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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015
AMERICAN PRESS
E1
in Sulphur?
Rita LeBleu
[email protected]
The Brimstone Historical
Society plans to throw open
the doors to Sulphur’s past in
a literal way. Once renovations
are complete, the house behind
the Brimstone Museum and
the Brimstone Historical
Society administrative ofﬁces
will be opened to the public as
a living museum.
The house was once home
to a Sulphur miner and his
family and will be rehabilitated and refurnished to look
as close as possible to how
the house looked in the early
1900s, according to Thom Trahan, executive director for the
Brimstone Historical Society.
Sulphur Parks and Recreation
is restoring the house that was
donated and moved by Westlake Chemical.
Worker housing, recently
in headlines, is nothing new.
This house was once part of
the Sulphur Mines community built in the late 1800s for
workers recruited by Herman
Frasch. He is the engineer and
chemist who developed the
method for extracting sulphur.
According to “A History of the
Louisiana Sulphur Industry,”
by Donia Byrnes, Frasch’s
novel method yielded its ﬁrst
sulphur production in 1894.
Prior to that, poisonous gases
prevented extraction.
The Union Sulphur Company was born. Houses, a commissary, pavilion and school
were built for workers.
“I think that everything was
planned to raise the quality of
life in the mining community,”
Trahan said. “There were pig
roasts. The kids played games.
The men played baseball.
I think it was all designed
with the intention to keep the
people happy.”
Trahan said that Sulphur
Mines homes had electricity
and running water before Sulphur and Lake Charles homes.
The mining community was
home to 5,000 at its peak, Trahan said. Around that time,
Sulphur became a city, and its
population was 1,700. After
Rita LeBleu / American Press
See Worker, E3
Top: The supervisor’s cottage was a little larger than the other houses in the mining community. Above: Sulphur Mines worker’s houses, 1921.
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E2
E5
E8
How to properly
relocate a honeybee
hive.
FRESH DIRT
E2
AMERICAN PRESS
SuNdAy, FEbRuARy 22, 2015
HOME & REAL ESTATE PREVIEW
Trish Trejo
He explains that the bees
have been dormant all winter.
“They hole up, stay warm
Few experiences are quite
and eat honey,” says Mitchell.
as disconcerting as finding a
When warm weather comes,
hive of honeybees living in the
the queen begins laying eggs
wall of a home or camp.
again, as many as 1,200 a day.
Although the insects
Conner says that swarms of
can be a nuisance
bees are usually feral colonies
when they choose
inhabiting a wall or a tree.
to live in the
When their spring growth bewrong residence,
gins, they run out of room and
honeybees are
swarm out of necessity. The
an endangered
older queen will swarm from
benefit to gardens and crops.
the colony taking the oldest
Local beekeepers will remove
bees with her.
them humanely in order to
“Managed colonies usually
protect them.
do not swarm,” says Conner.
Clyde Conner is a local
“I’m not going to say it can’t
businessman who assists
happen, but beekeepers who
people with bee removal. He
keep adding space usually do
says that media reports about
not have a problem.”
the shortage of bees in recent
Mitchell agrees with this,
years have helped people
but he says he knows of at
understand that exterminatleast one domestic colony that
ing nuisance bees is not a good
he has encountered.
option.
“Once we captured a queen
“Our bee population is
with a pink dot,” Mitchell dedown 50 percent since the
scribes. “This means she was a
1950s,” he says. “If we lose our
purchased queen.”
bees, 30 percent of our food
Domestic honeybees are acgoes with them.”
tually non-native to North and
Kane Mitchell and his
South America. The bees that
brother Sid Guidroz, Jr., are
Mitchell sees most are Italian
listed on the LSUAg web site
honeybees. According to www.
as local bee removal specialbeesource.com, this variety
ists in Southwest Louisiana.
was brought to the U.S.
Mitchell says, “Honeybees
in 1859. It quickly
are a vital link to U.S. agriculbecame a favorite,
ture, the commercial honey
and it is still a highly
industry and pollination
desired species.
operations as well as home
Although seeing a swarm
gardeners. Since the 80s, their
nearby can be disconcerting
population has declined due
for those who do not know bee
to a mystery problem called
habits, Mitchell says that it is
Colony Collapse Disorder. Exduring a swarm that bees are
termination of bee hives only
most docile.
adds to the problem.”
“A swarm is like a volleyTherefore, Conner and
ball of bees,” says Mitchell. “I
other bee enthusiasts do what
can take my bare hand and put
they can to protect the bee
it into the ball and pull it out
population.
with bees. They won’t sting
Mitchell says that when
me. The queen is in there,
warm weather begins, they
and they’re happy to be going
get at least one call a day in
somewhere.”
reference to swarms or infestaA beekeeper like Mitchell
tions.
can gently shake a branch
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with a swarm, and the ball of
bees will fall into a bucket to
be taken away.
Conner has assisted local
lake area businesses many
times in dealing with swarming bees. In an area that has
multiple infestations, beekeepers can place a swarm trap,
also called a nucleus or nuc
box, in the area during swarm
season. Inside the small
box is an old honeycomb
as an attractant. They
check the box periodically and transfer
trapped bee swarms to
a safer environment.
