Approaching Homebuying with Swagger

Would you agree that there are many among us thinking about buying a home and not taking the first step because they heard of many complications that their friends or family members encountered?

In reality, if you have a great Realtor by your side, and if you are willing to start the journey, it can be a very pleasant one. Here is the great article by RISMEDIA that can help you to approach the home buying process with swagger: http://rismedia.com/rrein/20128/1023666/5079737/76986?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email

To start the home buying process go to http://findneworleansproperties.gardnerrealtors.com/

and call me 504-610-7415

Is Refinancing Home Equity Line Of Credit Good For You?

A home equity line of credit, or HELOC, has two stages. First is the draw period, which usually lasts 10 years but can be as long as 20 years. Monthly payments are applied only to the interest during the draw period.

After the draw period ends, the second stage begins: The HELOC goes into the amortization period when you have to pay principal as well as interest. Monthly payments go up. If you still owe a lot, the payments rise abruptly. That’s why some homeowners look for ways to refinance their HELOCs. Usually somewhere between six to 12 months before the end of the draw period, banks are beginning to reach out to clients reminding them that a decision they made 10 or 15 years ago is about to come due.

There are three options if you want to cushion the amortization period of a HELOC:
Refinance the HELOC. When you refinance a home equity line of credit, you start over with a new HELOC, with its own interest-only draw period. With this approach, you still have access to a credit line to deal with future needs. You will still have to pay off the balance someday. You should remember that most of HELOCs have variable rate, and nobody knows what rates will do in theirfuture.
Pay off the HELOC with a home equity loan. A home equity loan is for a fixed amount with a fixed rate. The payments remain the same through the life of the loan.
Refinance the HELOC and the first mortgage into a new primary mortgage. By refinancing the HELOC into a new primary mortgage, you could take advantage of a fixed interest rate that’s still low by historical standards. Consider refinancing into a 15- or 20-year mortgage to reduce total interest payments.

While interest rates on primary mortgages are favorable, you have to take higher closing costs into account when you take this approach. It’s best if you keep the house long enough for the cumulative monthly savings to outweigh the costs of refinancing.

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The color of a home can be a decisive factor when selling

The first thing a buyer will see and comment on is your home’s exterior color. When preparing a home for the market, the most recommended shades are within the sage, tan or gray color families.

Understated browns (including the aforementioned tan) signal security. Homes painted in sandy or mushroom hues read comfort and warmth. Colors like taupe, which falls somewhere between brown and gray, call to mind traditional values. Earthy tones like sage, laurel green or artichoke can not only highlight a verdant landscape, but also evoke a sense of tranquility.

Homes in other colors may sell successfully – our retinas tend to register yellow before any other color, so a buttery yellow exterior could be an attractive option for buyers – but non-traditional colors, like oranges and purples, appeal to very specific personalities and can significantly shrink the pool of interested buyers.

It’s important for sellers to consider the home in relation to the neighborhood before swapping out the exterior color or refreshing an existing paint job. Do nearby homes share a distinct color scheme? Is each home uniquely colored? Evaluating the home’s surroundings can help sellers determine what’s most popular in their market.

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FRENCH QUARTER HOMES AND CONDOS, BY RAISA!: Are You The Host With The Most for Thanksgiving?

FRENCH QUARTER HOMES AND CONDOS, BY RAISA!: Are You The Host With The Most for Thanksgiving?: Thanksgiving is one of my favorite Holidays. Having family and friends over, and being thankful for all the wonderful things in life is w...

Are You The Host With The Most for Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite Holidays. Having family and friends over, and being thankful for all the wonderful things in life is what it’s all about.

Now, cleaning up after is a different story. Here are some tips that'll make your Thanksgiving kitchen cleanup faster and easier.

Cut down on cleanup by selecting cookware that can go from oven to table to freezer.

Before beginning Thanksgiving prep, pick up depressing home clutter and clean out your fridge to make room for ingredients and leftovers.

Plan a potluck: Let your guests share the fun and bring dishes to share. Then make sure they take home their serving bowls and platters, which will cut down on dishes to wash and put away.

 You won't have to clean what you don’t get dirty. So line your turkey roasting pans with heavy-duty aluminum foil, or cook the bird in a bag.

Double- or triple-line garbage cans, which saves time when the cleaning campaign begins. After you toss a trash bag, there’s another waiting for action.

Soak pots and pans as soon as you transfer food to platters. Designate a small trashcan as the soaking spot, fill it will soapy water and dirty pots, and hide it under a sink or in a mudroom. That way, your sink is free throughout the evening to clean as you go and rinse dishes on the way to the dishwasher.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Must Know!

http://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/new-orleans/the-25-new-orleans-commandments

Want more?  Visit 

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Top Five Ice Cream Shops in Louisiana

Have you ever had an unconquerable craving for some delicious ice cream? The best way to satisfy the craving is to bypass the grocery store and go instead to a fun ice cream shop. Here are some of the best places to get ice cream in Louisiana.

 

The Creole Creamery

Located in New Orleans, the Creole Creamery features all sorts of sundaes and banana splits to choose from. For people who can't eat sugar, this ice cream spot offers a sugar-free special, the "Susie Q." Their motto is: "Eat ice cream, Be happy." The Creole Creamery includes fountain classics, creamery specialties, toppings and beverages. This shop is a great place for all members of the family. For more information, go to http://www.creolecreamery.com.

 

Angelo Brocato

Angelo Brocato's is a New Orleans institution offering traditional Italian ice creams and other desserts. It specializes in cookies, candy, spumoni, cannoli, ice cream and ices. Brocato's can even ship your ice cream and desserts if you are unable to stop by in person. If you have a hankering for a sweet treat while in the Crescent City, there's no better place to go. To find out more, visit http://www.angelobrocatoicecream.com.

 

Borden's Ice Cream Shoppe

In Lafayette, you'll find the last Borden's ice cream shop in the world. At one time there were many Borden's locations; those days are long gone. Borden's offers specialty cones, baked goods and treats, coffee and beverages, and hot dogs and nachos. The shop's simple slogan is, "If it's Borden, it's got to be good!" If you want to go to a place with some history behind it, Borden's is for you. For more information, go to http://www.bordensicecreamshoppe.com.

 

Geauxsicles

In this shop in Shreveport, you can buy delicious ice pops embossed with the iconic symbol of French Louisiana: the fleur de lis. Geauxsicles come in 18 different flavors, and each one is made with real fruit and fresh ingredients. It is a great place for families to have fun while tasting each and every flavor. For more information, go to http://www.geauxsicles.com.

 

Bacio di Roma Gelato Cafe

In Baton Rouge, you can find the Bacio di Roma Gelato Cafe. The shop offers 21 unique flavors, including almond, amaretto, biscotti, cake, caramel, coffee, mango, mint, Nutella, panecotta, pistachio, tiramisu, white chocolate and zabaglione. Bacio di Roma Gelato Cafe also sells coffee and salads. It's an ideal place to go if you're looking for ice cream flavors beyond the usual chocolate or vanilla. For more information, check out http://www.baciodiromabr.com.

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