May 4th, 2015  It was only a few years ago that the last thing a prospective Metairie home buyer had to worry about was being outbid. Those were the days when the bottom seemed to be falling out of the Metairie home sales. Anyone brave enough to be looking to buy at a time when the real estate market was frightening most folks away was not only plucky—they were also alone. Sellers who had to move no matter what found themselves forced to accept offers that they knew were well below their property’s true utilitarian value. The only saving grace was that those same sellers could turn around and buy in their new community at the same kind of crazy discount. That, as they say, was then—and this is now. As the real estate market in Metairie continues to revive, sellers’ mindsets have ret... 05/04/2015

  Why Buyers Resist those Metairie For Sale by Owner Signs April 20th, 2015 Let’s start out by agreeing that a “For Sale by Owner” sign on a Metairie fence does have a certain appeal. It summons up mental images of a simple, direct relationship: no middle men, just straight talk and fair dealing with the One in Charge! And in fact, in many walks of life, dealing directly with the owner can be a plus. When you’re recommending a retail outlet to friends, telling them that you know the owner strengthens your endorsement.So when you cruise by a sign announcing a Metairie For Sale by Owner property—a “FSBO”—you wouldn’t be alone if you were tempted to walk up and knock on the door. Buying a home directly from its owner should be a way to purchase a house at the lowest possible price, what wi... 04/23/2015

Frank Rubi Real Estate, LLC¿Quiere comprar un fijador - Alta Allí hecho eso. Hay muchos factores a considerar cuando se piensa en la compra de bienes raíces Fixer empeine. Mi primera pregunta para el comprador: ¿Es usted un inversor o ¿Está buscando para vivir en la propiedad a largo plazo (al menos 5 años). Los inversores quizás quieran y puedan hacer frente a retos estas propiedades proporcionan. Inversionista en muchos casos tienen los subcontratistas en su lugar. Estructura, eléctrico, aire acondicionado y fontaneros son muy caros. Así que hay que tener confianza y la confianza en estas de la zona. En su compra para un trabajo en progreso; las preguntas a ti mismo: ¿Puedo vivir en una zona de construcción en curso.¿Tengo el tiempo para preformas los remides según sea necesario.Costo... 04/13/2015

Real Estate advise from a Real Estate Investor and Broker in Metairie / Kenner La. Air Conditioners | Helping to keep the Cost of Repairs and Replacement down In Southeast Louisiana one to the biggest cost for a Home Owner or Real Estate Investor is the cost of Air condition System (HVAC).One of the biggest things a owner should do to curb the big expense of the HVAC is to regularly change the AC filter. Types of AC Filters As a home owner I purchase  90 day AC Filter. Changing during our warmer months every 30 days. In addition to change I use a Sharpie (Red Color) and place the date of the change. This will help if you forget or miss a change. Rental Units Most of my rental use the same size air filter. I usually purchase by the case at Home Depot. This will keep me in stock. I will d... 04/11/2015

Trying to find out which features home buyers value most is no simple matter, even though that’s of particular importance when you have a Metairie house for sale. Updated kitchens and bathrooms are always near the top of the ‘most desired’ features compilations; and I’d put ample storage right there with them. It may not come to mind when you ask prospects what they value the most, because it’s a “feature” that’s so much an integral part of a home’s design—but a house for sale with small closets and few drawers is still likely to register with buyers as somehow “smaller” than others with the same square footage. Metairie Homes For Sale According to the National Association of Home Builders, updated cabinets and counters may catch a buyer’s eye, but other less expensive improvements are... 04/06/2015

 This March has been such a busy one on the Metairie real estate calendar that I thought it would be a good idea to double-check everything just to be certain I wasn’t overlooking any important happenings. It wasn’t just that the first day of spring on the 20th is the traditional start of what’s regularly the busiest time of year for Metairie real estate activity. This is a reliable phenomenon, further reinforced by the 61 million results you get when you Google “Spring Real Estate Selling Season.” To be accurate, the National Association of Realtors® fudges a little by calling spring and summer the hottest seasons for real estate activity—but it turns out they are pointing to the fact that many sales initiated in spring close during the summer (which is when people prefer to move). Ma... 03/23/2015

Once you're mentally prepared for the relocating experience (to self: “it’s definitely the right move”), where is the first order of business. Perhaps you've outgrown your Metairie home anyway—the family simply needs more space. Perhaps relocating is necessary for work reasons; or now that the kids have moved out, you're ready to downsize. No matter what the reason for relocating from Metairie, thoroughly evaluating the possible destination communities before deciding to buy couldn’t be more important. While your real estate agent can be an invaluable resource in guiding you to the right home within your target area, the original question—designating the search perimeter—is pretty much in your wheelhouse. If you are not already committed to an area because friends or family make it an ... 03/10/2015