As for preventing the
swarm from making a home
in a wall, Conner says, “It is
tough, nearly impossible. You
can caulk cracks in the wall,
but they can go anywhere that
they want to go.”
If the swarm has already
made its home in a residence,
Mitchell and Guidroz must
take the wall apart to get to the
bees.
“Bees like to build in walls,
and they build from the top
down,” says Mitchell. “We
have to take the panel off to
get to the ones at the top. Killing bees will not remove the
hive that is full of larvae as
well as honey. Leaving the hive
in place after the bees are dead
invites rats and roaches. Relocating bees to an apiary allows
the bees to continue their
work and also ensures that
the honey, comb and brood
are removed from the wall,
attic or wherever. No smell of
fermenting honey, no rats, no
roaches.”
For established colonies
like this, beekeepers use a bee
vacuum that is gentler than
a household vacuum cleaner.
The queen and her entourage
try to hide, but if beekeepers
can capture her and put her in
a box, all the other bees will
follow.
“In a day or two, every bee
will be in the box with her,” he
says.
The job is not done with the
removal of the bees, however.
Their pheromones linger. If
every trace of them is not
removed, another bee looking
for a new home will be attracted to the spot. Mitchell says
that they must cut every trace
of the comb from the area.
Then he tells the homeowner
to seal the interior with paint
where the comb was attached.
Finally, the wall covering must
be replaced. That is a job for
the homeowner.
“We tell people, we take it
apart not put it together,” says
Mitchell.
Mitchell takes the colonies
that he removes to hives at
his camp in Cameron. Bees
have to be moved at least three
miles or they will return to the
spot.
Occasionally, he encounters
a homeowner so interested
in the bees that they want to
keep the colony in a domestic
hive. When this happens, he
educates the new beekeeper
and helps set up the colony in
its new home.
“Beekeeping does not require much real estate at all,”
explains Mitchell. “Of course,
the hive should be out of
the way of children and pets
and needs to be set up facing
south to keep the opening
toward the sun. Bees
range miles to gather
pollen and nectar. You
definitely have to
leave them a clear
flight lane.”
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Sunday, February 22, 2015
E3
aMerICan PreSS
HOME & REAL ESTATE PREVIEW
Worker
Continued from E1
the sulphur production played
out, oil, then salt mining took
its place.
Trahan, a native of Sulphur, has been the museum’s
director for the last seven
years. He, along with Eric
Manuel and Karl Matte, are
responsible for the look and
content of the museum housed
in the old depot at 900 S. Huntington St.
The Sulphur Mines house
will make the fifth structure that tells and preserves
Sulphur’s history within
walking distance. The administrative building is an old oil
crew dispatch office. Henning
Cultural Center is nearby. An
art gallery now, it was once the
summer home of the Rev. John
Henning family, and it is the
home in which Bill Henning
was born.
“When it was built, this
area was outside the city limits in a pecan grove, a retreat
for the family,” Trahan said.
Sulphur Parks and Recreation bought the house and
restored it. Across the street
from the Brimstone Museum
is the old Our Lady of Prompt
Succor Church, circa 1922,
which is now used as the Sulphur Judicial Center.
Trahan credits the vision
of Norman Farr, Executive
Director of Sulphur Parks
and Recreation (SPAR), for the
undertaking that has been 12
years in the making. Farr said
that it took multiple property
purchases and the work of
many people, many of whom
serve on the boards for SPAR
and for the Brimstone Historical Society.
“We wanted to preserve history. Every day you lose a little
more,” Farr said.
The area is also a tourist
center. But more important to
Farr is that the park, the museum and any future projects
are sources of pride for the
community.
They have also helped make
Sulphur’s history and cultural
events more accessible. Admission to the Brimstone Museum
and Henning Cultural Arts
Center is free. Trahan offers
lessons in Sulphur’s history
through presentations and
museum tours. For more information, call 337-527-0357.
rita Lebleu / american Press
When renovations are complete, visitors will be able to study history and visit the past in a very tangible way.
Help Sulphur make history
Do you live in, or suspect you may live in,
an old Sulphur Mines
house?
“To know where you came
from is about the most
important thing you can
know”
Thom Trahan can help
you find out. “We’re not
trying to impose any restrictions on what people do with
the house,” he explained.
But he would like to have a
record, possibly mark the
house in some way with the
cooperation of the owner
or at the very least supply
interested homeowners
with information about the
unique history of the home.
Thom Trahan
executive director
brimstone Historical Society
Special to the american Press
Vintage photographs
from the Sulphur Mining
Community.
Do you have, or think
you might have, photos of a Sulphur Mines
house or community?
What do you remember or what have you
been told about the
Sulphur mines community?
In addition to collecting photo scans, he is also
collecting oral histories
from those who may have
worked in the Sulphur Mines
community or have stories
that have been passed down
from someone who lived or
worked in the community.
Are you interested in
donating an antique
that would be ideal for
the living museum?
