Randy Anderson's Blog Posts

Do I need a real estate agent when buying a new home?When you decide to take the leap and buy a new construction – a home you get to be the first to live in – it can seem so easy. You are the

South Louisiana has a problem and we share it with a generous helping of the flatter locations in our nation. When it rains here, it sometimes pours and, in heavy rain events, we can suffer

There's an article that tells you how ..."Good feng shui outside allows you to welcome visitors peacefully—and even entice potential buyers."Curb appeal is an important feng shui principle because

(BUT PROBABLY ARE)"Ever wondered what not to put down a garbage disposal? Like what food not to put in a garbage disposal? Yeah, me too! I’ve unfortunately put many of the

Check out the latest issue. Click here: (corrected link)  bit.ly/BetweenFriends_Feb-19    Healthy Driving for Road Warriors3 Home Upgrades for a Quick SaleSavor the Flavor Quick

Find out approximate costs to remodeling a kitchen, item by item, so you never spend more than you should.Once at the site linked here, scroll down for  "How to Save on the Cost of Kitchen

I absolutely understand that looking at houses and/or land is a lot of fun whether it is online or in person. Even your REALTOR®, who has done that every day for 15 years!, still gets excited.But

The New Year marks a new beginning. Many of us resolve to eat better, hit the gym, get organized, be more mindful, spend more time with family and friends and less time with devices – in other

Thanks to  Dennis Vicars, Residential Mortgage Loan Originator for sharing this quick-fix idea list:  First impressions are hard to shake, which is why curb appeal is such a key

Adding "Pop!" to your house can lock it in the mind of a potential homebuyer looking at multiple homes (and they all do look around whether online or at in-person visits). I show hundreds of houses

 "Buying a first home is ... (n)ot only ... a matter of sinking funds into a future investment, but it’s also about planning for that future growth. Yet, often the dream of a smooth

I wanted to offer a present of sorts to those who have occasion to visit my blog and I hope this brings a smile to you this Christmas. I hope you will be able to share with your family.  -

Carpeted stairs "dating" your house? Easy steps to replace.(We)  recently tore the carpet from our stairs and painted the wood underneath creating a fresh, clean, and modern look! We did this

2018 has seen swings, reactions and corrections in real estate.We began the year with existing inventory at record lows. Conditions, including the repercussions of the historic 2016 flood

Your Home - Making a More Relaxing Home It's finally November, meaning it's almost the end of the year once again! With the new year coming, why not get started on one of the essential necessities

We don't need to live in fear, but should take precautions, right?Family Handyman Magazine says ...You don’t need to spend a fortune to keep burglars at bay. Here are some of the most inexpensive

14 Toilet Problems You’ll Regret IgnoringIf you spot these troubles with your toilet, don’t wait around for them to go away.  - Family Handyman Magazine Read the full article here:;

NALP recommends the following fall lawn care and landscape practices for homeowners to assure healthy spring growth: Seed for a lush lawn – A healthy, lush lawn is the foundation of a

A How To Guide For Aging New Wood - Under $104 Materials, < $10 Have ever wanted to build a piece of furniture with reclaimed wood then priced out the cost of reclaimed wood? No THANK

From: SMART HOMEOWNER  Family HandymanWhy Didn’t I Think of That?These ingenious tips, tricks and solutions to common problems are simple, smart and straightforward.21 ideas you likely

Some of these really surprised me. Others really hit home. View the Gallery, click through and scroll down where "the shoe fits". Some link to great HGTV articles for each example of

Four great Ascension Parish homes in distinct price categories. Each with unique attractions. Something for all tastes. And I am throwing in one 4.77-acre parcel that is zoned commercial but was

“New” means exactly that: brand new properties that have never been lived in before, or homes purchased in the pre-construction phase. On the flip side, “existing” or resale homes are

How to Clean

Thanks to  Geoff Williams of Huffpost Money site for this excellent reporting:The Worst Home Buying And Selling Advice Realtors And Mortgage Brokers Have HeardWhat’s tricky about bad advice

Travel is the one thing we all seem to put off, but love to dream about. What’s the one thing you must do in every state? From Florida to Alaska, here are the Travel Channel picks for once-in

This hallway was very plain and dark. It needed some sprucing up. Read full article ...https://www.hometalk.com/14056800/my-long-dark-hallway-needed-some-lights?  Read how you can

Contact me to set your appointment to see!  Click below for a virtual tour ( slideshow - inside and).

