Prairieville, LA

People who find themselves unemployed and behind on the mortgage, may find help coming from an unusual source, their mortgage company. Even though CitiMortgage is facing tough times as its stock plunges to almost $1 a share, they have not forgotten they are the not the only ones facing hard economic times. The company has announced recently it has plans to help homeowners who are behind on their mortgage.

CitiMortgage announced on March 3^rd, that they will be reducing the payments of homeowners who have lost their jobs and are behind on their payments. Borrowers who find themselves 60 days or more behind on their payments, or those who are in foreclosure may be able to reduce their mortgage payment to $500 per month for three months. You cannot participate if you are eligible for a long-term loan-modification using criteria developed by the FDIC and adopted by Citi. The new Homeowner Unemployment Assist initiative is available only for first mortgage loans on a principal residence. Your mortgage must have conformed to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's limits at the time of origination.

This is good news for many homeowners. Thousands of homeowners may be eligible for this relief initiative. If they are still unemployed after the three months, CitiMortgage has stated they will continue to work with homeowners on an individual basis. It is really wonderful to see a mortgage company step up in the midst of its own financial hardship and help the American Homeowner. This is especially good news for homeowners who may have feared foreclosure as the moratorium that was in place with CitiMortgage will lift on March 12.

Once again this shows that in the long run, purchasing a home is a good investment that will not be lost in times of trouble. Sandy's Team can help you buy an affordable home in Baton Rouge or anywhere in Ascension Parish, Livingston Parish, and East Baton Rouge Parish.

You grab your morning cup of coffee and the paper and sit down for a few moments of quiet reading. Then it happens. In the blink of an eye, your quiet day is gone. You cannot believe your eyes!! The object of all your desires is on sale. Your blood begins to pump as you grab blindly for your car keys and wallet, when for the second time that day, something catches your eye. Can it be true? The desired object is on sale at TWO different stores! Have all the stars aligned? Should I stop and buy a lottery ticket? You head out the door to the store with the lowest price.

Many people will drive through a snow storm with 6 foot drifts to save money. Admit it. You know you are one of those savvy shoppers. We all like to get the most for our money. This is even more true when it comes to the buying a home.

One of the single most important things to consider when putting your home on the market is the price. Why? Well, let's look at Kathy and Bill. Kathy is finally ready to take the plunge and buy her first home. What determines which houses she will look at? Price. She will talk to her real estate agent and ask for listing information on houses up to $155,000 to $169,000. Kathy just defined her "Zone." Enter Bill. Bill just put his house on the market for $170,000. It seems like a good solid price and really comparable to the listings in his area. Meanwhile, Kathy is still searching for her new home. And never the two shall meet. Someone who priced his house at $70,000 might come down to the top of her price range, but she is not looking at anything that starts with $17_.

Now let's change the scenario. Bill lists his house at $169,500, a bit lower than other houses in the neighborhood.. It is not a significant difference for either a buyer or a seller when it comes to cost, but when it comes to perception it means everything. Bill's house is included in the listings Kathy's agent gives her. It is at the high end of her range but she decides there is just something about that house. She makes an offer within 24 hours of the showing. A few negotiations and a contract later, Bill and Kathy are both very happy as they leave the closing. Kathy has her dream home and Bill sold his home.

What changes the scenario may seem like so little from the eyes of a seller, logically they may say the buyer can always make an offer. The problem is the one person who may love your home may never see it if the price is not right. Knowing that the Price Must Be Right, where do you start? Your real estate professional can help you by doing a cumulative market analysis. They can help you find that magic number that will make buyers want to grab their car keys and head to your first open house!! Hey, they may even stop for that cup of coffee on the way!!!

We have good coffee and lots of great homes in Praireville, LA. Check out what Sandy and her team have to offer in Ascension Parish, Livingston Parish, and East Baton Rouge Parish on the web

As soon as the President signed the new law for the $787 stimulus package, states began considering ways of using the aid to improve different areas in their states. Faced with budget shortages, governors and mayors are envisioning how the stimulus might help their local areas. The main concerns are improving roads, bridges, improving schools, creating jobs, improving health care, and the development of new energy programs. Louisiana could put the funds to good use, but officials are concerned about "strings" attached to the funds, so they are planning slowly.

With an estimated 11% of the stimulus aimed at improving infrastructure, Louisiana is looking to receive $308 million. The state already has plans to improve roadways, lessening congestion into major cities throughout the south. One $10 million project will expand I-10 by one lane in each direction from Baton Rouge to New Orleans. There are also plans for I-12 improvements costing $100 million. Another $109 million of the federal money would be dispersed throughout the state to planning commissions to repair other roads and bridges. All projects would create new jobs and help our distressed economy since they have to be started within 120 days.

The state may also receive $1.7 billion for health care, but the state is hesitant to plan on spending this money as they question the Federal calculation. Louisiana may use part of the monies dispersed from the package to clear up debts it already owes for health care costs - $700 million. Officials are viewing this as a one-time allocation of money and want to be very careful how the aid is spent. As of Oct. 1^st, the state will have to pay the increase in the costs for Medicaid. This leaves $500 million over a 2 year period left for medical purposes. The state may have to stop expanding care for uninsured Americans, as state matching funds are necessary to qualify for Federal dollars.

Though more details coming out of Washington in future weeks will clarify what states have to do to qualify for aid, the money could boost Louisiana's already hopeful job employment picture and underwrite many other programs and improvements that would make the state an even better place for people to settle and raise their families.

Ready to settle in a new Ascension, East Baton Rouge, or Livingston Parish home? Contact Sandy's Team today to see your new home.

On February 19^th, 2009 Sandy Ogburn-Sandlin and her team at RE/MAX Excellent Properties attended the annual RE/MAX Awards luncheon. The event was held at the Marriott Hotel in Baton Rouge to honor the most successful RE/MAX associates in Louisiana.

Sandy was awarded the highly coveted Circle of Legends Award, recognizing her achieving $10 million in gross commission after being with RE/MAX 10+ years. Sandlin is the only agent in Louisiana to ever have won the award. Also awarded to Sandy and her team was the Diamond award. This award was given for the highest annual commission earned in the state. Other awards included highest number of homes sold and the highest number of sales per agent.

When asked how she achieved such accomplishments with declining real estate values Sandy said "Buyers and sellers realized more than ever they need someone with experience, knowledge, and integrity." Sandy said "It's times like these, when many Realtors are getting out of the business, that my team will shine because of their empathy for buyers as well as sellers."

Want to see the magic of Sandy and her team at work? We specialize in homes that should have sold but didn't - and would love to put you in one!

Yesterday President Obama signed into effect the Economic Stimulus Act. A portion of that is targeted to help the failing housing market and stabilize values in neighborhoods, by giving first time homebuyers a tax credit. Some Things to Know: (1) First Time Homebuyers for Principal Residence (2) Calendar year 2009 only (3)There are Income Limits. (4) It's Refundable even if you don't have that much tax liability (5) Buyers have to own the home for at least 3 years or return the credit if they sell early. While more details of this opportunity will be forthcoming, here's a summary to get you started planning from U.S.News and World Report's Luke Mullins.

Don't wait! With record low interest rates combined with this tax incentive, there's never been a better time to own your first home!