Southern Home Shopper Blog

Homes For Sale On Realtor.com

2009-09-22T19:19:00.000-07:00

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Luxury Homes On Realtor.com

2009-09-22T19:15:00.001-07:00

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Lower Prices For Southern Homes

2009-08-26T06:01:00.001-07:00

Generally speaking, homes located in many southern states are lower in price than in many of our northern states. In my opinion this is related to higher property taxes, median income and available land.
For example: Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama have a much lower median home prices than say New Jersey, Virginia and many other northeastern states. Texas, with it's abundance of land is probably one of the lowest in home prices in the nation. Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama lower home prices are mainly due to lower median income and lower property tax rates.
Of course supply and demand is the crucial main factor to consider and the employment opportunities in each state play an important role in the average price of homes in all areas of the nation.
That said, Texas and Louisiana are probably the place to live if one is looking for lower home and general real estate prices. Fair property taxes and employment opportunities are also attractive in these two states.
For example: Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana are highly desirable locations for homes for sale. The southeast Texas area from Marshall south to Beaumont, has many small towns well spaced from 10 to 20 miles apart. This makes for an equal supply and demand for homes for sale. Houston, on the other hand is a metropolitan area with more demand than supply, making the Houston home prices more expensive.
Louisiana primarily consists of small towns with a few large cities. Lower property taxes in the rural towns and adequate employment opportunities make the rural areas of Louisiana a prime area for lower home prices.
In Conclusion: On the whole, many southern states offer a host of attractive reasons to relocate to the south.
See Louisiana home prices analysis. John Tatman ASA, IFAS, CRA (retired) was a Real Estate Appraiser for over 25 years in the Texas Real Estate Industry.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Tatman

Moving to Opelousas, Louisiana

2009-08-26T06:00:00.001-07:00

Founded in 1720 it is the 3rd oldest city in Louisiana.
Located 20 miles north of Lafayette in central Louisiana and in St. Landry Parish, Opelousas has a population of approximately 23,000 as of 2007. Known as a tourist attraction, it is the home of the Jim Bowie museum, as well as other historical attractions.
The best home buying opportunities are located in the southeastern part of the city along Interstate 49 north and south. Housing values of $83,000 are well below state average of $126,000, making Opleousas a good home buying opportunity.
There are 3 High Schools public and private: Opelousas High School, Westminster Christian Academy and Opelousas Catholic School. There are 8 Elementary Schools: North Elementary School, South Street Elementary School, Grolee Elementary School, Creswell School, Southwest School, Northeast School, Plaisance School and Park Vista School.
The main industries in Opelousas are oil, agriculture, manufacturing, and retail/wholesale. In 1999, Wal-Mart opened a distribution center north of the city. It generates $89 million dollars per year to the local area and employs approximately 1300 local area workers. Job opportunities are mostly found 20 miles south in Lafayette with it's oil and gas industry.
The average income for a household in Opelousas is approximately $15,000, and the average income for a family is around $20,000. This makes incomes much lower than the state averages.
In Conclusion: If you are looking for a small southern town to relocate to, Opelousas is a place to consider. It has a lengthy and colorful history, with adequate housing and shopping opportunities. The friendly residents of the area are most welcoming of newcomers.
For More Information about Opelousas La, visit http://www.southernhomeshopper.com John Tatman ASA, IFAS, CRA is a retired real estate appraiser.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Tatman

How Land is Both Profitable and Low Risk!

2008-03-18T05:21:00.000-07:00

By Gregory Akerman

In general, the higher the risk of an investment, the higher the potential of the profitability of the investment. However, there are exceptions. Land investment has historically proved itself as a low risk investment that can yield a much better return than other, traditional investments.
Now, of course the land property must be in the right location, and you must buy at the right time, but the risk is low and the profits can be very good. As the decade draws to an end and a new decade will about to begin, the population is growing and more people need places to live. Since there is only a finite amount of land, more and more parcels will be bought, developed and turned into houses. Buying in today's buyers market is a good strategy for profiting in tomorrow sellers market.
Unlike other investments, land physically real, and has historically risen in value. Also, one does not need to be a Real Estate agent to buy and seller land. There are many companies that specialize in finding and selling land, for low costs, to the small investor. The key is success in land investment is the right location.
Buying land in a popular area, where development is ready to happen, is one of the most important steps in getting a higher return on investment. You have to do your research, and plan ahead, but the profits are worth it. A investor has to do their homework for all potential investments. However, land is a great place to start and a great way to profit from a low risk investment!
For Discounted Land For Sale, Visit Discount Land For Sale.com. List your land for free or search through our discounted land for sale!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gregory_Akerman

