13 Thursday Dec 2018
Posted in Helpful Information, News you can USE!, Timely Advise
Each fall, decorators begin to share the interior design trends we can expect to see in the new year. Looking ahead to 2019, bold colors, metallics, and statement ceilings take center stage.
If you’re planning to put your place on the market and want it to appear like the freshest spot on the block, you need to know what’s hot and what’s not.
05 Tuesday Jun 2018
Posted in News you can USE!, Who New?
Tags
Home values, Housing Market Trend, Housing Trends, Location Location Location, News you can USE!, Real Estate, Real Estate News
A home that isn’t being maintained like others in the neighborhood can negatively affect your visual sense of appeal and in some extreme cases, even affect property values. It might be an overgrown yard, a fence in need of repair, excessive noise, unruly pets, paint peeling on the home or even a car or boat parked in front of the home that hasn’t moved in weeks.
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Most people want to be good neighbors and may be willing to correct an issue once it is brought to their attention. A practical but possibly, confrontational solution is to contact the responsible person and describe your perception of the issue. However, they may not always agree with the same urgency and it might be necessary to seek other remedies.
An owner-occupant may be more sympathetic to the neighbors and willing to correct the issue. If you think the home might a rental property, check with the county tax records to identify the owner. They may be unaware of the situation and welcome the notification to protect their investment.
Another alternative might be to notify the homeowner’s association, if there is one. One of the benefits of a HOA is to enforce community appearance standards as set in the covenants or bylaws that specify how properties must be maintained. This could be a less personal method of reaching a beneficial outcome.
If the source of the problem is a code or housing violation, the city may be the ultimate authority. Most cities have a separate code and neighborhood services division and some cities have 311 for non-emergency assistance.
27 Tuesday Jun 2017
Posted in Helpful Information, News you can USE!, Timely Advise
Tags
Affordable Housing information, Baton Rouge Real Estate, home financing, home ownership, Housing Trends, Insurance claims, News you can USE!, Real Estate
If you haven’t heard of a CLUE report, it has nothing to do with the table game searching for a murderer. It is a report showing the insurance claims on your home and car for the past five to seven years.
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This database is used by insurance companies to evaluate risks and determine rates. C.L.U.E. stands for Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange. Rates can be increased not only due to legitimate claims but data entry errors also. Sometimes, simply asking a question without filing a claim can be logged as a claim.
For that reason, similar to verifying the accuracy of your credit report, it is important to check out the CLUE report on your home and car. The reports are free and there is a process for correcting mistakes.
An interesting and sometimes costly surprise occurs during the home buying process. The claim experience of the prior seller could impact the price of the premium of the new buyer. For that reason, you can ask for a copy of the CLUE report on the home you’re interested in buying prior to writing a contract.
30 Monday Jan 2017
Posted in News you can USE!, Who New?
Tags
baton rouge homes for sale, Home Inventory, Insurance claims, News you can USE!, Proof of Purchase, safety
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Even the most organized people might find it challenging to find receipts for all the valuables in their home. If the inventory isn’t up-to-date, a homeowner might forget to add some items to the claim and may not recognize the omission for long after the claim is settled.
The inventory can serve as a guide to make sure a homeowner gets compensated for all the loss.
Photographs and videos can be adequate proof that the items belonged to the insured. A series of pictures of the different rooms, closets, cabinets and drawers are helpful. When video is used, consider commenting as it is shot and be sure to go slow enough and close enough to things becoming recorded.
For your convenience, download a Home Inventory, complete it, and save a copy off premise. Good places for your inventory could be a safety deposit box or digitally, in the cloud if you have server-based storage available like Dropbox.
09 Wednesday Feb 2011
Posted in News you can USE!
If you are thinking of becoming a homeowner here are some added perks that will help you make that decision! This is a true buyer’s market, so take the plunge while you have an advantage!
via The D Blog
03 Thursday Feb 2011
Posted in News you can USE!
Winter can leave us all feeling a little out of sorts, or maybe like we have been left out in the cold, especially if you are trying to sell a home in today’s unpredictable market. Make sure you have a knowledgeable agent such as “The Carol Cotton Team” who can get the results you are looking for… when things are a bit icy! Call today for your private consultation with the Team that is never too busy for you.
02 Wednesday Feb 2011
Posted in News you can USE!
Watching the rates and the market. Both are expected to rise. Great for the market but if you are thinking of buying soon….Get on board now while the rates are still in the 4’s… Check out some of the latest predictors comments.
via The D Blog
26 Wednesday Jan 2011
Posted in News you can USE!
Plan your La. vacation at…. http://louisianatravel.com/ or just go there and see all the amazing things we have in our state! Share you stories….
24 Monday Jan 2011
Posted in News you can USE!
I am not sure about you but it seems that we are all ready to de-frost and move the calendar into the full bloom of wild flowers!
Why not go ahead and start working on the perks of energizing your inner thoughts and get started on some spring motivators.
Here are some Easy, Cheap, and Quick ways to brighten your mood and your home!
Start in the living room….. Take all of your table decorations and move them into the dining area or table. Remove old newspapers, magazines, or things that have seemed to have nestled in places that create clutter. Organize a certain spot for them either in the living room, or office. Take a look around and see if there is any other items that can be removed or discarded from your winter hibernation. The idea is to make as much open space as possible. Move furniture away from the walls and quickly dust mop or vacuum behind everything. Since your furniture is moved try rearranging some pieces. Anchor each with an end table, side table, or plant. Finish dusting and cleaning all surfaces, don’t forget ceiling fans and mantles. If you have area rugs move them around as well, or borrow some from another room. Change things up from room to room, including wall decor, table decorations, family photos, and even small furniture pieces. Borrow from each room, and changing things up throughout the house. Do this in each room and enlist family member to get involved…..Think creative thoughts….It will be like you are on a shopping spree without spending any money. By simply lifting the mood in your home, you will do wonders to lift the winter doldrums in you, and your family will love it. Mine does…. Once the outside thaws out we can take our action plans there and get spring on its way!
22 Saturday Jan 2011
Posted in News you can USE!
Well this is something for all of us to take notice of.
New homes in Alabama.
Take a look at the link.
Is this something that might take off here?
