Tag: 225

Gorman Bros.-Ascension Parish Coffee Talk #27

September 8, 2017

 

Have You Been To Gorman Bros.?,  Yet In Ascension Parish?

Gorman Bros. In Ascension Parish is a local appliance store that has been in business for the last 21 years. Originally in the city of Gonzales on Burnside Rd., but eventually moving its location to Prairieville. I was able to meet up with the owner Doug Gorman and he gave us a tour of his awesome facility.

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Inside the large showroom, you’ll see beautiful lighting fixtures for an Ascension Parish resident to pick from, along with many refrigerators, ranges, cooktop stoves, washers, dryers, microwaves, countertops, and outdoor kitchen appliances, this truly is a one-stop shop for your home decorating ideas. If you haven’t stopped by in a while you have to see their selection of home decor, there are so many cute options for you. If you are not sure what will work in your home the have specialist who will work with you so all of your lighting and decor flows from room to room and they are super friendly too.

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When you stop by to see Doug Gorman don’t forget to mention that “Your Real Estate Whisperer” sent ya! Why? “Because YOU Matter”

***Oh Just For FYI! Gorman Bros. in upping to usually 12-month financing to now 24 months and all of their pricing is competitive with all the box stores**

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“Because YOU Matter”
Kristina Smallhorn
kristina.smallhorn@exprealty.com
Your Real Estate Whisperer
eXp Realty LLC
2900 Westfork Dr. Suite 401
Baton Rouge LA 70817
225-246-1812
Office (225) 412-9982 ext# 149
https://www.facebook.com/YRRealEstatWhisperer
https://www.instagram.com/prairievillerealestate
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH0LUzFvtwb5B8EfVCF5uwg
Kristina Smallhorn is a licensed REALTOR® with the state of Louisiana

“Because YOU Matter”

Ascension Parish Coffee Talk Episode #23 Part 2- JD Pence One Year After The Flood

August 17, 2017

 

One year after the 2016 August flood many families are still struggling to get back home. Delay’s with the response from the federal government has left many with only a few months in their FEMA trailers left until the deadline. There has been no official answer if these families will be forced from their temporary housing, some of them including JD Pence, wasn’t given his trailer until February of this year. Please watch his story all the way to the end, he more than deserves to be heard.

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Music by: bensound.com

Kristina Smallhorn

kristina.smallhorn@exprealty.com
Your Real Estate Whisperer
eXp Realty LLC
2900 Westfork Dr. Baton Rouge LA, 70827
225-246-1812
Office (225) 412-9982 ext# 149
https://www.facebook.com/YRRealEstatWhisperer
https://twitter.com/RealEstateWhisp
https://www.instagram.com/prairievillerealestate
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH0LUzFvtwb5B8EfVCF5uwg
Kristina Smallhorn is a licensed REALTOR® with the state of Louisiana

 

Your Real Estate Whisperer
“Because You Matter”

What Should I Do With My Pet’s When I Have A Showing?

July 11, 2017

What Should I Do With My Pet’s When I Have A Showing?

Let me start off by saying I LOVE animals. It doesn’t matter to me, from reptile to bird, dog or cat all of them I think of as a friend some of these animals don’t look at me in the same way. Over the years I have encountered some not so friendly animals. Most recently I tried to enter a home to be greeted by a mid-size mixed breed hound that was showing his teeth as the key slipped into the tumbler. The buyers and I agreed that we wouldn’t be taking a tour of that home that day. Too bad the sellers missed out on an opportunity to sell their home. So that brings me to my point of this blog post. What do you do with your beloved pets in Ascension Parish when you have a showing?

Pet Sitter? Is That Even A Thing?

Yes, Its is. Many veterinarian offices board your animals for the day and some dog grooming places as well. You can also ask around you’d be surprised at how many people know of someone who does this. The best reference to get is from someone who’s used them before.

To Crate or Not To Crate

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If you have an old cat or dog that lazily walks around the house and really doesn’t bother you, you may think it’s ridiculous to put them in a crate but some people are truly frightened by animals and may just walk out of the home as soon as the see your precious fur baby. My best advice if you can’t really shell out the money to board your animal is to crate them during a showing. Most people put the crate in a laundry room or utility room so it doesn’t distract from the showing.

