Find out about the latest news in Madisonville, Louisiana as well as St. Tammany Parish. We will keep you “tuned in” to all of the information about Southeast Louisiana as well as the real estate industry in general. Many new home buyers are concerned about the market, mortgage information, and builder trends. We plan on keeping you as up to date as possible on these and many more topics. There is a lot going on in the Greater New Orleans area, so you will have plenty to read!

Ideas To Use To Increase Your Home’s Curb Appeal

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When it’s time to sell your home, the curb appeal is important. Remember that the curb appeal is your home’s first impression. Here are several projects which will help make that good first impression.

1. New siding

Remodeling Magazine put out the Cost vs. Value Report which said that replacing your siding will increase the value of your home. It can be a chunk of change, but you will recoop around 94% of what you spent.

2. Well-maintained lawn

Driving up to a home with a brown front lawn, or an unkept lawn that is overgrown is not the greatest first impression. During the warmer months when the grass grows quickly, you will need to mow the lawn at least once a week. If you have to fix some dead patches, then you can use grass seed or sode tile to patch it up good as new.

3. Clean windows and driveway

Cleaning your windows is a quick and easy project. You will enjoy the clean look on the outside as well as the inside.  A Clean window allows more natural light to come through, which will improve the look and feel of your home’s interior as well!  Pressure washing your driveway also makes your curb appeal pop. This can be done by renting a pressure washer or using your own.

4. Exterior lighting and a new front door

Low voltage lighting can be added to your landscaping that will highlight your curb appeal. According to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry a new front door will improve the livability of your house and its energy efficiency. The return on this investment is around 63%.

5. Energy-efficient windows and new garage door

Replacing all of your windows comes with a big price tag but can work to your advantage. New windows will update your home on the outside and the inside and it will also reduce utility costs and help with energy efficiency. Replacing the garage doors is very good to appeal to your curb appeal. According to the NARI, you will recoup 100 percent of your investment.

6. Adding a deck or patio and shuttered windows

Adding a wooden deck will not only expand your living space but will also bring a return on your investment. Shutters will increase value and add a lot to your curb appeal. They come in vinyl, wood, aluminum, composite and fiberglass.

These ideas are projects that will help your home make a great first impression and add value to your home. Remember when maintaining and keeping your exterior on your home up will not only help avoid costly bills down the road.

Click Here For the Source of the Information.

Money Saving Tips for Homeowners From the Pros

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Saving money as a homeowner can be challenging but professionals in the industry have several tips that can help reduce around your home so you have more money to save.

1. Avoid paying thousands on home appliance repair costs

Appliances, especially if they are old and untrustworthy can cost you more than you should really shell out. In fact a broken refrigerator can cost you thousands of dollars in repair costs. If you haven’t been caught in a pickle yet, think about getting a home warranty. A home warranty can help you pay for surprise repairs and replacement costs.

2. Go solar and cut your electricity bill

Your energy bills can be daunting and can hold you down each month. Solar energy can help you reduce your home’s electricity costs. There are systems out there they will not only help you with savings but also potentially give you more power.

3. Save big on your energy bill by replacing your home’s windows

A window that was installed poorly or has cracks in the seals or panes, can drain your home’s energy. In fact, tons of your heat or cool air from your HVAC system can be lost through faulty windows. Replacing your home’s windows with certified energy-efficient windows can save you big bucks in the long run by saving tons on your energy bills.

4. Eliminate expensive gutter cleaning costs

Cleaning your gutters several times a year is a burden for you and a huge unnecessary expense if you hire a professional each time. The solution is to upgrade your gutters to a system that remains clear and clog free. There are many systems on the market today that have a lifetime warranty.

5. Lower your homeowner’s insurance premium by getting home security

Many insurance companies out there will give a homeowner a discount on their rate if they have a monitored security system. A system can detour a burglary or if one takes place and your system is on, they might pay your insurance deductible.

7. Don’t let pests drain your bank account

Pests such as rodents, termites and cockroaches will destroy your home and its structure. This can end up costing thousands of dollars in the long run. Getting regular inspections and treatments by professionals is imperative.

All of these tips can help you save money now and money in the long run. It is important to always keep your home and all its parts working and running smoothly.

Click Here For the Source of the Information.

Tips to Sell Your Family Home

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Selling your family home is something that can be emotional. Whether you are downsizing, moving to another location or wanting to buy a condo, there are tips to start with in order to reach this goal.

1. Determine Your Timeframe

Think about your timeframe because it can take a few weeks to several months to sell a home. Even in a seller’s market there are variations due to the asking price, location, condition and appeal of your home. So knowing how much time you need to get yourself into a new home is important. This will help your real estate agent determine the listing price and the marketing strategy they will use to sell your home.

