Real Estate Information

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.

"One of the greatest things about life is not so much where we stand...as what direction we are going"

- 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.

"For everyone out there with a spark of genius...

there are nine with ignition problems"

-Julius Erving

Sandy and her team of Prairieville, Real Estate Professionals are making a pledge to do our part to help save our beautiful earth.  We challenge everyone to pick just 3 or 4 things on this list for you and your family to concentrate on and help us make a difference!

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.

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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.