Monthly Sales were 91 units. Comparison to last month: Increased 3% from 88 units. Comparison to this month last year: Increase 11% from 81 Units.
Average Sold Price was $186,413. Comparison to last month: decreased 2% from $191,023. Comparison to this month last year: Decreased 10% from $207,090.
Current Inventory is 6.48 months. Comparison to last month: Holding steady from 7.05 months. Comparison to this month last year: Decreased from 8.92 months.
Average Days on Market was 67. Comparison to last month: decreased from 78 days. Comparison to this month last year: Decreased from 87 days.
So what do all these numbers mean?The Average Sold Price being down is again indicative of the type of buyers we are seeing.First time homebuyers are still fueling the market. The inventory is slowly being eaten up and homes are not sitting on the market as long.This is all great news in the recovery of the housing market.I feel as if we have hit the bottom and are on our way up.FHA has announced some changes that will not make the climb easy. But as the old fable goes…SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE.
As I am sure you are aware, the tax credit has been extended to having an accepted contract in place by April 30, 2010 and closing by June 30, 2010. It has also been expanded to include "long time homeowners". These homebuyers will receive $6,500 on a new purchase. For more information about these credits, click here.
These stats are for areas 90,91 & 92 in Ascension Parish. Information used from Greater Baton Rouge MLS. They include only single family dwellings. Mobile home and land sales are not part of these numbers. If you would like information on either of these, feel free to let me know.
Forgive me for the plug I am about to give UPS. After you read this, you will understand why this has been on my heart to shout above the rooftops what a great company this is.
It was 9:00 am on Christmas Eve. I received a call from UPS. They were inquiring about a forwarding address for the owners of a home I had sold back in September. The nice lady on the other end of the line was calling from the local Gonzales, LA office of UPS. She asked me if I had a forwarding address for the former owners of the property. She said that she Googled their name and found that I had been the listing agent of the property! The package looked like a Christmas gift and they were trying desperately to get it delivered before the close of business.
Unfortunately, the owners were not close. They had moved out of town. I gave her the information I had and she said that she would take care of the rest.
I was so impressed. Someone took the time to track these people down. Instead of just sending the package back to the sender, someone used technology to make sure this package was delivered. I hung up the phone and vowed to use UPS whenever possible from this point forward.
(This is especially impressive to me now that my nine year old daughter has still not received the Christmas card from her grandparents in Maryland. It was sent USPS a week before Christmas.)
Props to the UPS employee that took the time to do some research on this lonely package. She gave me the best Christmas present of all!
2009…it’s almost over. As I sat down to write this, the first words to hit the keyboard were this. “Thank God this year is over. I am so ready for a New Year!” As I sifted through the past months in my mind, I pulled up the thoughts of seeing friends, family and strangers struggle with hardships, grief, pain and so much more. Again the thought of “Thank God this year is over. I am so ready for a New Year!” crossed my mind.
As I thought about each of these challenges a little more, I found myself doing some deep searching. All of these things that my family faced were actually blessings in disguise. Everything happens for a reason, we all have been told this, we all know this. I am here to tell you that this is very true. I think that each of the things we faced this past year were sent as wake up calls. We get so busy in our everyday lives that we tend to operate well within our comfort zone. This year, we were forced to function outside of our comfort zone and the results were amazing! After facing each speed bump or road block, we were stronger, wiser and genuinely better. This is true with both our personal and professional lives.
As I think about my friends and others, their stories are much similar. They finished the year with stronger families, stronger marriages, better jobs, better health and a renewed faith in God. As I wrote in Growing Pains, we are experiencing a “growth spurt”. I now view 2009 as a year of growth. Growth is always a great thing. I only hope that 2010 will bring more of the life lessons that helped us to grow and the new friendships that are truly treasured. I know that I have changed and I like the change!
I will enter 2010 with the intention of operating outside of my comfort zone, will you?
May 2010 bring you much love, happiness and prosperity. Happy New Year!
Monthly Sales were 86 units. Comparison to last month: Decreased 4% from 90 units. Comparison to this month last year: Increase 17% from 71 Units.
Average Sold Price was $187,791. Comparison to last month: decreased 10% from $208,335. Comparison to this month last year: Decreased 17% from $225,146.
Current Inventory is 6.95 months. Comparison to last month: Holding steady from 6.73 months. Comparison to this month last year: Decreased from 11.15 months.
Average Days on Market were 76. Comparison to last month: decreased from 86 days. Comparison to this month last year: Decreased from 98 days.
So what do all these numbers mean? In my opinion, they mean that we are holding steady for this time of the year. The Average Price Sold being down in nothing to be alarmed about. The original tax credit was due to expire on November30, 2009 so I would venture to guess that most of these homes were bought by first time home buyers. The price point in which they buy is lower than $200,000. In fact, most of the homes sold were in the $170,000 – $179,999 range. The great news is that home sellers were getting 98.98% of their asking price! Kudos to the homeowners and Realtors (r) who are working together to price the homes correctly!
As I am sure you are aware, the tax credit has been extended to having an accepted contract in place by April 30, 2010 and closing by June 30, 2010. It has also been expanded to include “long time homeowners”. These homebuyers will receive $6,500 on a new purchase. For more information about these credits, click here.
My family and myself wish you a Very Merry Christmas!
These stats are for areas 90,91 & 92 in Ascension Parish. Information used from Greater Baton Rouge MLS. They include only single family dwellings. Mobile home and land sales are not part of these numbers. If you would like information on either of these, feel free to let me know.