It can feel a little like a trip to the shore in springtime, before the summer sun has warmed the water. The water might be okay—but it also might be bone-chilling! Most Metairie residents will choose caution, and stick their toe in, first… What Butterflies Can Teach Us About Embracing Change Deciding whether to buy a house when you have been renting for a while means taking a much more significant plunge. And there’s no way to test the waters, either: you’re either going to buy a Metairie house or, you aren’t. It’s in or out. And it’s also a deeply personal decision. Momentum can be a deciding factor. Many people defer buying a home because it comprises such a major change. Especially if they are satisfied with their current rental—and even more if buying a house would make them homeo... 03/03/2015

In Metairie real estate as in many other businesses, successfully drawing the public’s attention, then communicating value, are what separate can-do practitioners from the pack. It’s pigeonholed under “marketing” instead of “selling” because the latter sounds more like a one-on-one activity, whereas “marketing” depicts the kind of effort that goes out to the world at large. Follow me Terez Harris on social media! Twitter, Facebook, Blogger, Wordpress, Google+ The past couple of decades have produced sea changes in the way Metairie real estate brokers and agents need to approach their marketing approach. It’s not just the way all the advertising and communications media have been transformed; it’s also the expectations of the people they are intended to reach—the buyers. When a homeowne... 02/23/2015

Why Do People Live here? Metairie is a beautiful suburb of single family homes that is conveniently located just 20 minutes outside of Downtown New Orleans. It's not uncommon to see neighborhood kids playing the streets of this quaint little oasis during the summer and family fun during fair season at the local schools. It's far enough from the main hustle and bustle of the city that residents don't feel like the urban center of New Orleans is knocking on their door. Looking for a home in Metairie? Interested in finding Homes for sale in Metairie LA? Click that link to find all the currently available homes in this area.    CALL ME TODAY TO FIND THE PERFECT METAIRIE HOME FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY TEREZ B. HARRIS 504-297-2619           Terez B. Harris Terez Harris NOLA Realtor Group (504)... 01/29/2015

A Metairie House Sale Can Turn on Gastronomic Appeal...    “A kitchen can sell a house” is a proposition that often proves true—well-designed kitchens can drive value. Given the popularity of cooking shows, artisanal cuisine, and the growing number of new gizmos and gadgets concocted for the advancement of culinary hobbyists, selling a house in Metairie can turn on its gastronomical appeal—at least to a select segment of today’s home buyers. You may not want to fight it—especially if your house has a shopping cartload of gourmet potential. If you have a spacious kitchen, it could be a possibility! Consider some of the marketing maneuvers that have been shown to attract foodies looking for a place to lay their platters:     Finding Foodie Features A Metairie house doesn’t necessarily ne... 01/25/2015

Overprice Your Metairie Home: Why Not?    A major home-selling decision arrives right at the start: setting your home’s price. It’s a step that can be decisive for good or for ill.   But what is the “right” price? We know what it probably isn’t—it’s not the first number that pops into your head, nor is it likely to be The-Price-of-Your-Next-House-Plus-the Cost-of-a-Family-Vacation-in-Tahiti-Plus-the-New-Sportscar-You’ve-Always-Wanted-to-Own. It’s also not a price that will ‘test the market’ (to make sure there hasn’t been an upward spike in demand since the last comparable neighborhood home sold).   Setting a home’s price in the right ballpark can be easier than many people assume. You can get there by a number of different routes, most of them tied to recent neighborhood history: What... 01/16/2015

Nightline says reality TV house flipping isn’t realistic...   ABC’s Nightline recently aired an interesting segment about house flipping, which included a magic number that’s probably never been seen before. Metairie house flippers would have been glued to their TVs if they’d stayed up late enough to catch Nightline, because if authentically magical, it’s a good number to know. The segment was part of a series called “Realty Check.” This one was about new strategies in the “ever-competitive world of flipping.” The show started with some background about how expensive house flipping can be if it’s done in a hurry and on the cheap. Just slapping a coat of paint on the walls can result in an investment that languishes on the market, often until the asking price is reduced to an unprofitab... 01/13/2015

