At Home With JoAnn

 

Top 7 Home Preps to Tackle Before Fall Temps Drop

Ahhhh, fall – the air turns crisp and cool, yellow patches of leaves appear to take over the treetops and you’re prepped for sweater weather. But, is your home ready for the season? Whether you do the dirty work yourself or hire out, RE/MAX put together a checklist to help you tackle fall home preps that can make a big difference of how your home handles the season.

1. Get your mind in the gutter. If you’re not on top of clogged gutters, you’re just asking for water damage. Water with nowhere to go can lead to exterior and foundational damage and maybe even a flooded basement. It’s a dirty job, but you can do it-or hire it out.
2. Check the chimney. While you’re up on the roof and the weather’s still calm-check your chimney for damage. Search for loose or broken joints and if the flue cap is still in place. Now’s the time to also attend to any damaged roof shingles or flashing.
3. Let’s get physical. Once the temperatures begin to drop, you’ll crank up that furnace and put it through quite a workout. Make sure it’s ready to handle the workload by replacing the filter and keep all the vents open so heat can circulate throughout your home.
4. Turn off outdoor plumbing. Blow out sprinkler systems, drain outdoor faucets and cover them to protect them from the freezing weather to come.
5. Clean outdoor furniture and gardening tools. Don’t let the harsh fall and winter weather get to your outdoor furniture and garden gadgets. Give them a quick clean up so they are ready for storage over the winter.
6. Stay safe out there. Fall is as good reminder to perform an annual check of the safety features in your home. Make sure the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors get fresh batteries, check the fire extinguisher or replace if it’s six years or older and take this chance to update or practice your fire escape plans.
7. Pre-plan for spring-blooms. Fall is the perfect time to plant bulbs for a big pay off in the spring. Set your sights on a spot in your yard that gets full sun and get digging.

Looking for that perfect home where you’re in charge of home preps and maintenance? Look no further than JoAnn Deville  to help you. JoAnn can help make your dream of owning your own home a reality. Call ME when you're ready to put your home on the market! 318-451-2385

The Power of ‘Kidfluence’ When It’s Time to Buy a Home in Pineville La.

The Power of ‘Kidfluence’ When It’s Time to Buy a Home.

While parents may have a handle on the household budgets, it’s the kids who influence one of the biggest purchase decisions you make as a family-a new home. In the U.S., there are 50 million children 11 years old and under who have a hefty $1.2 trillion in annual purchasing power and they mean business.

While parents study and search for the best school zones, other home features like having their own room, a large backyard and a swimming pool were more popular to the Mini-Me in the family.

Finding the right home that’s just right for your family starts with finding the right agent. RE/MAX agents are more recommended because they recommend what’s right for you-and your kids. Find your right Agent, Contact JoAnn @ Contact Me Now. Or Call/text me @ 318-451-2385

Please visit my website @ WWW.AtHomeWithJoAnn.com

Work With A Top Real Estate Agent in Central Louisiana!!

JoAnn is Not Your Average Jo or Your Average Real Estate Agent. Ranked #28 at RE/MAX in the Gulf State Region, JoAnn works hard for her clients, putting their best interest first. A Full Time, Top Producer in the Central Louisiana area, JoAnn goes above and beyond. If you want a Realtor that will work hard for you and if Experience Matters, Call ME 318-451-2385 or Contact Me Here.

Selling Your Home in Pineville LA? 4 Signs It’s Time to Call an Agent!

Thinking of selling your home on your own? Online listing sites may lure you into thinking that the process is simple. Take a few photos, buy a “For Sale” sign and wait for buyers, right? But the process is much more complicated than that. If you’re considering selling your home on your own, here are a few sure signs you should call a professional real estate agent.

1. You’re not sure what your home is worth

Calculating the right price for your home is an art and a science. Price your home too high, and it can grow stale, sitting on the market. Price it too low, and you could leave money on the table. Agents have the most current information about how much comparable homes in your neighborhood sold for and how long they were on the market. Agents use their deep knowledge of local and national market factors and the nuances of your particular home to calculate the right price.

2. You’re losing sleep because this sale will be the biggest financial transaction of your life

Rest easier with an agent — research finds you’ll make more money. According to the National Association of Realtors, the typical FSBO (for sale by owner) home sold for $185,000 in 2015, compared to $240,000 for agent-assisted home sales.

3. You can’t decide whether or not to renovate your 1980’s-era chrome and mirrored dining room before listing

Your favorite HGTV host may say buyers love the 80s, but is that what home shoppers in your area are looking for? An agent knows which features and design styles are selling now in your area, the details of competing homes in your neighborhood and the relative value of different renovation projects.

4. You think “staging” refers only to Broadway musicals

An agent knows how to best show off your home’s features. He or she can provide tips for basic de-cluttering and furniture rearranging. Your agent may also have a great referral for a staging pro.

