Baton Rouge Real Estate Blog on Active Rain

Baton Rouge Real Estate: New Listing in Oak Hills Park! Owner/Agent

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:35:54 -0600

Toni House | Keller Williams Realty- Red Stick Partners | tonihouse@me.com | (225) 964-6535

10340 Dunn Drive, Baton Rouge, LA

Beautifully maintained home in wonderful subdivision!

4BR/2.5BA Single Family House

offered at $325,000

Year Built	1995
Sq Footage	2,402
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	2 full, 1 partial
Floors	1
Parking	2 Covered spaces
Lot Size	Unspecified
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

4 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath beautifully maintained family home in low-traffic area of Oak Hills Place. Home built in 1995 by Michael Keith. You will appreciate the large family room with fireplace and built-in cabinets with plenty of space to display items. Extensive molding throughout the home, Exterior and Interior has been recently painted. 10’ Ceilings in the foyer, family, dining, and front bedroom and 9’ ceilings throughout the remainder of the home. Beautiful wood flooring in foyer, dining room, hall, and family room. Brick Paver flooring in the kitchen, breakfast area, utility room, and half bathroom. Updated kitchen features center island, slab granite counter tops, recessed lighting in kitchen and breakfast area. Kitchen has new microwave and new garbage disposal. Walk-in closets in the bedrooms and master bath features a cathedral ceiling, whirlpool tub, separate shower, and makeup counter. New ceramic tile in all bathrooms and updated lighting. Ceiling fans in family room and all four bedrooms. Back patio has flagstone pavers and extensive landscaping. Rear double carport with attached storage room. Home has operable shutters, security system, and transferable home warranty.

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central A/C	Central heat	Fireplace
High/Vaulted ceiling	Walk-in closet	Hardwood floor
Tile floor	Living room	Dining room
Breakfast nook	Dishwasher	Stove/Oven
Microwave	Granite countertop	Stainless steel appliances
Attic	Laundry area - inside	Laundry area - garage
Balcony, Deck, or Patio	Yard	Jacuzzi/Whirlpool

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

Brick Paver Flooring

Built-in Cabinets

Storage

Operable Shutters

Security System

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Photo 1	Photo 2
Photo 4	Photo 3
Photo 3	Photo 2

Contact info:

Toni House

Keller Williams Realty- Red Stick Partners

tonihouse@me.com

(225) 964-6535

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Mar 5, 2009, 12:22pm PST

New Baton Rouge Real Estate Website! Need your opinion!

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 15:40:25 -0600

View the newest and latest Baton Rouge Real Estate Website!

My new website is up and running and I would love your constructive criticism!

The site was built with the help of z57 using their new 'Lead Generation' template. I have added my own personal touches with additional pictures and information so it isn't too run of the mill and bland.

The new site allows visitors to sign up for FREE daily listing alerts, FREE Personalized Real Estate Tips, and search all Baton Rouge Homes for Sale plus surrounding areas!

Please give me your constructive criticism on how I can make this site even better!

My Real Estate New Years Resolution 2009

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:39:33 -0600

Did you make a New Year's Resolution this year? How is it working out for you so far?

Although I have made a Personal Resolution, this year I thought it would be a great idea to make a Professional New Years Resolution.

What better way to hold myself to it than to share my goal with all my colleagues and friends on ActiveRain?

My Real Estate New Years Resolution for 2009 is to keep track of prospecting tools that work and those that don't. If something doesn't work it will be eliminated or less time/money will be spent putting it into action. After reading Shift (in which the above is one of the points the book makes) I decided I needed to put this into action.

I probably spend way too much money one thing, too much time on another, and have completely overlooked what is best for my business. This resolution will help me figure this out and I'm heading into 2009 with an open mind.

How do I plan on keeping track of what works? With Top Producer of course!

“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” -Oprah Winfrey

Image via New Voices of Philanthropy Blog

Did you make a Resolution this year (Professional or Personal)? If so, what is it? If not, why?

Have you Discovered eHow.com yet?

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 17:55:29 -0600

I first noticed eHow.com when the site continually showed up in my search results on Google for various topics. It caught my attention how they have such powerful SEO.

Sometime last week I finally decided to visit the site and not just the results page from the search engine... I was definitely surprised! They pride themselves on knowing 'How to Do Just About Everything' and they are correct!

Here are just a few of the wide range of topics you can find on eHow:

You can even earn money by being a contributor on eHow... Learn How Here! Also be sure to check out the How-to videos (they have 605 results when searching for Real Estate Videos!!).

Have you discovered eHow.com? What are your favorite topics?

