http://activerain.com/blogs/maxwell News, thoughts, about Real Estate, communities, schools, political and any other interesting Information about New Orleans, LA. ActiveRain.com en-us http://activerain.com/blogsview/2808255/-our-agent-is-on-vacation-can-you-show-us-some-houses-asked-the-buyer- <p>The Hansens use the same analogy I always use.  If you go to work and expect to get a check at the end of the week or at the end of the job how would you feel if your employer decided to give your check to another employee after you did a really excellent job for them...that is what happens when buyers have one agent and then decide to call another.  It is not fair to let the second agent do a lot of work for you and go back to the first agent.  The second agent is spending time with you that they aren't spending with a client that will ensure they get paid.</p> <div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/2803089/-our-agent-is-on-vacation-can-you-show-us-some-houses-asked-the-buyer-">Sally &amp; David Hanson WI Realtors Luxury\Short Sale\CDPE\ABR\e-Pro\REDS (Keller Williams 414-525-0563)</a></b>:<br><blockquote> <p> </p> <p style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; text-align: left; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-size: 20pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; color: #7030a0; font-weight: bold;"> <img title="house with keys" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/4/9/9/ar132844323699438.jpg" height="257" alt="house with keys" style="float: left;" width="196">  We could show you houses…but if we show you the house, we are also your agent for the houses we show you. It is better for you to decide to who you want to work with and stay with one agent.<span>  </span>The buyer said that they had another agent who had shown them a few houses but they really didn’t feel he was listening to their needs and that he understood what they wanted. He did not know the areas they had chosen based upon their commute to work….they were not comfortable with him and had no buyer agency contract.</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; text-align: left; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-size: 20pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; color: #7030a0; font-weight: bold;"><span> </span></span><span style="font-size: 20pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; color: #7030a0; font-weight: bold;"><span>     </span>We explained our qualifications and sent them information about the areas and about our experience in real estate and suggested that he and his wife discuss who they would like to have represent them in the purchase of their home.</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; text-align: left; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-size: 20pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; color: #7030a0; font-weight: bold;"><span> </span></span><span style="font-size: 20pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; color: #7030a0; font-weight: bold;"><span>  <img title="no money" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/8/4/6/2/ar132844354926489.jpg" height="172" alt="no money" style="float: left;" width="186">    </span>It would not be fair to either the present agent or to us to shop with more than one agent. When buyers ask us questions like this, we tell them that it would be like if they went to work and at the end of the week expected a paycheck. Instead of getting paid, the employer paid the person in the next office instead of paying them. They laughed…but this illustration made it clear to them that working with one agent and evaluating their background and experience in addition to how they felt the “personal chemistry” fit their needs helped them choose the agent who worked best for them and with them.<img title="chemistry" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/9/0/0/3/ar132844376730095.jpg" height="194" alt="chemistry" style="float: right;" width="259"></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; text-align: left; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-size: 20pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; color: #7030a0; font-weight: bold;"><span> </span></span><span style="font-size: 20pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; color: #7030a0; font-weight: bold;"><span>   </span>If you are looking for a home in southeastern Wisconsin, we invite you to <a href="http://www.HansonRealEstate.Net" title="Hanson Real Estate">call us</a>, test our chemistry and interview us for the honor of being your agent for one of the largest purchases you will ever make. We are agents for a lifetime, and proud to be of service.</span></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Sally K. &amp; David L. Hanson, ABR, CDPE, CSS, e-Pro,ILHM, REDS</span></strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.hansonrealestate.net/ContactSallyAndDavidHanson.html" title="Sell your home with David and Sally Hansen" target="_blank"><img title="whats your home worth" class="wp-image-3018 alignnone" src="http://midorimiller.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/whats-your-home-worth-150x150.jpg" height="90" alt="" width="90"></a><a href="http://www.hansonrealestate.net/ContactSallyAndDavidHanson.html" rel="http://www.hansonrealestate.net/ContactSallyAndDavidHanson.html" target="_blank"><img title="email us" class="wp-image-3017 alignnone" src="http://midorimiller.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/email-us-150x150.jpg" height="90" alt="" width="90"></a><a href="http://www.hansonrealestate.net/MLSsearch.html" target="_blank"><img title="search homes" class="wp-image-3016 alignnone" src="http://midorimiller.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/search-homes-150x150.jpg" height="90" alt="" width="90"></a><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/sallykhanson" target="_blank"><img title="Connect With Me On Linkedin" class="wp-image-3011 alignnone" src="http://midorimiller.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/social-linkedin-button-blue-icon-150x150.png" height="90" alt="" width="90"></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/people/Sally-K-Hanson/600759679" target="_blank"><img title="Join Us on Facebook" class="wp-image-3012 alignnone" src="http://midorimiller.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/facebook-button-150x150.png" height="90" alt="" width="90"></a>  </p> </div> </blockquote> </div> <div class="agent_signature"> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/1/9/1/7/ar124325263971917.jpg" height="100" alt="" style="float: left;" width="85">                      </p> <p> </p> <p>   <img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/7/8/3/8/ar125067779083874.png" height="28" alt="" width="206">  </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><br></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">RE/MAX N.O. Properties, Associate Broker and REALTOR®, New Orleans, LA 70118</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">504-908-2268 (C)    </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: small;">504-866-7733</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">  {O}                             </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Each Office Independently Owned and Operated        </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Licensed in the State of Louisiana, USA</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.neworleanspropertylady.com" target="_blank">New Orleans Property Lady</a> | <a href="http://www.NewOrleansRealEstateTalk.com" target="_self">New Orleans Real Estate Talk</a><br>           <a href="http://search.neworleanspropertylady.com/idx/12848/basicSearch.php">Search for Properties in New Orleans and Surrounding Suburbs</a>           </span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">                 </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/8/7/9/7/ar132507179679781.jpg" height="236" alt="" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="214">  </span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0; padding-bottom: 0; text-align: center; line-height: 0;"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NewOrleansPropertyLady/~6/1" target="_blank"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/NewOrleansPropertyLady.1.gif" alt="New Orleans Property Lady" style="border: 0;"></a></p> <p style="margin-top: 5px; padding-top: 0; font-size: x-small; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/headlineanimator/install?id=m4h341e8r8n9igbsdl9pjfsgfs&amp;w=1" target="_blank">↑ Grab this Headline Animator</a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8px;">Copyright 2012, Miriam Bernstein, All Rights Reserved</span></p> </div> Miriam Bernstein REALTOR® New Orleans Real Estate (RE/MAX N.O. Properties) Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:17:10 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2808255/-our-agent-is-on-vacation-can-you-show-us-some-houses-asked-the-buyer- http://activerain.com/blogsview/2792041/ten-things-to-remove-before-listing- <p></p><p>When selling a home a seller often hears that you need to declutter but what does that mean.  Here is a well thought out list of 10 items to start with.</p><div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/2791467/ten-things-to-remove-before-listing-">Lindsey Hasford (Coldwell Banker Vision)</a></b>:<br><blockquote> <p>Everyone has heard rumors of de-cluttering when it's time to sell your home. But, what does that really mean?  Before going hog wild and moving out... here's a few of the most important things to consider removing before you list your home for sale.</p> <p>10. <strong>Personal photos</strong>. I don't always recommend removing photos of the 'family' but if you have hallways filled with photos or photos on every end table it is probably necessary. Buyers really DO get distracted by them. They will take them all in as they walk down the hall. Not only do they take away from the home, but it's really disturbing when a buyer is excited to 'know' the sellers. And, the buyers do look at them.<img title="home" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/4/9/8/8/ar132820588688942.jpg" height="374" alt="home" style="float: right; margin: 3px; border: 3px solid black;" width="280"></p> <p>9. <strong>Bills and personal papers</strong>. I understand that you cannot remove these document from the home all together, but please take the time to organize them, box them up and put them out of sight. If you have bills laying out on the counter or kitchen table it's like an invitation for the buyers to 'peek' at them. Believe me - I discourage it - but it still happens. And as a seller you just don't want to leave the temptation behind.</p> <p>8.<strong> Money</strong>. I would love to say that every buyer (and Realtor) going through every home is honest, but I really don't want to test those waters. If you have cash, cash boxes or coin jars sitting out in the open... put them away. It's just better for everyone if it's out of sight. As Realtors we do what we can to protect your home, but your help makes a difference!</p> <p>7. <strong>Valuables</strong>. Jewelry, watches, valuable antiques.... anything that might be worth a bit of money that you wouldn't want to lose. Out of sight, out of mind. If buyers don't know they are there they won't think about it. I can't tell you how many homes I've been in where the jewelry is left on the dresser.... somehow it's uncomfortable. At least put it away.</p> <p>6. <strong>Guns and ammo</strong>. I don't care if they are in a case or out laying around or under a bed. It's better if you just plain old remove them from the home prior to listing. For some reason they make buyers (in my experience) feel really insecure. </p> <p>5. <strong>Shoes!</strong> If you have a pile of shoes at the door... ask yourself why. A pile of shoes gives a buyer two impressions. The first? That there isn't enough storage in your home. 2. That there are too many people living in the home. So, in order to avoid wondering on the part of the buyer... just put them away.</p> <p>4. <strong>Medicine.</strong> Take it out. Don't store it on the counter. Don't store it in the cabinet. Don't store it in the bathroom. Remove it. There have been many complaints over the years of potential buyers 'stealing' the medicine out of the cabinets. I have never had it happen on my time clock, but to avoid any trouble it's best to simply remove it. </p> <p>3. <strong>All things on your kitchen counter</strong>. Everything? Really? Yup. The cleaner you can leave the counter, the more buyers dream of being in there. Have you ever been in a cluttered kitchen? Does it feel inviting? How about a cleaned up kitchen? Does it make you wanna spend time there? Also, if you store things on the counter it gives the appearance that you do not have enough storage space. </p> <p>2.<strong> No more junk drawers</strong>. Seriously. Clean 'em out. There is nothing more tacky than a potential buyer opening the cupboards and drawers and having things sticking out everywhere. Box up all the notes, pens, tacks, and odds and ends and put them away. Chances are you don't dig in the drawer often anyways. </p> <p>1. <strong>Nothing but magnets</strong>.... and maybe not even that. Take a photo of your fridge, take everything off, wash the front (and side), and take another photo. It is really refreshing to walk into a home that has a clean fridge. The kids pictures are beautiful (believe me... my fridge is covered in them) but buyer's can't imagine their own children's drawing on there if it is covered with yours. And, the magnets... If they aren't decorative (and even then) they are generally more of a distraction to the room than a help. Consider it.</p> <p>There are many more ways to declutter a home for sale... but these are some important things to consider. For more information on selling your home in Minnesota... give me a call. </p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p style="text-align: center;">_________________________________________________________________________________________</p> <p><em><strong>                 In the meantime</strong></em>... if you are looking to move into the area... I'll wait for you to call!</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="logo" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/2/5/3/2/ar129538407323523.JPG" height="85" alt="logo" width="145"></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Selling Real Estate in Minnesota! </strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;">If you are looking for professional real estate services I am only a ring away! I am looking forward to working with you. And, please feel free to share my name with anyone that you know who needs assistance buying or selling a home ~ I love referrals!<br><strong><img title="qr code" src="../..http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/4/2/1/ar129530081812443.png" height="101" alt="qr code" width="101" style="float: right;"></strong><br>                                                  <strong> Lindsey Hasford, REALTOR</strong><br>                                                        Coldwell Banker Vision<br>                                             231 Main Street - Elk River - MN 55330<br>                                          763-241-5488 (office)  763-218-1347 (cell)<br>                                           lindseyhasford@coldwellbankervision.com<br>                                                  http://www.hasfordhomes.com</p> </div> </blockquote> </div> <div class="agent_signature"> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/1/9/1/7/ar124325263971917.jpg" height="100" alt="" style="float: left;" width="85">                      </p> <p> </p> <p>   <img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/7/8/3/8/ar125067779083874.png" height="28" alt="" width="206">  </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><br></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">RE/MAX N.O. Properties, Associate Broker and REALTOR®, New Orleans, LA 70118</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">504-908-2268 (C)    </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: small;">504-866-7733</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">  {O}                             </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Each Office Independently Owned and Operated        </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Licensed in the State of Louisiana, USA</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.neworleanspropertylady.com" target="_blank">New Orleans Property Lady</a> | <a href="http://www.NewOrleansRealEstateTalk.com" target="_self">New Orleans Real Estate Talk</a><br>           <a href="http://search.neworleanspropertylady.com/idx/12848/basicSearch.php">Search for Properties in New Orleans and Surrounding Suburbs</a>           </span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">                 </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/8/7/9/7/ar132507179679781.jpg" height="236" alt="" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="214">  </span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0; padding-bottom: 0; text-align: center; line-height: 0;"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NewOrleansPropertyLady/~6/1" target="_blank"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/NewOrleansPropertyLady.1.gif" alt="New Orleans Property Lady" style="border: 0;"></a></p> <p style="margin-top: 5px; padding-top: 0; font-size: x-small; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/headlineanimator/install?id=m4h341e8r8n9igbsdl9pjfsgfs&amp;w=1" target="_blank">↑ Grab this Headline Animator</a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8px;">Copyright 2012, Miriam Bernstein, All Rights Reserved</span></p> </div> Miriam Bernstein REALTOR® New Orleans Real Estate (RE/MAX N.O. Properties) Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:25:47 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2792041/ten-things-to-remove-before-listing- http://activerain.com/blogsview/2776275/va-funding-fees-for-2012 <p></p><p>Good review of funding fees for 2012 for those in the military, active or retired, national guard or reserves.  It is still possible for these individuals to get a -0- down loan.</p><div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/2776201/va-funding-fees-for-2012">Mark Taylor FHA VA USDA HUD &amp; Investor Loans (First Time Buyers Investors and move up buyers)</a></b>:<br><blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.vaarizons.net" title="Mark Taylor VA Loan website" target="_blank"><strong>VA Funding Fees for 2012</strong></a></p> <p><strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/VAArizonaloans" title="Mark Taylor's VA Facebook Page" target="_blank"><img title="va loans in az facebook site" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/7/8/9/8/ar132789231889874.jpg" height="180" alt="va loans in az facebook image" width="180"></a>  </strong></p> <p style="margin-top: 20px; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;">The VA funding fee is required by law.</p> <p style="margin-top: 20px; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">The VA Funding Fee is paid directly to the Department of Veteran's Affairs and is the reason they can guarantee this no-money-down loan program. This fee is paid so that VA eligibile borrowers can enjoy loan benefits such as $0 down financing and no PMI payments.</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 20px; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">So as a reference i created this for you the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://www.vaarizons.net" title="Mark Taylor VA Loan website" target="_blank"><strong>VA Funding Fees for 2012</strong></a></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 20px; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;">For a first-time buyer the fee, is currently<strong> 2.15% of loan amount financed.