“We have a budget for certain items, and local antique
stores are keeping an eye out
Trahan has many resourc- for what we’ll be needing,
es, including aerial photobut if there’s someone out
graphs of the community, to
there who has a refrigerator
help those who are interestfrom 1921, for example, and
ed find out where their home wants to donate it, we would
fits in the history of Sulphur be interested,” Trahan said.
and to share those important Furnishings, appliances and
glimpses into the past with
art should be from 1890 –
others.
1920.
00789660
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Sheila Peterson
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Rhonda Trahan
Gina Mueller
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E4
AMERICAN PRESS
SuNdAy, FEbRuARy 22, 2015
HOME & REAL ESTATE PREVIEW
Rita LeBleu
[email protected]
Not all available property is marked with a
For Sale sign. If you’ve ever passed a piece of
residential or commercial property and wished
it were on the market, move out of fantasyland.
A little digging can get you the ownership
information you need, according to Amber
Corliss. She’s a local real estate agent who once
took almost a year to ferret out the details and
make available a 600-acre piece of property
with multiple owners. “I had to go old school
for that, do the legwork and visit the courthouse,” she said.
But in some cases, you don’t have to leave
your home to find out who owns what. Corliss
often uses her computer to access the Calcasieu
Parish Police Jury Geographic Information
System, or CPPJ GIS map, as a first step.
Wendy Aguillard, Calcasieu Parish Assessor, said the assessor’s office also has an online
search option and link to the CPPJ map. For
the assessor website, you’ll need to know an
address, parcel number, section/township/
range information, subdivision name or legal
description. The CPPJ map allows the user to
hover over a property to find out information
about the owner.
To find out information about properties
within the parish without using the Internet,
researchers can visit the tax assessor’s office
in person. The Magnolia Building is located at
1011 Lakeshore Dr., Suite 101. Plenty of parking is usually available across the street in the
Lake Charles Civic Center parking lot.
Aguillard said that for researchers who
want to know more about a piece of undeveloped property or a place with no posted address, supplying the address across the street
or on either side can be helpful to staff.
For land, house and business investigators
who already know who owns what but need
more information about the property, a visit to
the courthouse may be in order. Trent Gremillion is head researcher for the Calcasieu Parish
Clerk of Court office.
“We can search conveyance and mortgage
records,” he said. “It’s a good idea to make sure
that there are no liens or judgments against
a piece of property. If there were, the person
who purchases it would carry that debt and it’s
always a good idea to check property restrictions before purchasing a particular piece of
Special to the American Press
Visit the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury home page and click GIS mapping in the lower left corner or use this link, http://www.cppj.net/index.
property.”
Gremillion’s office and these records are
located in the courthouse with the copper dome
at 1000 Ryan St. Gremillion recommends that
visitors park on Pithon Street.
Corliss said that many times her investigation discloses a property owner who has
inherited the property, lives far away, has never
seen the property and asks her what she thinks
it is worth. Many times the property has many
owners. Sometimes no one who is listed as an
owner is interested in selling but not always.
One person’s desire to sell can begin a domino effect that could, with time and legal assistance, result in a forced sale of the property.
Corliss has worked closely with local attorney
Oliver Schrumpf through the years. Schrumpf
explained the basic legal premise behind such
a transaction.
“No one may be compelled to hold a prop-
Tara Demarie
Broker/Owner
Whether you are buying or selling your home,
there are questions around every corner.
Century 21 Bessette Realty and our staff of
experienced agents have the answers.
Tobie Hodgkins
Assoc. Broker/Owner
erty in division. Division in kind is preferred.
When a division in kind is not available and
partitioning would result in a diminution in
value or other inconvenience, a partition by
licitation is required.” For instance, if two
people own two acres fronting a road, they can
agree to split it in a way that makes the two
pieces of property equal in value. One person
can sell it. Or both can sell the property and
split the proceeds down the middle.
But it’s not always that simple. When a
property can’t be equally and fairly divided or
co-heirs or co-property owners can’t agree to
a buy out that suits all the parties involved, a
court can order a partition by licitation. When
the court orders a partition licitation, the
property will be sold via a sheriff ’s sale to the
highest bidder. According to Schrumpf, it does
not matter how small the undivided interest is.
If the owner of a 1 percent interest wants
Ashley Demarie
Ofﬁce Manager
Harvey Bessette
Assoc. Broker
Tammy Ardoin
to divide the property and cannot obtain an
agreement from the other owners and cannot
get anyone to buy out his interest, a suit may
be filed for partition by licitation. The person
bringing the lawsuit does not have to own a
majority interest. The entire property will
be subject to being sold to the highest bidder.
However, if the owner of a major interest is the
winner at the sheriff ’s sale, the winner of the
bid usually does not have to pay the sheriff for
the share already owned.
The person who brings the lawsuit must at
least pay the costs of court and the sheriff ’s
commission and fees regardless of how little is
bid on the property. Absentees and those who
are not represented in the proceedings may be
ordered to have some of the costs or attorney
fees deducted from their share.
