3 Myths About Home Inspections In Ascension Parish.

 

The Home Inspection in Ascension Parish- What you need to know.

Anytime you purchase a home in Ascension Parish you have the right to get a home inspection. There is no “Pass or Fail” 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 so they can 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.

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Time Frame-

Most purchase offers state a ten day inspection period, but that time frame can be negotiated. During this time the buyers have the right to have the home inspected at their expense. This means they can hire or not hire anyone to go over the home to detect problems that may not be known to the seller.

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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.

Does the seller 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 whacker 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 costs to them for the requested repairs. In turn, the buyers’ get 72 hours to respond to the sellers’ response to the report. This means that if the seller chooses to only make half of the repairs requested, then 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.

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Can the sellers negotiate the price if repairs aren’t going to be made?

Yes, the buyer can request, instead of the seller, to make the repairs so 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 the bathroom plumbing. As I sat, I began to feel water dripping on my head. I looked 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. They 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.

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It’s important for buyers to hire a professional inspector since 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”

Kristina Smallhorn

Your Real Estate Whisperer

225-246-1812

eXp Realty LLC, 2900 Westfork Dr. Baton Rouge LA 70827

Office (225) 412-9982 ext# 149

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Kristina Smallhorn is a licensed REALTOR® with the state of Louisiana 

Take A Tip Tuesday, Moving Checking List For Your First Night In Your Ascension Parish Home.

Checklist: What You Need Your First Night In Your New Home.

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The first night in a new home is super exciting but also hectic. We tend to forget about the little things when the boxes start arriving that we will need. Here is a checklist of items that you should have with you as soon as you get the keys to your new home.

The Must Haves

  1. Toilet paper
  2. hand soap
  3. toothpaste
  4. tooth brushes
  5. bedding
  6. clean towels
  7. clean clothes for the next day (just in case you can’t find your clothing boxes)

For the Kids

  1. A full complete diaper bag
  2. Sleep wear and a change of clothes
  3. soft blankets and or sleeping bag
  4. night-light
  5. a small amount of toys
  6. coloring books and crayons
  7. DVD portable for watching movies

FOOD!

  1. Crackers and chip’s
  2. Plastic utensils
  3. Paper towels and napkins
  4. Take out menu’s of local restaurants
  5. Granola bars and breakfast type foods
  6. A cooler full of ice
  7. COFFEE Maker and all the items to make that magical brew. (coffee cups)
  8. Any pet food, pet beds and chew toy for your fur babies
  9. Bottled water

Thing’s you didn’t think of.

  1. Hammer and picture nails
  2. Trash bags
  3. Kitchen scissors
  4. Screwdrivers
  5. Flash light
  6. Chargers for all your devices you carry
  7. Pen and paper
  8. Sharpie markers (keep them from the kids, lol)
  9. Checkbook
  10. Important documents like birth certificates and social security cards.

These are just a few main things that I always carry with me when I move. Hopefully, this will help from not having to run out as soon as you walk into your new home. Congratulations! It’s now time to celebrate.

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

Take A Tip Tuesday- Not So Smart, Smart Products In Ascension Parish

TAKE A TIP TUESDAY- NOT SO SMART, SMART PRODUCTS

Smart Products Are Not Always So SMART When Comes To Your Ascension Parish Home.

We are addicted to home products that will make our lives easier. Smart homes are trending here in Ascension Parish. People in the area have been rushing to stores to find the right “Smart” products to make their home not only easier for them to live in but also be more appealing to home buyers that are on the fence about a newer smart home over older technology.

Below, I’ve listed some products that really didn’t make the grade for being “Smart” for your Ascension Parish home.

I’m Not Forking Around.

Nice silverware is in most homes in Ascension Parish, but this product has got to be the dumbest idea yet. The smart fork!?!, Seriously, this thing supposedly monitors your eating habits, then lets you know that you’ve eaten too much. Click this link to preview this “not so smart” fork.
https://www.hapi.com/product/hapifork

Paranoid About A Cheating Loved One?

