Patsy Lang

The Parish Council has scheduled a meeting for adopting the 2009 tax millages for September 3 at 6 p.m. This meeting will determine the amount of property tax due on each property in St Tammany Parish. Property taxes are a combination of the value of the property as set by the Parish Assessor and the number of mills due for each property as set by the Parish Council. At present, all of the millages are below the limit set by the Louisiana state mandates and approved by Parish voters.

According to the Assessor's office, there is the possibility that our property taxes for 2009 will be increased by 2% - 3%. Since the Assessor's office is still in the process of updating property records, how much of an increase, if any, has not been determined. The Parish Council members have agreed to keep the millages as low as possible while maintaining current services.

The meeting is a public hearing. So, it is to your benefit to attend. Remember: property values, millages and taxes affect everyone. For more information regarding the current millages, visit the parish government website.

Patsy Lang, the Lang Team - Different by Design, for all your Mandeville real estate needs

Round two of the three-part "Jammin on the Trace" competition will take place this Thursday at the Tammany Trace Trailhead on the Caboose Stage (21490 Koop Drive, Mandeville). Five local bands will participate in this week's competition beginning at 6:00 p.m. Five bands will compete for first, second and third place and receive cash prises. However, only the top two of this week's competition will move on to the final battle of the bands.

Round three of the three-part series will be held on July 23. The winning bands from round one and two will meet and compete for the coveted title of Jammin on the Trace Champ. For the competing bands, this is what Jammin on the Trace is about: the final battle and the "Jammin on the Trace Champ" title, although they appreciate the cash prizes, as well.

If you miss any of the competition, you will be able to see all three sessions which will be aired on Access St. Tammany (Charter - Channel 10).

"Jammin on the Trace"
Supported by the Ronnie Kole Foundation and the Louisiana Diviosn of the Arts.
Presented by the Tammany Trace Foundation and the Tammany Parish Government

Patsy Lang, The Lang Team, Different by Design

First-time buyers have many good reasons to buy a home in St. Tammany Parish. One of the best advantages (for a limited time only) is the first-time buyers federal tax credit.

* First-time Buyers Federal Tax Credit

1. First-time buyers get an $8,000 (max - 10% of the sales price) tax credit when filing their 2009 taxes next year if they purchase a home in 2009. However, escrow must close no later than November 30, 2009.
2. The Tax Credit does not have to be repaid.
3. The Tax Credit applies only to homes purchased as a principal residence.

* First-time Buyers Tax Credit As A Down Payment or Closing Costs

1. FHA has just announced that first-time buyers may now use the $8,000 federal tax credit to supplement their down payment.
2. FHA will also allow you to use the tax credit to pay your closing costs when purchasing a home with FHA financing.

First-time buyers can take advantage of St. Tammany's excellent real estate market.

* Stable Market:

1. Unlike many areas in the nation, the real estate market is stable in St. Tammany Parish.
2. The foreclosure disaster has bypassed the state of Louisiana because we did not need high-risk loans to sell our homes.
3. Home values are not declining in St. Tammany Parish. Values have remained stable even in the midst of the current recession.

* Buyers Market:

1. Our market is stable. However, the number of homes available on the market has risen, giving home buyers the edge.
2. Sellers are pricing homes at very competitive prices.
3. Sellers are willing to help buyers with closing costs.

First-time buyers can take advantage of the FHA home loan program.

* FHA Financing for First-time Buyers

1. FHA does not require a 10 -20% down payment. The FHA required down payment is only 3.5% - 5% of the agreed sales price.
2. FHA does allow gifted funds for the required down payment from certain government programs, the buyers' parents or employers.

For first-time buyers, now is an excellent time to invest in future. First-time buyers can take advantage of the excellent real estate market in St. Tammany Parish, a first-time buyer federal tax credit and FHA financing. Remember, the federal tax credit currently available to first time buyers will end on November 30, 2009; escrow must be closed on or before that date.

Patsy Lang and the Lang Team: Different by Design

Whether you are an established business owner, a new entrepreneur or thinking of opening a business, today is the day made for you. The St. Tammany West Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its 17th Annual Business Expo today (May 6) from 11 am to 7 pm in Mandeville at the Castine Center. The trade show is the largest in the region and an event business owners will be wise to attend. The trade show will feature 100 exhibits which will display the latest tools and services for business owners. Be sure to stop by the St. Tammy's Parish Hospital and meet DaVinci, the Surgical Robot.

The St. Tammany's Business Expo is a great place to meet, greet and network. Admission is free and door prizes will be give to some lucky attendees. Following the expo, there is an After Hours event, where food and drinks (including champagne) will be served. The After Hours admission is a reasonable $10. Chamber members will receive a $5 discount.

Patsy Lang and the Lang Team, Mandeville real estate

That was the subject at the Mandeville City Council meeting. The piece of history in question is the house located at 2603 Lakeshore Drive which was built around 1852. The home is currently owned by William Jourdan. Unfortunately, the house received substantial damage during Hurricane Katrina. Mr. Jourdan has tried to find a way to restore the historic home. However, he has come to the conclusion that he cannot complete the necessary repairs and has applied for a demolition permit.

Mr. Jourdan would live to see the home preseved and has offered an alternative plan to the city. He would like to donate the home to the City of Mandeville. The city would be required to move the house to another location and restore the home. Some residents and council members feel that saving this bit of Mandeville history is well worth the price tag, which is still to be determined.

The city has contracted with historian and archivist Sally Reeves to identify architectural and historic structures in Mandeville. At this time, there are about 450 buildings in Mandeville which have been identified as significant structures, including Mr. Jourdan's home, in her report. In Ms. Reeves' report, she has identified the Lakeshore Drive home as the "singular Mandeville-style cottage now found in Louisiana." The council has authorized Mayor Price to advertise for bids to move the home to another location. Mayor Pro Tem Lenfant offered a suggestion to auction the home. The new owner would be required to move the house to a location within the city limits and to restore the home.

This year is the 175th anniversary of the founding of Mandeville. The city is currently working to develop guidelines for protecting and preserving historic structures with the city before they are lost to future generations. Ms. Reeves will present her report on Mandeville's historic structures later this year during the City of Mandeville's 175th anniversary events.