Marilyn Boudreaux's Real Estate Blog

So, does Curb Appeal matter when trying to sell? YES! Especially when trying to sell your home during the holidays, it will help your property stand out and reflect on the value of your home. We have all heard the saying don’t judge a book by its cover. Let us be honest, though; many of […]

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So, does Curb Appeal matter when trying to sell? YES! Especially when trying to sell your home during the holidays, it will help your property stand out and reflect on the value of your home. We have all heard the saying don’t judge a book by its cover. Let us be honest, though; many of us do. Having your house appeal to prospective buyers will help get you more offers. You stage the inside, so why wouldn’t you stage the outside?

Wreath And Garland

Wreaths are a traditional and festive way to decorate outside your home. The circular foliage with bright red ribbons can be placed anywhere; they don’t always have to be on the door. They make for great decoration when it comes to decorating your gates and windows. Along with wreaths, you can use some matching garland and bows around the fence for an even more classic look. Try replacing the bouquet with festive string lights for a more colorful look. Garland itself can make a lovely frame for the front door. Just take some nails or adhesive tape and wrap it around the door’s perimeter. (the Command hooks found at Lowes or Home Depot are great and non-damaging to your surfaces)

Lights!

Lights are a must-have when trying to decorate your home for Christmas. There are so many styles that you can’t go wrong. The icicle lights in either white or color give a classic look. Try Italian led lights for a more modern take on this timeless trend. Christmas pathway lights are a great way to light up your driveway and walkways. Using lights outside your home this season is a foolproof way to make your home stand out on the market.

Festive Fragrance

Fragrance plays a significant role in staging houses. Use this to your advantage! First, add some fragrance by arranging pine cones and cedar or pine in a planter pot. Next, add a few Christmas lights and ornaments to make it more lively. Then, when prospective buyers walk up to the door, they’ll be greeted with a fresh and seasonal smell.

Decorative Doormats

As simple as it sounds, a doormat can make a difference. Especially one that is in season. Not only is it decorative, but it is a great way to keep the entryway clean from any dirt or debris that would track in the house.

Ribbons And Bows!

Ribbons and bows can be used in so many different ways. For example, if your home has pillars in the entryway, try wrapping ribbons around them to give them a candy cane-like look. It’s a cute and easy way to spice up your porch. Then, add a bow at the top to tie it all together. Additionally, you can add bows on your doors in place of a wreath or fence if given a chance. Bows also work great for easy mailbox embellishment.

Talk To Your Agent!

Real estate agents are professionals. If you are working with one, ask them for their thoughts on what’s suitable for your property. They know what’s best for your property and all the tips and tricks to help sell your house!

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Autumn is one of the most beautiful times of the year. The changing colors of the leaves make the perfect transition between the greens of summer and the barreness of winter. Each season has a traditional palette associated with it and for the fall we often think of earth tones. However, the specific colors that […]

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Autumn is one of the most beautiful times of the year. The changing colors of the
leaves make the perfect transition between the greens of summer and the
barreness of winter. Each season has a traditional palette associated with it and for
the fall we often think of earth tones. However, the specific colors that are popular
change from year to year. These are the colors to look for in 2022.

Deep Purple

Purple may not be a color that comes to mind when you think about autumn but it
is definitely trending at the moment. Deep purple is the most often fall shade seen,
however many different shades of the color are popular right now. It makes sense
as fall foliage can often be purple and the color is bold and pleasing to the eye.
A great use for purple in your home would be those accent pops of color. A purple
easy chair, purple curtains, purple throw pillows, or maybe even an accent wall.
This isn’t a color to splash liberally around your home. Use it in small doses for the
best effect.

Camel

This one is no surprise. Camel is one of those rich, buttery colors that looks good in
any season, but it really shines in autumn. Unlike purple, you can be a bit more
generous with your use of camel. It’s a neutral color that complements most other
colors well.
Some great ways to use camel in your home include leather furniture, camel wall
color, and camel colored accessories. One of my favorite ways to use camel is by
layering textures with throw blankets. Having a couple of throws on the couch, or in
a basket by the fireplace, looks cozy and is convenient on those windy fall nights.

