Monday, November 20, 2023

Gotta Get Some Curb Appeal

 When it comes to curb appeal, your house will thank you-and so will your neighbors. The curb appeal of your home is the first impression that visitors get and there is only one chance for a first impression. That is why curb appeal is so important. “There are two primary emotive things that happen when you come across the kind of residence you appreciate. One is, Gosh, I would love to own that. That’s more ego-driven. The one I love the most is when I think, It must be wonderful in there,” says Bobby McAlpine, an Atlanta architect.

Curb appeal became very important, especially during the pandemic. Curb appeal is more than just window boxes and white picket fences nowadays. “Light and shadow are an architect’s most important tools when it comes to thinking about exteriors,” says architect Nicholas Potts. Another important factor is the greenery surrounding the exterior. You want to use the grass and plants that work best in your environment. For example, if you live in a desert environment you will want to use low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plants.

Remember curb appeal is a must when it comes to the exterior appearance of your home and your property. “It gives itself over just like a person would. It’s going to be the light in their eyes,” states McAlpine. Your curb appeal must look in place in the area it is. “The facade needs to relate to where we are,” says designer Suzanne Kasler.

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Tuesday, November 14, 2023

New Residency Program for St. Tammany

 All over the US, there has been a doctor shortage and St. Tammany Health System and Ochsner Health are joining forces to help remedy this problem by creating a new family medicine residency program. The program will be on the Northshore in Covington and is already under construction.

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, the country might have a big shortage by 2034 of 50,000 primary care doctors. In the state, the Louisiana Board of Medical Examiners reported in 2022 there were a little over 18,000 licensed doctors.

The 18,000-square-foot clinic is slated to begin in July 2024 with eight residences and then add twenty-four residents each year. Both health systems want to bring more doctors to South Louisiana. “Workforce has become all of our challenges. We’re always looking to create a pipeline,” says Joan Coffman, president and CEO of St. Tammany Health System. The program’s director will be Dr. Lisa Casey, who will work with all the residents. The clinic will offer x-rays, lab work and physical therapy.

This is just part of the healthcare expansion around St. Tammany. Currently, there is a $75 million outpatient surgery center that is planned to open in 2024 and a $50 million three-story addition to Slidell Memorial Hospital. “We are seeing healthcare change, so it is more important than ever that we adapt to families’ needs,” Dr. Timothy Riddell, CEO of Ochsner Northshore and Mississippi Gulf Coast Region said.

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Friday, November 10, 2023

Tips From the Professional on How To Declutter Before a Move

 It is reported that around twenty-two million people moved in the US in 2021. A move is a move whether it is across town or in the US. When moving, it is always a good idea to declutter before packing and moving your home.

This can become very important when hiring movers because movers will charge by weight. You want to size down the amount of stuff you are moving to your new home. Here are steps to take before backing your moving boxes.

1. Plan ahead

Everyone accumulates stuff over their lifetime. This includes kitchenware, linens, photos, tools, and much much more. “If you start early, you can take it slow. Physically, it’s hard work but it’s also emotionally exhausting. It’s the equivalent of your life flashing before your eyes,” comments Jennifer Dwight, a Hawaii-based professional organizer with Ideal Organizing + Design. Decluttering will take some time so set several weeks or longer aside to do this.

2. Go room by room

By going room by room, you are taking a more organized approach. While many of us will want to declutter some in the kitchen, then move on to a closet and then to the garage, this is not productive. “The benefit of tackling one room at a time is that you can better evaluate completion,” organizer Nicole Gabai, the founder of B. Organized says. “You can clearly look around that one room and double-check that you have gotten rid of everything you possibly can from that one room before moving on to the next.”

3. Make easy decisions first

Treasured items are harder to declutter because of the memories and emotions that are linked to them. This can make the process seem very overwhelming. Start with simple things that are easy decisions such as expired food, old utility bills, or clothes that don’t fit. “This is the ‘first pass,’ ” Gabai says. “You’ll go through that same room one or two more times to honestly assess how much you need to bring to your next home.”

4. Skip the ‘maybe’ pile

Do not have a maybe pile, there can be no gray areas. You should have a keep, donate, sell, or toss pile. “Always, the maybe pile is the biggest pile — and all you’re doing is putting off a hard decision,” Mary Kay Buysse, co-executive director of the National Association of Senior and Specialty Move Managers explains. “Be brutal with yourself and make those decisions.”

5. Get a floor plan

Before you move into your new home, get a copy of the floor plan. This way you can plan out the space and see what fits and looks good. This is a great way to be able to determine what to donate, toss or sell.

6. Get your Kids involved

In this day in age, a lot of things are not handed down like they used to be. “Up until the last generation, it was always a given that things were going to be handed down,” says Dwight. When decluttering get your kids’ input on what they would like to keep or toss.

Remember decluttering can be a hard and arduous task. There are professionals that you can hire. “When it all becomes too overwhelming, it might be time to bring in a professional organizer who specializes in move management,” says Gabai. “It can help you create a timeline with achievable goals to prepare you for the move day. They will hold you accountable and help you evaluate what to keep and what to toss or donate.”

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Thursday, November 2, 2023

A Mortgage Can Do a Lot When It Comes to Your Home

 When it comes to mortgages, they are generally thought of as just for buying or building a new home. A mortgage can also come in handy when it comes to renovations, repairs and restorations. This means when you are in the market for a mortgage, you need to understand what the different loan types are.

