Shining bright in Southwest Louisiana - 03/30/08 04:10 PM
Several years ago, I bought real estate rights from Laura Kelley to this photo of the Lake Charles Civic Center at Night and have used it in multiple ways. In looking at it recently, it started me to thinking about all that Lake Charles, Southwest Louisiana and, of course, the entire region that suffered from the twin sisters of Katrina and Rita.
In a few months we will enter another Hurricane season, but we are wiser, better prepared, and less fearful. 
Southwest Louisiana is very much like this beautiful structure which is shining more brilliantly in the dark than it may appear in the daylight.  In the hours of the … (8 comments)

The Beauty of Southwest Louisiana II - 03/30/08 10:49 AM
 Enjoy your Sunday!See these photos and more on a page dedicated to The Beauty of Southwest Louisiana on Derenda.com … (5 comments)

404 Orchard, Lake Charles, LA - 03/29/08 02:05 PM
Near McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA! Wonderful spacious updated home on tree shaded lot near McNeese State University. The extra large family room is connected to the living room and kitchen making great entertaining areas. All flow onto the deck's patio with beautifully landscaped yard.
Plus, there is storage galore, office space, and a hobby room. Totally remodeled, the list of improvements is extensive. See this home's virtual tour and more, larger photos.  Search all of Lake Charles, LA listing courtesy of Derenda Grubb. Smply click on this MLS logo.
… (7 comments)

The pirates are coming, the pirates are coming! - 03/29/08 12:50 PM
The 12 day annual Contraband Days festival will be held in Lake Charles the first two weeks of May, 2008!  These photos of previous years are courtesy of the Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitor's Bureau.  Click here to see more and larger photos of Contraband Days and other scenes of Lake Charles.

This year marks the 51st anniversary of this festival that brings in 100,000 people by land and air.
The name and theme of the festival are based on the legend that Jean Lafitte & his band of buccaneers hid  along the waterways in Lake Charles and that the Contraband Bayou (worth a boat ride … (4 comments)

The Beauty of Southwest Louisiana, Introduction - 03/28/08 03:52 PM
This is the introduction to what will be an ongoing series,  Here, and on Derenda.com, I introduce visitors to the beauty of Southwest Louisiana. This is familiar territory for me! One of the many joys of my teaching career and as the sponsor of the W. W. Lewis Middle School Science Club, was to introduce students to nature. What an outdoor classroom I had then and still enjoy today. In a separate post, the ravages suffered during hurricane Rita will be discussed.  For now, the most important thing to say is that the Creole Nature Trail has been reopened.  I was pleased to have been in attendance and even more pleased to bring you these photos. 
Sulphur … (6 comments)

Looking for work? Check out Lake Charles, LA - 03/28/08 10:04 AM
Louisiana is experiencing a far different labor atmosphere than much of the nation.
Where other areas may be experiencing layoffs, we have a shortage of skilled labor and are in a hiring/labor-luring war with Southeast Texas for technical and industrial labor force, as discussed in length on the front page of the American Press Sunday, March 23, 2008. 
The Lake Charles area is in need of everything from engineers for the expanding and new industries, aeronautical technical skills, carpenters, mechanics, and on and on. 
If you have a skill, you can find work in Southwest Louisiana.  While the pay scale may not be the … (0 comments)

Newbie Derenda Grubb's introduction - 03/25/08 03:14 PM
Having forged ahead a bit, I realize now that I should have formally introduced myself, so here goes:
After teaching for many years, I became licensed with CENTURY 21 Bessette Realty and continue to enjoy my relationship and production with this quality organization.
Years ago, I discovered the power of the Internet in my classroom.  You know teachers are salespersons in reality.  They are trying to sell the student on the ideas and knowledge that can be learned each day.  Keep it exciting.  It was only logical to utilize this approach and technology to market my listings and I have used the … (35 comments)

Preliminary Absorption rate chart - 03/22/08 10:57 AM
Based on the previous 12 month approach as outlined in this article found on Realtor.org, I researched data from the MLS system of the Southwest Louisiana Association of REALTORS to produce this absorption rate chart.  Please note that this chart reflects all price ranges.
With the exception of MLS area 80, which is Sulphur, the areas listed are in Lake Charles. Because this is a new offering, bear with me as I create these charts. For now, I'm detaling the 5 most active areas as defined by 2008 sales activity. Areas like Moss Bluff will be included soon.
For more specific information relative to your area and … (0 comments)

Average Sales Price, most active areas within SWLA MLS - 03/22/08 10:40 AM
This chart indicates the averages sales price for the most active MLS areas within the Southwest Louisiana Associations MLS.  See my previous post for an explanation and links to learn more about each area.
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Chart showing comparison of units sold in most active MLS areas through Feb. - 03/21/08 06:04 PM
 
As the year progresses, I may need to make some changes, but for now, I've limited the data to the top 4 MLS areas to make for a more user-friendly chart.
Geographical descriptions along with a list of subdivisions within each MLS area can be found on each city page at Derenda.com. These city pages also offer quality of life information and a host of local links. 
For now, the MLS areas indicated happen to be in Lake Charles so this hyperlink to LakeCharles.Derenda.com leads directly to the page containing the MLS data.
MLS geo descriptions and a list of subdivisions area are also available for other areas, … (0 comments)

Lauren Logan in Sulphur, LA S O L D !! - 03/20/08 04:23 PM
Custom built, this brick home offers structural and architectural embellishments throughout!
It boasts 10' ceilings, open floor plan, double crown molding throughout, double trey ceilings in both the great room & master bedroom, archways, and a wood burning fireplace.
See the truly colossal master bedroom & bathroom and more at SWLAShowcase.com. 
Learn more about Sulphur, La, including geographical descriptions of MLS areas.
… (0 comments)

Lake Charles ranked 9th by Forbes.com's top 10 up-and-coming Tech cities - 03/16/08 10:08 PM
I'm jumping the gun a bit. What was going to be my first blog is still in the formative stages.
That blog will hopefully be the result of an interview that is in the works with Dr. Doug McNiel of the H.C. Drew Center for Economic Development Information Services.
Since one of the major purposes of my blog is to discuss local market conditions, an article in today's local paper, the American Press, is to good to pass up.
The headline? "Study: LC hot spot for tech growth"
It seems that Lake Charles, La, has been ranked 9th by Forbes.com in its … (2 comments)

 
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Derenda Grubb, GRI, ABR, CRS

Lake Charles, LA

More about me…

CENTURY 21 Mike D. Bono & Co.'s

Address: 4410 Nelson Road, Lake Charles, LA, 70605

Office Phone: (337) 478-1578

Cell Phone: (337) 842-2696

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