Karen T. Barker
Kimberly Blanchard
Daisy Broadway
Karen Davis
Joy Dumesnil
2003-2008
2011-2014
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2007
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Century 21-Bessette.com
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Sunday, February 22, 2015
E5
aMerICan PreSS
HOME & REAL ESTATE PREVIEW
A most touching
change
Almost anyone who enters the
bathroom or kitchen will use the faucet, which means it’s a functional focal
point of the space. Make your kitchen
faucet even harder working with Delta
Touch2O ® Technology from Coburn
Supply Company. Tap anywhere on the
spout or handle of the faucet with the
wrist or forearm to start and stop the water
flow. Bath models are also available, including the Compel model, a sleek modern bath
design. The Grohe brand line offers three different spout heights, pull-out rinsing sprays and
comfortable lever handling even in tight spaces.
rita Lebleu/american Press
For the latest in faucets, visit Coburn’s
Supply.
I
Rita LeBleu
[email protected]
f you’re having a difficult time waiting until the time is
perfect for a remodel or need to spruce up a place before selling it, consider one or all of these quick fixes that promise to
instantly gratify. Jazz up the kitchen or bath with new hardware, faucets,
lighting, paint and custom frame ideas available from local merchants.
These are projects that can be tackled by most beginners and make a
noticeable impact.
Push past the
wall paint
Flip a switch
rita Lebleu/american Press
Bathroom lighting that doesn’t suit your style
or doesn’t illuminate you properly as you prepare
for the day can be swapped for something new and
up to the task. Generally the job is easy, even for a
beginner. The main thing is to make sure to turn off
the power and to follow package directions. Sometimes
the best “new” fix is an old one. Fixtures that evoke
nostalgia from the past are available from Lighting
Couture and Joseph’s Electrical Center. For instance,
there is a design called The Gatsby and models that are
reminiscent of the Craftsman era. Chrome that looks
like it might have been found in the bathrooms of the
50s fits in both vintage and modern settings. To make a
major style statement, consider going to the uttermost
lengths of the lighting spectrum. Amanda Latta at
Lighting Couture said that some of her customers have
been surprised to discover that vanity lighting can be
installed up or down. “That gives them double the options,” she said.
rita Lebleu/american Press
Don’t just paint the
walls. Consider the
countertops too with
this kit from South City
Paints.
Emily Breaux of South City Paint
knows that paint is one of the most affordable ways to dramatically change
the look and energy of a space. Consider it for more than just walls. If you
have dated wall tile, South City Paint
offers an epoxy and other primers that
can be used before applying a new paint
color. Kits contain paints, sealants and
other materials to update and refresh an
old countertop. Some of these kits contain
pebbles. Others contain the paints, sponge
and other tools necessary for making the countertop look more like a natural stone surface.
Freshen up yesteryear’s avocado green with a
zesty springtime color. Harvest that old gold for
good and cover it with a rich, deep red like Marsala,
Pantone’s color of the year. Don’t be afraid to experiment with color - a rich or vivid color on a focal
wall can add instant style on the wall behind the tub
or stove.
Finally, don’t forget the fifth wall: a fresh white
ceiling instantly brightens the area visually and
heightens the room, which can make the space feel
larger and more modern. But Breaux advises not to
stop at white. Other colors are being used on ceilings these days including light blues that give the
impression of the big open sky. Customers are also
using the same color on the ceiling as on the walls,
only in a lighter shade.
Light fixtures like this one from
Lighting Couture, are easy to install.
00903358
Mirror, mirror on
the wall. What’s the
easiest fix of all?
Licensed by the LA Real Estate Commission
Every bathroom has a mirror, and some
kitchens and adjacent dining spaces feature
mirrors as well. A mirror provides a focal point
while reflecting light to make the room appear
brighter. But if you have a builder-grade mirror, you’re
probably longing for more style. Instead of investing in a
costly new mirror, simply add a new frame around your current one. You can buy a prefabricated frame
or create one yourself fairly easily. Visit
Up in Frames to see the hundreds of
frames in hundreds of widths, styles,
colors and finishes. Your boring old
mirror will be transformed immediately into an upscale alternative.
rita Lebleu/
american Press
Up in Frames
can help
take a mirror
from blah to
beautiful.
3709 Maplewood Drive, Sulphur, LA 70663
337-625-3150 office 337-625-7164 fax
* Each ofﬁce independently owned and operated
WE NEVER STOP MOVING
Dru Ellender
337-274-1320
Brian Bimle
337-802-5315
Eric Blood
337-540-8061
Linda Breaux
337-884-2875
Clara Colvin
337-526-4814
Kathy Gardner
337-499-4955
Rita Gobert
337-540-3705
Carolyn Guillory
337-912-5374
JD Hankins
337-274-9892
Haley Hebert
337-244-7397
Bob Holland
337-540-3094
Carita Johnson
337-912-3875
Betty Jordan
337-794-4888
Rocky Keely
337-540-2614
Toni McKnight
337-263-8851
Anja Richard
337-274-2520
Patty Simmons
337-563-8347
Samantha Taylor
337-274-5338
Dana Turpin
337-485-0244
Dominick Valenti
337-884-2818
Keep jewels in
plain view
rita Lebleu/american Press
Whimsical, practical,
sleek, modern and
ornate cabinet
hardware are available
at Browne-Stewart.
