About Ascension Parish, LA

http://www.ascensionrealestateappraisers.com/ - Gonzales Louisiana 70737 Villa Gardens Housing Report Midyear 2009 by Ascension Parish FHA Appraisers

Solds In Villa Gardens Subdivision from 07/01/07 to 07/01/08 revealed:
Average Sales Price: $161,250
Average Sold Price Per Sq. Ft.: $115.13
Median Sold Price: $161,000
Low Sales Price: $160,000
High Sales Price: $163,000
Average # of Days On Market: 36
# of Sales: 4

Solds In Villa Gardens Subdivision from 07/01/2008 to 07/09/2009 reveals:
Average Sales Price: $170,975
Average Listing Price: $174,200
Average Sold Price Per Sq. Ft.: $114.40
Median Sold Price: $181,000
Low Sales Price: $155,000
High Sales Price: $182,000
Average # of Days On Market: 79
# of Sales: 4
Listing Price To Sales Price Ratio Has Been: 98%

Therefore, based on the median sale price barometer (the barometer used by the NAR National Association of Realtors) within Subdivision, the market direction appears to be increasing.

The Average Sales Price has increased by +$9,725

Median Sales Price has increased by +$20,000.

Average Sold Price Per Sq. Ft. has decreased by -$0.73/sf.

See 1004MC "Sub-market" Charting Below. Overall Stable Market To Slightly Increasing Market (+2.81% Since 7/2008). 6 Months Supply of Housing On Market. 17 Competing Listings Does Indicate a Slight Over-Supply. 98% List-To-Sales Price Ratio.

Market data used with the permission of Greater Baton Rouge Board of Realtors.

Author's Bio:

Bill Cobb, CREA, is Greater Baton Rouge's favorite and most reputable home appraiser frequently called upon by banks, homeowners, and savvy real estate investors to assess property values. A home appraiser with 17 years experience, Bill Cobb brings a wealth of knowledge to the table as a home appraiser.

Bill's company, Accurate Valuations Home Appraisal Group, serves Greater Baton Rouge (East Baton Rouge Parish, West Baton Rouge Parish, Western Livingston Parish and Northern Ascension Parish).

Contact Bill Cobb and Accurate Valuations Home Appraisal Group for your next home appraisal:

Office: 225-293-1500, Cell: 225-953-0638

Fax: 1-866-663-6065

fastvalue2@cox.net

http://www.ascensionrealestateappraisers.com/

It's the 4th of July and we hope that you are having a great holiday celebration wherever you are. You may think that we citizens of Louisiana know how to celebrate Mardi Gras, but we do up any holiday right. The homes here offer so much value and so many amenities that you could celebrate at home before attending nearby festivities.

If you were a citizen of Prairieville, Gonsales, Baton Rouge or any of the fine communities in the three parishes we serve, here is what you could be doing today.

Want a traditional 4^th of July celebration complete with a parade, hot dog eating contest, games, and fireworks at Bouligny Plaze? Spend the day at New Iberia City Park sponsored by the New Iberia Jaycees.

For an event with a real local flavor, enjoy the Red, White and Blueberry Festival in Clinton, where you can sample (and bring home) jellies, pies, and cobblers and win prizes for your best blueberry recipe.

Like fireworks, perhaps at the end of great day of grazing and swimming? Come to the Let Freedom Ring Festival in Thibodaux.

If you want to venture into Baton Rouge, you can help a good cause and enjoy Rouge, White and Blue margaritas, fireworks, dancing, and barbeque at the 5^th Annual 4^th of July Fundraiser at the LSU Museum of Arts.

If you enjoy entertaining at home, the greater Baton Rouge area offers homes to accommodate a few friends or a crowd. The gourmet kitchen at newly-constructed Baywood Quarters in Baton Rouge has a wrap-around bar where your guests could linger before moving out into the courtyard.

Like to swim? If you owned our fabulous showcase home at 18273 Magnolia Oaks Dr., you could host a beautiful pool party in the enclosed pool on this elegant 1.3 acre property.

If you are a boater, you would not have go far to board your craft if you owned the home with a boatslip on the Amite river at 14460 Samantha Dr. in Port Vincent. Reasonably price and spacious, this home would work as a primary residence or an inviting second home.

Do you just want a peaceful day at home? If your address was 15476 Ryan Ave. in Prairieville, you could sip your sweet tea from the extended covered patio as you gazed at the lake.

By Labor Day, the next holiday, Sandy Sandlin and her Team can make this happen for you. Visit her ReMax website or give her a call at (225) 677-SOLD for a real down-home Prairieville welcome.

