Blogging From The Desk of Alicia Lagarde-Craig
Money-Saving Tips for Heating Your Home
Space heating accounts for more than 40 percent of annual energy use in a typical home, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. By taking action before and during the heating season, you can reduce your heating costs and make your home more comfortable during those cold winter months.
Get your home ready for winter
•Have a qualified technician inspect and clean your heating system before the start of cold weather to ensure your system is running efficiently.
•Inspect the ductwork in exposed areas such as the basement or attic, and repair any leaks or disconnections.
•Caulk and weatherstrip doors and windows to prevent heat loss.
•Make sure your home is insulated to levels recommended for your climate zone.
•Seal gaps and air leaks in your chimney, plumbing access and other often-overlooked areas of the home. For more information, see Hidden Sources of Home Heat Loss.
•If your heating system is more than 15 years old, consider replacing it with a newer, more efficient unit. If you install a new system, make sure it is ENERGY STAR qualified. ENERGY STAR, which is a joint program of the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, tests and certifies products for energy efficient performance.
Saving energy during the heating season
•Change the air filter on your furnace once per month during the heating season. A dirty filter restricts air flow and causes the system to run less efficiently.
•Save energy by setting your thermostat at the lowest comfortable temperature. Optimize savings by lowering your thermostat setting when you are sleeping or away from home. Afraid you might forget? A programmable thermostat can make the adjustments for you.
•Reverse the airflow direction of ceiling fans, forcing warm air to bounce off the ceiling down into the living space where you need it.
•Open window treatments on south- and east-facing walls during the day to let in warming sunshine. At night, close them to keep cold air out and maintain the heat inside your home.
For Market Information in your Neck Of The Woods, visit: http://www.mynolahomes.com/mimarket
If you or anybody you know needs assistance with real estate, please call me at (504)382-3724. Thanks, Alicia
Showing posts with label first time home buyer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label first time home buyer. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Five Great Things about Homeownership
Blogging From The Desk of Alicia Lagarde Craig
If you've been on the fence about homeownership, now is the time to take a leap! Don't let the negative press deter you from one of life's greatest joys.
Take a look at five short and sweet reasons that homeownership is great!
1. Equity: When you pay rent, you never see that money again. It is lining the landlord's pocket. Yes, buying a home may come with some hefty initial costs (downpayment, closing costs, inspections), but you will make that money back over time in equity built in the home. Historically, homes appreciate by about 4 to 6 percent a year. Some areas are still experiencing normal appreciation rates. For the areas that have seen harder times since the recession, experts feel that the housing market will recover. Homeownership is about building long-term wealth. A home bought for $10,000 in 1960 is most likely worth 10 times that in today's market.
2. Relationships: Renters tend to see their neighbors come and go quickly. Some people sign year leases while others are in the community for much shorter terms. Apartment complexes also tend to have less common shared space for people to meet, greet, and socialize. Homeowners, however, have yards, walking trails, or community pools and clubhouses where they can get to know each other. Neighbors stay put much longer (at least three to five years if they hope to recoup their closing costs). This means more time to develop relationships. Research has shown that people with healthy relationships have more happiness and less stress.
3. Predictability: Well, as long as you have a fixed-rate term on your mortgage it's predictable. Most people buying homes today know that a fixed-rate is the way to go. This means your payment amount is fixed for the life of the term. If your mortgage payment is $500 today, then it will still be $500 a month in 10 years. This allows for people to budget and make solid financial plans. The sub-prime crisis meant many homeowners with adjustable rate mortgages saw their monthly payments rise and then rise some more. Homeownership, though, generally comes with a predictable table of expenditures. Even the big purchases are predictable. You know most roofs last just 15 years (or so). You know that each year you'll need to pay for the gutters to be cleaned, and so on.
4. Ownership: Okay, this is a given. Homeownership means you "own" your home. That comes with some incredible perks, though! You can renovate, update, paint, and decorate to your heart's desire. You can plant trees, install a pool, expand the patio, or do holiday decorating that would rival the Kranks (if the HOA allows!). The bottom line is this is your home and you can personalize it to your taste. Most renters are stuck with the same beige walls and beige carpet that has been standard apartment decor for 20 years. Now is your chance to let your home speak!
