Here at Bedico Creek Preserve, we are about information for our builders, our buyers, our homeowners, our partners, and our vendors. If you are looking for a dependable source of information about real estate in Southeast Louisiana, specifically the Greater New Orleans area, please use our blog as much and as often as possible to read informative and timely real estate information. We promise you, you won’t be disappointed!

Six Outdoor Home Improvements

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Investing in a home is a significant decision that demands certainty, considering it’s a lifetime investment. The durability of your home, both inside and outside, is crucial to withstand the unpredictable elements of today’s fickle climate. According to Dan DiClerico, Good Housekeeping’s home improvement & outdoor director, the exterior features, including siding and the roof, serve as the first line of defense against the elements. Moreover, these features significantly contribute to curb appeal and are key to adding value to your home.

Rethink Your Roof:
An aging roof can lead to problems like leaks and pest infestations, making it a major concern for homeowners. In most parts of the country, asphalt shingles are a popular choice due to their value and performance. However, the climate plays a crucial role in determining the ideal roofing material. Metal roofs are recommended in northern areas where heavy snow is common, while concrete and terracotta tiles provide excellent protection in warm, dry regions prone to wildfires.

Upgrade Your Siding:
Siding not only enhances the facade but also plays a critical role in protecting your home from the elements and maximizing energy efficiency. Fiber cement siding, such as James Hardie’s, is a popular and durable option that requires minimal maintenance. Its water-resistant, non-combustible, fire-resistant, and pest-resistant properties make it a reliable choice. James Hardie offers various finishes, including Select Cedarmill, stucco, and smooth, to suit different aesthetics.

Don’t Forget Trim:
Trim serves as the finishing touch to your facade, enhancing curb appeal and making every feature stand out. Hardie Trim boards, available in various styles such as Rustic Grain and Smooth Batten, add the perfect touch of elegance to corners, columns, doors, and windows.

Pick Your Panes:
Windows may be overlooked, but they significantly impact a home’s style, performance, and appeal. Good Housekeeping recommends wood-clad windows with insulated glass and low-E coatings for enhanced energy efficiency. Wood-clad windows reduce upkeep and the risk of rotting and insect infestation. Composite windows, usually fiberglass-based, offer the look of real wood without the need for painting or staining, making them durable in extreme climates.

Add Hearty Hardscaping:
Hardscaping, whether in the backyard or front walkway, enhances functionality and aesthetics. Popular in drought-prone areas, homeowners are replacing lawns with hardscaping materials for easy maintenance and reduced need for irrigation. Concrete pavers for walkways provide better traction, reducing the likelihood of slips and falls, and they are less prone to cracking or crumbling compared to poured-concrete surfaces.

Light It Up:
Outdoor lighting not only showcases architectural features but also ensures safety after sundown. Different layers of light, including task lighting for pathways and front doors, and accent lights for trees and architecture, create a visually appealing and safe environment.

Fortifying your home’s exterior features is not just about protection but also about enhancing its aesthetic appeal and long-term value. By considering durable materials and their suitability for your climate, you can make choices that stand the test of time.

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Tips to Ensure Your Plants Thrive

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Unless you were living under a cool rock this summer, you’re well aware of the extreme heat and ongoing drought conditions that Louisiana faced. At Louisiana Nursery, we dedicated months to educating our customers on protecting their plants from triple-digit heat and stifling humidity. Now that we’ve transitioned into a cooler season, it’s the perfect time to evaluate your gardens and landscapes, making season-specific changes to your care routine and products, and taking precautionary steps to shield plants from harsh winter lows.

Louisiana’s cool season brings unpredictable fluctuations in temperature, causing a potential whiplash effect on plants, especially tender tropicals often classified as houseplants. Mild cold damage, evident in wrinkled and scrunched leaves, signals the need to bring these plants indoors when temperatures drop to 50 degrees or lower. It’s crucial to be aware of the misconception regarding Eugenias, often considered cold-hardy but, in reality, are 100% tropical plants.

Relocating potted plants is straightforward, but in-ground plants require additional care. Mulch is a simple yet effective way to insulate plant roots and can be applied to everything from large trees to perennial garden beds. Frost cloth is another essential tool for protecting your yard. Cover the entire canopy and leaves, securing the cloth with stakes or heavy objects to withstand wind or rain.