Sandy Ogburn-Sandlin with RE/MAX Excellent Properties was recognized among the "Top 100" agents in the country in the Wall Street Journal published June 10th.

The article states top performing sales professionals ignore market turndown & turn in record year. The Wall Street Journal announced the 2009 rankings of the top real estate professionals in the country based on calendar 2008 results.

The Wall Street Journal list is based on a survey of over 7000 brokerage firms, association of Realtors, and hundreds of other sources to determine the top real estate professionals in the United States. The definition of what constitutes an individual sales professional and a team has been developed from the input from dozens of industry professionals, states the Journal.

Sandlin has been listed as #1 in the state by RE/MAX Dixie region for the past 15 years.

"When the market gets a little difficult we always seem to do more business," said Sandlin. "Our buyers and sellers realize in times like these they really need a Realtor® with a lot of experience and knowledge to help them make the right decisions" said Sandlin.

"My team understands the importance of market research and we always advise our clients based on supply and demand," said Sandlin.

RE/MAX Excellent properties is located at 16581 Airline Highway in Prairieville.

Wondering how much home you can afford? Sandy's Team will help you work up the numbers and help you find an affordable home in Prairieville, Baton Rouge, or anywhere else in the tri-parish area of Ascension, East Baton rouge, or Livingston. Visit our Sandyco.com website today.

If you're thinking of buying a new Prairieville home this year, you may already be familiar with the $8,000 first time homebuyer's tax credit. That's a great incentive! It can now even be used toward the downpayment or closing costs, but if you wait to get with your tax return, it could pay for most of your new deck or buy a lot of drapes and appliances.

Even before the current tax credit came into being, there are many tax advantages to owning a home. Some might help you now and some later, but since buying a home is a long term investment over time, most of these credits will interest you.

Yearly mortgage interest deduction: You can deduct up to one million dollars in interest on you primary residence or second home. These deductions are familiar to most people. Recent discussions about reducing or eliminating this mortgage credit met with public outcry, so you are safe in assuming that mortgage interest will offset your mortgage in the future.

Property tax deduction: All property taxes are deductible as well.

Points: If you bought a new home or refinanced an old one, your origination fees or points are deductable in the year you paid them. Closing costs are not deductible but hold on to your records - you may be able to deduct them when you sell.

Private mortgage insurance (PMI): If you need PMI because your down payment is less than 20%, you can deduct the cost of premiums if your income was less than $100,000 and your loan originated between December 31, 2006 and January 1, 2011.

Moving expenses: If you relocated for a full time job 50 miles or more away, the cost of packing, transporting, and storing your furniture is deductable.

Energy credits: If you replace door or windows, add insulation, or add alternative energy sources, you can qualify for a credit. Make sure to follow government directives so you purchase the right thing and keep your receipts.

Damage claims: If your home was damaged from a sudden unexpected event such as a natural disaster, fire, vandalism, or theft, you can deduct whatever your home insurance did not pay, less a $100 deductible and 10% of your gross income. Hopefully you won't need this credit, but knowing how hurricanes love to visit Louisiana, this could come in handy.

Capital gains: When you sell your home, you may have to pay capital gains tax - but not unless your profits exceeded $500,000 for married couples or $250,000 for single owners.

Improvements and closing costs: You can't deduct the cost of home improvements for your personal residence. When you sell, the cost of any permanent improvements as well as closing costs can be deducted to offset any potential capital gains liability.

Short sale debt: You can exclude debt up to $2 million if the lender forgave the debt in 2007, 2008, or 2009 after the short sale of your home.

Buying a home is not just a dollars and cents thing for most buyers. The various tax credits and incentives, however, make your purchase even more attractive.

Want to know more about the home buying process? an in-depth look at what to consider when buying a home, don't forget our Free Seminar for Baton Rouge Area Homebuyers on June 23 at 6:00 pm. Lending representatives will be on hand to address credit and mortgage issues. To register or for more information, please email info@sandyco.com or call (225) 292-7609.

Wondering how much home you can afford? Sandy's Team will help you work up the numbers and help you find an affordable home in Prairieville, Baton Rouge, or anywhere else in the tri-parish area of Ascension, East Baton rouge, or Livingston. Visit our Sandyco.com website today.

FREE HOME BUYERS SEMINAR

DATE: June 27, 2009

Time: 10:00 am

PLACE: Sagefield Condo's

15115 Hwy 44, Gonzales, LA

Please RSVP to Sarah Collins at

504-390-6614 or

email your information to sarah@exitrealtykeystonela.com

****SEATING IS LIMITED SO PLEASE RESERVE YOUR SEAT TODAY***