It's always an adventure when out showing homes.  Most of the time, when a home is occupied, the Seller is never present.  If you currently live in a Home that is listed for Sale, it is an advantage to  leave the house for showings and keep your home neat and clean.  Sellers need to understand that listing a home for sale is going to lead to some inconveniences in your normal routine. Motivated sellers need to understand that flexibility in when you allow the home to be shown could have a direct impact on the sale of your home. When a Seller makes the decision to remain in the house during the showing, it is uncomfortable for the Buyer viewing the home and a bit awkward for the Realtor showing the property. If the Realtor has to walk through the home whispering and the Seller is within ... 03/21/2015

      3705 Harvard in Lake Charles, Louisiana sold as a Foreclosed bank owned property.  This 3 bedroom 1 bath home is located near McNeese State University and has the potential of being transformed into a very nice home that is conveniently located and therefore is a good investment for a buyer at the closed price of $60,000. This particular property had several offers submitted and the "bank" which the bank kept rejecting.  Due to the amount of work that is needed to re-hab the house (rotting windows, plumbing and a known termite treatment needed) many Lake Charles investors were bidding very low. What should you ask for when submitting an contract to purchase?  As little as possible because as little or possible, or nothing, is what you will get. You will most likely not get a home... 02/28/2015

Let me share some tips with you about catching beads and throws during the Lake Charles Mardi Gras Parades.  Over the last 30 years, I've attended the parades as a parent with small children, a  float rider, and an adult parade watcher on the sidelines!     Lake Charles has a Mardi Gras Children;s Day with a Children's Parade that follows.  This year Children's Day is Sunday, February 15  2015 from Noon-3pm at the Lake Charles Civic Center.  The Children's Parade will immediately follow from the Lake Charles Civic Center at 3:30pm.  Throws you can expect to catch during  the Children's Parade include beads and lots of candy!  The Mardi Gras floats will have children riders with their parents.  Many of the children will be throwing from the floats and they can't toss very far, so being ... 02/08/2015

  In the past week I have overhead several conversations  where an individual has announced they decided to obtain their Louisiana Real Estate license or shared that they are a new licensed agent.  Today I'm going to share my view on why it is important to choose an experienced Realtor who has been in real estate more than one-two years.      Real estate is a tricky business that requires constant learning, serious dedication, and a true heart for the people we work with. ROOKIE VS EXPERIENCE Lake Charles residents will remember that after Hurricane Rita in 2005  Southwest Louisiana had a housing boom to replace the lost inventory of homes.  Along with the rebuilding, came an  increase of  individuals  obtaining real estate licenses during 2005-2006.  After the boom settled into a regul... 01/29/2015

Christmas has come and gone and all the tinsel may be packed away but Purchase Contracts negotiated in December may still linger into the New Year! While most people spend the month of December with visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads, holiday parties and moving their Elf on a Shelf for 24 days, Lake Charles Real Estate and the business of contract negotiations still continues!  Negotiating a contract during the month of December can be challenging due to the players in the game traveling and taking vacation.  It is not uncommon for banks, loan officers and the staff processing a home buyers  loan to take a bit longer to review the file.  Likewise, appraisers may be winding down for the holidays and appraisal orders can take up to 10 days to be turned back into the bank for r... 01/23/2015

JUST LISTED 2513 Tyler, Lake Charles, LA Weaver Park Home for Sale Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 full Living Area Approx: 1875 List Price: $Get Current Price Well maintained one owner home on a corner lot in Weaver Park within walking distance to Barbe High School! The updated kitchen features beautiful granite countertops that are 4 ft higher than standard countertops. In additioin the cabinets are updated and plentiful for all your kitchen needs, there is also a pantry located in the kithen and a small corner desk nook! The living area has custom built-ins, a tray ceiling and a fireplace.There is a half bathroom conveniently located between the kithen and living area. The master bedroom has two walk in closets with a separate tub and shower.You will find the second bedroom is ample sized ... 12/04/2014

In a recent economic forecast, Freddie Mac addressed the inventory levels as BELOW historic norm.  " Including newly built homes in the inventory count, the total number of homes offered for sale relative to the number of households in the US has been running at the lowest level in more than 30 years"  "The relatively low for sale inventory reflects several features of today's market. The National Association of Realtors research shows us a balanced real estate mark requires a six month supply of available housing inventory.  According to a Existing Sales Report earlier this week, NAR revealed that we are still only at 5.5 month supply inventory. What occurs when inventory levels remain below historic norms is it becomes a seller's market.  This is true for our real estate market in Lak... 07/28/2014

