Palm Sunday Tour of Homes. will take place Sunday April 1, 2012 in Lake Charles LA.  This is an annual event not to be missed! The tour this year will focus on the 100 year old homes of Margaret Place. Ticket holders will have the opportunity to view the exteriors and interiors of nine fabulous private residences in this historic area.   One of these homes is the Shell Beach Drive Residence of Former Louisiana Senator Willie Mount.  Tickets may be purchased at Margaret Place entrance gateways the day of the tour for $25. Click here for details.   The Palm Sunday Weekend events are a function of a joint committee of the Calcasieu Historical Preservation Society, the Margaret Place Historical District Association, the Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitor's Bureau and ICCS along with... 02/25/2012

HAVE SOME PEACE WHEN SELLING YOUR  LAKE CHARLES HOME Who has not heard of the Serenity Prayer at some point in their life?   God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference   Bill Wilson, the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, made the serenity prayer popular as the “AA serenity prayer” to encourage people with alcohol addictions to ask God’s help in accepting what they are, while at the same time, granting them courage to change the things they can.   What does this have to do with real estate?   I was inspired by the recent article entitled ” How the Serenity Prayer Applies To Selling a Home” written by the KCM Crew,  In this article the point is changing what you can change and accepting what you ... 02/23/2012

Home inspection in Southwest Louisiana is important.  Our weather creates a healthy environment for Beetles and Termites! Because of our wet weather and humidity homes that are not under termite contract are susceptible to wood destorying insects. I recently had to share with a Seller that their Lake Charles home "under contract" had active termites.  Before the buyer's home inspection it was discovered during renovation of the flooring and bathroom wall, that there were active termites underneath the house in the subflooring.  If you are a buyer obtaining a loan to purchase a Lake Charles home, your lender is going to require a clear and/or clean termite certificate in order for you to obtain your loan.  The Seller treated the house for termites but it was also discovered that there w... 02/22/2012

MARDI GRAS AT LOUISIANA MORTGAGE ASSOCIATES IN LAKE CHARLES LA   Most businesses and government offices in and around Calcasieu Parish here in Southwest Louisiana are closed for Mardi Gras.  The kids are also out of school and it is typically a day of fun festivities and parades.  Even though banks were closed here in Lake Charles, banks in general were NOT closed around the country--so when it comes to mortgages, loans were still being reviewed today.   I had a buyer's home inspection today and afterwards, I headed to Louisiana Mortgage Associates located on Ryan Street in Lake Charles--prime location for parade watching!   When I arrived, several loan officers were working on files and checking email throught the day so don't think your file ever goes un-attended (even on a holiday)!!... 02/21/2012

Lola did not get the memo that The Lake Charles Krewe of Barkus Parade was cancelled Saturday due to rain.... Lola celebrates anyway and today she is Queen for a day!   Might as well join in the fun because no real estate, business, closings or mortgage updates be accomplished today with all government offices, businesses and banks being closed in observance of Mardi Gras. Today Southwest Louisiana residents celebrate Fat Tuesday!     02/21/2012

Sellers Don't Let Peeling Paint Cost You a Sale!     Pictured above is a home that I currently have under contract for Buyer's I represent.  I had warned my Lake Charles Buyers that some of the items in the house were going to of issue when the Appraiser came out.  During the Buyer's inspection period we addressed some of the needed repairs but the Seller refused to address the peeling paint and rotten wood on the exterior claiming that the home was listed for sale "as is". This is NOT an investment property! The Buyers are purchasing this property as their primary residence.  They still wanted the home and if necessary were willing to make repairs after moving in, however sure enough the Appraiser did note the peeling paint and rotten wood!  In order to close the loan, the repairs had ... 02/20/2012

 The state of Louisiana kicks off a year-long celebration of 200 years of statehood  LAKE CHARLES CELEBRATES WITH A TROLLY CAR!  The Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau along with the Arts and Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana, have been busy with plans to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Louisiana statehood.  Continuing in the My Series of Historical Lake Charles:     Did you know that Lake Charles LA once had a street car subdivision in the 1900's? From 1894 to 1926, as many as four steel-rail streetcar lines served the City, providing, at one time, 24-hour transit service to residents. Three of the lines operated as a city utility and one line (known as the "Dummy line" along Broad Street) was operated by the Watkins and Missouri Pacific Railroad... 02/19/2012

