Pineville, LA

Last night I dreamed about a house. It was an older two story on a nice lot that needed updating. After weeks of elbow grease and many trips to Lowe's the home was a showpiece. I woke up with a smile on my face.

Maybe it was the fact that I moved around a lot as a kid. For me our family house was a source of stability. Regardless of how far we lived from extended family, our house was our anchor. Even when we were going to live in a town short term, father insisted on purchasing a home. He understood the real value of "The Rogers' House".

In other industries that I have toiled in a love of product was not necessary. My time at the railroad was not due to a love of trains. Likewise, in the mid-1990's I thought cell phones were stupid even though I earned a commission on each on sold...

So I humbly ask, do you like houses?

3 Bedroom Home For Rent in Pineville,La,71360

Looking for a 3 bedroom home for rent in Pineville, La? If so 618 Lallah Street needs to be on your must see list!

Tired of carpet that collects all sorts of germs and odors? This home for rent in Pineville features original hardwood floors and new vinyl in the kitchen. No carpet here!

Even in a old home with character people want new appliances. 618 Lallah has brand new kitchen appliances! Say goodbye to nasty old stoves and dishwashers from the Nixon era.

The spacious back yard is perfect for entertaining! Plenty of room for all your toys!

Ready to tour 618 Lallah? Call Doug Rogers with Bayou Properties Realty today!

Let's face it. These days money is tight. Home buyers in Pineville are taking a close look at every charge associated with their home purchase.

Frankly that 400-500 home warranty fee LOOKS like a nice place to skimp. After all, what are the odds of something breaking in the first year of ownership? Based on the service reply cards I get from my past clients, pretty high.

Each time a client makes a claim, the warranty company sends me a courtesy card. I would post a picture, but the numbers might scare you...One client had 1,800 dollars worth of AC work done, TWO MONTHS into ownership! You better believe they were happy for the coverage.

As a buyer's agent in Pineville, I first try to get the seller to pay for the warranty. This works most of the time. But when we are unable to negotiate it, I strongly encourage clients to pay for the coverage. 500 dollars is cheap for one year's peace of mind!

Ready to buy or sell a home in Central Louisiana? Give me a call today at (318) 613-1994!

We all know real estate sales can be a grind. Every now and then it is important to take time to relax and give something back to the community. On Friday, Prince the Parrot dropped in at JI Barron Elementary School to check on things.

Specifically, Prince was interested in the 4th grade gifted kids of Ms. Dryden's class. After some small talk, treats were exchanged, grapes were consumed and he got a chance to hold some of the kids!

At this time Prince would like to offer his deepest regrets for "bombing" one student. Apparently it is considered rude in some cultures to poop on a friend. Oh well, when in Rome...

All too soon it was time for the kids to get back to work. In the near future Prince hopes to inspect Ms. Smith's kindergarten class. Now that should be an interesting blog!

Even the best kept property will need a little TLC prior to moving in. Buyers need to decide how much "sweat equity" they are willing to invest in their new home. Even though that "fixer-upper" seems cheap, once repairs are factored in the real price may not be so sweet. Let's examine three categories of home repairs:

1) Mandated Repairs-- Popular low money down loans come with strings attached. The subject property needs to be in good condition to qualify for this loan family. Missing roof shingles, peeling paint, or non-functioning appliances can put the brakes on your home purchase. Such items will need to be fixed or repaired prior to a loan funding. This is why foreclosures typically are not a good idea for 1st time buyers.

2) Deferred Maintenance-- One of the joys of home ownership is routine maintenance. Sadly some owners do not invest the needed time and money in home upkeep. Once I observed an air condition coil that looked like a grease trap at a fast food restaurant. Yuck! And don't expect 2 year old carpet to look new, not if kids live there. A 200 dollar carpet cleaning can go a long way towards looks AND reduced odors.

3) Upgrades-- This is when the buyer wishes to replace a functioning system or appliance. Yes that 17 year old AC may pass inspection, but imagine how much more efficient a new model will be! And you can't appreciate a self-cleaning oven until you have lived with one that is not...

When starting the home buying process decide what projects you are comfortable taking on. Then limit your search to those that meet this standard. You will be far more happy with the finished product.

Need to buy or sell a home in Central Louisiana? Call Doug Rogers with Bayou Properties Realty (318) 613-1994.