Northshore HBA Parade of Homes, Cancelled
The Northshore homebuilders showcase their new homes at this event.
Northshore Home Builders Association
2021 Parade of Homes
Cancelled
For More Information, Call 985-882-5002 or E-mail Info@sthba.org.
Current Lumber Shortage Takes No Toll on the Housing Market
Even with the lumber shortage and rising prices homeowners are still investing in their homes. Home Depot reported in May that their stock surged 20% so far in 2021.
“We continue to build on the momentum from our strategic investments and effectively manage the unprecedented demand for home improvement projects,” Home Depot chairman and CEO Craig Menear said in a press release.
Menear says that the housing industry is steady and strong and will only continue to strengthen since COVID-19 restrictions are being lifted. More buyers are getting out there and looking and more sellers are eager to list their homes.
“The current shortage of new housing clearly is helping to drive improvements in the home values, which is a good thing for spending in the home,” he added.
According to many other reports released, data shows continued demand for housing. Buyer demand is up and mortgage rates still remain at historic lows. Even with the shortage of lumber and other things such as a bottleneck in shipping appliances, new homes are still being built. The demand still sharply outways the current housing inventory.
Several Reasons Why A Home Has Good Resale Value
When looking for a new home, it is always a good idea to purchase a home with good resale value. A house is a real estate investment and you never want to invest your money into something that will not profit a good return. Resale value can save buyers a lot of money in the long run but is not always a guarantee. When looking for a home, here are seven signs to look for to make sure the home you are purchasing is a good resale value.
1. The neighborhood’s hopping…
When house hunting, don’t just focus on the house itself but also the neighborhood and its surroundings. If you love to walk, make sure the neighborhood is walkable. It is always a plus to have good proximity to shopping and restaurants.
“If you buy in an area that is not well-developed and doesn’t have good infrastructure—like shopping close by—you will not have a high rate of return on the home,” says Realtor® Patricia Vosburgh. “The more amenities, the higher chances the home will sell faster and for more money,” Vosburgh explains.
2. ….but the street itself is quiet
As mentioned in the first sign, you want your neighborhood to be hopping but you do not want a restaurant right in your backyard. Even if you love the quaint place to get a bite to eat right next to your front door, not every buyer will think this way.
“We advise against buying on a busy street or purchasing a home surrounded by commercial properties nearby,” Vosburgh says.
3. The home’s systems are in good shape
A home might be located in the right neighborhood and have all the bells and whistles, but if the major systems are old, you will spend a lot more on the home, making your return less likely.
Make sure to have a home inspection before you close. An inspector can give you a rundown on how your major systems are working. Before making an offer, closely inspect the roof, water heater, HVAC system, windows and foundation.
“When these items are new or in good standing, that’s a great sign,” Kukwa says.
4. The schools are great
If you do not have kids, then you think schools do not matter, but this is not necessarily the case. If you ever have to sell your home, you limit your buyers if you are not in a good school district.
“Even if buyers personally don’t have children, for resale it is imperative that they buy in a great school zone,” Vosburgh says.
“Often agents will advertise a property as being near such-and-such school area, but not necessarily specify the district, which can be very confusing,” explains Tina Maraj, a Realtor with Re/Max North Orange County in Fullerton, CA. “It can be a real eye-opener if a buyer closes and they’re on one side of a main street that is the dividing line between the top-rated and the lowest-rated high schools.”
5. The light is inspiring
No one wants to live in a dungeon. Natural light is a great selling factor.
“Any apartment in any neighborhood that has good light will sell—and will always sell,” says New York City broker Noemi Bitterman.
With good light, “there is always a good feeling—a feeling of embracing and belonging,” she continues. “When [a home] is dark, no matter how nice and new it is, it doesn’t feel inviting, it takes a much longer time to sell, and the price reflects the lack of light.”
6. The floor plan is family-friendly
Even if you do not have kids, this is a big selling point. A family-friendly home will more likely bring in a profit. Look for at least three bedrooms with an open concept kitchen and at least one bathtub.
“Look for a home with a floor plan that will appeal to families,” says broker Kris Lindahl.
“Buying a home that is too quirky or has very untraditional features can result in a decreased ROI and smaller pool of potential buyers in the future,” Kukwa says.
7. The community is restrictive
Who wants to buy a nice house and have the neighbors yard full of junk or the house a tacky color? Homeowners associations can be a pain sometimes, but they are a positive when it comes to resale value. HOA’s are there to keep everyone in line and bring value to your home.
