For years, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) has educated consumers about not giving out personal information over the telephone or to anyone who shows up at their front door. With the US Census process beginning, the BBB advises people to be cooperative but cautious so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft.

The first phase of the 2010 US Census is under way, as workers have begun verifying addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 US Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address, including name, age, gender, race and other relevant data.  "Most people are rightfully cautious and won't give out personal information to unsolicited phone callers or visitors; however, the census is an exception to the rule," said Andy Fisher, BBB Shreveport. "Unfortunately, scammers know that the public is more willing to share personal data when taking part in the census, and they have an opportunity to ply their trade by posing as a government employee and soliciting sensitive financial information."

The census data will be used to allocate more than $300 billion in federal funds every year as well as determine a state's number of congressional representatives. Households are actually required by law to respond to the Census Bureau's request for information. During the US. Census, households will be contacted by mail, telephone or visited by a US Census worker who will inquire " about the number of people living in the house. Unfortunately, people may also be contacted by scammers, who impersonate census workers to get access to banking and financial information.

Law enforcement in several states have issued warnings that scammers are already posing as Census Bureau employees and knocking on doors asking for donations and Social Security numbers. The big question is, how do you tell the difference between a US Census worker and a con artist? The BBB offers the following advice: If a US Census worker knocks on your door, he will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see his identification and badge before answering his questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don't know into your home.

Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the US Census. Census workers will not ask for banking and financial information, nor will they solicit donations.

Eventually, census workers may contact you by phone, mail or in-person at home. However, they will not contact you by email, so be on the lookout for email scams impersonating the census. Never click on a link or open any attachments in an email that is supposedly from the US Census Bureau. For more advice on avoiding identity theft and fraud, visit the Better Business Bureau.

Permission to reprint by: "The Forum Newsweekly" Article taken from June 3, 2009 issue, page 10

217 Ixworth Avenue

The Village at Tiburon

Bossier City, Louisiana

I just listed this home in the north Bossier gated neighborhood, The Village at Tiburon. It's located just north of I-220 off Swan Lake Road.

The home, which was built in 2007 by Hunter Black looks like new. It has been gently lived in and has upgrades not found in other homes in the neighborhood.

There are 3 bedrooms, the master with a tray ceiling, and another bedroom with a vaulted ceiling. Plantation shutters grace all the windows. Both the master bath and hall bath have double sinks in the vanities. Of course, the master bathroom has a whirpool tub and separate shower.

Ten foot ceilings give the living area a spacious feeling while the gas start fireplace keeps things cozy. The entry, living, laundry, halls, bathrooms and kitchen have tiled flooring. Each bedroom has like-new carpet.

The kitchen is perhaps the masterpiece of this home with dark stained cabinets, granite counters, tumbled tile backsplash, and a granite topped island. The island and breakfast bar have pendant lighting. There is also a spacious breakfast area overlooking the backyard.

The asking price, $210,000, is one of the best in the neighborhood. Enjoy the photos:

Okay. I guess this post doesn't really qualify as real estate news, but y'all know that I like to keep you informed, real estate-related or not. Besides, this one could be said to be indirectly related to real estate since those of us who own homes pay property taxes which go to support our school systems. But hey. Do I need an excuse to spread the news about something that might have a positive impact on your wallet...? I thought not.

Although many of you have probably already heard about this, it's news to me. I've just discovered that during the second special session of Louisiana's legislature last year, a bill was passed to allow parents to deduct certain school expenses from their taxes beginning in 2009.

Parents of public school students can deduct the cost of school uniforms and supplies. Home school parents can deduct the cost of educational materials, and parents who send their children to private or parochial schools can deduct tuition, supplies, and certain other expenses. The deduction can be taken on the 2009 tax return which is filed in 2010, so be sure you're keeping track of these expenses with receipts. For more details, go here.

Tomorrow, Thursday, May 21st is the beginning of a weekend of good food, good music, and great fun as Shreveport’s favorite spring festival, Mudbug Madness, gets under way.

Mudbug Madness is back for its 26th year! Begun in 1984 as a two-day street festival in downtown Shreveport, it's now one of Louisiana’s largest and most popular Cajun festivals, featuring reknown Cajun, Zydeco, Blues and Jazz artists, mouth-watering Cajun cuisine, raucous contests, and fun for all ages. Now a four-day festival held each Memorial Day weekend, Mudbug Madness has created renewed interest in Louisiana’s cultural heritage and has brought a little bit of south Louisiana fun north to Shreveport.

