Articles Tagged "Broussard"

Louisiana is known for Cajun and Creole cooking, but the local restaurant scene includes a number of international cuisines. Our real estate agents get their sushi fix at these incredible restaurants near Lafayette homes for sale. 

• Tsunami Sushi - 421 Jefferson St., Lafayette, LA 70501
  Get ready for a wave of fresh flavor when you visit Tsunami Sushi. This funky yet fancy restaurant honors Japanese cuisine while adding a touch of Southern flair. The house specialties are as much a treat for the eyes as for the taste buds. Try box-style sushi, pressed in a mold for a unique shape, or sashimi tuna in ponzu sauce arranged in a sunflower pattern. Side dishes include fusions such as collard greens with kimchee and sweet potato hash with bok choy and shiitake mushrooms. Hours are 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. Friday, and noon - 11 p.m. Saturday.
  
  
• Rock-n-Sake - 107 Stonemont Rd., Lafayette, LA 70508
  Looking for a party? Head over to Rock-n-Sake, where the tunes are pumping, the sake is delicious, and the fresh sushi "swims to your plate." Supplement your sashimi and rolls with creative small plates such as sushi deviled eggs, topped with tuna tartare and black tobiko, or beef tataki, thinly-sliced flat iron steak with five-spice seasoning. Save room for some tempura cheesecake, a customer favorite. Rock-n-Sake is open for lunch Thursday and Friday and dinner Tuesday through Sunday.
  
  
• Kirin Sushi Steak House - 3366 Verot School Rd. #102, Lafayette, LA 70508
  Dining with friends or family members who aren't adventurous eaters? Keep everyone happy at Kirin Sushi Steak House. In addition to a fabulous selection of nigiri, sashimi, and rolls, the menu features hibachi-prepared seafood, steak, and chicken. Those with bigger appetites go for the combo dinners, such as chicken & filet mignon or shrimp & scallops. Customers give Kirin high marks for cleanliness and friendly service. Hours are 11 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. daily except Friday and Saturday when closing time is 10:30 p.m. 
  
  
• Tokyo House - 1505 Bonin Rd., Suite 200, Broussard, LA 70518
  You've been viewing some great Broussard homes for sale, and you're ready for a break. Tokyo House has a fantastic lunch special that can't be beaten. Choose two from a list of nearly three dozen sushi rolls for only $8. Add a third roll for just $3 more. Dinner is equally budget-friendly, with combos that serve one to four people for approximately $15 per person. Don't be surprised to find the owner among the cheerful staff offering a gracious welcome. Tokyo House is open Monday through Saturday. Lunch hours are 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., and dinner hours are 3 p.m. - 10 p.m.
  
  
• Osaka - 2809 Johnston St., Lafayette, LA 70503
  The beautiful sushi dishes, considered some of the best presentations in town, are certainly enough reason to visit Osaka. But if you need more, Osaka is also the only restaurant in Lafayette serving authentic Korean food. The menu features japchae, a beloved dish of stir-fried sweet potato noodles, veggies, and your choice of protein, and bibimbap, the classic rice bowl topped with chili sauce and a fried egg. Weekday hours are 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. Saturday hours are noon - 10 p.m., and Sunday hours are 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Ready to work up an appetite touring Lafayette open houses? Get up-to-the-minute info when you contact us at Latter & Blum.

Smart home technology has made everyday life so much simpler. A decade or two ago, you probably could not have imagined asking your digital assistant to dim the lights or checking your security camera remotely while on vacation. But smart home technology is continually evolving, and it's important to ensure your home is up-to-date. Our real estate agents are excited to share 7 tips for updating your smart home tech.

1. Start with the Thermostat
   If you don't already have a smart thermostat, this is the first smart appliance to invest in. A smart thermostat will allow you to adjust your home's temperature while you're away. It will also help you more closely monitor your energy consumption. This one upgrade can yield significant savings on your energy bill and pay for itself in no time.
   
   
2. Add a Second Smart Camera
   If you don't already have a smart camera or video doorbell at your main door, then this is an important upgrade to make. Video doorbells give you so much security. You'll never have to guess who's on the other side of the door. 
   
   If you do already have a video doorbell at your front door, consider adding a second one at your side or back door. This will help you make sure nobody tampers with these entrances while you're away.
   