Evergreens and deciduous plants generally fare well in Louisiana’s mild winters, but covering evergreen shrubs like Camellia Sasanquas becomes essential for preserving winter blooms. Categorizing parts of your garden that need extra attention helps streamline your winter care routine.

Considering the challenges faced in 2023, including yellow grass and high water bills, ending the year strong is possible with winterizer for lawns, trees, and shrubs. Louisiana Nursery recommends a winterizer with a weed preventer mix to reduce frost damage and weed germination while promoting a vibrant green spring lawn. Reducing foot traffic and mowing during winter alleviates stress on your grass.

Citrus trees that thrived in summer can be vulnerable to hard freezes. Using extra mulch, covering with frost cloth, and placing a heat source, such as an incandescent lightbulb, under the covered tree can protect them from extreme cold. Replace summer annuals with cold-loving flowers like snapdragons, pansies, violas, and dianthus. Perennials can survive low 40s temperatures with aesthetic damage but require precautions against freezes. Watering heavily before a real freeze, paired with generous frost cloth coverage, increases the chances of success. After the coldest temperatures pass, cut back dead growth from damaged plants to encourage springtime recovery. Some plants may appear yellow or fall over, but patience may reveal their resilience come spring.

Winter gardening in Louisiana may require extra attention, but our mild winters provide an opportunity to continue growing and enjoying outdoor spaces while others contend with snow. By incorporating these tips into your winter gardening playbook, you can ensure your plants thrive and look forward to a vibrant spring. At Louisiana Nursery, we embrace the unique challenges of our climate and remain committed to helping our customers nurture flourishing gardens year-round.

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Choosing the Right Roof with this Guide to Roofing Materials

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The roof of your home serves as more than just a protective barrier against the elements – it’s a key visual element that significantly contributes to your home’s curb appeal. Selecting the right roofing material is crucial, as it not only influences the aesthetics of your property but also affects its longevity and protection. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore various roofing materials, their pros and cons, average lifespan, and costs to help you make an informed decision.

1. Asphalt Shingles:
Asphalt shingles are the most popular residential roofing material in the U.S. due to their affordability, ease of installation, and adaptability to most climates. With three main types – 3-tab, dimensional, and luxury – asphalt shingles offer a cost-effective and durable solution, though they may have a shorter lifespan compared to some other options.

2. Wood Shingles or Shakes:
Wood roofing, made typically of cedar, adds a natural and stylish touch to homes. While providing energy efficiency and resistance to impact, wood roofing is best suited for dry climates. However, it is vulnerable to moisture, mold, insects, and fire, making it important to consider your local climate.

3. Slate Tiles:
For a long-term investment, slate tiles stand out with a lifespan of 75 to 100 years or more. Durable and fire-resistant, slate roofs can withstand high winds and resist moisture. However, their heavy weight makes installation challenging, and they come with a higher price tag compared to other materials.

4. Clay and Concrete Tiles:
Clay and concrete tiles offer longevity, with lifespans of 100 years or more. Resistant to high winds, hail, and fires, these tiles are well-suited for warm, dry regions. While they add curb appeal, their heavyweight requires professional installation and might not be suitable for steeply sloped roofs.

5. Metal Roofing:
Metal roofs, made from steel, aluminum, copper, or tin, have a lifespan of around 80 years. With rust-proof coatings and resistance to heavy snow, metal roofs are ideal for harsh winter climates. Despite being expensive, they are environmentally friendly and may increase a home’s value.

6. Solar Roofs:
Solar shingles or solar roof tiles generate electricity from sunlight. Though they come with a higher initial cost, solar roofs can reduce energy bills and increase home value. Installation and maintenance costs, however, can be challenging.

7. Living Roofs:
Also known as green roofs, living roofs involve covering the roof with soil, vegetation, and plants. Sustainable and lasting 30 to 50 years, they contribute to environmental benefits. However, maintenance can be frequent and challenging, leading to higher expenses.

Choosing the right roofing material involves considering your budget, climate, and installation factors. Dan DiClerico, director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, emphasizes the importance of coordinating the roof with the home’s architecture. While costs can range from $10,000 to $20,000, the choice of material, size of the house, and installation complexity contribute to variations.