How To Sell My House Quickly - Stop Those Money Worries Now

2008-03-07T07:09:00.000-08:00

Cash buyers have given hundreds of homeowners a reason to smile again, thanks to their no-fuss, up front, and fast cash house purchases. A cash buyer can buy your home quickly, and discreetly, and save you hundreds from not having to go through the delay and expense of an estate agent, not to mention the endless time-wasters coming to view your property. Cash buyers will often pay your solicitors fees up to the value of £500, as well as even arranging one for you, if you don't already have one . It is irrelevant to a cash buyer what your reasons for selling are. Cash buyers are used to buying from people who are currently going through a divorce, are under threat of repossession or are in need of relocating quickly, for example.
If you are need to sell your house fast, then a cash buyer can help you! The fast cash sale process can allow you to sell your home in as little as a week, releasing the cash you need to put an end to those financial worries. Cash buyers will purchase your home regardless of condition, so there is no need to spend money and time re-decorating your home. They also have no preference on location.
Cash buyers have one goal, which is to create a win-win situation. By offering a transparent and dependable service, they aim to give you cash for your property as fast as possible. Rest assured, by choosing to sell your house to a cash buyer, you will enjoy a hassle-free, streamlined sale giving you the financial freedom to get on with the rest of your life.
Corine Smith is a property expert and member of How To Sell My House Quickly. She has worked for many years for a national house builder dealing with both property investors and individual house buyers and sellers.
For a free, confidential, no-obligation offer on your home visit: http://howtosellmyhousequickly.sampasite.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Corine_Smith

Home Appraisal Tips

2008-02-22T04:59:00.000-08:00

By Max Suther
You should know what your home is worth. If you don't then you will want to have it appraised immediately. After all the value of your home is a deciding factor in the amount of money you try to get out of your home when you sell it. Here are some tips on how to get the most out of your home appraisal.
1. Do your best to stay out of the way of your appraiser. It might be tempting to tell your appraiser about the other homes for sale in your neighborhood or what you think your home is worth, but try to suppress this urge. It will be uncomfortable enough having a stranger looking through your home and deciding how much it is worth. Don't make it worse by offending the appraiser. An appraiser who is annoyed or uncomfortable might rush the job and could miss things that would have impacted the final number they come up with.
2. Keep your home neat, clean and make sure all of the maintenance work has been taken care of. This doesn't mean that you should be able to see your reflection in your kitchen floor, but a messy or cluttered home makes it easier to overlook the sound structure of the frame or how safe the interior is. Make sure you fix those leaky faucets, loose carpet squares and anything else that could lower the impression your home makes on the appraiser. If you plan on leaving any of your appliances behind, make sure those appliances are in perfect working condition.
3. If you have done remodeling work, or have rebuilt any part of the house, do not be afraid to point that out. This might not necessarily raise the value of the home by the same amount that you have invested, but it is important for the appraiser to know what is new, what major problems have been fixed, etc.
These are just three simple tips to make the appraisal experience a friendlier one and to make your appraiser's job as easy to do as possible.
For more home value comparison tips visit http://www.homeappraisedvalue.com Find articles, information and home value calculators as well as free home appraisal methods.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Max_Suther

Sell Your House FAST to Avoid Foreclosure

2008-02-11T06:03:00.000-08:00

Everyone can face Financial Difficulties at some point of their lives. Financial difficulties can be the result due to various reasons. Some of them could be:
Health problems
Market changes
Family member death
Rising Mortgage payments
Job loss
Divorce
Medical bills
You name it, it can be anything. But when financial difficulties arise, the thought of losing a home is unbearable and we find ourselves stressed and under pressure. Most of us would soon lose our cool and start panicking. Life is not always easy or fair. But the good news is that you do have a solution. Read More

Building a Home - Do You Really Need a Realtor?

2008-02-08T09:24:00.000-08:00

So, if you're having a home built, what are the consequences of not using a Realtor? I learned from experience, and I want to share my knowledge with others. Currently, I am a Realtor, so you may think that I'm biased. However in 1998 (prior to becoming an Agent), just like many of you, I didn't use a Realtor when I had my 1st home built. I thought the person in the model home would look for my best interests. Below are some real life examples explaining what can happen if you don't hire a Realtor to represent you. Read More

Housing Market Correction - Real Prices For Real Buyers

2008-01-28T06:21:00.000-08:00

As the dust starts to settle from recent corrective action in the housing market, one thing has become readily apparent. Home prices are moving out of speculative heights and back into the realm of reality, opening up the market for average buyers who had in recent times found themselves priced out of the market. Those who, in the face of inflated prices, decided to postpone a home purchase have better options today, not only in the housing market, but also in the mortgage and lending industries. Read More

What is a Arms Length Real Estate Transaction?