</strong></p> <p style="margin-top: 20px; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">For second time users who do not make a down payment</span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span"> is 3.3%</span></strong></p> <p style="margin-top: 20px; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;"><strong></strong>The reason for the difference is intended to enable the veteran who obtains a <strong><a href="http://vaarizona.net/" title="Mark Taylor VA resource site" target="_blank">VA home loan</a></strong> to contribute toward the cost of this benefit, and thereby reduce the cost to taxpayers. The idea of a higher fee for second time use is based on the fact that these veterans have already had a chance to use the benefit once, and also that prior users should have had time to accumulate equity or save money towards a down payment.</p> <p style="margin-top: 20px; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;"><em><strong>For purchases or construction loans by active military or retired is:</strong></em></p> <p style="margin-top: 20px; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;">Zero down for a 1st time user the VA Funding Fee is: 2.15%</p> <p style="margin-top: 20px; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">5% down for a 1st time user the </span>VA Funding Fee<span class="Apple-style-span"> is: 1.5%</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 20px; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">10% down or more for a 1st time user the </span>VA Funding Fee<span class="Apple-style-span"> is: 1.25%</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 20px; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Zero down 2nd time or more user the </span>VA Funding Fee<span class="Apple-style-span"> is: 3.3%</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 20px; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">5% down for a 2nd time user the </span>VA Funding Fee<span class="Apple-style-span"> is: 1.5%</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 20px; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">10% down or more for a 2nd time user the </span>VA Funding Fee<span class="Apple-style-span"> is: 1.25%</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 20px; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;"><em><strong><span class="Apple-style-span">For Reserves or National Guard</span></strong></em></p> <p style="margin-top: 20px; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;">Zero down for a 1st time user the VA Funding Fee is: 2.4%</p> <p style="margin-top: 20px; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">5% down for a 1st time user the </span>VA Funding Fee<span class="Apple-style-span"> is: 1.75%</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 20px; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">10% down or more for a 1st time user the </span>VA Funding Fee<span class="Apple-style-span"> is: 1.5%</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 20px; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Zero down 2nd time or more user the </span>VA Funding Fee<span class="Apple-style-span"> is: 3.3%</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 20px; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">5% down for a 2nd time user the </span>VA Funding Fee<span class="Apple-style-span"> is: 1.75%</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 20px; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">10% down or more for a 2nd time user the </span>VA Funding Fee<span class="Apple-style-span"> is: 1.5%</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 20px; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;"><strong>Cash-out refinancing loans</strong></p> <p style="margin-top: 20px; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><strong>Regular military</strong> require a 2.15% fee for first time users and a 3.3% </span>VA Funding Fee<span class="Apple-style-span"> for subsequent users. </span></p> <p style="margin-top: 20px; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;"><strong>Reserves or National Guard</strong>, the requirement is a 2.4% VA Funding Fee for first time users and a 3.3% fee for subsequent users.</p> <p style="margin-top: 20px; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;"><em>If there are down payments involved, refer to the information above. On interest rate reduction loans, the VA funding fee is .50% and it is 1.0% on Manufactured Home Loans.</em></p> <p style="margin-top: 20px; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;"><strong><em>Good news there are exceptions</em></strong></p> <ul style="font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;"> <li>Veterans receiving VA compensation for service-connected disabilities.</li> <li>Veterans who would be entitled to receive compensation for service-connected disabilities if they did not receive retirement pay.</li> <li>Surviving spouses of veterans who died in service or from service-connected disabilities (whether or not such surviving spouses are veterans with their own entitlement and whether or not they are using their own entitlement on the loan).</li> </ul> <div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px;"><strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/VAArizonaloans" title="amazing facebook page for the military" target="_blank"><img title="branches of the military" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/8/5/5/9/ar13278931695585.jpg" height="125" alt="branches of the military" width="600"></a></strong></span></span></div> <div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">For more information or to see why we are blessed to serve our military personnel stop by <strong><a href="http://www.vaarizona.net" title="Mark's site for active, retired and reserve military" target="_blank">www.vaarizona.net</a></strong></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">Thanks for reading and commenting on my blog: </span><a href="http://www.vaarizons.net" title="Mark Taylor VA Loan website" target="_blank"><strong>VA Funding Fees for 2012</strong></a> </div> <div><strong><br></strong></div> <div class="agent_signature"> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td><a href="http://activerain.com/blogs/marktaylor"><img title="Check out my ActiveRain Profile" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-923" src="http://awesomerates.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/1blank_ActiveRain_creatures-300x300.png" height="100" alt="Check out my ActiveRain Profile" width="100" style=""></a></td> <td><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Awesomeratescom/90846258102?ref=ts&amp;v=app_4949752878"><img title="Become a Fan on Facebook" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-924" src="http://awesomerates.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/1286374595_Facebook_creatures.png" height="100" alt="Become a Fan on Facebook" width="100" style=""></a></td> <td><a href="http://twitter.com/mortgagemoment"><img title="Follow me on Twitter" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-925" src="http://awesomerates.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/1286374675_Twitter_creatures.png" height="100" alt="Follow me on Twitter" width="100" style=""></a></td> <td><a href="http://www.youtube.com/themortgagemoment"><img title="Check out my YouTube Video Channel" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-926" src="http://awesomerates.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/1286374737_YouTube_creatures-300x300.png" height="100" alt="Check out my YouTube Video Channel" width="100" style=""></a></td> <td><a href="http://www.themortgagemoment.com"><img title="Check out My Arizona Mortgage Blog for the latest mortgage news, updates and more" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-927" src="http://awesomerates.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/1286374764_Feed_creatures-300x300.png" height="100" alt="Check out My Arizona Mortgage Blog for the latest mortgage news, updates and more" width="100" style=""></a></td> <td><a href="http://klout.com/#/mortgagemoment" title="See how much Arizona Mortgage Klout Mark Taylor has" target="_blank"><img title="See how much Arizona Mortgage Klout Mark Taylor has" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-972" src="http://awesomerates.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Klout-300x300.png" height="100" alt="See how much Arizona Mortgage Klout Mark Taylor has" width="100"></a></td> <td><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/awesomerates" title="View my Arizona Mortgage Linkedin Business Profile" target="_blank"><img title="View my Arizona Mortgage Linkedin Business Profile" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-974" src="http://awesomerates.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Linkedin1-300x300.png" height="100" alt="View my Arizona Mortgage Linkedin Business Profile" width="100" style=""></a></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <hr> <p>This Active Rain post is by <strong>Mark Taylor</strong>, to get your free mortgage approval please call <strong>602-361-0707</strong>. Please click on the links below to view my <strong><a href="http://www.facebook.com/markgtaylor" title="Mark taylor FHA, VA, USDA, HUD, Conventional, Jumbo and Investor Mortgage loans in Arizona and California" target="_self">AWESOME</a></strong> websites!</p> <p><a href="http://awesomerates.com/our-team/" target="_blank">Mark Taylor</a> | <a href="http://awesomerates.com" target="_blank">Arizona Home Loans</a> | <a href="http://blarming.com" target="_blank">Blarming</a> | <a href="http://willyoulistentome.com" target="_blank">Will You Listen to Me</a> | <a href="http://www.ArizonaShortSalesDoneRight.com" target="_blank">Arizona Short Sales</a> | <a href="http://www.ArizonaForeclosuresDoneRight.com" target="_blank">Arizona Foreclosures</a> | <a href="http://fhaarizona.net" target="_blank">Arizona FHA Loans</a> | <a href="http://arizonausda.com" target="_blank">Arizona USDA Loans</a> | <a href="http://azhud.net" target="_blank">Arizona HUD Homes</a> | <a href="http://vaarizona.net" target="_blank">Ariona VA Loans</a> | <a href="http://www.fixmybrokencredit.com" target="_blank">Fix My Broken Credit</a> | <a href="http://themortgagemoment.com" target="_blank">Arizona Mortgage</a> | <a href="http://ShortSaleResponseUnit.com" target="_blank">AZ Short Sale Help</a></p> <hr> </div> </blockquote> </div> <div class="agent_signature"> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/1/9/1/7/ar124325263971917.jpg" height="100" alt="" style="float: left;" width="85">                      </p> <p> </p> <p>   <img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/7/8/3/8/ar125067779083874.png" height="28" alt="" width="206">  </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><br></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">RE/MAX N.O. Properties, Associate Broker and REALTOR®, New Orleans, LA 70118</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">504-908-2268 (C)    </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: small;">504-866-7733</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">  {O}                             </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Each Office Independently Owned and Operated        </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Licensed in the State of Louisiana, USA</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.neworleanspropertylady.com" target="_blank">New Orleans Property Lady</a> | <a href="http://www.NewOrleansRealEstateTalk.com" target="_self">New Orleans Real Estate Talk</a><br>           <a href="http://search.neworleanspropertylady.com/idx/12848/basicSearch.php">Search for Properties in New Orleans and Surrounding Suburbs</a>           </span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">                 </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/8/7/9/7/ar132507179679781.jpg" height="236" alt="" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="214">  </span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0; padding-bottom: 0; text-align: center; line-height: 0;"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NewOrleansPropertyLady/~6/1" target="_blank"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/NewOrleansPropertyLady.1.gif" alt="New Orleans Property Lady" style="border: 0;"></a></p> <p style="margin-top: 5px; padding-top: 0; font-size: x-small; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/headlineanimator/install?id=m4h341e8r8n9igbsdl9pjfsgfs&amp;w=1" target="_blank">↑ Grab this Headline Animator</a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8px;">Copyright 2012, Miriam Bernstein, All Rights Reserved</span></p> </div> Miriam Bernstein REALTOR® New Orleans Real Estate (RE/MAX N.O. Properties) Sun, 29 Jan 2012 22:22:54 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2776275/va-funding-fees-for-2012 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2769665/kiva-new-orleans-support-small-business-entreprenuers <p><img title="Screen Shot 2012-01-27 at 7.24.25 PM" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1360" src="http://www.neworleanspropertylady.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2012-01-27-at-7.24.25-PM-300x36.png" height="36" alt="KIVA New Orleans" width="300" style="border-color: initial; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-width: 0px;"></p> <p> </p> <p>KIVA is a program that extends loans to extrepreneurs around the world  and is currently in two United States cities, New Orleans and Detroit. Micro loans as low as $25 can be contributed and anyone can lend money,  you decide who you want to support, you are not contributing money to the organization but to specific individuals.  Micro lenders around the world contribute. 450 individuals out of 100,000 started small businesses in the New Orleans area last year which is above the national average of 350 out of 100,000.</p> <p>New Orleans is the model city for KIVA in the United States. Some points of the program.</p> <p>$10,000 maximum loan</p> <p>36 months loan term</p> <p>15% interest/no collateral/no credit score - interest rate can be lowered with a good payment history</p> <p>Borrowers need to have a viable business plan and the ability to repay the loan</p> <p>Good Work Network processes the application.</p> <p>The actual loans are posted on the KIVA site and are fully funded within 24 hours</p> <p>Business support services available</p> <p>Most banks don't make small loans and the borrowers from KIVA have been turned down by a financial institution</p> <p>Loans are funding within 24 hours</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.KIVANOLA.org">KIVA New Orleans</a></p> <p><img title="Screen Shot 2012-01-27 at 7.24.25 PM" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1360" src="http://www.neworleanspropertylady.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2012-01-27-at-7.24.25-PM-300x36.png" height="36" alt="KIVA New Orleans" width="300" style="border-color: initial; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-width: 0px;"></p> <div> </div> <div class="agent_signature"> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/1/9/1/7/ar124325263971917.jpg" height="100" alt="" style="float: left;" width="85">                      </p> <p> </p> <p>   <img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/7/8/3/8/ar125067779083874.png" height="28" alt="" width="206">  </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><br></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">RE/MAX N.O. Properties, Associate Broker and REALTOR®, New Orleans, LA 70118</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">504-908-2268 (C)    </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: small;">504-866-7733</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">  {O}                             </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Each Office Independently Owned and Operated        </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Licensed in the State of Louisiana, USA</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.neworleanspropertylady.com" target="_blank">New Orleans Property Lady</a> | <a href="http://www.NewOrleansRealEstateTalk.com" target="_self">New Orleans Real Estate Talk</a><br>           <a href="http://search.neworleanspropertylady.com/idx/12848/basicSearch.php">Search for Properties in New Orleans and Surrounding Suburbs</a>           </span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">                 </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/8/7/9/7/ar132507179679781.jpg" height="236" alt="" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="214">  </span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0; padding-bottom: 0; text-align: center; line-height: 0;"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NewOrleansPropertyLady/~6/1" target="_blank"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/NewOrleansPropertyLady.1.gif" alt="New Orleans Property Lady" style="border: 0;"></a></p> <p style="margin-top: 5px; padding-top: 0; font-size: x-small; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/headlineanimator/install?id=m4h341e8r8n9igbsdl9pjfsgfs&amp;w=1" target="_blank">↑ Grab this Headline Animator</a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8px;">Copyright 2012, Miriam Bernstein, All Rights Reserved</span></p> </div> Miriam Bernstein REALTOR® New Orleans Real Estate (RE/MAX N.O. Properties) Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:38:56 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2769665/kiva-new-orleans-support-small-business-entreprenuers http://activerain.com/blogsview/2758536/bruce-springsteen-to-perform-at-the-new-orleans-jazz-fest-april-27-may-6-2012 <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/0/3/1/0/ar132749904001309.jpg" height="142" alt="" width="190" style="float: left;">The <a href="http://www.nola.com">Times Picayune</a> is reporting today that after the schedule was set Bruce Sprinnsteen requested to play at the Annual Jazz Fest held in New Orleans, LA.  The line up this year is great and just got better.  For the full line up, schedule and to buy tickets - <a href="http://www.nojazzfest.com">New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.</a></p> <p> </p> <p>Some of the other performers are:</p> <p>The Beach Boys<br>Zac Brown Bandk<br>John Mayer<br>Herbie Hancock<br>Bon Iver<br>Neville Brothers<br>Al Green<br>Allen Toussaint<br>Bonnie Raitt</p> <p><a href="http://www.nola.com/jazzfest/index.ssf/2012/01/bruce_springsteens_last-minute.html">Jazz Fest and Bruce Springsteen Article from the Times Picayune</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.nojazzfest.com"> New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival</a></p> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div>Originally Posted at <a href="http://www.neworleanspropertylady.com">http://www.NewOrleansPropertyLady.com </a> </div> <div class="agent_signature"> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/1/9/1/7/ar124325263971917.jpg" height="100" alt="" style="float: left;" width="85">                      </p> <p> </p> <p>   <img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/7/8/3/8/ar125067779083874.png" height="28" alt="" width="206">  </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><br></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">RE/MAX N.O. Properties, Associate Broker and REALTOR®, New Orleans, LA 70118</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">504-908-2268 (C)    </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: small;">504-866-7733</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">  {O}                             </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Each Office Independently Owned and Operated        </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Licensed in the State of Louisiana, USA</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.neworleanspropertylady.com" target="_blank">New Orleans Property Lady</a> | <a href="http://www.NewOrleansRealEstateTalk.com" target="_self">New Orleans Real Estate Talk</a><br>           <a href="http://search.neworleanspropertylady.com/idx/12848/basicSearch.php">Search for Properties in New Orleans and Surrounding Suburbs</a>           </span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">                 </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/8/7/9/7/ar132507179679781.jpg" height="236" alt="" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="214">  </span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0; padding-bottom: 0; text-align: center; line-height: 0;"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NewOrleansPropertyLady/~6/1" target="_blank"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/NewOrleansPropertyLady.1.gif" alt="New Orleans Property Lady" style="border: 0;"></a></p> <p style="margin-top: 5px; padding-top: 0; font-size: x-small; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/headlineanimator/install?id=m4h341e8r8n9igbsdl9pjfsgfs&amp;w=1" target="_blank">↑ Grab this Headline Animator</a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8px;">Copyright 2012, Miriam Bernstein, All Rights Reserved</span></p> </div> Miriam Bernstein REALTOR® New Orleans Real Estate (RE/MAX N.O. Properties) Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:45:07 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2758536/bruce-springsteen-to-perform-at-the-new-orleans-jazz-fest-april-27-may-6-2012 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2749846/gabrielle-giffords-what-a-class-act <p>For any of you who didn't see the video that Rep. Giffords office released yesterday about her resignation I am posting it here.  