4 Benefits of Living in an Historic Neighborhood

Whether you're a history buff or just looking for a nice place to settle down, neighborhoods with a rich

historical background carry many benefits for yourself and for children that grow up there. Here are

some of the great things that you may experience by living in a history-rich neighborhood:

Potentially Lower Crime Rates

Finding a neighborhood that's safe is important to anyone seeking a new home. Neighborhoods with

a rich historical background have clearly been around for a very long time, often resulting in older,

lifelong residents that are invested in the maintenance of their neighborhood. Regular maintenance

of the streets, as well as implementation of effective crime-prevention programs by the local police,

are all something that these folks may have voted for in local elections.

More Educational Opportunities

Another benefit of living in a well-established, historical neighborhood is that the schools tend to

be better funded. Generally, residents have been there for a long time, allowing them to build up

financial stability that would contribute to taxes that fund public programs like schools, libraries

and parks. They may also have local events held to celebrate the heritage of the neighborhood,

giving you and your family a peek into history and a greater understanding of the place you

live in now.

Improved Neighborhood Dynamics

Homes for sale in established neighborhoods are often more sought-after because of the ability

to form connections with your neighbors. Tight-knit neighborhoods can be safer in general because,

if a disaster hits, you'll be surrounded by friends who know you and will help you through hard times.

This can also give you greater peace of mind when allowing your children to play in the

neighborhood on their own, because you know the people living in it. With the decreased turnover,

you have the opportunity to form lasting friendships with your neighbors, and be a part of a familiar

community and culture that'll really feel like home.

Grand Architecture

An established neighborhood tends to have a higher density of older homes maintained to preserve

their historical appearance. Depending on the area and history, these homes are likely to have

arching ceilings, pillars, decorative awnings, towers, balconies and other features that will make even

a small home feel like something out of a storybook. Living in an artistic structure will remind you on

a daily basis of the history of your home and neighborhood, as well as give you greater satisfaction

in general in regard to your living situation.

If you're considering moving to a historically-rich neighborhood, whether alone or with a family in tow,

you'll reap many benefits from the culture and the stability that comes with it. Don't turn away a home

solely based on the year it was built, but rather, consider the possibilities that come with superior

architectural design and living in a safe and stable neighborhood.

No matter where you live, your house is only a home if it's where you love to be.

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

Inheriting a House can be Challenging

If your loved one passed away, and there is real estate left, the process of dissolving the estate could become
very complicated.

Family feuds and other problems can potentially result when inheritance portions aren't clearly defined,
or when an executor may be in over their head. Many newfound executors can face uncertainty and feel stress.
In the wake of a family tragedy or death, being the executor of an estate can be especially challenging.
And the biggest asset in an estate—and the most difficult to resolve—is usually a house.

Here's a list of important decisions an executor may face when a house is part of an inheritance:

Keep, rent or sell? Caught in the middle, the executor has to ask the heirs to keep their emotions under
control and put the rational facts on the table. Selling is often the best decision if medical bills, tax issues or
other reasons require cashing out, and it produces a specific amount that can be divided equally.

Can you manage a property investment? When considering keeping the property in the family, the executor
needs to be objective about the beneficiaries' dependability. Would you choose the other beneficiaries to be your
partners in any long-term investment? Could they get divorced, go bankrupt or bring other entanglements? If you
decide to rent the property, there are issues to consider, such as the local market for rentals and your ability
to maintain the property.

Establishing value of the property. If one heir or beneficiary wants to buy the house, the estate must determine
the market value and get a fair price for the heirs and beneficiaries. One way is to get two appraisals, or ask
an experienced Realtor for help. Alternatively, the executor can put the property on the market with the expressed
provision that one of the heirs has the right of first refusal to match the highest offer.

Repair and renovate? The executor must make sure the house is maintained in good condition, necessary
repairs are carried out, and that it's kept insured. An executor can be personally liable for failure to maintain
a property that results in losses for the heirs. How much work is worthwhile before putting a home on the market?
That's a big question that depends on the property and circumstances.

Furnished or unfurnished? It's not unusual for an inherited home to be filled with a 30-year accumulation of stuff.
In most cases, when the property goes on the market, thinning out the furnishings will help it show better.
Nine out of 10 buyers first see the home in online photos.

Being an executor is a high-responsibility, time-consuming, and often thankless job that people often take on
while grieving. It's up to the executor to assess not only the physical assets of an estate, but also the people
and emotions involved.

For more helpful information visit https://homesalesneworleans.gardnerrealtors.com/

Planning an Exciting Move to a New City

If you accepted a job offer in a new city, or you just decided that now was the time to make a drastic change, uprooting your life isn't an easy feat—yet, it's exciting and new. You'll get to explore a whole new place and all that that new place has to offer! There'll be new activities, new restaurants, new neighbors, new parks, and more.