I am NOT excited about sharing this article, but I am concerned enough to share (and you know the saying that ends with "three fingers pointing back at me", right? Sitting Time Linked to Higher

There is an explosion of new residential development in our area. Homes in every price range --from the $170's to $500's-- are popping up!Click HERE to see all MLS currently-listed new construction

7 Super-Easy Cleaning Recipes for the Most Awesome-Smelling Home If you get light-headed just reading the ingredients on your cleaning products, take heart: There’s another way. These make-in

Staging Your Home Can Capture Buyers Imagination and Corner the Market Viewing a house for sale requires buyers to visualize the property as a future place to call home. Would-be buyers often have

Just for the fun of it, check out these mega-mansions in case you somehow bought the winning ticket for $522 million Mega Millions jackpot sold in San Jose, California, liquor store.  This

Build a Pergola or Gazebo for Backyard ShadeKeep your cool under a structure that can bring added value, beauty and comfortable outdoor living to your property.See a slideshow of amazing designer

Enjoy a safe and happy Independence Day! Fun and interesting holiday history at this link: https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/july

Here are a few unforgettable street names and a chance for you to pitch in your favorite. Read the article, get out your camera/smart phone and answer the call:  https://bit.ly/2tPRY2G 

Author says ... Have you taken a selfie in front of your house yet?  You Won’t Just Survive Home Ownership. You’ll Crush It! There definitely is

Chalkboard Wall Calendar DIYRead full do-it-yourself instructions here:http://www.itallstartedwithpaint.com/chalkboard-wall-calendar-diy/   My idea: I think I would add a calendar-width,"

Learn the ins and outs of lawn irrigation, including expert tips for efficient watering.  (DIY Network) See the gallery here:  https://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/outdoors

This is frank talk and the most difficult, most important discussion I ever have with property sellers, particularly home sellers. Unfortunately, I can't always get these points across. The market

Getting your home ready to sell can be a source of anxiety, and understandably so. The idea of staging and cleaning an entire home and keeping it presentable for showings is daunting. But the

How to land the right house in a tough market for buyersIt's tough out there for would-be homeowners. They're facing rising mortgage rates, higher home prices and a shortage of available houses in

Make rooms seem taller, shorter, and fancier — even cover up flaws.Crown molding is a visual treat that adds a touch of elegance. Crown moldings made of wood come in hundreds of profiles and can

The author of this article says, " I don’t know about you, but I love a project that begins with, 'I found these at the dollar store!' Such is the case with this DIY floor pillow tutorial. I

What’s the point of a Pinterest-perfect kitchen if it doesn't stay that way? Kitchen surfaces, especially countertops, need to be able to take hit after hit ...Read  full article HERE: 

Someone new to lawn cutting this Spring/Summer? Safety first! OPEI safety tips are linked below.Click here: http://opei.org/content/uploads/2015/03/Fact-Sheet-Lawn-Mower-Safety-2-gac.pdf 

In the near future, building a new home may be as easy as printing it out.See this article here:  https://qz.com/1227301/sxsw-2018-affordable-3d-printed-houses-from-icon-and-charity

Buying a new home isn't the same as buying an existing home. The more you know going in, the more prepared you'll be to roll with the process or run from the process. Read the full article: 

Heather Olinde, of St. Francisville, LA,  says she  "wanted shiplap since the very first episode of Fixer Upper." I'm guessing a number of you have had the same feeling.  "This

No matter how hard you try, it’s easy to overlook some spots when you spring clean — because you’re blind to what you see and use every day in your own home.So before you say you�

