New Orleans Louisiana Real Estate and Community Blog 

• Add Value this Season
  
• Go Green
  
• Kenner Selected Again As Tree City U.S.A
  

Traditionally the warm-weather months are the busiest for real estate sales. Coupled with the historically low interest rates and $8,000 tax credit that will end at the end of 2009, more first time home buyers are being allowed the chance to become homeowners.

IN CASE YOU HAVEN’T HEARD …

The $8,000 tax credit made available by the federal government can now be monetized. That means the tax credit can be used as “real money” toward down-payment expenses or certain closing costs.

Monetization is the act of converting something into money.

This offers homeowners a wonderful selling opportunity and the extra incentive assists buyers with the opportunity to become homeowners. You do not want to miss out on this great opportunity by waiting to see what the market might do.

At Latter & Blum Inc./Realtors in Kenner, weekly meetings and a close eye on interest rates have shown that in the past several months there has been a slow but steady increase in interest rates.

To all of the home sellers out there, check out this 2008-09 Cost vs. Value report from Remodeling magazine. A fresh coat of paint and simple landscaping upgrades may be all it takes to boost curb appeal.

If you do not have the money to put out to buy plants or do not have a green thumb, seek out your friends, neighbor or a garden club. They are more than happy to assist you. In my neighborhood we swap plants and cuttings.

Trees and plants not only add value but also allow for a healthier environment for yourself and your family. GO GREEN!

Close to one-half of all greenhouse gas emissions are produced from buildings.

Because of high greenhouse gas emissions, 62% of all state governments have adopted green building policies (with 18 states coming on board in the last 3 years alone). Residential green building is expected to increase 100% over the next five years. 70% of home buyers said they were more inclined to buy a green home in a down economy than a non-green home.

CONSUMERS ARE DEMANDING IT.
GOVERNMENT IS REQUIRING IT.

Once again the City of Kenner is ahead of the game. The Tree City U.S.A. program is sponsored in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. Kenner originally received the designation on December 7, 2007.

The people of Kenner realize that trees are a vital component in the infrastructure of cities and towns, providing environmental and economical benefits. Trees in urban areas reduce the radiant heat island effect caused by pavement and buildings. Properly placed trees can increase property values. Leaves filter the air we breathe by removing dust and other particles. Trees also help reduce the effects of strong winds during storms.

I am proud to announce that on May 15, 2009, Kenner was once again selected “Tree City U.S.A.”

For the citizens of Kenner who have planted trees “Thanks for doing your part to help the environment”, but also remember that it is your responsibility to care for and maintain your trees. Leaves, pine needles, etc. should be cleaned up promptly, if not, they might find their way into the storm drains causing problems for drainage and our flood ratings. Dead or infested trees should be cut down or treated. Remember that we are now in hurricane season. Please do not wait until there is an approaching storm to tend to your trees.

PROUD TO BE A CITIZEN OF KENNER

PROUD TO BE YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD REALTOR

PROUD TO BE A PART OF LATTER & BLUM INC/REALTORS

Posted by:Debbie Sanderson

The City of Kenner is a community that is constantly evolving and improving for the benefit of all who live and visit. The top priority for an elected official is, “What do we need to do to get the maximum benefits with the budgeted amount of money.”

As a realtor, homemaker, homeowner, student, business owner, etc. we are all doing the exact same thing every day. A person will realize that the mortgage or rent is the largest expense to budget for. Next in line would be your insurances. Let’s not forget insurance, mortgage, title, PMI, hazard, flood, health, life, disability, universal life, automobile, boat, business interruption, etc. “Need I Go On?”

For those who may have missed the information of April 7, 2009, The National Flood Insurance Program’s community rating system has a 10 class rating system with Class 1 being the highest. Through the City of Kenner’s participation in this program since 1992 and the work that has been done cleaning out storm drains of debris improving drainage, this has allowed Kenner to go from a Class 8 rating to Class 7 rating. This means that property in a special flood hazard area will now receive a 15% reduction in premium and non-special flood hazard will receive a 5% reduction in flood insurance premiums.

No other communities in the state have a higher classification than a Kenner’s Class 7. WAY TO GO KENNER!

Having read this, like most of you I will be anxious to see a reduction in my flood insurance, whatever it might be. From what I was told I will see the difference when my flood insurance is renewed.

As a citizen of Kenner please try to assist in keeping grass cuttings, pine needles, leaves, trash, etc. out and away from the storm drains. This not only helps our flood ratings but it will benefit each and everyone since hurricane season is upon us.

Posted by:Debbie Sanderson

One of the many great advantages of buying or selling with Latter & Blum is the Free Document Storage. I went to a closing last week and a few days before one of the ladies from the Title Attorney’s office called and wanted to know what the last few charges were for my client and the seller if I knew them so that she could get the HUD finished. Well it was a Latter & Blum listing and I was the buyer’s agent. She asked if there was a Home Warranty, what was the charge and who was paying. Then she wanted to confirm the commission which I did. Then she asked me a question I thought was… different. She said she heard that several of the companies were offering the new Document Storage service and wanted to know what the charge was to the seller for ours. I said “nothing”. She thought I didn’t understand her question so she repeated it. I said no, I understand what you are asking but Latter & Blum does not charge a fee for document storage. Not to the buyer, seller or to their agents. She was surprised to say the least! Laughingly she gushed “do you realize what a great bonus that is for your clients?” Yeah, I know. And now, so do you!