Baton Rouge Real Estate: Give a gift that can't be found underneath the tree!

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 10:18:15 -0600

Best Wishes for a warm and relaxing holiday season!

37246 Prairie Drive
4 bedroom, 3 bath beautiful home in Prairieville. Perfect in every way! This home was originally builder's personal home and all the extras are located here. This three way split open floor plan includes amenities such as slab granite, wide-plank brazilian cherry hardwood flooring, 11 foot ceilings, triple crown in living areas, crown molding in all rooms, large gas fireplace, large covered patio with tv that remains, fountain, and rock garden.

19020 Wildlife Way
4 bedroom, 3 bath warm and cozy home located in The Lake at White Oak Subdivision. Special touches include: Beautiful parquet and brick flooring, Granite counter top in mother-in-law bath, transoms throughout, abundance of lighting with lots of windows viewing side garden and beautiful rear yard with fountain and concrete benches, master bath with three vanity areas, huge walk-in custom shower and oversized jacuzzi tub, and the "perfect" pantry with floor to ceiling shelving is next to oversized garage with workshop area.

38035-14A Post Office Rd
Feel like you are on vacation while living at home in this peaceful lakefront floor unit. This 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath condo features quality handcrafted finishes and is centrally located for perfect access to New Orleans or Baton Rouge. All electric for low utilities and the new refrigerator is to remain! Near I-10 and Airline Hwy. Perfect for your home or investment property.

5942 Glen Cove
This 3 bedroom, 2 bath home is a custom built home with an open floorplan! Owner is a master Venetian painter and the quality of fine craftmanships shows throughout this home! Enter home through stoned garden sitting area and small pond with front flowerbeds have a sprinkler system to ensure easy maintance. There are many special features which include Custom "Old World" cabinets, European Plaster Murals, Custom Cast stone F/P, Vaulted 12′ ceiling in the kitchen, & slab granite.

10434 Springbrook Ave
Pleasant and inviting home in great location! Exceptional Millwork and updated colors throughout home! Home features large laundry room, separate walk-in pantry, wood-burning fireplace with gas starter, and built-in entertainment center. Great neighborhood with a clubhouse, neighborhood pool, playground, and tennis courts! Easy access to LSU, Bluebonnet, Shopping, and Entertainment!

Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season! Visit ToniHouse.com for the lastest in Baton Rouge News, Real Estate Market Updates, and Featured Listings.

Keep your sellers informed: Seller Reports

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 11:33:38 -0600

Seller Reports are an easy way to keep your sellers informed and impressed!

Realtor.com makes this easy by creating a Email and Printable version of a Seller Report to send to your clients!

This includes a great, detailed graph and table with monthly and weekly property views on Realtor.com. You and your clients are sure to be impressed!

((Screenshot of one of my reports))

I discovered this the other day and most of my listings had gotten 600+ property views in one month!

What a neat way to say 'We're actively marketing your home'.

Baton Rouge Real Estate Inviting Home in Springlake!!

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:25:50 -0600

Toni House | Keller Williams Realty- Red Stick Partners | toni@tonihouse.com | (225) 964-6535

10434 Springbrook Ave, Baton Rouge, LA

Pleasant and Inviting home in Great Location!

3BR/2BA Single Family House

offered at $210,000

Year Built	Unspecified
Sq Footage	1,503
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2 full, 0 partial
Floors	1
Parking	2 Covered spaces
Lot Size	8,100 sqft
HOA/Maint	$30 per month

DESCRIPTION

Pleasant and inviting home in great location! Exceptional Millwork and updated colors throughout home! Beautiful brick flooring in dining, kitchen, and utility with cathedral ceiling in dining. Home also features large laundry room and separate walk-in pantry. Triple tray ceiling in den and wood-burning fireplace with gas starter. Built-in entertainment center with four deep drawers, overhead cabinets, and space for large TV! Master bath features jacuzzi tub, walk-in shower, and double vanities. Large, newly fenced in backyard is large enough for a swimming pool! Great neighborhood with a clubhouse, neighborhood pool, playground, and tennis courts! Easy access to LSU, Bluebonnet, Shopping, and Entertainment!

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central A/C	Central heat	Fireplace
High/Vaulted ceiling	Walk-in closet	Tile floor
Living room	Dining room	Stove/Oven
Attic	Laundry area - inside	Balcony, Deck, or Patio
Yard

COMMUNITY FEATURES

Clubhouse	Swimming pool(s)	Tennis court(s)
Playground

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Seller contact info:

Toni House

Keller Williams Realty- Red Stick Partners

toni@tonihouse.com

(225) 964-6535

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Dec 9, 2008, 12:14pm PST

Louisiana's Real Estate Market is different - our Values are Increasing!

