Shreveport, LA

Most buyers have a lavish and grand idea of what they want their perfect house to look like. All too often though, they soon find out that many of their focal points don't match up with the price points. This is when I tell my buyers to look at the big picture. Step back a minute, and take a good look at the house. What does it have that you love? What does it not have that you want? Do the improvements necessary to make this your perfect house match up with the value it will add to the house? (And remember there are only a few improvements that actually give you 90+ % return on your money... So decide if a 40-70% return on your money will suffice given the added comfort and updates.) Make sure that points you're focusing on, aren't points that can easily be fixed. Paint, windows, fixtures, knobs and faucets, these can all be fixed and changed with relative ease. Instead only try and worry about big restoration projects such as new roofs, HVAC units, kitchen/bathroom remodeling... These are the big things that aren't cheap but will definitely hold value to your house. Little improvements and repairs can be done along the way. Remember, you're buying a house because you want to make it yours. Just because it might take a little while to get there, don't stress out or give up. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call or email. For all of your real estate needs, make the call... Joel Hall

Allstate Corp. (ALL), the largest publicly traded U.S. auto insurer, is investing in energy and real estate as near record-low interest rates squeeze income from bonds, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Thomas Wilson said.

“For insurance companies or long-term investors, obviously, low interest rates reduce the economic upside we have from investing in America,” Wilson said in a phone interview yesterday after Allstate announced fourth-quarter results. “It encourages people to invest in different things. Sometimes those different things are real assets.”

Insurers invest in fixed-income securities to back policyholder liabilities and generate income. Yields on their portfolios have been under pressure as the Federal Reserve holds its benchmark interest rate at between zero and 0.25 percent.

The central bank last week extended its pledge to keep interest rates low through at least late 2014. About half of Allstate’s $95.6 billion portfolio was in corporate bonds as of Dec. 31, according to a presentation on the Northbrook, Illinois-based company’s website. The insurer also has holdings of Treasuries, municipal debt and mortgage-backed securities.

“When you’re getting less than 2 percent on a 10-year Treasury, or 3 percent on a corporate bond for 10 years, it doesn’t feel like as good of a return relative to the risk,” said Wilson. The insurer has increased investments in oil and gas assets and equity real estate, he said.

I've said this before, but I'm going to say it again. I LOVE Inviting people to ActiveRain! It makes me feel great that I will be introducing them to ALL of YOU! So much knowledge, so many skills, such great friendships are all available right here on ActiveRain.
It is the BEST place to network in the Real Estate Industry.

I would like everyone to stop by and welcome COLTON HAGLER to ActiveRain. He is the owner of Scope Home Inspections based in Shreveport Louisiana. He has been in the construction industry for over ten years. He has a bachelor of science degree in Construction Engineering Technologies from Louisiana Tech University and has worked in all aspects of construction, as a superintendent and field engineer, from startup to finish out. LHI #10760 InterNACHI Certified Home Inspector.

Colton has posted several blogs for our enjoyment, that have all rolled by on the blog roll SOOO FASSST I bet you didn't get a chance to see them. He is brand new to ActiveRain so please add him as an associate, and subscribe to his blog. He's written VERY Helpful and INFORMATIVE Home Inspection Articles.

Blog #11, Day #11 of the Challenge: 2012 BIG Jumpstart Back to Basics Blog Challenge
Day 11 - Blog #11; Second of 2; I -Interaction c.) Invitations

One of my fellow BNI (Business Networking International) members, Everado Recendiz, a certified business coach with Action Coach, recently shared a cause with our BNI group, the Shreveport Closers. He told us that at any given time in Caddo Parish, Louisiana, along with 9 surrounding parishes, there were over 300 children living in foster homes. These foster parents receive no additional assistance from the state to provide gifts for these children at Christmas.

Everado was so moved by this fact that he sent out an e-mail to our entire group, asking if any of us wanted to participate in an effort to bring a little added Christmas magic into a few of these children's lives. He sent several children's first names and their "Santa list". My team and I chose to play "Santa" for a six year boy who wanted a bike, skateboard and a remote control car.

I appreciate "Coach Ever: and his wife for bringing this to our attention - sometimes we just don't know who really is in need. And I appreciate his passion to reach out and touch some children's lives during this giving season. And by sharing this information, he allowed us to share in the joy of giving. Oh, my team does love playing Santa!

Part of our "Give Back Program" for 2012 will include that we become more proactive with local organizations who DO know the children who are in need. Ignorance will NOT remain an excuse for us. And we need to be more like Coach Ever - and invite others to share in the joy of giving!

What about you? What will be YOUR "Give Back Program" for 2012?

JUST THE FACTS…

The following figures are for the month of October 2011.

In the entire Shreveport/Bossier market there are 1699 Homes For Sale.

Last month only 303 homes actually sold!

That’s a 5 ½ month supply of homes if no more homes come on the market.

Last month 521 homes came on the market.

Currently there are 109 homes above $401,000 for sale in Shreveport/Bossier.

Last month only 3 homes actually sold.

That’s a 36 month supply of homes if no more homes come on the market.

Last month 20 homes went on the market.

Currently there are 292 homes priced between $251,000 and $400,000 for sale in Shreveport/Bossier.

Last month only 46 homes actually sold.

That’s a 6 month supply of homes if no more homes come on the market.

Last month 75 homes went on the market.

Currently there are 546 homes priced between $151,000 and $250,000 for sale in Shreveport/Bossier.

Last month only 98 homes actually sold.

That’s a 5 ½ month supply of homes if no more homes come on the market.

Last month 192 homes went on the market.

Currently there are 752 homes priced under $150,000 for sale in Shreveport/Bossier.

Last month only 156 homes actually sold.

That’s a 5 ½ month supply of homes if no more homes come on the market,

Last month 234 homes went on the market.

*Information based on data supplied by NWLA MLS published Nov. 8, 2011. Neither association nor Realty Executives SB is anyway responsible for accuracy. Data may not reflect all real estate transactions in the market.