Mustard

Both mustard and brighter yellow are staples of autumn and this year their
popularity has not waned. Mustard is a great way to brighten up your space. It’s
like bringing a bit of sunshine indoors. Be careful to stay away from yellows that are
too harsh as they can clash with the rest of your color palette.
A fun way to use mustard is to spread it around rooms with lots of wood. Wooden
furniture, hardwood floors, and wooden walls all can benefit from a bit of mustard.
Like purple, it works great as an accent color on drapes, wall art, rugs, and more.

Cobalt

Cobalt has been a big deal all year but it is showing up everywhere this fall. You’ll
see cars this color, houses painted this color, and fashion runways covered in cobalt.
This deep blue color pairs well with a variety of colors and looks great with the
autumn color palette.
While cobalt is a shade of blue, it still blends well into decor without standing out.
Because of this you can use it with a bit more of a heavy hand. Cobalt furniture,
walls, accents, and more can all be used in the same room. Just be sure to add a
pop of a brighter color so your room has a good balance.

Pink

Yes, pink. Believe it or not this color that isn’t usually associated with autumn is
actually the perfect accent for our fall color palette. While normally considered a
spring color, pink can be fun when paired with rich earth tones. Imagine little pops
of pink next to the deep purple, mustard, camel, and cobalt colors in the rest of the
palette. It just works.
Some fun ways to use pink include flowers, candles, pillows, and centerpieces.
Anywhere that needs a little vibrant touch can be infused with pink for a quirky flair.

Your Home, Your Rules

While these colors may be the go to colors this season, there are no hard and fast
rules when it comes to your decor. The most important consideration is what you
like and what makes you feel happy in your home. If you like emerald green and
cream, go for it. If you want all jewel tones, that’s your decision to make. Any color
palette can work if you use the colors effectively. Make your home your own.
If you’re ready to buy a new home that you can decorate with your signature style,
let’s chat. I’d love to help you navigate the process. If you’re wanting to sell your
home, I can help you get the best price in this current market. Whatever your realty
needs, I want to help you have a wonderful experience.

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You’ve finally made the big decision. You’re moving to a new city or state. Maybe you landed that dream job. Perhaps you’ve always just wanted to live in a different place. Regardless of the reasons for your relocation, there are a few tips you can use to make the process as smooth as possible. Research […]

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You’ve finally made the big decision. You’re moving to a new city or state. Maybe you landed that dream job. Perhaps you’ve always just wanted to live in a different place. Regardless of the reasons for your relocation, there are a few tips you can use to make the process as smooth as possible.

Research Your New Location

It’s important to know about your new city. You’ll want to know what the traffic is like, the best places to eat, and which neighborhoods suit you and your family. There are a couple of ways to accomplish this.

A great way to research is YouTube. If you search the name of your city on YouTube you will likely find videos telling you about all the points of interest, things to know before you go, and more.

Your realtor is also a great resource for this information. An experienced realtor will have the lowdown on what neighborhoods contain which amenities. Are you looking for a nice dog park, good schools, or close proximity to shopping and restaurants. Your realtor can help you with all of that information.

Prepare to Transfer Utilities

Don’t wait until moving day to set up your utilities. Go ahead and plan early so that you don’t risk a lapse in your utility coverage. Make sure you know which utilities you will need to set up in your new home. Is it total electric or does it have gas heat? Make a list of each utility that needs to be connected or transferred and take care of it ahead of time.

Make the Necessary Changes

Once you have moved you will need to change your address on your ID or obtain a new ID if you’ve moved to a different state. Most states have a grace period that they allow before you are required to have a new ID. Don’t waste to the last minute in case you run into any issues.

You will also need to update your voter registration. You may be able to do this at your local post office but the easiest way is to register online. You will also need to update your car registration and obtain a new car tag if moving to a new state. Don’t forget to cancel or transfer your gym membership. Lastly, think about any professional licenses that will need to be transferred.