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 08:19:34 -0600

Viewpoint: Louisiana's real estate market is healthy

Mark Rodi tells the Baton Rouge Business Report in the latest I 10/12 :

While the nationwide economic picture is less than encouraging, Louisiana has been fortunate to avoid most of the difficulties that many parts of the country are experiencing, particularly in real estate. Our foreclosure rate is among the lowest in the nation, employment numbers are strong, and real estate values are being sustained. In working with our local boards of Realtors across the state, we are encouraged by the fact that our residential and commercial markets are holding their own.

This is especially true along interstates 10 and 12, where economic growth continues to flourish. Of the twelve parishes in Louisiana with population expanding at or above the national average, eleven are along the 10/12 corridor. The Lake Charles, Lafayette, Baton Rouge and Northshore areas, bolstered by high-tech industry and an expanding retail sector, are experiencing job growth and maintaining strong real estate markets.

An important thing to remember is that real estate is highly localized. While we are seeing homes staying on the market longer than usual in Louisiana this year, properties are retaining their value very favorably compared to 2007, and in some areas, such as Lafayette, values are increasing. This is counter to the national trend.

Louisiana’s lending institutions did not widely engage in the subprime mortgage free-for-all of the past several years, and as a result, solid financing options remain available for our state’s homebuyers. Buying a home in Louisiana is as good of an investment as ever, and over the past 40 years, no other investment has delivered a more consistent positive return than real estate.

Our association will continue to work with lawmakers, state agencies and economic development groups to help keep the state’s real estate market moving in the right direction. Meanwhile, our 13,000 Realtor professionals statewide remain committed to providing buyers and sellers with the knowledge, experience and expertise to make informed, smart decisions.

Mark O. Rodi is president of Louisiana REALTORS. Reach him at info@larealtors.com.

Need help finding someone online?

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:16:39 -0600

We all know how much information is available on the internet these days but sometimes it's hard to find.

Peekyou.com allows you to search for someone by name or username. As well as searching for a company or school.

You will find TONS of information at Peek You ranging from a persons blogs to news stories to social-networking sites. Even their twitter feed!

From celebrities to politicians to everyday people Peek You can help you out!

Watch out there's an entire section dedicated to Real Estate Agents!

My favorite part of the site is Peek Google... this allows you to see who the contributors are for your search results! This can be very interesting.

Reasons why you shouldn't believe everything the media tells you

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 17:54:03 -0500

We have great news for residents in the Baton Rouge area regarding real estate news no matter what the local and national news media is telling you! We have graphed each neighborhood we have homes listed in. The data from the Greater Baton Rouge Association of Realtors tells us we are currently selling at 2007's statistics and 2007 was a very good year! 2008 is by far the best year we've had to date!

It always surprises me how corporate agenda can manipulate data to "sell papers" since we all know - bad news sells! When we read the headline - "Baton Rouge Real Estate Sales Down 44%" - we started researching for ourselves. The only thing we can figure is they took 2007 September sales and compared to September 2008 sales - which were all delayed because our title attorney's offices were closed from the hurricane. But, it sold papers....

Also, the new about not being able to get loans is just wrong!~ All of our lenders have money and I have yet to have one client not be able to obtain a loan because of a new restriction. The larger banks and our mortgage brokers have money to lend and in Baton Rouge a minimum of 10-20 homes go under contract every day!

Now more good news!

1. I'm sure everyone know News Week's prediction that Baton Rouge and the New Orleans surrounding areas are the in the top five cities to best survive the pending recession. New York City and California's markets are already turning to the good - business is picking up in both areas and deals are coming together again!

2. Baton Rouge ranked near bottom for foreclosure activity nationwide! We ranked 99th of the nation's top 100 largest housing markets to have an increase in foreclosure activity! We only had.12% in the 3rd quarter of this year!

3. Baton Rouge is drawing new residents from all over the country. Ask anyone who is renting there homes. The majority of the new renters come from out of town and are renting before purchasing their new homes to get used to the area.

4. Audubon Alive Project - If Mayor President Kip Holden's tax package is approved, we will have a new project that involves the Baton Rouge building the next major museum in the United States with a combination zoo, aquarium, & nature center.

5. New "Square" proposed for Downtown - much like the Savannah Georgia look! We are so glad the "new" younger generation is NOT giving up on Baton Rouge, but staying to revive our downtown. They believe in downtown and support the restaurants and outdoor activities.

