John Walters (Licensed in Slidell, Louisiana)

Fall is by far my favorite time of the year in Southeastern Louisiana. The weather is finally cooling down after a long hot summer and the threat of hurricanes season is also behind us. Plus the fishing will only get better now through January. Also it's football season and my LSU Tigers are ranked number 1 and the Saints aren't too shabby either.

I decided to share a picture of one of several redfish we caught yesterday. Man what a day to be alive and on the water. These fish were caught in the marsh near the Pearl River.

Saturday, October 1, 2011 is the Magnolia Forest Subdivision garage sale, starting at 7 A.M. and ending at 12 P.M. There will be maps given out at the Oak Alley and Fischer street entrances. Each homeowner that is participating will be marked on the map. Further information may be obtained from the homeowners association.

This annual sale is very popular with both the residents of Magnolia Forest as well as non residents. If you like garage sales don't miss this one.

The weather should be some of the most pleasant of this year with a forecast high of 79 degrees and low humidity.

Property tax records for St Tammany parish are open for public review. They will stay open until August 29. Anyone wishing to contest their property tax need to do so in this time frame and in writing. You can go to either of two offices in Slidell or Covington.

More information can be obtained from the assessors website.

Property values for the most part are down across the entire parish. If you fell your taxes are to high it might be worth a trip to the assessors office.

I have been in the business for some time now but I still get flustered when I look over the property disclosure papers and they aren't filled out correctly. A lot of the questions are left blank and some answered yes don't have any explanation to the yes answer. Why not?

I wonder if the listing agents realize this is to protect them and their clients? Get these papers filled out correctly the first time. It will save you time from answering extra phone calls that I or another agent may have about the answers. It also will keep you from having to meet with your client a second time to answer the questions correctly. I also recommend that your client fill out the paperwork with you present to answer any questions as best as possible. What if your client has moved out of town? This is a huge inconvenience to anyone involved.

Take the time to carefully look over the documents once they are finished. I often find things that can and need to be corrected easily the first time.

I know we are human and aren't perfect but this is easy to avoid the first time.