   
3. Install a Smart Toilet
   Smart toilets keep themselves clean. They also have heated seats, deodorizer sprayers, and low-flush technology. 
   
   
4. Keep Cool With Smart Shades
   In Louisiana, summers get hot. But you can keep your home cooler with smart shades. These automated shades roll up when it's dark out and down when it's sunny. They keep the heat outside where it belongs. You can control the shades remotely with your smartphone and set unique opening and closing schedules for each day of the week.
   
   
5. Add WiFi-Compatible Lights
   WiFi-compatible lights are awesome because they're energy-efficient, but they're also a lot of fun. You can set these lights to flicker like a strobe light when you're having a party. Dim them down for a romantic evening, or turn them up when you're reading. You can even turn the lights on remotely to make it look like someone's home while you're away. 
   
   
6. Install Smart Locks
   How many times have you pulled into the parking lot at work, then realized you forgot to lock your house? If you have smart locks, this won't be a concern. You can just pull out your phone and lock your home remotely. Smart locks are an incredible investment for busy parents. They also make it easy to unlock your home to let a guest inside. You won't have to hand out spare keys anymore.
   
   
7. Invest in Smart Irrigation Systems
   There are several types of smart irrigation systems that make watering your plants so much easier. Self-watering pots are nice for potted herbs and flowers. If you have a larger flower bed, you may want to have a landscaper install smart sprinklers. You can even install smart sprinklers throughout your lawn, so your grass stays nice and green with less effort. We've seen these at some Lafayette open houses, and they're very convenient.

With the tips above, you can easily raise your smart home's IQ! If you're still looking for the perfect house to make your home, contact us. Our experienced real estate agents will happily guide you through the buying process and help you search Lafayette homes for sale. 

Fall is here! Our real estate agents are looking forward to it. Are you?

Crisp weather, colorful foliage, and hot cocoa are just a few of the reasons to enjoy fall. When you're in the Lafayette area, there are plenty more to discover. Lafayette is known for a busy social calendar that combines Cajun cuisine and family-friendly entertainment into a fall you won't soon forget! And it's not just about Halloween – in Lafayette, folks get creative with their events.

There's so much to see and do, let's dive in and take a look at some of Lafayette's top fall festivals:

• Spooktacular Fall Fest – 817 Albertson Parkway Suite H, Broussard, LA 70518
  Sponsored by Saketini Sushi and Hibachi, the annual Spooktacular Fall Fest brings fun and excitement to the scary season. Kids in costume can enjoy trick or treating and the costume contest. Adults can visit plenty of booths by local artists and artisans. At the end of the night, Saketini will be offering free kids' hibachi with adult purchase. It might just become your favorite near Broussard homes for sale. To be first in line, be there at 11 a.m., Saturday, October 23!
  
  
• Boudin Cook-Off and Acadiana Bacon Fest – 200 Garfield Street, Lafayette, LA 70501
  The Boudin Cook-Off and Acadiana Bacon Fest is your chance to get familiar with boudin, a beloved Cajun-cooked sausage dish made from pork meat, rice, vegetables, and seasonings. Now entering its thirteenth year, this is considered the premier boudin event and attracts chefs from Louisiana and Texas. Sample, vote, and enjoy, all for free on Saturday, October 16 between 10 a.m. and 4! Plus, it's a short drive from Lafayette homes for sale.
  
  
• Gulf Brew 2021 – See Website for Location Details, Jefferson Street, Lafayette, LA 70501
  The biggest fundraiser led by Acadiana Center for the Arts all year round, Gulf Brew 2021 is the largest and oldest craft beer festival in the area. On Saturday, October 16 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., tasters will get to visit with dozens of breweries and enjoy more than 200 beers, filling out their "Brew Book" along the way. Visit local shops and restaurants as you go, knowing that your contribution makes a difference for a true community institution!
  
  
• Gumbo Festival – Bouligny Plaza, 102 West Main Street, Lafayette, LA 70506
  Where else would you go for America's most iconic Gumbo Festival than Lafayette? Running on October 12 and 13, this family-friendly shindig includes the Cajun Creole Foodfest, Roux Run, and Meanest Beans Cookoff on Saturday, capped off with the Youth Gumbo Cookoff. Sunday brings the World Championship Gumbo Cookoff itself. You won't want to miss a second of the fun, friends, and delicious food!
  