***Keep in mind if your animals are aggressive and can pose a danger to anyone you can be liable if your animal attacks anyone during the showing. It’s up to you the seller to handle your animals prior to confirmed showings.***

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Many of your friends love your animals as much as you do. You can always ask a friend to pick up your pets for the times of the showing. You can always ask your agent for a window of time before the showing so either you or your friend can take care of the animals prior to the showing.

On A Side Note- The Nose Knows Everything

You may not think your home has a pet odor but people who do not like animals or do not have them can smell them immediately. Please clean your cat’s little box daily, the same goes for birdcage liners and the doggy dropping in the yard. Nobody even animal lovers likes having your pet poop on their foot after taking in your large backyard.

 

 

One Last Thing

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Before you list your home you may want to check all to see if your fur babies have chewed or scratched any wood or painted areas. Nothing screams deferred maintenance like a backdoor that the door has ruined by an animal that includes the weather stripping as well. (I don’t know why animals love chewing and scratching at it)

Hopefully, these tips will help you out on deciding what to do with your animals.

“Because YOU matter

Kristina Smallhorn
Your Real Estate Whisperer
eXp Realty LLC
LAKE CHARLES, LA 70601
225-246-1812
Office (225) 412-9982 ext# 149
https://www.facebook.com/YRRealEstatWhisperer/
https://twitter.com/RealEstateWhisp
https://www.instagram.com/prairievillerealestate/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH0LUzFvtwb5B8EfVCF5uwg

“Because YOU Matter”
Your Real Estate Whisperer

Ascension Parish Coffee Talk #10, Shake Ya Tails Crawfish!

May 12, 2017

 

Ascension Parish Coffee Talk #10, Shake YA Tails Crawfish.

Two local boys have started a side business on the weekends selling Louisiana’s finest spillway crawfish. Brian Schexnaydre and his good buddy Danny Armond have taken their childhood passion of catching crawfish for small dinners to now bringing large sacks to sell to the people of Ascension Parish. All you have to do is call to order in advance. Brian and Danny share their way of boiling an amazingly delicious pot of crawfish, the right way in my opinion. They share their tips and tricks to how long to soak them and cool them off. I know from trying their recipe they come out PERFECT. Make sure to contact them in advance of the Mother’s day weekend to get your sacks ordered.

“Because YOU Matter”
Kristina Smallhorn
Your Real Estate Whisperer
eXp Realty LLC.
kristinasmallhorn.exprealty.com
225-246-1812
Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube Channel to see all the local businesses I feature each week.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH0LUzFvtwb5B8EfVCF5uwg

41493 CREEKSTONE AVE. PRAIRIEVILLE LA 70769

May 8, 2017

 

41493 CREEKSTONE AVE. PRAIRIEVILLE LA 70769,
4/2 BEDROOM HOME IN SOUGHT AFTER GREYSTONE SUBDIVISION. WELL KEPT HOME WITH HARDWOOD FLOORING IN MAIN LIVING AREA, CARPETED BEDROOMS, TILED WET AREAS, CYPRESS CABINETS IN THE KITCHEN, 9+FOOT CEILINGS, WITH A LARGE BACKYARD. HOME WAS NOT AFFECTED BY THE 2016 FLOOD.

MLS# 2017006243

Call For More Information

Kristina Smallhorn (Your Real Estate Whisperer)

Cell 225-246-1812

EXP REALTY, LLC

LAKE CHARLES, LA 70601 225-412-9982 ext 149

Info@YourRealEstateWhisperer.com

yourrealestatewhisperer.com

Take A Tip Tuesday- More About “Open House” In Ascension Parish.

May 2, 2017

 

This Weeks, Take A Tip Tuesday.

I take a deep closer look at the depths of an open house (add sarcasm) and how some inconsiderate customers can rifle through your home. Although this is uncommon it can happen. I took a more satire type approach to giving this information only to be humorous but get the point across. Last week’s “Take A Tip Tuesday” (Link is here To Last Weeks Blog Post About Open House) was the more realistic view of what could possibly happen. Just as a disclaimer I ripped off this idea from every more experienced and gifted YouTuber. I am not staking claim to being original to this idea.

