Parking in Downtown Covington

Downtown Covington is a popular spot, especially on the weekends. Parking spots are scarce during busy times and special events. City officials have been looking into this problem and have come up with a good solution.

The solution is to borrow the St. Tammany Parish Courthouse garage when large crowds plan to be in the area for a special event. A very popular event in the area, the Three Rivers Arts Festival, brings in crowds from all over.

The good news for the courthouse parking garage is that it is going to get a bit of a facelift. The city will start by improving the one-block area of the Tammany Trace that provides access to downtown from the courthouse parking garage. In its current state, it is not conducive for wheelchair-bound visitors.

“We all know that parking in downtown is one of our biggest challenges,” Mayor Mark Johnson said. By enhancing the walkway, “people will be able to park at the justice center (parking garage) and have easy access to downtown. It’s a win-win, win for us.”

The two hundred thousand dollar grant that was given to Covington from the state capital will pay for the improvements to the part of the Tammany Trace that runs between North Theard and East Lockwood streets. This area sits behind the old train depot and is at the north end of the pathway that runs from Covington to Slidell.

Since the courthouse is not open during the weekends, this is a great solution for the time being. The city does know that there is a need for more parking especially since there are many redevelopment projects underway in downtown Covington.

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Wood Siding vs. James Hardie Siding

Both wood siding and fiber cement siding are popular materials to use on the exterior of your home. Although both are popular, they are both quite different.

When it comes to weather protection fiber cement siding such as James Hardie siding wins. Wood siding is great for insulation but as it gets older it will split, crack and splinter. This makes the material a bit more vulnerable to the elements. Hardie siding is built to withstand the outdoor elements including freezing temperatures, blizzards, hail storms, heat, humidity, rain and wind.

Hardie siding is moisture resistant due to the material that it is constructed out of. Hardie siding is a blend of sand, cement, water and cellulose fibers and will not swell, crack or warp from moisture. Wood siding will contract and expand when exposed to moisture. This is what causes it to crack and split which leads to deterioration. Mold, mildew and algae growth is also harbored in the damp wood.

To make a fire outdoors, you usually need wood, so with that being said, wood siding is not fire resistant. There are flame retardants that can be used on wood siding but have to be reapplied in order to be effective. Hardie siding is made from fireproof materials and is fire-resistant to a point. If exposed to a direct flame, it will not ignite or combust.

Wood will also attract a wide variety of pests. Natural wood is loved by termites, woodpeckers, squirrels and many other little critters. Hardie siding however is not a desirable material for any pests. It cannot be eaten or burrowed in.

Natural wood is beautiful and a timeless material to use for the outside of a home, but it does come with a lot of upkeep. It has to be painted or stained and well-maintained. Hardie siding comes with the look of natural wood with ColorPlus Technology. This means the fiber cement has the color baked on and factory-applied so it is resistant to cracking, chipping and fading.

Hardie siding is a perfect choice because it looks like natural wood with all of the benefits of the fiber cement. With Hardie siding you will have a timeless look for all types of designed homes.

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Plans to Renovate Abita Springs Town Hall

Breakfast area has a nice view of the backyard.

The Abita Springs Town Hall is a historical building that dates back one hundred years. The building is also the home to the Abita Springs Opry and is slated to be renovated. The plans for the renovation have been shared at a community meeting.

The plans for the design include a new foyer that will connect the original town hall to the town hall annex. The annex also has a history as it was once a fire station to the community. The annex serves as the office space for several departments including planning and zoning, finance and events.

The chosen architect, Ron Blitch of Blitch Knevel Architects also shared the other upgrades that will happen. The faces of the building will get a new exterior along with a larger porch and covered side gallery. Also, there will be a larger stage added for performances and space for concessions. For weddings, there will be a bride’s room now and a courtyard that will be added that will make a perfect spot for a reception garden.

This will be a great benefit for Abita Springs, and now the timeline and budget just need to be agreed upon. The rain runoff which has also been an issue, will also be remedied.

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September Reported A Jump in Homebuilding

The image shows a modern kitchen with white cabinetry, a large central island with an undermount sink, and contrasting black fixtures.

According to CNN, US homebuilding is on the rebound. This comes after the drop seen in August of what was reported the lowest levels since 2020. This can be blamed mostly on the climbing mortgage rates. 

September saw a 7% jump in new home construction housing starts. The housing starts measure new home construction and rose to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.358 million. The Census Bureau predicted a rate of 1.38 million, higher than data proved.

The number of units was also lower than a year ago by 7.2% as well as the building permits at the same 7.2%. Building permits declined 4.4% in September to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.473 million.

“September numbers were a mixed bag, with starts up and permits down, but both remain low by historical standards, suppressed by high mortgage rates,” said Robert Frick, corporate economist with Navy Federal Credit Union.

