7 Ways to Improve Your New Orleans’ Home Resale Value

  911 Elysian Fields Avenue, Listed By Lane Washburn When you look at your home, you see all the value it provides you with. It shelters and keeps you, your loved ones, and your belongings safe. Potential buyers may not know the value of your home as readily as you do, so you'll need to do something to convince them that your home is worth every penny. When you plan to sell your home, consider investing a little extra money into it so that others will be able to see its value firsthand. 1. Enhance Curb Appeal First impressions are crucial. Your curb appeal has to stand out from the other houses in your area if you want people to do double-takes when passing your home. The curb appeal alone can add 7% to your home's value, so it's not a factor that should be overlooked. Consider planting seasonal florals if you want to add a pop of color to your front lawn. You could also dress it up with cultural elements of New Orleans, like decorative ironwork or even French-inspired elements. Whatever the case, make sure it looks warm and inviting, especially to people who may be moving to NOLA from out of town. You want to turn heads and have people mention that they must stop by your home. 2. Dress Up Your Front Porch Your front porch needs to be welcoming, especially if it's a wraparound porch that you can foresee your buyers entertaining guests on. If your patio is large enough to support furniture and decorations, go all out. Fill it with potted plants and signs that welcome people in. Add a quirky doormat so people can see that the home is full of love and laughter. Your front porch will give potential buyers an idea of what to expect when they walk into the house. 3. Add Hurricane Windows The major downside of living in NOLA is how many hurricanes the average person will encounter. Several significant hurricanes have hit New Orleans over the years, sometimes once a year or more. If you haven't already, consider swapping your regular windows with hurricane windows. These windows should be able to withstand many of the strong winds without shattering, meaning the new homeowner can have more peace of mind when weathering one of NOLA's many storms. 4. Use a Professional DIY projects are great, but they mostly find their place in small, aesthetic pieces around the home. When you're working on something more functional, it's better to rely on the skill of a professional than to try it yourself – especially if you didn't know how to fix it before watching a video on it. You want your house to be in tip-top shape to sell well, and it might not reflect well in the inspection if you made multiple repairs on your own rather than relying on someone with years of skill. While you prepare to sell, don't cut corners. Embrace a professional's years of skill and talent to ensure everything in your home works to the best of its ability. 5. Replace the Flooring Many homes still have carpets in them, but that trend is on its way out. While carpet can be beneficial in several situations, many people find hardwood flooring a better option. You can layer rugs on wood floors to give any room a different look whenever you want to change the aesthetic, whereas, with carpet, you’re stuck with the color or design you get. Consider what you want this flooring to accomplish. Certain undertones can evoke different feelings in people. For example, floors with warm tones can make a person feel cozier than a cool-toned floor. If you want people to see your house for the loving environment you have created, make sure to choose flooring that reflects it. Alternatively, if you love the elegance of your home, you may decide to replace the flooring with a cool-toned darker color. It all depends on the emotions you're trying to convey to a person when they walk in. 6. Touch Up Any Paint Think about the inside of your home as much as the outside. Curb appeal might draw people to your home, but the inside is what will help them picture themselves actually living in it. If you have any spots of paint that need touching up, ensure they're taken care of before your house is shown to potential buyers. A cohesive look in your home will make it appear more valuable than if the paint is visibly chipping off the walls. Power washing the front of your home can have the same effect. If you don't have any paint on your house, power washing can at least remove the dirt and grime. It ensures that your home will look perfect for any real estate listing pictures. You should try to power wash your house regularly, but you should consider doing it more often when it’s up for sale. If people are touring your home, they want to know they'll be entering – and possibly purchasing – a clean home that stands out from the rest. 7. Get a New Garage Door If your home has a garage, it should be one of the main attractions of your home. When people see your house from the street, their eyes should not shy away from the garage, even if you don't have it completely put together on the inside. Since New Orleans gets a lot of hurricanes, you need to make sure your garage doors are reinforced so they can brace against any strong winds. Prepare to Sell in New Orleans Selling your home is always a bittersweet experience. On the one hand, you're ready to head out on new adventures in new locations. On the other hand, you'll miss the place you've called home for years. You want your house to be cared for after you leave it, so ensuring potential buyers know what they're getting – and that they'll be safe in the home – is your best chance at receiving the value you know your house is worth. *Written By Rose Morrison of renovated.com