Consider Healthcare

If you have ever had to find a new doctor you will know that for new patients appointments may not be available for weeks or even months. It’s a great idea, once you find out you are moving, to go ahead and make an initial appointment with a new healthcare provider. This can cut down on how long you have to wait to get in once you actually move. This is an especially important step if you are on medications that will need to be refilled.

Get Your Mail Forwarded

It never fails. Once you move something will inevitably get sent to your previous address. Having your mail forwarded to your new address can save you a lot of headaches. Change your address with those who regularly send you mail but have peace of mind knowing that if something gets forgotten or slips through the cracks, it will still make it to you.

Enjoy Your New Home

Follow these tips and make your relocation a painless process that is more of an adventure than an ordeal. I’d love to help you navigate your real estate needs on this journey. If you are looking to relocate to the Lake Charles area or you are selling your home to relocate elsewhere, let’s talk.

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Mad Hot Ballroom 2022 is officially in the books and I could not be happier with how it went. Reginald and I left our hearts on the stage and performed a routine that I am proud of. It felt amazing to finally be able to show everyone what we’ve been working so hard on. I […]

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Mad Hot Ballroom 2022 is officially in the books and I could not be happier with how it went. Reginald and I left our hearts on the stage and performed a routine that I am proud of. It felt amazing to finally be able to show everyone what we’ve been working so hard on. I was also glad to finally reveal my dress! After everything it took to get it here I wanted to make sure it wasn’t in vain.

The Results

I told you how your vote could benefit the programs of The Whistle Stop DanceSport SWLA. I trusted in the support I would receive and you guys didn’t let me down. In fact, you showed up big time! Reginald and I walked away with the People’s Choice mirror ball trophy! It felt so good to know we have helped benefit 2 great organizations that are providing important services for children in our community.

That’s not all we won. Reginald and I also placed 3rd overall for our dance. All the hard work and sore muscles paid off. We came a long way from where we started just a few months ago. Reginald was a superb dance coach who made each rehearsal fun and I am grateful I was chosen to be his partner.

Thank You

This is not an award I could’ve won alone. It took a village. In addition to each person who had the compassion to vote and agree to be a sponsor of ent, I had a team helping me prepare. I want to take this time to thank a few of them.

Huge thanks to Premier Personal Training, Snow Holistic Health, John Foret, Muscle Activation and Dr. Tyson Green at the Center of Orthopedics for keeping me in top dancing shape. Thank you to Skin Studios and Indulgence Hair Salon for helping me look my best. Thank you, Jake Stutes, Ballroom at the Charleston-Catering for the beautiful table decorations. Thank you Reginald Larkins for being the best dance partner I could’ve asked for. Thank you to my Brokers and co-workers at Century 21 Bono Realty for your unwavering support. I’d like to give a special thank you to my husband Craig Boudreaux for being my biggest fan. Each of you made this possible and I am forever grateful.

Click the link below for a Mad Hot Ballroom 2022 Recap.

Impact

I want to close out this journey by reminding you of the great work The Whistle Stop DanceSport SWLA are doing. This organization enhances the lives of children by providing them with a program during critical situations such as high risk custody, divorce litigation, foster care and cases of estranged parents. The Whistle Stop provides a safe and secure place for family visits conducive to quality parent-child Interaction.

The competition was fun but the impact made was even better. Children will be helped and that is what it’s all about. Thank you for following this journey and making a difference.

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This month is flying by and Mad Hot Ballroom 2022 is closer than ever. Reginald and I have been rehearsing like crazy to make sure we put on a great show for you. Thinking about all of the children that will be served through the efforts of The Whistle Stop’s visitation program and DanceSport SWLA […]

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This month is flying by and Mad Hot Ballroom 2022 is closer than ever. Reginald and I have been rehearsing like crazy to make sure we put on a great show for you. Thinking about all of the children that will be served through the efforts of The Whistle Stop’s visitation program and DanceSport SWLA is great motivation! This is all for the kids.

Partners in Preparation

I’m still keeping my body in shape with help from Premier Personal Training & Stretch Therapy. I couldn’t have done this without their amazing training. I’m also keeping my skin glowing with regular trips to The Skin Studios. They keep me looking rejuvenated in ways I could not do at home.

