Patio trends for 2018

Outdoor design trends for 2018 are all about incorporating affordable luxury into your own backyard by
turning your patio into a peaceful, lush oasis through low-maintenance water fixtures, a color refresh
and vintage materials.
The days of small, bistro-style dining tables on the deck and patio are over, and that large-scale
square and rectangular tables are hot. Trend-watchers are seeing patio furniture that mixes materials,
such as metal and wood, instead of a single material, such as wicker.

Homeowners these days are gravitating toward easy-maintenance exterior garden designs that enhance
physical and mental wellbeing with spa-inspired touches, like meditation benches, fountains, reflecting pools,
rock waterfalls and zen gardens. The low-maintenance water features can add visual interest and soothing
sounds to a yard—even in drought-prone climates—because they actually require little water (and recycle
the water they do use).

Linen, teak and rope are a few of the materials designers are incorporating into exterior furnishings and
accessories to give this year's easy-breezy trend pizazz. Pink is the accent color of choice in 2018,
especially if a hint of blush is introduced into your furniture vignettes.

As far as accessories are concerned, think bright and bold when it comes to fabrics for your patio furniture
cushions in 2018. Go with yellows, reds and pinks that will pop against all that natural greenery, and your guests
will be raving about your impeccable sense of style all summer long.

For other good tips visit https://homesalesneworleans.gardnerrealtors.com/

Tips to Help You Find a Starter Home

A starter home isn't necessarily your forever home. Be prepared to make some compromises to get
your foot in the homeownership door. Be open-minded about the location, size and condition.  

Look for an older home in a well-established neighborhood. Resales typically cost less than brand-
new homes. Older homes typically need more maintenance and repairs, which offset some of the
savings; however, buyers who choose a used home might be able to do repairs and renovations
over time, pacing themselves to make the cost manageable.

Buyers who sacrifice location for affordability can find themselves in a neighborhood far from major
job centers with a long daily commute and expensive transportation costs. Sometimes that trade-off
makes sense, but not always

When you're up against stiff competition, working with an experienced real estate agent is key.
A good agent shines when it comes to negotiating the deal and writing a strong offer. Your agent
may suggest certain strategies to win in a competitive market, such as limiting contingencies or
writing a personal letter.

When a well-priced starter house comes on the market, the quest to buy it can be extremely
competitive. To entice sellers offer above asking price (if you can afford to), keep repair requests
to a minimum, or allow the sellers more time to move.

For help finding a home visit https://homesalesneworleans.gardnerrealtors.com/

2016 Trends for Curb Appeal

Everyone these days is aware of the importance of the curb appeal of a home, especially when you decide to sell or buy. Curb appeal can give a lift to the value of a home. Improving the curb appeal of your home can boost its value by as much as 17 percent, the Texas Tech researchers found. They say curb appeal ranks second only to home size in weighing a home’s value.

Here are top-of-mind trends for curb appeal in 2016.

1. Front Door
A fresh coat of paint can spruce up a ho-hum front door and help make a better first impression when someone is eyeing your home. It creates interest and a focal point to the façade of the home. It gives the home personality. It is inexpensive to do, but has an immediate impact. Contrasting the color of your front door with the color palette of your front yard. Works really well.

2. Lighten Up the Exterior
Outdoor lighting can add a touch of elegance to your front of your home. Furthermore, it can enhance the safety of your house. Outdoor lighting should go beyond ordinary lampposts and wall-mounted lighting to make your landscaping really stand out. Try installing stylish and modern lighting on your front porch.

3. Liven Up the Landscaping

Flowers and fertilizer can be your friends when it comes to bumping up the curb appeal of your home. A study by Alex X. Niemiera, a horticulture professor at Virginia Tech, shows that a well-landscaped home holds a higher value than a home without proper landscaping. 62 percent of American homeowners say the lawn influenced their home-buying decision.

4. Porch Furniture

Placing a bistro table or a couple of chairs on your porch can yield a return on investment. Nothing is more inviting than a pair of matching rockers on a front porch that are visible from the street.