6. Emerging Green Builders in Baton Rouge. Yes! Baton Rouge is finally going Green. Mayor President, Kip Holden is doing his best to have all our new projects GO GREEN! LEED Certification is primary on his mind! Several developers and architects have received their LEED Certification and now our new architects graduating form LSU are pushing to get certified by year end! They know how important this is for our city to move forward. If our outside air can't be that great, we can at least do what we can to improve the quality of life around us in our workplaces and in our homes!

We have a lot to be proud of and we have rapidly moved forward from where we were in 2005!

Open Houses this Weekend in Prairieville, LA!

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:29:07 -0500

Come view my two beautiful new listings in Prairieville this Sunday, October 12 from 2 to 5 o'clock!

38035-14A Post Office Rd

Feel like you are on vacation while living at home in this peaceful lakefront floor unit in Airlington Plantation. This 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath condo features quality handcrafted finishes and is centrally located for perfect access to New Orleans or Baton Rouge. All electric for low utilities and new refrigerator is to remain! Near I-10 and Airline Hwy. Perfect for your home or investment property. $162,000

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

37246 Prairie Drive

What a Jewel- a rare find! This 4BR/3BA home in Prairie Oaks was originally builders' personal home and all the extras are here! Three way split open floor plan! Slab Granite, Custom Cabinets, Fisher & Paykel 5 Burner Gas Range, Stainless Appliances, Deep Undermount Sink, Curio Cabinet built into Snack Bar, Large Window over Sink, Wide-Plank Brazilian Cherry Hardwood Flooring, Open Floor Plan with 11 Foot Ceilings, Triple Crown in Living Areas with Crown in all rooms, Large Gas F/P with Glass Doors, Custom Wood Arched Front Door and Large Double Glassed in Back Doors overlooking Back Patio with Fountain and Rock Garden. Master Bath has oversized Jacuzzi Tub, Slab Granite, Linen Closet and 16″ Tiles. Children's Bathroom is a spacious Jack and Jill and bedrooms have large closets with shelving. Bedroom near Kitchen has a Built-in Desk and Shelving overhead between two Separate Closets. Other extras include: Utility Sinks in Laundry and in Exterior Workshop off Carport, Office Nook in Hallway with TV and Phone Connections could be a Children Playroom/Den, Linen and Broom Closets in Nook, Laundry Room has abundance of Cabinetry, Upgraded Faucets and Light fixtures, Pedestal Sink in Front Bathroom, Molding surrounds all Windows, Transoms in Den. The exterior of home is constructed with Old South Carolina Brick and the back yard has a large covered Patio with T.V. that remains. Large Driveway with Extra Parking Space. What else could you ask for!

As always, don't forget to "Make the House Call" for any of your Real Estate Needs!

MaketheHouseCall.Com

A Positive Outlook: Ways to Make and Save Money

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 11:41:38 -0500

Negativity is constantly circling us these days with talk of the economy. But why not get people engaged, think positively, and do something instead of feeling hopeless??

Realtors: Remember, people will ALWAYS buy and sell houses. There will be marriages and growing families and unfortunately there will be deaths and divorces. You just have to work harder to be the Realtor that those people turn to!

Here are a few links that I think will help people out in these times and hopefully we will realize there is something we can do:

$$$How to Make Money$$$

"The best ways to raise cash fast"

"20 ways to make $100 more each month"

"12 Ways to make cash from home"

AR- "Real Estate Trends: 5 Solutions to Increase Productivity in a Down Market" Stefan Swanepoel

AR- "7 step method to increase your productivity"

$$$How to Save Money$$$

"Save big on a tiny income"

"91 ways to save on almost anything"

"118 ways to save mo ney in college"

"How to save on your electric bill"

"How to save on gas- tips to improve mileage"

Keep a Positive Outlook on Life. This is temporary, change will come.

"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

New Listing: Peaceful, Lakefront Condo in Prairieville, LA!

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:12:13 -0500

Toni House | Keller Williams Realty- Red Stick Partners | toni@tonihouse.com | (225) 964-6535

38035-14A Post Office Rd, Prairieville, LA

Peaceful, Lakefront Floor Unit!

3BR/2BA Condo

offered at $162,000

Year Built	2006
Sq Footage	1,395
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2 full, 0 partial
Floors	1
Parking	2 Uncovered spaces
Lot Size	Unspecified
HOA/Maint	$150 per month

DESCRIPTION

Feel like you are on vacation while living at home in this peaceful lakefront floor unit. This 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath condo features quality handcrafted finishes and is centrally located for perfect access to New Orleans or Baton Rouge. All electric for low utilities and the new refrigerator is to remain! Near I-10 and Airline Hwy. Perfect for your home or investment property.