It brought tears to my eyes, this is one classy lady.  When you think of what she survived and her struggle this past year to come to where she is now it is remarkable.  it also makes most of our day to day issues look a bit trivial.  Health and living life are what is important.  I am not taking away from the day to day challenges we face - but just think.</p> <p>&lt;iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Nguu0TkCTd4?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/1/9/1/7/ar124325263971917.jpg" height="100" alt="" style="float: left;" width="85">                      </p> <p> </p> <p>   <img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/7/8/3/8/ar125067779083874.png" height="28" alt="" width="206">  </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><br></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">RE/MAX N.O. Properties, Associate Broker and REALTOR®, New Orleans, LA 70118</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">504-908-2268 (C)    </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: small;">504-866-7733</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">  {O}                             </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Each Office Independently Owned and Operated        </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Licensed in the State of Louisiana, USA</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.neworleanspropertylady.com" target="_blank">New Orleans Property Lady</a> | <a href="http://www.NewOrleansRealEstateTalk.com" target="_self">New Orleans Real Estate Talk</a><br>           <a href="http://search.neworleanspropertylady.com/idx/12848/basicSearch.php">Search for Properties in New Orleans and Surrounding Suburbs</a>           </span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">                 </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/8/7/9/7/ar132507179679781.jpg" height="236" alt="" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="214">  </span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0; padding-bottom: 0; text-align: center; line-height: 0;"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NewOrleansPropertyLady/~6/1" target="_blank"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/NewOrleansPropertyLady.1.gif" alt="New Orleans Property Lady" style="border: 0;"></a></p> <p style="margin-top: 5px; padding-top: 0; font-size: x-small; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/headlineanimator/install?id=m4h341e8r8n9igbsdl9pjfsgfs&amp;w=1" target="_blank">↑ Grab this Headline Animator</a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8px;">Copyright 2012, Miriam Bernstein, All Rights Reserved</span></p> </div> Miriam Bernstein REALTOR® New Orleans Real Estate (RE/MAX N.O. Properties) Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:46:09 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2749846/gabrielle-giffords-what-a-class-act http://activerain.com/blogsview/2743628/6900-gentry-road-marrero-la-70072-hud-home-for-sale <div id="rb-wrapper" style="width: 640px;"> <div style="width: 640px;"> <span style="color: #000; font-size: 18px;"><b> Sunny and Nice</b> </span> <br> <br> </div> <div id="rb-slideshow" style="width: 640px;"> <object id="rb-oSlideshow" height="400" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,0,0" width="640"> <param name="movie" value="http://listings.realbird.com/sshow.swf"> <param name="quality" value="high"> <param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"> <param name="FlashVars" value="dataFile=http://listings.realbird.com/E4B2B4C6/139769/VTXML.aspx&amp;showLogo=false&amp;showVersionInfo=false"> <embed name="SOsshow" src="http://listings.realbird.com/sshow.swf" id="SOsshow" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="400" flashvars="showLogo=false&amp;showVersionInfo=false&amp;dataFile=http://listings.realbird.com/E4B2B4C6/139769/VTXML.aspx" style="" bgcolor="#ffffff" width="640 "></embed> </object> </div> <div id="rb-container" style="width: 640px;"> <table width="100%"> <tr> <td width="150"> <br> <b>Overview</b><br> <a href="http://listings.realbird.com/Real_Estate/Sunny-and-Nice/Marrero/LA/E4B2B4C6/139769.aspx?tab=maps" target="_blank">Maps</a><br> <a href="http://listings.realbird.com/Real_Estate/Sunny-and-Nice/Marrero/LA/E4B2B4C6/139769.aspx?tab=photos" id="photoTabLink" target="_blank">Photos</a><br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br> </td> <td> <table cellpadding="10" width="100%"> <tr> <td style="background-color: #EDEDED;"><span style="font-size: 16px; color: #000;"><b>$36,000</b></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td><span style="font-size: 14px;">Single Family Home</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="background-color: #EDEDED;"> <span style="font-size: 16px; color: #000;"><b>Main Features</b> </span> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <span style="font-size: 14px;">3 Bedrooms<br>2 Bathrooms<br>1 Unit<br>Interior: 1,250 sqft<br></span> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="background-color: #EDEDED;"> <span style="font-size: 16px; color: #000;"><b>Location</b> </span> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <div style="font-size: 14px;">6900 Gentry<br>Marrero, LA 70072<br>USA</div> <div> <br><b>To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the "Like" button below:</b><br><br><iframe scrolling="no" src="http://listings.realbird.com/fblike.aspx?href=http%253A%252F%252Flistings.realbird.com%252FE4B2B4C6%252F139769.aspx&amp;layout=standard&amp;show_faces=true&amp;width=300&amp;action=like&amp;font&amp;colorscheme=light&amp;height=80" frameborder="0" style="border: none; overflow: hidden; width: 300px; height: 80px;"></iframe> </div> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <hr style="color: #EFEFEF;"> <table style="width: 100%; text-align: left;"> <tr> <td style="width: auto; text-align: left;"> <img src="http://www.realbird.com/Files/Photos/E4B2B4C6.jpg?634627469163992500" id="member_photo" border="0" alt="Miriam Bernstein"><br><br> </td> <td style="width: 100%; padding-left: 10px;"> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Miriam Bernstein</span> <div style="font-weight: normal;"> <br>(504) 908-2268<br><a href="mailto:miriam@miriambernstein.com">miriam@miriambernstein.com</a><br><a href="http://www.NewOrleansRealEstateTalk.com" target="_blank">http://www.NewOrleansRealEstateTalk.com</a><br><br><a href="http://activerain.com/blogs/Maxwell" title="Meet us on ActiveRain" class="nohover" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img src="http://listings.realbird.com/3rd/icons/social/activerain.gif" border="0"></a> <a href="http://twitter.com/miriambernstein" title="Follow us on Twitter" class="nohover" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img src="http://listings.realbird.com/3rd/icons/social/twitter.png" border="0"></a> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/miriambernstein" title="Connect on Facebook" class="nohover" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img src="http://listings.realbird.com/3rd/icons/social/facebook.png" border="0"></a> <div style="clear: both;"></div> <br><br>Listed by: Miriam Bernstein<br><br> </div> </td> </tr> </table> <table style="text-align: left;" width="100%"> <tr> <td> <span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>Our recent listings</b></span> <div> <a href="http://listings.realbird.com/E4B2B4C6/121400.aspx" target="_blank">Condominium for $85,000 in New Orleans, LA</a><br> </div> <br> <table> <tr> <td> <img src="http://listings.realbird.com/3rd/icons/rss/feed-icon-16x16.png"> </td> <td> <a href="http://www.realbird.com/feed.aspx?f=rss&amp;id=E4B2B4C6" target="_blank">Subscribe to our listing feed</a> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> </table> <table style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal;" width="100%"> <tr> <td> <h3 class="realbird_nearbyhomes_header">Nearby properties for sale</h3> <iframe name="rb-mapsearch" scrolling="0" src="http://listings.realbird.com/home-search/map-search.aspx?rb_id=E4B2B4C6&amp;bq=%5Bitem%20type:housing%5D%5Blocation:@%22Marrero,%20LA%22%5D%5Blisting%20type:for%20sale%5D&amp;mcenter=29.8776622,-90.1253589&amp;orderby=modification_time" frameborder="no" height="450" style="width: 100%; height: 450px; overflow: hidden;" width="100%"></iframe> </td> </tr> </table> <br><br> <a href="http://www.realbird.com/?refID=21565" title="Powered by RealBird.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://listings.realbird.com/images/poweredby_realbird.gif" alt="Powered By RealBird.com" style="border: 0px;"></a> <br><br> <img src="http://listings.realbird.com/images/EqualHousing.gif"> <br><br> </div> <div class="agent_signature"> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/1/9/1/7/ar124325263971917.jpg" height="100" alt="" style="float: left;" width="85">                      </p> <p> </p> <p>   <img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/7/8/3/8/ar125067779083874.png" height="28" alt="" width="206">  </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><br></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">RE/MAX N.O. Properties, Associate Broker and REALTOR®, New Orleans, LA 70118</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">504-908-2268 (C)    </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: small;">504-866-7733</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">  {O}                             </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Each Office Independently Owned and Operated        </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Licensed in the State of Louisiana, USA</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.neworleanspropertylady.com" target="_blank">New Orleans Property Lady</a> | <a href="http://www.NewOrleansRealEstateTalk.com" target="_self">New Orleans Real Estate Talk</a><br>           <a href="http://search.neworleanspropertylady.com/idx/12848/basicSearch.php">Search for Properties in New Orleans and Surrounding Suburbs</a>           </span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">                 </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/8/7/9/7/ar132507179679781.jpg" height="236" alt="" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="214">  </span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0; padding-bottom: 0; text-align: center; line-height: 0;"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NewOrleansPropertyLady/~6/1" target="_blank"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/NewOrleansPropertyLady.1.gif" alt="New Orleans Property Lady" style="border: 0;"></a></p> <p style="margin-top: 5px; padding-top: 0; font-size: x-small; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/headlineanimator/install?id=m4h341e8r8n9igbsdl9pjfsgfs&amp;w=1" target="_blank">↑ Grab this Headline Animator</a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8px;">Copyright 2012, Miriam Bernstein, All Rights Reserved</span></p> </div> Miriam Bernstein REALTOR® New Orleans Real Estate (RE/MAX N.O. Properties) Sat, 21 Jan 2012 15:50:49 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2743628/6900-gentry-road-marrero-la-70072-hud-home-for-sale http://activerain.com/blogsview/2742502/a-hud-home-scam-alert- <p><img title="Screen Shot 2012-01-21 at 6.46.44 AM" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-1251" src="http://www.neworleanspropertylady.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2012-01-21-at-6.46.44-AM.png" height="112" alt="HUD Homes" width="116" style="border-color: initial; float: left; border-width: 0px;">It has come to my attention that there is a HUD scam in place in many communities throughout Louisiana.  A HUD home always has a white sticker in the window with the contact information for the company in charge of maintaining the lawn, and if there is any vandalism they are the individuals who make the repairs.  In addition to the white sticker in the window there is a real estate brokers sign.</p> <p>There are individuals who claim to be real estate agents who call and gain access to the properties. They go into the property and remove the white sticker and remove the real estate agent sign.  There is also usually a sign in sheet in the house that they also remove.  They remove anything that would indicate that the home is a listed property, on the MLS, home.  They want it to look like they could own it.</p> <p>In one instance an individual removed the legal listing broker sign and replaced it with their own sign.</p> <p>These individuals then place signs on highway exits or on roadways or on poles that say:</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>"HOUSE FOR SALE - $55,000  555-55-5555"</strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;">They tell the individuals who call that they own the home and are trying to sell.  They say they have two offers but if you bring them $2000. they will sell the house to you.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">SCAM, SCAM, SCAM.  HUD homes are owned by the federal government and the consequences are severe.  In one case a buyer gave one of these crooks $2000. and realized he had been scammed and reported the individual to the police.  He has been arrested.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">This type of scam could be perpetrated on any vacant home or in fact on any home.  Always insure that the individual who gains access is actually a licensee in your state.  In Louisiana and I would guess in most states it is illegal to sell properties your don't own without a license.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Be careful out there.</p> <p> </p> <p>Originally published at <a href="http://www.neworleanspropertylady.com/A-Hud-Home-Scam-Alert!">www.neworleanspropertylady.com/A-HUD-Home-Scam-Alert! </a></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/1/9/1/7/ar124325263971917.jpg" height="100" alt="" style="float: left;" width="85">                      </p> <p> </p> <p>   <img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/7/8/3/8/ar125067779083874.png" height="28" alt="" width="206">  </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><br></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">RE/MAX N.O. Properties, Associate Broker and REALTOR®, New Orleans, LA 70118</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">504-908-2268 (C)    </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: small;">504-866-7733</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">  {O}                             </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Each Office Independently Owned and Operated        </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Licensed in the State of Louisiana, USA</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.neworleanspropertylady.com" target="_blank">New Orleans Property Lady</a> | <a href="http://www.NewOrleansRealEstateTalk.com" target="_self">New Orleans Real Estate Talk</a><br>           <a href="http://search.neworleanspropertylady.com/idx/12848/basicSearch.php">Search for Properties in New Orleans and Surrounding Suburbs</a>           </span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">                 </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/8/7/9/7/ar132507179679781.jpg" height="236" alt="" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="214">  </span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0; padding-bottom: 0; text-align: center; line-height: 0;"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NewOrleansPropertyLady/~6/1" target="_blank"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/NewOrleansPropertyLady.1.gif" alt="New Orleans Property Lady" style="border: 0;"></a></p> <p style="margin-top: 5px; padding-top: 0; font-size: x-small; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/headlineanimator/install?id=m4h341e8r8n9igbsdl9pjfsgfs&amp;w=1" target="_blank">↑ Grab this Headline Animator</a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8px;">Copyright 2012, Miriam Bernstein, All Rights Reserved</span></p> </div> Miriam Bernstein REALTOR® New Orleans Real Estate (RE/MAX N.O. Properties) Sat, 21 Jan 2012 07:50:33 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2742502/a-hud-home-scam-alert- http://activerain.com/blogsview/2740299/do-you-remember-your-first-real-estate-lesson- <p></p><p>Barbara Todaro is one of my favorite bloggers on AR. She blogs and blogs and always has something to say of interest.  This post is so true.  The other thing I learned way back when was to never lose sight of who I represent in the transaction.<br>. </p><div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/2740085/do-you-remember-your-first-real-estate-lesson-">Barbara Todaro "Franklin MA Homes" (RE/MAX Executive Realty )</a></b>:<br><blockquote> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong style=""><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 14pt;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/6/1/5/5/ar132708710855161.jpg" height="283" alt="" style="margin: 10px; border: 5px solid black; float: left;" width="400">Do you remember the first lesson you learned when you started in the real estate business?</span></strong><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="">  </span>I remember my first lesson and I’ve passed it along to other newly licensed real estate agents who I’ve had the pleasure of training.<span style="">  </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong style=""><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 14pt;">I was reminded by <a href="http://activerain.com/carol-ann" title="carol ann palmieri" target="_blank">Carol-Ann Palmieri,</a> an ActiveRainer who does a fantastic job of blogging, that one of the first lessons she learned from me was “to always take care of the co-broke agent</span></strong><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 14pt;">.”<span style="">  </span>Today that would be a buyer’s agent.<span style="">  </span>Decades ago, it was just <strong style="">“the co-broke agent”</strong> because we all represented the seller.<span style="">  </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong style=""><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 14pt;">This was one of the first lessons that I learned, and if any lesson will make you money, this is the one.</span></strong><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="">  </span>If you want other agents to continue to show your listings and encourage their clients to see them, be good to those agents.<span style="">  </span>Make life easy for those agents.<span style="">  </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong style=""><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Return phone calls made by those agents; have written information about the property readily available for those agents; make access to the home easy; make yourself available if they want to be accompanied; and do whatever it takes to make their job easy.