As someone who isn’t used to dancing, I’ve been visiting Snow Holistic Health for chiropractic services and red light therapy. Dancing is taking it’s toll so I want to make sure I’m taking good care of my muscles and joints.

My Mailman is a Hero

Another part of preparing for Mad Hot Ballroom 2022 is having the perfect dress. I had one custom-made for me in China. Unfortunately, there was a shipping error and it got sent to a residence in Georgia. On the bright side, being a Century 21 realtor has its perks.

I reached out for help from my network of Century 21 realtor friends in Georgia. They were able to locate the package and get it sent to me quickly. Then my wonderful mailman delivered it to me and saved the day.

The dress itself is perfect and I can’t wait for you to see it. It will make its debut on the night of the competition, August 20th.

Voting is Still Open

Voting is still open for the People’s Choice. Votes cost $10 and all the money goes to support the programs of The Whistle Stop and DanceSport SWLA. You can make a difference for children in our community.

Vote HERE.

Thank you so much for your support and we will see you on the dance floor!

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One of the amazing things about this journey as a celebrity dancer for Mad Hot Ballroom 2022 is seeing businesses and organizations come together to sponsor me and raise money for the programs provided by Whistle Stop and Dancesport SWLA. They care about the children involved in these programs and I wanted to take a […]

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One of the amazing things about this journey as a celebrity dancer for Mad Hot Ballroom 2022 is seeing businesses and organizations come together to sponsor me and raise money for the programs provided by Whistle Stop and Dancesport SWLA. They care about the children involved in these programs and I wanted to take a minute to honor just a few of them.

Premier Personal Training & Stretch Therapy

Watch a Stretch Therapy Session Example

To compete in Mad Hot Ballroom 2022 I have to do more than practice my dance moves. I have to stay healthy and increase my strength and stamina! My sponsor, Premier Personal Training & Stretch Therapy has been helping me stay in shape so I can put my best foot forward in this competition.

At Premier, they are passionately committed to helping people adopt a more healthy and fit lifestyle so they can look and feel their best. They pay close attention to details and offer customer service that shows they value their clients. If you are looking for a personal trainer or stretch therapy to increase your mobility , I highly recommend Premier!

If you Dream it You Can Do It!

The Skin Studios

In addition to a healthy body, healthy skin is important as well. I want to look my glowing best on stage for Mad Hot Ballroom 2022 and that’s where my next sponsor comes in, The Skin Studios.

I recently had a Laser Genesis treatment and it was a wonderful experience with no down time.  My face looked and felt so smooth and rejuvenated afterwards. Check out this video of me during the treatment session. You can literally see the relaxation.

My Treatment Session

Century 21 Bono Realty

Last but not least, I want to honor and spotlight my Century 21 Bono Realty office. They are so supportive of me and this journey. I am proud to work with a company that shares in my vision of giving back to our community through volunteerism and local charity. Their sponsorship means the world to me.

You Can Help Too

The clock is counting down to August 20th and Mad Hot Ballroom 2022. You still have time to vote for the People’s Choice! Each vote costs $10 and goes to support the visitation programs of the Whistle Stop and Dancesport SWLA. Thank you for following my journey. I’ll see you on the dance floor!

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If you follow me on social media you may have seen that I have agreed to be a celebrity dancer for Mad Hot Ballroom 2022. This event will take place on August 20th, 2022. I am very excited to participate in this fundraiser which supports the Whistle Stop and their 2-fold mission with  Visitation Programs […]

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If you follow me on social media you may have seen that I have agreed to be a celebrity dancer for Mad Hot Ballroom 2022. This event will take place on August 20th, 2022. I am very excited to participate in this fundraiser which supports the Whistle Stop and their 2-fold mission with  Visitation Programs and DanceSport SWLA. The Whistle Stop provides support and visitation programs for children experiencing critical situations such as high-risk custody, divorce litigation, foster care, and cases of estranged parents.

I am dancing and fundraising for this non-profit organization and the kids that benefit from these programs!  I’ll be talking more about the mission of The Whistle Stop in upcoming blogs but you can watch my announcement video HERE to find out more now.