 BOOM HERE COMES THE BOOM LAKE CHARLES!   This song from POD comes to mind when I look around Lake Charles!  Why? Because we are booming and its alright!      This map with all the blue tags just shows the tip of the iceberg of economic growth in Southwest Louisiana with industrial projects.    Post by Port of Lake Charles.   Everyone is talking about the economic boom and growth headed to Lake Charles, LA.   The city of Lake Charles is trying to catch up with infrastructure and if you have driven anywhere lately you will notice the increase in traffic and on Interstate 210!  Part of the Interstate construction is expanding with a new turn around and Exit to the new Golden Nugget Casino in Lake Charles.                     The Golden Nugget sign can now be seen on top of the new casino ... 06/19/2014

    If a property has ever been rented or had  a turn over in tenants, the home may have been abused and in need of repairs before it is even ready to be listed for sale.  Such was the case with the most recent rental property I was asked to list and sell for an out of state investor.  Prior to my listing the property, the owner had to repaint the interior and install new carpet and fix some broken plumbing due to the renters tearing the interior up.  This is always hard to hear especially when  the house was only 7 years old!   Once listed, the home went under contract quickly and it was discovered during the buyers home inspection that only 1 burner on the stove was working, the stove was in need of repair.   This type of electric stove is a  flat glass top where the burners heat up w... 06/12/2014

Many Southwest Louisiana residents are off work today in observance of Good Friday.   You may wonder how people  in Southwest Louisiana spend the day on Good Friday.  There were many activities going on throughout Calcasieu Parish and will continue tomorrow with Easter Egg Hunts and celebrations!  Since real estate never stops,  as an active Lake Charles Realtor  I spent my morning  showing homes  and writing  up an offer!  While driving the roads of the Lake Charles area,  you could see more cars than usual in homeowners driveways. We are lucky to be blessed with beautiful 78 degree weather today to enjoy outside activities.   In our predominantly Catholic Parish  of Calcasieu, many families were gathered today for crawfish boils, frying fish or eating boiled crabs.   Our delicious Caj... 04/18/2014

I  am very excited to be a  Century 21 Centurion and President's Award Winner which is pretty much like the Oscar of Real Estate!  It was a proud moment to be congratulated  in person by Century 21 CEO/President Richard Davidson!   To achieve CENTURION® status is to earn one of the most prestigious awards presented to CENTURY 21 real estate professionals. Only a small number of producers in the CENTURY 21® System ever reach this elevated status.  The Centurion Award is based on the Century 21 Realtor's Production in either units sold or adjusted gross commission.  The path to Centurion begins with the Century 21 Masters Program which paves the way with Ruby, Emerald or Diamond status based upon production. Century 21 Mike D Bono & Co's in Lake Charles, LA is an award winning Century 21... 04/03/2014

Century 21 recognizes the importance of technology!  It was announced at Century 21 Global Conference that Century 21 will partner with Google!   Sam Sebastian, director , local at Google shared the excitement about collaborating with what he called "the boldest brand in real estate"It was also announced that Century 21 will take over the home page of You Tube on March 27th! I am very proud and honored to be associated with Century 21 and was the recipient of this years Technology Producer Award!  Most of us know and realize how important technology is in our current market.  Century 21 presents the Technology Award to the producer who understands the integration of technology in real estate sales and realizes it is integral to the success and growth of their business. The nomination pr... 03/24/2014

New Years and the Super Bowl have come and gone but we here in Southwest Louisiana Roll right into Mardi Gras season!  Twelfth Night was January 6, 2014 and that is when Mardi Gras begins.  From then until March 2, 2014 you can expect to see Mardi Gras events taking place in Calcasieu Parish! Let me share some of my personal events with you so you can get a feel for how we roll during Mardi Gras in Lake Charles LA! Over the weekend we attended two Mardi Gras Krewe Events.  Many of the Lake Charles Mardi Gras Krewes will hold a formal cocktail party for members when their Ball is Costume.  That is the best of both worlds because you get the Cinderella experience along with the wild and crazy fun of theme costumes! My husband and I belong to Krewe du Lac and our Costume Ball will be comin... 02/09/2014

One of the pluses of Lake Charles LA Living is we here in Southwest Louisiana  enjoy mild winters!  Normally our only worries pertain to Hurricanes.  Last Friday, January 24th was the first rare "snow day" here in Lake Charles, LA this was the view I woke up to of my backyard! Those of you who live North of the Mason Dixie line will probably find this humorous and wish you had a "mild storm" as you are digging out of foots of snow! Here in Louisiana and the Gulf Coast, we have only been taught  to Be Prepared for hurricanes---however, one weather condition South Louisiana residents are NOT prepared for is snow and ice!   Lake Charles, LA and Southwest Louisiana has had not one but two "official snow days"!  Yep we just got hit with Old Man Winter Round #2 yesterday January 28, 2014.  S... 01/29/2014