</span></span></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong style=""><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You’ve heard the old adage “happy wife, happy life.”<span style="">  </span>“<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Without that co-broke, you may go-broke.</span>”<span style="">  </span>Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.<span style="">  </span>Cooperation goes a long way in the real estate business.</span></span></strong></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <hr> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Copyright © 2011 The Kuney-Todaro Team - All Rights Reserved</strong></p> <center> <table cellspacing="1" border="0" cellpadding="1" width="160"> <tbody> <tr> <td><center><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/ReMax-Executive-Realty-Kuney-Todaro-Team/213655418657625" target="_blank"><img title="LIKE Us on Facebook!" src="http://www.franklinmanewhomes.com/ktimages/facebook_32.png" border="0" height="32" alt="LIKE Us on Facebook!" width="32"></a></center></td> <td><center><a href="http://twitter.com/#!/btodaro" title="Follow Us on Twitter" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.franklinmanewhomes.com/ktimages/twitter_32.png" height="32" alt="Follow Us on Twitter" width="32"></a></center></td> <td><center><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=NewHomesInFranklinMassachusetts" title="Subscribe to FranklinMANewHomes.com for All Listings and New Posts!" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.franklinmanewhomes.com/ktimages/rss_32.png" height="32" alt="Subscribe to Our Real Estate Listings Feed" width="32"></a></center></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </center> <p style="text-align: center;"> <strong>Visit Our Other Sites:</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://NewConstructionFranklinMA.com" title="NewConstructionFranklinMA.com" target="_blank">NewConstructionFranklinMA.com</a> | <a href="http://FranklinMAHomeSales.com" title="FranklinMAHomeSales.com" target="_blank">FranklinMAHomeSales.com</a> | <a href="http://FranklinMANewHomes.com" title="FranklinMANewHomes.com" target="_blank">FranklinMANewHomes.com</a></p> <center><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NewHomesInFranklinMassachusetts/~6/1" target="_blank"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/NewHomesInFranklinMassachusetts.1.gif" alt="New Homes in Franklin Massachusetts" style="border: 0;"></a></center> </div> </blockquote> </div> <div class="agent_signature"> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/1/9/1/7/ar124325263971917.jpg" height="100" alt="" style="float: left;" width="85">                      </p> <p> </p> <p>   <img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/7/8/3/8/ar125067779083874.png" height="28" alt="" width="206">  </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><br></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">RE/MAX N.O. Properties, Associate Broker and REALTOR®, New Orleans, LA 70118</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">504-908-2268 (C)    </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: small;">504-866-7733</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">  {O}                             </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Each Office Independently Owned and Operated        </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Licensed in the State of Louisiana, USA</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.neworleanspropertylady.com" target="_blank">New Orleans Property Lady</a> | <a href="http://www.NewOrleansRealEstateTalk.com" target="_self">New Orleans Real Estate Talk</a><br>           <a href="http://search.neworleanspropertylady.com/idx/12848/basicSearch.php">Search for Properties in New Orleans and Surrounding Suburbs</a>           </span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">                 </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/8/7/9/7/ar132507179679781.jpg" height="236" alt="" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="214">  </span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0; padding-bottom: 0; text-align: center; line-height: 0;"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NewOrleansPropertyLady/~6/1" target="_blank"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/NewOrleansPropertyLady.1.gif" alt="New Orleans Property Lady" style="border: 0;"></a></p> <p style="margin-top: 5px; padding-top: 0; font-size: x-small; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/headlineanimator/install?id=m4h341e8r8n9igbsdl9pjfsgfs&amp;w=1" target="_blank">↑ Grab this Headline Animator</a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8px;">Copyright 2012, Miriam Bernstein, All Rights Reserved</span></p> </div> Miriam Bernstein REALTOR® New Orleans Real Estate (RE/MAX N.O. Properties) Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:18:33 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2740299/do-you-remember-your-first-real-estate-lesson- http://activerain.com/blogsview/2739026/what-your-agent-won-t-help-you-find-a-rental- <p></p><p>This happens all of the time.  Rentals are as much work as a sale and the payment is very little.  As a courtesy for a client I will always help a homeseller out and find them a place to rent. </p><div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/2736666/what-your-agent-won-t-help-you-find-a-rental-">Jane Peters - Los Angeles Real Estate (310-473-6919) (Power Brokers Int'l)</a></b>:<br><blockquote> <p><span style="font-size: 14px;">There is not a pecking order for Realtors®.<br><br>There is no Realtor® who can only do rentals or only do listings, or only work with <img title="What? Your Agent Won't Help you Find a Rental?" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/4/5/9/1/ar132701466619541.jpeg" height="396" alt="Double Take" style="float: right; margin: 15px;" width="300">buyers.  That is a <strong>choice</strong> they make.<br><br>So, if you have an agent who just sold your home and you are looking for a rental, ask <strong>them</strong> to help you.  They are quite capable of doing so.  If they choose not to it is probably because they are too lazy, after all there is not much money in rentals.  But, they are doing you a disservice.  They presumably made a nice enough commission on the sale of your property that they should continue to provide you with service.<br><br>If you have an agent who is helping you to purchase a home, but meanwhile you need to lease, then please use the same agent to help you with the lease.  Don't tell me that the agent "doesn't do leases".  Again, they are going to make a nice enough commission on the purchase of a home for you that they should put themselves out and help you find a rental.  <br><br>I dropped a rental client today because I found out they were also looking to buy, but with another agent who "doesn't do leases."  <br><br>See me do a double-take.<br><br>Grrrr. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 14px;">P.S.  So that there is no misunderstanding here,  my point is thatanyone is entitled not to do rentals.  I don not think that they are entitled to tell an existing client that they don't do them and offer no solutiuon.  </span></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p style="background-color: #3395de; color: white; padding: 8px; text-align: center;">Jane Peters, connecting you to the L.A. real estate scene</p> <p>Buying or selling real estate in Los Angeles<span> can be an overwhelming process.  Contact <a href="http://www.homejane.com/jane-peters.html" title="Los Angeles Real Estate" target="_blank"><strong>Jane Peters</strong></a>, Los Angeles realtor specializing in <a href="http://www.homejane.com/sellers" title="Selling your Los Angeles Home" target="_blank"><strong>absentee owners</strong></a>, <a href="http://www.homejane.com/info/buyer-tips" title="Relocating to Los Angeles" target="_blank"><strong>out of town buyers</strong></a>, and those who need that <strong>extra attention</strong>, in order to make the transaction a smooth, trouble-free, and fun experience.</span></p> <p><span><strong><a href="http://www.homejane.com/los-angeles-home-search" title="Search Homes for Sale in Los Angeles" target="_blank">Search Homes for Sale in Los Angeles</a></strong><br></span><strong><a href="http://www.homejane.com/los-angeles-lifestyle-search" title="Los Angeles Lifestyle Home Search" target="_blank">Los Angeles Lifestyle Home Search<br></a></strong><strong><a href="http://www.homejane.com/search-beverly-hills-real-estate-listings" title="Search Homes for Sale in Beverly Hills" target="_blank">Search Homes for Sale in Beverly Hills</a>|<br></strong><strong><a href="http://www.homejane.com/search-homes-for-sale-in-brentwood" title="Search Homes for Sale in Brentwood" target="_blank">Search Homes for Sale in Brentwood<br></a></strong><strong><a href="http://www.homejane.com/culver-city-home-search" title="Search Homes for Sale in Culver City" target="_blank">Search Homes for Sale in Culver City<br></a></strong><strong><a href="http://www.homejane.com/silver-lake-echo-park-home-search" title="Search Homes for Sale in Silver Lake and Echo Park" target="_blank">Search Homes for Sale in Silver Lake-Echo Park<br></a></strong><strong><a href="http://www.homejane.com/santa-monica-home-search" title="Search Homes for Sale in Santa Monica" target="_blank">Search Homes for Sale in Santa Monica<br></a></strong><strong><a href="http://www.homejane.com/search-homes-for-sale-in-venice-ca" title="Search Homes for Sale in Venice CA" target="_blank">Search Homes for Sale in Venice CA<br></a></strong><strong><a href="http://www.homejane.com/westwood-century-city-home-search" title="Search Homes for Sale in Westwood-Century City" target="_blank">Search Homes for Sale in Westwood-Century City<br></a><a href="http://www.homejane.com/search-los-angeles-area-homes-for-sale" title="Los Angeles Area Homes for Sale" target="_blank">Other Los Angeles Communities</a></strong></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/YourLAConnection" title="Follow Me on Facebook" target="_blank"><img title="Follow Me on Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/5/9/6/3/ar130327664836955.png" height="64" alt="Facebook" width="64"></a><a href="http://twitter.com/#!/janepeters" title="Follow Me on Twitter" target="_blank"><img title="Follow Me on Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/7/8/8/3/ar130327666638877.png" height="64" alt="Twitter" width="64"></a><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=2145183&amp;authType=NAME_SEARCH&amp;authToken=JxkJ&amp;locale=en_US&amp;srchid=fa5c046c-4035-4a6d-ab59-2180cccdb1b5-0&amp;srchindex=1&amp;srchtotal=100&amp;pvs=ps&amp;pohelp=&amp;goback=.fps_jane+peters_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*51_*1_Y_*1_*1_*1_false_1_R_true_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2" title="Follow Me on LinkedIn" target="_blank"><img title="Follow Me on LinkedIn" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/3/1/3/1/ar130327669013131.png" height="64" alt="LinkedIn" width="64"></a><a href="http://www.youtube.com/relocatetola" title="Follow Me on You Tube" target="_blank"><img title="follow Me on You Tube" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/6/1/7/0/ar130327672107167.png" height="64" alt="You Tube" width="64"></a><a href="http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&amp;hl=en&amp;rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS297&amp;=&amp;q=jane+peters+los+angeles+realtor&amp;aq=f&amp;aqi=&amp;aql=&amp;oq=" title="Google Me" target="_blank"><img title="Follow Me on Google" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/8/1/2/6/ar130327675162184.png" height="64" alt="Google" width="64"></a></p> </div> </blockquote> </div> <div class="agent_signature"> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/1/9/1/7/ar124325263971917.jpg" height="100" alt="" style="float: left;" width="85">                      </p> <p> </p> <p>   <img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/7/8/3/8/ar125067779083874.png" height="28" alt="" width="206">  </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><br></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">RE/MAX N.O. Properties, Associate Broker and REALTOR®, New Orleans, LA 70118</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">504-908-2268 (C)    </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: small;">504-866-7733</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">  {O}                             </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Each Office Independently Owned and Operated        </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Licensed in the State of Louisiana, USA</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.neworleanspropertylady.com" target="_blank">New Orleans Property Lady</a> | <a href="http://www.NewOrleansRealEstateTalk.com" target="_self">New Orleans Real Estate Talk</a><br>           <a href="http://search.neworleanspropertylady.com/idx/12848/basicSearch.php">Search for Properties in New Orleans and Surrounding Suburbs</a>           </span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">                 </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/8/7/9/7/ar132507179679781.jpg" height="236" alt="" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="214">  </span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0; padding-bottom: 0; text-align: center; line-height: 0;"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NewOrleansPropertyLady/~6/1" target="_blank"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/NewOrleansPropertyLady.1.gif" alt="New Orleans Property Lady" style="border: 0;"></a></p> <p style="margin-top: 5px; padding-top: 0; font-size: x-small; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/headlineanimator/install?id=m4h341e8r8n9igbsdl9pjfsgfs&amp;w=1" target="_blank">↑ Grab this Headline Animator</a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8px;">Copyright 2012, Miriam Bernstein, All Rights Reserved</span></p> </div> Miriam Bernstein REALTOR® New Orleans Real Estate (RE/MAX N.O. Properties) Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:37:59 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2739026/what-your-agent-won-t-help-you-find-a-rental- http://activerain.com/blogsview/2727370/remax-independent-contractor-agreement <p>I am trying to find out how many REMAX have been asked to sign a Independent Contractor agreement and if the agreement is 18 pages long and written by REMAX International?  Does anyone know about this document?   Have you been asked to sign a different agreement?  Any feedback is greatly appreciated.</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/1/9/1/7/ar124325263971917.jpg" height="100" alt="" style="float: left;" width="85">                      </p> <p> </p> <p>   <img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/7/8/3/8/ar125067779083874.png" height="28" alt="" width="206">  </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><br></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">RE/MAX N.O. Properties, Associate Broker and REALTOR®, New Orleans, LA 70118</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">504-908-2268 (C)    </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: small;">504-866-7733</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">  {O}                             </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Each Office Independently Owned and Operated        </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Licensed in the State of Louisiana, USA</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.neworleanspropertylady.com" target="_blank">New Orleans Property Lady</a> | <a href="http://www.NewOrleansRealEstateTalk.com" target="_self">New Orleans Real Estate Talk</a><br>           <a href="http://search.neworleanspropertylady.com/idx/12848/basicSearch.php">Search for Properties in New Orleans and Surrounding Suburbs</a>           </span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">                 </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/8/7/9/7/ar132507179679781.jpg" height="236" alt="" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="214">  </span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0; padding-bottom: 0; text-align: center; line-height: 0;"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NewOrleansPropertyLady/~6/1" target="_blank"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/NewOrleansPropertyLady.1.gif" alt="New Orleans Property Lady" style="border: 0;"></a></p> <p style="margin-top: 5px; padding-top: 0; font-size: x-small; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/headlineanimator/install?id=m4h341e8r8n9igbsdl9pjfsgfs&amp;w=1" target="_blank">↑ Grab this Headline Animator</a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8px;">Copyright 2012, Miriam Bernstein, All Rights Reserved</span></p> </div> Miriam Bernstein REALTOR® New Orleans Real Estate (RE/MAX N.O. Properties) Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:35:10 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2727370/remax-independent-contractor-agreement http://activerain.com/blogsview/2716592/being-one-of-many-take-a-number-please- <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/6/0/9/1/ar132648091619063.jpg" height="200" alt="" width="282" style="float: left;">This is a story that a friend of my mine related to me yesterday.  It seems not a day goes by where somethng someone does doesn't just amaze me.</p> <p>My friend got a call from an agent who had moved to another state. This agent had been in the business in her original state for many years and was well networked.  She called my friend and told her she had resesarched her and like what she saw, that she was looking for an agent to refer clients to and would like to send a referral.  My friend was flattered and said great - "I love referrals".</p> <p>The agent sent the referral, my friend prepared a CMA and called the client up to make an appointment. But wait a minute!</p> <p> </p> <p style="text-align: center;">what do you mean you are interviewing 12 agents and have a small window for me at 3pm???!!!</p> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: left;">Seems the referring agent referred 2 or 3 agents from each large office in the area.  </p> <p style="text-align: left;"> </p> <p style="text-align: left;">Would you go?</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/1/9/1/7/ar124325263971917.jpg" height="100" alt="" style="float: left;" width="85">                      </p> <p> </p> <p>   <img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/7/8/3/8/ar125067779083874.png" height="28" alt="" width="206">  </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><br></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">RE/MAX N.O. Properties, Associate Broker and REALTOR®, New Orleans, LA 70118</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">504-908-2268 (C)    </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: small;">504-866-7733</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">  {O}                             </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Each Office Independently Owned and Operated        </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Licensed in the State of Louisiana, USA</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.neworleanspropertylady.com" target="_blank">New Orleans Property Lady</a> | <a href="http://www.NewOrleansRealEstateTalk.com" target="_self">New Orleans Real Estate Talk</a><br>           <a href="http://search.neworleanspropertylady.com/idx/12848/basicSearch.php">Search for Properties in New Orleans and Surrounding Suburbs</a>           </span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">                 </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/8/7/9/7/ar132507179679781.jpg" height="236" alt="" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="214">  </span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0; padding-bottom: 0; text-align: center; line-height: 0;"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NewOrleansPropertyLady/~6/1" target="_blank"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/NewOrleansPropertyLady.1.gif" alt="New Orleans Property Lady" style="border: 0;"></a></p> <p style="margin-top: 5px; padding-top: 0; font-size: x-small; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/headlineanimator/install?id=m4h341e8r8n9igbsdl9pjfsgfs&amp;w=1" target="_blank">↑ Grab this Headline Animator</a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8px;">Copyright 2012, Miriam Bernstein, All Rights Reserved</span></p> </div> Miriam Bernstein REALTOR® New Orleans Real Estate (RE/MAX N.O. Properties) Fri, 13 Jan 2012 13:57:14 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2716592/being-one-of-many-take-a-number-please- http://activerain.com/blogsview/2704391/new-orleans-is-hopping-with-sports-and-mardi-gras-events- <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/1/1/1/ar132614723911143.jpg" height="200" alt="" width="161" style="float: left;">With 9 sporting events in two weeks New Orleans is hustling and busting.  