A Little History

You may be surprised to find out this isn’t the first time I’ve donned a dance costume. In fact, I was quite the dancer back in the day. Check out this picture of me in my best dancer pose, circa 1967.

Not only that, but I also danced a surprising choreographed dance with my son at his wedding in 2017. I’m not talking about a normal mother/son slow dance. Nope. We did a dance to It’s Tricky by Run DMC. Will Mad Hot Ballroom include a repeat of something similar to It’s Tricky? I guess we will have to wait and see.

How I’m Preparing

I’ve been paired with a wonderful dance coach and partner, Reginald Larkins. Reginald began dancing in the 5th grade through The Whistle Stop’s DanceSport Academy. He has also competed professionally and taught ballroom dance.  He’s actually a former winner in Mad Hot Ballroom so I feel like our chances are good. He’s putting me through my paces and helping me learn to move in sync with him. I can tell this is going to be a lot of effort but also a lot of fun.

While my dance training is important, I’m in need of more than just a dance coach. I’ve got a team of support coaches helping me improve behind the scenes with dancer stretches and strength training! I like to call the Pilates Reformer the rack of torture. I’m a short person working on my Long legs reach. This looks easier than it is.

How You Can Help

This is the 13th year of Mad Hot Ballroom and it’s always a sold-out event. If you want to attend you should purchase a table soon. Your business can purchase a table as a corporate sponsor that comes with perks, or you can purchase a table of 8 for you and your friends to attend, but they go fast so don’t wait.

You can also support me by voting for me as People’s Choice. Each celebrity dancer has a minimum Peoples Choice fundraising goal of $5,000. This comes from supporters contributing money to vote for the dancer.  Contributions are collected from now through the night of the show and a final count is done during intermission to determine the Peoples Choice Champion. I’d love to be the People’s Choice Champion this year but more than that I’d love to help support the children that will benefit from these funds.

I Couldn’t Do This Without You

Thank you for following my journey to Mad Hot Ballroom 2022. Keep an eye on my social media for more information on how you can vote for me for the People’s Choice Champion of Mad Hot Ballroom 2022! I will also come pick up your donation checks in person and make sure you get the tax credit documentation.

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Like many SWLA homeowners, we are renovating and replacing damages to our home caused by the 2020 Hurricanes. One of the hardest decisions when selecting new counters is whether to go with a granite or quartz surface. I have learned a lot about how important the right choice is during my journey of picking out […]

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Like many SWLA homeowners, we are renovating and replacing damages to our home caused by the 2020 Hurricanes. One of the hardest decisions when selecting new counters is whether to go with a granite or quartz surface.

I have learned a lot about how important the right choice is during my journey of picking out a new stone surface. We had decided that if we were going to upgrade we would go ahead and do so with a quartz surface. The stone distributors can help guide you and give you the pros and cons of choosing a natural stone. I had my heart set on a beautiful slab of quartz with a vein running through it. Once the installer came to measure our kitchen we were informed that our quartz selection would not be a good choice because the veining would be too hard to match up. Unlike many of the new construction homes we do not have a kitchen island; instead we have a “step-up” corner bar, so we have some seams in our existing granite. The installer suggested that we select a different design that had more of a pattern that would be easier blending in on the surfaces. My design idea was built around a specific color and most of the quartz selections are white or grey so I shifted back to granite and found a beautiful piece of “leathered granite”

The next decision when you select your counters is how do you want the edges to be finished. There are bull nose, beveled and square corners to choose from. Also you need to keep in mind the type of sink you will be installing.

Sinks have come a long way and there is more to choose from than just stainless finish. New Construction trends have been the “farm house” sink. There are also full sinks, 50/50 and 60/40 divided sinks. You will have to choose whether you want an under mount also.

Once you have the counters and sink you still have to select your faucet. There is a wide variety of faucets to choose from and they come in all types of color finishes. The brushed gold is becoming a popular trend and many of the faucets will mix the gold and black finishes together. You can choose from the fancy house smart designs where you turn the water on/off with the wave of your hand. The counter installer will need to know how many holes to cut in the stone when they make the template. So you have to decide if you will have a soap dispenser or need extra holes for the on/off to your faucet, and/or a spray nozzle.