Performers at this year's festival include:

On the Madness Stage

• Fricasse Cajun Band
• Leon Chavis & the Zydeco Flames
• Wayne Toups & ZydeCajun
• Chris Miller & Bayou Roots
• Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble
• Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band
• Bayou Crossing
• T-Richard & the Zydeco Stingrays
• Cajun Nation
• Rockin' Dopsie, Jr. & the Zydeco Twisters
• Don Fontenot & Friends
• Red River Playboys
• Trent LeJeune & Doubletime
• Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience

On the Swamp Stage

• The Gnarley Brothers
• LA Outlaws
• Earshot Graffiti
• Dirtfoot
• Sterling Bryant & Rockhouse
• The Blues Brokers
• Boomerang
• Crossroads
• Louisiana's LeRoux
• Black Water
• Border Line
• Chant
• Monte Montgomery
• Professor Porkchop & the Dirty Dishes

And there will be contests! Crawfish eating contests for all ages and a crawfish calling contest.

But I guess most of the people come for the food. Besides all the crawfish you would ever care to eat, there’s will be all kinds of mouth-watering delights of the Cajun variety and otherwise.

Check out the website for ticket details and a schedule of performers.

See ya there, cher!

Comparing the absorption rates for Shreveport and Bossier City single family homes, statistics show favorable numbers for sellers.  There were 43 fewer homes sold this April compared to 2008.  However, there were 239 fewer homes listed for sale this April compared to last April.  What does this mean?  Simply that there is a 6 month supply of homes on the market, and that figure has not changed to any significant degree since last year. 

As you can see, the average list and sales prices are lower this April, but look at the average list to sales price ratio.  Homes are selling at 98% of the listed price.  This means sellers aren't coming down much on their asking price.

What does this mean to you?  It means we are in a seller's market.  Especially in the $250,000 and lower price range.  Homes that are move-in ready and priced right aren't staying on the market long.  You must be ready to make an offer when you see one that fits your criteria.  There's not a lot of time to ponder your decision as a few of my clients found out last week.

This from a fellow bird lover in Ellerbe Road Estates neighborhood in Shreveport.  He sent an email out to his neighbors generously alerting us to the migratory birds now passing through.

"I wanted to alert you that the beautiful Rubby-Throated Hummingbirds are now arriving in our neighborhood. I have a pair that started feeding 2 days ago.

I have had many Goldfinchs all year, but they are just now turning that beautiful golden yellow of their summer feathers.
 
The Housefinchs stay here year around. The males have red on their upper parts.

If you have a hummingbird feeder, it's time to put it out. You only need to put about 1/2 cup of sugar water in it now. Later as more Rubby-Throated arrive you will need more.

In about a month I will have 10-12 feeders out, each containing 2 cups of sugar water that will have to be refilled every day. I usually have about 200 hummers feeding on these feeders. As you walk down the south end of Sawgrass please feel free to stop and watch them feed and fight. The best time for watching is in the mornings and afternoons. They will be swarming like bees.

Other birds I see at my feeders and around the house are:
Mourning Doves
Red-bellied Woodpecker (they come for peanuts)
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (in the trees)
Downy Woodpecker (in the trees)
Blue Jay (they come for peanuts)
Chickadee*
Tufted Titmouse*
White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
Blue Bird*
Robin** (on the ground)
Mockingbird** (on the roof)
Cedar Waxwing (saw one today with the Mockingbird chasing it)
Red Bird**
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (only saw him twice last year)
Indigo Bunting (only saw him once last year)
Dark-eyed Junco (sometimes called "snowbird")
Red-winged Blackbird (have not seen them for a few weeks)
Purple Martin (they visit my Purple Martin house but never have moved in)
English Sparrow (keeps trying to nest in my Purple Martin house)
Starling (keeps trying to nest in my Purple Martin house)

*=Nest in birdhouses in my back yard.
**=Nest in the trees around my house

He requested anonymity, which I'll respect, but I just want to thank him for taking the time to let us know what to look for.  I'm off to find my field guide to North American birds!

I was informed today by the Northwest Louisiana Association of Realtors that Barksdale Air Force Base has been named the headquarters of a major new command.  This is good news for Barksdale and good news for the cities of Shreveport and Bossier.

The Global Strike Command will oversee the nation's nuclear-equipped bombers and intercontinental ballistic missiles.  Senator David Vitter and Representative John Fleming, both on the House and Senate Armed Services Committee, actively campaigned that the command is a natural fit for Barksdale since it already houses long range weapons systems, including the largest group of B-52s.

What does this mean for the folks of northwest Louisiana?  The economic impact will be significant since bringing the Global Strike Command to Barksdale will mean upwards of 1000 Air Force personnel in permanent jobs.  Also significant will be the economic stimulus created by the many temporary jobs during the construction phase.

