Articles Tagged "Lafourche Parish"

Our Realtors® know there are plenty of good places to order a plate lunch in Lafayette! 

Between checking out Lafayette homes for sale and attending Lafayette open houses, make time for a hearty meal to keep your energy up. The Acadiana region offers all the classics like jambalaya, crawfish, and gumbo, but the real star of the show in our area is the plate lunch featuring rice and gravy.

Looking for an authentic taste of Lafayette? Here are just a few of your options:

• Office Hours Sandwich Shop – 2303 West Pinhook Road, Lafayette, LA 70508
  Office Hours Sandwich Shop is where you can pair the traditional full plate lunch with a half sandwich and soup so you'll feel satisfied all day long. Po'boy sandwiches, specialty burgers, lunch baskets, salads, and full half-pound burgers are available. For your plate lunch selections, consider a chicken and sausage gumbo, spaghetti and meat sauce, smothered turkey wings, hot chili, or crawfish and shrimp gumbo.
  
  
• Dwyer's Cafe – 323 Jefferson Street, Lafayette, LA 70501
  Dwyer's Cafe is a best-kept local secret that you'll be pleased to make your own. Unlike some nearby spots known for their plate lunch, it opens early for a robust breakfast. You can have your pick of the breakfast specials, sandwiches, omelets, biscuits, muffins, toast, or pancakes. What about the famous plate lunch? Daily specials serve up three sides and a meat like smothered steak, roast pork, fried chicken, or catfish.
  
  
• Acadian Superette – 600 Lamar Street, Lafayette, LA 70501
  Acadian Superette is a popular stop for its Cajun plate lunches and short-order diner classics. It has been lauded for its special BLT sandwich, with house-made bacon prepared right on-site. If you can't quite get enough of one of the meat offerings, you can buy it directly from the Superette's specialty meat section. A beautiful patio provides ample outdoor seating both day and night.
  
  
• T-Coon's Restaurant – 1900 West Pinhook Road, Lafayette, LA 70508
  T-Coon's Restaurant has been around for four generations so far and is still going strong. It's open seven days a week for all your lunch plate cravings, starting at 6:00 a.m. and ending at 2 in the afternoon, rain or shine. Regulars have put T-Coon's on the map for "The Stuff," a house-special combination of spices you can use to enhance eggs, poultry, steak, barbecue dishes, veggies, fish, and other seafood.
  
  
• Cafe Coachella – 2700 Moss Street, Lafayette, LA 70501
  Cafe Coachella makes a name for itself as one of the most authentic soul food restaurants in Acadiana. Drop by on Sunday for heaping helpings of some of the best barbecue you will ever have. Visitors here rave about the excellent service, good vibes, and affordable prices. Some have even called it the best plate lunch restaurant on the North Side. Find out for yourself with one of its fresh, spicy plates!
  
  
• Acadiana Jerky Co. & Smokehouse – See the Website for Location Information
  Acadiana Jerky Co. & Smokehouse is a drive-through restaurant acclaimed for the Sunday barbecue service, which runs from 10 a.m. to 2 o'clock. Whether you opt for the smoked or the regular boudin, you can expect an ideal meat-to-rice ratio and an attractive price. If you're feeling daring, try out the black pudding made with pork blood, pork fat, suet, and grain – a unique Louisiana blood sausage.

Contact us at Latter & Blum to discover more.

If you're searching for a home with character and historical significance, a historic home is an excellent option.

A historic home is a property that retains a significant amount of the original construction and design, is at least 50 years old (potentially less if an event of historical significance happened on the property), and is connected to events that are historically important. 

However, there are a few things that make owning a historic home different from owning a typical home. Our real estate agents suggest following these tips when buying a historic home to ensure it's a great fit for your needs and budget. 

• Realize That Historic Homes are Ideal for Buyers Interested in Preserving the Home
  If you want a home that you can modernize or make a lot of structural changes to, a historic home isn't the right fit for your design preferences. When you purchase a historic home, there are typically guidelines that specify what changes you can make to the property. As the owner, you're expected to maintain the original charm and design of the home. There are countless properties that you can renovate or redesign, but a historic home should be accepted as is. When you're checking out Lafayette homes for sale, look for a property that has a layout and design that meets your family's needs. For example, historic homes tend to have multiple small rooms rather than an open floor plan. If you want space for gathering with your family, you might look for a layout with multiple small rooms in close proximity to one another. You can then use each room for a specific function. 