This evening is the LSU game and this town is packed, just packed.  Large limos line the streets outside restaurants, streetcars packed and everyone it seems is wearing a LSU something, either a tee shirt or a hat.  The excitement is in the air.  All while Mardi Gras parades and balls have begun.  From the New York Times:</p> <blockquote> <p>"From Dec. 26 through Monday, the Superdome and the neighboring New Orleans Arena have hosted, or will host, nine sporting events. This includes two college football bowl games, including Monday night’s championship; three <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/sports/profootball/nationalfootballleague/neworleanssaints/index.html?inline=nyt-org" title="Recent news and scores about the New Orleans Saints.">Saints</a> games, including Saturday’s playoff contest against Detroit; and four N.B.A. matchups featuring the hometown <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/sports/probasketball/nationalbasketballassociation/neworleanshornets/index.html?inline=nyt-org" title="Recent news and scores about the New Orleans Hornets.">Hornets</a>.</p> <p>This confluence of events, an athletic Mardi Gras of sorts, played out all over town. Crimson Tide fans waited for beignets at Café du Monde, while nearby a musician played jazz in a Saints sweatshirt. Lions supporters downed bottles of Abita at Bullet’s Sports Bar. Hotels turned on “no vacancy” signs and a parking garage downtown charged $100 a night.</p> <p>“We’re going to see our city filled to the brim, to a magnitude beyond what we’ve ever seen, even with Super Bowls,” said Doug Thornton, senior vice president for the stadium and arena division at the arena management company <a href="http://www.smgworld.com/arenas.aspx" title="web site.">SMG</a> and the de facto director of Louisiana sports."</p> <p>Read more - <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/07/sports/nine-major-sporting-events-over-two-weeks-keeps-new-orleans-busy.html">New Orleans is the Center of the Sports World</a></p> <p> </p> </blockquote> <p> </p> <p> </p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/1/9/1/7/ar124325263971917.jpg" height="100" alt="" style="float: left;" width="85">                      </p> <p> </p> <p>   <img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/7/8/3/8/ar125067779083874.png" height="28" alt="" width="206">  </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><br></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">RE/MAX N.O. Properties, Associate Broker and REALTOR®, New Orleans, LA 70118</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">504-908-2268 (C)    </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: small;">504-866-7733</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">  {O}                             </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Each Office Independently Owned and Operated        </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Licensed in the State of Louisiana, USA</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.neworleanspropertylady.com" target="_blank">New Orleans Property Lady</a> | <a href="http://www.NewOrleansRealEstateTalk.com" target="_self">New Orleans Real Estate Talk</a><br>           <a href="http://search.neworleanspropertylady.com/idx/12848/basicSearch.php">Search for Properties in New Orleans and Surrounding Suburbs</a>           </span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">                 </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/8/7/9/7/ar132507179679781.jpg" height="236" alt="" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="214">  </span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0; padding-bottom: 0; text-align: center; line-height: 0;"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NewOrleansPropertyLady/~6/1" target="_blank"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/NewOrleansPropertyLady.1.gif" alt="New Orleans Property Lady" style="border: 0;"></a></p> <p style="margin-top: 5px; padding-top: 0; font-size: x-small; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/headlineanimator/install?id=m4h341e8r8n9igbsdl9pjfsgfs&amp;w=1" target="_blank">↑ Grab this Headline Animator</a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8px;">Copyright 2012, Miriam Bernstein, All Rights Reserved</span></p> </div> Miriam Bernstein REALTOR® New Orleans Real Estate (RE/MAX N.O. Properties) Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:15:24 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2704391/new-orleans-is-hopping-with-sports-and-mardi-gras-events- http://activerain.com/blogsview/2671253/fire-safety-and-your-home-a-call-to-action <p style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Droid Serif', arial, serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 22px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: none; margin: 0px;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/3/1/4/8/ar132515814484132.png" height="404" alt="" width="200" style="float: left;">On Christmas morning there was a devastating fire in Stamford, CT.  Five members of a family perished in a house fire, three very young children and their grandparents.  Their mother and her companion were the only survivors.  This story is so tragic and our hearts go out to them.  This story however is a warning and it is a call to action to prevent this type of needless tragedy from happening again.  In this particular case the first was started by ashes from a fire place being improperly disposed of, of a home that was being renovated and lived in without certificates of occupancy and a lack of fire detectors.  The Stamford Fire Department has put together the sequence of events that is truly so sad, there was no plan of escape.  We need to learn and prepare our own families so that they will know what to do if a fire breaks out.</p> <p style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Droid Serif', arial, serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 22px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: none; margin: 0px;">The house in Stamford was over one hundred years old having been built in 1897.  The homes in parts of the New Orleans are even older than that.</p> <ul style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px;"> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 30px; padding: 0px;">In 1977 1 in 5 homes were equipped with fire protectors and in that year 5,865 people died from home fires.  In 2010 with greater use of fire alarms the number of deaths dropped to 2,640.  96% of homes have fire detectors but only 75% have working detectors with 25% faulty or with spent batteries.</li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 30px; padding: 0px;">No smoke alarms were present in 40% of the home fire deaths.</li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 30px; padding: 0px;">Only 25% of homeowners have a plan in place if there is a fire</li> </ul> <p style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Droid Serif', arial, serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 22px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: none; margin: 0px;">According to the National Fire Protection Association there is a 50% better chance of surviving a fire with properly placed smoke detectors.</p> <p style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Droid Serif', arial, serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 22px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: none; margin: 0px;">In the event of a fire, remember that every second counts, so you and your family must always be prepared. Escape plans help you get out of your home quickly.</p> <p style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Droid Serif', arial, serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 22px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: none; margin: 0px;">Twice each year, practice your home fire escape plan.  Some tips to consider when preparing this plan include:</p> <ul style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px;"> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 30px; padding: 0px;">Find two ways to get out of each room.</li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 30px; padding: 0px;">If the primary way is blocked by fire or smoke, you will need a second way out. A secondary route might be a window onto a neighboring roof or a collapsible ladder for escape from upper story windows.</li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 30px; padding: 0px;">Only purchase collapsible ladders evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratory (UL).</li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 30px; padding: 0px;">Make sure that windows are not stuck, screens can be taken out quickly, and that security bars can be properly opened.</li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 30px; padding: 0px;">Practice feeling your way out of the house in the dark or with your eyes closed.</li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 30px; padding: 0px;">Windows and doors with security bars must have quick release devices to allow them to be opened immediately in an emergency. Make sure everyone in the family understands and practices how to properly operate and open locked or barred doors and windows.</li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 30px; padding: 0px;">Teach children not to hide from firefighters.</li> </ul> <p style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Droid Serif', arial, serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 22px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: none; margin: 0px;">When buying a home consider calling your local Fire Department and asking them to do an inspection of your home for fire safety.</p> <p style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Droid Serif', arial, serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 22px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: none; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://ready.gov/fires" target="_blank" style="color: #4b8308; text-decoration: underline;">Fema Website on Fire Prevention</a></p> <p style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Droid Serif', arial, serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 22px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: none; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.firesafehome.org/smoke-alarm-facts/" target="_blank" style="color: #4b8308; text-decoration: underline;">Fire Safe Home</a></p> <p style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Droid Serif', arial, serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 22px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: none; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.usfa.fema.gov/" target="_blank" style="color: #4b8308; text-decoration: underline;">United State Fire Administration</a></p> <p style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Droid Serif', arial, serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 22px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: none; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/" target="_blank" style="color: #4b8308; text-decoration: underline;">United States Consumer Product Safety Commission</a></p> <p style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Droid Serif', arial, serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 22px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: none; margin: 0px;">Originally published at http://www.neworleanspropertylady.com/fire-safety-and-your-home/</p> <p style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Droid Serif', arial, serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 22px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: none; margin: 0px;"> </p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/1/9/1/7/ar124325263971917.jpg" height="100" alt="" style="float: left;" width="85">                      </p> <p> </p> <p>   <img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/7/8/3/8/ar125067779083874.png" height="28" alt="" width="206">  </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><br></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">RE/MAX N.O. Properties, Associate Broker and REALTOR®, New Orleans, LA 70118</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">504-908-2268 (C)    </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: small;">504-866-7733</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">  {O}                             </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Each Office Independently Owned and Operated        </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Licensed in the State of Louisiana, USA</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.neworleanspropertylady.com" target="_blank">New Orleans Property Lady</a> | <a href="http://www.NewOrleansRealEstateTalk.com" target="_self">New Orleans Real Estate Talk</a><br>           <a href="http://search.neworleanspropertylady.com/idx/12848/basicSearch.php">Search for Properties in New Orleans and Surrounding Suburbs</a>           </span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">                 </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/8/7/9/7/ar132507179679781.jpg" height="236" alt="" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="214">  </span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0; padding-bottom: 0; text-align: center; line-height: 0;"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NewOrleansPropertyLady/~6/1" target="_blank"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/NewOrleansPropertyLady.1.gif" alt="New Orleans Property Lady" style="border: 0;"></a></p> <p style="margin-top: 5px; padding-top: 0; font-size: x-small; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/headlineanimator/install?id=m4h341e8r8n9igbsdl9pjfsgfs&amp;w=1" target="_blank">↑ Grab this Headline Animator</a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8px;">Copyright 2012, Miriam Bernstein, All Rights Reserved</span></p> </div> Miriam Bernstein REALTOR® New Orleans Real Estate (RE/MAX N.O. Properties) Thu, 29 Dec 2011 06:31:38 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2671253/fire-safety-and-your-home-a-call-to-action http://activerain.com/blogsview/2601341/local-agents-going-outside-of-their-area- <p>This post was inspired by a post written by Paula Hathaway, <a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/2574938/-stranger-in-a-strange-land-or-why-do-local-agents-lose-their-local-focus-">Stranger in a Strange Land</a> which you can read here if you missed it.  In this post there is a discussion of agents who are leaving their niche area and going out to list and sell in other areas that they may not be as familiar with.  The discussion has to do with agent not knowing the zoning, the schools and all of the other local issues that might be necessary to do a proper job for a consumer.</p> <p>In the Hamptons area of Long Island where Paula works they do not use the MLS of the Long Island Board of Realtors but rather have a very expensive private sharing of listings so that an agent attempting to sell in their area is at a disadvantage because there isn't open access to the inventory.  I would have to assume that the attempt to block outside agents is not working from this post.  I used to live in the Hamptons area of Long Island and my ex husband was an architect who built waterfront homes back in the 80's and know quite a bit of what goes on out there.  the view of the real estate community is that they are protecting consumers by not letting non local agents in to sell in their area.  What can one say.</p> <p>When I moved to New Orleans I was referred to an agent who I considered to be a gem.  She was experienced and explained things clearly.  She had a wonderful sense of figuring out what my husband and I were looking for and then finding properties to show us.  I trusted her and her ability.  I trusted that she would not steer me in the wrong direction.  I trusted her to guide me and negotiate for me.</p> <p>As my husband and I looked for properties we went to several different areas.  Being new to the area we were curious to see what different areas could offer us and she patiently explained and toured with us.  When we got to an area she did not sell in or that she would not be considered the "local" expert she explained that to us and asked us if we would prefer to use a "local" agent.  I said no, that while I understood that this was not her primary area I would prefer to stay with her because I trusted that if we decided to relocate there she would do her due diligence.</p> <p>I would not have changed agents for anything.  It was my decision as the client. By the way did Paula mention that they work for the sellers in her area and buyers are mostly "customers"..?</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/1/9/1/7/ar124325263971917.jpg" height="100" alt="" style="float: left;" width="85">                      </p> <p> </p> <p>   <img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/7/8/3/8/ar125067779083874.png" height="28" alt="" width="206">  </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><br></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">RE/MAX N.O. Properties, Associate Broker and REALTOR®, New Orleans, LA 70118</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">504-908-2268 (C)    </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: small;">504-866-7733</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">  {O}                             </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Each Office Independently Owned and Operated        </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Licensed in the State of Louisiana, USA</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.neworleanspropertylady.com" target="_blank">New Orleans Property Lady</a> | <a href="http://www.NewOrleansRealEstateTalk.com" target="_self">New Orleans Real Estate Talk</a><br>           <a href="http://search.neworleanspropertylady.com/idx/12848/basicSearch.php">Search for Properties in New Orleans and Surrounding Suburbs</a>           </span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">                 </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/8/7/9/7/ar132507179679781.jpg" height="236" alt="" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="214">  </span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0; padding-bottom: 0; text-align: center; line-height: 0;"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NewOrleansPropertyLady/~6/1" target="_blank"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/NewOrleansPropertyLady.1.gif" alt="New Orleans Property Lady" style="border: 0;"></a></p> <p style="margin-top: 5px; padding-top: 0; font-size: x-small; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/headlineanimator/install?id=m4h341e8r8n9igbsdl9pjfsgfs&amp;w=1" target="_blank">↑ Grab this Headline Animator</a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8px;">Copyright 2012, Miriam Bernstein, All Rights Reserved</span></p> </div> Miriam Bernstein REALTOR® New Orleans Real Estate (RE/MAX N.O. Properties) Sun, 13 Nov 2011 07:50:27 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2601341/local-agents-going-outside-of-their-area- http://activerain.com/blogsview/2600033/a-walking-tour-of-treme-in-new-orleans-la <h1 class="entry-title" style="font-size: 24px; font-weight: normal; clear: both; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: none; font-style: normal; color: #c27a42; line-height: 24px; font-family: georgia, serif; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">A Walking Tour of Treme, New Orleans</h1> <div class="meta-below-title entry-meta clearfix clearfix-title" style="margin-top: 3px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: block; clear: both; letter-spacing: 0px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16px; font-size: 11px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; color: #888888; padding: 0px;"> <div class="left" style="float: left; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Written on <span class="entry-date published">November 11, 2011</span> by <a href="http://neworleansrealestatetalk.com/author/miriam" title="View all posts by Miriam Bernstein" class="author-link fn nickname url" rel="author" style="color: #ffffff; text-decoration: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">Miriam Bernstein</a> in <a href="http://neworleansrealestatetalk.com/category/new-orleans-communities" title="View all posts in Communities" rel="category tag" style="color: #ffffff; text-decoration: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">Communities</a>, <a href="http://neworleansrealestatetalk.com/category/new-orleans-real-estate-blog-2" title="View all posts in RE Blog" rel="category tag" style="color: #ffffff; text-decoration: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">RE Blog</a>, <a href="http://neworleansrealestatetalk.com/category/the-reluctant-tourist" title="View all posts in The Reluctant Tourist" rel="category tag" style="color: #ffffff; text-decoration: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">The Reluctant Tourist</a> </div> </div> <div class="entry-content" style="clear: both; line-height: 22px; font-size: 13px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; color: #c7c7c7; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"> <p> </p> <p>I am getting a listing in the Treme area of New Orleans which I will be putting on the market next week and today I had an opportunity to walk around and check out the neighborhood.  