I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends - 07/31/11 09:10 PM
I've read and posted my fair share of rants venting about things that bother me and get on my nerves. I thought I would just drop something a bit more positive.
I'm gonna keep it short and sweet. Where would we be in this crazy world without the people we love and who love us. I just returned from a great dinner with my family and a great friend of ours. You see, this friend is very special to us. She was married to my best friend who would have turned 41 years old this past Thursday. Yes, I am implying … (1 comments)

So Do You REALLY Want to Sell This House? - 07/30/11 12:54 PM
Ok, here's my rant for the week.
Last Saturday, I set up several appointments for clients of mine. They have their home in Curry Creek Subdivision in Calhoun, LA listed with me and we are looking for a new place for them with more acreage. One property in particular was not allowing any showings last Saturday. (?)
Fast forward to today. I am setting up appointments to go back out with them today to view three properties. Yay! We can get into the one we missed last week. But, what is this? Another home that just came on the market last week … (3 comments)

What You Must Know About Home Appraisals - 07/30/11 10:58 AM
The following is an excellent article concerning appraisals. Appraisals are, perhaps, one of the most misunderstood products in real estate. What You Must Know About Home Appraisals By: G. M. Filisko
Published: March 12, 2010
Understanding how appraisals work will help you achieve a quick and profitable refinance or sale.
1. An appraisal isn’t an exact science When appraisers evaluate a home’s value, they’re giving their best opinion based on how the home’s features stack up against those of similar homes recently sold nearby. One appraiser may factor in a recent sale, but another may consider that sale too long ago, … (3 comments)

Will Getting Rid of Realtors® Restore the Housing Market? - 07/30/11 10:13 AM
This is a great and insightful post by "The Housing Guru". It's very validating to have an experienced investor recognize the value of Real Estate Professionals.
Via John Mulkey, Housing Guru (TheHousingGuru.com):
“Want to Jump-Start the Housing Market?  Get Rid of the Realtors®”  The waggish title of a recent post on “Freakonomics,” immediately caught my attention.  The website, which offers money-saving and investment advice, sometimes does so with clever and quick-witted banter.  And while the title did exactly as intended, driving me to click on the post, the content proved to be far short of particulars.  Worse, what it did was play to … (4 comments)

Why Do I Need A Realtor? - 07/29/11 11:24 AM
Why Do I Need A Realtor Real estate is not rocket science, in fact in some respects selling real estate is simple. There is however a big difference between simple and easy. Someone once told me many years ago that bull riding is simple. You keep the bull between you and the ground. It is simple, but it is not easy.  Ultimately, a good Realtor's® greatest value comes from being able to guide you safely through the sale or purchase process. The average home owner may only purchase and sell three or four houses in a lifetime. In the 4 years I … (2 comments)

If You Want To Get It Sold - Drop the Price! - 07/29/11 10:38 AM
I just had to reblog this post. We can use this list as a wake up call to all of our clients who won't take our word for the REAL value of their house.
Via Lora "Leah" Stern, Realtor Suffern, Rockland County NY (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage):
If You Want To Get It Sold - Drop the Price!
Has your home been languishing on the market, without any offers or even showings?  Well that's a clear indication that you just might be overpriced.  In this current market and economy price is still king and it's still the single most important determining factor in … (3 comments)

50 Technology Things Every Realtor Needs On Their Bucket List - 07/28/11 04:54 PM
I love this post! I know that spending too much time on "techno stuff" can be detrimental to business and we need to learn how to utilize these things in an efficient manner. It's much more appealing than "cold calling the phonebook", though!
Via Jim Kimmons (Independent Consultant & Freelance Writer):
You know the movie with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, and they're checking off a list of things they want to do before they die.  If you're technophobic and you'd rather cold-call the phone book than write a blog post or a Tweet, then this list isn't for you.

