I wanted to show the people of Ascension Parish the in’s and out’s of the loan process when buying a home. There is so much that goes on behind the scenes that we never get to see. Even as a realtor, I was unaware how all their systems worked.
In today’s episode, I was able to go to GMFS lending again and meet the family of employees that work there. Ryan Larussa discusses the process a new home buyer goes through when he meets them for the first time and introduces his team of employees to us. We also meet other members of GMFS Lending, Carol Gremillion discusses with us the reverse mortgage programs that GMFS has to offer, Aaron Taravella, Doug Bickley and Toby Arceneaux pop in to say “hello” to the Ascension Parish Coffee Talk Family. My daughter, Aubrey Smallhorn does the audio duties this week as she takes on her new role as “Your Real Estate Assistant”
Make sure to watch this all the way to the end and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss any new episodes. I post every Friday at 8:30 am every Friday. Why? “Because YOU Matter”
5 ways to get started with the home buying process in Ascension Parish (or anywhere for that matter)
When you make the decision to buy your first home it can be a daunting task. There are a million people that want to give you advice, including people who haven’t bought a home since 1976 and ones that have never bought a home in Louisiana. All states have different rules, disclosures, and addenda that are required. When getting advice, I strongly suggest interviewing a REALTOR® in your immediate area. Below are 5 tips that can help you get started before you jump on the internet to buy your dream home:
The very first thing you need to do is get your paperwork together so you can talk with a lender. I know it’s so tempting to get on a website to start looking up homes for sale, but you can certainly save yourself a lot of heartache by speaking to a lender first. Nothing crushes a new or even seasoned buyer than finding out the home of their dreams is out of financial reach.Now that you have spoken to a lender and know what your budget will be now you can start combing the internet. There are many great websites including my own that will not only give you great information but can give you the most accurate home listings. Some of the big chain websites do not update their websites often, so just because Trulia says it’s for sale, it was actually for sale over a year ago. It’s best to check with your REALTOR® on any home listing before getting your mind set on it.
You found the house, but now who do you call to show it to you. If you have a REALTOR® chosen you call them first ALWAYS! No REALTOR® is too busy to help out their clients. If they are then it’s time to shop for a new one. If you call from the number on the For Sale sign in the front yard, know that the agent showing you may be the one who represents the seller’s interests only. It’s best to call several offices and talk with a few REALTORS® before you find the one who matches your needs. (or you can just call me)Now you have found your agent and the home you want, and it’s in your price range. What’s next? Now is the time for your agent to prepare an offer. They will guide you through the contract and show you what other homes in the area have sold for so you can make an offer that will work for you and the sellers.
Let the negotiations begin- Just because you present a good offer doesn’t mean the sellers will accept your conditions the first time around. You may get a counter offer with a new price. They can change closing dates and various others stipulations. You are not fully under contract until ALL parties have signed on the dotted line, and the deposit check has been presented to the listing company’s office. So don’t drag your feet when negotiating because someone else can come in and get your dream home.
The home buying process is very exciting but can be stressful if not handled by a seasoned REALTOR®. Please take your time to pick your agent as carefully as picking your next home, It can make the experience so much more pleasant when someone truly cares about you and your needs in a home.
This week I changed things up a bit since the Ascension Parish schools had let out just a day ago. The first days of summer are always the easiest. Kids are not bellowing yet “I’m bored” but as you know, Here in Ascension Parish we have some pretty crazy rainy days. Kids won’t be able to go to the neighborhood pool or play outside with their friends on those days. So this video will give you an inside project to do.
Slime!!
I know if you have young children you must have heard of this craze for making slime. It’s all over YouTube and if you are one of my facebook friends you know I have posted pictures of all these slime making supplies often. I have no clue what the appeal is for the kids of Ascension Parish but they love this stuff. I personally am not a lover of the slime but it doesn’t bother me either. To hear them laugh and giggle, turning themselves into mad scientists in the kitchen, it’s quite funny.
