Toni House - Realtor Baton Rouge Real Estate Expert

First and foremost I would like to apologize for my absence due to Hurricane Gustav.

My power was returned yesterday after almost a week after Gustav hit Baton Rouge. I am very blessed however as Baton Rouge and surrounding areas have been told it will be 2 weeks+ from now until all electricity is restored.

I do not believe much has been said about Hurricane Gustav in the media but it had a very damaging impact on Baton Rouge and surrounding areas. I could use my blog as a soap box to complain about the 9 hours+ people waited in their cars at FEMA Points of Distribution for ice, water, and MREs, or the 3 hour+ long lines to get gas, or how every traffic light was down in town and everyone missed Drivers Ed 101 when they taught how to make a 4 way stop. But complaining does not solve anything... instead you must focus on the positive aspects.

I would like to take this opportunity to talk about the 1.4 Million People who were without power, those who had trees crash into their homes and cars, those who saw water rising into their home and instead of complaining took action and stayed positive in a difficult situation. Our community has gathered together to help each other nailing tarps to our homes as the rain continued to come down, opening restaurants and cooking over gas grills with no electricty or A/C, cleaning debris in each others yards, while families sitting on their front porches with a radio in the center are grateful to have each other.

Cell phone towers wore down, Electricity was no where to be found, and Gas was scarce yet the genorosity and kindness of the southern people were still seen everywhere. One thing is true, Hurricane Gustav has taught us how to live with less.

This is one of the beautiful oak trees on the LSU Campus which I featured a couple of weeks ago-- Unfortunately many of the beautiful Live Oaks throughout Baton Rouge have been uprooted-- another example of things we take for granted.

President Bush was correct when he said, "This nation has come to know the strong and resilient spirit of the people of the Gulf Coast," Bush said. "They've made it through great challenges in the past and they're going to make it through this one, as well."

From this Louisiana and its residents will rise even stronger than they already were.

*All these pictures and more of Hurricane Gustav Damage may be found at WJBO.com.

"Our lives are not determined by what happens to us but by how we react to what happens, not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. It is a catalyst, a spark that creates extraordinary results." -Anonymous

What is GO Zone?

The Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005 (H.R. 4440 passed by Congress on Dec. 16, 2005, and signed by President Bush on Dec. 21, 2005) establishes tax incentives and bond provisions to rebuild the local and regional economies devastated by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The act is commonly referred to as the "GO Zone Act.

"While the entire state of Louisiana is part of the Hurricane Katrina Disaster Area, the provisions of the GO Zone Act apply only to a limited number of Louisiana parishes, defined as the "Core Disaster Area" and referred to as the "GO Zone." However, it is also important to note that the GO Zone reaches far beyond Plaquemines, Calcasieu, Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard and the other parishes most devastated by Katrina and Rita.

This means that businesses on the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain, in Baton Rouge, as far north as Pointe Coupee and the Feliciana parishes, and as far west as Calcasieu Parish are eligible to take advantage of many of the provisions of the GO Zone Act, including tax-exempt bond financing for new investment and favorable tax accounting for both new property and Katrina-related expenses..

The map below shows Louisiana Parishes covered by the GO Zone Act:

GO Zone Bonus Depreciation:

Under the GO Zone Act, taxpayers are now allowed an additional depreciation deduction equal to 50% of the depreciable basis of qualified Gulf Opportunity Zone property for the first year the property is placed in service. This additional first-year depreciation deduction is calculated after any Section 179 deduction, but before the regular depreciation deduction. The following conditions must exist in order to qualify for this additional depreciation:

• The property acquired must be qualified GO Zone property (see list below).
• Substantially all of the use of the property must be in the GO Zone and be in the active conduct of the taxpayer's trade or business.
• The original use of the property in the GO Zone must commence with the taxpayer on or after Aug. 28, 2005 (but the property may have been used property outside of the GO Zone prior to the taxpayer's acquisition).
• Must be placed in service before Dec. 31, 2008, for residential and non-residential real property and Dec. 31, 2007, for all other property.
• Must elect out if not deducting in the current year.
• No Alternative Minimum Tax depreciation adjustment.