A cheating significant other is no laughing matter, but to go to the lengths of buying a mattress that lets you know if he or she has been rolling around in your bed seems a bit too far. There are much better methods than making this kind of investment. If you are worried about your lover in Ascension Parish and want to look into how this mattress works, here’s the link.

http://www.smarttress.com/en/

Hate Cleaning Your Grill?

I mean we love our outdoor barbecues here in Ascension Parish. I think we spend more time outside our home than inside during LSU football season, so this product seems like a pretty stupid one to me, but you may have a need if you think cleaning your grill is a daunting task. Here’s the link if you’d like to check it out.

https://www.thisiswhyimbroke.com/barbecue-grill-cleaning-r…/

Mirror, Mirror On The Wall.

For the very vain in Ascension Parish, you can not only stare at yourself in the mirror, but you can also post all your magnificent features to all your social media accounts. To really feed your narcissistic tendencies, you need the “Selfie Mirror” – a product that really makes people fall more in love with themselves. I kid you not, it’s a real product http://selfiemirror.me/. I do know a couple of Ascension Parish residents that would love this for Christmas, If you were thinking me, I already have 3, so you can take it off the Christmas Gift idea list.

When The Sound Of The Flush Is Too Much.

Believe it or not, they have come out with a toilet that has Bluetooth technology, so you can really work with the acoustic sound of the space by piping in your favorite Justin Bieber tune via connection to your toilet. It’s not a cheap though. Kohler has one for $5,625.00. Not only is the price point just plain stupid for something that really should be an in and out kind of process, it goes way beyond dumb for most residents of Ascension Parish since we are a much more practical community. You don’t believe me about this? check out this link. https://goo.gl/rgWzwR.

I hope you get a kick out of these ridiculous “Smart” products. If you’d like more information on what “Smart” items would be to upgrade your home, please feel free to reach out to me. All of my contact information is listed below.

“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

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

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

5 Tips For The Day You Close On Your Ascension Parish Home.

When waiting for your home to close, it can be a crazy time. The list of things “to-do” is lengthy. Packing, deciding what items to sell, changing your utilities, switching children’s schools, finding local shopping and last but not least, where the heck is the post office? These activities can often make you lose focus on the details of your closing and easy to forget things. Here are 5 tips to remember for your day of closing your home.

#1.Bring Your Drivers License.#1 Passport

Not just any form of ID will do, It must be a military ID, Passport or drivers license. Make sure your ID is still valid and not expired or you won’t be able to close.

#2. Call Ahead of Time.

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Make sure you call the title office to verify the office address and the dollar amount you will need to bring to the closing table. You CAN NOT bring a personal check to closing over $2500.00, be sure it is a cashier check made out to the title attorney’s office. Luckily, you have hired an Ascension Parish local realtor to handle the hiring of a closing attorney to help with the Ascension Parish title process; review the closing documents and calculate the amount of money you may have to bring to closing. Your loan officer will also be there to explain what some of those closing costs will add up to. A few days before closing (as many as 5 days) your Ascension Parish Realtor® will do a final walk-through of your new home to go over the items on the repair list to make sure they have been completed and the home is in the same if not better condition as at the time of the initial sales contract. (to read more about what buyer need to know click here ( https://yourrealestatewhisperer.com/2017/02/20/what-prairieville-home-buyers-need-to-know-before-closing-day/ )

#3. Switch Utilities-

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Make sure you have switch ALL the utilities in your name on the date of closing. You don’t want to be left in the dark minutes after you’ve closed on your new home.

#4 (My Favorite) Take the day off!

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Closings get delayed often or yours can take longer than anticipated. You don’t want to make your employer angry because you’ve missed half the day to close on your home.

#5 Keep Those Closing Docs. Close In Hand!

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After you’ve closed you are going to want to go to the local courthouse and file your homestead exemption. If this home is your primary residence you will get this state tax credit saving you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars.