  
• International Rice Festival – 303 North Parkerson Avenue, Crowley, LA 70526
  The International Rice Festival is the biggest agricultural festival in Louisiana and has a long and storied history dating back to 1937. Held to honor the rice industry and all those who contribute to it, it now doubles as one of the biggest live musical events in the state. Featuring two sound stages plus a Classic Car Show and Fiddle and Accordion Contest, it's all happening between October 14-17, minutes from Crowley homes for sale.

Contact us at Latter & Blum today to discover Lafayette real estate.

Our real estate agents know that a stylish outdoor space is a valuable addition to your home. A well-planned exterior space provides a place for al fresco dining, gathering around the firepit with a refreshing beverage, or enjoying your favorite TV show or podcast. Making sure your outdoor spaces are well illuminated ensures that you can enjoy them and helps add an extra level of safety and security. Here are a few ways you can enhance the overall effect of your outdoor lighting. 

1. Use a Variety of Lights
   To create a cozy, welcoming outdoor space, use a variety of lights. If you have an overhead structure, like a gazebo or pergola, add lights that illuminate your entire deck or patio. Then, select some tabletop lamps so that you have lights nearby when you're reading, working, or relaxing. 

2. Select Lights That are Functional
   Even the most elegant outdoor lights will go to waste if they're not functional and easy for you to use. For example, if you know that your access to electricity is limited, integrate some battery-operated lights into your setup. Or, if you hate having to turn a bunch of lights on and off each time you use them, look for products that you can put on a timer or operate with your smartphone. 

3. Consider Motion-Activated Lights
   Motion-activated lights are an excellent alternative that can also help you reduce your energy usage. These lights only come on when they detect activity, and they'll turn off once movement is no longer detected. 

4. Illuminate Your Walkways
   Make it safe to walk around your property at night by adding pathway lights around your driveway and paths. Solar-powered lights are a fantastic option that you won't have to worry about connecting to an electrical outlet. 

5. Opt for Some Portable Lights
   Want to make sure that you always have access to light, regardless of where you're hanging out in your yard? Add portable lights to your outdoor setup. Table lanterns and candles are easily moved so that you can adapt their configuration to your entertaining plans. 

6. Decorate Your Space with String Lights
   When you're exploring Lafayette homes for sale, you'll notice that decorative lighting effortlessly improves the look of your deck or patio. Instantly add ambiance to your outdoor spaces by adding a few strands of string lights. String lights instantly lend a romantic touch to your outdoor areas, and you can even select lights with different color or pattern options. Want to add a lot of light to your outdoor area but don't want to spend hours setting up a bunch of different strands of lights? Look for curtain lights! Curtain lights are easy to hang and instantly add whimsical lighting to a large area. 

7. Illuminate Your Water Features
   If your property has a pool, hot tub, or pond, this is a fantastic spot to incorporate decorative lights. A light reflecting off the water looks beautiful, and you'll have light to enjoy nighttime activities.

Want a home with more space for your outdoor activities? Contact us today to get started!

There comes a point in every summer when the fun starts to wind down, and the return to school is just around the corner. Fortunately, we're not quite there yet! There's still a lot of adventure waiting in the Lafayette area.

If you're looking for fun ways to spend time with your kids in Louisiana this summer, our real estate agents have more than a few ideas. These are our favorite places for family fun and excitement in Lafayette!

• Children's Museum of Acadiana - 201 E Congress St, Lafayette, LA 70501
  Offering hands-on exhibits and entertaining educational programs for kids of all ages, the Children's Museum of Acadiana is a great resource for parents in the Lafayette area. A real highlight of the museum's summertime schedule is their weekly Camp STEAMOLOGY events. These immersive summer camps are held on Sundays throughout the summer and give kids an opportunity to explore STEAM subjects (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) through firsthand experience. The museum is located just minutes from many Lafayette homes for sale.
  
  
• Kart Ranch - 508 Youngsville Hwy, Lafayette, LA 70508
  Kart Ranch Family Fun Center is the place to go for a good time in Lafayette. They offer a full range of indoor and outdoor activities for the whole family, from go-karts and laser tag to miniature golf and arcade games. They also have a kiddie train ride and inside playground for younger kids, and a water war zone for cooling off on hot summer days. Kart Ranch also hosts birthday parties and other events. 
  
