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Baton Rouge, LA

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Louisiana Jumps to 9th in Best Business Climate

11-02-10
Quinton Renfro
Quinton Renfro: Real Estate Agent in Baton Rouge, LA
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  • Office: (225) 761-0551
  • Mobile: (225) 287-9448
  • Secondary: (214) 762-6257

Louisiana jumped from 25th to 9th place in the annual rankings of the best states for business - marking the largest movement of any state. Louisiana was lauded for its innovative job-training program, its plan to market the state nationally and the restructuring of its business and franchise tax programs.

In addition, it appears that the State's focus on ethics reform has helped to positively change the perception of how solid the business climate actually is here in Louisiana. The announcement by Nucor to construct a $3.4 billion steel & iron plant has done nothing but bolster that perception. State & local governments in conjunction with private business are working hard to help ensure this momentum continues to carry forward.

As more and more businesses investigate Louisiana as a possible relocation site, the are pleasantly surprised at the state of the real estate market. Fortunately our real estate market did not overheat like so many around the country. Housing prices remain very steady and affordable and there is ample inventory available.

So if you're thinking about relocating your business or your family down to Louisiana - come on down....we'd love to have you!

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Fall Is Here, My Favorite Time of Year

11-01-10
Ann Dail, Broker/Realtor,ePRO, SRS, B.A.Chem
Ann Dail, Broker/Realtor,ePRO, SRS, B.A.Chem: Real Estate Agent in Baton Rouge, LA
  • view my blog
  • Office: (225) 761-0551
  • Mobile: (225) 202-1554

This morning I just changed my screen saver to a view of an autumn landscape. The brilliant golds and reds in the maple leaves along a path leading over a wooden bridge. It reminds me of the beautiful falls we had in Ohio. I lived there 12 years and 3 of my boys were born there.

What I love about fall? The crisp, cool change in the weather where you need a sweatshirt if you're out in the evenings. Football, football, football (my dad thougth he was having a boy and I was the only child so I grew up at the games with him). The fall restivals of all kinds and varieties that are planned outdoors to take advantage of the usually dry and sunny days. Maple festivals, Oktober fest beer gardens, apple butter festivals, local festivals in every kind imaginable! Here in Louisiana are plantation, pumpkkin patch, frog jumping, crawfish, art and living history ones.

But I think there very best thing I love about fall is the baking. The apples and pumpkins are in season. So Thanksgiving brings about many receipes for pies and cakes using these. Here is my favorite, an apple cake. This cake is great for lunch boxes and amazingly it stays moist and fresh for days!

APPLE CAKE

5 apples peeled and cut in cubes; 2 cups sugar; 1 tsp. lemon juice; 2 tsp. cinnamin; 1 tsp. nutmeg; 1 tsp allspice, 1 cup margarine or butter; 3 cup flour; 2 ts. soda; 1 tsp. salt; 2 beaten eggs; 1 cup raisins; 1 cup nuts (I like walnuts)

Mix apples, sugar, and spices and let stand at least 30 minutes. Melt margarine or butter and let cool some. Sift together flour and soda and salt. Add apple mixture to flour and then stir in the shortening and eggs last. Add raisins and nuts. Mix well. Pour into greased 9x12 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for about 50 minutes. Serves 12.

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Gulf Change Rally, Forum and Benefit Concert - Saturday October 30

10-30-10
Myrtle Beach Real Estate by Mirela Monte
Myrtle Beach Real Estate by Mirela Monte: Real Estate Brokerage in Myrtle Beach, SC
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  • Office: (843) 280-7283
  • Mobile: (843) 251-2378
  • Secondary: (843) 796-0316

Gulf Change Rally, Forum, and Benefit Concert
1PM – 3PM
N. 3rd St. on State Capitol Dr., Baton Rouge.

Our last chance to make a stand prior to elections. All state and federal politicians have been invited and some have signed on to attend. This will be a positive rally in which the people of Louisiana will come together to show their support for each other and for our Gulf.
...
Fishermen, Crabbers, Oil Workers, Citizens, Non-profits, Activists, Politicians, Scientists, Doctors - speaking in one voice for our state, it's environment, health and industries.

MAKING THE CASE FOR THE COAST: THE MANSHIP THEATRE
5PM – 7PM
Shaw Center for the Arts
100 Lafayette St, Baton Rouge, LA 70801

After 6 months of independent analysis throughout the coastal waters, citizens and independent scientists will be able to present evidence to influential leaders concerning the situation in the Gulf as it stands today and make recommendations for the future.

GULF CHANGE BENEFIT CONCERT: THE SPANISH MOON
9PM – MIDNIGHT
1109 Highland Rd
Baton Rouge, LA 70802-7515

Cost is $10 at the door. The money raised will go toward sending a delegation to Washington D.C. to meet privately with congressional leaders concerning: long term health and mental health care studies, retraining of fishermen and oil workers whose jobs have been and will continue to be impacted, the establishment of a Gulf Citizen's Advisory Council and an end to the use of chemical dispersants in dealing with oil spills.
Live bands, including Drew Landry, and special guests.
Costume Contest with cash grand prize.

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Rural Development Funding

10-28-10
Ann Dail, Broker/Realtor,ePRO, SRS, B.A.Chem
Ann Dail, Broker/Realtor,ePRO, SRS, B.A.Chem: Real Estate Agent in Baton Rouge, LA
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  • Office: (225) 761-0551
  • Mobile: (225) 202-1554

If some of you have been around the real estate industry for several years as I have, and if you tried to do a rural development loan several years ago, you are in for a pleasant surprise. This program use to be expremely difficult to get a home approved. The great news is that has changed, and Rural Development guidelines are now very competitive with FHA and other loan programs. But their advantage is no down payment out of pocket.

Even more good news is that some of our funding sources here in Louisiana are still writing these loans on the conditional commitments even with all the confusion in USDA.

What are the advantages of RD funding? Here is a brief video to explain:

These loans apply to many Baton Rouge Area rural areas in Livingston, Ascension, Iberville, and the Felicianas.

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Is Mortgage Tax Deduction at Risk?

10-26-10
Ann Dail, Broker/Realtor,ePRO, SRS, B.A.Chem
Ann Dail, Broker/Realtor,ePRO, SRS, B.A.Chem: Real Estate Agent in Baton Rouge, LA
  • view my blog
  • Office: (225) 761-0551
  • Mobile: (225) 202-1554

Is mortgage interest tax deduction in joapordy?One area to watch as pressure comes to balance the federal budget, is cuts in tax deductions. The Wall Street Journalreported that an area. currently under study by the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform that was appointed by President Obama, is the elimination or drastic reduction of several tax credits: the mortgage tax deduction, child care credit, and health insurance deduction

The elimination of the mortgage interest tax deduction (or drastic reduction of it), would not be healthy for an already sluggish national housing market. This deduction for owner-occupied homes is estimated to cost the government some $100 billion a year. But the majority of Americans want the deduction to stick arund, according to An independent survey by Public Opinion Strategies. It released the poll at the end of September which showed that 79% of responsents - both owners and renters - believe the federal government should provide tax incentives to promote homeownership.

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