Thanks to The News Star for the following excellent article written by Greg Hilburn:

2012 gets down to BUSINESS

Ouachita Parish has been bleeding jobs for almost a decade, but at least two economists believe the regional hub of northeastern Louisiana could enjoy net job growth in 2012, thanks to ongoing expansions at CenturyLink and JPMorgan Chase & Co.

"There has been a slow, steady decline in employment in Ouachita Parish for nine consecutive years, but I expect that to abate in 2012," said Bob Eisenstadt, director of the University of Louisiana at Monroe's Center for Business and Economic Research. "I believe we've bottomed out and will see a modest turnaround."

LSU economists Loren Scott and James Richardson forecast a growth rate of 0.5 percent for Ouachita in 2012 after a lost decade that saw the exit of two Top 10 employers in State Farm and Guide Corp.

Unfortunately, job losses and population declines in rural northeastern Louisiana are expected to continue, although there are bright spots like ConAgra's Lamb Weston sweet potato processing plant near Delhi.

Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret believes those recent expansion projects have set the foundation for more growth in Ouachita and the region.

"Generally, I see more opportunity for manufacturing in northeastern Louisiana because of the available land and the credibility that's been established with success stories like CenturyLink, Conagra and others," he said.

"Overall, it's a brighter outlook that we've seen in quite a few years," Eisenstadt said. "The Ouachita Parish economy is strengthening."

CenturyLink

CenturyLink's explosive growth since 2009 elevated it from Monroe's signature company to Louisiana's top corporate star.

With as much as $20 billion in annual revenue, CenturyLink is the largest company headquartered in the state.

The company, with its headquarters on U.S. 165 North, offers northeastern Louisiana's most lucrative job growth in 2012 and beyond.

CenturyLink announced last summer it will add 800 jobs here during the next five years with an average salary of $65,000 plus benefits and invest $30 million in a capital expansion to make room for the new workers. That's in addition to the completion of a 350-job expansion announced in 2009.

Gov. Bobby Jindal said the Monroe company "will truly transform the economy here for generations to come."

And when CenturyLink adds 800 employees to its Monroe headquarters, it could lead to 1,250 spinoff jobs that are likely to be just as lucrative in pay as those of Monroe's Fortune 100 company.

Once all of the new jobs are in place, the company will employ 2,500 workers at its headquarters with a $155 million local annual payroll.

"I think we have a great future here in Monroe," CenturyLink chief executive Glen Post said when the company announced its expansion plans.

See the complete article here: 

http://www.thenewsstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/201201010115/NEWS01/201010315

The dead of winter, as home gardeners and landscape professionals know, is the perfect time to plant a tree. From February 27 through March 4, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry hosts its annual Shade Tree Sale at its offices throughout the state. More than a million superior genetics hardwood and pine seedlings have been distributed to the public at bargain basement prices during the sale since it began in 1976.
Planting a tree is a truly unselfish act. You don’t plant them for yourself, but as a gift for the generations to come. To plant a tree is an act of reverence … a love letter to the good earth.

http://countryroadsmagazine.com/Features/planting-hope

Thanks to my friends at Country Roads Magazine for this good info!

All this beauty from something so small!

Thanks so much to Lottie Kendall, Realtor, at Today | Sotheby's International Realty, San Carlos, California, 94070  for this insightful post about Zillow.  She hit the nail right on the head!

Zillow is a fun way to "spy on your neighbors" as far as pricing, but be sure to read the Zillow disclaimer about Zestimates - it's often 20% off in either direction!

Gayle
****    ****    ****

"I took a look on Zillow, and they show an estimated price of $900,000."

"On September 8, the Senate Banking Committee unanimously approved the "Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act," sending it to the full Senate for consideration. This is the Committee's response to the NFIP reform bill H.R. 1309 passed by the House earlier this year. Similar to the House bill, this one would also provide for a 5-year extension as well as premium-rate and flood-mapping reforms that ensure the continuation of the program long term. The National Association of REALTORS has sent a letter to committee leadership urging 5-year reauthorization of the NFIP before Sept. 30, 2011, when the program's authority to issue flood insurance expires. " Half the country is either under water now, or has been within the past year. Why, oh why, does the Congress fiddle-fart around with flood insurance? This program should NEVER be allowed to expire. People who are buying a house should not have to worry about being able to get coverage before their closing. Gr-r-r-r.

School started here on Monday.