So What Does A Closing Look Like in Ascension Parish?
The closing is defined as a performance of all agreements made by you, the lender and the seller, a means to an end of the purchase of a home. If you are buying your home with all cash, you will not have lender requirements, but if you are financing your home with a loan, the financial arrangements will close at the same time.
A closing involves the simultaneous exchange of document and monies required to complete the transaction. You, as a buyer, pay the purchase price of the home to the seller and in exchange, the seller gives you the title and transferred documents to the home; simple as that.
(Both buyer and seller pay their respective fees and costs to the various parties who contributed funds, services, or documents to the closing.)
****A side note: Closings can take as little as a few minutes if buying cash, or take over an hour or more for financed homes, so don’t make firm plans and allow plenty of time for your closing.****
So Where Do You Go For Your Closing Of Your Ascension Parish Home?
Your closing of your home doesn’t have to be in the Parish you are buying in, although it definitely makes it more convenient, sometimes it could be a few Parish’s away! You can request a preferred title company from your lender unless the seller is paying closing costs, then the sellers make that choice. This can be part of your negotiations if you are adamant on a particular closing attorney.
Not all closings are the same, that’s a given. Some closings do not require a closing attorney for signatures and may only require a notary. The difference between the two is that notaries can only provide legal advice or services on very specific types of matters. Another difference between attorneys and notaries is that attorneys generally must obtain two university degrees in order to be certified to practice law; an undergraduate degree plus a law degree.
If you’d like to know more about the closing of a home in Ascension Parish, I’ve done a YouTube Video with a Title Attorney from Commerce Title on my weekly show, “Ascension Parish Coffee Talk.” (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH0LUzFvtwb5B8EfVCF5uwg )

“Because YOU Matter”
Kristina Smallhorn
Your Real Estate Whisperer
http://kristinasmallhorn.brl.exprealty.com/
eXp Realty LLC
LAKE CHARLES, LA 70601
225-246-1812
Office (225) 412-9982 ext# 149
https://www.facebook.com/YRRealEstatWhisperer/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH0LUzFvtwb5B8EfVCF5uwg

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Are You An Ascension Parish First Time Home Seller? 5 BIG TIPS!

 

 

Are You An Ascension Parish First Time Home Seller? 5 BIG TIPS!

Below I’ve listed five things to keep in mind.

 

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What About Price?

One of the most important factors when listing your home is pricing the home correctly. You want to make sure you are not overpriced. If you go too high with your price and keep dropping after being on the market for weeks, buyers believe there is something wrong with your home, or worse they don’t even consider your home because it was priced too high. Make sure to discuss with your Ascension Parish REALTOR® what the comparable sales for a home like yours sold for in the last year, so you can be confident in the price. You and your Ascension Parish agent need to be in agreement as to price.

Time To Prepare!

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You know your home is clean and well kept, but what you don’t realize is what buyers do and do not want to see! In order to appeal to the masses, you’re going to want to take the advice of your Ascension Parish REALTOR® or a home stager when getting your home prepared to list. All those personal items that you walk past daily without much notice, can be a glaring eyesore to a potential buyer! As much as you love the pictures from your bachelor days, many buyers will not.

It’s Show Time!

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In order to get your home sold in the fastest amount of time (other than price) is showings. I know from personal experience that showing your home during dinner time hours, especially with young children, can be a real hassle. But the sale of your home depends on how many showings you get! Most people work until 5 pm generally, and they like previewing homes after work. I suggest making a picnic for nights like this; it can be fun for small children when you have to leave your home during these evenings when you have showings.

Open House In Ascension Parish Is On Sunday.

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Every Sunday between the hours of 2-4pm, Ascension Parish REALTOS® typically showcase their newest listings for the public to view. This is a great way for you as a new home seller to give your home a preview to the public without the pressure of a potential buyer to make a decision immediately. Generally, from my experience with open houses, many people are what I call “Tire Kickers,” which means they really aren’t sure if they want to buy at this time. Often when those same “tire kickers” really likes a home, they LOVE to tell their friends and co-workers about it. So don’t dismiss an “Open House” when it’s suggested! You just never know who’s going to be speaking great things about your home.

Homework ??

