delivered to your next dream home. In the meantime, you’ll be making room for someone else’s dreams.

4.      Clean out the garage. The future owners of your home want to know that their cars can fit into the garage.

5.      Think neutral. It’s hard for potential buyers to see themselves in a home that has you written all over it.  Since your home is soon to not be your home anymore, consider taking any brightly or bold-colored walls back to neutral. A simple beige satin wall paint with a semi-gloss white or off-white pain trim can do wonders for giving potential buyers the “blank canvas” feeling. You want future owners to be dreaming of picking out paint — not how to get rid of not-right-for-them color decisions.

6.      Grout, tile, and natural stone restoration. Have your bathrooms and kitchen counters lost their luster? You might want to look into having them refreshed (and it’s much less expensive than having them redone).  For not a lot of money, you can kick up the shine on your tiling and counters and get that long-neglected grout back to clean.

7.      Make those hardwood floors spiffy. Wash all surfaces with a simple mild, soapy water first (avoid Murphy’s Oil Soap — it leaves a residue). Next, use a hardwood floor polish like Bona or a product like Rejuvenate to bring the beauty back — and all for under $40-$50 for the average sized home. Be sure to use the cleaners recommended by each product to prevent buildup and to keep the shine going through your whole listing. There’s nothing that can kill a deal like your perfect buyer thinking that they have to refinish a few thousand square feet of hardwood. Help them see hope, not hardwood-related dollar signs.

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

Living Smart: What to Do about that Neighbor's Pesky Tree

If roots or branches of a neighbor’s tree pose problems for you, it’s likely you have the right to take action, even if the neighbor won’t.

Tree laws vary widely, but most permit homeowners to trim overhanging branches or overreaching roots that cause damage, create danger or obstruct a view, according to highly rated tree service providers and an expert on tree and neighbor law.

The right carries some limitations. One of the main ones is that whatever action you take to remedy the problem can’t lead to permanent damage to the tree. Also, some communities have ordinances restricting which trees can be cut or removed, regardless of whose property they’re on.

Talk to your neighbors before hiring a tree company. Not only is it simple courtesy, it may make the job easier for your professional.

Make sure you know for sure who owns the tree. If the full trunk is in your neighbor’s yard, the neighbor owns the tree, no matter how many branches or roots grow on your side of the property line. If the trunk rests on multiple properties, all owners must agree to trimming or removal.

Be sure you know your local laws, ordinances and restrictions. The bottom line in nearly every area is that any trimming efforts must not cause the tree permanent damage. Be aware that in many places, you’re responsible for paying for damage caused if a neighbor’s tree falls on your property. The case may be different if the neighbor’s tree is dead.

Consult a certified arborist and, possibly, a real estate attorney. If you have any questions about tree ownership or the potential effects of trimming or cutting, it’s best to get expert advice from a qualified professional.

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/

History of Notable Figures Called This Mansion Home

The Harvey Mudd estate, located in Southern California’s famous 90210 zip code, and designed in 1922 by noted architect Elmer Grey, is for sale at $22.995 million. The English Country estate is nestled into a well-groomed acre with a swimming pool, an aviary and gardens. With seven bedrooms and seven bathrooms, the home has been owned by a slew of well-knowns. Built for Charles Boldt, the home also opened doors to philanthropists Harvey and Mildred Mudd, Harry S. Rothschild of the Rothschild Oil Co., award-winning actor duo Martin Landau and Barbara Bain, and film producer Jack Rapke. Listed for: $22.995 million

To search homes and condos in the Greater New Orleans

CREOLE COTTAGES IN UPTOWN, NEW ORLEANS

In the city of New Orleans the term Creole cottage tends to be more narrowly defined as a one story house with a gabled roof, the ridge of which is parallel to the street.

I love the cottages in New Orleans. Some features of this style of house are thought to be influences from places in France's former colonial empire. The front porches are believed to originate from the Caribbean islands. The high gabled roof is thought to be of French Canadian origin.

HOMES AND CONDOS, NEW ORLEANS, LA

JUMBO LOANS ARE BACK!

Jumbo mortgage loans, which sizzled during the housing market’s rise to the top, and then fizzled out during the real estate market’s collapse, are back with many flexible products. As a result more consumers are able to consider purchasing luxury homes.

Even during the downturn, lenders continued to make some jumbo loans to their very best clients-those with stellar financial pedigrees that included high credit scores, high cash reserves and sizable down payments, sometimes of more than 30% of the purchase price.

What’s different today is that demand for big loans is on the rise, and lenders are eagerly stepping in at a time of recovering home prices and improved economic reports.

RECORD-BREAKING INCREASE IN HOME PRICES

A wave of positive housing news flooded financial newswires this morning. 

Data through April 2013, released today by S&P Dow Jones Indices for its S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, a leading measure of U.S. home prices, showed average home prices increased 11.6 percent and 12.1 percent for the 10- and 20-City Composites in the 12 months ending in April 2013. 

WHERE ARE THE HOTTEST REAL ESTATE MARKETS?

While home values remain well below their peak on a national level, implying additional room for growth, year-over-year increases in many markets are dramatic and the significant drop in inventory has triggered a rapid shift from a buyer’s to seller’s market.

The five states with the highest home price appreciation within last 12 month:

1.       Nevada +24.6%

2.        California +19.4%

3.       Arizona +17.3%

4.       Hawaii +17.0%

5.       Oregon +15.5%

3214 ST CHARLES, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70115

Townhouse for sale in prime location!

If you  wish to know about Homes for Sale in the Greater New Orleans, LA

112 BONNABEL BLVD., METAIRIE, LA 70005 - Single Family Residential for Sale - 4 Beds, 3 Baths - Raisa Galper - Gardner Realtors, New Orleans, LA

112 BONNABEL BLVD., METAIRIE, LA 70005 - Single Family Residential for Sale - 4 Beds, 3 Baths - Raisa Galper - Gardner Realtors, New Orleans, LA

To learn about Homes and Condos in Old Metairie