Some people are nervous about having such a large arsenal of nuclear weapons right in our own backyard.  What is not known by many who are new to the area, however, is that Barksdale has for decades played a role in the nation's nuclear weapons system. Somehow, as a girl growing up in Bossier City, I always knew that if Russia decided to strike, Barksdale would be one of the first targets. And somehow, I was strangely comforted by the fact that death would be instantaneous and painless (or so I believed).

Is the danger real?  Yes, but so is getting hit by a car tomorrow.  Is it any reason not to live here?  Not at all.  With almost 10,000 current military employees and multiples of that in family members and retirees, Barksdale Air Force Base has been and will continue to be an important integral part of Shreveport and Bossier City.

Ask any long time resident here, and they probably have some tie to the base.  My own grandfather was employed by the construction company that turned the cotton fields into air fields.  He guarded the money bags on payday and accompanied the boss on his rounds as he doled it out to the workers.  He reportedly carried a pistol on his belt to ensure the money made it to the intended recipients.  I don't guess that position will be posted for the construction of the new facility for the Global Strike Command!

I've posted about this part of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act before, but I like the way this fact sheet from the National Association of Home Builders describes the $8000 tax credit. So here's a second look at it.

2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Fact Sheet

Who is Eligible?

• The $8,000 tax credit is available for first-time home buyers only.
• The law defines "first-time home buyer" as a buyer who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase.
• All U.S. citizens who file taxes are eligible to participate in the program.

Payback Provisions

• The tax credit is a true credit. It does not have to be repaid.
• The only repayment requirement is if the home owner sold the home within three years after the purchase.

Income Limits

• Home buyers who file as single or head-of-household taxpayers can claim the full $8,000 credit if their modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is less than $75,000.
• For married couples filing a joint return, the income limit doubles to $150,000.
• Single or head-of-household taxpayers who earn between $75,000 and $95,000 are eligible to receive a partial first-time home buyer tax credit.
• Married couples who earn between $150,000 and $170,000 are eligible to receive a partial first-time home buyer tax credit.
• The credit is not available for single taxpayers whose MAGI is greater than $95,000 and married couples with a MAGI that exceeds $170,000.

Effective Dates for the Tax Credit

• First-time home buyers would receive an $8,000 tax credit for the purchase of any home on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009.
• To qualify, you must actually close on the sale of the home during this period.

Tax Credit is Refundable

• A refundable credit means that if you pay less than $8,000 in federal income taxes, then the government will write you a check for the difference.
• For example, if you owe $5,000 in federal income taxes, you would pay nothing to the IRS and receive a $3,000 payment from the government.
• If you are due to receive a $1,000 tax refund from the government, your refund would grow to $9,000 ($1,000 plus $8,000 from the home buyer tax credit).
• Buyers can take the tax credit on their 2008 or 2009 income tax return.

Types of Homes that Qualify for the Tax Credit

• All homes, whether single-family, townhomes or condominium apartments will qualify, provided that the home will be used as a principal residence and the buyer has not owned a principal residence in the prior three years.
• This also includes newly-constructed homes.

For more details on the tax credit, visit the Federal Housing Tax Credit website.

There is good news on the home front for those of you who have been trying to decide if now is the time to buy a house.  In plain language, interest rates are expected to drop .25 to .5 percentage points in the next few days and to stay low.  This comes on the heels of the news that the Federal Reserve will buy $750 billion more in mortgage-backed securities and $300 billion in long-term government bonds.

Unfortunately, this won't help homeowners facing foreclosure or who have no equity in their homes in order to refinance.  It also won't be any help to buyers who don't have stellar credit scores (740+ to get the best rates) and 20% of the purchase price for a down payment.

Those it will help are homeowners who aren't upside down on their mortgage who want to refinance and buyers who have great credit and the required down payment. And don't forget about the $8,000 tax credit for first time home buyers. A savvy buyer can cash in on the low rates that will be here later this week, then file an amended federal tax return after their home purchase and pocket the net credit before the end of this year.  Call me if you have questions about this.

Spring is in the air, the weather is getting warmer, and there are plenty of houses on the market.  It's time to buy!

Is going "green" a hard sell in your area?  I know it is in mine, a state whose slogan is "Sportsman's Paradise".  We truly are a paradise for all sorts of outdoor sports, and we have the requisite big trucks and SUVs needed to haul all the necessary gear and equipment around.  So selling energy efficiency and green technology might be a harder sell around here than in other parts of the country.  In fact, I've only ever seen one listing that touted the energy efficient aspects of the home.

Which is why I found Steve Miller's post so interesting.  Seems there is a group of people within the general population who search out all things green.  The term used for this group is Cultural Creatives.  Read on to see what this could mean to your business.