Kitchens have come a long way and if you did not build your home in the beginning some of these decisions will catch you off guard if you are not prepared. Do your homework ahead of time and rely on your installer to make suggestions of what will work best in your home.

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Many SWLA residents, including myself, can remember Hurricane Rita that hit our area in 2005. That was 15 years ago and over time you forget the devastation and time it took to rebuild our community. I don’t think anyone expected Hurricane Laura to become such massive Category 4 hurricane with the “eye” passing directly over […]

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Many SWLA residents, including myself, can remember Hurricane Rita that hit our area in 2005. That was 15 years ago and over time you forget the devastation and time it took to rebuild our community. I don’t think anyone expected Hurricane Laura to become such massive Category 4 hurricane with the “eye” passing directly over Lake Charles, LA. The focus of attention in Louisiana was still the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic recovery where we were stuck in Phase 2 with a mask mandate. The buzz around town in mid August was kids beginning to go back to school and football season was building in excitement. Then Laura became to develop so quickly that when the mandatory evacuation was given by officials residents began to scramble and decide do I stay or do I go. How can I share with you the raw emotion associated with evacuating your home and the unknown. The work of prepping your home, filling up with gas, getting your medications, packing your suitcase and all your important documents is exhausting. Then you load up your car with your pets, kids and personal belongings, and pray a prayer of protection over your home as you pull out of the driveway.

Once you arrive at your evacuation destination you nervously go to sleep in your hotel fearful of what the outcome will be. Then the next morning the media coverage breaks the story of just how strong Laura’s destruction was We started to see photos posted on social media and hear our City officials telling residents not to come home until the debris could be cleared. You become anxious to learn about the damage your home. Is it wet, still standing, do I have a roof and neighbors trickling in to the subdivision share photos which either broke your heart or gave you a sigh of relief.

Returning home for your first look, driving into the City of Lake Charles was extremely emotional. Some streets and structures were just unrecognized. Businesses and Churches with demolished structures. Trees were twisted and mangled and it was evident the damage that 150mph winds can do. Hurricane Laura was the worst Louisiana storm in 167 years and it hit my City. Gone are the wooded landscapes and as you get closer to your neighborhood you begin to hear the buzz of chainsaws, the humming of generators and feel the heartbreak.

There are some who have lost everything who will have to rebuild, and start over, their homes were totally destroyed. Businesses were wrecked and 95% of our schools were damaged. So many people are displaced with no where to go. Hurricane Laura crippled our city, 8,100 utility linemen started the work to rebuild electric substations , poles, towers and electric lines. Even our local TV station was destroyed. You take for granted the power of electricity and how much we all depend on it. 2 weeks is a long time to be without power, yet our law enforcement and city officials are doing a great job of putting the pieces back together and protecting our Parish.

I’ve struggled with the words to share with others to explain the despair, sadness and emotion we all feel right now. I still cannot put it into words, instead, I will share photos and tell the story…. I will share how you persevere in 105 degree heat and humidity while picking up the pieces of your home. Behind the sweat and tears each individual is experiencing, I see a strong spirit of survival and unification in our community.

Heat exhaustion, cleanup day and our first look after Laura

You quickly learn new skills like how to connect and start a generator, what plugs and cords do you need to connect AC and go on the hunt to find all of the above! You check social media posts to find out where the hot meals are being served and who has ice. I will continue to share the story of how I see neighbor helping neighbor, faith based relief organizations pouring in to assist those in need with food, supplies and tree removal. I will tell the world of the kindness and outpouring of love from so many individuals like my sorority sister who drove 9 hours to deliver a full truck of supplies to me and my community. There are many organizations and disaster relief teams arriving daily that help ease our sadness and bring hope.

