Here at Bedico Creek Preserve, we are about information for our builders, our buyers, our homeowners, our partners, and our vendors. If you are looking for a dependable source of information about real estate in Southeast Louisiana, specifically the Greater New Orleans area, please use our blog as much and as often as possible to read informative and timely real estate information. We promise you, you won’t be disappointed!

Steps To Take To Enhance Your Air Indoor Quality During Allergy Season

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Air indoor quality is important but it is especially important during allergy season.
Understanding air quality and how to control it is a must. Allergy sufferers need to especially be mindful of their indoor air quality during peak allergy season, the spring. Triggers such as dust, mold and pet dander are all found indoors. Here are some tips on how to improve your home’s air quality.

The First Step Is to Test

Testing indoor air quality is a great way to find out what is in the air of your home that can be harmful to your health. There are many devices to choose from for testing the air, so which do you choose?

When investing in a monitor, look for solutions that monitor all of the key air quality parameters: temperature, humidity, CO2, fine particulate matter and volatile organic compounds,” says Jennie Bergman, senior product manager of indoor environmental quality at Trane Residential. “You can also lean on a trusted local HVAC dealer for a whole-home indoor air quality assessment so you can make an educated purchasing decision based on your own family’s indoor comfort needs and air quality concerns.”

Level Up Your Indoor Air Quality

If the air quality in your home is not up to par, there are many things you can do to improve it. Options range from installing products that help keep the air clean to increasing ventilation through your HVAC unit and regularly changing the filters in your at-home appliances.

The best option is to install a whole-home air-cleaning device. This will remove asthma and allergy triggers. These include dust, pollen, pet hair and dander, dust mites and mildew. Another great thing is to use air cleaners. These will reduce airborne pollutants and certain bacteria.

Picking the Right Products

Just like with anything else, choosing the right product is important. The air-cleaning system you choose must be certified as asthma and allergy-friendly.

“When seeking out air-filtration products, look for certified products from trusted parties,” Bergman says. “Allergy Standards Ltd. and the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America run the Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly® program.”

Keep Up the Quality

Improving the air is the first step, once this is completed, then it must be maintained. A simple solution to this is to change your filters more often.

“Dirty filters restrict airflow, making your system work harder and reducing its efficiency,” she says. “A good rule of thumb is to change your filter every season. Regular cleaning or changing of your filter will ensure the best filtration, increase the life of your machine and give you peace of mind that you’re breathing easier.”

Comfort at Home Guaranteed

Having an air quality monitor is a great way to maintain comfort and air quality. These monitors can alert you when your air quality is in question and how you should improve it. A simple option to help alleviate poor air quality is to open the windows or turn on your air filter. By doing these things, you can help eliminate pollutants in your indoor space making it a healthier and allergen-free indoor environment.

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Tips on How To Choose the Best Mortgage Lender

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The current housing market is super hot and has reached record highs and looks to continue this way for the near future. The U.S. housing market is the highest we have seen in 15 years making 2021 the strongest year. This means tons of competition for buyers. This means finding the right lender is a must. The right lender can save both time and money for you as a buyer. Here are some important tips to follow when choosing a mortgage lender.

Look for a straightforward Pre-Approval Process

A pre-approval is very important when it comes to purchasing a home in this market. In fact, this should be one of the first steps in the mortgage lending process. A mortgage lender can help with understanding the requirements and give you a clear picture of how much you can afford.

Most pre-approval processes take into account your income, your debt-to-income ratio (DTI), your FICO score, and your employment history. The right lender can help you get your answers efficiently. They can get you a pre-approval to show sellers when you make an offer.

Think Beyond Mortgage Rates

Mortgage rates are very important but it is not the only factor to look at when you are choosing a lender. Lenders can offer different fees and commissions so shop around and see what different lenders have to offer. You will want to find a lender who is great with communication. This will simplify the process for you and help the process home faster.

Consider the Full Range of Offerings

Almost every lender can offer excellent rates, however not every lender provides a vast array of services. You want to choose a lender that can support you through every stage of the process. A dedicated lender with an online application process makes for great repeat customers. Lenders take pride in their honest rate quotes, instant loan estimates, and lack of loan officer commission. This means that you will get upfront pricing and a clearer sense of how much you can truly afford.

Remember the right mortgage lender can help you find your dream home for the right price and in a shorter amount of time. A good lender will not only help you with low costs and transparency but will put your best interest first.

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Tips For Turning A Patio Into A Living Room

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An outdoor living space should feel like an extension of your home. This extra living space should be a place that welcomes you with a cozy feel. Here are some tips from the pros for turning your patio into a living room.

1. Add an Awning for a Retractable Ceiling

A retractable ceiling or awning will let you enjoy your outdoor living space rain or shine. This will also allow your space to be a place to go and beath the heat. A retractable awning can make a statement along with giving UV protection. A Sunbrella Shade Fabrics awning is low maintenance. They are water-repellent, mildew resistant, mold resistant, and stain resistant.

2. Pick Patterns that Pop

A patio area is a great place to add colors to make the area pop. Mix and match stripes with solids and go bold. Different patterns and textures can create both dimension and visual interest. To do this, use pillows, or an awning to add color to your outdoor living space.

3. Up the Plushness

Soft areas are a great place to relax and read a book. Invest in soft plush cushions for your patio furniture which will make your seating area cozy. Couches and daybeds make an outdoor area livable. This space will make you want to take your shoes off and relax!

4. Make Space for Your Favorite Hobbies

Listening to music, drinking morning coffee, or reading a book are perfect hobbies to enjoy outdoors. These activities can be easily done in your outdoor living space. You can have different zones with different purposes on the blueprint of your patio. For example, you can have a grilling zone that has an outdoor kitchen, a sitting area with a sofa and coffee table, or a book nook with a nice comfy daybed. To make the area enjoyable you will want to add an awning to the space.