To learn more about the services I can offer you, Contact me @ Contact Me Here.

Too Early to Plan Your Halloween Party in Your New Home!

To all those naysayers out there who say it’s too early to plan a Halloween party in September-I say, “Booooooooo!” When most people are searching for a delicious pumpkin pie recipe to debut at the family Thanksgiving dinner, you’ve got Halloween on the brain and eager to start planning a spooky soiree. By our count, you only have two months to scare up some creepy and creative ideas for a fun-filled fright night, the clock is ticking!

PICK A PARTY THEME
Who doesn’t love planning for a party? Especially if it’s a costume party. It’s time to start looking for inspiration to pick a Halloween theme that your guests can really sink their teeth into. Ask Google to search through the news and popular culture of 2018, pick a moment in time or connect to characters from your favorite movie.

BOOS AT A BARGAIN
Yeah, yeah, yeah-the warehouse Halloween stores are great, but you need to find boos at a bargain! Start at the second-hand store, search your zip code for the nearest thrift store and set off hunting for some spooks. Heck, even just a visit to the thrift store can inspire the theme of your Halloween hoedown. Start visiting the thrift stores early because the good Halloween decorations sell quickly.

GHOULISH GOURMETHost a Halloween dinner party and invite your guests to gobble up some ghoulish goodies. Mix up your favorite poison at the bewitching bar or dive into some cherry cheesecake brain. Find 28 Halloween Cocktails to die for.

CREEPY CONTESTSWhether you’re catering to kids or adults-don’t forget to feed the beasts with entertainment. Party games are a great way to have some freaky fun and help your guests meet one another. With some extra lead time you can craft your way to creepy by making the party games yourself.

Looking for a new house to haunt for the holiday season? You’ve come to the right place – JoAnn is most  recommended because she recommends what’s right for you. Visit www.AtHomeWithJoAnn.com  to contact JoAnn . 318-451-2385

8 Ways to Extend Your Patio Season This Fall

Cooling temperatures and the arrival of pumpkin spice everything doesn’t mean that you need to head indoors just yet. Using your outdoor living space is a great way to enjoy the changing of the season and enjoy some outside time. Consider these 8 ways to extend your patio season into the fall.

1. Add Some Warmth

Making sure that your outdoor living space is still enjoyable and comfortable will encourage you to use the space more often. Consider adding a patio heater that can easily radiate heat in a large of area for you and your guests. Choose from a variety of sizes and styles that fit your budget and the overall look of your outdoor patio area.

2. Hang Some Lights

You’ll need some extra lighting with the sun setting sooner than it was earlier in the summer. Hang a few strands of lights around the perimeter of your outdoor space in order to add a touch of sparkle to prolong those after-dinner conversations. Choose from different styles that cater to your unique tastes and personality.

3. Cuddle Up with Throws

As temperatures continue to drop, make sure to always have a stack of fresh, cozy throw blankets ready for friends and family so they aren’t scared back inside by the crisp fall air. Consider storing blankets in a weather-tight box outdoors to keep them dry and ready for use.

4. Add Some Ambience

To create a truly enjoyable outdoor ambience, consider adding a popular fire pit to your patio to encourage those guests to stay awhile. Not only does a fire pit add an extra layer of warmth but it provides a point of interest to an outdoor living space. Invite friends over to roast some hot dogs over the fire and indulge in gooey s’mores for dessert.

5. Sip Some Tea

Wrapping up in a cozy blanket to read a book and enjoy a hot cup of tea, or hot chocolate, is the epitome of fall that many homeowners love. Make sure to provide enough side table space next to outdoor chairs for ultimate comfort while diving into a good book. Use a simple outdoor tray to carry sweeteners and sugar cookies to enjoy with your warm beverage.

6. Leave the Leaves

You may want to immediately rake up fallen leaves on your patio, but consider letting them fall where they may to really set the scene of your outdoor space. The colors of fallen leaves provide those seasonal scents that remind of autumn-and they can be mulched for your fall lawn careneeds.

7. Add Fall Color

Pumpkins are a welcome addition to any outdoor space this time of year. Pick up a few different shapes, colors and varieties of the orange gourds to add a pop of instant seasonal color to your patio. Stack and store pumpkins on your patio before carving them later in the season.

8. Have A Game Center

Fall is a great time to enjoy lawn games that carried over from the summer. Many homeowners find that fall is the better season to enjoy a quick game of horseshoes or croquet in the comfortable, cooling temperatures. Create a game center on your patio that is easy for guests to access and invite your friends and family to join you outdoors for a friendly competition.

Extending your patio season is easy with these eight tips to help your patio pop well into the fall.

When it's time to put your home on the market, Call JoAnn Deville, A Top-Producing Full Time Agent in the Central La area. 318-451-2385 

To Search all active homes/land in the Central La area, Visit my website, AtHomeWithJoAnn.com 

Licensed on the State of Louisiana. Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.