Keeping your pantry items fresh will ensure your efforts in the kitchen aren’t wasted. Use the following chart to determine the general shelf life of some common pantry staples. Here is

... but wherever you are, it is coming!   Spring Cleaning Made Easy Follow HCTV's simple spring cleaning checklist to get your home Spring-clean in no time.Slideshow: http://www.hgtv

More than 35 million Americans move every year, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. If you're among them, then you already know how stressful moving can be. Without a,

Article says: A good bathroom cleaning routine should be more than a hard-surface wipe-down. Make your space a sanctuary of cleanliness by adopting a more rigorous process for disinfecting and

Just for kids? I'm thinking not ...http://www.diynetwork.com/made-and-remade/make-it/have-a-blast-with-watergun-painting ;

Appraisals are an important part of the homebuying process. A real estate appraisal establishes a property's market value – the likely sales price it would bring if offered in an open

... and "lives" better, too. (BTW: Do as I link, not as I do.)   Please, Steal These Organizing Ideas for a Soothing Bathroom An easy trick: Add open shelving to make

There’s a certain sense of calm and satisfaction that comes from seeing things well-organized.This can feel downright indulgent in the bathroom, where there’s so much to corral and function

Before and after views that the HGTV people have created will give you hope for that kitchen that just doesn't have "it". The slideshow will have you saying, "that cannot be the same room.":

Since Americans spend most of their time indoors, healthy air quality should be a top priority. Learn the top 10 plants that aid in the removal of pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene,

When wall space is at a minimum and your needs for storage are at an all-time high, consider making a vertical bookshelf. This book tower also looks great and certainly adds a unique touch to the

Dreaming of buying your first home? Visualizing your future can feel like a three-bed, two-bath fairy tale, but it need not be just a figment of your imagination. By dispelling a few common

"We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of

3 Home Organization PhilosophiesWe all have some level of attachment to our things. However, many of us feel as though we're drowning in stuff. Fortunately, there's been a growing movement toward

Whether is retrieving the star from atop the Christmas tree or climbing on roof decorating "a stitch in time save nine" ...Portable ladders are one of the handiest, simplest tools we use. Portable

6 Simple Steps to Prep Your Home for Holiday GuestsBy: Lisa Kaplan GordonPublished: November 14, 2011Make sure extra TP is easy to spot (that's in #6).Hosting has its shares of anxieties,

Whether you are "moving on up" or downsizing, your home's value is important to you and certainly when you are seeking a quick sale with a profitable result. This article begins by putting it this

Don't spend a lot on lighting when you can learn how to repurpose old household items into new lamps, pendants and chandeliers.  View a slide show from DIY Network here:  

These tips will point you in the right direction when you're wondering how to find a good real estate agent, whether you're a seller or buyer. Whether you're buying or selling a house,

Trees don’t ask for much — dirt, water, sunlight. Yet they provide a wealth of benefits: They improve the air you breathe, cut your energy bills, provide a home to wildlife, and they add

Outdated glass light shades (frosted or white) are a staple at thrift stores and home salvage shops. Here's a fun, EASY way to repurpose them for Halloween!   Full project ...  

(Excerpted and abridged from a REALTOR.com article)If you're listing your home for sale, your goal is to make it an online "click-through stopper"—the listing that makes a buyer slow down, take a

http://www.hometalk.com/31957959/3-tiered-clothespin-chandelier?se=fol_new-20171003-2&slg=26585e6727e67e4054b1a9be2a2c3c2f-28192524&post_position=1;

Gone are the days where clothing and accessories must be hidden behind closed doors. These functional and stylish wardrobe options are perfect storage solutions for homes that are short on closet

Selling a house can be stressful, especially if you’re putting it on the market in the fall. Finding the right real estate agent to partner with to market your home is the first step and one that

There are a lot of examples of things we risk when we omit a particular resource.  Brush but don’t floss? You could be scolded by your dentist.  Going on a run without stretching? 