View more

6 Things to Consider Before Turning Your NOLA Property Into a Vacation Rental

911 Elysian Fields Avenue, Listed By Lane Washburn New Orleans is a historic vacation destination in southern Louisiana that offers rich cultural diversity, delicious food and warm weather year-round. Homeowners can convert their properties into vacation rentals to get even more bang for their buck. Short-term rental websites help you connect with potential customers, secure business and determine how to create lucrative rental properties with the features people are looking for. There are six aspects to consider when turning your New Orleans home into a short-term vacation rental. What Makes a Great NOLA Rental Property? Renters seek New Orleans rental properties with specific features. Most customers leave five-star ratings for properties where they feel most comfortable. Many elements go into creating a comfortable short-term rental. The bedding, furniture, resources and security influence customers’ comfort levels. Highly rated properties are also aesthetically appealing. You can add modern features and artwork to your property to improve rental rates. Visitors generally search for short-term rentals close to tourist attractions and public transit systems. You can create digital guides for visitors and help them locate nearby resources. Going the extra mile to ensure your customers’ comfort and happiness during their stay attracts more renters down the line. 1. Fill Out Permits and Other Paperwork The first consideration when developing a short-term rental property is its legal eligibility. New Orleans has strict rental property codes and standards, and you must follow the permitting process to attain the appropriate certifications. You can either fill out short-term rental applications online or in person at city hall. Officials will review your application and respond in two weeks or less. Be sure to display your permit in a window to avoid fines. 2. Add Luxurious Features and Décor You should also consider which features and elements of décor may increase your rental properties’ ratings. You can charge higher rental rates for luxury properties, which will boost your profitability. Replace outdated handles and doorknobs with gold versions to enhance consumer appeal. You can also add fresh coats of paint to walls, baseboards, and molding to cover marks and dents. Areas of New Orleans are constantly under construction, which creates unpleasant views. You can put up floor-length curtains to hide eyesores. You can also replace outdated and damaged baseboards to increase a rental property’s aesthetic appeal. Create a luxurious feel inside your rental properties by hanging oversized artwork. The images may draw attention to specific areas of each room and can also add color or style. 3. Install Smart Security Systems You should also consider safety features. Different areas of New Orleans have high crime rates, which decrease renters’ sense of safety and comfort. You can install smart security systems to deter criminals and protect customers. Smart security systems use the Internet of Things (IoT) to connect video cameras, microphones, speakers and other features. The IoT connections let you view real-time video footage and control different safety features. These devices also autonomously alert local authorities of suspicious activity on rental properties. 4. Elevate Homes in Flood Zones Another short-term rental property consideration is its storm resilience. The frequency and intensity of hurricanes are increasing in the south. You can protect your rental properties from damage by minimizing flood risks. Hire professionals to elevate your properties. Many homeowners are placing their properties on silts to increase their resilience as sea levels rise. You should determine whether your home is in a flood zone before taking action. Refer to New Orleans flood zone maps before making structural upgrades. Elevating a property may prevent long-term damage and improve renters’ safety. 5. Create an Outdoor Sanctuary You can also create highly rated rental properties by developing outdoor sanctuaries. Many short-term renters visit New Orleans from northern states to escape cold weather. Appeal to snowbirds by creating relaxing outdoor environments. You can hang string lights to illuminate outdoor areas and increase renters’ safety at night. Install outdoor fans and add rocking chairs to develop aesthetically appealing outdoor sanctuaries. You can add a New Orleans flare by planting purple, green and yellow flowers to represent Mardi Gras. 6. Prepare for Seasonal Scheduling Changes You should also consider seasonal business changes in New Orleans before creating short-term rental properties. Hurricane season can throw a wrench in renters’ abilities to get to the city, and you may go weeks or months without business during high-storm-risk seasons. Summer heat may also interfere with short-term rentals. Average summer temperatures in June, July and August exceed 90 F. Few renters visit New Orleans in the summer because of the climate, which negatively impacts rental rates. Attracting Loyal and Respectful Renters Keep your short-term renters coming back by practicing ideal customer service. It’s a good idea to stay near your rental properties in case people need anything to improve their stays. You should also develop a list of expectations and a damage policy to attract respectful renters and protect your homes, ensuring all parties have an enjoyable time. *Written by Rose Morrison of renovated.com