One of the easiest ways to change
the looks of the bath or kitchen
is with new cabinet hardware. There is no limit to
the styles, colors and finishes
available, and Browne-Stewart
at 3806 Common Street has them
all, literally thousands to choose
from. Cabinet hardware and other
accessories do for a room what jewelry does
for an outfit - provide finishing touches that
elevate the space. Popular metal finishes
include brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze
and chrome. For bathrooms, consider
updating accessories to match your new
cabinet hardware – many lines include
coordinating accessories like towel bars for
instance. Browne-Stewart also offers beautiful light switch covers.
•
Find out how to get your company an its products featured in stories in the Sunday
Home and real estate Section. Call (337)433-3000 today.
TO VIEW ALL THE LISTINGS
IN SWLA VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT
WWW.COLDWELLBANKER.COM
Kathy Ware
337-250-8085
Tom Williams
337-515-1567
E6
AMERICAN PRESS
SuNdAy, FEbRuARy 22, 2015
HOME & REAL ESTATE PREVIEW
or
business owners face choices for new locations
Trish Trejo
that business owners right
now are interested in aesthetics, having an office or
Growth in Southwest Louishowroom with a homey,
siana is translating to new
comfortable feel. A remodand remodeled commercial
eled familiar property can
construction throughout the
provide this. Customers of
area.
the new business are interJon Ladner, owner of Conested in the interior changes
struction Services of Southmade to a location that has
west Louisiana, has been in
been a part of the city’s
the commercial construction
landscape for many years.
business for over ten years. At
Ladner advises owners
his company, the renovation
to remember that the key to
work and the new construcany successful construction
tion projects represent about a
endeavor is visualizing the
50-50 division.
entire project before work
Buzzy Ribbeck of Ribbeck
begins. This is especially
Construction says that many
true in a drastic, from the
business owners have “one
outside in, renovation.
foot on the gas pedal and one
“The more you know at
on the brake,” in regards to
the beginning,” says Ladopening new business locaner, “the more time you
tions or expanding existing
save.” And, of course, time
ones. His company has seen
is money in a construction
an increase in quotes, but they
contract.
find owners cautious about
He encourages owners
beginning the project once the
to carefully research the
quote is in hand. They seem
business’ and the customto be waiting to see if the
ers’ needs. Investigating
projected rapid expansion of
each aspect of the new space
business comes to fruition.
first will save later frustraWhen business owners comtion for the owner and the
mit themselves to their projcontractor.
ect, the decision of whether to
As stressful as remodbuild a new facility or remodel
eling is for the property
an existing one is largely a
owner, contracting is risky,
financial one. According to
according to Ladner. The
Ribbeck, they are looking at
contractors are financing
variables such as the market
the projects while they are
for their business in relation
in progress. They want
Trish Trejo/American Press
to the existing property and
to keep the owners happy,
the cost of renovating as opShannon Hardware, located in the former Billy Navarre showroom at 701 U.S. Hwy 90 W in Sulphur, was completely remodeled
but they have to look at the
posed to building new from the
to prepare it for its new purpose.
financial details in order to
ground up.
be responsible for their own
ing the site for the business
ments may create expensive
store new to the Sulphur area. removed. Also, a larger, ADALadner agrees with this
business realities. They must
owner.
First,
if
the
new
tenant
additions.
During the renovation, central compliant restroom had to be
assessment, saying, “This is a
track and account for changes needs dramatic changes to
added.
An example of these chalair conditioning was added, a
big decision for the business
to the original contract and
Ladner says that bringing
the
existing
building,
major
lenges
is
the
recent
remodel
suspended
ceiling
was
hung
owner, a big investment.”
cost. If property owners make plumbing, electrical or HVAC
old
buildings up to new comthat
Ladner’s
company
comand
the
cement
floors
were
He observes that with the
changes during construction,
mercial real estate codes can
renovations may be necessary. pleted on the former Billy
stained. The real challenges,
cost of land right now and the
be a challenge. To get an atthe contractor must pass that
Second, if the new business
Navarre building on U.S. High- however, were bringing the
expense of site work, a remodtractive, comfortable and safe
expense on to their customer.
represents a change in ocway 90 in Sulphur. The new
building up to code in several
el often makes financial sense
finished product, contractors
When re-working an
cupancy
type
for
the
structure,
occupant
is
Shannon
Hardareas.
For
example,
asbesfor a small business owner.
must use all of their construcexisting space, Ribbeck sees
certain
building
code
requireware,
an
industrial
supply
tos
flooring
had
to
be
safely
In addition, Ladner says
tion and civil code expertise.
several challenges in [email protected]
00903363
STEP INSIDE AN OPEN HOUSE WITH A
CENTURY 21® AGENT & DISCOVER THE ONE.
