Real Estate Information

Make the most of that first impression!

1. Keep a well-manicured lawn.
2. Make sure your porch is clutter-free.
3. Make sure your front door is clean & freshly painted, if needed.

Kitchens & bathrooms sell homes!

1. Make yours sparkle & shine.
2. Clean, clean, clean!!

Potential buyers are looking for space.

1. Keep counter tops as clear as possible.
2. Minimize furniture in all rooms.
3. Clean out and organize closets.

Take care of that dreaded “To do” list!

1. Repair cabinets that won’t close.
2. Oil squeaky doors.
3. Touch up painting.
4. Dripping faucets.

Let the sun Shine! Light makes a home bright & cheery.

1. Pull back curtains & open blinds in the daytime.
2. Turn on all lights, inside & out for night showings.

"Anything that happens enough times to irritate you...will happen at least once more."

-Tom Parkins

The National Weather Center is predicting 14 to 20 named storms for 2010, with 4 to 6 of them being major hurricanes. Are you and your family ready? Below are some things that can help you ride out the storm.

Have a Disaster kit ready that includes;

• First aid kit and essential medications.
• Canned food and can opener.
• At least three gallons of water per person.
• Protective clothing, rainwear, and bedding or sleeping bags.
• Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
• Special items for infants, elderly, or disabled family members.

What to do when a hurricane Watch is issued;

• Listen to the radio for up-to-date storm information.
• Prepare to bring inside any lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants, and anything else that can be picked up by the wind.
• Prepare to cover all windows of your home. If shutters have not been installed, use precut plywood as described above. Note: Tape does not prevent windows from breaking, so taping windows is not recommended.
• Fill your car's gas tank.
• Recheck manufactured home tie-downs.
• Check batteries and stock up on canned food, first aid supplies, drinking water, and medications.

What to do when a hurricane Warning is issued;

• Listen to the advice of local officials, and leave if they tell you to do so.
• Complete preparation activities.
• If you are not advised to evacuate, stay indoors, away from windows.
• Be aware that the calm "eye" is deceptive; the storm is not over. The worst part of the storm will happen once the eye passes over and the winds blow from the opposite direction. Trees, shrubs, buildings, and other objects damaged by the first winds can be broken or destroyed by the second winds.
• Be alert for tornadoes. Tornadoes can happen during a hurricane and after it passes over. Remain indoors, in the center of your home, in a closet or bathroom without windows.
• Stay away from flood waters. If you come upon a flooded road, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car and climb to higher ground.

Don’t forget about your furry family members!

During a disaster, bring your pets inside. Never leave a pet outside or tied up during a storm. If you leave your home after a disaster, take your pets with you. If you evacuate to a shelter, verify their policy on accepting pets before you go. Additionally, be aware that your pet’s behavior may change before, during, and after a disaster.

• Contact your local animal shelter, humane society, veterinarian or emergency management office for information on caring for pets in an emergency.
• So pets will be safe if you need to evacuate, spend time before hurricane season to find places to board your pet away from coastal areas or near relatives who live outside your region.
• Make sure your pet has a properly fitted collar that includes current license, rabies tags, and your updated contact information.
• Consider having your pet identified through microchip technology. Your local veterinarian can assist you in finding a location that provides this service.
• Contact motels and hotels in communities outside of your area and find out if they will accept pets in an emergency.

"We can't become what we need to be by remaining what we are."

-Oprah Winfrey

Back to School Time...

Here are some helpfull links to get the kids ready to go back to school.

Ascension Parish School Calendar

http://www.apsb.org/index.cfm?md=pagebuilder&tmp=home&nid=121&pid=134&fmid=0&catid=0&elid=0

School Websites & Supply Lists

Elementary Schools

Central Primary - http://www.edline.net/pages/Central_Primary

Donaldsonville Primary - http://www.edline.net/pages/DonaldsonvillePrimary

Duplessis Primary - http://www.edline.net/pages/Duplessis_Primary_School

Dutchtown Primary - http://www.edline.net/GroupHome.page

G.W. Carver Primary - http://www.edline.net/files/_GTBIO_/8ab5b24ea0e85e3c3745a49013852ec4/Supply_List.JPG

Galvez Primary - http://www.edline.net/GroupHome.page

Gonzales Primary - http://www.edline.net/pages/Gonzales_Primary_School

Lake Elementary - http://www.edline.net/ResourceList.page

Lakeside Primary - http://www.edline.net/GroupHome.page

Lowery Elementary - http://www.edline.net/pages/Lowery_Elementary

Oak Grove Primary - http://www.edline.net/pages/ogp

Pecan Grove Primary - http://www.edline.net/pages/Pecan_Grove_Primary

Prairieville Primary - http://www.edline.net/pages/Prairieville_Primary

St. Amant Primary - http://www.edline.net/pages/Saint_Amant_Primary_School

Spanish Lake Primary - http://www.edline.net/pages/Spanish_Lake_Primary

Middle Schools

Central Middle - http://www.edline.net/pages/centralmiddle

Dutchtown Middle - http://www.edline.net/pages/dutchtown_middle

Galvez Middle - http://www.edline.net/pages/Galvez_Middle_School

Gonzales Middle - http://www.edline.net/pages/Gonzales_Middle_School

Lowery Intermediate - http://www.edline.net/pages/LOI

Prairieville Middle - http://www.edline.net/pages/Prairieville_Middle_School

St. Amant Middle - http://www.edline.net/pages/Saint_Amant_Middle_School

High Schools

Donaldsonville High - http://www.edline.net/pages/Donaldsonville_High_School

Dutchtown High - http://www.edline.net/pages/dutchtownhigh

East Ascension High - http://www.edline.net/pages/East_Ascension_High_School

St. Amant High - http://www.edline.net/pages/Saint_Amant_High_School

"The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything...They just make the best of everything."

-Unknown

If you're considering buying or selling a home, selecting a real estate agent is the first important decision you will have to make. While there are many qualified real estate agents out there, it's important to decide on a professional who will understand your needs and individual preferences, someone who you can respect and trust. Nearly four out of five homebuyers and sellers enlist in the help of a real estate professional or broker. Whether you're looking to buy a new home or sell the one you're in, choosing a professional who best fits your needs is vital. Here are some questions to consider when choosing an agent:

• How long have they been a real estate professional?
• Do they work full or part time?
• How long have they been working in this particular area?
• What type of homes do they usually handle?
• How much of their business comes from repeat customers or referrals?
• How many homes did they sell last year?
• How often can you expect to be updated, regardless of any progress?

Above all you should choose an agent that you feel comfortable with. Your real estate professional will be your guide through the entire process of buying or selling a home, and can be a valuable resource. Make sure that whomever you select is well suited to your demands.

"In the end...you're measured not by how much you undertake but by what you finally accomplish."

- Donald Trump

According to a quarterly report released by Brookings Institute’s Metropolitan Policy Program, the MetroMonitor finds Baton Rouge number 4 among the most recession-proof cities in America.  

Howard Weil, author of the report, states that “Most of these cities have some general characteristics in common. They didn’t experience huge housing bubbles followed by a crash, and their economies weren’t rooted in the auto industry.”

The top 10 stable cities identified by MetroMonitor;

1. Albany, N.Y.
2. Augusta, Ga.
3. Austin, Texas
4. Baton Rouge, La.
5. Buffalo, N.Y.
6. Columbia, S.C.
7. Dallas
8. Des Moines, Iowa
9. El Paso, Texas
10. Honolulu

Source: CNNMoney.com, Hibah Yousuf (06/24/2010)

http://money.cnn.com/2010/06/22/news/economy/recession_proof_cities/index.htm