  
• Clayfish Bisque: A Pottery Painting Place - 5520 Johnston St F, Lafayette, LA 70503
  Kids of all ages can express their artistic side at Clayfish Bisque: A Pottery Painting Place. This local pottery painting studio embraces creativity, and hosts groups as well as individuals. It's also a great place to schedule a birthday party or play date. Walk-ins are welcome at this locally owned studio, but you can also reserve a table at Clayfish Boutique online. 
  
  
• Kid's World Indoor Play Arena -110 Production Dr, Lafayette, LA 70508
  For younger kids, it doesn't get much more fun than Kid's World Indoor Play Area. With a two-story indoor playground structure spanning 1,700 square feet, Kid's World is a great place to let kids (and their imaginations) run wild. With classic features like obstacle courses, slides, swings, and ball pits, the play area is built big enough for parents to play along. There's a separate play area for toddlers as well. Kid's World also has a great selection of kid-approved snacks, like popcorn, pizza, and ice cream. 
  
  
• Acadiana Park Nature Station - 1205 E Alexander St, Lafayette, LA 70501
  Outdoor adventure in Lafayette begins at the Acadiana Park Nature Center! Spanning 150 acres of rich wetlands and forests, the park offers abundant opportunities for kids and grown-ups alike to reconnect with the natural world. Activities include camping, kayaking, and hiking, with more than 6 miles of trails and boardwalks to explore. Acadiana Park also offers guided hikes and hosts annual Young Naturalist Club programs every summer for kids of various age groups. 

Lafayette and the surrounding communities offer limitless potential for summer fun and adventure. Contact us today to learn more about life in the Lafayette area, and be sure to ask our team about finding your Louisiana dream home!

Grilling season is upon us, and our real estate agents are here for it! And we don't want to brag, but down here in Louisiana, we happen to know a thing or two about grilling. 

Whether you're starting the day-long adventure of smoking a whole hog in your barbecue pit or just throwing a few burgers on the grill, one thing is for sure: you need quality meat. Here's where to get it in the Lafayette, LA area.

• Took's Market - 3103 Johnston St, Lafayette, LA 70503
  The folks at Took's Market have more than 30 years of experience in the meat business. Their specialty is deboned stuffed chicken, but you'll find an incredible variety here, from bacon-wrapped filet mignon and stuffed pork chops to 14 varieties of sausage, all made fresh in-house. With a location convenient to many Lafayette homes for sale, Took's also offers a wide variety of side dishes, as well as pre-made lunch plates and a weekly Sunday BBQ if you don't feel like cooking.
  
  
• Kirk's U Need a Butcher - 713 LA 728-8, Lafayette, LA 70501
  All your grilling needs are covered at Kirk's U Need a Butcher. They offer an incredible variety, from beef short ribs and pork steaks to whole chickens and house-made sausage. If you're looking for something a little out of the ordinary, just ask. Kirk's also offers various smoked and pre-marinated meats, along with their own brand of special seasoning. 
  
  
• Little Veron's - 403 Rena Dr, Lafayette, LA 70503
  Little Veron's first opened their doors in 1962, making them one of Lafayette's longest-running specialty grocers. Bringing nearly 50 years of experience to the table, they offer a fantastic selection of custom-cut meat, fresh seafood, pork, and poultry. And although Little Veron's is famous for their meat and deli counter, the store has grown over the years to include a dairy section, fresh produce, a wine and liquor shop, and home goods of all kinds. They also carry all your BBQ essentials, from lighter fluid and charcoal to ice and paper plates.
  
  
• Billy's Boudin and Cracklin - 523 Apollo Rd, Scott, LA 70583
  Unique specialty meats are the name of the game at Billy's Boudin and Cracklin. Looking for spinach and pepper jack-stuffed chicken breasts? How about marinated pork tenderloins stuffed with crawfish and wrapped in bacon? You'll find those and dozens of other delicious Cajun goodies at this bare-bones establishment near Scott homes for sale, which is so popular among locals that there's often a line out the door. 
  
