“Your sales eavesdrop on your thoughts.”

I shared my new weekly approach in my team meetings with you a few weeks ago in the first of my Motivational Monday Blogs. Today, Wendy Savoy shared this perfect quote that is so true. If we are positive and energetic then our sales definitely reflect that. If we are negative, our energy is diminished, and our sales are down. So, this week the Elite Team will keep our thoughts positive and focused so our sales can reflect all the greatness we are thinking. 

Festival Information

Admission
Friday May 1, 2015 – $5.00
Saturday May 2, 2015 – $10.00
Sunday May 3, 2015 – $5.00
Advance 3-Day Pass – $15.00 (Available the week of the festival at the festival office or the festival grounds and will not sell out of passes)
Music
The Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival has become one of the largest gatherings of world fmous Cajun, Zydeco and Swamp Pop musicians and plays host to over 30 bands on three stages during the three-day festival. Music fills the air from morning into night at Parc Hardy! Check out this year’s line-up of musicians!
Breaux Bridge Heritage Tent
Cajun and Zydeco music, along with accordion making, Cajun dance & cooking demonstrations are showcased here. We also highlight aspects of our unique culture such as Bourrée, a traditional Cajun card game.
Cuisine
Nothing is as unique to Cajuns as eating crawfish during festival weekend. You’ll enjoy tasting crawfish prepared in every imaginable way—fried, boiled, in an étouffée, bisque, boudin, pie or jambalaya, and crawdogs, along with other Cajun favorites (shrimp, crab, gumbo, red beans and rice, just to name a few).
Crawfish Races
As the Crawfish Race Commissioner yells “ils sont partis”, our world famous race of the crawfish begins! Numbered crawfish race to the finish line with skillful aid from their registered owners on an eight-foot circular target. This race is open to all and a joy to watch.
Cajun & Zydeco Dance Contests
Put on your dancing shoes and two-step or Cajun waltz to traditional Cajun and Zydec Music. The most talented will win gift packages as their prizes. This event is a must for those who want to learn a few new steps.
Crawfish Etouffée Cook-Off
This epicurean event features cooking teams who vie for the title of Cook-off Champion. Truly a gourmet’s delight, this contest is also noted for showmanship displayed by the contestants. Samples are available once the judging is complete.
Arts, Crafts & Specialty Items
Stroll your way through rows of unique items – handcrafted and novelty – as artists, craftsmen and vendors display their wares for your shopping enjoyment. Official Crawfish memorabilia are also available at the Information Booth. Vendors, click here for information on how you can participate.
Carnival Midway
Enjoy rides and games for all ages at the carnival, located inside a fenced area of the festival grounds at Parc Hardy behind the food pavilion.
Crawfish Eating Contest
This contest is measured by the weight of boiled crawfish consumed within forty-five minutes. Contestants must display dexterity in obtaining the meat from the crawfish as well as a healthy appetite. The Crawfish Eating Contest is held in the Heritage Tent and is open to the public.
Parade
The parade honors our Crawfish Queen who rules over our festivities along with her King, Junior Royalty and Ecrevettes. You will also enjoy sights of Cajun family bands, marching bands and festive floats. Meet this year’s royalty.
Parking
Car parking is available in the rear of the Festival Grounds for $5.00 per day. Self-contained camping is available for $40 for the weekend (Friday to Sunday). Handicapped parking is available near the entrance of the festival grounds.
Crawfish Festival Ordinance, as set forth by the City of Breaux Bridge, prohibit bringing in the following items on the festival grounds:
– Alcohol of any kind
– Glass containers
– Coolers (large or small)
– Frisbees or water projecting devices
– Animals (only eye seeing allowed). 
– Knives or weapons of any kind
– No Wagons
There is also an open container law in effect for the City of Breaux Bridge.
For directions to the festival, please see our Map and Driving Directions.
Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival Office  (Face Book):  https://www.facebook.com/BreauxBridgeCrawfishFestival
P.O. Box 25
Breaux Bridge, LA 70517 
Map & Driving Directions
Phone: 337.332.6655
Fax: 337.332.5917

Originally Posted at: Lafayette Real Estate News

Record Improvements Now

There is a significant difference in how the money you spend on your home is treated for income tax purposes.  Repairs to maintain your home’s condition are not deductible unlike rental property owners who can deduct repairs as an operating expense.

On the other hand, capital improvements to a home will increase the basis and affect the gain when you sell which may save taxes.

Additions to a home or other improvements that have a useful life of more than one year may be considered an increase to basis or cost of the home.  Other increases to basis may include special assessments for local improvements like sidewalks or streets and amounts spent after a casualty loss to restore damage that was not covered by insurance.

Unlike repairs, improvements add to the value of a home, prolong its useful life or adapt it to new uses.

You can read more about improvements and see examples beginning on the bottom of page 8 of IRS Publication 523.  For a form to keep track of money you spend, print this Improvement Register.

Originally Posted at: Lafayette Real Estate News

The first impression the potential buyer gets from a home can make all of the difference of whether the home sales or not. Curb appeal will definitely attract more buyers and that will help your home sell faster. Nancy Moeller hit the nail on the head with her great tips on how to achieve this with very little effort and cost. If you are unsure about where to begin or feel overwhelmed, contact us or find us on Facebook and we will be glad to assist you.