The primary goal of the GO Zone Act is to support the rebuilding and revitalization of the local and regional economies impacted by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Why not invest in Louisiana, helping to rebuild this wonderful state, while also receiving tax exemptions?

*Information gathered from GoZoneGuide.com, visit their website to learn more!

GO Zone Property

There are still many properties that qualify for the GO Zone Tax Depreciation which ends in our Area December 2008 (Other Areas such as New Orleans and Alabama Coast will expire in December 2012).

An example of such a property would be Keller Williams' Agent Sarah Gummow's property in New Roads, LA:

"Absolutely NOTHING like this in New Roads! Just off Main St., this completely remodeled condominium conversion cannot be missed! All brick exterior with lush landscaping. The privacy fence on your patio makes Beau Riviere an inviting place to call home. Enjoy the crown molding in all living areas, the stainless steel appliances, microwave, and granite countertops in the kitchen, exquisite fixtures and ceiling fans. Great up-to-date paint colors that won't go out of style. Don't forget the washer and dryer hookups. There is no comparison."

These condos are listed at an unbeatable price starting at $81,650 for a 1BR/1BA and $119,750 for a 2BR/2BA. Great GO Zone Property!!! Visit beaurivierecondos.com to view more pictures! Listing Agents can be reached at: Sarah Gummow- (225) 939-3598 or Jan Keller- (225) 603-6216.

Call Me Today at (225) 964-6535 to learn more about how you can invest in GO Zone Property or to preview Condos above!

Most home owners think in order to be apart of the "green" building era you need to be wealthy. But, not true! The benefits of green homes are accessible to all. In fact, because of their ability to save residents money on utility bills and their potential to help reduce health problems like asthma, green homes in many ways are best-suited to those making less than an area's median income.

Survey results from individuals who had remodeled their homes in 2007 and had used "green" products in their renovations or constructed new green homes had the following results:

• Going green was the top reason cited for home renovations, with 42 percent of respondents saying environmental benefits such as energy savings and healthier air were their main reason for home improvements. That's more than other common reasons for remodeling, including increased comfort (34 percent) and improved appearance (24 percent).
  
• More than half (56 percent) of those surveyed who had bought green homes earn less than $75,000 per year; 29 percent earn less than $50,000.  
    
• Overall, lower-income buyers said they found tax credits and government
  programs, indoor air quality benefits and green certifications to be the most
  important incentives to buying green homes.
  
• The struggling housing market  has made 70 percent of respondents more or
  much more inclined to buy a green home over a conventional home.
  
• The median price of green homes in the survey was $239,000; 30 percent of
  the green homes cost less than $200,000.
  
• 52 percent of green homes cost "about the same" as a comparable non-green
  home, and 20 percent cost less.
  
• Green homeowners are overwhelmingly happier with their new homes than with
  their previous non-green homes: 87 percent were either more or much more
  satisfied with their green homes. They were most satisfied with the improved
  energy efficiency, health and indoor air improvements, and overall home quality.

 
These better-built homes offer a variety of potential benefits, including
increased energy efficiency, water conservation, improved indoor air quality,
environmentally preferable materials, and reduced construction waste.
Now we have the first hard data to back up what many of us have believed for a
long time: Green homes have greater value  than conventional homes since LEED
Certified homes sell for more money (statistics show between 28-38% more) and
also sell faster.

 

To see how you can change your personal home and make it "green" go to Greenhomeguide.org

LSU (one of the few land-grant and sea-grant institutions) was founded by the Louisiana General Assembly in 1853 and moved to its present location in 1926.

LSU includes 9 senior colleges and 3 schools, in addition to specialized centers, divisions, institutes, and offices. Their enrollment is more than 30,000 students, including more than 1,700 international students and about 5,000 graduate students.