MARDI GRAS SCHEDULE   Let the good times roll and fun commence as Lake Charles, LA ushers in Mardi Gras on Fat Tuesday, February 21, 2012!  Government offices, City and Businesses will be closed in observance of Mardi Gras.   There is a new parade route due to construction downtown.Mardi Gras Parade Route   Please remember to follow the Do's and Don'ts of Mardi Gras Parades in Lake Charles to keep everyone safe! DO NOT LITTER. No glass containers of any kind. Leave pets at home. Leave all valuables at home. NO open fires in or on vehicles. Do not pour hot coals on the ground. Stay behind all police lines or curbs. Do not run up to or near the floats. Do not follow or chase floats. Do not throw anything at the floats or float riders. Please watch your children. Be kind and courteous to y... 02/17/2012

  LOUISIANA REAL ESTATE -POSITIVE TREND TO CONTINUE IN 2012   According to the Louisiana Realtors 2011 Fourth Quarter Report, Louisiana home sales rose 4.8 percent in 2011 The state’s residential real estate market continued significant positive momentum throughout the second half of 2011, with sales for the fourth quarter up 11.7 percent statewide.  With back to back strong quarters to close out 2011 shows the stabilization that buyers and sellers have been looking for. Total sales volume in Louisiana rose 3.4 percent for the quarter and 2.9 percent for the year. The nearly 12 percent increase in home sales across the state for the quarter comes on the heels of a 20.3 percent sales jump reported  in the third quarter. The statewide 2011 average home sales price of $180,846 was down 1.... 02/13/2012

  Continuing in the My Series of Historical Lake Charles: It is clear why visitors to Lake Charles LA quickly fall in love with our food, culture and interesting facts!  Big Blend Magazine recently visited Lake Charles and produced this video where Adley Cormier highlights some of the architecture of 100 year old Margaret Place and the Mardi Gras Musuem is previewed!   Lake Charles is rich in culture and history.  Lake Charles has been my home for 29 years where I have enjoyed living, working and playing throughout the years.  I  love Lake Charles and enjoy sharing my knowledge of our city with those relocating to Lake Charles or visiting Lake Charles.     To learn more about Lake Charles  and Lake Charles Real estate, visit my website.  I am passionate about real estate and enjoy "matc... 02/11/2012

WHAT IS THE FINAL WALK THRU?   LOUISIANA BUYER'S HAVE A FINAL WALK THRU 5 DAYS BEFORE CLOSING Prior to closing on your Lake Charles Louisiana home, the Buyer is entitled to a final walk through of the house they are purchasing.  The Final Walk through is the opportunity for the Buyer to review the house again and inspect repairs that were made during the inspection period and to make sure there has been no damage to the house. If a home has been vacant anything can happen, there could be a broken pipe, water leak, broken window etc. that no one may realize.  The final walk through is the chance for the Buyer to make sure that the house is still in the same condition as it was when the Buyer entered into contract. Sometimes when purchasing new construction, there will still be a “punch l... 02/11/2012

612 Craft St Lake Charles, LA - $40,000   612 Craft Street is  a 2 bedroom 1 bath investment property in Lake Charles, LA has been repainted and is ready for new owners! Potential rental income of $585 month.  Bedrooms and Living area have original hardwood flooring.  This property is conviently located in Central Lake Charles and is on a quiet street between Kirkman and Common in Lake Charles. Great for the college student attending McNeese State University!   "612 Craft Street" Create a free slideshow with Picnik! 02/09/2012

Fabulous Find in the Heart of Moss Bluff Act now on this well priced listing in the heart of Moss Bluff.  This home offers a tremendous opportunity to purchase an 1813 square foot home complete with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths in the mid 150's! The large kitchen, adjacent living room, and a large bonus den complete with a fireplace all combine to make this brick home an exceptional value.  Note that the den could also make a great study or office. As if that is not enough, this well maintained home also sports a fenced back yard and a covered patio, plus overflow parking for cars or an RV! Contact CENTURY 21 Mike D. Bono & Co or  Lake Charles real estate agent Tony L. Cornner for your showing today!  337-478-1578 or 337-802-3493. Lot Size: 100 x 160   Living Room 02/08/2012

The state of Louisiana kicks off a year-long celebration of 200 years of statehood LAKE CHARLES CELEBRATES HISTORICAL MARGARET PLACE! Continuing in my Historical Series of Lake Charles as promised, here is a preview of   the Lake Charles Palm Sunday Historical Tour of Homes  which will focus on Margaret Place: Margaret Place is generally considered the oldest recorded subdivision in Calcasieu Parish and will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2012. According to the Calcasieu Historical Society, the boundaries for the Margaret Place Historical District are  the Griffith Coulee, Shell Beach Drive, the Pithon Coulee, and the North side of South Ryan.  Margaret Place streets are broken down by individual Streets on the Calcasieu Historical Preservation Society website. There are less than 1... 02/07/2012