I took pictures of some of the more interesting houses that I passed.  What a unique and historic areas.  Colorful houses that are 100 years old.  These home are on the French Quarter side of Treme.  They were also shooting the TV series “Treme” today.  The area is very popular and experiencing a resurgence.</p> <p> </p> <p><img title="IMG_1049" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-5196" src="http://neworleansrealestatetalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/IMG_1049-533x400.jpg" height="400" alt="Home in Treme" width="533" style="border-color: initial; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; clear: both; border-width: 0px;"></p> <p><img title="IMG_1046" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-5197" src="http://neworleansrealestatetalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/IMG_1046-533x400.jpg" height="400" alt="Home in Treme" width="533" style="border-color: initial; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; clear: both; border-width: 0px;"></p> <p><img title="IMG_1054" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-5198" src="http://neworleansrealestatetalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/IMG_1054-533x400.jpg" height="400" alt="House in Treme" width="533" style="border-color: initial; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; clear: both; border-width: 0px;"></p> <p><img title="IMG_1055" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-5204" src="http://neworleansrealestatetalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/IMG_1055-533x400.jpg" height="400" alt="Home in Treme" width="533" style="border-color: initial; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; clear: both; border-width: 0px;"></p> <p><img title="IMG_1056" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-5206" src="http://neworleansrealestatetalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/IMG_1056-533x400.jpg" height="400" alt="" width="533" style="border-color: initial; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; clear: both; border-width: 0px;"></p> <div class="shr-publisher-5194 shareaholic-show-on-load" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 40px; display: block !important; height: 52px; padding: 0px;"> </div> </div> <div class="agent_signature"> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/1/9/1/7/ar124325263971917.jpg" height="100" alt="" style="float: left;" width="85">                      </p> <p> </p> <p>   <img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/7/8/3/8/ar125067779083874.png" height="28" alt="" width="206">  </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><br></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">RE/MAX N.O. Properties, Associate Broker and REALTOR®, New Orleans, LA 70118</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">504-908-2268 (C)    </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: small;">504-866-7733</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">  {O}                             </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Each Office Independently Owned and Operated        </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Licensed in the State of Louisiana, USA</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.neworleanspropertylady.com" target="_blank">New Orleans Property Lady</a> | <a href="http://www.NewOrleansRealEstateTalk.com" target="_self">New Orleans Real Estate Talk</a><br>           <a href="http://search.neworleanspropertylady.com/idx/12848/basicSearch.php">Search for Properties in New Orleans and Surrounding Suburbs</a>           </span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">                 </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/8/7/9/7/ar132507179679781.jpg" height="236" alt="" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="214">  </span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0; padding-bottom: 0; text-align: center; line-height: 0;"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NewOrleansPropertyLady/~6/1" target="_blank"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/NewOrleansPropertyLady.1.gif" alt="New Orleans Property Lady" style="border: 0;"></a></p> <p style="margin-top: 5px; padding-top: 0; font-size: x-small; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/headlineanimator/install?id=m4h341e8r8n9igbsdl9pjfsgfs&amp;w=1" target="_blank">↑ Grab this Headline Animator</a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8px;">Copyright 2012, Miriam Bernstein, All Rights Reserved</span></p> </div> Miriam Bernstein REALTOR® New Orleans Real Estate (RE/MAX N.O. Properties) Fri, 11 Nov 2011 19:06:09 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2600033/a-walking-tour-of-treme-in-new-orleans-la http://activerain.com/blogsview/2595086/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-new-orleans-homes-for-sale- <p></p><p>Excellent article about what is going on in real estate in the Gulf South MLS.  No IDX for agents and what it means to our consumers.</p><div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/2594198/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-new-orleans-homes-for-sale-">Lisa Heindel, New Orleans West Bank Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty Crescent City West Bank Partners)</a></b>:<br><blockquote> <p><strong>One of my pet peeves with the New Orleans MLS<em> (Multiple Listing Service)</em> is that they have not kept up with the times</strong> in regards to how they share real estate listings with the agents that subscribe to the service <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>or</strong></span><strong> </strong>with the home buying and selling public.</p> <p><img title="Finding a home in New Orleans" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/2/2/6/ar13207784662256.jpg" height="146" alt="Finding a New Orleans home" style="margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; float: right;" width="205">There are literally hundreds and hundreds of online sites that buyers can go to find lists of homes for sale.  Realtor.com, Trulia, Zillow, Yahoo!...heck, even just a google search will turn up page after page of national sites for your perusal in addition to a large number of local agent websites.  </p> <p>The problem from a home buyer and seller perspective is that the MLS doesn't allow every member agent to display every listing on their site, leading to confusion about what properties are actually for sale.</p> <ul> <li>Your favorite home search might be on Trulia or Zillow, but did you know that <strong>at least one of the major brokerages in New Orleans doesn't post their listings on either of those sites?</strong>   Add in the boutique brokers who don't have much of an internet presence, and if you land on one of those sites your list of homes adds up to something less than 100% of the active listings.</li> <li>Realtor.com only has the listings of those brokerages that are members of the National Association of Realtors.  Although I'll grant that it's the majority of homes for sale, it's still not everything that's available.</li> </ul> <p><strong>So, why can't you find all of the listings on all of the sites?</strong>  Because real estate brokerages in New Orleans operate under a rule that forces the home buyer to their broker owned sites if they want to search for every active listing in the MLS.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>What's wrong with the brokers controlling access to the information?</strong></span></p> <p><strong>If you have spent the time researching New Orleans REALTORS® and finally found an agent that you connect with and want to work with, you are forced to leave that warm and fuzzy place when you are booted to the brokerage site for home searches</strong>.  I don't know about you, but I get a little nervous when new windows start opening on my laptop because I clicked a link.  Personally, if I decide to search on a particular site, I want to stay there - not be cyber directed to someplace else because of an antiquated and outdated rule that has absolutely nothing to do with serving me - the consumer.</p> <p><strong>Some brokerages have the habit of gathering your contact information and then collecting a substantial referral fee to let the agent you want to work with have access to you.</strong>  Now, it's not quite as brusque as that sounds, but the bottom line is that it's a more than a little self serving for brokers to demand that all home searches be done on their sites AND to then take advantage of that rule to make more money.  I know...you couldn't give a rat's behind how much your agent makes when you buy or sell a home.  But, if they are doing the same amount of work for you that they are doing for someone that they don't have to pay a referral fee for, who do you think is going to get priority if there is a conflict with time or resources? If you are selling your home, one of the main goals of your agent is to get you the maximum amount of exposure to potential buyers.  </p> <p><strong>When brokers limit the display of all listings to broker owned sites instead of to the sites of every agent in the metro area, they are also limiting your home's ability to be found by buyers.</strong>  With so many buyers using the internet as their primary home search tool, shouldn't you be able to expect that your listing will be in as many places as possible?</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>From an agent's perspective</strong></span></p> <p>As a listing agent, I promise my sellers that I can bring the eyeballs and get their home included in the search results.  I want my listings to be on as many sites as I can get them on, whether it's mine, another agent's or a third party real estate site.  The current rules limit how agents are allowed to market a home.  I've been actively working with a group to push the MLS board to change this rule but, sadly, we have not yet been successful.  It's frustrating, because this is NOT the industry standard.  If you've come from an area where open sharing is the norm, you will probably waste time figuring out that you can't find every listing everywhere.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>From a consumer's perspective</strong></span></p> <p>I read this comment on a site one day and it really hit home as to why the current system is broken:</p> <blockquote><em>Realtors are pretty far behind the curve in terms of utilizing the internet, they post lousy photos, and do not provide enough information and make it difficult to quickly gather information. Generally most realtors appear to approach internet marketing as though they have something to hide instead of having something to show. Transparency in advertising builds trust with the public....</em></blockquote> <blockquote> <em></em><em>I have been looking for property to purchase, and am annoyed by the lack of complete information on New Orleans realtors websites, and the lousy photos, so I am using this story as an opportunity to vent, but I also know that all of the realtors in New Orleans will be reading this story, and I am hoping that they will read this post and think about what I am writing and improve their websites. Whoever does will find that they have more internet traffic and more business.</em> </blockquote> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>The bottom line is that the consumer should always come first.</strong></span>  </p> <p>Whether it's a buyer searching for a home or a seller who wants to be found during that search, <strong>every agent and broker has a duty to their client to put their needs first</strong>.  Until this rule is changed, none of us is truly doing that.  </p> <h4> <a href="http://westbankliving.com/home-search/" title="Homes for sale in New Orleans">Homes for sale in New Orleans</a> <em>(please don't freak out when a new window opens)</em> </h4> <p><em><br></em></p> <p><em>This post was originally published at <a href="http://westbankliving.com" title="West Bank Living" target="_blank">West Bank Living</a></em></p> </blockquote> </div> <div class="agent_signature"> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/1/9/1/7/ar124325263971917.jpg" height="100" alt="" style="float: left;" width="85">                      </p> <p> </p> <p>   <img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/7/8/3/8/ar125067779083874.png" height="28" alt="" width="206">  </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><br></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">RE/MAX N.O. Properties, Associate Broker and REALTOR®, New Orleans, LA 70118</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">504-908-2268 (C)    </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: small;">504-866-7733</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">  {O}                             </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Each Office Independently Owned and Operated        </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Licensed in the State of Louisiana, USA</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.neworleanspropertylady.com" target="_blank">New Orleans Property Lady</a> | <a href="http://www.NewOrleansRealEstateTalk.com" target="_self">New Orleans Real Estate Talk</a><br>           <a href="http://search.neworleanspropertylady.com/idx/12848/basicSearch.php">Search for Properties in New Orleans and Surrounding Suburbs</a>           </span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">                 </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/8/7/9/7/ar132507179679781.jpg" height="236" alt="" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="214">  </span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0; padding-bottom: 0; text-align: center; line-height: 0;"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NewOrleansPropertyLady/~6/1" target="_blank"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/NewOrleansPropertyLady.1.gif" alt="New Orleans Property Lady" style="border: 0;"></a></p> <p style="margin-top: 5px; padding-top: 0; font-size: x-small; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/headlineanimator/install?id=m4h341e8r8n9igbsdl9pjfsgfs&amp;w=1" target="_blank">↑ Grab this Headline Animator</a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8px;">Copyright 2012, Miriam Bernstein, All Rights Reserved</span></p> </div> Miriam Bernstein REALTOR® New Orleans Real Estate (RE/MAX N.O. Properties) Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:23:45 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2595086/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-new-orleans-homes-for-sale- http://activerain.com/blogsview/2591051/a-hud-scam <p>About three weeks ago I put a HUD home on the market.  I put my yard sign out, there was a sticker with the name of an Emergency contact in the window, doors were secured, fences to the back property were locked.</p> <p>Doing HUD homes means a weekly inspection of the property to insure that there is no vandalism, that the roof isn't leaking, the everything is secure.  This past week I went to this HUD listing and found that my yard sign which was the heavy corrugated type had been removed from the front lawn, folded in half and put into a kitchen drawer.  I then found that the emergency contact sticker had been removed from the front window and the top lock no longer worked.  All of which I reported to HUD on my weekly report.</p> <p>Two days later I got a call from another agent who tells me that her buyer had just met the owner of this HUD home.  The owner told her buyer that he has two offers on the property but if her buyer comes along with the down payment right away the owner will sell them the house.  The owner said that if her buyer wanted to see the house he would give them the lock box code - which he did.  This agent had the phone number of the owner which was given to HUD.</p> <p> </p> <p>Thing is that I have a combo lockbox on the house and the instructions on the MLS are to call for the code.  Someone called, gave me their name and their office informaiton and must be involved in this....</p> <p>For anyone who does HUD homes if you see your listing stripped down of any identifying information someone may be claiming to own the house and trying to scam buyers.</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/1/9/1/7/ar124325263971917.jpg" height="100" alt="" style="float: left;" width="85">                      </p> <p> </p> <p>   <img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/7/8/3/8/ar125067779083874.png" height="28" alt="" width="206">  </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><br></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">RE/MAX N.O. Properties, Associate Broker and REALTOR®, New Orleans, LA 70118</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">504-908-2268 (C)    </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: small;">504-866-7733</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">  {O}                             </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Each Office Independently Owned and Operated        </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Licensed in the State of Louisiana, USA</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.neworleanspropertylady.com" target="_blank">New Orleans Property Lady</a> | <a href="http://www.NewOrleansRealEstateTalk.com" target="_self">New Orleans Real Estate Talk</a><br>           <a href="http://search.neworleanspropertylady.com/idx/12848/basicSearch.php">Search for Properties in New Orleans and Surrounding Suburbs</a>           </span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">                 </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/8/7/9/7/ar132507179679781.jpg" height="236" alt="" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="214">  </span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0; padding-bottom: 0; text-align: center; line-height: 0;"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NewOrleansPropertyLady/~6/1" target="_blank"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/NewOrleansPropertyLady.1.gif" alt="New Orleans Property Lady" style="border: 0;"></a></p> <p style="margin-top: 5px; padding-top: 0; font-size: x-small; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/headlineanimator/install?id=m4h341e8r8n9igbsdl9pjfsgfs&amp;w=1" target="_blank">↑ Grab this Headline Animator</a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8px;">Copyright 2012, Miriam Bernstein, All Rights Reserved</span></p> </div> Miriam Bernstein REALTOR® New Orleans Real Estate (RE/MAX N.O. Properties) Sun, 06 Nov 2011 18:09:24 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2591051/a-hud-scam http://activerain.com/blogsview/2558702/uptown-new-orleans-halloween-fun <p>a home decorated for Halloween in the Uptown area of New Orleans.  