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Now that your home is on the market and has hit all the online sites, it’s time for you to do a little homework. Yes, I said “Homework!” With the internet the way it is, information gets sent out so quickly that small mistakes can be made when data goes from website to website. Make sure your home listing has the correct data on the major websites and tell your Ascension Parish REALTOR® if you find any mistakes or misinformation.

I trust you found this information helpful if you’d like some more tips on selling your home you can always visit my website at yourrealestatewhsiperer.com. “Because YOU Matter”

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

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Take A Tip Tuesday- 3 Things You Should Ask Yourself Before You Consider Buying A Home,

 

Take A Tip Tuesday-Are You Ready To Buy A Home In Ascension Parish?

3 Things To Ask Yourself.

If you have been sitting in your apartment wondering if you could possibly buy your first home, there are a few things you can ask yourself before you pick up the phone to call a mortgage company. Many people, not just in Ascension Parish, wonder if they can get a home of their own but they are either afraid of the answer or they think that the process is too difficult to take on. Before you choose your lender or Ascension Parish REALTOR®, ask yourself these simple questions.

Do I Pay My Bills On Time?

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Lenders look at few things when it comes to debt. First is debt to income ratio. In simple terms, how much do you make and how much of that is spent on paying your bills. If you make $1500.00 a month and $1200.00 is spent on bills then you probably aren’t ready to buy a home. Your credit score plays a big part as well. If you can’t pay your bills on time, this will affect your credit score and makes you look like you won’t be able to pay the mortgage on time. No lender wants their money late or have a payee not make a payment. The risk is too high for the lender/bank to want to take on.

Learn your credit score! There are so many sites that offer free credit reports. Even if you’re not looking to buy a home currently, it’s a good idea to know where you stand. You need to know if something needs to be removed from your credit report or if you need to close that old Bed Bath and Beyond credit card that you have never used.

Do I Pay More In Rent Than I Would For A Mortgage?

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If you are not sure, you can look for a mortgage calculator online. You can find one on my website, http://yourrealestatewhisperer.idxbroker.com/idx/mortgage to help you to make that determination. Make sure to consider the taxes, insurance, and monthly utilities. Many times, especially with rent being as high as it is here in Ascension Parish, the cost of a home will be lower than your current monthly rent, AND there are usually significant tax advantages to home ownership!

Do You Have Any Money Saved?

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There is a misconception that you won’t need any money to buy a home if your credit is good. While there are financial assistance programs, and even some 100% financing, you will still need some money! You will still need funds for the costs of appraisal (around $500) and the cost of inspections (around $350-450.) These fees are not typically added into the 100% financing plus you’ll want some extra reserves for things like the cost of your move, refrigerator, washer, and dryer or other unexpected costs that could arise during the home buying process.
Now that you’ve asked yourself these questions, are you ready to buy? If you feel pretty confident with your credit score and savings account, plus you know your rent is higher than a mortgage, it’s time to call a lender to get qualified. I have the names and numbers of local lenders that I have often used who would be happy to work with you and help evaluate your home loan needs. Every client is different and so are their home loans; let them speak to you about your unique situation.

I hope you found this information helpful. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to me. You can always reach me by phone, email or text. I tell you all this, “Because YOU Matter”.

Kristina Smallhorn
Your Real Estate Whisperer
http://kristinasmallhorn.brl.exprealty.com/
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

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Take A Tip Tuesday- Things You Need To Know When Buying Your First Home

 

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:

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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.

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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.

“Because YOU Matter”
Kristina Smallhorn
Your Real Estate Whisperer
http://kristinasmallhorn.brl.exprealty.com/
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

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Take A Tip Tuesday-Buying An Ascension Parish Home From Out Of The State.

 

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.

“Because YOU Matter”

Kristina Smallhorn 

Your Real Estate Whisperer

My Second Website, Click HERE!

eXp Realty LLC

LAKE CHARLES, LA 70601

225-246-1812

Office (225) 412-9982 ext# 149

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yrew

Take A Tip Tuesday- Clean Your Pantry, Ascension Parish! (Including Me)

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