They're more than just for your window curtains. Definitely impressed...

So, you've moved into that new house or are "staging" your current house to sell and thinking about the wall spaces. Though it seems like an easy enough task, hanging art can devolve into an

Many homeowners and renters are feeling the sting of regret when it comes to their choices and experiences, but less so than five years ago—a progression in perspective as the effects of the

Due to the complexity of a mortgage loan, it is easy for anybody to make a mistake. Everyone involved, including the loan officer, the underwriter, the appraiser and even the closing attorney can

As time allows, I will be transferring important previous "good economic news" links from the former page on my real estate site to this new facebook page. This will give us all a reference page to

The negotiations are over. Your mortgage is settled. The keys to your first home are in hand.Finally, you can install your dream patio.You can paint the walls without losing your security deposit

I don't know if you heard that Zillow is being sued over the inaccuracy of its Zestimate application.The fact is we have noticed that home sellers have been put in the position

If it seems like I am beating this into your head, I am. It's because I show homes all the time that don't take this basic advice ...Stage your home to maximize its appeal.  http://www.nwitimes

Interesting:It seems like everything's always getting more expensive, doesn't it? Click here to compare your area's average cost of living to the national average. You'll find an overall comparison,

BYMELANIE YATESStarting a garden is no easy task, and it can be especially challenging if you live where space is a problem.Read full article here:  http://www.bestproducts.com/home/outdoor

Hey! It's almost summer. Budget fixes to that patio you avoided last summer ...  http://www.har.com/ri/345/5-tricks-to-rejuvenate-a-run-down-patio-on-a-budget ;

You’ve made the big decision to become a homeowner - congratulations! Now, the question is, where to buy? While many, many factors go into selecting the right home, the most important of all is

For sellers: 6 Home Appraisal Myths You Need to Stop Believing ImmediatelyPutting your home up for sale can be an emotional endeavor. After you come to terms with saying goodbye to a place

Not in-depth information, but a good article to read:  https://www.thelandstore.com/blogs/news/what-you-need-to-know-after-you-inherit-land May I assist in your consideration of how

My sincere appreciation to all the members of the Ascension Parish Relay for Life committee and to my fellow agents at Realty Executives South Louisiana Group. Once again, the day was long, but the

From Country Living Magazine web post ...http://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/g738/easter-dinner-recipes/?src=nl&mag=clg&list=nl_ccr_news&date=040817;

So long, storage shed.Homeowners across the country are converting these sheds into tricked-out spaces to play, entertain, and work in — complete with drywall, paint, furnishings, and even

The smallest rooms in your house can be your quiet retreats and I will assure you that an inviting bathroom is a lure for homebuyers comparing your for-sale home to a dozen or more others online or

Spring is "supposed to be the time you pull on the rubber gloves and get to scrubbing, dusting, washing, and polishing so your home looks sparkling clean for the upcoming warmer months.And yet there

How Commission Distribution WorksOnce your home is listed in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), the listing broker discloses the terms of the commissions to other competing brokers so they will

Selling your home this spring? 50 tips to sell it faster and at a better priceHave you heard? It’s a seller’s market. Well, in most zip codes at least. But a hopping homebuying season doesn’t

6 Home Selling Tips for SpringSpring is near! And it is known that spring is the best season for home selling. As the weather is slowly getting warmer, people are getting out of their homes and

Common Areas To Cover In A Home Inspection1. General home inspectionThe whole home will need to be examined to make sure it is all in good working order. The basics, like the roof, foundation,

Engineer says Ascension Parish elevation standards for construction are appropriate for most of the parish, with some exceptions - Worth reading this report on August 2016 flooding ...  http:/

 Please visit our team page! Cancer has touched many in some way. For our agency, the passing of fellow agent, Randy Civello, was a particular loss. So we decided to fight back by raising

Whether you’re a first-time home buyer or have been around the block a few times, choosing a good real estate agent can help relieve you of the stress that finding, negotiating, financing, and