I'm too old to have a student at the elementary school only a block away, but I consider myself to be very lucky living so close to this wonderful school. Why? Every morning I hear the principal's voice on the loudspeaker say, "Good morning, boys and girls! Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance." 

It's a wonderful way to start the day--for the students and for me!

PS.
Be sure to have your eyes open for those precious ones while driving near the school zones.

 

 

The News Star, 8/3/2011

It's the fourth annual Wet 'n Wild Day Saturday at the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo and kids of all ages are invited and bring their parents for a day of fun.

"It's an event day at the zoo," said zoo director Joe Clawson. "We'll have water slides and slip and slides and two concerts by Trout Fishing in America. They do a kids' show and it's very popular."

Plus, with the $7 admission you can take a break from the water fun and check out the animals at the zoo.

"We charge a little bit extra and that includes admission to the zoo. And every penny we raise in admission that day goes to improvements at the zoo," Clawson added.

Since the weather is predicted to be scorching, kids and adults should slather on the sunscreen and be ready to get hot and wet.

"Be sure to wear something you can get wet in, and be sure to wear shoes," said Clawson. "The main thing is to know you are going to get wet. We don't really have places to change (clothes)."

The concert by Trout Fishing in America will be in the covered pavilion at the zoo, which Clawson said is surprisingly cool.

"We have some giant fans and they keep it comfortably cool," he said.

Clawson said there's a cool new site at the zoo, it's Penelope the Hippo's new house.

"It shows her off. You can see a lot more of her," Clawson said.

To make the day complete, the zoo will be offering special box lunches for $5 that includes a hot dog, chips, drink and a popsicle.

So if you are looking for a way to beat the heat, have some fun and help out a good cause on Saturday, Wet and Wild is the place to be.

 

The following post is right on point!  Are you paying attention, sellers?

Thanks to my friend Karen in Prince William County for this good info. She knows her stuff!

Prince William County

Karen Kruschka's Web Site

Popular Prince William County subdivisions to consider are Eagles Pointe, Wellington, River Falls, Saratoga Hunt, Winding Creek, Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, Brittany, Montclair, Ashland, Port Potomac, Potomac Club, Rollingwood Village, Lake Terrapin, Lake Side and Meadowbrook Woods

Single women now make up 20% of all buyers while single men account for only 12%. 

The Joint Center for Housing Studies says the three main reasons single women are purchasing homes are:

▪ They have a strong desire to nest (the top-ranked reason).
▪ They want to relocate closer to a job or family.
▪ They need more space.

In capturing this growing segment of female buyers, builders are reflecting more female tastes in the design of homes. For example, in new houses, builders are adding security features, gourmet kitchens, and maintenance-free yards to appeal more to the single woman buyer.

Housing experts say that single women are purchasing homes at various stages in their lives - some are new college grads and plan to one day get married while others may be divorced or just want to set up roots in their own place.

Source: "Singles Dive Into the Real Estate Market," SecondAct/MSN (July 12, 2011)

***

Being a homeowner and a single woman, I really enjoy helping women find a house of their own no matter what the reason!  Women are savvy shoppers, but a Realtor with experience in the local market is a real plus.  Call or email me if you're shopping or if you know someone who may be considering buying a home of their own. I'd love to help.

As reported in the News-Star this week, home prices in the Monroe Metropolitan Statistical Area grew about 3 percent in 2010. According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, this was the second best average change in the nation. 

Other housing market research sites like Local Market Monitor and Housing Predictor listed Monroe as one of the Top 10 markets in the U.S. In fact, Housing Predictor had this to say about the Monroe market:

"As national trends disintegrated into rising foreclosures and a more troubled economy, in the northern reaches of Louisiana, Monroe has held its own as a huge exception in America's real estate crash. One of the most stable economies in the U.S. is aided by growing employment, consistent home sales and the likelihood of more new home building in the region in 2011 should assist Monroe to remain on track through the New Year. Monroe is forecast to average home price appreciation of 2.1% for the year."

To read more about national housing values, go to housingpredictor.com

REAL ESTATE is LOCAL!!  Many people moving to Monroe expect to see the same kind of market they are experiencing in their present home state. It's sometimes a shock to see that prices are very stable in Monroe and West Monroe. That means when you make an offer of 30% less than the asking price, most sellers will not even negotiate with you. They will just reject your offer.

Let your Realtor show you the market numbers. They are your best ally in getting the house you want at the best possible price.