I hope you enjoyed it, Please remember to subscribe if you liked this video and would like me to do more like this.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH0LUzFvtwb5B8EfVCF5uwg

Your Real Estate Whisperer
Kristina Smallhorn
eXp Realty LLC
225-246-1812
Kristina Smallhorn is a licensed REALTOR® with the state of Louisiana

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Made An Offer On An Ascension Parish Home and Got Countered?

April 27, 2017

 

Made An Offer On An Ascension Parish Home and Got Countered?

In this current market, you would be hard pressed as a buyer to not get countered if you’re trying to get a bargain on a home.  It is a seller’s market, and sellers are less willing to negotiate the listing price downward.  It’s possible but unlikely.  I just want you as a buyer to be prepared for a counter offer.

Why Was Your Offer Countered? 

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When you make an offer on a home in Ascension Parish one of four things can happen. The buyer can either accept, reject, counter or simply let the offer expire.  (Most offers come with an expiration date). So if the seller counters, there could be a lot of reasons.

  1. Did you offer way under asking price?
  2. Was the closing date too soon or too distant?
  3. Did you ask for too many items like pool equipment, refrigerator, washer, dryer or expensive window coverings that the homeowner treasured
  4. The sellers didn’t want to pay for a home warranty.
  5. You made the inspection period too far into the future.
  6. You asked too much for closing costs.

These are just some of the many reasons your offer could have been countered, so what do you do now?

What To Do When Your Offer Is Countered.

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Make sure to review your counter carefully with you Ascension Parish Realtor®. This is when having a REALTOR® at your side is most advantageous to put you, the buyer, in the best position.

Review all your comparables with you, REALTOR®.  You don’t want to overpay. Evaluate if you really need those closing costs.  Make sure your interests are being protected but you’re still going to win the house. If you see that there are issues with the home you may want to accept the seller’s countered price, and then have them reduce the price after you’ve had the home inspection.  It’s important to consult with your Ascension Parish Realtor to make sure that this counter offer “if it’s because of price” will appraise.  Have your Realtor® reach out to the seller’s agent to get a better feel for what the seller’s position is.  Are they selling because of financial hardship?  Or, did the sellers get transferred?  These could be great things to know if you’d like to counter the counter offer.

If all else fails, and the counter offers go flying back and forth, you may need to walk away.  You have heard the expression, “plenty of fish in the sea?”  Well, in the housing market new listings arise all the time and others go back on the market.  Don’t get yourself too wrapped up in a home where the sellers and or listing agent are unwilling to be flexible to get the deal done.

“Because YOU Matter”

Your Real Estate Whisperer

Kristina Smallhorn

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Ascension Parish Coffee Talk Episode #7, Galvez Hardware & Outdoor Kitchen

April 21, 2017

 

Ascension Parish Coffee Talk Episode #7

This week I stopped into one of my husband’s favorite hardware stores. It’s located right off Highway 42 right next to the Sonic fast-food restaurant.

The warm and friendly staff are not the only thing that will have you coming back. They have a wide selection of outdoor kitchen supplies, Yeti products, replacement hoses for your propane tanks and grills and of course everything hardware.

Donna Bruno, the store’s manager was kind enough to take me on a tour, explaining to the Ascension Parish Coffee Talk Audience, all the cool products they have. Each isle has a new adventure of products and services that Galvez Hardware and Outdoor Cooking has to offer.

Stop in for yourself, There was no way to feature all the items they have to offer the people of Ascension Parish or I’d still be filming them. Tell them I sent ya. “Because YOU Matter”

On A side note, I couldn’t pass up on that pirogue and I got the green on for my husband to do crawfish this weekend.

Your Real Estate Whisperer

Kristina Smallhorn

eXp Realty LLC.

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Why Your Ascension Parish Home Didn’t Appraise.

April 20, 2017

We all believe our home is the best and is worth every penny of the asking price.  You’ve done all the right things to upgrade, in your opinion. Your home looks the best in the neighborhood and you want to get all you believe your home is worth.  Nothing is more gut-wrenching than to find out that your Ascension Parish home may not be worth what you originally thought.  Below, I’ve listed several reasons why your home didn’t appraise.