What should you? What research should you do ahead of time to ensure you relocate to a place you'll be comfortable living in?

Look Up the Neighborhoods Before Buying (or Renting)

The neighborhood makes your home what it is. Make a list of the advantages and disadvantages to each—it can help make the decision easier. If your kids are in school, you'll likely want a school facility close by. Do you want them to attend a private or public school? Is there one close by? What about grocery shopping? Is it easy to get to? Do you like to have a gym you can walk to? Are there parks in the neighborhood? Ask yourself these questions ahead of time. Determine their importance to you and your family.

Research the Local Big Activities and Events

With a new city comes a new list of annual events and festivals. Find out what big attractions take place. Finding activities and fun events to look forward to can lessen the impact of a move, such as moving far away from friends and family. It's exciting, but it can also be really tough. Make the best out of it!

Research the Costs of Your New City

This is a big one. Cities come with different price tags. For example, housing prices in the downtown of a large city like New York are going to be far more than a small town, such as Cold Spring, N.Y. Make sure you know what you'll be spending before you commit. Even grocery prices tend to change. The worst thing that could happen is you move and find out you can't afford your new city. Financial planning makes all the difference, and it can help you avoid future panic or crises.

Moving to a new city can be a great change of pace. Enjoy it!

To search for homes for sale and for rent visit https://homesalesneworleans.gardnerrealtors.com/

Building wealth flipping homes

Flipping homes can be good way to build wealth, but there are many pitfalls to consider before plunging into a project.

Always be mindful of what can be expected.

Prepare for the worst. Make sure you include all potential costs into your budget assumptions. Add a minimum 10 percent margin for error. Here are just some of the costs that flippers need to calculate before purchasing:

• Repairs
• Holding costs (taxes and insurance)
• Debt service
• City fees (permits and deposits)
• Sales costs (title, escrow and sales commissions)
• Income taxes
• Price fluctuation (potential 5-10 percent change in either direction).

If you start to see price declines, increased inventory levels or longer days on market, be cautious. It could take longer to sell your property, which would increase your holding costs and eat up your profit. Plus, your final price could end up lower than you initially calculated. Always have plenty of reserves on hand to cover the possibility of extended holding costs.

Research your local city regulations. Nothing can kill a deal faster than a slow permitting process. You've got to understand what the local municipality will demand of you. If you try to do the work without permits, you could be held liable if you don't disclose it to the buyer. You most likely will not pass inspections if you don’t comply with the code enforcement requirements.

Anticipate higher costs. Calculate higher costs of building supplies from recent tariffs, higher labor costs due to a shortage of skilled construction workers, higher permit fees due to increased regulations, higher interest rates, higher gas prices and higher acquisition costs.  

Budget your time. If you have a full-time job, make sure you have enough time left over to manage the purchase, renovation and sale of your flip. Otherwise, partner with someone who has both time and experience to get the job done right.

Know your tax liability. If you're in a high tax bracket, nearly half of your flip profits may go to Uncle Sam.  Consider putting the property in an LLC for both asset protection purposes and increased tax deductions. Always talk to your CPA before making any investment.

Smart investors can certainly make a good amount of money flipping homes today. Those who succeed have systems in place. If you're just starting out, make sure you have an experienced expert/mentor to help you, even if you pay for their time.

For more good information or to search for homes go to https://homesalesneworleans.gardnerrealtors.com/

Planning to Sell your Home Without a Realtor

There are quite a few home owners who believe they can sell their home without the help of a real estate agent. Some are trying to save money, while others simply want greater control over the process. However, they often experience more stress than those that hire an agent. Here are some challenges people face when they try to sell their home on their own:

Getting the highest price based on market conditions. Many homeowners due to their feelings and emotional attachment to the house, are unable to price their home objectively, often valuing it for more than it's worth. When the price is too high, fewer buyers will be interested and the sale will take much longer. Statistically For Sale By Owners net considerably less than what their home is worth.

 Understanding and Executing Paperwork. Selling a home requires more paperwork than most homeowners think. Some of it can be difficult to understand and complete. A real estate agent has the training to comprehend all the legalese and explain it to you. Plus, they can remove this unnecessary stressor from the selling process.

 Preparing and Fixing a Home for Sale. Addressing deficiencies, creating curb appeal and staging a home is an essential step that most homeowners overlook when selling on their own. Potential buyers judge the house by the photos posted with the ad, and if the photos don't show a clean and beautiful home, they will keep on scrolling.

 There are so many more obstacles that come with selling your home if you choose to do it on your own. Make selling real estate easier and stress-free by working with a real estate agent!

For more information visit https://homesalesneworleans.gardnerrealtors.com/

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.

For more information go to http://findneworleansproperties.gardnerrealtors.com/