Driving around there are many homes that have decorated their homes and this one stand out.</p> <p> </p> <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/9/1/4/2/ar131880685224194.jpg" height="357" alt="" width="500" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/1/9/1/7/ar124325263971917.jpg" height="100" alt="" style="float: left;" width="85">                      </p> <p> </p> <p>   <img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/7/8/3/8/ar125067779083874.png" height="28" alt="" width="206">  </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><br></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">RE/MAX N.O. Properties, Associate Broker and REALTOR®, New Orleans, LA 70118</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">504-908-2268 (C)    </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: small;">504-866-7733</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">  {O}                             </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Each Office Independently Owned and Operated        </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Licensed in the State of Louisiana, USA</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.neworleanspropertylady.com" target="_blank">New Orleans Property Lady</a> | <a href="http://www.NewOrleansRealEstateTalk.com" target="_self">New Orleans Real Estate Talk</a><br>           <a href="http://search.neworleanspropertylady.com/idx/12848/basicSearch.php">Search for Properties in New Orleans and Surrounding Suburbs</a>           </span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">                 </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/8/7/9/7/ar132507179679781.jpg" height="236" alt="" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="214">  </span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0; padding-bottom: 0; text-align: center; line-height: 0;"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NewOrleansPropertyLady/~6/1" target="_blank"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/NewOrleansPropertyLady.1.gif" alt="New Orleans Property Lady" style="border: 0;"></a></p> <p style="margin-top: 5px; padding-top: 0; font-size: x-small; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/headlineanimator/install?id=m4h341e8r8n9igbsdl9pjfsgfs&amp;w=1" target="_blank">↑ Grab this Headline Animator</a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8px;">Copyright 2012, Miriam Bernstein, All Rights Reserved</span></p> </div> Miriam Bernstein REALTOR® New Orleans Real Estate (RE/MAX N.O. Properties) Sun, 16 Oct 2011 19:13:37 -0400 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2558702/uptown-new-orleans-halloween-fun http://activerain.com/blogsview/2557344/market-report-french-quarter-new-orleans-september-2011 <div class="hentry post author-miriam category-new-orleans-communities category-french-quarter-new-orleans" id="post-4940" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; float: left; display: block; width: 630px; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-color: initial;"> <div class="entry-content" style="clear: both; line-height: 22px; font-size: 13px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; color: #c7c7c7; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"> <p>The below information is for single family homes in the French Quarter for the month of September, 2011. The information presented here is based on information from the New Orleans Metropolitan Association of Realtors and it’s MLS and is deemed reliable but not warranted.</p> <p>At the end of September there were 26 single family homes on the market in the French Quarter.  The high price was $2,800,000 and the low price was $495,000.  The average was 3 bedrooms, 3 baths and 3,350 square feet.  Average asking was $1,114,277.00 with 130 days on the market.</p> <p>The median was for a 3 bedroom, 3 bath with 2,782 square feet.  The median listing price was $924,500.00 and 115 days on the market.</p> <p><strong style="font-weight: bold;">SOLD</strong> – 6 single family homes sold in the French Quarter during the month of September, 2011:</p> <p>The highest price was for a 5 bedroom, 5 bath with 3,250 square feet asking $1,280,000 and selling for $1,184,000 with 328 days on the market.</p> <p>The lowest price was 1 bedroom, 1 bath with 715 square feet.  The listing price was $265,000. and the selling price was $235,000.00. This property sold immediately.</p> <p>The average was 3 bedrooms, 2 bath with 1,737 square feet listed at $683,00. and selling at $635,983.00. Days on market were 136.</p> <p>The median was 2 bedrooms, 2 baths and 1,382 square feet with a listing price of $672,000.00 and a selling price of $610,950.00.  The listing price/selling price was 91.15% with 88 days on the market.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Market Statistics" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-4951" src="http://neworleansrealestatetalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Screen-Shot-2011-10-15-at-11.58.37-AM-605x400.png" height="320" alt="Market Statistics, French Quarter, September, 2011" width="484" style="border-color: initial; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; clear: both; border-width: 0px;"><img title="Screen Shot 2011-10-15 at 11.59.06 AM" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4949" src="http://neworleansrealestatetalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Screen-Shot-2011-10-15-at-11.59.06-AM.png" height="110" alt="" width="480" style="border-color: initial; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; clear: both; border-width: 0px;"></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Screen Shot 2011-10-15 at 11.59.19 AM" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-4947" src="http://neworleansrealestatetalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Screen-Shot-2011-10-15-at-11.59.19-AM-680x260.png" height="208" alt="" width="544" style="border-color: initial; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; clear: both; border-width: 0px;"> <img title="Disclaimer" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-4946" src="http://neworleansrealestatetalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Screen-Shot-2011-10-15-at-11.59.30-AM-680x37.png" height="24" alt="NOMAR Disclaimer" width="435" style="border-color: initial; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; clear: both; border-width: 0px;"></p> <div class="shr-publisher-4940 shareaholic-show-on-load" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 40px; display: block !important; height: 52px; padding: 0px;"> <div 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font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">RE/MAX N.O. 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Properties) Sat, 15 Oct 2011 13:09:52 -0400 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2557344/market-report-french-quarter-new-orleans-september-2011 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2527229/pictures-of-the-homes-in-the-garden-district-new-orleans <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/7/5/9/1/ar131708125919575.JPG" height="373" alt="" width="500" style="vertical-align: middle;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/9/3/3/0/ar131708132603392.JPG" height="373" alt="" width="500" style="vertical-align: middle;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/8/1/6/9/ar131708140496187.JPG" height="373" alt="" width="500" style="vertical-align: middle;"></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/1/9/1/7/ar124325263971917.jpg" height="100" alt="" style="float: left;" width="85">                      </p> <p> </p> <p>   <img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/7/8/3/8/ar125067779083874.png" height="28" alt="" width="206">  </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><br></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">RE/MAX N.O. Properties, Associate Broker and REALTOR®, New Orleans, LA 70118</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">504-908-2268 (C)    </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: small;">504-866-7733</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">  {O}                             </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Each Office Independently Owned and Operated        </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Licensed in the State of Louisiana, USA</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.neworleanspropertylady.com" target="_blank">New Orleans Property Lady</a> | <a href="http://www.NewOrleansRealEstateTalk.com" target="_self">New Orleans Real Estate Talk</a><br>           <a href="http://search.neworleanspropertylady.com/idx/12848/basicSearch.php">Search for Properties in New Orleans and Surrounding Suburbs</a>           </span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">                 </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/8/7/9/7/ar132507179679781.jpg" height="236" alt="" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="214">  </span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0; padding-bottom: 0; text-align: center; line-height: 0;"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NewOrleansPropertyLady/~6/1" target="_blank"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/NewOrleansPropertyLady.1.gif" alt="New Orleans Property Lady" style="border: 0;"></a></p> <p style="margin-top: 5px; padding-top: 0; font-size: x-small; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/headlineanimator/install?id=m4h341e8r8n9igbsdl9pjfsgfs&amp;w=1" target="_blank">↑ Grab this Headline Animator</a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8px;">Copyright 2012, Miriam Bernstein, All Rights Reserved</span></p> </div> Miriam Bernstein REALTOR® New Orleans Real Estate (RE/MAX N.O. Properties) Mon, 26 Sep 2011 19:59:06 -0400 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2527229/pictures-of-the-homes-in-the-garden-district-new-orleans http://activerain.com/blogsview/2513034/keep-your-kids-safe-during-showings <p>When viewing properties keep your kids safe, hold their hands or.....</p> <p> </p> <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/5/1/9/8/ar131634760289157.jpg" height="800" alt="" width="627"></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/1/9/1/7/ar124325263971917.jpg" height="100" alt="" style="float: left;" width="85">                      </p> <p> </p> <p>   <img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/7/8/3/8/ar125067779083874.png" height="28" alt="" width="206">  </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><br></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">RE/MAX N.O. Properties, Associate Broker and REALTOR®, New Orleans, LA 70118</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">504-908-2268 (C)    </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: small;">504-866-7733</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">  {O}                             </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Each Office Independently Owned and Operated        </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Licensed in the State of Louisiana, USA</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.neworleanspropertylady.com" target="_blank">New Orleans Property Lady</a> | <a href="http://www.NewOrleansRealEstateTalk.com" target="_self">New Orleans Real Estate Talk</a><br>           <a href="http://search.neworleanspropertylady.com/idx/12848/basicSearch.php">Search for Properties in New Orleans and Surrounding Suburbs</a>           </span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">                 </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/8/7/9/7/ar132507179679781.jpg" height="236" alt="" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="214">  </span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0; padding-bottom: 0; text-align: center; line-height: 0;"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NewOrleansPropertyLady/~6/1" target="_blank"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/NewOrleansPropertyLady.1.gif" alt="New Orleans Property Lady" style="border: 0;"></a></p> <p style="margin-top: 5px; padding-top: 0; font-size: x-small; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/headlineanimator/install?id=m4h341e8r8n9igbsdl9pjfsgfs&amp;w=1" target="_blank">↑ Grab this Headline Animator</a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8px;">Copyright 2012, Miriam Bernstein, All Rights Reserved</span></p> </div> Miriam Bernstein REALTOR® New Orleans Real Estate (RE/MAX N.O. Properties) Sun, 18 Sep 2011 08:07:24 -0400 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2513034/keep-your-kids-safe-during-showings http://activerain.com/blogsview/2471778/this-needs-to-be-seen-by-as-many-realtors-as-possible-closings-may-be-delayed-if-word-does-not-get-out- <p></p><p>new appraisal rules, oh no.  important things to know about Fannie/Freddie apprasals.  the more complete the MLS listing informaiton is the sooner you will get your appraisal back.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p><div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/2441374/this-needs-to-be-seen-by-as-many-realtors-as-possible-closings-may-be-delayed-if-word-does-not-get-out-">Mary Thompson Lake Lanier Appraiser in Georgia (LakeFrontPros.com)</a></b>:<br><blockquote> <p><strong>Pass this along to every Realtor you know. Re-blog this post, whatever you can do to get the word out!  </strong></p> <p><strong></strong><img src="http://jaxrealestatefacts.com/files/2011/03/appraisal-clipboard-256x300.gif" alt="" style="border-style: none;"></p> <p>As of September 1, 2011 appraisals will change drastically. We now must complete appraisals in what is defined as UAD or Uniform Appraisal Dataset format. This is a GSE Fannie, Freddie requirement. </p> <p><strong>What does this mean for you?</strong> The new reports will look foreign to you and your clients with all the codes we have to use in the reports, so you will have to be versed on what the codes mean. Instead of the old days where we described a property as being Good in condition or Good in Quality of Construction, we will now be using codes such as Q=3 and C-2, etc. It will be far less user friendly to read and more automated system friendly. Fannie and Freddie want consistency across the board for all appraisals nationwide and the codes are   the way they are trying to get this accomplished. They have clearly defined what Fair, Poor, Average, Good, Very Good and Excellent Quality and Condition should entail. No more leeway in how appraisers determine this on their own. Lenders are also gearing up for uniform delivery of their loan packages and the UAD is part of this whole process.</p> <p>If you GOOGLE <strong>UAD</strong> or<strong> Uniform Appraisal Datase</strong>t you should find a wealth of information on this topic. Be prepared and prepare your clients! </p> <p><strong>What do we as appraisers need from you? </strong>One of the big changes is we must know in what YEAR any renovations to the BATHS and KITCHENS were completed. In addition to the comments you already place in FMLS/MLS about renovations, we need the renovation year for the kitchens and baths. If the exact year is unknown then we need a specific range, ie: less than 1year ago, in the past 5 years, in the past 10 years or in the past 15 years. </p> <p>If we cannot get this information in FMLS/MLS for the SUBJECT we must contact the owner if available or the Realtor and get this information <strong>and this takes time and mayt also delay closings!</strong> For all the comparable sales and listings that we use in our reports, we of course cannot contact the owner, so we will be contacting you the Realtor unless you have this information in your comments and photos.  <em>While we do NOT have to indicate year of renovations for the comparables, we really need this information in order to properly compare them to the SUBJECT. So <strong>any</strong> listing you have, please include as much detail about renovations as possible!</em></p> <p><strong>What else do we need from you? </strong>We need photos! Lots of them, more the better. Photos of the renovations and if you can add descriptions under your photos, please include the YEAR the renovations to kitchen and baths were completed or use the range noted above. Also needed is extent of renovation! Was it a REMODEL  or just an UPDATE. For appraisal purposes a Remodel means a significant change, Gutting of the bath or kitchen, all new fixtures, flooring, cabinetry, appliances, etc. VS. Updating which brings it to current market appeal and standards without a total REDO! New Paint, Some new fixtures, refacing of cabinets, etc.</p> <p>We <strong>must</strong> have this information included in every appraisal report. So if all Realtors add this information in the comments or under your photos, life will be easier for all as the appraisal will be completed SOONER and the deals will closed faster. Win/Win for everyone! Not to mention, the homeowner needs to get full credit for renovations and when they were performed!</p> <p>** FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO PROVIDE GREAT DETAIL AND PHOTOS IN YOUR REPORTS, APPRAISER'S AND OF COURSE THE SELLERS THANK YOU!</p> <p><strong>I hope this POST is featured</strong> as we have to get all Realtors on board with this ASAP! So please pass this along to your<strong> Brokers too</strong> and let me know if you have any questions.</p> <p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12px;">In Future Posts I will define in more detail the codes (which will look foreign to everyone for awhile) and what they mean and how they are defined in our reports</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12px;"></span></p> <p> </p> <p>Thanks guys! </p> <p> </p> <p>Mary Thompson</p> <p>Certified Appraiser</p> <p>http://www.lakelanierappraiser.com</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> </blockquote> </div> <div class="agent_signature"> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/1/9/1/7/ar124325263971917.jpg" height="100" alt="" style="float: left;" width="85">                      </p> <p> </p> <p>   <img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/7/8/3/8/ar125067779083874.png" height="28" alt="" width="206">  </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><br></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">RE/MAX N.O. Properties, Associate Broker and REALTOR®, New Orleans, LA 70118</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">504-908-2268 (C)    </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: small;">504-866-7733</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">  {O}                             </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Each Office Independently Owned and Operated        </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Licensed in the State of Louisiana, USA</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.neworleanspropertylady.com" target="_blank">New Orleans Property Lady</a> | <a href="http://www.NewOrleansRealEstateTalk.com" target="_self">New Orleans Real Estate Talk</a><br>           <a href="http://search.neworleanspropertylady.com/idx/12848/basicSearch.php">Search for Properties in New Orleans and Surrounding Suburbs</a>           </span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">                 </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/8/7/9/7/ar132507179679781.jpg" height="236" alt="" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="214">  </span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0; padding-bottom: 0; text-align: center; line-height: 0;"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NewOrleansPropertyLady/~6/1" target="_blank"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/NewOrleansPropertyLady.1.gif" alt="New Orleans Property Lady" style="border: 0;"></a></p> <p style="margin-top: 5px; padding-top: 0; font-size: x-small; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/headlineanimator/install?id=m4h341e8r8n9igbsdl9pjfsgfs&amp;w=1" target="_blank">↑ Grab this Headline Animator</a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8px;">Copyright 2012, Miriam Bernstein, All Rights Reserved</span></p> </div> Miriam Bernstein REALTOR® New Orleans Real Estate (RE/MAX N.O. Properties) Wed, 24 Aug 2011 13:57:32 -0400 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2471778/this-needs-to-be-seen-by-as-many-realtors-as-possible-closings-may-be-delayed-if-word-does-not-get-out- http://activerain.com/blogsview/2469365/private-mortgage-insurance-companies-are-insuring-worthless-zero-equity-second-mortgages-for-banks-and-it-is-costing-taxpayers-big-time <p></p><p>Okay Elizabeth I will do as you ask and help spread the word.   