5. Great Deals: It's a great time to buy. Interest rates are at historic lows. We're talking 3.25 percent instead of 6.0 or higher. This means BIG savings for today's buyers. Home prices have also taken a dip since the recession, which means homes are more affordable than ever. If you have steady income and cash for a downpayment, then be sure to talk to your local real estate agent about what homes in your area could be a fit for you.
Homeownership is a real joy. It's time to get off the fence and into a home that is right for you!
For Market Information in your Neck Of The Woods, visit: http://www.mynolahomes.com/mimarket
If you or anybody you know needs assistance with real estate, please call me at (504)382-3724. Thanks, Alicia
If you've been on the fence about homeownership, now is the time to take a leap! Don't let the negative press deter you from one of life's greatest joys.
Take a look at five short and sweet reasons that homeownership is great!
1. Equity: When you pay rent, you never see that money again. It is lining the landlord's pocket. Yes, buying a home may come with some hefty initial costs (downpayment, closing costs, inspections), but you will make that money back over time in equity built in the home. Historically, homes appreciate by about 4 to 6 percent a year. Some areas are still experiencing normal appreciation rates. For the areas that have seen harder times since the recession, experts feel that the housing market will recover. Homeownership is about building long-term wealth. A home bought for $10,000 in 1960 is most likely worth 10 times that in today's market.
2. Relationships: Renters tend to see their neighbors come and go quickly. Some people sign year leases while others are in the community for much shorter terms. Apartment complexes also tend to have less common shared space for people to meet, greet, and socialize. Homeowners, however, have yards, walking trails, or community pools and clubhouses where they can get to know each other. Neighbors stay put much longer (at least three to five years if they hope to recoup their closing costs). This means more time to develop relationships. Research has shown that people with healthy relationships have more happiness and less stress.
3. Predictability: Well, as long as you have a fixed-rate term on your mortgage it's predictable. Most people buying homes today know that a fixed-rate is the way to go. This means your payment amount is fixed for the life of the term. If your mortgage payment is $500 today, then it will still be $500 a month in 10 years. This allows for people to budget and make solid financial plans. The sub-prime crisis meant many homeowners with adjustable rate mortgages saw their monthly payments rise and then rise some more. Homeownership, though, generally comes with a predictable table of expenditures. Even the big purchases are predictable. You know most roofs last just 15 years (or so). You know that each year you'll need to pay for the gutters to be cleaned, and so on.
4. Ownership: Okay, this is a given. Homeownership means you "own" your home. That comes with some incredible perks, though! You can renovate, update, paint, and decorate to your heart's desire. You can plant trees, install a pool, expand the patio, or do holiday decorating that would rival the Kranks (if the HOA allows!). The bottom line is this is your home and you can personalize it to your taste. Most renters are stuck with the same beige walls and beige carpet that has been standard apartment decor for 20 years. Now is your chance to let your home speak!
5. Great Deals: It's a great time to buy. Interest rates are at historic lows. We're talking 3.25 percent instead of 6.0 or higher. This means BIG savings for today's buyers. Home prices have also taken a dip since the recession, which means homes are more affordable than ever. If you have steady income and cash for a downpayment, then be sure to talk to your local real estate agent about what homes in your area could be a fit for you.
Homeownership is a real joy. It's time to get off the fence and into a home that is right for you!
For Market Information in your Neck Of The Woods, visit: http://www.mynolahomes.com/mimarket
If you or anybody you know needs assistance with real estate, please call me at (504)382-3724. Thanks, Alicia
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
7 Reasons Why Now Is The Best Time To Buy a Home
Blogging From The Desk of Alicia Lagarde Craig
1. Homes have never been more affordable.
Do you realize that today people are buying houses at the same prices they were ten years ago? It's like having a time machine: you get to go back and buy at yesterday's prices today. One of the advantages of buying at the lower end of the market is that in a few years it will appreciate more than homes that are more expensive. Homes that now cost $100,000 are likely to appreciate to between $130,000 and $150,000, while homes starting at the $500,000 won't reach $650,000-$700,000 in the same time frame. That's because there is less demand the higher you go. Demand drives price increases and, as the market improves, demand for lower price points will go up faster than at the higher end.