Lake Charles LA Relocation Real Estate   Attention Buyers and new residents relocating to Southwest Louisiana, I can assist you with your home purchase in Lake Charles, Sulphur, Moss Bluff, Carlyss, Westlake, LA.  I am an experienced relocation agent affiliated with Century 21 Mike D. Bono & Co.’s in Lake Charles LA, who is an credentialed Relocation Broker. As a resident of Lake Charles, Louisiana for 29 years I am extremely familiar with the Southwest Louisiana area and Calcasieu Parish.  Knowing the community well is a helpful qualification that allows me to inform and assist new residents who are relocating to Lake Charles, Louisiana  with regards to what the City of Lake Charles offers and suggesting an area that will best match the criteria of what they are looking for in a home. ... 02/05/2012

New book about Lake Charles history! The authors of a new book Images of America: Lake Charles are faculty members at McNeese State University: Janet Allured, professor of history; Jessica Hutchings, assistant professor of library science and reference librarian department head; and Debbie Johnson-Houston, director of Frazar Memorial Library and assistant professor of library science. Images  included in the Lake Charles book come from the archives of McNeese State University and numerous private collections. Lake Charles is rich in culture and history. Lake Charles was incorporated in 1867 and grew rapidly after the civil war.  In the early 1900's Lake Charles was considered a booming lumber industry town and we have many historical homes  in Lake Charles from this historical period in... 02/04/2012

Lake Charles, Louisiana has it's share of Fine Homes & Estates.  I usually preview the subdivisions South of town, but don't want to forget one of the most memorable landmarks of our City which is Shell Beach Drive. Shell Beach drive is one of the streets that make up the boundaries for Margaret Place Historical District. Located on the Southeast side of the Lake, Shell Beach Drive runs from Clarence Street all the way to the Port of Lake Charles.     The stretch of Shell Beach that borders the lake is also lined with beautiful 100 year oak trees.  One estate in particular along Shell Beach is home to a famous 170 year old Oak tree known as the “Calcasieu Manor Tree”. This oak tree is registered  with the Live Oak Society of the Louisiana Garden Club Federation  .The "Calcasieu Manor" t... 02/03/2012

  The state of Louisiana kicks off a year-long celebration of 200 years of statehood LAKE CHARLES CELEBRATES! I love history and especially celebrating and preserving our history!  Throughout the State of Louisiana many towns and cities will be scheduling their own Bicentennial celebrations.  The Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau along with the Arts and Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana, have been busy with plans to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Louisiana statehood. Lake Charles is full of history and throughout the year I will be taking you back in time sharing some Lake Charles historical facts as part of  my own  Louisiana Bicentennial Celebration Series!  Here is the first fun fact:  Did you know that Central School housed soldiers during W... 01/31/2012

The Lake Charles Real Estate Market is showing an increase in activity since the last quarter of 2011.  With Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, SEC Football and  Saints Football all behind us,  buyers are refocused.  With historic low mortgage rates  combined with consumer tax refunds, many buyers begin to re-think home ownership and consider the advantages of buying a home. The lower mortgage rates make it affordable for renters to become buyers.    The Lake Charles Current Inventory of  real estate is beginning to experience frequent home showings and the days on the market are  becoming shorter as homes go under contract.  If you are considering a home purchase in Southwest Louisiana, the following  questions below will ease your mind and provide you with a positive, happy, long-ter... 01/29/2012

This year's Palm Sunday Events will be dedicated to the memory of long-time Margaret Place Historical District (MPHD) resident, preservationist and my friend, Ben Mount. You can learn more about this announcement and the weekend activities on the Calcasieu Historical Preservation Society's (CHPS) website. Briefly, the tour has been expanded to include the following to help celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Margaret Place. - Margaret Place Fan Tour on Saturday afternoon/evening, March 31st- 100th Anniversary Brunch at 121 Artisan's Bistro on Sunday, April 1st  Two seatings.- Free Exhibit at ICCS that will include Margaret Place Artwork by Sue Zimmerman-Palm Sunday Tour of nine private homes in Margaret Place- Blocked streets to better enjoy the vintage cars that will be on display- Opti... 01/23/2012