If, on … (4 comments)

5 Steps in Pricing or Preparing to Make an Offer (Part 2) - 07/27/11 04:01 PM
Yesterday we covered the first 3 steps. Here's a recap:
1. What do the "comps" say?
2. What can you afford?
3. What's your competition? (and what's theirs?)
4.  How much do they need to sell (or buy) it?  Buyers: Has the listing in which you’re interested been reduced at all?  By how much?  Has the listing agent informed you that her clients are highly motivated, flexible or have an urgent need to sell?   
Sellers – most buyers are not in a high state of urgency to buy these days, given the long-term, high affordability of homes and interest rates, … (1 comments)

Ouachita Parish Housing Market: One of the Strongest in the Nation! - 07/26/11 04:59 PM
If you live in Ouachita Parish, whether it's Monroe, West Monroe, Calhoun, or Sterlington, you've probably wondered how the "housing crisis" has affected the value of your home. I've told my clients for years that we are in a great place with a strong market. That's what the data has been telling us for years so when I saw the headlines from the July 10 issue of the Monroe News Star, I was ecstatic! I just have to share this article with you again, in it's entirity.
Still scalding: Ouachita housing market
 Written byGreg Hilburnghilburn@thenewsstar.com 11:28 PM, Jul. 10, 2011|
 
… (2 comments)

5 Steps in Pricing or Preparing to Make an Offer (Part 1) - 07/26/11 12:32 PM
5 Steps in Pricing or Preparing to Make an Offer
 
One of the hardest, most important decisions homebuyers face is how much to offer for their home.  And the glut of information on the web about real estate only makes buyers even crazier than the decision itself does.  Supply, demand, foreclosure rates, mortgage rates – buyers think they need to run spreadsheets and do fancy math to make a smart offer.  And THAT can be super intimidating.
But the fact is, there is a pretty short list of steps you need to take to make a smart offer – one … (1 comments)

10 Marketing Questions to Ask the Real Estate Agent Who is Offering to List Your Property for Sale - 07/26/11 12:27 PM
10 Marketing Questions To Ask The Real Estate Agent Who Is Offering To List Your Property For Sale
With over 95% of property buyers searching online for real estate, you’ll likely be best served by an agent who understands modern Real Estate web marketing techniques.
Quick Note: Most real estate agents you interview will not be able to answer all of these questions, but whoever comes closest is probably an excellent choice!
Questions For Your Prospective Real Estate Agent
§                                 Will you create a single property website for my property? Will it be syndicated? Can you set me up … (0 comments)

Pending! 307 Monarch Dr., Monroe, LA 71203 - 07/26/11 12:20 PM
This 3 bedroom 2 bath home located at 307 Monarch Dr., Monroe, LA in High Country Estates is now pending! This home is only 7 years old and has a great open, split floorplan with a 2 car garage. Tray ceilings in every room with special mood lighting in the Master Bedroom. Master Bath includes his and her closets. For all of your Monroe, LA, West Monroe, LA and surrounding area real estate needs, call me, Scotti Jowers, at 318-547-4236.

 
 
 
 
 

… (0 comments)

WHOA!! Dodd Frank Act Set to Terminate Seller Financing - 07/23/11 01:03 PM
If you use seller financing in your real estate transactions, the following blog repost contains some information that you may want to pay particular attention to. It may also be worth a call or email to your Representative in Washington, D.C.
Via Paddy Deighan, Esq. PhD:
Those elves in Washington are at it again.  The Clueless Duo, Barney "Circus Clown" Frank and Chris "I do not have to pay back loans" Dodd have snuck key provisions into their bill.  CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TODAY!
 
In an incredible show of effective bank/mortgage lender lobbying or government ignorance the Federal Reserve is considering rules that … (1 comments)

Know Your Local Real Estate Market - 07/21/11 10:15 AM
This is a great reminder for us all. I know, for me, the most asked question that I get is "how's the market?". We have to always be up to date with our information and be able to give a knowledgeable answer.
Via Tammie White Realtor® Franklin TN Homes For Sale (Benchmark Realty, LLC):
Know Your Local Real Estate Market
I preview lots of homes. I want to know the neighborhoods I work in. Actually, I want to know the neighborhoods I work in well. If a buyer asks me, "How far is the closest grocery store?" I want to be able to … (5 comments)

Open House at 120 Susan Drive, West Monroe, LA Sunday July 24 from 2-4 - 07/20/11 01:55 PM
Open House at 120 Susan Drive, West Monroe, LA Sunday July 24 from 2-4
Come visit me this Sunday July 24 from 2-4 at 120 Susan Drive in West Monroe, LA. This home features 4 bedrooms, 2 baths and a saltwater pool! Perfect to beat the Louisiana heat!