Mike D. Bono
Mike J. Bono
Tim Feist
Lisa Bono
AGENTS
ON DUTY
Melanie Bradberry
Marilyn Boudreaux
Darrell Carriere
Laura Byrd
Tiffany Johnston
Lori Kascak
Debbie LaFleur
Hollie Lampton
Rick Lee
Janelle Mouton
Joan Rhodes
CENTURY 21 AGENTS.
SMARTER. BOLDER. FASTER
EACH OFFICE IS INDEPENDENTLY OWNED & OPERATED
OPEN HOUSE 1:00-3:00
Leanne Buff
Laura Byrd
Darrell Carriere
Chelsie Cartwright
Amanda O’Blanc
Patricia Phillips
Sue Conn
Tony Cornner
Martha Polk
Doug Ragusa
Joan Rhodes
Patsy Roy
Bonita Sedano
Buddy Spiller
Mike Stelly
Nanako Thibodeaux
Jody Vanover
Jacinda Vincent
1678 N. Woodland Forest
Moss Bluff
Charlotte Curran
Ashlee Davis
Melissa Doga
Kristin Daughdril
Kym DiGiovanni
Beautiful Custom Built Home! Home is located in
Woodland Forest featuring an open ﬂoor plan with 3
bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and large living area with gas
ﬁreplace, 12ft ceilings, ceramic & hardwood ﬂoors, custom
solid wood doors, Triple Crown molding, & a fabulous
bonus sunroom, gourmet kitchen with granite counters,
gas cooktop, antiqued cabinets, large butler’s pantry &
walk-in pantry, custom island with built-in bookshelves &
closet. Large master suite offers separate vanities, his/her
walk-in closets with built-ins, large tiled walk-in shower,
spa soaker tub, large utility room with sink. Exterior gas
lighting & landscaped yard offer sprinkler system &
private brick/iron courtyard patio. Two car garage with
attached shop, large decked attic storage with access by
stairs, and beautifully landscaped front circle driveway.
Very Motivated Seller! $429,500
412 White Oak
Sulphur
4558 Summerdale
Lake Charles
Gorgeous! 3 Bedroom 2 Bathroom home in Sylvan Oaks
Great Buy! This Cozy brick 3 bedroom 2 bath patio
has open ﬂoor plan plus bonus room upstairs. Home has
home has open ﬂoor plan, vaulted ceilings, open kitchen,
3450 sqft of living, lovely master bath, jack-n-jill baths
between two spare rooms, study, and bonus room that
Dena Everage
Barbara Forsythe
Ruth Giaimis
Ron Granger
Derenda Grubb
Debbie Holt
Bo Huddle
Jen Johnson
in closets, oversized double garage, covered patio and
privacy fenced backyard. $139,900
could be a great game room. Beautiful French doors open
to covered patio from kitchen and master suite. Large
open kitchen with custom cabinetry throughout, lots of
storage, security system, and all kitchen appliances to
remain! $397,800
NEW LISTINGS
Linda Doucet
dining and living room; large master suite with two walk-
Todd Dryer Rd. .......................... $49,900
1676 E. Pine Meadows................. $62,500
Pithon Lot# 1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15 ..... $173,000
191 Waveland .......................... $175,000
Pithon Lot#2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16..... $193,000
221 Crestwood ......................... $194,900
1542 Tuscany ........................... $274,500
7105 Shadow ........................... $295,000
CHANGES
105 ½ Murphy ........................... $66,500
304 Royer ................................ $70,000
2004 Combre ............................ $76,000
1728 St.John Bosco .................... $82,500
2203 Ellis ............................... $110,000
5017 S. Prien Lake Rd #38 ........... $169,500
Tom Hebert Rd. ........................ $261,360
Jim Vanover
Daniel Wainwright
Evelyn Weeks
Nova White
Marilyn Wheeldon
Sunday, February 22, 2015
aMerICan PreSS
E7
HOME & REAL ESTATE PREVIEW
His favorite quote:
“The only thing to do with good advice is to pass it on. It is never of
any use to oneself.”
Oscar Wilde
Rita LeBleu
[email protected]
ally, a comparative market analysis will
come in very close to the appraisal price.
Overpricing the house can delay a sale.
If a buyer is borrowing money to make
the purchase and the appraisal comes
in lower than the list price, the buyer
could decide not to buy. Or, the buyer
may agree to come up with more money.
But these negotiations take time, and the
outcome can be uncertain. It’s best for
the seller to know the consequences of a
home priced above appraisal.
device app, according to Ray.
“This is my third career. Of all the
jobs I’ve had, which included visiting
many companies throughout the world,
I’ve never worked in an atmosphere
like this. This place feels like family.
No matter how busy people are, they’ll
stop and help if you have a problem,” he
said. “For people looking to buy or sell a
house, for people wondering if the real
estate profession is right for them, Keller
Williams can’t be beat. I looked into a
few companies. This business
model can’t be beat.”
00903555
Lake Charles Keller Williams Real
Estate Agent Ray Wood has some great
advice that’s too important to be ignored:
If you’re in the market for a new home,
enlisting the assistance of a buyer’s
agent won’t cost you a thing and could
help you get the most value for the considerable sum of money you’re about to
spend on that new place.