5. Upgrade the Garage Door

One of the easiest ways to improve your home’s curb appeal is upgrade your garage door. According to the Remodeling 2015 Cost vs. Value Report, the average cost of replacing a garage door on a home is $1,595, with an owner being able to recoup 88 percent of that cost.


For more tips go to http://www.homesalesneworleans.com/

Touch of Black Adds Allure to a Home

Everybody knows what a little black dress does for a woman. Guess what? Black accents do the same for a home.

A touch of black can add intrigue, sophistication and even mystery to a decorating scheme, inside or out. Paint your door black, and suddenly your house stands out. Add a black coffee table or a black-and-white chair to a monochromatic room, and the decor goes from dull to dramatic.

A bit of black is almost a cure-all for an uninspired space! Black works because it adds contrast without clashing. Since it goes with everything, it’s easy to add to any color palette.

And it doesn’t have to involve a big change. Even something as simple as adding black knobs to a vanity can break up the monotony of a bathroom with matching fixtures. Black works well in accessories or small accents, such as throw pillows or area rugs.

Painting window sashes black are becoming popular. The effect is almost like eyeliner, drawing attention and adding interest both inside the house and out. It’s also a historically accurate detail on an older home, since sashes were often painted dark colors in the 19th century.

Black, however, is best used with restraint. Too much black, and the power of contrast is lost.

Some other good ways to add a touch of black:

— Paint non-matching chairs black to unify them.
— Paint an outdated piece of furniture black to update it.
— Spray-paint ornate gold picture frames flat black to downplay the glitz and focus the attention on the artwork.
— In a traditional room, add a chair or pillow in classic black-and-white toilet. In a mid-century modern setting, use a bold pattern such as a trellis design.
— Instead of decorating daughter's bedroom in her favorite color, use black and white as the base with the color as an accent. Black and white will be more sophisticated and easier to live with as the child grows older, and the accent color can be changed easily as her taste evolves.
— Add black in odd numbers: maybe one strong piece, such as a sofa, wall or door, or three smaller pieces sprinkled around the room, such as a throw, a vase and an accent pillow.

To search for homes go to http://findneworleansproperties.gardnerrealtors.com/ 

 

Bidding Wars In Real Estate Market

Housing inventory in the Greater New Orleans Area remains low, and demand for homes has been high. Brokers see their share of bidding wars quite often.

Professional buyers come in with all cash and buy up available properties. The regular buyers clamor for quality product if there aren’t that many available just as aggressively as the pros.

Sometimes regular buyers are pitted against deep-pocketed investors, making for an awfully daunting showdown—not that the seller should mind. Occupant-buyers need to show somehow that they’re more likely to close the transaction than an investor. Cash and speed are to the advantage of the investor, but they’re not as heavily invested in actually getting any single property they’re writing offers for. Regular buyers should show commitment, whether by financial, logistical, or personal means to sway the seller—within legal guidelines, of course. Personal letters, earnest money increases, and waivers of contingencies can all show serious intent to close.

To search for homes go to http://findneworleansproperties.com/

Size Of The New Constructed Homes Goes Up Again.

Remember how the size of the new constructed homes kept declining over the last several years? Well, it looks like that trend came to an end. Recent research indicates that “size matters”, and here is a good RISMEDIA article illustrating just that: http://rismedia.com/rrein/20166/1023666/5079737/77164?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email

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

Divide Between Appraiser and Homeowner Perceptions

Accordingly to the Detroit-based Quicken Loans, appraiser home value opinions continues to fall below homeowner estimates.

The trend of a widening gap between appraiser and homeowner opinions continued in April, according to the Quicken Loans study of home value perceptions. The Home Price Perception Index (HPPI) showed appraiser opinions were 0.69 percent below homeowner estimates in April. The index dipped compared to March when appraiser opinions were 0.40 percent below homeowner estimates. April marks the third consecutive month of appraiser opinions falling below homeowner estimates.