• Embrace the Uniquely Distinct Architecture and Charm of a Historic Home
  Purchasing a historic home often ensures that your home has a style and design that stands out from other homes in your area. This historic, authentic charm simply can't be replicated by more modern homes; many historic homes even experience higher than average appreciation in their property values thanks to the distinctiveness of the craftsmanship and features. 

• Know That Updates to the Home Will be More Expensive
  You'll need to make occasional updates and maintenance repairs to the home that adhere to the original design. This means that you might spend more money on home maintenance and renovation than you would on a newer home. A historic home often requires specific materials and specialized labor to ensure that the repairs are as authentic as possible. To help cover the cost of the repairs, you can utilize a federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit. There are also state programs that assist with defraying the expenses associated with maintaining a historic property. 

• Explore Financing Programs Designed for Historic Homes
  A historic home can be a terrific investment, but it can also be difficult to procure financing through traditional mortgage programs. This is especially common if the home requires a lot of repairs or has structural problems. Fortunately, there are programs available that offer financial resources for restoring and caring for historic homes.

Ready to check out historic homes that you can call your home? Contact us today to get started!

Indoor rock climbing has become a hot trend in recent years, and climbing gyms are popping up all over the country. That includes several awesome climbing and bouldering gyms right here in Louisiana. While there aren't many mountains to explore in Louisiana, indoor rock climbing gyms allow you to have a similar experience without leaving the state. 

Our real estate agents are excited to share our favorite indoor rock climbing gyms in Louisiana. That includes some great places to climb near these Lafayette homes for sale.

• Southern Stone Indoor Climbing - 109 Grand Ave, Lafayette, LA 70503
  Lafayette's premier rock climbing facility, Southern Stone Indoor Climbing offers routes for beginners and experienced climbers alike. From bouldering and top roping to auto belays and spot climbing, there are facilities here to support all rock climbing styles. This gym is one of Louisiana's oldest rock climbing facilities, having served Lafayette for 20 years as Rock Haus before re-opening as Southern Stone in 2016. With a convenient location minutes from these Lafayette open houses, it's open to climbers of all ages and experience levels, and walk-ins are always welcome. 
  
  
• Uptown Climbing - 10505 Coursey Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70816
  Louisiana's largest indoor rock climbing gym, Uptown Climbing, is the premier rock gym in Baton Rouge. This place is a giant playground for climbing fanatics, offering a 90-foot long bouldering wall and more than 60 rope stations up to 35 feet tall. This state-of-the-art facility also includes a dedicated sport lead climbing wall, speed wall, and six auto-belay stations. Affordable membership rates are available, and first-timers can also walk in any time and climb with a day pass. 
  
  
• New Orleans Boulder Lounge - 2360 St Claude Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117
  New Orleans Boulder Lounge is an awesome resource for the NOLA area climbing community. It's also a very beginner-friendly gym, with climbing that's suitable for all skill and experience levels. New Orleans Boulder Lounge is open to members and guests, and the friendly and experienced staff is always great when it comes to helping newcomers find their footing. With a sole focus on bouldering, the Boulder Lounge has no ropes or harnesses but instead offers free climbing at shorter heights that require no specialized equipment. 
  
  
• 318 Climb - 731 American Way, Shreveport, LA 71106
  With more 80-plus top rope routes, 60-plus boulder problems, and nine auto belays, it's safe to say that you won't quickly run out of new climbing experiences at 318 Climb. This exciting indoor rock climbing gym in Shreveport also introduces new top rope and boulder routes weekly and often hosts parties and glow-in-the-dark climbing events. 318 Climb also offers climbing classes and private lessons for all ages, including instruction on top rope and belay climbing. Affordable day passes are always available, but consistent climbers can save big with a monthly membership. 

Contact us today to learn more about life in Louisiana! If you're looking for your dream home in Lafayette and the surrounding areas, our real estate agents are here to help every step of the way. 

Storage is one thing we never seem to have enough of, which is probably why closet space is usually such a big selling point for homebuyers. If you feel like you're in cramped quarters, here are six suggestions from our real estate agents for adding to your closet space, ranging from minor adjustments to major renovations.