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central A/C	Central heat	High/Vaulted ceiling
Walk-in closet	Hardwood floor	Living room
Dining room	Dishwasher	Refrigerator
Laundry area - inside	Balcony, Deck, or Patio	Swimming pool

COMMUNITY FEATURES

Storage space(s)	Swimming pool(s)	Lake
Gated property	Secured entry

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

Easy Access to New Orleans and Baton Rouge

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Seller contact info:

Toni House

Keller Williams Realty- Red Stick Partners

toni@tonihouse.com

(225) 964-6535

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Oct 3, 2008, 1:32pm PDT

How to Effectively Blog Offline

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 17:10:04 -0500

Blogging Offline is something I commonly do. In fact I write most of my blogs on Microsoft Word and copy and paste to AR or save it to post later. Unfortunately, my format is usually disarranged when I do this.

I have found my answer!... Windows Live Writer

Windows Live Writer allows you to write your blog offline w/ photos, videos, maps, etc., preview what your post will look like, and then publish at a later time.

The downside? It will not post directly to ActiveRain. However, it will post to other major blog services including Blogger, Wordpress, TypePad, Windows Live Spaces, and more! It may still help you out on ActiveRain if you syndicate from one of these other blog services.

Try it out and let me know what you think!

Impress your Sellers with An Easy to Make Video!

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:36:36 -0500

Today I found a great new site that I'll be using for my listings!

Animoto.com

Animoto creates one of a kind videos for your pictures. You simply upload your pictures (About 12 for a 30 second short video), Pick a song out of a wide variety of available music (from classical to jazz to indie rock to pop) or upload your own, then it customizes your video for you.

No two videos are alike! Animoto analyzes your pictures and music to create a one of a kind video!

Animoto says it's like a "movie trailer for your pictures".

As I found this site today I'm not sure of all the restrictions but it says you can "use it to show off whatever you want". You are also allowed to post to your website/blog, export to YouTube, Email it, view on your iphone, and so much more!!!

View the video I made for my new listing at 37246 Prairie Drive Below:

So take your listing photos and create a video to share!! Won't your sellers be impressed?

Positive Thinking- An essential to a healthier and more successful life

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:37:14 -0500

Positive Thinking is an essential to a healthier and more enjoyable life.

The Mayo Clinic provides the following health benefits for optimists:

Decreased Stress
Greater resistance to catching the common cold
A sense of well-being and improved health
Reduced risk of coronary artery disease
Living Longer
Better coping skills during hardships
Breathing easier

One theory to explain these health benefits is that having a positive outlook enables you to cope better with stressful situations, therefore reducing the effects of stress on your body.

Sounds good, but how do you achieve the power of positive thinking?

Put a postive spin on negative thoughts- Whether consciously or subconsciously, our inner thoughts have a major impact on our attitudes. You first must realize that you are totally in control of your feelings and have the power to change them. In the article "Positive Thinking: A skill for stress relief", The Mayo Clinic suggests the next time you find yourself saying "There's not enough time" stop yourself and apply a positive twist and tell yourself "Let's re-evaluate some priorities". Or instead of saying "I've never done it before" tell yourself "It's an opportunity to learn something new". If you can stop yourself from believing these misconceptions and irrational thinking and replace them with postive thoughts, your outlook will gradually become more realistic and self-affirming.

Dream of Success- "You can’t experience success beyond your wildest dreams until you dareto dream something wild!"- Scott Sorrell Keep your mind focused on where you want to go-- don't focus on minor setbacks and enjoy your successes', you have earned it!

Learn to Relax- In my Blog Relax to Succeed! - Do you know how?, I stressed the point that relaxation is a vital part of our mental and and physical health. Why? Relaxation keeps us from burning out, it keeps us healthy, and it keeps us positive.

Keep a List- Every night write down your positive thoughts and actions from the day or write them down throughout the day. What was the best thing that happened? What am I grateful for? What did I achieve? How can I change to improve myself for tomorrow? Remember that everyone has good days and bad days; when things get tough you can look back at your notes to put everything in perspective.

Enjoy Life- Focus on the happiest things in life; life is too precious and short to spend unhappy or negative. When you start to feel your attitude changing remember to reinforce your positive thoughts, surround yourself with positive thinking, visualize your childs laugh or one of your happiest moments.

"Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact." - William James

Brand New Prairieville Listing- Beautiful 4BR/3BA Home!

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:57:02 -0500

Toni House | Keller Williams Realty- Red Stick Partners | toni@tonihouse.com | (225) 964-6535

37246 Prairie Drive, Prairieville, LA

Originally builder's personal home- this home is a rare find!!