  
• Chops Specialty Meats - 1019 Albertson Pkwy, Broussard, LA 70518
  Family-owned and operated for 13 years, Chops Specialty Meats is your one-stop shop when you need food for the grill in Broussard, LA. The folks at Chops offer just about every cut of beef and pork you can think of, along with poultry and a lot of cool specialty meats (elk, buffalo, rack of lamb, frog legs, the list goes on). You'll also find prime grill-ables, including seasoned beef patties, marinated chicken, and 15 varieties of sausage. They cater too, and their in-store deli is a popular lunch spot near Broussard homes for sale.

Contact us today to learn about life in Lafayette and the surrounding area. We're proud to call it home, and we can't wait to help you find your dream house in Louisiana!

The craft brewing scene in Lafayette is vibrant and growing, with local breweries creating unique flavors that you won't find anywhere else. Local bars, restaurants, and beer shops are also serving up all of the best brews from throughout the Acadiana region. Spring is the perfect time to enjoy a local craft beer in an outdoor dining space and pair your favorite brew with some of the best food that Lafayette has to offer. Our real estate agents have the details on the best places to find delicious local brews around Lafayette.

1. Parish Brewing Co. – 229 Jared Dr., Broussard, LA 70518
   For a fantastic local brew from a truly local source, make the quick trip to Parish Brewing Co. and get ready to treat your taste buds to something special. The beer lineup here includes flagship brews like Ghost in the Machine, Parish Pilsner, and Reve Coffee Stout, along with dozens of other selections. Stop by to enjoy a drink in the art-filled taproom or to pick up your favorites to enjoy at home.
   
   
2. The Tap Room – 201 Settlers Trace Blvd. #4001, Lafayette, LA 70508
   The Tap Room is one of the most popular bars near Lafayette homes for sale, and one look at their list of local craft brews will show you why that's the case. This local bar also has an eclectic dining menu that's packed with unique hot dogs that are loaded with toppings and delicious flatbread pizzas that pair perfectly with all of your favorite brews.
   
   
3. Marcello's Wine Market – 2800 Johnson St., Lafayette, LA 70503
   Looking to stock your own fridge with some of the best brews that Acadiana has to offer? Then don't let the name of Marcello's Wine Market fool you. While this is certainly a great place to shop for local wine, it's also well-stocked with a huge variety of local craft beer, including some hard-to-find brews that aren't available at every shop.
   
   
4. Wurst Biergarten – 537 Jefferson St., Lafayette, LA 70501
   Food, music, and local craft brews are always on the menu at Wurst Biergarten, which features a large outdoor dining area that's perfect for enjoying a pleasant spring night on the town. This venue is both dog and child-friendly, with a rotating selection of food vendors that is sure to offer something for every taste. There are also fun-themed nights that offer live music, open mic comedy, and trivia contests.
   
   
5. Social Southern Table & Bar – 3901 Johnson St., Lafayette, LA 70503
   A chic, modern bar with a fantastic selection of craft brews, Social Southern Table & Bar, offers an upscale dining and drinking experience ideal for celebrating the special days in your life. The award-winning menu here is filled with fresh, farm-to-table takes on your favorite Southern dishes, with a rotation of local beers on tap and a long lineup of craft cocktails.

Ready to find your next home close to all of the delicious drinks, delightful dining, and excellent bars in Lafayette? Let our local real estate team help. Contact us today.

If your home's decor feels a little generic or looks too sparse for your tastes, consider painting an accent wall. An accent wall lends a pop of color to your space and helps you customize the style of your home. Our real estate agents know that an accent wall is often beneficial for staging your home when you put it on the market. Follow these do's and don'ts when adding an accent wall. 

1. Do Embrace Bold Colors
   Since an accent wall is meant to stand out, it's best to utilize a bold color. Even if you prefer neutrals or are trying to stick with colors that will appeal to homebuyers looking for Alexandria homes for sale, it's fine to embrace a darker hue. Just make sure that the color you select will complement the decor and furnishings in the room. 

2. Do Pick the Right Wall
   Before you buy your paint, make sure you pick out the best wall for your project. In general, you'll want to avoid areas with a lot of windows, a door, or a large fireplace. These items tend to "cut" your accent wall, making it look choppy and disjointed. The wall needs to be large enough to stand out so that it appears like a purposeful addition to the room. 