1. Get Creative
   Not all storage spaces have to be tucked away into a closet. There are plenty of creative storage options you can use to make more storage space out of nothing. For example, reclaim that lost space under your bed by getting a bed frame with under-bed storage drawers or shelves, or check out furniture such as storage ottomans, cube shelves, and freestanding wardrobes.
   
   
2. Maximize Current Closet Space
   Sometimes the issue isn't really a lack of storage space, but under-used closet space. The traditional approach of a single clothing bar with a shelf above it tends to leave a lot of wasted space. Look into organizational design options to customize and make full use of your closet space, from recessed nooks to the backs of the doors. Consider installing custom shelving, drawers, or a second clothing bar to utilize your unused spaces. Closet upgrades like these always make a good impression in Baton Rouge homes for sale.
   
   
3. Install Open Closets
   The concept of open closets might seem unappealing, but you may already have some of these spaces without realizing it. For example, a mudroom setup with coat hooks, a bench, and cubbies with bins represents an open closet design that is a popular and attractive part of many homes. You can build similarly designed open closets in bathrooms that lack linen storage or in craft rooms for supply storage.
   
   
4. Find Unused Spaces
   Houses often have unused spaces in them that can be given new life as reconverted closet spaces. For instance, you might have unused space under your stairs. It's often easier and requires less remodeling to convert those spaces into closets than building closets from scratch. Another option is to convert a small bedroom into a walk-in closet and dressing room. This can easily be turned back into a bedroom when it comes time to sell the house.
   
   
5. Build a Closet
   If you've exhausted all the creative options available to you and still find yourself pressed for storage space, it might be time to consider building a closet or expanding on an existing one. This does mean more involved renovations and may cut into the size of the room where you're adding the closet space. In some cases, however, you may find that it's worth the expense.
   
   
6. Declutter
   When all else fails, remember that much of the stuff we keep and store we don't really need. Make it a habit of going through your closets regularly, getting rid of things you don't need or haven't used in a while, and reorganizing to make the best use of the space. This is especially important if you're getting ready to sell your home! 

Storage is an ongoing issue for many households, and there's a reason why storage is often toward the top of our clients' wish lists. If you've outgrown your current space and you're ready to move onto something bigger and better, contact us today.

Before putting your house on the market, you want to ensure it will make a great first impression when potential buyers come to take a look. Chances are the first room that will be seen is the living room. For this room, it is not enough to just clean and tidy up. You need to go the extra mile and stage it. Set the stage for a great first impression by following these living room staging tips. 

1. Declutter
   Before you start cleaning, it's important to declutter. Start with one wall in the living room and take down some decor items. Or consider removing furniture from the room and storing it in a storage unit until you move. The goal is to present an airy, spacious, light-filled living room. 
   
   
2. Fix it up
   Look around and make a list of items you'll need to repair. It may be holes on a wall where you have taken down a painting or other wall art, a cracked floor or wall tile, or a broken window pane. Fix what you can or hire a professional to help tackle larger issues. 
   
   
3. Remove and Replace
   There be some items that are in bad shape and you are wondering how to handle them. For instance, perhaps your sofa is worn out with faded, sunk cushions. It is true that the buyer will move in with their own furniture so the state of yours shouldn't matter. However, keep in mind that what you are doing is staging your living room for the sole purpose of making a sale. For the sake of presenting it in the best light possible, consider renting a sofa and maybe other pieces to make a good impression. Look at it as an investment that will pay off when you get a buyer. If you plan to keep the sofa or other older items, consider repairing it or reviving it with new upholstery or a new coat of paint.
   
   
4. Fresh Coat of Paint
   When everything has been decluttered and fixed, consider painting the living room walls and doors. Go for neutral, soft colors and leave it to the buyer to pick their own color. 
   
   
5. Deep Clean
   Lastly, you can get down to cleaning. If you can, bring in the professionals to clean your sofa and carpet. Not only will this help prevent odors in your home, but you will also be a step ahead with getting ready to move once your house does sell. Do a thorough clean of every space including the walls, doors, and light fixtures which sometimes might get overlooked in your cleaning routine. Going the extra mile will pay off when buyers come over to view the space.

If you are looking for Houma homes for sale, leave it to Latter & Blum to find you your dream home. If you are looking to sell, our real estate agents can also guide you through making a sale including home staging tips. Contact us today.