New Orleans Louisiana Real Estate and Community Blog 

It’s Here!

Buyers and Sellers.

The revised HUD Settlement Cost Booklet, Shopping for Your Home Loan, is now available. The U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has provided these extremely informative booklets for the general consumer, the homebuyer. Sellers, you will benefit as well. Typically, when after you sell one property, you buy another.

1 January 2010 is the target date for putting in effect the new Good Faith Estimate (GFE) and HUD-1 Settlement Statement forms. Basically, within 3 days of loan application by the buyer, mortgage lenders and brokers are required to give this booklet to the buyer.

Some of the information covered in this booklet includes the following:

• The Introduction (Your time-line)
• Evaluation as to Your Readiness to Purchase a Home
• Determination of What You Can Afford
• House Shopping and the Key Professionals Involved
• Shopping for Your Loan
• The Good Faith Estimate (GFE), breakdown of your investment costs
• Settlement and HUD-1 Statement, keeping it simple
• After the Settlement
• Home Equity and Refinances
• Glossary of Terms and Mortgage Products
• Sample HUD-1 Settlement Statement

There’s a The Do List and The Don’t List. (page 48) Well, we’ll get into more of the information in the booklet in our next blogs.

In the meantime, if you’d like me to send you a copy just contact me at 504.616.3539 or vscott@latterblum.com.

Let’s talk about it.

For information on real estate in The River Parishes, contact Vanessa B. Scott, REALTOR. Please send your requests for information you want addressed via this blog to vscott@latterblum.com. I’d be delighted to assist you with your real estate needs. I welcome incoming and outgoing referrals.

St. James Parish is easily accessed via major highways, interstate systems and bridges. Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Houma and the Northshore are within an hour’s drive. The New Orleans International Airport is less than 45 minutes away.

St. James Parish, The Bonfire Capital of the World

St. John the Baptist Parish, The Andouille Capital of the World

Posted by:Vanessa B. Scott

On 24 December 2009, people will literally come from all over the United States to experience the hospitality of St. James Parish. That night, over 200 bonfires will be lit (burned). Families, clubs, organizations who have labored in a few short weeks to build the bonfires will enjoy good old-fashioned fellowship, food, fireworks and fun.

Many of the homes situated along Historic River Road (Jefferson Highway, LA Highway 44) will be the site of Open Houses to friends and co-workers.

In the past, traffic has been bumper to bumper. Don’t be alarmed. It is a good thing. This way, one is allowed to leisurely cruise the River Road and enjoy all the bonfires on the levee. It’s a great driving tour. You get to experience the sights, sounds and feel of the excitement without leaving your vehicle. Some folks bring their RV’s, park and network with the locals.

Television crews from Baton Rouge and New Orleans will be getting their news stories.

Various vendors and craftsmen will be on hand to sell their wares: Food, mementos and beverages. Folks usually start arriving in early afternoon. Bonfires will be lit at 7:00 pm.

There are several riverboat tours that offer dinner and the cruise to the bonfires.*

Don’t miss this opportunity to embrace the true benefits of real country living with all the benefits of the city.

St. James Parish is easily accessed via major highways, interstate systems and bridges. Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Houma and Mandeville are within an hour’s drive. The New Orleans International Airport is less than 45 minutes away. Wow.

*The St. James Parish Tourist Center is located at 1094 Airline Highway 61, Gramercy. Telephone number is 225.869.1717.

Wow. I am so thrilled about Christmas Eve. Come on over and experience The Bonfire Capital of the World. The Parish, the towns, the food, the people, the amenities and the wonderfully-priced homes. St. James Parish: Great Prices. Great Value. Great Location. Let me know you will be there, call me at 504.616.3539.

For information on real estate in The River Parishes, contact Vanessa B. Scott, REALTOR. Please send your requests for information you want addressed via this blog to vscott@latterblum.com. I’d be delighted to assist you with your real estate needs. I welcome incoming and outgoing referrals.

St. James Parish, The Bonfire Capital of the World

St. John the Baptist Parish, The Andouille Capital of the World

Posted by:Vanessa B. Scott

When:
This weekend, December 11-13, 2009

Where:
Lutcher Recreation Park
2545 Louisiana Avenue
Lutcher, LA 70071

For information on the history, features and schedule of activities for The Festival of the Bonfires, please visit www.festivalofthebonfires.org. Contact telephone number is 1.800.367.7852.

One of my favorite features is Santa’s Very Merry Forest. There, the local schools, businesses and clubs display theme-decorated and lighted Christmas trees. Awesome. Very Unique.

On Friday night, the winners of the Gumbo Cook Off, Potato Salad Show Down and Bread Pudding Bake Off are announced. You can purchase sample sizes of all of these. YUM. YUM. The cooking begins around noon on Friday. Did I say, YUM, YUM?

Other events include 5k Run, Car show, Horseshoe Tournament and Mutt March. The Silent Auction. Children’s Pageants. Throughout the weekend, there will be live entertainment, local foods, crafts, rides, and so much more.

Each night a bonfire specifically-built for the festival is lighted (burned). Check out this bonfire that is located in The St. James Parish Welcome Center. Free transportation to the levee site is provided.

Admission is $4. There is no charge for children under 10 and seniors 62+. Plenty of free parking.

Wow. I am so thrilled about this weekend. Come on over and experience The Bonfire Capital of the World. Let me know you will be there, call me at 504.616.3539.

For information on real estate in The River Parishes, contact Vanessa B. Scott, REALTOR. Please send your requests for information you want addressed via this blog to vscott@latterblum.com. I’d be delighted to assist you with your real estate needs. I welcome incoming and outgoing referrals.

Posted by:Vanessa B. Scott