A U-Haul truck full of supplies donated by Hurricane Michael survivors in Panama Beach FL

It became evident that we are going to be faced with real estate challenges because there was no home that did not have damage. My thoughts have turned to what will we do for inventory? After the storm I immediately began to receive texts and calls of “what happens now with our real estate contract?” “How much damage was done to the property? ” “Can I find a place to rent?” I don’t have all the answers, we are all walking through this Post-Laura life one day at a time. However I am up for the challenge and have been extending contracts and writing up re-inspection addendums. I want to help as many people as I can get into homes.

Remote Office While Evacuated

In between commuting to Lake Charles, I have been working remotely from our hotel in Baton Rouge, communicating with clients and answering questions as quickly as I can, Now as the Entergy map begins to turn green with restored electricity we our ending our commuting journey to return home tomorrow. I am referring to home now as “Camp Boudreaux” where we like many others will begin to pick up the pieces rebuilding.

House Camping

If you would like to contribute to helping those in need please click the link below which is a relief donation fund set up by Trinity Baptist Church.

https://www.shelbygiving.com/App/Giving/tbclc

Trinity Baptist has been serving 10,000 meals a day in coordination with faith based disaster relief organizations. They are also helping individuals with supplies and home cleanup. Please continue to Pray for Lake Charles, we have a long road of recovery ahead of us.

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Hey, there friends. This is Marilyn Boudreaux with Century 21 Bono Realty and I wanted to talk today about hurricane preparedness. Some of us have a kit that we keep all the time. It’s always good when hurricane season starts in June to freshen those kits up with things like your first aid supplies, your […]

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Hey, there friends. This is Marilyn Boudreaux with Century 21 Bono Realty and I wanted to talk today about hurricane preparedness. Some of us have a kit that we keep all the time. It’s always good when hurricane season starts in June to freshen those kits up with things like your first aid supplies, your flashlights, your batteries, your water. Those are always good things to have on hand, but it’s not until the storm actually comes that we actually start to move into action and do things. So we have two storms that are actually named in the Gulf right now, Marco and Laura. And here in Southwest Louisiana, we all remember Hurricane Rita in 2005. So we lived through it, we know what it’s like, and we don’t want Laura to come back like a Rita.

What you need to do is move everything in off of your patio and your porch that could be a projectile. So for instance, we’ve got a lot of patio furniture. Now I’ve already taken the cushions off of them and then what we’re going to do is we’re going to stack our chairs and put them up in our garage later on. Also, these patio umbrellas that you have, anything like that, a hurricane wind, even if it’s a number one or number two, can really do damage to those and you don’t want that flying over the fence and hurting your neighbor.

One of the other things that I wanted to talk about is how storms affect real estate in general. So anytime there is a named storm in the Gulf, first of all, insurance binders cannot be written. So whenever you go to close, you have to have your homeowner’s insurance. Well, that binder sometimes is done the week before or as you get a little bit closer to closing, your insurance agent’s going to bind that new policy and it’s going to go into effect at closing. Well, none of that can actually be done right now. So if you are trying to close on a property, you’re probably going to get slowed up a little bit. You’re also going to get slowed down if there’s any kind of re-inspection that’s required. So if you’re down to the wire and you’ve had your appraisal done, and the appraiser has gone out and turned that in and then we do end up getting a hurricane that does damage here, most of the lenders are going to go require re-inspection of that property to make sure it’s in the same condition. Because we went through this, like I said, with Hurricane Rita and everyone thinks that it is going to be fine, but we had damaged roofs and trees down, holes in windows and all kinds of things.

So it can slow up things on the real estate, okay? It’s not just if you’re not purchasing and you’re just a homeowner and you’re trying to prepare for the storm, it’s whether you’re a seller or a buyer, you may get slowed up in this process. So lenders are just not going to be able to probably close and there’s going to be some extensions that have to be signed and executed if this storm does end up coming through and creating some damage here in Southwest Louisiana.

So keep that in mind and heed my tips. Turn your sprinklers off, if you have sprinklers, you don’t want to have those going on with all the rain that we’re expecting. Now, it’s beautiful out here today. Thank goodness, because everyone’s trying to get their yard mowed and get their water at the store, get their car filled up with gas. Just be mindful of picking up things around your own home, like flags, like I said, anything that could be a projectile that would cause damage during the storm. So stay safe, everyone.

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