2. Mortgage rates are at rock bottom and won't stay there forever.
The national average on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped to 4.36% in August 2010 - lower than it's been in the past half century. Once rates start going up again, they can go up fast - creating a major impact on monthly finances. Do you know that if your interest goes up 1%, your monthly payment will go up 10%? What's more likely? Home values dropping 10% or interest rates going up 1%?
3. Lenders are back in the game!
The final quarter of 2009's financial meltdown led to a sense that financing had dried up, but mortgage funds are alive and available. The majority of banks make money by making loans - they simply have to get back in the game. Most people don't know that it is still possible to get a loan with as little as 0-3% down where your credit score isn't the only determining factor.
4. Prices are trending back up
Every major price index points to a housing market that has hit bottom and is moving in a positive direction. After thirty months of declining values, home prices appear to be stable or appreciating in nearly every U.S. market. Locally, in the New Orleans Uptown market, prices are trending back up and sellers are beginning to see the shift from a buyer's market to a seller's market, meaning that sellers are not willing to make the concessions that they use to make in the past and they are also starting to see competing offers from different buyers on their homes.
5. Sellers are motivated!
When speaking of the New Orleans Metropolitan Area (i.e. Lakeview/Lakefront, Metairie, Mid-City, The Northshore), Supply now exceeds demand and buyers have the upper hand. This means lots of choices, lots of negotiating power and smart sellers fiercely competing by offering great prices and excellent conditions.
6. Ownership costs are dropping below rental costs!
The recent downturn in the housing market resulted in a drop in rental rates, but rents are back on the rise while the cost of home ownership has dropped.
Did you know that everyone is buying real estate, just not necessarily for themselves? If you are renting, you are buying real estate for your landlord. Wouldn't you rather be buying it for yourself?
7. Home ownership remains at the core of the American Dream
A recent Fannie Mae study reveals that the majority of Americans still aspire to own a home.
-Owning a home is critical to financial stability and wealth building.
-A home serves as a forced savings account and provides a solid asset, as well as a place to live.
-Despite the recent market upheaval, the vast majority of Americans still consider home ownership to be important to the economy and preferable to renting.
-Since the end of World War II, promoting home ownership has been high on the list of the federal government's priorities, and will continue to be so.
If you need assistance in real estate, contact Alicia Lagarde Craig or Jeff Craig @ 504.352.6190 or 504.382.3724.
References: KW Seize the Market Action Book
1. Homes have never been more affordable.
Do you realize that today people are buying houses at the same prices they were ten years ago? It's like having a time machine: you get to go back and buy at yesterday's prices today. One of the advantages of buying at the lower end of the market is that in a few years it will appreciate more than homes that are more expensive. Homes that now cost $100,000 are likely to appreciate to between $130,000 and $150,000, while homes starting at the $500,000 won't reach $650,000-$700,000 in the same time frame. That's because there is less demand the higher you go. Demand drives price increases and, as the market improves, demand for lower price points will go up faster than at the higher end.
2. Mortgage rates are at rock bottom and won't stay there forever.
The national average on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped to 4.36% in August 2010 - lower than it's been in the past half century. Once rates start going up again, they can go up fast - creating a major impact on monthly finances. Do you know that if your interest goes up 1%, your monthly payment will go up 10%? What's more likely? Home values dropping 10% or interest rates going up 1%?
3. Lenders are back in the game!
The final quarter of 2009's financial meltdown led to a sense that financing had dried up, but mortgage funds are alive and available. The majority of banks make money by making loans - they simply have to get back in the game. Most people don't know that it is still possible to get a loan with as little as 0-3% down where your credit score isn't the only determining factor.
4. Prices are trending back up
Every major price index points to a housing market that has hit bottom and is moving in a positive direction. After thirty months of declining values, home prices appear to be stable or appreciating in nearly every U.S. market. Locally, in the New Orleans Uptown market, prices are trending back up and sellers are beginning to see the shift from a buyer's market to a seller's market, meaning that sellers are not willing to make the concessions that they use to make in the past and they are also starting to see competing offers from different buyers on their homes.
