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

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.

-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

• 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.

"

- 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

1. Use fans to keep air moving.
2. Shade your outside a/c unit (without blocking air flow).
3. Close vents in unused rooms, it forces more air to the one that are open.
4. Do your laundry at night after it has cooled off.
5. Wear light colored clothing.
6. Unplug/turn off unused electronics (even your laptop puts out heat).
7. Use white colored window treatment to reflect rather than absorb heat.
8. Keep blinds closed.
9. Turn lights off.
10. Make sure your a/c filter is clean so your a/c will work better.

- Author Unknown

Sandy’ Team has some tips to help you look past the emotional excitement of a new home to the hard-core reality of the decision you’re trying to make?

True beauty is more than skin deep.  Lovely decorating or historic character is wonderful, but a home must do more than look good. That kitchen layout may be dramatic, but does it include enough cabinets?  Are there any towel bars in that beautiful old bathroom?  This is an especially important point to remember when you’re touring model homes or show homes, which are professionally decorated based on market research that has identified the touches and features most appealing to prospective buyers.  Of course, decorating is important.  Just don’t let it be the only thing you see.

Is it livable?  Think about where you spend most of your time in your current home, and then use those thoughts to evaluate the features of the home you’re considering. If you love to entertain, for example, make sure the kitchen is close to the dining room or has enough space to accommodate your guests while you’re preparing a meal. If you hate the dog tracking in dirt from outside, don’t buy a home with its main entrance opening into your formal living room. If your kids have to get ready for school at the same time, look for a home with easily accessible multiple bathrooms. If you have lots of company or kids, or enjoy long whirlpool baths, make sure the house you’re considering has a water heater large enough to accommodate your needs.

Can I maintain it?  A yard worthy of a botanical garden is beautiful.  But it will quickly be an eyesore if you don’t know or care about plants.  And intricate gingerbread on that Victorian home may become less appealing if you have to pay a painter to brighten it up every couple of years.  Think about what it will take to keep a home in good shape before you make a purchase decision.

“A fault which humbles a man…is of more use to him than a good action which puffs him up.”

-         Thomas Wilson

The Real Value of Your Home

A good REALTOR^® will show you the facts regarding the price your home will sell for. The most revealing fact is the prices buyers have been willing to pay for homes similar to yours.  These are called comparable sales and are available to every REALTOR in our area.

Don’t select your agent based on the price they say your home will sell for. Remember, the agent you choose isn’t buying your home; your agent is responsible for selling your home.

Unfortunately, a homeowner will often select the agent who quotes the highest price.  Sometimes, an agent who understands this will tell a seller an inflated price to get the listing.

The agent who is willing to list your house at the highest price is the least likely to get your home sold for top dollar. An agent who knowingly takes an overpriced listing usually plans to start “working on you” immediately to get a series of deep price cuts. The problem, besides your frustration and feelings of betrayal, is that all the other agents quickly decide your home is an “overpriced burden” and won’t even consider showing it. You have to cut your price well below fair market value to get the other agents to think of it as a good value! The result is that your home takes longer to sell and you get less money.

The secret to getting the most money and the quickest sale with the fewest problems is to price your home properly. The facts are available and they are clear and convincing. The best way to select a REALTOR is to find the person with the best strategy for marketing your home.

there are nine with ignition problems"

-Julius Erving

1. Use reusable bags. When you go shopping bring your own bags, you can order reusable bags or make your own. 
2. Buy an inexpensive reusable water bottle and refill it instead of buying water in plastic disposable bottles.
3. Reduce the amount of water your toilet uses by placing a glass jar in the tank.
4. Turn off your computer at night.
5. Unplug appliances and chargers that are not in use.
6. Turn off lights when you leave a room and open curtains when possible for natural light.
7. Go “paperless”. Pay as many bills as possible online.
8. Put a stop to junk mail; opt out of credit card offers.
9. Walk or bike to your errands when possible. If you have to drive, combine trips and drive the speed limit.
10. Wash your laundry in cold water instead of hot.
11. Line dry your laundry.
12. Fix leaky faucets.
13. Lower the temperature on your hot water heater.
14. Collect rainwater to water your garden or household plants.
15. Involve your children so that Green is second nature to them as adults.

Sandy Ogburn-Sandlin of RE/MAX Excellent Properties recently held a “Mother of the Year” contest open to 4^th grade students at Central Primary. Students were asked to describe in 100 words or more why their mother should be “Mother of the Year.” Sandy announced Daijah Adams of Mrs. Hano’s class as this year’s winner. Her mother was awarded a dozen roses, while Daijah was given a $50 gift card to Wal-Mart. Special thanks to all participating students and teachers.

View/Post Comments

East Baton Rouge Sheriff's deputies arrested three people Thursday in a real estate scam, according to Kimberly Vetter of the Advocate.

Nobody wants to be scammed, take measures to protect yourself while searching for your dream home.

1. Work with a REALTOR^®. They are familiar with the market and know what type of questions to ask and are more likely to spot a red flag.

2. Use the internet. Enter the home address into a search engine such as Google, if the property is for sale chances are it will show up in the search.

3. Check out the realtors website. Look for logos and links to things like the Better Business Bureau, (BBB) and National Association of Realtors, (NAR).

4. Ask for references form all the professionals throughout the process.