It is not surprising to most appraisers that homeowners are overestimating their home’s value on a national average. There is nothing more disappointing to a homeowner than learning that the value of their home is less than they expected. This index is important for homeowners as they set reasonable expectations.

At the same time the national Home Value Index (HVI), a measure of home values based solely on appraisals, increased in April after a drop in March, gaining 0.28 percent nationally. Values also continued their strong year-over-year increases, rising 5.54 percent since April 2014 on a national level.

Even though the home values increased in April, it was not enough to cancel out March’s decline around the country. Homeowners that are still underwater are looking for large increases, but those increases can in fact price homebuyers out of the market. Home affordability could become a worry if home values increases get too far ahead of the modest pace of wage increases, which are sitting at about 2 percent annually.

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

What's Desirable in a Home Today

There are plenty of home buyers these days dreaming about a brand-new house with the outdoor kitchen, the two-story foyer, and the luxurious master bathroom, complete with a whirlpool tub. But today homebuilders across America have decided to cut out those kinds of features in favor of efficient, organized, and pragmatic ones.

Walk-in closets, laundry rooms, energy-efficient windows and appliances, and programmable thermostats are on the rise. It’s all about efficiency, both of time and resources. A working couple trying to get out of the house in the morning needs a walk-in closet in the master bedroom, they need a laundry room that’s well-lit and well-organized. That’s how they improve the efficiency of the household, find clothes, get organized, and hide the clutter.

Today's buyers are fixated on comfort and affordability. It’s part of a postrecession cultural shift toward pragmatism, and homebuilders have adjusted their creations accordingly, appealing to a segment that’s willing to forgo a two-story foyer or family room to get a better price.

Their list of most and least likely features does offer a few surprises; it’s not all about the decline of luxury. Once a high-end item, granite countertops are now the norm. Specialty spots such as media rooms or sunrooms are being replaced by spaces that are more flexible, especially additional bedrooms. And communities with jogging and walking trails, previously coveted, are now less popular than a two-car garage. Just because some features are less common doesn’t mean you can’t get your hands on a house that includes them. All you have to do is spend more money.

Hear are the features most likely to be found in new homes:

         1. Walk-in closet                             6. Energy Star windows
         2. Laundry room                              7. Ceiling 1^st floor 9’
         3. Low-emission windows                8. 2-car garage
         4. Great room                                  9. Programmable thermostat
         5. Energy Star appliances              10. Granite countertops

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

Getting Your Home Ready to Sell

When it comes to selling a home first impressions are everything. Majority of buyers make up their mind whether or not they like a house within minutes of stepping foot inside.

Here is what to do and what not to do when getting your home ready for the market:

• Do work on curb appeal. Curb appeal is a huge draw for buyers, invest in a new doormat and keep the driveway clear of junk. Warm lights glowing in the window will also be welcoming.

• Don’t expect people to use their imagination. If you have wild colors in your rooms, you might think that people will look past that. But that can prove difficult for buyers. Paint over those wild colors and put away any crazy items that might raise eye brows or bring on laughter.

• Do invest in updates that matter. People will pay top-dollar for homes with updated kitchens and bathrooms. If you make improvements to these rooms, you will see a huge return. At the very least, purchase new shower curtains, bath rugs, and the like.

• Keep it light, bright and airy. Open all the curtains, turn on all the lights. Replace all dead light bulbs. Crack open doors to the pantry or laundry room so people won’t be afraid to peek inside. And tidy up in forgotten places like inside the fridge or oven…people will be looking in there.
• Read more at http://findneworleansproperties.com/

2015 is going to be great for the housing market.

There are numerous strong indications that this year housing market will improve even more than in 2014. Click the link and listen for yourself.

For more good information or to search for homes go to

http://findneworleansproperties.gardnerrealtors.com/

THE 25 NEW ORLEANS COMMANDMENTS

Click on this link:

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

To read more go to http://findneworleansproperties.com/

Curb Appeal Counts!

First impressions count — not just for your friends, relatives, and the UPS guy, but for yourself. Whether it’s on an urban stoop or a Victorian front porch, your front door and the area leading up to it should extend a warm welcome to all comers — and needn’t cost a bundle.