Private loans are only offered by private lenders. They are offered to approved homebuyers and come as conventional, construction and jumbo. A buyer must have a good credit history, 10% to 20% of the loan’s value for a downpayment, and want the most attractive current rates available for a conventional loan. For a construction loan a buyer must have an excellent credit history, must be building a new home on purchased land and have a bit of a longer timeline than most. A jumbo loan a buyer has to have an excellent credit history, a home valued over $424,100 and a high down payment.

Government-backed loans are backed by the government. An FHA loan is for a homebuyer with a low income, only has 3.5% to 10% for a down payment and can also be a first-time homebuyer. A USDA Rural loan is for a homebuyer who lives in a rural area, has a low income and little downpayment and is fixing up the home. A VA loan buyer has to have had at least six months of military, reserves or National Guard service, or a spouse of a veteran who died in active duty and fair credit history.

Purchasing a home is a very exciting time and financing your home should be also. Understanding the different types of financing can help reduce the stress of the process and make it much more enjoyable.

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Ideas To Use To Increase Your Home's Curb Appeal

 When it’s time to sell your home, the curb appeal is important. Remember that the curb appeal is your home’s first impression. Here are several projects which will help make that good first impression.

1. New siding

Remodeling Magazine put out the Cost vs. Value Report which said that replacing your siding will increase the value of your home. It can be a chunk of change, but you will recoop around 94% of what you spent.

2. Well-maintained lawn

Driving up to a home with a brown front lawn, or an unkept lawn that is overgrown is not the greatest first impression. During the warmer months when the grass grows quickly, you will need to mow the lawn at least once a week. If you have to fix some dead patches, then you can use grass seed or sode tile to patch it up good as new.

3. Clean windows and driveway

Cleaning your windows is a quick and easy project. You will enjoy the clean look on the outside as well as the inside.  A Clean window allows more natural light to come through, which will improve the look and feel of your home’s interior as well!  Pressure washing your driveway also makes your curb appeal pop. This can be done by renting a pressure washer or using your own.

4. Exterior lighting and a new front door

Low voltage lighting can be added to your landscaping that will highlight your curb appeal. According to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry a new front door will improve the livability of your house and its energy efficiency. The return on this investment is around 63%.

5. Energy-efficient windows and new garage door

Replacing all of your windows comes with a big price tag but can work to your advantage. New windows will update your home on the outside and the inside and it will also reduce utility costs and help with energy efficiency. Replacing the garage doors is very good to appeal to your curb appeal. According to the NARI, you will recoup 100 percent of your investment.

6. Adding a deck or patio and shuttered windows

Adding a wooden deck will not only expand your living space but will also bring a return on your investment. Shutters will increase value and add a lot to your curb appeal. They come in vinyl, wood, aluminum, composite and fiberglass.

These ideas are projects that will help your home make a great first impression and add value to your home. Remember when maintaining and keeping your exterior on your home up will not only help avoid costly bills down the road.

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Home Maintenance Tasks To Complete Before Winter

 The fall brings cooler weather, shorter days, and many fun holidays to celebrate. Before the weather gets too cold and dreary, take care of some essential home maintenance. Here is a list, from the professionals, on what to take on.

1. Inspect and Clean Gutters and Downspouts

During the fall the leaves change colors and then start to fall to the ground. This means that your gutters can easily become clogged with the falling leaves. Clogged gutters will cause water buildup and damage to your house’s foundation. You want to make sure to clean out all of the debris from your gutters and downspouts this fall.

2. Check the Roof

You do not have to take a ladder and climb up on your roof to inspect it. You can do a visual inspection and look for any loose or damaged shingles. Repairing the loose or damaged shingles will prevent your roof from leaking and water damage.

3. Seal Windows and Doors

The winter time is a time when it is both cold and windy. A home with cool drafts coming through cracks is not good for your comfort or your heating bill. This fall inspect the seals that are around all of your windows and doors. If the sealant looks worn and is coming off, replace and repair it.

4. Service Your Heating System

Having your heating system fail during the cold winter months is not acceptable. Before the cold kicks in, have a professional come and inspect your heating system. They will fix any issues and also perform maintenance such as replacing filters.

5. Chimney and Fireplace Maintenance

This is a serious issue because it can start fires. Make sure that your chimney and flute are clean and in working order. If your chimney is blocked, this is when a fire can happen.

6. Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

The fall is a great time to test and replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. It is very important for these to work when the power goes out to keep your family safe.

7. Drain and Store Outdoor Hoses and Insulate Pipes

If the temperature drops below freezing, any water left in your hose will freeze and cause damage. Take your hoses in for the winter to extend their lifespan. You will also want to insulate any pipes that are exposed to the outdoor elements. These could freeze and burst and can cause a lot of damage.

8. Lawn Prep and Storage For Outdoor Furniture

You will want to trim back trees and any bushes that are close to your home. Any branches close to your home can cause damage during storms. It is also a good idea to clean and store your outdoor furniture. Doing this will extend your outdoor furniture’s lifespan.

Remember doing these tasks each fall will make a great difference in the safety and maintenance of your home. You want to stay proactive and not just reactive when it comes to taking care of your home during the cold winter season.

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