Good resale value is never a guarantee but with these seven indicators, a buyer has a better chance of purchasing a good investment. If you are in the market for a new home, contact a Realtor in your area.
Seven Improvements To Make in Your Bathroom Before Selling Your Home
Two of the most important rooms during the sale of your home that should be in tip-top condition are the kitchen and the bathrooms.
“Kitchens and bathrooms sell homes,” says Kris Lindahl, CEO and founder of Kris Lindahl Real Estate. “If a buyer sees a bathroom that still needs projects or upgrades, the home is going to be much less appealing to them.”
To get top dollar for your home, here are some bathroom improvements that are a must.
1. Go for double sinks
Realtors and other home professionals will tell you that a double vanity upgrade is a must on most home buyers’ checklists. Even a small bathroom can fit two small sinks which are better than one sink in a home with limited bathrooms.
“Upgrading to double sinks is always appreciated by buyers,” Lindahl says.
2. Install new bathroom hardware and accessories
This small task can update a dated bathroom in minutes. This DIY project takes only a screwdriver and a couple of hours to instantly give your bathroom a new look. It is ideal to have your faucet, doorknobs and shower frame complement each other and not clash.
“Swapping out hardware like light fixtures, towel bars, cabinet pulls and sink fixtures can make an impact relatively affordably,” Lindahl says.
Another simple trick to update your bathroom’s look is to frame the mirror above the vanity. This tip is inexpensive and adds value to the space.
3. Replace or paint your vanity
The vanity is an important piece found in a bathroom for both functional and designer purposes. Many pros describe a bathroom vanity as the centerpiece in any bathroom. When updated a vanity make sure to use high-quality stone such as quartz or granite. If a new vanity is out of your price range, then paint the cabinets of your current vanity a high-gloss white or pale gray.
“Luxe sophistication and clean lines: That’s the theme for bathrooms in every price point,” Susan Kelleher, an associate broker at R New York. “I love the mirrored medicine cabinets from Restoration Hardware—functional, beautiful, and tres chic.”
4. Update old floors
A perfect way to add appeal to rooms is to update the floor. Carpet in your bathroom is not the desired look. This can be a DIY or hire contractor project.
“Updating old floors to tile or luxury vinyl tile really adds appeal,” Lindahl says.
5. Install new light fixtures
Simple, sophisticated light fixtures are what every bathroom needs. Updating the lighting and fixtures are simple yet dramatic changes.
“Great lighting [and] high-end faucets and hardware appeal to buyers in every price point,” Kelleher says.
“Updating light and plumbing fixtures is a quick way to modernize an old bath.”
6. Add space and storage
“Buyers are looking for more space in new homes, and the bathroom is no exception,” Turner says. “Think about expanding the shower in the master bathroom to fit a bench or seat. It’s an important feature that can be utilized in a lot of different ways.”
During the pandemic, homeowners have been finding ways to make the most of the space. Expanding a bathroom to have storage space or room for necessities is important to the current homebuyer. In fact, some professionals go as far as to say it might be worth borrowing space from a neighboring room to expand your bathroom.
“Take the adjacent linen closet to make a larger bathroom,” Kelleher says. “Even a small closet can make a big difference, and you can create cabinet space under each sink for maximum storage.”
7. Make your bathroom bright and light
Buyers are attracted to clean neutral colors in a bathroom. Potential buyers desire a clean slate. A neutral base to work from will make your bathroom improvements stand out.
“Classic white never goes out of style in a bathroom,” Lindahl says. “Replacing an old, colorful tub with a white one is a good idea.”
It’s amazing what these simple steps can do to update your old drabby bathroom. If you are in the market to sell your home now is the time to make those improvements.
White Linen & Lagniappe, August 14, 2021
This event is also the host to the Ice Box Pie contest in Slidell.
White Linen & Lagniappe
Downtown Slidell
Slidell, LA 70458
August 14, 2021
6PM – 9PM
Free Event
Annual Chefs to Watch 2021, August 13, 2021
Local food and flare with up-and-coming chefs in Covington.
Chefs to Watch
Southern Hotel
428 E. Boston St.
Covington, LA 70433
August 13, 2021
6:30pm – 9:30pm
Tickets $150 – $5,000
Catch Up on Houzz!