Yes. You read that correctly. A buyer’s agent
doesn’t cost anything, and
3 Bedroom on the North Fork of the Calcasieu
River. With dock and pier on the river side.
it’s important to understand
A canal across the road in front with boatlift
The best of Souththat the listing agent’s duty
and storage Bldg. 2 story with kitchens down
is to the seller, first and
west
Louisiana living
stairs and upstairs. Down stairs living area is
foremost. The buyer’s agent
grandfathered thru Fema and insurable.
One of Ray’s current listings
assists the buyer first and
is a beautiful waterfront propforemost.
erty on the West Fork of the
A buyer’s agent can guide
Allen Ray Wood
Calcasieu River. This two-story,
homebuyers through the
Realtor®
three-bedroom, three-bath 3,400
buying process, tell them
Cell: 337-515-1695
KELLERWILLIAMS
square ft house with a double
what to expect, schedule
Ofﬁce: 337-433-1171
825 Ryan St. 2nd Floor
car garage is listed for $299,000.
[email protected]
appointments and share
Lake Charles, LA 70601
The address is 1465 B S. Perkins
raywood.kwrealty.com
Each Ofﬁce independently Owned and Operated
information about a particuFerry Rd.
lar neighborhood. A buyer’s
agent works only for the
For more information about this propThe Keller Williams way
buyer. He can’t show you his company’s
erty,
becoming a Keller Williams agent
When
you
list
a
house
with
Keller
listings.
or using Wood as your buyer’s agent, call
Williams, Lake Charles, it will go to over
To prevent slowing down the sellhim on his cell at (337) 515-1695 or his
350 web sites, get attention in local pubing process, Ray advises home sellers
office at (337) 433-1171, or email him at
lications and be accessible via a mobile
to carefully price their homes. [email protected].
S P O n S O r e d
Special to the american Press
The best of Southwest Louisiana living -- on the water at 1465
B S. Perkins Ferry Rd.
C O n T e n T
00903534
00898242
To Be Featured in our next
Meet Your Realtor
JODY S. GUIDRY, BROKER
Contact your Account Executive
337-433-3000
It’s Easy to Subscribe!
Here’s How:
Go to americanpress.com
Click
mobile | 337.513.5148
ofﬁce | 337.474.2100
fax | 337.478.6317
email | [email protected]
web | www.guidryrealtygroup.com
710 W. Prien Lake Rd., Suite 101 | Lake Charles, LA 70601
VETERAN OWNED & OPERATED
NEW LISTING
16405 Cheyenne • $324,900
Inspiring 4 bed, new construction home on
over 2 acres in Iowa. Home features spray
foam insulation, 3 car garage, 2 living rooms,
hardwood and porcelain tile throughout, granite
throughout, 17 foot ceilings, coffered ceilings
and much much more. Not located in a ﬂood
zone. Call or text Nikki @ 337-302-7994 or
email at [email protected] for details.
Sarver Realty
Betsy Granger
Realtor - Relocation Specialist
Cell 337-853-2487
Ofﬁce 337-478-4111
4865 Ihles Road Lake Charles La 70605
[email protected]
BetsysRealEstate.com
Call or text Nikki@
OR
Call:
494-4000
302-7994
for details!
825 Ryan St. 2nd Floor � ��-��-1�� w��r��m
G
B
EACH OFFICE INDEPENDENTLY
OWNED & OPERATED
A Member of the franchise system of BHH Afﬁliates, LLC
337-474-2185
337-794-7848
loria
umpus
www.lydiaholland.com
Each ofﬁce Independently Owned and Operated.
Licensed by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission
Real Estate, Inc.
(337) 478-3947
Three generations...
under one roof
The Home of Your Dreams
75 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE...
Licensed Realtor,
Centurion
Multi-Million Dollar
Producer ‘07-’14
1721 Swan is a 4/4 in an awesome location on a beautiful
lot with lots of space. This home has nearly 3900 square
feet of living area. Bonus room upstairs could very well
be used for a 5th bedroom. The large rooms, cathedral
ceilings, two stairways and four car garage makes for zero
wasted space. Mother-in-law quarters and much more!
00902531
E8
AMERICAN PRESS
SuNdAy, FEbRuARy 22, 2015
HOME & REAL ESTATE PREVIEW
in Southwest Louisiana
Rita LeBleu
[email protected]
Slaven Dental, LLC,
Sulphur.
Going up at 3913 Maplewood in
Sulphur is the new 3,500-square-foot
office building for Slaven Dental,
LLC. Formerly, the practice was
located on Post Oak in Sulphur.
“We needed more room and had
the land for a few years,” said Lauren Slaven. Gunter Construction is
contractor.
Randy Broussard is architect.
The office is scheduled to open in
September, according to Slaven.
Charlida Pines
Subdivision, Carlyss.
Four new houses are going up at
the entrance to this subdivision on
A A Meyers Road. Jody Guidry is
builder/realtor. One of the homes is
almost completed. It’s a three-bedroom, two bath house with an open
living area with nine- and 10-foot
ceilings, custom cabinets with granite countertops and tumble marble
backsplash, according to Guidry.