Your home’s roof is a vital investment, both in terms of protection and aesthetics. By carefully weighing the pros and cons of different roofing materials, considering your climate and budget, and consulting with experts, you can make an informed decision that enhances the beauty and longevity of your home.

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Know What To Spend On Housing

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Today’s mortgage rates are still rising and will remain high for the foreseeable future. It is harder these days to know how much to spend on housing. When there is such demand, it is easy to jump the gun which can hinder you financially. Here are some rules the professionals say to follow when it comes to buying or renting a home.

The 30% Rule

This is a popular and common rule that is followed to decide if a certain home is affordable for you. The 30% rule is easy to follow, just do not spend more than 30% of your gross income on housing. Housing expenses are more than just your rent or mortgage payment. When figuring out how much your housing expenses are, if you are a homeowner, you will need to factor in your utilities, mortgage interest rate, homeowner’s insurance, property taxes and HOA fees or if you are a renter, include renter’s insurance and other fees from your landlord.

The 28/36 Rule

This rule is just for homeowners only. You will be covered in two ways with this rule. Your housing expenses which include your mortgage payment, property taxes, insurance and utilities cannot be more than 28% of your gross monthly income. Your total debt which includes credit cards, student loans, and auto loans, cannot go over 36% of your gross monthly income.

Don’t get stuck with real estate regret. If you are looking for a new home either by purchasing one or renting one, you need to contact your local real estate agent. A local real estate agent can help you determine what is right for you.

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Smart Advice on Buying a Home During the Holidays

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The holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year. Everyone is in the holiday mode of the hustle and bustle so buying a house might not be the number one thing on their mind. If you are in the mindset of purchasing a home this holiday season, here are some tips on what to do.

Anticipate and Plan for Delays

A lot of people take time off during the holidays from work, so it might delay the process when it comes to the ins and outs of purchasing a home. This could include lenders, home inspectors, contractors, and moving companies. You will need to be a bit more flexible when it comes to your purchase.

Recognize the Seriousness of Holiday Buyers and Sellers

Most people will put off home buying until after the New Year. Some sellers do not want to show their home during the holiday season, so they might pull their listing for the holiday season. If you do find a seller that lists during the holidays, then this means they are serious about selling fast. This means that you can be more aggressive with negotiations.

Be Prepared for a Limited Housing Inventory

As mentioned earlier, sellers will pull their listings during the holidays. This means that there will be a short supply of listings to choose from. You will need to be a bit more proactive in your search. Obtaining a pre-approval letter will let sellers know you are a serious buyer.

Be Flexible with Your Schedule

During the busy holiday season, you might have a bit of leeway in your work and school schedule. Take advantage of this time to see listings and talk with real estate professionals. Remember those in the industry might also want to take some time off, so that can be an obstacle you face.

Delay Your Move if Needed

Even if you find your dream home during the holidays, this does not mean you have to close and move in on Christmas Day. Negotiate your move-in date, sellers will be willing to work with you.

Remember having a local real estate agent who knows the ins and outs of purchasing a home is very beneficial. Those experienced agents know what it takes to buy during the holiday season.

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Gotta Get Some Curb Appeal

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When it comes to curb appeal, your house will thank you-and so will your neighbors. The curb appeal of your home is the first impression that visitors get and there is only one chance for a first impression. That is why curb appeal is so important. “There are two primary emotive things that happen when you come across the kind of residence you appreciate. One is, Gosh, I would love to own that. That’s more ego-driven. The one I love the most is when I think, It must be wonderful in there,” says Bobby McAlpine, an Atlanta architect.

Curb appeal became very important, especially during the pandemic. Curb appeal is more than just window boxes and white picket fences nowadays. “Light and shadow are an architect’s most important tools when it comes to thinking about exteriors,” says architect Nicholas Potts. Another important factor is the greenery surrounding the exterior. You want to use the grass and plants that work best in your environment. For example, if you live in a desert environment you will want to use low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plants.

Remember curb appeal is a must when it comes to the exterior appearance of your home and your property. “It gives itself over just like a person would. It’s going to be the light in their eyes,” states McAlpine. Your curb appeal must look in place in the area it is. “The facade needs to relate to where we are,” says designer Suzanne Kasler.

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