Calcasieu Parish is the No 1  county in the nation for planned industrial projects in 2014! In a marketwatch.com press release dated January 13, 2014 …Calcasieu Parish is Poised for Growth With $19 Billion in Industrial Projects on the Books for 2014, There are 63 projects coming to Calcasieu Parish totaling about $19 billion scheduled to begin construction in 2014. This news was also referenced in Industrial Info Resources     Pictured below are just a few of the referenced projects shared by the Port of Lake Charles The news is getting out that Calcasieu Parish and Southwest Louisiana is indeed a HOT market! What does this mean for Calcasieu Parish???? More growth with jobs and with that will bring the need for more homes for relocating employees! If you are relocating to Southwest Lo... 01/20/2014

There is always something going on in Lake Charles LA. This morning the Lake Charles LA Color Vibe 5K was a lot of fun! Lake Charles Color Vibe 2014 Runners and walkers participated in a color filled 5K along Shell Beach Drive and the Boardwalk and the weather was beautiful! It's events like this one that I love to participate in and its always great to see the Lake Charles community show up, you will be surprised at the people you will meet and run into along the way! Runners and walkers of all ages showed up for a colorful dance party at the finish line. If you are a Runner and like to participate in 5k runs, there are several held throughout the year in Lake Charles. You might even see this colorful Lake Charles Realtor at the next Lake Charles event! This event has been brought to y... 01/12/2014

As a local Century 21 Realtor, I am frequently asked by those relocating to Lake Charles, LA area what there is to do in our City.  As we approach Thanksgiving November rings in the Holiday Season  there are several events Lake Charles residents can enjoy Artisian 121 Bistro sponsored  its 2nd Annual Wine Cruise on The Lady of the Lake which set sail from the Lauberge Casino Marina yesterday afternoon November 24, 2013 Lake Charles Temperatures were unusually chilly but the good food and wine didn't damper the enjoyment! Guests were treated to samples of wine and hordourves while cruising along the Lake Charles lakefront aboard the Lady of the Lake. I am always proud to  show off my City of  Lake Charles! Searching for a Lake Charles Home on the Water?  I can assit you with that! View o... 11/25/2013

4211 Beau Chene in the Oaks of Heyd Lake Charles, LA  Why do Lake Charles residents of  Oaks at Heyd Place in South Lake Charles, Louisiana love living in this neighborhood? Not only is The Oaks of Heyd Place one of the finest subdivisions to choose from in Lake Charles, homes in the Oaks at Heyd Place are conveniently located to shopping and schools and this neighborhood is located in the Barbe High School District. The Oaks of Heyd is a Restricted  Lake Charles Subdivision with Home Owners Association ($100 year). I had the pleasure of listing this beautiful Oaks of Heyd home located at 4211 Beau Chene Drive.  This lovely home went under contract in 13 days!!   JUST SOLD 4211 Beau Chene, Lake Charles, LA Beautiful Oaks of Heyd Home 4211 Beau Chene Bedrooms: 4Bathrooms: 3 full, 1 half ... 11/22/2013

    2013 Mistletoe & Moss Holiday Market in Lake Charles LA  The holiday season has begun in Lake Charles with the Mistletoe & Moss Holiday Market! Every year the Lake Charles Civic Center is transformed into a festive shopping experience among twinkling lights and lots of sparkle!    Mistletoe & Moss has become a holiday tradition among many Lake Charles residents.   The Holiday Market  features merchants from around the country, showcasing apparel, gifts, and accessories for women, men, and children; specialty foods; and seasonal, as well as year-round, decorative items and home furnishings.   The holiday season is here, get prepared, bring your wish list and Get into your shopping mode!  This is a   fun Lake Charles event. Remember, your ticket purchase to the market &/or special eve... 11/21/2013

Autumn Run Subdivision in Lake Charles     Autumn Run is a 12 year old South Lake Charles, Louisiana Neighborhood located in South Lake Charles, LA off of Gauthier Road.  Homes in Autumn Run currently have well water and mechanical sewer systems.  There are two entrances to Autumn Run off of Gauthier Road, which are E. Savanna and W. Savanna that form a horseshoe  of the neighborhood. 4 other streets  Quince Michael, Hannah, Katie Elizabeth and Emily Ann  which run between E. and W. Savanna.  Autumn Run one of the favorite Lake Charles neighborhoods.  Homeowners enjoy the quiet family atmosphere Autumn Run has to offer, while still being conveniently located to hospitals, schools, churches,  shopping and Interstate 210. South Lake Charles Louisiana  school zones for this charming neighb... 11/21/2013