Everyone remembers the days and months after Katrina and how we panicked when we thought about income taxes or finding property disclosures, listing agreements, contracts and paperwork for insurance. Well, that’s one less thing you’ll have to worry about with Free Document Storage. All the paperwork from your listing through the sale stored for you. I remember some of the Latter and Blum offices scrambling after Katrina to salvage files and hope they were not wet or worse, gone! Well, we don’t have to worry about that either.

All you need to do to get this free document storage service is list or sell with Latter & Blum. Or, you can call me and we can talk about this valuable service and I’ll let you know how easy it is to sign up for it! You can reach me, Diane Hunn, at the Kenner office at 504-443-3300 X 21177 or at the St. Charles Parish office at 504-565-5868 X 35208. I look forward to helping you negotiate the sale or purchase of your home! “See you around the neighborhood!”

Posted by:Diane Hunn

It seems like I have been listing quite a few Succession Properties in the last 6 months. That might make me the local expert in this type of listing. Except that it takes a special attitude to handle the Succession clients. Maybe attitude is not exactly the word I was looking for. It’s not easy selling the family home after such a loss. I’ve had to get used to stepping back a little and looking at the home with the eyes of a buyer. And then I have to break the bad news to the client that the old homestead needs some work and needs to be priced right in order to get it sold. It also takes a lot of compassion and patience; particularly if you’re working with more than one heir. They can never quite agree on the price or repairs that need to be done. But then again, that’s my job. I’m the REALTOR^®, better known as the counselor, negotiator and referee.

The newest listing is at 1200 Clay St. in Kenner, Louisiana. It is a great opportunity for an investor to flip the property or to fix it and rent it out. It has 2 bedrooms and 1 bath. The roof is only about 3 years old. There are hardwood floors that need refinishing in most rooms. Everything else needs updating. Really nice corner lot! Asking $99,500. Make an offer!!! MLS # 791351.

Call me if you have any questions about this property. Diane Hunn, Associate Broker, LATTER & BLUM INC/REALTORS, cell: 504-289-9259. Office 504-443-3300 x 21177

Posted by:Diane Hunn

I went to the gas station last week to fill up and paid $1.99 a gallon to fill up my SUV. A few days ago it was $2.15 a gallon and yesterday my husband said he paid $2.19 a gallon. A REALTOR^®’s car is one of their most important tools. So I tell myself to just suck it up and pay the man.

While contemplating my marketing budget for 2009, I was lamenting the rising cost of advertising. Until my 4 year old granddaughter said excitedly, “Granny, I know someone whose picture is in the newspaper! Expecting her to show me a picture of her teacher or her mom or dad or even Hannah Montana, I waited for her to show me just who she was talking about. It was me. Latter & Blum helps support their REALTOR^®’s advertising budget by paying for most of an ad in the Times-Picayune on Sunday for 13 weeks with a color picture of the property and REALTOR^® in the various Metro sections. Later that week, I received a few calls from past clients saying they had seen the same ad, and though they might not be ready just yet they would forward it on to friends and family.

A couple of weeks ago while riding in the car with the same granddaughter, we passed a billboard for a local Gentlemen’s club my granddaughter yelled excitedly, look Granny, that’s where mommy gets our costumes from. Well, her mom wanted to crawl under the seat but her dad explained merrily that they had passed that sign in October when there was an attractive young lady in a witches costume on the same billboard. Having just ordered her costume and her sisters costume for Halloween and costumes for her Dance Review she naturally assumed mommy got her costumes from the same place. Ah hum – well if she could remember that, maybe there is something to this billboard advertising thing. Anyone know where I can sign up for one of those billboards?

And the latest form of marketing is this new blog! Welcome to www.neworleanscommunities.com, LATTER & BLUM’S newest and most innovative form of marketing and source for local information and Real Estate insight for all of our communities. If I can be of any help in marketing your home, or helping you find your dream home, please call me, Diane Hunn, at the Kenner office (504-443-3300 X 21177). Or, you can reach me at the St. Charles Parish office at (504-565-5868 X 35208). I’ll see you around the neighborhood!

Posted by:Diane Hunn

Attract the buyers’ interest! April and May are my favorite months to show properties! Really, Friday I spent all day (and I do mean all day) showing homes to a relocating buyer. What a nice man! He was scouting out areas for his wife who will be in next week. And he knew what he was looking for too. He had visited our website, checked out info I sent him and was already pre-approved in the price range we were looking in!

Oh yes, getting back to my favorite months to show property. Nice weather, blooming flowers, you know, perfect (contract writing) atmosphere! Most sellers had their gardens in order and their homes staged to sell! Realtors are getting through to them. That, or they are watching way to much HGTV. Selling 101 – invite the buyer in and then keep him there longer than the competition.

Let us start with the exterior; mow the lawn, plant fresh flowers, trim those hedges and put away garbage cans. Front doors and porches should be painted and cleaned. When selecting flowers for your garden, try to stick to 2 or 3 colors and plant in large clusters. Nothing too cluttered or busy. Moving inside; make sure your home is spotless and organized. Remember, the first impression of the interior of the home, is everything. Rover barking and nipping at the buyer does not a good impression make! Aromas can invoke wonderful or awful memories. Fresh baked cookies are great – Fluffy’s cat litter box, not so much.

All in all, Friday was a great day. The homeowners’ that followed the rules of attracting buyers’ will be getting another visit this week when his wife is in town! Those that didn’t should consult and listen to your REALTOR!

Posted by:Diane Hunn