5. Pull it All Together With a Rug

A rug is a great focal point in almost any space. It can anchor a space and create visual interest. Remember you will need an outdoor rug that is made of synthetic materials such as acrylic, nylon and polypropylene.

Remember it is fun to mix up your fabrics and pieces to make a great outdoor space. The summertime is the perfect time to go and relax outdoors.

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Truth and Myths About Improving Your Credit Score

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One of the most important factors for your financial health is your credit score. If you do not have a good credit score, you are more than likely going to have a hard time obtaining a mortgage. So before you think about buying a house, here are some truths and myths about how you can improve your credit score.

1. Truth: Late payments can hurt your credit score

Payment history is a big part of your credit score. In fact, payment history makes up around 35% – 40% of your credit score. Paying bills late is a crime when it comes to your credit health. If you are having a hard time remembering to pay a bill, set an account alert on your phone or calendar to remind you to pay a bill.

2. Truth: You should always use credit cards responsibly

Focus on your credit behavior when calculating your credit score. Be responsible with your credit history because this can improve your credit score. Do not spend over your means and try to pay the balance in full each month.

3. Truth: It’s important to stay below your credit card limits

You should not max out your credit cards. This can raise a red flag about your ability to handle debt. Do not use over 30% of your available credit to avoid this. If you have a limit of $1,000 on your credit card, you should not have a balance over $300 month to month.

4. Myth: You shouldn’t review your credit report

This is not true! It is recommended to obtain your credit report once a year.  Keep in mind: by federal law, you are entitled to one free credit report per year from each of the three credit reporting bureaus. There are two kinds of reports that can be pulled for your credit. A soft credit is when you check your credit or a creditor checks your credit to be preapproved. A hard credit report is for when you apply for a new line of credit. It is very important to understand your credit so you can improve it and make sure there are no outstanding balances you have missed.

5. Truth: Having no credit is worse than having bad credit

Again this is a myth because creditors want to see how you handle your debt. Having multiple credit lines is okay however you need to pay on time and keep your balances low. If you have no credit, think about opening a small credit limit. Never open several credit lines one after the other.

6. Myth: I should close credit lines I’m not using

Closing old accounts that you might not be using at this time, can negatively affect your credit score. Keep the line open with no balance, this is actually more positive than removing it.

Remember your credit score will be taken into consideration when you are getting approved for a mortgage. A higher credit score will allow for a better interest rate. If you get a better rate, you will be able to have a smaller monthly payment.

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A Golden Opportunity For Sellers This Spring

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The current housing market is booming for sellers. Timing is crucial with the sale of your current home and the purchase of a new one. As a seller, you will want to get the best of both worlds. Listed are four reasons why this is the best time for you to sell your home.

1. The Number of Homes on the Market Is Still Low

The past year and currently the housing inventory is low, low, low. This is great news if you are a home seller. Buyers are fighting for what little is currently on the market. Buyers are waiting for homes to go on the market in order to get to them first. Your home will be the center of attention when it comes on the market. Realtors will price your home according to the market value and will get your home sold quickly.

2. Your Equity Is Growing in Record Amounts

CoreLogic’s Homeowner Equity Insight reports that current  homeowners are sitting on record amounts of equity thanks to recent home price appreciation. The report finds that the average homeowner has gained $55,300 in equity over the past year. With this amount of equity, you will be able to make a move in this hot market.

3. Mortgage Rates Are Increasing

While mortgage rates have been slightly rising this year, they are still lower than they have been. Freddie Mac shows that the current 30-year fixed mortgage rate is at 3.85%. “For homebuyers, we believe that borrowing costs will likely rise with the increase in mortgage rates,” according to Doug Duncan, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist at Fannie Mae.

4. Home Prices Are Climbing Too

With the demand from buyers and lack of inventory, home prices are skyrocketing. It is predicted they will keep rising if this imbalance continues. If you are thinking of selling, now is the time to sell. Get ahead of the curve by selling and purchasing now before the prices climb even higher.

Remember if you are thinking of selling, contact your local Realtor. A local Realtor can help you price your home right and get it sold in no time.

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Thinking About Moving To A New City?

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Moving to a new city is a fun and exciting adventure, but take the time to get to know the area before you do it. Here are five tips to do before getting to know a new city.

1. Explore like a local.

This is the perfect way to become emersed in an area from the get-go. The tourist parts of town are always the best features for some, but to get a real feel for an area, you will want to visit the areas where residents live work, and play. A good way to get to know the area is from a local’s perspective. When in town, ask a local such as a barista, bartender, or concierge. An example would be to ask where do locals frequent on the weekends?

2. Gather info as you get around.

Having to travel through a city will get you familiar with the lay of the land. You figure out quickly if there is public transportation, and how accessible and well-connected the city is. Take the time to take public transit or see how easy it is to get a taxi or Lyft.

3. Find a connection.

You always know someone through six degrees of separation. Social media is an easy way to find someone who knows someone in the city you are interested in. It is much easier to find connections to almost any place with social media. A good idea is to get out on social media and let others know you are interested in moving to a certain city and ask if  they know anyone who might live there.

4. Reach out to the experts for help.

Cities and chambers of commerce are finding creative ways to get people to move to their cities. Towns and cities across America are competing for new residents. A good idea is to contact the local chamber of commerce to see what assistance they might offer. For example, in Iowa City/Cedar Rapids, new residents can get connected with job opportunities and a local resident to help them make friends in the area.

5. Get lost.

What does this mean? Sometimes how a place makes you feel is more important than the black and white information and the pros and cons. Visit the area and just go with the flow and get lost in the city. This is a great way to see if the place feels like home.

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