LSU's most prominent landmark, the Memorial Tower, is the central feature of the LSU campus.

LSU's original designer, Theodore C. Link, designs' "define the Italian Renaissance character of the campus, which is marked by red pantile roofs, overhanging eaves, and honey-colored stucco". Click Here for More Info on LSU's Design.

Relax beneath the massive, majestic oaks that are located all over campus. The live oaks on campus have been valued at $36 Million.

Take a stroll along the beautiful Journalism Building.

Since the 1930s, More than 200 Buildings have been built with many more under construction or being planned.

"Forty-six buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the campus is protected by the State Capital Historic District legislation. "

Come watch the National Champions' Fighting Tigers Football Team play at Tiger Stadium. Tiger Stadium has a seating capacity of 92,400! Also known as Death Valley, Crowds in the stadium have caused the seismographs in the LSU Geology Department to register "earthquakes".

Before catching the game, be sure to go visit Mike the Tiger, the Official LSU Mascot in his $3 million dollar habitat. Mike VI is a two-year old Siberian-Bengal mix male currently weighing over 300 pounds!!

Opened in 1964, The LSU Student Union is also surrounded by beautiful Live Oaks and is the home to Barnes and Noble, LSU Book Store, PJ's, Email Stations, Computer Labs, Barber Shop, McDonalds, Food Court (Featuring Sushi, Home Cooked Type Meals, Chik Fil A, etc), Theatre, Art Gallery, and so much more! The Union is currently under Renovations.

For more information about this beautiful campus, LSU academics, arts, or sports visit LSU.edu!

Baton Rouge Weekend Events- August 8-10, 2008

Pennington Balloon Championships
The 3-day Pennington Balloon Championships begins on this Friday, August 8 and ends on Sunday, August 10. This is the sixth year of the nation's top hot air balloon festival! Attending will be more than 90,000 spectators and there will be 60 participating hot air balloons. It will take place at the Pennington Property and BREC Park along Perkins Road and Kenilworth Parkway. Races begin at 6:30 am and last till about 9 am daily! Activities resume at 3 pm daily with the opening of BREC's Children Village-pony rides, water slides, rock walls, face painting, arts and crafts, & more!! Festivities continue with an entertainment stage, U.S. Army Demonstration Parachute Team, Nightly Fireworks, and so much more!

Great shot by: ultraultraboomerang on Flickr

Sign up for the Up, Up, and Away 3.2K Fun Run and the ½ mile Kids Fun Run on Saturday, August 9 at 7 am. As you run you can enjoy the beautiful view of the Hot Air Balloons taking off for their race! Early registration is now closed but sign up for the race on the day of for $15 and receive a free t-shirt at check-in.

Admission and parking are free and this is a Must-See and fun activity for the entire family! Don't forget your camera!

----------------------------

Living History Weekend

Visit the USS Kidd on Saturday, August 8, for the Living History Weekend.

Photo By: pablolopez26 on Flickr

Enjoy the Civil War re-enactment with details from the Civil War and demonstrations from black-powder rifles. Admission is $7 for Adults and $5 for Children and this also gains you access to the museum.

----------------------------

Ascension Community Theatre

The Ascension Community Theatre Present's Disney's High School Musical at the Pasqua Theater (823 N Felicity Ave, Gonzales, LA) in Gonzales!Your choice of three different performances this weekend: Friday, August 8 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, August 9 at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, August 10 at 2 p.m.

----------------------------

Also, Don't forget the Olympics begin tonight and the Opening Ceremony is not to be missed! If you are a Cox Customer you are in luck! Fox has added two more HD Channels to provide specialized coverage... NBC Olympic Basketball Channel and the NBC Olympics Soccer Channel. Sports Zone will also be converted to an all Olympic events channel. If you are not a cox customer check into the games on NBC, CNBC, MSNBC, USA, Oxygen, and Telemundo. Not hard to miss, is it?

Whatever you decide to do and wherever you are have a fun and safe weekend!