It just doesn't seem like Christmas until Santa Clause makes his annual visit thanks to the local fire departments. I get so excited when I hear the Christmas music and the Sirens of the fire trucks getting closer. Santa makes his way around the Prairieville neighborhoods to visit the children. He takes pictures with the kids (and adults!), passes out candy canes, listens to their wish lists and most importantly, collects non-perishable food items for area food banks.
Click here to see when Santa will be coming to your neighborhood!
Get your canned goods and cameras ready...Santa is coming! Merry Christmas!
Thursday, December 3, 2009 will be the 18th Annual Christmas Tree lighting party in Gonzales, Louisiana. The events will take place at the Gonzales Civic Center where the big guy himself, Santa Claus will be handing out gifts to local children and listening to all of their wish lists.
The lighting of the Christmas tree will be the main attraction at 6:00 pm and you can walk around Jambalaya Park with your family and enjoy the thousands of lights that have been put out for your enjoyment.
I understand that there will be Girl Scouts singing Christmas carols, Center Stage Performing Arts Academy will be providing live entertainment and the Jambalaya Festival Association will serve bowls of jambalaya. Sounds like there will be a good time had by all! Best of all....Admission is Free!
As I have thought about the things that I have to be Thankful for this year, I think about those that have really suffered. The economy has really hit some folks hard. I don't know that I can say that I know of anyone that hasn't had to make a change in one way or another because of the state of our economy. Being in this profession I have seen a lot of heart-ache. I have had to help sellers to sell their homes because they were no longer able to afford their notes. I have seen families loose their homes for the same reason. Families have had to sell extra cars and carpool. Loved ones have been lost.
Watching the world take its lick at people, I have wondered why. Why are these good people suffering? I don't know why but I have seen some wonderful things happening even through the blanket of rain. Families have become stronger; grown together in ways they never thought they could. Family game nights are not as seldom as they once were. Attendance is up in the churches; nothing like seeing the smiling faces of children as they leave Sunday School. Friendships have grown stronger as well.
Even families that seem to have lost everything have found something to be Thankful for.
It has been a tough year, yes. But if we all dig deep, we can come up with a list much longer than we everknew possible. Isn't that what Thanksgiving is all about? I am asking you to take some time tomorrow... reflect back on the year. No matter how bad it was...find something good. Find lots of things good. Be Thankful!
I am thankful for all of you... for being such a source of strength for me. For being my friends, my mentors, my shoulders to cry on, my inspirations.
From my family to yours...Happy Thanksgiving!
ps. If you would like to share with me what you have to be Thankful for, please do so! I would love to be Thankful with you for the blessings you have in your life!
I have recently had a few potential sellers ask me if they should list their home during the holidays. My first response is "Why shouldn't you?" Here are five reasons that I believe the holidays are a great time to list your home.
Families like to take advantage of their children's semester break to make a move.
The buyers that are out looking are serious about making a move. These are different buyers than the "looky loos" we get in the springtime.
The tax credit has been extended for first time home-buyers and expanded to include "long time residents". This means more motivation to actually make a decision.
Lots of people new to the area will be driving around while they are visiting loved ones. Your home may be perfect for your neighbor's Cousin Sally!
Honestly, when is your home more beautiful that when it is decorated for the holidays?
I know that schedules are hectic during this time.That is the number one objection I receive when speaking with a prospective seller.If you will be out of town a lot.This actually makes the showing process a lot easier.You won’t be bothered with having to leave for showings.If you will be home and have company staying with you, we will do our best to accommodate both you and the prospective buyer.
What about those holiday decorations?Make your home beautiful!Keep in mind that you want the prospective buyers to see your home, not your stuff.You want your home to feel roomy so be careful not to over-do the decorations. We can help you to decide how much is too much.
Typically, there is a smaller inventory during the holidays.Take advantage of this and have your beautiful home sparkle on the top of a buyers list!
Monthly Sales were 88 units. Comparison to last month: Decreased 27% from 121 units. Comparison to this month last year: Decrease 6% from 94 Units.
Average Sold Price was $205,143. Comparison to last month: Increased 7% from $191,622. Comparison to this month last year: Decreased 5% from $215,793.
Current Inventory is 6.56 months. Comparison to last month: Increased from 4.76 months. Comparison to this month last year: Decreased from 8.54 months.
Average Days on Market were 86. Comparison to last month: Increased from 83 days. Comparison to this month last year: Decreased from 97 days.
So what do all these numbers mean? In a nutshell, it means that the historic fall/holiday slow down has begun. Most of the first time home buyer's purchased earlier because the tax credit was due to expire on November 30, 2009. I think we will continue to see our slow down over the holidays. On November 6, 2009 it was announced that the tax credit was extended until April 30, 2010 and there was an expansion for "long time resident" purchasers of $6,500. This should spark some more interest but I wonder if people will wait until after the holidays.
The good thing about the holidays coming up is this. The sellers putting their homes on the market are serious sellers. They need to move and will price their properties appropriately. The buyers that are out looking are also serious. They are not the spring time buyers just out enjoying the weather.
Average Sales prices are back up. They are closer to the 12 month average which is $211,985.
Enjoy your holidays and don't hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have.
These stats are for areas 90,91 & 92 in Ascension Parish. Information used from Greater Baton Rouge MLS. They include only single family dwellings. Mobile home and land sales are not part of these numbers. If you would like information on either of these, feel free to let me know.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
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