“Builders continue constructing smaller homes using less land, and offering incentives, but to build our way out of the housing shortage we’ll need mortgage rates well below current levels,” he said.

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How To Create an All-Tile Bathroom

Tile can last throughout time in bathroom designs and really never goes out of style. Tile can make it easy to clean your space. “The appeal of an all-tile bathroom is multifaceted. The look conveys luxury and is on trend right now,” says designer Morgan Farrow of Morgan Farrow Interiors. Here are several tips when creating an all-tile bathroom. 

Pick your look.

“I first consider how the space is being used. A Jack-and-Jill bathroom shared by siblings should be treated differently than a primary bathroom shared by siblings should be treated differently than a primary bathroom used by adults, both in terms of materials and colors,” explains Tess Twiehaus of Tess Interiors.

If you are focusing on a kid’s space, start with using ceramic or porcelain tiles which are the least expensive. They are easy to clean and kid-tolerable. For a master bathroom, going with a higher-end tile like marble or travertine is a plus. They do require more maintenance so be picky about where you install. Tile shops around offer tons of materials from natural stone to ceramic to porcelain. They come in all shapes, sizes and colors.

Mix it up.

“We love mixing tiles, and often use two or three in a single space,” says Farrow. You do not have to worry about the colors and textures clashing but you just have to make sure the color tone in tiles that will be adjacent meshes.

“The benefit is that mixing allows you to get layers of color and pattern,”says Farrow. You can mix and match high-end pieces with budget-friendly pieces to help with the cost.

An accent tile can add intrigue but isn’t required.

When adding an accent tile, it can brighten the space and elevate the room. This is just a bonus but you do not have to add accents to have a great-looking space. Remember that there’s no need to check every box on some imaginary design checklist. “If the room feels special with it, then go for it. But if the addition feels random, take it out,” adds Farrow.

Don’t underestimate your order.

This can be a little tricky because you do not want to order too much tile or not have enough. A rule that Twiehaus offers is to order 20% more than you think you will need. “I wouldn’t stress about it being too much. You will absolutely need extra tile in case you have a discoloration or a few pieces break,” she says. You want to confirm with your designer about any specifications before you order.

Following these tips can be a great way to get your bathroom up -to-date in a great style that is easier to maintain and clean.

 

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Financing Tips From the Experts

Welcome into this home with a nice bright foyer.

Your finances play a huge part when it comes to buying a home. Sometimes it can be an unexpected move, a company relocation can happen and you need to be ready. Here are several tips on getting your finances up to par.

1. Know What Lenders Look For

Knowing what a lender will want to see can really help you along the way. Be familiar with what they look for on a home loan application. Basically, they will want to make sure you are able to afford to pay back the loan and closing costs. Not only will you need money in your pocket, but will also need to be credit-worthy. The better your credit score, the better the interest rate. Lenders will want to know your income, employment history, recent banking activity, debt-to-income ratio, credit score, estimated down payment and assets.

2. Boost Your FICO Score

A FICO score is high on the list for lenders to look at when it comes to a loan. As mentioned before, the higher your credit score the better your interest rate. If you need to boost your score, make it a priority to pay your bills on-time, keep a diverse mix of credit, and keep the balances low.

3. Pay Down Your Debt

Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is also important because it can determine how much home you can afford. It can also play a factor in the terms and rates you will receive. This basically is the total monthly debt divided by your gross monthly income. The goal is to keep your DTI around 43% or below. Lenders would like to see you keep your DTI under 36%. Many say to keep it around 28% that will go towards housing.

4. Save For a Down Payment

The amount you put down for your down payment will depend on the type of mortgage you obtain. An FHA loan has the smallest down payment of 3.5% of the home’s purchase price. If you are dealing with a conventional loan, then you will want to try to put at least 20% down so you will not have to have private mortgage insurance (PMI). A USDA and VA loan will not even require a down payment.

5. Know How Much House You Can Afford

This can be tricky to determine how much you can afford. Remember that this is a big financial commitment for years to come. A good tool is to use an affordability calculator to see how much you can afford. Have your finances in order so you can have a good base for what you can afford in your home search.

When you start a home search, choose a local real estate agent who can help you with the home-buying process from start to finish. They can also recommend a lender who can help you with your mortgage needs.

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The Southern Hotels’ New Addition to Gloriette

Gloriette is the newly renovated restaurant located in The Southern Hotel in Covington. The restaurant will now have a new chef. The new executive chef will be Alex Harrell.

Harrell is no novice to the industry as he comes from the Virgin Hotel’s restaurant Commons Club. Before that, he was well known for his own restaurant Angeline and was also the executive chef at Hotel Peter & Paul in Marigny. He is excited to be on the Northshore so he will be closer to more of his vendors.

“It gets me closer to some of the farmers that are on the north shore and explore what’s there for growers and producers. It’s an opportunity to explore a different part of the area and meet and get to know a different part of the clientele,” Harrell explains.