Your knowledge of this subject far surpasses the reporters you are calling and it surpasses most people.   I had no idea.  An excellent post from Elizabeth Weintraub.</p><div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/2469261/private-mortgage-insurance-companies-are-insuring-worthless-zero-equity-second-mortgages-for-banks-and-it-is-costing-taxpayers-big-time">Elizabeth Weintraub, Sacramento Short Sale Agent, Land Park, #00697006 Lyon RE (Lyon Real Estate #00697006)</a></b>:<br><blockquote> <p><strong>Did your bank take out <a href="http://homebuying.about.com/od/financingadvice/qt/What-Is-Mortgage-Insurance.htm" title="mortgage insurance" target="_blank">mortgage insurance</a> on your second mortgage?</strong> You might think it doesn't matter because your bank is paying the premium and not you, but banks are hedging their bets and it's costing <em>you</em> money. In fact, you probably don't even know that you have mortgage insurance on that second mortgage. The bank is not required to tell you.</p> <p><strong>I wrote a blog last month about <a title="bank of america mortgage insurance" target="_blank">Bank of America's silent mortgage insurance</a> on second mortgages.</strong> At the time, I thought it was an anomaly. Quirky. Weird. Because typically banks insure first mortgages and generally a borrower pays for it. I wondered if these mortgage insurance policies were taken out at inception of the loans, but I am inclined now to say no. I'm seeing too many of them.</p> <p><strong>It's obvious to me that the banks are taking out these mortgage insurance policies <span style="text-decoration: underline;">after the fact</span>.</strong> At first glance an observer might wonder whether a bank is committing fraud by insuring a worthless asset. But when you think about it, it's happening on such a wide scale, there is actually a product in the marketplace for banks to buy. This means it is profitable for a mortgage insurance company -- at least in the short run -- to offer insurance against a mortgage without equity.</p> <p>What?</p> <p><strong>How can a mortgage company make money by insuring thin air?</strong> You may as well ask <a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/2169658/why-wall-street-isn-t-in-jail-and-the-lyon-real-estate-awards-banquet" title="why isn't wall street in jail" target="_blank">why isn't Wall Street in jail</a>? But I am thinking that this is simply the tip of the iceberg. The reason you don't hear about mortgage insurance schemes on second mortgages in other channels of news is because nobody realizes this is happening.</p> <p><strong>I see this happening because I am a <a href="http://elizabethweintraub.com" title="sacramento short sale agent" target="_blank">Sacramento short sale agent</a>.</strong> Many agents might close 2 or 3 short sales a year, if that. I close a ton of short sales. I would see a trend emerging before anybody else. It wasn't until this year that mortgage insurance on second mortgages started to pop up in short sales. Coincidinky? I think not.</p> <p><strong>In fact, just yesterday I was informed by Aurora Bank of an 11th-hour demand from a mortgage insurer.</strong> This is on a file in which we have <a href="http://homebuying.about.com/od/shortsale/qt/What-Is-A-Short-Sale-Approval-Letter.htm" title="short sale approval letters" target="_blank">short sale approval letters</a> from both Aurora lenders. Not only has Aurora approved the short sale, but it has approved the final HUD. When I asked the negotiator for Aurora who would pay the $7,500 mortgage insurance demand on a file that might have already closed, he told me it would probably have to come out of Aurora's net proceeds.</p> <p>That's an idea, huh? Make the bank pay the MI demand. When pigs fly.</p> <p><strong>I'm telling you, there is something rotten in Denmark.</strong> Banks sold these <a href="http://homebuying.about.com/od/financingadvice/qt/MMIorCombo.htm" title="80 / 20 combo loans" target="_blank">80 / 20 combo loans</a> to borrowers on the premise that there is no mortgage insurance. Now, homeowners with lender-paid mortgage insurance on a second mortgage can't do a short sale without paying the MI company. How is this not some sort of fraud? Moreover, in California, it violates <a href="http://homebuying.about.com/b/2011/07/22/new-law-passed-prohibits-deficiencies-on-california-short-sales.htm" title="sb 458" target="_blank">SB 458</a>.</p> <p>I am contacting a few reporters and legislators today. If you think something is fishy as well, you might want to pass this blog along to a few interested parties, too.</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><img title="sacramento short sale agent" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/2/8/6/7/ar12506909376828.PNG" height="43" alt="sacramento short sale agent" width="230" style="float: left; margin: 5px;"><img title="certified hafa specialist" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/8/4/3/4/ar12997948843488.jpg" height="49" alt="cerfified hafa specialist" width="50" style="float: left; margin: 10px;"></p> <p>---</p> <p>Certified HAFA Specialist</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://www.zillow.com/profile/elizabeth_weintraub/Reviews/?scrnnm=elizabeth_weintraub"><img src="http://www.zillowstatic.com/static/images/badges/5star-agent-h.png" alt="Elizabeth Weintraub reviews"></a> <span style=""> My <a href="http://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/Sacramento-County-CA/577944_agent_list/1_fr?scrnnm=elizabeth_weintraub" style="text-decoration: none; color: #36B;">Sacramento Real Estate</a> Listings </span></p> <p><em><a href="http://elizabethweintraub.com/" title="land park agent" target="_blank">Elizabeth Weintraub</a> is an author, <a href="http://homebuying.about.com/" title="home buying and selling" target="_blank">home buying</a> columnist for The New York Times-owned About.com, a Land Park resident, and a Land Park real estate agent who specializes in older, classic <a href="http://homebuying.about.com/od/marketfactstrends/ig/Land-Park-Homes/" title="homes in land park" target="_blank">homes in Land Park</a>, Curtis Park, Midtown and <a href="http://homebuying.about.com/od/marketfactstrends/ig/East-Sacramento-Homes/" title="homes in east sacramento" target="_blank">East Sacramento</a>. Weintraub is also a <a href="http://shortsaleagentsacramento.com/" title="short sale agent sacramento" target="_blank">Sacramento Short Sale agent</a> who lists and successfully sells short sales throughout Sacramento. Call Elizabeth Weintraub at 916.233.6759. Put 35 years of real estate experience to work for you. Broker-Associate at Lyon Real Estate. DRE License # 00697006.<br><br><strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Short-Sale-Savior-Elizabeth-Weintraub/dp/1574723766/re" title="The Short Sale Savior" target="_blank">The Short Sale Savior,</a> by Elizabeth Weintraub, available at Amazon.com.</strong></em></p> <p><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Lyon Real Estate is not associated with the government, and our service is not approved by the government or your lender. Even if you accept this offer and use our service, your lender may not agree to change your loan.</span></span></span><br><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></p> <p>Photo: Unless otherwise noted in this blog, the photo is copyrighted by Big Stock Photo and used with permission.</p> <p>The views expressed herein are Weintraub's personal views and do not reflect the views of Lyon Real Estate.</p> <p><span style="font-family: times new roman,times; font-size: xx-small;">Disclaimer: If this post contains a listing, information is deemed reliable as of the date it was written. After that date, the listing may be sold, listed by another brokerage, canceled, pending or taken temporarily off the market, and the price could change without notice. It could blow up, explode or vanish. To find out the present status of any listing, please go to elizabethweintraub.com.</span></p> <p> </p> </div> </blockquote> </div> <div class="agent_signature"> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/1/9/1/7/ar124325263971917.jpg" height="100" alt="" style="float: left;" width="85">                      </p> <p> </p> <p>   <img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/7/8/3/8/ar125067779083874.png" height="28" alt="" width="206">  </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><br></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">RE/MAX N.O. Properties, Associate Broker and REALTOR®, New Orleans, LA 70118</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">504-908-2268 (C)    </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: small;">504-866-7733</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">  {O}                             </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Each Office Independently Owned and Operated        </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Licensed in the State of Louisiana, USA</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.neworleanspropertylady.com" target="_blank">New Orleans Property Lady</a> | <a href="http://www.NewOrleansRealEstateTalk.com" target="_self">New Orleans Real Estate Talk</a><br>           <a href="http://search.neworleanspropertylady.com/idx/12848/basicSearch.php">Search for Properties in New Orleans and Surrounding Suburbs</a>           </span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">                 </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/8/7/9/7/ar132507179679781.jpg" height="236" alt="" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="214">  </span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0; padding-bottom: 0; text-align: center; line-height: 0;"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NewOrleansPropertyLady/~6/1" target="_blank"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/NewOrleansPropertyLady.1.gif" alt="New Orleans Property Lady" style="border: 0;"></a></p> <p style="margin-top: 5px; padding-top: 0; font-size: x-small; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/headlineanimator/install?id=m4h341e8r8n9igbsdl9pjfsgfs&amp;w=1" target="_blank">↑ Grab this Headline Animator</a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8px;">Copyright 2012, Miriam Bernstein, All Rights Reserved</span></p> </div> Miriam Bernstein REALTOR® New Orleans Real Estate (RE/MAX N.O. Properties) Tue, 23 Aug 2011 10:26:48 -0400 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2469365/private-mortgage-insurance-companies-are-insuring-worthless-zero-equity-second-mortgages-for-banks-and-it-is-costing-taxpayers-big-time http://activerain.com/blogsview/2442371/you-can-t-close-on-your-home-with-a-title-issue-watch-for-new-louisiana-title-law-in-2012 <p>This is an excellent article by Marilyn Boudreaux who is an agent in Lake Charles, Louisiana. She is with Century 21 Bono and if you are interested in that area of Louisiana all you need to do in read her blog and you will call her.  Thank you Marilyn for this explanation of "title" for our buyers.</p> <div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/2429753/you-can-t-close-on-your-home-with-a-title-issue-watch-for-new-louisiana-title-law-in-2012">Marilyn Boudreaux, Lake Charles Realtor Lake Charles LA Real Estate (Marilyn Boudreaux, Century 21 Mike D. Bono &amp; Co.'s)</a></b>:<br><blockquote> <p style="text-align: left;"> </p> <p style="text-align: left;">You have probably heard the word "title" before in a real estate transaction. </p> <p style="text-align: left;"> When a Buyer makes an offer on a Lake Charles Home for Sale and the Seller agrees and signs the written contract, both parties have an accepted contract and  the <strong>Lake Charles Home goes "under contract"</strong>.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">The Lender begins working on the Buyer's loan and part of the process that the bank requires is called <strong>"review of title".</strong>  Usually the lender or the REALTOR delivers a copy of the contract and/or property Abstract to the Title Company where the closing will take place.  The lender will contact the title company with a request to<strong> "open title"</strong> on the Lake Charles Home the Buyer is purchasing.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">A real estate attorney will review what is known as the <strong>"chain of title"</strong> to make sure the title is clear of liens, judgments, or other issues.  <strong>Buyers want to make sure they are receiving a "clear title" from the Seller.</strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;">During review of title to a Lake Charles Home, the real estate attorney may discover a title issue.  Perhaps the property conveyed to the current owner  as an heir but a succession was never done and the deed was not recorded correctly.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Sometimes the Buyer or Seller will prefer to use their own Attorney or an Attorney friend. Nothing against attorneys but not all of them practice real estate law on a daily basis and <strong>Louisiana real estate law is different from other states</strong>.</p> <p><strong>Louisiana is now known for having one of the more complex and difficult to understand state civil codes in the US.  </strong></p> <p>In contrast, to other US states who follow the traditional British “common law” system which is based on laws derived from judge-made decisions <strong>Louisiana follows Napoleonic law.</strong></p> <p>One of the main reasons that Napoleon implemented a unique civil code was that it was supposed to be simple enough for anyone to understand – especially the people of his time who lacked formal education  While the difference between common law vs Napoleon law is not always easy to explain, it can have very serious implications for people, businesses or other entities who own real estate in Louisiana.</p> <p> <strong><br> Understanding Real Estate Law</strong></p> <p> </p> <p>Real estate is a legal term that includes your land (i.e., a lot) along with anything that is built on and upon your land (i.e., a home, a building). Real estate law is the body of law and rules (including zoning laws and restrictive covenants) regulating your title, ownership and use of real estate.</p> <p> </p> <p>While most individuals use the term real estate, this is a term of art used in common law states. <strong>Louisiana is a civil law state</strong>, and the <strong> proper legal term for real estate is immovable property.</strong></p> <p> </p> <p>In addition to this difference, there are many other differences in laws and concepts between the other states and Louisiana. These include:</p> <p> </p> <ul> <li>Settlement of property ownership disputes</li> <li>Property usage and access contests</li> <li>Zoning issues</li> <li>Property settlement and divorce</li> <li>Successions and inheritance</li> <li>Usage (or usufruct) of property</li> </ul> <p style="text-align: left;"> </p> <p style="text-align: left;">I recently had a title issue discovered on a Lake Charles Home my Buyer is purchasing.  The previous transaction  (which was closed with a local bank) had a problem because the Notary who notarized the heir documents also witnessed the documents and that is a big no-no!  Now this has to be fixed.  This has held up the  transaction from closing on time .  Instead of doing an extension, the Seller wanted to use the t<strong>ime frame in the contract allowed to clear up title issues.</strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"> </p> <p style="text-align: left;">The <strong>Louisiana Agreement to Buy or Sell</strong> contains a clause addressing merchantible title allowing a certain length of time to clear up title issues should any be found when reviewing the title to the property.</p> <p style="text-align: left;"> </p> <p style="text-align: left;"><img title="Title Clause in the Louisiana Contract" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/2/1/8/2/ar131213389328126.png" height="194" alt="Louisiana Contract Title Clause" width="800"></p> <p style="text-align: left;"> </p> <p style="text-align: left;">Lake Charles, LA has a few Title Companies that close transactions<strong> without an "in house" attorney.</strong>   If a problem is discovered, the Title Company has to send the file to the attorney of record to review.  Sometimes the real estate attorney is in New Orleans or Shreveport, LA.  It is much easier to deal with a problem at the time it is discovered.  I prefer to close with a Title Company that has a real estate attorney present.  What if there are issues or disputes that arise in the closing?  <strong>If there are questions I would rather have the real estate attorney step in and explain.</strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong></strong><br><strong></strong>A <strong>new  Louisiana law will go into effect January 2012</strong>  which will  require the real estate attorney reviewing title to put their <strong>stamp on each page of the title document</strong>.  This will document who has reviewed title and if there is a problem in the future, it can be traced back to the attorney who performed the title search.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">I think this is an excellent idea, and will prevent errors and hopefully prevent delays in closing due to title issues.  Some Title Companies that have been careless could be held accountable in the future.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">You always get what you pay for ....Sure we all want to save our clients money but I don't recommend cutting corners on your Lake Charles Home Purchase  with  discount title   or attorney fees!</p> <p style="text-align: left;"> </p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p>*</p> <p>******************************************************************************************</p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/94/8651FD3287EEA71EF8ECAEAB0157DFD0.png" alt="" style=""></a></strong></p> <p> </p> <p style="text-align: left;"> </p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">For more information on<em><a href="http://marilynboudreaux.com" title="Lake Charles Real Estate" target="_blank"> Lake Charles Real Estate,</a></em> visit my website.  You can <strong><a href="http://listings.marilynboudreaux.com" title="search homes for sale in Lake Charles, LA." target="_blank">search homes for sale in Lake Charles, Louisiana,</a> </strong>get information on <strong><a href="http://www.marilynboudreaux.com/lake-charles-living/communities/" title="Lake Charles Communities" target="_blank">Lake Charles 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Properties) Mon, 08 Aug 2011 06:45:43 -0400 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2442371/you-can-t-close-on-your-home-with-a-title-issue-watch-for-new-louisiana-title-law-in-2012