All Those Amazing Upgrades!

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You know that you’ve done everything to upgrade your home to the highest end.  Extra thick granite, high-end appliances, and an energy efficient water heater have cost you a pretty penny. All these upgrades have attracted buyers, but appraisers may see them differently. You may have over upgraded your home. If there have been several homes in your neighborhood that have sold, and they didn’t have those type of upgrades, the appraiser will not give you the same kind of value that you paid for them, making your home appraise for less than you thought.

Where’d He Get those Comparables?

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If a home in hasn’t sold in your neighborhood in some time, the appraiser may have had to pull comparable sales from outside your neighborhood.  This could possibly hurt your appraised value. Also, the appraiser could have been “comparable challenged,” meaning they didn’t use a comparable that best suited your home’s value.

Changing Property Values.

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We, in Ascension Parish, have seen home’s values fluctuate dramatically since the Great Flood of 2016.  Some homes have gone up thousands of dollars while in other areas they have dropped thousands of dollars.  With this sudden shift, appraisers have had to really do their homework to get the value right.  Be sure you have consulted with an Ascension Parish REALTOR® prior to listing so you know your home’s proper value due to the shift in the market.

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It is unfortunate when you and your Ascension Parish Realtor® have worked together to have the home priced where they believe the home should be priced, only to find out during the appraisal process that the home appraised for less.  There are many great appraisers but sometimes an appraiser’s inexperience or knowledge for an area can affect your home’s appraised value.  You as a seller have options!  Please make sure you discuss these options with your Ascension Parish Realtor®. 

I tell you all this “Because YOU Matter”

Your Real Estate Whisperer

Kristina Smallhorn

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Buying A New Home In Ascension Parish?  Five Things You May Want To Budget for After The Closing.

April 18, 2017

Ahhhh, the smell and wonderment of a brand new home in Ascension Parish!  The allure of buying a brand new home is second to none. You’ve saved for the down payment, inspections, and all closing costs. What expenses could possibly be left?  Read more to find out!

1. Appliances

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Of course, the oven, stove, and microwave are there, but what about the washer, dryer, and refrigerator?  Many builders in Ascension Parish do not offer an appliance package.  Only a few builders do. Make sure you have extra money set aside for those appliances that are not included.  Very importantly, DO NOT take out any new lines of credit before closing. If you do, it could hinder your loan from closing on time or possibly not at all.

2. Security.

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More and more I have seen homes in Ascension Parish that are not pre-wired for alarm systems. You will have to set aside some money for installation and also decide if you’d like to add security cameras.  You can get an estimate done prior to closing so you’ll know how much this could cost you. I recommend you reach out to at least 3 vendors to get a good idea of pricing.

3. Windows

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As much as you love the amount of natural light comes into the home, you certainly do not want the neighbors looking into your bathroom. Many windows are a standard size and you can buy window coverings for a reasonable price.  Definitely measure your windows and see if standard sizes will fit, and make sure you don’t forget the windows on doors. 

4.  Landscaping

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When it comes to landscaping in a new home in Ascension Parish, builders really don’t go all out to get them picturesque.  Many builders do not even sod the backyard!  They will only do the front and along the sides.  The remaining sod is up to the buyer and can cost thousands to have the rest done.  Make sure you have the extra money to make this investment.  I can tell you from my nearly 10 years of experience, If you decide to seed your yard instead, it never looks as nice as a sodded yard and you will be fighting weeds for years to come.

5. Fencing

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I have never sold a brand new home that came completely fenced in by the builder.  If this is important to you, just ask your builder or Ascension Parish REALTOR® for recommendations for a quality fencing company.

**Bonus**

Whenever you buy a new home or even an existing home, your previous furnishings may not fit with the floor plan or style of the new home.  Be prepared to possibly needing new furnishings but be sure NOT to do this prior to closing.  You DO NOT want to take out any new debt prior to closing on your new Ascension Parish home and new lines of credit can put your closing in jeopardy.

“Because YOU Matter”

Your Real Estate Whisperer

Kristina Smallhorn

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