Gloriette has a perfect local atmosphere that just gushes Southern Louisiana. This makes it a perfect place for locals to go for a night out on the town. The food is a nice mix between classic French and contemporary Louisiana flavors. It has a nice garden theme that blends into the hotel setting.

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How To Close on a Home in Record Time

A pop of color is seen in this nuetral bathroom in the custom vanity mirrors.

There are a ton of steps between choosing a home, making an offer and collecting the keys. Here are several tasks to do to make a smooth fast closing on a home.

1. Get All Contingencies Squared Away

This is a big part of the negotiations between the buyers and sellers. A contingency is a clause that can be added to a contract that allows a buyer to walk away from a contract without any penalties. Some of the most used contingencies are a mortgage contingency, an appraisal contingency, home sale contingency or a home inspection contingency. Before closing, you will want to make sure that any contingency in the sales contract has been resolved.

2. Review Your Closing Disclosure Form

Anyone who will be using a home loan, will get a closing statement before the closing happens. The closing disclosure will be given to you around three business days before the closing. It is a five-page form that lists out all the terms of your loan and tells you all the fees owed at closing. Take time to review everything on the closing disclosure and if you have any questions, make sure to contact your lender.

3. Do a Final Walkthrough

About a day before closing, do a walkthrough of the home with your real estate agent. Many professionals tell you that it is ideal to walk the property the morning of your closing to make sure the property is in the same or better condition as when you saw it last.

4. Bring the Proper Documents

Nothing is more frustrating than to not have all the documents at your closing. Before your closing gather your government-issued ID, a cashier’s check, and proof of home owner’s insurance.

5. Rope In Your Support Team

You want to have your support group who has been with you through the whole process at the closing. Having them attend the closing will help expedite the process if there are any hiccups. A lot of times the your real estate agent, loan officer, attorney, a title insurance rep and your closing agent will be required to be at the closing.

6. Schedule Transfer of the Utilities

Nothing is worse than getting the keys to your new home, and not having the utilities working when you open the door for the first time. Before your closing date, transfer your electric, gas, cable and internet and set them to be turned on in your name day of closing.

7. Sing On the Dotted Lines

There is a lot to sign at closing, so it will take time and be a little intimidating. Take your time and read through each document before signing. If you have any questions, ask them! Once the paperwork is signed there is no going back.

Remember if you are in the market for a home, start with hiring a real estate agent. They can get the ball rolling and can advise you on a lender who can help you with the mortgage process. Following these steps is a great way to help the transaction run quickly and smoothly.

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It’s All Up to You

Master bedroom with nice hardwood flooring.

Purchasing a new home is one of life’s biggest events. It can be exciting but also very stressful. This is a big financial decision and you need to consider key factors including savings, credit score, income stability, and life circumstances. Only you can determine if it is the right time for you to buy a home.

Evaluate Your Savings

You need to be familiar with your savings. You do not want to push all of your savings into a down payment and closing costs. Figure out how much you will have left over after closing costs and your down payment. There will be home maintenance and repair costs that you have to think about.

Review Your Credit Score

If you want good mortgage terms, then you must have excellent credit scores. When a lender is working with you, they use your credit score to determine what rate you qualify for. Before you start the home-buying process, request a free copy of your credit report. You can review it and make sure there are no errors or discrepancies.

If you are in the market for a new home, follow this advice along with hiring a Realtor. A Realtor will help you with your home purchase from the start to finish.

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A $30 Million Bridge in St. Tammany Parish

Welcome into this home with a nice bright foyer.

St. Tammany Parish is a desirable area to live in on the North Shore as it has been rapidly growing for a while now. In fact, the area had major road projects that were done and completed in 2019 along U.S. 190 between I-12 and Covington.

The project helped the flow of the northbound traffic on I-12 until it squeezed into one lane to go over the bridge at Bogue Falaya River. The old bridge was built in the 1940s and does not fit the traffic flow of today’s commute.

“It’s been an issue for years,” Parish Council member David Fitzgerald said. At times, he said, the congestion “is almost impenetrable.”

The parish’s population grew 13% between 2010 and 2020. Today there are around 270,000 residents with 330,000 registered vehicles. That means that U.S. 190 around the old bridge has around 70,000 vehicles on average a day.

They have begun a project to build a $30 million bridge to replace the current vintage bridge. The bridge will be done in two phases with the first being the one going northbound and the second will be southbound. The bridges will each have two 12-foot wide traffic lanes along with shoulders. The Department of Transportation and Development says the project is slated to be completed in 2025.

“We’re somewhat worried about the construction,” Colin Patrick, co-owner of the nearby Pat’s Seafood Market and Cajun Deli said, adding with a hopeful note: “I believe it’ll be good for business after it’s done.”

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