 
 
 
 
 
 
This home is 1959 heated square feet and is eligible for $0 down Rural Development financing. I look forward to seeing you this weekend!
 
 
Brought to you by
Century 21 Shackleford French
111 Crosley St, Suite 1
West Monroe, LA 71291
… (2 comments)

The Process of Buying a Home - 07/19/11 03:06 PM
The Process of Buying a Home
The process of buying a home can be quite confusing and, in many cases, intimidating. Let's face it, your making one of the biggest decisions of your life next to who you'll marry and where you'll spend eternity! This diagram may help take some of the guesswork out of the process.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Please contact me if I can be of assistance to you in your West Monroe home buying experience!
… (1 comments)

3 Ways to Tick Off Your Facebook Fans - 07/19/11 01:58 PM
Here's some great social media, specifically Facebook, strategies that I believe are going to be very useful. I can't wait to try them out myself. I hope that some of you out there find this useful as well.
Via Jeremy Blanton (210 Consulting~ Social Media Advisors):
One of the top questions I always receive when I am presenting as a social media speaker, is how to get more "likes" to your Facebook page.  In fact, over the past few weeks I have seen many blog posts with ideas on how you can do this.
As I was reading through more and more blogs … (2 comments)

Vacant Lot For Sale in West Monroe, Louisiana Cleared to Build - 07/19/11 11:30 AM
Vacant lot for sale in West Monroe 's Parkwood II Estates
West Monroe, Louisiana's Parkwood II Estates is fast becoming one of Ouachita Parishes premier communities. There's a perfect lot available just for you. You have the option of using Parkwood II Estates' own Jerry Sanders as your builder and choose from one of his or his daughter Lissy's fabulous design templates. If it's custom you want, you can use the custom builder of your choice. In fact, Jonathon Hill of Jonathon Hill Construction lives in the development and can help you build the home of your dreams!
Zoned for Claiborne Elementary, … (1 comments)

Great Home in Curry Creek Subdivision, Calhoun, LA 71225 - 07/19/11 11:26 AM
Great home in Curry Creek Subdivision, Calhoun, LA 71225
You can't afford to overlook this great home at 149 Curry Creek Dr. in Calhoun, LA. This 3 bedroom 2 bath home is just waiting on the perfect new owner.
Nestled deep into the Curry Creek Subdivision, this home features an open floorplan, covered patio, and an office.
The sellers' desire for a different setting is just your ticket for entry into this Dixon/Cato built home. Just minutes from West Monroe and within walking distance of Calhoun Middle School, you can't go wrong with this one! Offer early! It won't last long!
… (1 comments)

West Monroe Home for Sale - 07/18/11 09:01 PM
West Monroe Home for Sale in Claiborne School zone. Qualifies for $0 downpayment Rural Development financing. Currently priced $10,000 below original asking price. Sellers have relocated and are extremely motivated and ready to negotiate. They will write a personal check at closing for $3,000 for carpet/paint/other cosmetic concerns. They are also leaving a refrigerator and an upright freezer. BRING ALL OFFERS!!


 
 
 
 
 
This West Monroe Home for Sale has a great fireplace. Perfect for your flatscreen!
 
Get this West Monroe home for sale for $0 down and the sellers will pay up to $2,500 of your … (0 comments)

Ouachita Parish Housing Market - 07/11/11 12:12 PM
I am absolutely giddy this morning! On the front page of the local newspaper the headlines read "Still scalding: Ouachita housing market - Outlook remains strong as region's economy expands". I could be bitter and ask why it's taken 5 years for the local media to acknowledge us "in the know" professionals in our repeated attempts to convince them that our market was shielded from the crash. I could be bitter when they report that home prices "in the Monroe Metropolitan Statistical Area grew about 3 percent in 2010, the second best average change in the nation, according to the Federal … (1 comments)

 
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Scotti Jowers, Realtor® West Monroe, Louisiana Homes for Sale

West Monroe, LA

More about me…

CENTURY 21 Shackelford French, Search West Monroe Homes

Address: Attn: Scotti Jowers, West Monroe Realtor, 111 Crosley St., Suite 1, West Monroe, LA, 71291

Office Phone: (318) 323-2710 x 124

Cell Phone: (318) 547-4236

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