2008-01-25T04:41:00.000-08:00

An Arms Length Transaction is where a buyer and seller agree to buy or sell with neither being under duress to complete the transaction. Read More

Louisiana Real Estate - A French Influence

2008-01-19T06:16:00.000-08:00

Obviously, Louisiana had a rough year in 2005 with Hurricane Katrina. The state will recover as will Louisiana real estate.
Louisiana
Louisiana has obviously been in the news because of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. To say the entire episode is a tragedy is to understate the obvious. Louisiana is a state that has overcome problems before and it will do it again. For the purposes of this article, I am going to discuss the state pre-hurricane because, frankly, the state will recover within a year or so. It has done it before. Read More

Advantages During a Soft Housing Market

2008-01-19T05:51:00.000-08:00

Many are pessimistic about the issues surrounding a soft housing market. It all depends on how you look at it. If you take advantage of it, a softer housing market can work for you as a buyer in ways that are impossible in other times. When it is a buyer's market, buyers have advantages. Read More

10 Steps To Getting Top Dollar For Your Home

2008-01-17T06:18:00.000-08:00

When you decide to sell your home you should immediately begin referring to it as a house. You’ve become emotionally attached to this place and it’s now time to say goodbye. Start detaching yourself by making some changes that will help you with the sale of the house. You probably have accumulated a lot of clutter over the years. This must be the first step. Read More

How do I select a Real Estate Appraiser?

2008-01-17T06:11:00.000-08:00

Normally the lending institution will select one of their approved appraisers for you. However when an appraisal is needed by the buyer or seller, make sure that he/she is has a designation with a nationally recognized appraisal organization. Read More

Buying Your First Home - A Guide for the Beginner

2008-01-16T05:08:00.000-08:00

Becoming a first-time home buyer is a tremendous step in life. The sense of personal accomplishment, pride, satisfaction, and joy is irreplaceable. It is not without it's challenges, though. Because of the huge number of options available to you as a potential buyer, you need to take the time to become familiar with an overview of the buying process, the terminology used, and how to best approach buying your first home. Read More

Home Buyer: Negotiation and Communication

2008-01-15T11:30:00.000-08:00

The goal in a real estate negotiation is to reach a good agreement - one in which the underlying interests of both buyer and seller are met. The results of a poor agreement often return to haunt the parties after closing. Many of our real estate clients have been experienced negotiators in other industries, and we have learned from their skill and experience. Review these tips as you prepare for the purchase of your home.What do you want to achieve in the negotiation? Read More

Tips On Buying A Home

2008-01-11T05:32:00.000-08:00

This guide will help you know exactly what questions you should be asking when you are looking for a home inspector that will inspect your potential new home. By choosing the right home inspector, you will be providing you and your family with a high level of comfort by allowing yourselves to know if there are any types of problems, disrepair, or breakage within your home. You must choose a home inspector that is professional, knowledgeable, and experienced, by asking just the right questions you will find one that is all of the above. Read More

Selecting a Real Estate Agent - What to Look For

2008-01-04T10:49:00.000-08:00

Important things to look for in a Real Estate Agent

When selling your home, one of the most important services your real estate agent can perform is helping you set the listing price. Most people approach a sale thinking they have a pretty good idea of what their home should sell for. But the fact is, until you do some serious calculations based on current market trends, sale prices in your area, and what other similar homes have recently sold for, there is no way you can possibly know what price to set. Your agent will be able to help you with this process...Read More

Preparing Your Home For Sale

2007-12-10T06:18:00.000-08:00

By John Tatman

Let us try to see your home through the buyer's eyes. You have lived there for years and you see your home everyday. Is it appealing from the street? Would YOU buy it? Be honest. In addition to all the common sense preparations such as picking up the toys and cleaning the yard...let's spend a little money and really make your home inviting.
The lawn: Common sense tells you to keep your lawn mowed and edged, but does it look like a green desert...with no pizzazz? Let's go shopping and add some. Visit your local nursery and bring your checkbook. We are after greenery, concrete and other things. Consider your entryway... Assuming your lawn is not already landscaped; consider putting 2 to 4 - 18 inch to 24 inch pot plants along the entryway. This will give a welcoming atmosphere. Also, consider an attractive concrete birdbath "close to the front entry".
The driveway: Plant 2 - 18 inch to 24 inch shrubs on the entry to your driveway. The Mail Box: Whether it is located near the entrance or on the curb, if it is not new...replace it. The preferable color is black with gold trim. The Entryway/Porch: In addition to removing the cobwebs, consider new paint, preferably a light and inviting color. The Front Door: Common sense says paint it...but l'll go a bit further, replace it. This is the most important decision you will make. A bland looking front door gives the impression that the interior will also be bland and set the tone for the home tour. I suggest a top half, leaded glass door beautifully stained and varnished. You will be surprised at the difference this will make in the mental tone this will set, even in yourself.
In Summary: Some of these suggestions may seem a little extreme, but with years of experience in the Real Estate industry, I have seen these tips work with much success. When you can look at your home and objectively say...Yes, I would buy it! You are ready to place your For Sale sign in your yard.
John Tatman ASA, IFAS, CRA is a retired Real Estate Appraiser with 25 years experience in the Industry.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Tatman

Welcome

2007-12-09T11:23:00.000-08:00

Welcome To Southern Home Shopper Blog