Terez B. Harris, of Louisiana, has been awarded the prestigious Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) Designation by the Council of Residential Specialists, the largest not-for-profit affiliate of the National Association of REALTORS®.   REALTORS® who receive the CRS Designation have completed advanced professional training and demonstrated outstanding professional achievement in residential real estate. Only 37,000 REALTORS® nationwide have earned the credential.   Home buyers and sellers can be assured that CRS Designees subscribe to the strict REALTOR® code of ethics, have been trained to use the latest tactics and technologies, and are specialists in helping clients maximize profits and minimize costs when buying or selling a home.   Terez B. Harris is a Realtor with Keller Willia... 12/23/2014

Your Metairie home is your castle, sure—but it’s also a great deal more than that. In addition to being the place where you relax after work, spend time with family, and generally live your life, it’s also the most substantial investment most people ever make. Much of its prominence is due to the many advantages homeownership brings in the personal financial realm.  In addition to the ongoing tax savings its mortgage provides, it’s the home equity—the difference between market value and the amount owed—that’s such a valuable contribution. A Metairie property’s equity adds considerable financial flexibility in the form of easily obtainable home equity loans.  That’s how your Metairie home can be the enabler for financing key life events—important undertakings like college, home improvem... 12/15/2014

  “The best real estate value in Metairie!” is certainly a little bit over-the-top when it’s used in a listing, but in truth, that’s pretty much what most prospective homebuyers in every price range actually hope to find. For homeowners planning to list their own Metairie homes, it’s good to keep in mind. When home improvement projects are going to be part of the preparations, adding real estate value without inflating the asking price is a goal worth pursuing. Since there are so many improvements that could add to a Metairie property’s real estate value, comparing how they have fared recently when it comes to the bottom line is worth doing. The Home Office: Myth? Home office conversions haven't appeared near the top of major Return On Investment (ROI) analysis lists for very long, so ... 12/11/2014

  That housing needs change as people get older goes without saying. For Metairie Baby Boomers, the “getting older” concept has gradually morphed from the distant abstraction it seemed in the 60’s and 70’s to a more immediate concern. And of all the decisions that will have the most impact on those nearing their golden years, buying the right Metairie home—one that makes the most sense for the future—tops the list. Boomers have heard and read much advice about buying a home; advice having to do with downsizing, mobility issues and the like. Most of it is cautionary…and not very cheerful. But suddenly weighing into seniors’ “buying a home” deliberations is a contrary point of view: one that many of them have apparently begun to suspect on their own. It’s news that could be of considerabl... 12/08/2014

Metairie Listings Search Metairie New Listings (75) Metairie Foreclosure Listings (34) Metairie Short Sale Listings (8) Metairie Single Family Homes for Sale (341) Metairie Condos & Townhomes for Sale (118) Metairie Waterfront Homes For Sale Metairie is in the Jefferson Parish in the state of Louisiana. It’s an unincorporated area that is part of the New Orleans Metropolitan Area. The population of Metairie is 138,481. The median household income is $49,747.The median home value is $210,900. Metairie is 23.22 square miles of total land area. Metairie borders New Orleans, Kenner, Lake Pontchartrain, and Airline Highway. The border between New Orleans and Metairie is the 17th Street Canal. The hottest month of the year is July with an average high temperature of 93 degrees. The coldest m... 11/05/2014

  Despite what just feels like the right answer, buying a home in Metairie or New Orleans can be significantly cheaper than renting one. It’s one of those rare cases where, if you stop and make common sense judgments about the factors at play, the ‘just feels like’ conclusion is the opposite of the one common sense leads you to. Much of the reason has to do with short-term versus long-term considerations (buying a home starts with paying a sizeable down payment, after all); but over the long haul, the amount of cash at stake is so great it’s worth taking a hard look at this fundamental housing choice. Four leading factors that currently come into play: ·         Increased Demand Has Made Rentals More Expensive After the subprime mortgage mess-between 2007 and 2013—something like 6,200,... 10/30/2014

                          Whenever you read up on important aspects of selling a home, the word ‘clutter’ keeps popping up everywhere (if you doubt that, just Google “clutter”—this morning, I got 7 ½ million entries!). Most elements that go into selling a home are self-explanatory—since Metairie and New Orleans homeowners have by definition been through the process of buying at least one Metairie or New Orleans property, they have personal experience to go by. Chances are that they already know that one detail that can have a disproportionate impact on the final price a home fetches is the presence of clutter. Impact of Clutter on Appraisals Unless the clutter inside and around the home actually begins to impact the structural integrity of a home, it will not affect the appraised value... 10/28/2014