Here’s what you can do to make welcoming happen on the cheap.

1.    Clear the way for curb appeal. The path to your front door should be at least 3 feet wide so people can walk shoulder-to-shoulder, with an unobstructed view and no stumbling hazards. So get out those loppers and cut back any overhanging branches or encroaching shrubs. 

2. Light the route. Landscape lighting makes it easy to get around at night. Solar-powered LED lights you can just stick in the ground, requiring no wiring, are suprisingly inexpensive. 

3. Go glossy. Borrow inspiration from London’s lovely row houses, whose owners assert their individuality by painting their doors in high-gloss colors. The reflective sheen of a royal blue, deep green, crimson, or whatever color you like will ensure your house stands out from the pack.

4. Pretty up the view. A door with lots of glass is a plus for letting light into the front hall -- but if you also want privacy and a bit of decor, check out decorative window film. It’s removable and re-positionable, and comes in innumerable styles and motifs.

A way to get the look of stained glass without doing custom work or buying a whole new door: Mount a decorative panel on the inside of the door behind an existing glass insert, $92 for an Arts and Crafts-style panel 20-inches-high by 11-inches-wide.

5. Replace door hardware. While you’re at it, polish up the handle on the big front door. Or better yet, replace it with a shiny new brass lockset with a secure deadbolt.

6. Please knock. Doorbells may be the norm, but a hefty knocker is a classic that will never run out of battery life, and another opportunity to express yourself (whatever your favorite animal or insect is, there’s a door-knocker in its image). 

7. Ever-greenery. Boxwoods are always tidy-looking, the definition of easy upkeep. A pair on either side of the door is traditional, but a singleton is good, too. About $25 at garden centers.

8. Numbers game. Is your house number clearly visible? That’s of prime importance if you want your guests to arrive and your pizza to be hot. 

9. Foot traffic. A hardworking mat for wiping muddy feet is a must.

10. Go for the glow. Fumbling for keys in the dark isn’t fun. Consider doubling up on porch lights with a pair of lanterns, one on each side of the door, for symmetry and twice the illumination. Many mounted lights are available well under $100.

11. Snail mail. Mailboxes run the gamut from kitschy roadside novelties masquerading as dogs, fish, or what-have-you to sober black lockboxes mounted alongside the front door.

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

Who Pays America's Highest (and Lowest) Property Taxes?

The second biggest cost of home ownership—following the mortgage—is usually property taxes. In 2012, U.S. homeowners paid an average of about $2,800 in property taxes, according to a recent Zillow study. And if you live in New York, New Jersey, or Colorado your taxes were in some cases five times more than the national average. The numbers are based on an average of real estate taxes paid on single family housing in 2012.

The residents of Westchester County in New York pay more in property taxes than the typical resident of any other major American county. The average property tax bill for a single family home in Westchester County comes to $14,829 a year.

Adjusting for the average cost of single-family homes in each county, homeowners in Allegany County, NY win the award for the highest property tax burden. The average tax obligation of $2,549 in Allegany County amounts to 3.8 percent of the average single family home value; in Westchester County, the average tax obligation is slightly lower, at 2.5 percent of the county’s average home value. Nationally, the typical homeowner is spending approximately 1.4 percent of their home’s value on annual property taxes. See the full rankings below.

Highest Property Taxes as a Percent of Home Value

Allegany County, N.Y. (3.76 percent)

Milwaukee County, Wis. (3.68 percent)

Kendall County, Ill. (3.57 percent)

Sullivan County, N.Y. (3.56 percent)

Orleans County, N.Y. (3.49 percent)

Lowest Property Taxes as a Percent of Home Value

Caroline County, Va.( 0.17 percent)

Catahoula County, La. and Randolph Ariz, (0.2 percent)

Iberville County, La. and Cumberland County, Tenn. (0.21 percent)

Butler County, Penn. and Maui County, Hawaii (0.22 percent)

Elmore County, Ala. and De Soto County, La. (0.23 percent)

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