3. Do Choose a Shade That Compliments Your Other Walls
   As you peruse potential shades for your accent wall, check that your hue suits your other paint colors. Otherwise, you risk picking a shade that's too "warm" or "cool" for your other walls. An accent wall often compliments walls painted in light or medium hues the best. 

4. Don't Limit Your Options
   Don't feel like your only option is to paint an accent wall. There are multiple gorgeous alternatives for your space, including wallpaper, tile, stone, or painted shiplap. Just make sure that whichever material you select looks cohesive with the rest of the room. 

5. Don't Be Afraid to Get Creative
   Can't pick out the right wall for your accent wall? Make your ceiling your accent wall! Painting your ceiling an eye-catching color is a trendy way to incorporate an accent wall into areas with minimal wall space. Should you opt to paint your ceiling, consider adding crown molding to the room. This will help break up the ceiling from the walls and even make the room appear larger. 

6. Don't Pick a Room That's Already "Busy"
   If a potential room already has a lot going on, you may want to forgo an accent wall. The addition of an accent wall can make the space look busy and cluttered. For this reason, it's tricky and incorporating an accent wall into a kitchen, just because this space already has a lot of things in it.

Interested in a home with more space? Contact us today to start your search!

With all of the streaming options these days, people are making trips to the movie theater less often. Instead, it's common to have a media room or home theater and enjoy the big screen experience with all the comforts of home. Home theaters are a nice feature that we sometimes see in Baton Rouge homes for sale. Here are six tips for improving your home theater system.

1. Arrange for a dedicated space.
   Many homes have a family room or media room that might be set up with a big-screen TV and surround sound, but the best home theaters our real estate agents see are the ones that are located in a dedicated space for minimal distractions. This might be a finished basement or even a spare room, as long as all the other requirements are met. 
2. Install comfortable seating.
   Trying to recreate the movie theater experience is a lofty goal, but with seating, you actually have the ability to go above and beyond what you'd get at the theater. Sofas and reclining seats can be much more comfortable than at a true theater. If you plan to have two or more rows of seating, be sure to choose something with low backs or even consider building risers for the back rows.
3. Minimize distractions.
   Everything about your home theater should be designed around limiting distractions, from the location to the design of the actual room. For instance, your home theater will be best located away from all the foot traffic and noise of the home. A finished basement is excellent for this reason, plus it'll block some of the noise and sound from the outside. Insulated curtains will also help. Also, consider little touches like dark paint colors and avoiding shiny fixtures.
4. Non-intrusive lighting.
   Lighting is very important in your home theater. Dimmer switches will allow you to set the lights at whatever level you want them. Recessed lighting and soffits are a couple of options that are ideal for a home theater since they won't shine directly in the viewers' faces.
5. Invest in superior sound.
   Now consider the sound. It's not enough just to get a big-screen TV or projector. A big picture needs a big sound to go with it, and a soundbar just isn't going to cut it if you're going for the full experience. A high-quality surround sound system will do the best job of mimicking the immersive movie theater experience.
6. Hide cords.
   Finally, remember to make the most of the "magic" of your home theater by hiding the cords that make it all possible. You can get pretty creative about how you hide cords. There are easy DIY kits you can use to hide your cords in the wall, for instance, so that a wall-mounted big-screen TV doesn't have a bunch of ugly cords dangling from it. Hiding cords will give your home theater a finished, professional look.

Of course, the best reason to install a home theater is so that you can enjoy it yourself, but if you're handy with DIY projects and have the time to invest in it, a well-planned home theater can generate interest with buyers who love the features but wouldn't want to put one in themselves. For more information about the draw of a well-executed home theater system or other home improvement projects, contact us today.

Spring, being the time of fresh starts and renewal, just seems like the right time to clean up the home and grounds and get ready for a bright new beginning.

Plus, if you are getting ready for a new beginning and listing your home for sale, spring is a great time to do so! 

Here are some tips to help you spring forward as you get ready to list your home among the Lake Charles homes for sale.

1. Clean your rain gutters.
   Rain gutters on Lake Charles homes get plenty of use with our heavy annual precipitation, so homeowners should make sure those gutters are free and clear of leaves and other debris. If you don't have guards on your gutters, you definitely need to see about a spring cleaning. Even with guards, animals can make nests, and other debris may clog them up as the fall and winter pass. If you clean gutters yourself, you'll need a tall ladder and someone to hand things to as you clear them out.
   