2. Determine Your Home’s Market Value

Your sales agent can help you with this step. It is very important to find out the market value of your home before it is listed for sale. You and your agent will review recent home sale in your area, the condition of your home and if you have any upgraded features or renovations that have been done. The market conditions will be a big part of determining the list price of your home. This means you will need to take into consideration housing inventory, interest rates and buyer demand.

3. Get Your Home Ready For Market

Your home needs to make a good first impression so in order to do this, you must address any problems. Make sure the floors are clean, paint looks fresh and your home looks overall welcoming. This will include your home’s curb appeal, repairs and maintenance, decluttering, and staging. Your real estate agent can help you with the process or can refer you to a home stager who can assist.

4. Negotiation and Accepting An Offer

This can be a complex step and your real estate agent will help you along the way. Remember that you need to be prepared to negotiate. and don’t let your emotions get in the way. Your realtor will review all terms with you and help you with your response in a timely manner. Also, consider all the offers if there are multiple offers and accept or counteroffer.

5. Prepare To Close

Again, your real estate agent is there every step of the way including this last step. This final step has many stages that you will need to go through. There will be a final walk-through where the buyer and their agent will walk the property to make sure everything’s in order. The escrow company will release an estimated settlement statement and you will sign the closing documents. Once these are complete all funds will be released and the keys will be given to the new owner.

If you are ready to sell your family home, contact a local realtor who can help you with selling your home from start to finish. An agent can help you go through all the steps you need to do in order to get into your new dream home.

Click Here For the Source of the Information.

The 2023 Fall Seminar and Plant Boutique in St. Tammany

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The Master of Gardeners of St. Tammany along with the LSU AgCenter hosted the 2023 Fall Seminar and Plant Boutique this September in Mandeville. The event took place at Church of the King at I-12 and LA 59.

The event had several seminars that included presentations and table talks. The experts and experienced horticulturalists talked on many subjects such as the sale of bedding plants, trees, bushes, herbs and Gulf South natives. Patrons could also visit the Plant Boutique which had items from Bracy’s Nursery, Mizell’s Camellia Hill Nursery, Steiz Nursery and Windmill Nursery.

The table talk topics will include :

  • “A Year at Clove Brook Farm: Gardening, Keeping Bees, Collecting Antiques, and Entertaining Friends” by Christopher Spitzmiller;
  • “New and Recently Introduced High-Performing Plants for 2023” by Mike DeRee, of Ball Seed Company;
  • “The Best Herbs to Use in Your Landscape Design” by garden designer, horticulturist and author Sue Goetz;
  • “Container Gardening” by master gardener Peggy Plaisance;
  • “Native Plants for your Landscape” by Caitlin Roberts of Swampfly;
  • “Growing Vegetables,” by Grady Seale, of Covey Rise Farms; and
  • “Ask the Expert” by Will Afton, county agent, LSU AgCenter.

Click Here For the Source of the Information.

How St. Tammany Schools Did on the State LEAP Exam Scoring

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The annual LEAP exam scores came out and according to the Department of Education, St. Tammany Public Schools tied for fifth in the state. This was counted by the students’ scores that were mastery or above. Forty-five percent of the students in St. Tammany Parish and Plaquemines Parish scored above or mastery in English language arts, math, science and social studies last school year.

Other Parishes in the state scored well which included St. Charles at 42%, St. Bernard at 35%, Jefferson at 28%, Orleans at 24% and St. John the Baptist at 19%. In the whole state, 33% of Louisiana students scored mastery which means they are ready for the next grade level. The scores for the test are graded on five levels which are unsatisfactory, approaching basic, basic, mastery or advanced.

“Our students are making amazing progress and we are so proud of the work the teachers and kids have done to grow LEAP scores in our district. To demonstrate this amount of growth as one of the 10 largest school districts, with more than 37,000 students, is incredible. It truly showcases the dedication of our teachers and the effort of our students,” says Superintendent Frank Jabbia.

Click Here For the Source of the Information.

MC Bank Takes Over Covington’s Heritage Bank of St. Tammany

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MC Bank, based out of Morgan City, is now the proud owner of Heritage Bank of St. Tammany in Covington. MC Bancshares which is the holding company of MC Bank transacted an all-cash merger worth $6.5 million and value of Heritage Banks’s adjusted tangible shareholders equity.

“As local Louisiana banks, we share similar core values and a relationship-centric approach to serving the communities that we are fortunate to be a part of. This transaction is a very natural and contiguous expansion of our current footprint,” says MC Bank CEO Chris LeBato.

If this transaction is approved, Heritage Bank’s two locations in Covington and the other locations in Slidell will become MC Bank. MC Bank already serves throughout the state of Louisiana with banks in Lafayette and Youngsville. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and the approval of the shareholders of Heritage NOLA Bancorp and is expected to close in the fourth quarter. If approved, all Heritage Bank locations will be converted to MC Bank.

Click Here For the Source of the Information.