4BR/3BA Single Family House

offered at $296,000

Year Built	2002
Sq Footage	2,460
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	3 full, 0 partial
Floors	1
Parking	2 Covered spaces
Lot Size	Unspecified
HOA/Maint	$12 per month

DESCRIPTION

What a Jewel - a Rare Find! Perfect in every way! This home was originally builder's personal home and all the extras are here! Three way split open floor plan! Slab Granite, Custom Cabinets, Fisher & Paykel 5 Burner Gas Range, Stainless Appliances, Deep Undermount Sink, Curio Cabinet built into Snack Bar, Large Window over Sink, Wide-Plank Brazilian Cherry Hardwood Flooring, Open Floor Plan with 11 Foot Ceilings, Triple Crown in Living Areas with Crown in all rooms, Large Gas F/P with Glass Doors, Custom Wood Arched Front Door and Large Double Glassed in Back Doors overlooking Back Patio with Fountain and Rock Garden. Master Bath has oversized Jacuzzi Tub, Slab Granite, Linen Closet and 16" Tiles. Children's Bathroom is a spacious Jack and Jill and bedrooms have large closets with shelving. Bedroom near Kitchen has a Built-in Desk and Shelving overhead between two Separate Closets. Other extras include: Utility Sinks in Laundry and in Exterior Workshop off Carport, Office Nook in Hallway with TV and Phone Connections could be a Children Playroom/Den, Linen and Broom Closets in Nook, Laundry Room has abundance of Cabinetry, Upgraded Faucets and Light fixtures, Pedestal Sink in Front Bathroom, Molding surrounds all Windows, Transoms in Den. The exterior of home is constructed with Old South Carolina Brick and the back yard has a large covered Patio with T.V. that remains. Large Driveway with Extra Parking Space. What else could you ask for!

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central A/C	Central heat	Fireplace
High/Vaulted ceiling	Walk-in closet	Hardwood floor
Tile floor	Living room	Dining room
Dishwasher	Stove/Oven	Granite countertop
Attic	Laundry area - inside	Balcony, Deck, or Patio
Yard

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

Keeping Room

3 Way Split Floor Plan

Crown Molding; Triple Crown in Living

Exterior Workshop

Office Nook

Large Driveway w/ Extra Parking Space

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Seller contact info:

Toni House

Keller Williams Realty- Red Stick Partners

toni@tonihouse.com

(225) 964-6535

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Sep 26, 2008, 1:36pm PDT

Need Pictures for your Blog?

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 20:01:39 -0500

Bloggers know that an essential part of capturing a readers attention is pictures!

Pictures are a must-have for every blog. But where should you find your pictures at?

Along with Google Images and Flickr, a great site to find pictures to use for your Blog is PicApp.

PicApp.com

PicApp has a wide selection of Creative (i.e. Stock Photography) and Editorial (i.e. photos of news, sport and entertainment events) Photos that are free and legal to use on your blog. Registration is not required!

Enjoy searching for the perfect picture!

Edit: As many people have commented about this I figured I should put it up here: As with written content you place on your blog, you also need to be careful of photos that you post on your blog. Flickr, Google Images, and other phtoo sites MAY be used but you first must check to see the photos are NOT copyrighted and ensure they can be used on your blog.

Baton Rouge Weekend Events

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 15:11:39 -0500

Baton Rouge Weekend Events for Friday, September 19- Sunday, September 21, 2008!

LSU Museum of Art

Visit the newest exhibition "LSU Art: Past and Present" at the LSU Museum of Art in the Shaw Center Downtown. This exhibit will be a rotating display of past and present talents of work by LSU art professors and their students including current professors Kelli Scott Kelley, Michael Crespo, and Duncan Ferguson. The exhibition will be "thematic and works will be chosen to reflect aesthetic concerns, often combining work of both past and present faculty members and students. The exhibit opened yesterday Thursday, September 18, 2008. While at the Shaw Center also visit the "Through the Lens" exhibition which features 20^th-Century Photography. Visit the LSU MOA for more information.

Live After Five

Live After Five is back! The popular (and free!) outdoor concert series starts tonight! Tonight Friday, September 19 is the debut of this Fall seasons Life After Five! The fall season will run for 8 weeks. So every Friday join the dancing, fun, and great food at Galvez Plaza (located on North Boulevard, directly east of the Old State Capitol) at 5 PM. Tonights performance will be by Hip Boot Joe a "Southern Fried Country Rock". Find out more and view pictures of past concerts at Live After Five!

Go Play Golf at a Highly Ranked Baton Rouge Golf Course!