View more

Things That Often Fail Home Inspection in New Orleans

When you are preparing to sell or buy a home in New Orleans, a home inspection should be part of the process. Home inspections discover hidden issues and show buyers the condition of the house. Also, a home inspection is an instrument to help home buyers protect themselves while making an essential financial investment and reduces liability for sellers. As a result, it's a good idea to avoid these issues if selling. It can often help you earn more on the home sale. At the same time, knowing the usual problems may help you approach house buying more realistically, especially if you're a first-time buyer. In addition, you'll also have a greater understanding of the hazards. Therefore, it's better to know which things often fail home inspection in New Orleans, regardless of which side of the transaction you are on. So, here's a list of frequent issues to keep in mind. Ground sloping or faulty drainage As the ground under the house settles over time, it may become uneven. Some parts can lower too much while others raise. In addition, some homes are constructed directly on uneven ground, complicating things more over time. That can cause water to pool under the house and create drainage problems. In reality, each lawn must have at least a 3% slope away from the home to allow water to drain away and prevent water damage. And even in that case, when the ground settles, the foundation might shift.Any home can suffer considerable water damage if there isn't sufficient drainage. It can cause cracked settlement and even foundation movement. Also, moisture is absorbed through the foundation if water does not drain away, causing mold and rot. Plumbing and Sewerlines Plumbing issues and leaking pipes are two causes for a home inspection to fail. These issues might be as simple as a leaking faucet or a slower drain. Other times, it can be a faulty pipe connection or the need to rebuild all the pipes. Plumbing is a big concern since mold can spread throughout the home if you don't repair a leak on time.Another issue you may encounter is a broken or cracked sewerline. This is common, mostly because of water and drainage issues causing ground settlement (see above: Drainage). A video sewerline inspection is an important part of the home inspection process and should be performed regardless if the home is new construction or a historic property. Roof Roofing is such an essential part of a house, it is one of the first things a home inspector will examine. If the roof leaks, the house is exposed to many issues. So, the inspector needs to determine the cause of the leaks. It can be anything from broken or missing shingles to clogged gutters. Also, there can be faulty flashings, moss on the roof, an unventilated loft, or plumbing vent flaws. Therefore, if you know you have these problems with your roof, you should look to fix them as soon as possible. Mostly because roof issues can be a deal-breaker when selling a property as they may be expensive to repair.  Foundation Foundations often are flagged as needing repair on home inspections in New Orleans. More than half of the homes in the United States are built on clay soil, causing them to shift over time. In reality, such houses are shifting somewhere around two inches per season. That results in foundation cracks and pier shifting which home inspectors will always flag. In addition, a faulty foundation can cause roof problems, framing issues, and sloping floors. At the same time, foundation problems are caused by more than just shifting soil. For instance, tree roots growing under the house can crack the foundation over time or cause piers to shift. If you find a home that passes the inspection for foundation issues, you are in luck! You found a fantastic house to buy! However, if you need to relocate from another state to Louisiana, you should hire moving professionals to assist you. The right team can help you have a stress-free and rapid relocation. So, find an interstate moving company that offers the services you need, and you will be settling into your new home in no time. HVAC Yes, house inspectors inspect HVAC systems, and they occasionally are flagged on the inspection. The most common issue is lack of consistent servicing. Simple issues such as changing the air filter frequently and a twice yearly servicing will greatly increase the lifetime of an HVAC system. Neglecting to service your system and consistently change the air filter can often cause compounding effects on the overall functionality of the system. This means you should inspect, clean, and service your HVAC at least twice a year. Once before winter and once before summer starts. Overall, HVAC systems can last quite a while with proper maintenance but they are big ticket item and can be a deal breaker if flagged during an inspection. Final thoughts If you want to sell or buy a home in New Orleans, don't forget to look for the things that often fail home inspection. If you are a seller, request a home inspection before putting the house on the market. This will allow you know what needs to be addressed prior to listing or items to consider when you are determining list price. If you are a buyer, it is always best practice to perform a thorough home inspection during your due diligence period. A home inspection helps to uncover “hidden” defects and may save you money in the long run. Whether you need to sell or buy, working with a local real estate agent will save you a lot of stress, time, and money. At Rêve Realtors, our agents are experts on advising both buyers and sellers throughout the home inspection process. We’re here to help you, every step of the way! *Written by Betty White

View more