Guidry doesn’t know the source
of the subdivision’s names. If a
reader does, please email the information to rlebleu@americanpress.
com.
The Shadows at
Bayou Oaks, Carlyss.
Where there was once an oakstudded golf course in Carlyss,
Rhino Development Co. has planned
for new homes with old style charm
east of Choupique Bayou. Lots are
one-half acre. Minimum square
footage for living space is 2,100. Construction will be pier and beam.
“If we would have built up the
land to FEMA requirements for slab
construction, it would have resulted
in drainage problems for surrounding properties,” Samantha LeJeune
of Rhino Developers said.
This company has focused on
houses with distinct historic style.
The 100-year-old oaks on the property will add to the appeal. But it will
be a while yet before nail guns are
hooked up to compressors. Bids are
being accepted for roadwork at this
time, according to LeJeune
The Shadows at Bayou Oaks
is named for the golf course and
LeJeune reminded that oaks, shadows and bayous, because of their
prominence in the south, often find
their way into many such names.
Belle Savanne, Carlyss.
The first residential phase of
Belle Savanne, 81 lots, will be completed in March, according to Thomas J. Foshee, III, P.E. of Southern
Lifestyle Development. The roads
are in. Construction on the multifamily housing will begin in three
months. Signs of buildings going up
could begin as early as late March or
early April. The multi-living housing will offer 208 units consisting of
a mix of one-bedroom, one-bath and
two-bedroom, two-bath apartments
that range in size from 600 to 1,200
square feet. The complex will also
offer a pool, recreation center and
pond feature.
Home prices will range from
$160,000 to $300,000, ranging in size
from 1,300 to 3,000 square feet. Builders include Manuel Builders.
The name, Belle Savanne, means
“beautiful grassland,” which
described the area perfectly in its
natural state.
If you have news about a new development in the area, email [email protected].
Rita Lebleu / American Press
Top: New Slaven Dental office on Maplewood. Bottom: New homes being constructed on A A Meyers Rd.
00903360
We Can Sell You
Any Property
On The Market!
NG
ISTI
L
NEW
DAN FLAVIN
540-0813
TIM FLAVIN
794-9922
TOMMY EASTMANBILL C
HERYL ADDISON
FLAVIN
794-5446 478-8530
794-1599
MELANIE BILLEDEAUX
513-7587
JOY BREAUX
794-5817
PHILIP BREAUX
540-5704
4933 Fernwood Dr.
Lake Charles, LA 70605
$479,000 • 3700 Sq Ft
The kitchen is complete with granite counters, custom oak
cabinets & center island with gas cook top. Features include
wood ﬂoors in common areas, high ceilings, ﬁreplace with
built-ins, fenced backyard with gunite pool & a pool/guest
house. Call Rhonda Gaspard at 337-802-8361 or Phyllis
Gaspard at 337-802-8363 for more information.
TAYLOR CAIN
842-9237
COLEEN CLARK
794-8557
RHONDA GASPARD
802-8361
ALVIN GUILLORY
802-7726
KEISHA CONSTANCE
540-9565
MICHAEL HANKINS
302-9983
MAXINE DION
302-1902
PAM HARRIS
540-9062
BECKY DROST
540-2840
PAT MCKEE
794-1010
MARY FLAVIN
474-4649
RYAN MITCHELL
274-6334
PHYLLIS GASPARD
802-8363
LORI MURPHY
540-6711
NG
ISTI
L
NEW
1474 Green Oak Rd.
Kinder, LA 70648
$350,000 • 2418 Sq Ft
This home sits on 8 acres north of Kinder. Features include
sold oak custom cabinets, crown molding, over sized den with
cathedral ceiling, hardwood ﬂoors, wood ﬁreplace, in ground
pool, kitchen complete with ceramic tile & granite & a 50x60
shop. Call Valerie Unkel at 337-794-5936 for more information.
NG
ISTI
L
NEW
BERNADETTE NAVARRE
802-7410
TAREK POLITE
842-5399
DANIELLE RAINWATER
513-8249
JOHN ROBINSON
526-5399
SADIE SAVANT
794-8039
D.D. SIMON
540-0629
106 Bank St.
Big Lake, LA 70607
$249,000 • 992 Sq Ft
SARAH SIMON
794-0045
CHARLIE SNEAD
842-6709
DELBERT STRAHAN
274-1607
LOLA TOUPS
274-6732
VALERIE UNKEL
794-5936
BOB WALLING
515-0715
Perfect camp in Big Lake. Main house has a open ﬂoor plan
with 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, laminate ﬂoors & wrap around
porches. Ground ﬂoor is screened in with outdoor kitchen. The
adjacent camp/boat house is on a slab with roll up doors &
a full bath. Call Rhonda Gaspard at 337-802-8361 or Phyllis
Gaspard at 337-802-8363 for more information.
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING OUR REAL ESTATE FAMILY TO SERVE YOU SINCE 1976
See all of our listings @ www.ﬂavinrealty.com • 478-8530 • 3221 Ryan St. • Lake Charles
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