The ingredients,
Borax
Warm Water
Elmers Glue
Mixing Tools
Shaving Cream
Parental Supervision
The ingredients in these products are pretty safe when used with parental supervision. I have read some stories online of children being burned making slime but this has never happened with either of my children. If this concerns you, you may want to have your children wear gloves (still wash afterward properly).Make sure to keep the borax solution away from eyes, nose, mouth and ears. After making your slime be sure to wash your hands properly. My oldest daughter wanted to point out that if you have a cut or open sore you may want to wear gloves at those times as well so that the sores don’t burn or become infected.
Hopefully, The people of Ascension Parish don’t want to kill me for posting my kids recipe for slime. I just wanted to share something I know parents could do with their children on a rainy day when school is out. “Because YOU Matter”
If you’d like some more information on Ascension Parish homes that you and your kids can make slime in, you can always visit my website at yourrealestatewhisperer.com
Buying An Ascension Parish Home From Out Of State? Tips To Help You Handle That.
Buying a home in Ascension Parish from across the country has become a much easier task. I would have told you several years back “Anyone buying a home off the internet is crazy” now I’m eating those words. As scary it may sound I’ve had several clients do this recently and it has become more popular with access to video, virtual tours and signing documents with electronic signatures buying across the world has been a piece of cake and all of my cross country buyer have been tickled pink with their new home purchase. Here are some tips that can help you handle the process a little easier.
Investigate Your Ascension Parish Neighborhood.
It’s important to do your homework when buying in Prairieville or anywhere for that matter. A Realtor® can help you with this and the Internet is your friend. You can get neighborhood market reports from your Realtor® and look up crime statistics from a quick Google search. Even if you don’t have children it is important to find out what the schools are like in the area so when you go to sell your home it will be appealing to future home buyers.
Budget Your Travel.
Not only will you need to know your moving expenses but you will need to create a budget to view your future home at least once. I strongly recommend this, even though I have had a few clients that bypassed my advice and follow through the process without ever seeing the home in person until after closing. The reason I recommend this is only because you really can’t poetry a feel of a neighborhood by pictures or video. Unless you have a friend or relative that can help you with this I’d take a trip to see your new digs.
Narrow Down What You Really Want.
To make it easier for yourself its best to make a list of absolute “must haves” in your next home. After you have done your homework on location, price and size you need to narrow down the list to thing like fenced in backyard, 2 car garage, and open floor plan. This will make your choices more tailored to your specific needs and not have to rifle through several listings being sent to you. Working with a local Realtor® is essential with this aspect of cross country home buying.
Overcoming Cross Country Home Buying.
For some home buyers, the thoughts of buying across the country can be overwhelming. Even with all the technical advances, it does little to settle their nerves. This would be a perfect idea for those clients to consider renting in our area for 6 months to get a feel for the area, traffic peak times and convenient shopping areas. Many people opt for this but please consider how much it will cost to store your items that won’t fit in your rental. Make sure you will be able to break your lease after 6 months with our penalty and be sure to add your deposits to your budget when making this choice.
For the most part, Internet home buying has become a new way of life for many. Even my 84-year-old Aunt bought a home that she strictly saw in videos and pictures I had sent to her. Be sure to find a Realtor® that will take the time to do this for you so you get the best representation of the home you will be buying.
Anytime you purchase a home in Ascension Parish or Anywhere in Louisiana. You have the right to inspection. There is no “Pass or Fail” grading to a home inspection. It just helps the buyers make a clear knowledgeable decision to what problems, if any may be wrong with the home. Some sellers have a pre-inspection done on the home to know of any unseen problems and make the repairs prior to listing. I’d still strongly advise getting your own inspector to look over the home when you have your inspection time. I’m listing some things you should know about the inspection period of a signed purchase agreement.