BREC's Beaver Creek Golf Course has recently received 4/5 in Golf Digest's Best Places to Play! They also go on to say, "Fans agree that the greens were very good and the staff was very friendly and accommodating. Holes 11 through 16 are a real test." This is the second year in a row Beaver Creek has received a four star rating.

This weekend visit this Golf Course which is located 20 minutes from downtown Baton Rouge off of Highway 61 in Zachary. Beaver Creek offers a 18- hole course, lighted driving range, large putting green, and a short wedge chipping area. Book your tee time today at 225-658-6338. For more information on the Beaver Creek Golf Course, Book a Tee Time Online, or Directions visit BREC Golf.

Saturday Science Academy

This Saturday, September 20, 2008 bring your kids ages 8 to 12 to the Highland Road Park Observatory for the Saturday Science Academy. The topic this Saturday will be "The Wonderful World of Astronomy". Kids must be accompanied by parent or guardian. What a great way to have fun with your children as you both learn more about the world around you! Cost is $5 per child in EBR Parish and $6 for those out of parish. The Academy begins at 10 AM and should end around 12 PM. For more information contact the Highland Road Park Observatory at 768-9948.

LSU VS AUBURN

LSU plays away this weekend against Auburn. This year marks the 20^th anniversary since the "earthquake game" in which LSU came from behind to beat Auburn with 1 minute, 47 seconds left in the game. The crowd's reaction registered as an earthquake on the seismograph in the LSU Geoscience Building. Still 20 years later the rivalry is just as strong... Read more about the "Earthquake Game" at LSU Sports Net. Don't miss the game on ESPN at 6:45 PM this Saturday, September 20!

Whatever you decide to do this weekend, Have Fun and Be Safe!

Low Interest Rates Caused by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Takeover

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 17:55:28 -0500

Interest rates are the lowest we've seen in 5 months, starting at around 5.5% today!

What caused this? The takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac by the Feds; the two mortgage firms will now be overseen by the Federal Housing Finance Agency. The government will only temporarily control these firms until they "are on a stronger footing". President Bush says of the takeover, "Americans should be confident that the actions taken today will strengthen our ability to weather the housing correction and are critical to returning the economy to stronger sustained growth in the future." Read the article "U.S. Seizes Fannie and Freddie" by David Ellis at CNN Money for more.

What does this mean for Buyers? "Sunday's Federal takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will likely translate into lower mortgage rates and greater availability of credit, experts said. Rates should drop by 1 percentage point from the stubbornly-high 6.39% for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage", says Tami Luhby, author of "What Rescue Means for Mortgage Rates".

"This could be good for would-be homeowners," said Tom LaMalfa, managing director, Wholesale Access, a research and consulting firm. "It would reduce the cost of financing at the new and improved Fannie and Freddie." Tight Standards and for borrowers with weaker credit histories will remain.

Baton Rouge Real Estate is not slowing down! In fact, Baton Rouge was recently named one of the 10 fastest growing real estate markets in the nation by Money Magazine. With these low mortgage rates, now is the time to buy!

Toni House
(225) 964-6535
Toni@ToniHouse.com
MaketheHouseCall.Com

Tips for Better Communication- A Key to Success

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:47:18 -0500

What does communication have to do with success? To start off with, poor communication causes a loss of productivity, reduced quality of life, and stress. The way you communicate with another causes a lasting impression, good or bad. If you communicate effectively with another person you may have found a lifelong client, friend, or colleague.

"Communication leads to community, that is, to understand, intimacy, and mutual valuing." - Rollo May

1. Learn to listen! - One of the biggest reasons people do not communicate effectively is because they do not listen. Instead of planning ahead and thinking of something to say, listen to what the other person is saying-this will let you know what your response should be! What are some other good tips for being an effective listener? Try to reduce the distractions and interruptions around you, Show interest in what the person is saying by making eye contact, Confirm what you have heard by restating the main point, Listen for the feelings behind the message and not just verbal communication. Be sure to ask open-ended questions to keep the conversation flowing.

2. "Think before you speak." - Yes, you have heard this since you were very wrong but how often do you practice it? Be sure to listen to what you are saying before it is spoken to ensure it is exactly what you want to say. Do people often misinterpret what you're trying to say? Then take a moment to make sure what you are about to say sounds like what you are meaning to say. This will also help you to sound more confident because it limits hesitation as you've already practiced saying it in your head. This will ensure to the listener you mean what you say and you know what you are talking about!

