About Saint Tammany Parish, LA

I moved into my current home about two months ago and have been updating it like there is no tomorrow. My wife is spoiled and wants 2009 right now in every room right now. Naturally being the kind gentle soul mate I am doing my best to satisfy.

I drive over to the big box do it yourself home improvement stores to buy things I need. I am tired of hearing about how many Americans are out of work so I decided I will buy Made in the U.S.A. as much as possible. You know what? Very little is made in our country anymore. All the brand name faucets Moen, Price Phister and Delta all made in China. You can't find American made products. I know about the world wide economy but my goodness. I thought we still made a few things in this country.

I don't know if we will ever get our unemployment rate down based on what I have seen the past few weeks. I for one am going to do my best to buy American when ever possible.

Magnolia Forest is one of the older more established neighborhoods in all of St. Tammany Parish. Located just outside the city limits of Pearl Riverwhile still centrally located to Gause Blvd and Interstates 10, 12 & 59. Also easy drive to the Stennis facility in Mississippi.

Houses range in age from over 30 years old to 3-4 years in age. The asking prices of the houses range from a low of $189 to a high of $399. Every homesite sits on approximately one acre or more. Tax mileages are lower also than many other areas of the parish. Home owners insurance is also lower priced due to it's location above I-12. Also many companies continue to write new policies in this area.

The school district consists of Riverside Elementary, Creekside Junior High and Pearl River High School. So if you want country style living for a price you can afford in a good school district one should consider Magnolia Forest.

Strategies To Reduce Dust In Your Home

If you are like most people, dust is a part of life. Regardless of how much or how often you clean, it still has a way of popping up when and where you least expect it. In addition to being a visual nuisance, dust can also aggravate an allergy condition that may be giving sufferers something to sneeze about. But, don't fret; you can reduce the dust in your home with a little footwork and a lot of knowhow.

Run A Tight Ship

Dust comes from many places, including the outdoor environment. If you really want to reduce the dust in your home, keep your windows and doors tightly closed. If you have an air conditioner, use it to keep your house cool in the summer rather than opening up your windows. The fresh air may smell good, but it could be bringing much more into your home than meets the eye.

Check Your Vents

You can help to significantly reduce the dust in your home by stopping it where it starts. Specifically, check the air vent covers in every room and vacuum the vents in order to prevent dust from being circulated into the air.

Cleaning The Air

Did you know that allergy sufferers can experience symptoms all year long? During the winter, the indoor air can become stale and dry. In the summer, the air is full of pollen and other elements that aggravate allergies, but you may be able to ease those symptoms by using portable air cleaners in every room. These handy units plug into any standard electrical outlet and can help to filter out some common allergens, including dust, that may cause the sniffles. Be sure to change the filters in your air cleaner(s) as recommended by the manufacturer or as needed.

Step On It

We all know that dust gathers in corners or on surfaces that aren't regularly used, but did you also know that carpet is the perfect haven for dust? Despite the fact that you walk on it every day, dust can attach to the carpet fibers and create a significant problem. If you have a lot of carpet in your home, you can do one of two things to reduce the presence of dust. First and foremost, vacuuming regularly can help to remove some of the dust and other dirt buildup that may be hiding in your floor covering. Although it may seem drastic, your second option would be to consider switching to alternative flooring, such as hardwood, tile or vinyl.

Calculating Your Monthly Mortgage Payments

One of the most important factors to consider when buying a new home is affordability. As a general rule, mortgage payments should not exceed 25-30 percent of your monthly take-home pay. The best way to know what you can afford is to determine the possible payment range by comparing the price of the home with other essential ingredients.

Figure Out How Much You Want To Borrow

Your first step to calculating your monthly mortgage payment is knowing how much you want to borrow. This can be determined by subtracting your down payment amount from the purchase price of the home, which will give you the amount that you will need to request from a lender.

Know Your Rates

The next step is to determine the current interest rates for the purchase of a home. Rates vary and may change often, so check with your lender for current rates. It's worth noting that the interest rates you receive will, in part, be based on your credit history. This means that knowing your FICO score and credit rating will give you a good idea as to how your interest rates will be calculated.

Choose Your Loan Term

Your monthly mortgage payments will be determined by a number of factors, including the term of your loan. If you were to borrow $250,000, your monthly payments would be less with a 30-year mortgage than with a 15-year mortgage. The reason is because it would take larger monthly payments to get the loan paid off quicker, which is why you will need to select a loan term before calculating your payments.

Additional Costs To Consider

Your total mortgage payment will include taxes, homeowner's insurance and possibly even private mortgage insurance (PMI) if you provide less than 20 percent down and your loan requires it.

Just The Facts & Figures

Now that you know how much you need to borrow, have chosen your loan term and are familiar with the current interest rates, it's time to calculate your payment. Most lenders offer a mortgage calculator on their Web site or you can get an estimate by speaking with your lender.

If you still need help in calculating your potential monthly mortgage payments, don't hesitate to ask your REALTOR®, mortgage broker or lender.

Types Of Home Loans

If you are in the market for a new home, it's important that you know what type of loans are available to you. Whether you have perfect credit, a few financial blemishes or are just starting out in life and want to own a home, understanding your options will prove to be invaluable during your house hunting excursion.

Fixed Rate Mortgage

A fixed rate mortgage is one of the most popular home loans and is commonly available as a 15 or 30 year term. Because it offers the borrower an assurance that both the principal and interest will remain the same throughout the term of the loan, a fixed rate mortgage is ideal for many.

Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM)

An adjustable rate mortgage, also referred to as an ARM loan, is one in which the interest rates adjust according to the current market. This means that interest rates can either increase or decrease at regular intervals, based on established market indexes.

Interest-Only Mortgage

An interest-only mortgage is one that requires the borrower to pay interest only payments for a preset number of years during the loan term. After that initial period, the monthly payments will then adjust to include both the principal and interest remaining on the loan.

Balloon Mortgage

A balloon mortgage is a loan that requires monthly payments that do not completely repay the loan. At the conclusion of the balloon term, a large lump-sum payment is due to pay off the balance of the loan.

FHA/VA Loan

An FHA and/or VA loan are mortgages that are guaranteed by the government. An FHA loan is easier to qualify for than a conventional mortgage, requires a lower down payment and is guaranteed by the Federal Housing Authority. A VA loan, which is for veterans only, is guaranteed by the Veteran's Administration.

Construction Loan

Construction loans are available for borrowers who are purchasing or building a newly constructed home. These loans, which are offered at either fixed or adjustable rates, require slightly more paperwork and inspections than a conventional mortgage.

No Income/No Asset Verification

A no income/no asset verification loan simply means that the borrower will not be required to verify their income or assets in order to obtain a mortgage. With this type of loan, the borrower typically must have excellent credit and may be required to provide a down payment that's equal to 20 percent or more of the total purchase price. Although this type of loan is called a no income/no asset verification loan, the borrower may be required to show proof of both, but the information will not be verified by any other means.

Owner Financing

Many homebuyers, especially those with a limited or poor credit history, prefer to seek owner financing when purchasing a new home. Because there is no credit check, buyers will not be judged for past credit problems. In addition, owner financing may offer a low down payment requirement and competitive interest rates.