Time Frame-
Most purchase offers the state a ten day inspection period, but that, of course, that time frame can be negotiated. During this time the buyers have the right to have the home inspected at their expense. This means the can hire or not hire anyone to go over the home to detect problems that may not be known to the seller.
Who gets to inspect the home?-
Like I said before, anyone can inspect the home for the buyers. A licensed inspector holds more weight than let’s say your cousin who does home improvements for a living. The buyer can also have a structural engineer inspect the foundation, Have another inspector check for mold and another to take soil samples for various reasons. They can hire whomever they want during this ten day period to look over the home. These inspections are always approved by the sellers to allow the buyers to do this prior to the appointment. They can’t just show up during this time unannounced.
Do the sellers have to do all the items the inspectors find?
The best answer for this is NO! Inspectors can find major problems and not so major problems. An A/C not working properly is an issue for concern. Chipped paint from a weed wacker along the hardy board on the side of the house, not so major.
How long do the sellers and buyers have to respond to the request?
In the state of Louisiana, they have 72 hours after receipt of inspection request to respond to the repair request. This time frame is for the sellers to make calls and get quotes for the cost to them of the requested repairs. In turn, the buyers get 72 hours to respond to the seller’s response to the report. Meaning if the seller chooses to only half the repairs requested the buyer has the same amount of time to get quotes and make decisions to the items that were declined from repair.
Do I still have to buy the home if the seller doesn’t want to make repairs?
Unless stated in the agreement prior, the buyer does not have to buy the home if the seller is unwilling or incapable of making repairs. As long as the inspections were done within the time frame allotted for inspection.
Can the sellers negotiate the price if repairs aren’t going to be made?
Yes, The buyer can request instead of the seller making the repairs that either the sales price can be reduced or the buyer can receive closing costs. This part is something you can negotiate after you have determined the costs of the requested repairs.
Many things can and will happen during the inspection period. At a more recent inspection, I was in the kitchen as the inspector was checking a bathroom plumbing. As I sat, I began to felt water dripping on my head. I look up and the A/C drip pan was leaking from the ceiling. The inspection ended right there. The sellers had no idea that there was a problem but the buyers didn’t want the home when they saw this. The thought the sellers were trying to dump their problems on an unsuspecting buyer. This wasn’t the case but you can see how the buyers would feel like this.
It’s important for buyers to hire a professional inspector, this example was more obvious than other problems that could come up. If you are concerned about issues with your home prior to listing you may want to consider a pre-inspection. I tell you all of this “Because YOU Matter”
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
Take A Tuesday, May 9th, 2017 Time To OrGaNiZe, Ascension Parish (including me)!
When you are selling your home, now is the time to clean out your pantry and closets.
This is a view from my personal pantry and I know many of you have this in your home or at least seen it.
This may be shocking to you, but buyers open cabinets and they look in the pantry. As silly as it may seem you it could turn off a buyer or even get offered less money because your closets are in chaos. The little time it takes to get this stuff back in shape will pay off in the long run.
I know that some of you won’t be able to go with a professional organizer, so hopefully, this tip will help you home stage your closets yourself. I will be happy to help you prepare your home when listing with me. Please don’t hesitate to ask.
“Because YOU Matter”
kristinasmallhorn.exprealty.com
yourrealestatewhisperer.com
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH0LUzFvtwb5B8EfVCF5uwg
225-246-1812
#yourrealestatewhisperer
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.
Ascension Parish Coffee Talk #9 AIM GYM, Athletes In Motion
I know many of you in Ascension Parish have driven past the large white building on Airline Hwy with the big red letters that read ATHLETES IN MOTION. I also know that you probably were aware of their wonderful gymnastics program after seeing many photo posts on Facebook of little gymnasts, (in perfectly wrapped in a bun) hairdo’s with several medals wrapped around their necks. But many of you didn’t know they offer SO MUCH more!
AIM offers a wide variety of activities for children including recreational gymnastics, competitive gymnastics, summer day camp, birthday parties, and specialty camps, AIM KIDZ, offers daycare and a before/after school program.