3. Body Language- Body Language is a great way to help get your point across. According to the Total Communicator, more than half of your impact as a speaker depends upon your body language. This includes your gesture, stance, and facial expressions. Make sure to use your hands to emphasis your points! Body language can also halt your attempts to communicate-leave out eye rolling and sighs. Although it may seem silly at first, stand in front of a mirror and act like you are having a conversation with a client. Evaluate yourself on what you may seem like from an outsider.

4. Be Respectful- Even if you don't agree with another person's point of view, be respectful. Keep as calm as you can and do not resort to swearing, raising your voice, or put downs. Clearly and peacefully state your point of view. If you can tell it is a sensitive issue for either you or the other person, smoothly change the subject.

When you learn to effectively communicate, connections are easily made, and the opportunities are limitless.

7 Tips for a Better Life

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:50:09 -0500

At our latest Team Meeting, our Team Leader passed out a simple list of 40 Tips for a Better Life. I have taken this list and abbreviated it to my top 7 favorites (it was hard to do) and emphasized each point with a picture and quote. Today is the day to decide to live a better life-- do not put it off!!

1. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, "My purpose is to __________ today."

"We must have a theme, a goal, a purpose in our lives. If you don't know where you're aiming, you don't have a goal. My goal is to live my life in such a way that when I die, someone can say, she cared." -Mary Kay Ash

2. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

"Give your stress wings and let it fly away." -Carin Hartness

3. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." -Leo Buscaglia

4-5. The best is yet to come. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

"When I look into the future, it's so bright it burns my eyes." - Oprah Winfrey
"Nothing Endures but Change."- Heraclitus

6. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.

"I've been getting rid of some clutter- anything that doesn't serve a positive purpose in my life- and making room for things that feel happy to me. Because I get to make my life whatever I want it to be. I get to make the room feel however I want it to feel." -Jan Denise

7. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for ___. Today I accomplished ___.

"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe." -Anatole France

Do not wait until January 1st to resolve towards having a better life; start today! What will you do?

Staying Positive in a Difficult Situation

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:41:55 -0500

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.

Relax to Succeed! - Do you know how?

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 16:31:11 -0500

Relaxation is a vital part of our mental and physical health. We all strive for success but in order to do that sometimes we need to stop... and relax. The real estate business is very stressful, as we all know well, but sometimes in order best succeed and reach the top we need to rest and regain strength.

Take Mountain Climbing for example-- You cannot climb Mount Everest in one day-you must first trek from Lukla to the Base Camp at 17,600 ft. Then scale the Kumbu Icefall up to 19,500 ft where you will rest at the First Camp in the Valley of Silence. Then you will push yourself to camp 2 at 21,300 ft. You will find yourself scaling the Lhotse Face to climb to Camp 3 located at 23,500 Ft. There you will rest and acclimate for your trek to Camp IV which is located at 26,300 ft. After plenty of rest and waiting for the perfect weather conditions you will make it to the 29,028 foot summit-the highest point on earth.

But what is an essential part of reaching the top of Mount Everest? Plenty of rest and relaxation.

Here are some tips to help you relax so you can then succeed:

Relaxation Techniques- This site has a several different relaxation techniques that you can do anywhere! An important part of relaxation is remember not to force yourself to relax, just let it happen.

Use your Imagination- Caught up in crazy negotiations and need a quick way to relax? Let your imagination do the work. Take a moment to close your eyes and picture someplace relaxing. On a beach in Mexico? Be sure to include every detail as if you were actually there- the breeze blowing from the ocean, the birds squawking, the waves splashing a few feet away, etc. An instant pick-me up!

Exercise- We all know exercise releases endorphins which then causes your body to relax and make you happier. Certain days of the week I take the time to wake up early and fit in a 5 AM exercise, although it sounds like it would make for a long day-it actually gives me more peace throughout the day and easier to sleep at night! Fit in at least 20 minutes a day of moderate exercise (watch a exercise video at home, ride a bike, walk your dogs, etc). You will find you encounter much less stress throughout the day.

Meditation- In meditation you try to remove all thoughts and emotions other than your controlled breathing from your mind. It can be extremely difficult for some but the effects are rewarding. Try out this site on How to Meditate and the Benefits.

The best approach to Relaxation?

Smile and Laugh- Ever heard "Laughter is the best Medicine"? Well, in terms of relaxation they are correct. Turn on your favorite music and dance around, read some jokes and then share with your friends, smile at the stranger walking by, go to the theater or rent a funny movie. As Fellow Active Rainer Gary Woltal said, "Life is Good, Pass it On".

""Show me a worrying person and I will show you
a person whodoes not know how to relax." - Albert E. Cliffe

What do you do to Relax?

Investing in Louisiana GO Zone

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 10:29:03 -0500

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!