5. Sellers are motivated!
When speaking of the New Orleans Metropolitan Area (i.e. Lakeview/Lakefront, Metairie, Mid-City, The Northshore), Supply now exceeds demand and buyers have the upper hand. This means lots of choices, lots of negotiating power and smart sellers fiercely competing by offering great prices and excellent conditions.
6. Ownership costs are dropping below rental costs!
The recent downturn in the housing market resulted in a drop in rental rates, but rents are back on the rise while the cost of home ownership has dropped.
Did you know that everyone is buying real estate, just not necessarily for themselves? If you are renting, you are buying real estate for your landlord. Wouldn't you rather be buying it for yourself?
7. Home ownership remains at the core of the American Dream
A recent Fannie Mae study reveals that the majority of Americans still aspire to own a home.
-Owning a home is critical to financial stability and wealth building.
-A home serves as a forced savings account and provides a solid asset, as well as a place to live.
-Despite the recent market upheaval, the vast majority of Americans still consider home ownership to be important to the economy and preferable to renting.
-Since the end of World War II, promoting home ownership has been high on the list of the federal government's priorities, and will continue to be so.
If you need assistance in real estate, contact Alicia Lagarde Craig or Jeff Craig @ 504.352.6190 or 504.382.3724.
References: KW Seize the Market Action Book
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Homebuyer Tax Credit Closer to Extension
Blogging From The Desk of Alicia Lagarde-Craig
Homebuyer Tax Credit Closer to Extension
November 3rd, 2009
The $8,000 federal tax credit for first-time homebuyers that is set to expire at the end of the month inched another step closer to getting extended until April. The Senate voted 85-2 yesterday to move the bill to a final vote, and senior members of Congress said that they expected the bill to pass next week.
In what officials say is a move to stimulate the economy, the measure might even be expanded to give a $6,500 tax credit to homebuyers who have lived in their previous home for at least 5 years.
Prolonging the tax credit is sure to be welcomed by home builders like Toll Brothers and KB Homes, as well as financial institutions like U.S. Bank, whose mortgage-revenue rose nearly 5% last quarter.
The vote comes only weeks after tax officials testified that they received 90,000 bogus claims for the $8,000 credit. Some 1.4 million legitimate claims have been filed, totaling approximately $18 billion in tax credits.
Homebuyer Tax Credit Closer to Extension
November 3rd, 2009
The $8,000 federal tax credit for first-time homebuyers that is set to expire at the end of the month inched another step closer to getting extended until April. The Senate voted 85-2 yesterday to move the bill to a final vote, and senior members of Congress said that they expected the bill to pass next week.
In what officials say is a move to stimulate the economy, the measure might even be expanded to give a $6,500 tax credit to homebuyers who have lived in their previous home for at least 5 years.
Prolonging the tax credit is sure to be welcomed by home builders like Toll Brothers and KB Homes, as well as financial institutions like U.S. Bank, whose mortgage-revenue rose nearly 5% last quarter.
The vote comes only weeks after tax officials testified that they received 90,000 bogus claims for the $8,000 credit. Some 1.4 million legitimate claims have been filed, totaling approximately $18 billion in tax credits.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
First-Time Home Buyer Class
Blogging From The Desk of Alicia Lagarde-Craig
Don't Miss This Fabulous Opportunity to attend a First Time Home Buyers Class hosted by Keller Williams Realty New Orleans. It will be held on Tuesday June 23, 2009 at Keller Williams Realty in New Orleans. This class will be held from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm. (Class Details Below)
Don't Miss This Fabulous Opportunity to attend a First Time Home Buyers Class hosted by Keller Williams Realty New Orleans. It will be held on Tuesday June 23, 2009 at Keller Williams Realty in New Orleans. This class will be held from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm. (Class Details Below)
Come find out why Keller Williams is the 3rd largest Real Estate Company in the United States. It's because your success is our goal!
Class Details:
Event:
First Time Home Buyers Class @ Keller Williams Realty New Orleans
Address:
8601 Leake Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70118
Time:
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Goal:
To teach the steps necessary to buy and maintain a home.
Registration:
Call or Email to Reserve. Seating is limited!
Alicia Lagarde Craig @ 504-382-3724 or AliciaLagarde@kw.com
or
Jeff Craig @ 504-352-6190 or JeffCraig@kw.com
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