Summer Camp!
For ALL 10 weeks of the summer, they have a fantastic summer program. This is for children as young as 2 years old. The kids will not be in your ear all summer saying “ Mom, I’m bored ”.
Like Kayla the camp director said, “ We like them to go home tired ” and they really do. I know from personal experience of having my child there she always coming home from summer camp smiling and tired.
AIM KIDZ
They have a great pre-school child care program. The building is separate from the large gym in the front and has an open concept learning center. The kids are served breakfast, lunch, and snack so no need to pack anything for them, it is included.
Party Time
Two Saturdays a month Athletes in Motion will host a private party for your child. (Not during the summer months) No other parties are scheduled, so your private party is just that, PRIVATE. The kids will get to play in the gym at the KIDZ Corner and you as the parent get to see from the clear glass observing room from up above. It’s really neat to watch the kids bounce around and jump in the foam pit.
You have to go and see it inside, I didn’t feature all the separate rooms they use during the camp season. Call or Go in and a member of their staff will take you on a tour and get you set up for the upcoming 2017 camp season.
I tell you all this “Because YOU Matter”
Your Real Estate Whisperer
yourrealestatewhisperer.com
Kristina Smallhorn
Cell 225-246-1812
EXP REALTY, LLC
LAKE CHARLES, LA 70601
225-412-9982 ext 149
Kristina Smallhorn is a Licensed REALTOR® with the state of Louisiana
Sellers in Ascension Parish can be nervous and/ or excited when listing their homes.It’s no wonder many sellers have been disappointed with the sale of their home, and the disappointment might have been avoided if they had asked more key questions.Below I’ve listed the top 5 that I believe will help you, the seller, in making the decision in selecting your realtor.
How’d Did You Come Up With That Price?
There are many ways that an agent comes up with a price. It’s not just the papers that say CMA (Cost Market Analysis). Time on the market, your neighbors next door, the condition of the home and how your exterior looks are all things that should be taken into consideration. The hard numbers are not the only way price should be established.
How Do You Plan To Market The Home?
If the Ascension Parish Realtor® that you are interviewing states that they plan to add a sign to your yard, put it on the MLS and hold a few open houses, then you may want to speak to some others.In today’s market, it takes a lot more to get your listing in front of people.If they don’t have a clear multi-faceted plan for marketing your home, or if you’re confused, it’s clearly time to seek another agent!Don’t be fooled by old time marketing routines!It just isn’t the way marketing works anymore, no matter how hot the seller’s market is currently.
What Are We Paying For?
You should really know where your money is going. You should also ask how much of the commission break down goes to the buyer’s agent.A low commission split on the buyer’s agent side could make your listing sit a little longer.It’s not supposed to be this way, I just know that it does happen.
Do You Have Any Reviews?
In years past, an Ascension Parish Realtor could easily hand you raving reviews of past clients leaving out the not so glowing reviews. Fast forward to current reviews online.It’s very difficult to filter out the “bad” reviews.I know, as a Realtor®, you can’t make every client happy, but if you recognize a negative pattern in online reviews or read the responses from agents, you will get a clearer picture of what the issue could have been.I recently read a review of a brokerage and I was horrified of the response to the client!It’s sitting out there on Google for the world to read, so definitely “Google” the Ascension Parish Realtor® and the brokerage before you make your final decision.
Many sellers like having their agent represent both sides, knowing they have one point of contact on the transaction of their home.Some seller’s don’t like that idea at all.Be sure to discuss this prior to signing any listing agreement.You don’t want to be surprised after the fact or feel deceived in any way.
If you like to discuss with me about marketing your home here in Ascension Parish, please feel free to reach out to me @ 225-246-1812.I look forward to speaking with you and answering any questions you may have on listing your Ascension Parish home.
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Do the sellers have to do all the items the inspectors find?