   
2. Clean the yard to prepare for spring gardening.
   Curb appeal is extra important in the spring, so don't slack on your post-winter clean-up. Clean up around your air conditioner compressor, clearing weeds, leaves, and other debris, in preparation for turning it on as the humidity and temperature rise. Clear flower beds of dried plant stalks, then add compost and mulch in preparation for planting. Prune summer-blooming flowering shrubs. Inspect trees and shrubs for any winter or wind damage and trim it back.
   
   
3. Check the HVAC system, as well as smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
   Spring is a good time to change your HVAC filters. Dirty filters can slow down your HVAC and make it run inefficiently, leading to higher bills and HVAC breakdowns. Make sure vents are free and clear of obstructions such as furniture and rugs. Schedule a preventative maintenance visit for your air conditioner. Also, test your smoke and CO alarms to make sure they are in good working order. Check wires or change batteries if needed.
   
   
4. Check for dampness and mold.
   In our climate, mold and excess humidity are problems every season, but more so during spring rains. Always check your house for signs of moisture from roof or plumbing leaks, window condensation, plugged air conditioner condensate drain, or moisture from the ground seeping into the home. Check fixtures such as toilets and faucets for leaks and repair them or replace them as needed. If you don't fix problems as soon as you find them, moisture and mold may damage drywall, wood, and flooring, so that you need to replace them.
   
   
5. Inspect and clean windows.
   Moisture, high winds, and UV rays can be hard on your window treatments. Inspect your windows, and if need be, repair crumbling caulk and worn-out weatherstripping to keep conditioned air inside and unconditioned air out. Clean your windows inside and outside with a solution of vinegar and water to get them bright and shiny for spring.

Our real estate agents have many more spring tips to get your home ready to list. Contact us today.

This is a great time to buy a home, with interest rates at all-time lows and many motivated sellers seeking the right buyer. Of course, that means you won't be the only person house-hunting right now, and a competitive real estate market means you may have to do a little extra to make your offer stand out above the rest. Our real estate agents know what it takes to land your dream home, and we've got some practical tips to help your offer outshine the competition.

1. Lead Off with Your Best Offer

   So you've narrowed down your list of Lafayette homes for sale, found the perfect match, and you know other buyers are competing to purchase the property. With strong competition for the home, now is not the time to lead off with a low offer that has little chance of being accepted. Instead, work with your real estate agent to put together your best offer, and show the seller that you're serious about closing the deal. When there are multiple bidders on a home, your first offer may be your only chance to impress.

2. Secure Your Financing ASAP

   If you're in a position to make an all-cash offer, then you likely already have a leg up on the competition. For most buyers, financing the purchase is a more practical option. Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is a must if you want the seller to take your offer seriously, and benefits you by telling you how much home you can afford. If you can get fully underwritten before making your offer, that's an even stronger sign to sellers that you're ready to close the deal.

3. Be Ready to Have the Home Inspected

   Some sellers have a tight timeline for finding a buyer and will want to know as soon as possible whether you will be negotiating for repairs based on what the home inspection reveals. So, the sooner you can have the home inspected, the better. Rather than wait out the inspection window (typically 5 to 10 days), get your inspector on the scene as soon as you can.

4. Offer a Quick Closing

   Offering a faster closing is another way to make your bid stand out when the seller is facing a time crunch, and can still be an appealing perk even if the seller is on a more relaxed timeline. If you can make a quick closing happen, it can be a great option in competitive markets.

5. Work with the Right Real Estate Agent

   The right real estate agent will be your greatest asset when putting together an offer because they can help you analyze the market, check comparable sales, and create an offer that catches the eye of the seller. They will also help you with all the little, important details of the transaction and keep things on schedule.

6. Add a Personal Touch

   While money speaks loudest when making an offer, there are often sellers who have lived in the home for a long time and would like to see it sold to someone who will love it as much as they have. A hand-written, personal letter about why you love the home won't make up for a low-ball offer, but it can help make a difference when your offer is similar to the competition.

Searching for a real estate team that can take your home search to the next level? We can help you make a winning offer on your dream home. Contact us today.