Emotional aspects of selling real estate
It is a well known fact that part of the job description for any real estate agent is, psychiatric counselor. Among the more stressful things a person or family can experience is moving, and the process of selling can be difficult. Are you thinking about selling a home?  Here are a few thoughts you might consider. Do you smoke?  If you do there is a strong possibility that your home smells of tobacco smoke, an aroma that many people consider to be offensive.  Like someone buying a…

The Marigny and the Bywater
Years ago I lived in Boston.  At that time an area of town called The South End, was exactly what The Marigny and The Bywater are to New Orleans today.  They had a recent past history of neighborhood decay, followed by a great deal of renovation attracting young professionals, artists, and cool individuals of any age.  The history of The Marigny and Bywater is all about neighborhood, at one time a significant number of Germans lived in that area.  But the real interest is not so much in its…

First time home buyer? Here’s a tax credit update!
The below information is from the National Association of Home Builders web site.  Thanks to Drew Remson, of America’s Mortgage Resource of Metairie, and Jim Smith, of Stewart Title in New Orleans, for kindly forwarding this information.According to an informed source in my agency, over 40% of home sales in New Orleans for 2009 have involved first time home buyers!  Since it is mid-year and this tax credit availability is half over, I thought it a good time to send out this reminder and some…

Land ho!
Have you been thinking about selling a lot?  Well, you might think again because lots, unless absolutely top of the line, or incredibly unique, are a tough sell at the moment.  Here’s why:  Imagine that you are thinking about building your dream home in a gated subdivision where a 15,000 sq ft. lot costs $125,000, and the cost of building is a modest 200 bucks a square foot for a 3,500 sq. ft. house.  When you do the math it comes out to $825,000.  Now, because the market is softer than…

What is the housing economy doing?
This Economic Update is courtesy of Mr. Drew Remson, of America’s Mortgage Resource, in Metairie. Sales of newly built, single-family homes in May held virtually even with the previous month, declining less than one percentage point to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 342,000 units, according to data released by the U.S. Commerce Department today.  (Sales in greater New Orleans did not decline) “In the midst of the prime home buying season, builders report that a number of factors are…

What is a Residential Property Disclosure Statement?
Whenever a buyer becomes serious about a home, it is correct procedure for the seller, or seller’s agent, to provide the buyer with a Property Disclosure Document for Residential Real Estate.  This four page document, theoretically, provides an accurate condition description of the seller’s property.  It sounds like a serious piece of information, and it should be.  But the practical reality is…this document is prepared by the seller, a human being with a possible predisposition to…