heather goodwin: How Low Will They Go? Interest Rates on the Move
- 03/18/09 01:49 PM
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 … (2 comments)
heather goodwin: Ellerbe Road Estates Neighborhood Association
- 02/26/09 02:05 PM
I haven't posted much about Ellerbe Road Estates in southeast Shreveport. Perhaps that's because it's not gated, it's not new, and it's not high end. But it's a great neighborhood. In fact, we like it so much, we've lived here for 16 years now. Ellerbe Road Estates was one of the first neighborhoods developed along Ellerbe Road. It's just south of the intersection with Flournoy Lucas Road. Because it's an older neighborhood and prices have come down a bit, we are seeing an influx of young families. I love seeing the little neighborhood boys gathering for a game of front yard … (0 comments)
heather goodwin: Spring in Shreveport - Festivals and Happenings 2009
- 02/25/09 08:35 AM
We have some great festivals in and around the Shreveport area. I've previously written about theRed River Revel. It rolls around every year at the beginning of October and in my mind is associated with cooler weather, food, and art. In Shreveport when spring rolls around, you know it's time for the festivals to begin again. The season starts of with Mardi Gras parades and parties. That has come and gone for this year, but that doesn't mean all the fun is over. Here is a list of festivals coming up in Shreveport, Bossier City and other towns across northwest Louisiana. … (2 comments)
heather goodwin: Stimulus Package Passes Senate Vote - Feb. 2009
- 02/19/09 05:14 AM
In an effort to encourage first-time home buyers to jump off the fence and begin looking for a home, the recently passed “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009” made some changes to the tax credit for this group. The bill, which was signed into law yesterday, gives a maximum $8,000 tax credit to first-time home buyers when they purchase a home as their principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009. This is a true tax credit in that it does not have to be repaid unless the owners sell before three years. Most of … (0 comments)
heather goodwin: Never Heard of an FHA 203(K) Loan? This Might Be For You!
- 02/18/09 09:20 AM
Thanks to Jason Sardi for this education about FHA 203(K) loans. Although Shreveport real estate hasn't experience as many foreclosures as other parts of the nation, we do have our share. This loan program makes it possible for more buyers to consider purchasing one of these homes. When You Find The "Almost" Perfect House, But Want To Make It Home. This should lead it off quite nicely:) Back in my early days of lending, I recall quite vividly the very first Rehab Loan I did. While I did some legwork in actually knowing the ropes of that particular product before … (4 comments)
heather goodwin: Shreveport Homes Market Report - January 2008/2009
- 02/13/09 12:59 PM
Shreveport Homes Sales Statistics for January 2008/2009 The table below compares the details of the homes sold in January for the Shreveport, Bossier City market. It includes data for single family homes.
The source for the Shreveport home sales statistics is the Northwest Louisiana Association of Realtors MLS, Inc on 02/09/2009. This information is believed to be accurate but is not guaranteed. … (2 comments)
heather goodwin: Acadiana Place Home Owners Association ~ Shreveport, Louisiana
- 02/01/09 05:37 AM
In all my writing about neighborhoods in Shreveport, I always try to provide information about the home owners association. The best way to do this is to give the website address. Until recently, I could find nothing online for Shreveport's gated community of Acadiana Place. Well, I'm happy to report that through a Google alert, I now have the URL the Acadiana Place Home Owners Association. The is the address for the Home Page. Click on this link to view the members of the board of directors. Go here if you would like to contact the association. Ask questions, take a look … (1 comments)
heather goodwin: More People Are Searching For Shreveport Homes For Sale Online
- 01/31/09 12:45 PM
Realtor.com released some interesting statistics for December 2008. The data show the most-searched real estate markets in the United States ranked in order of popularity, year-over-year and month-over-month percentage increases. I want to give a heads up to all homeowners in Shreveport and Bossier City who are thinking of selling their home. The month-over-month increase in online searches for this area was 22.6%. This means that close to 25% more people searched online for homes for sale in Shreveport this December compared to last December. According to the National Association of Realtors®, 80% of home searches nationwide begin on the internet. This is … (5 comments)
heather goodwin: Ten Things to Do and See in Shreveport, LA
- 01/28/09 12:15 AM
Here is a list of ten cool places to go when you're visiting Shreveport or if you live here and are looking for something to do. I've put them in no particular order. 1. Sci-Port Discovery Science Center and IMax Theater The kids love this one, but it has something for everyone. 2. Yogie and Friends Wild Cat Sanctuary Get up close and personal with lions and tigers and panthers - no bears! 3. Chimp Haven A family of chimps retired from the scientific research sector. 4. Water Town Shreveport's own water park. 5. R.W. Norton Art Gallery A unique art museum with … (2 comments)
heather goodwin: My Top Ten Favorite Restaurants in Shreveport, LA
- 01/23/09 03:02 PM
Louisiana is known for its food - cajun, seafood, barbeque. You name it, we've got it. And it's delicious. So, in no particular order, here are my favorite local restaurants in Shreveport. See if you agree with me. Strawn's Eat Shop - An All-American Diner Dahn's Garden - Thai, Chinese, and Vietnamese food Yeero! Yeero! - A great little Greek restaurant Pie Works - Pizza like you wouldn't believe Cush's Grocery and Market - Great sandwiches, pasta, and Angus beef Albasha - Lebanese food Johnny's Pizza House - Home of the Kajun Sweep the Swamp Pizza Counter Culture - Frozen yogurt … (7 comments)
heather goodwin: Tax Credit Changes Could Unleash Home Sales
- 01/19/09 01:20 PM
As reported in the January 19, 2009, issue of Louisiana Realtors® publication, eNews Digest, the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) is advocating an expansion of the first-time home buyer tax credit. NAR's chief economist, Lawrence Yun, said, "A home buyer incentive is critical to help reduce housing inventory and stabilize home prices. The bigger the incentive, the faster housing can help pull the economy out of recession. The cost to the Treasury would be far less than the additional costs of a prolonged recession with insufficient housing stimulus." The expansion they would like to see would include all home buyers in the … (6 comments)
heather goodwin: Help! Should I Refinance?!
- 01/19/09 12:20 PM
Thanks to my associate, Marshall Graham, a lender with Aulds, Horne, and White for the following information to help you decide whether refinancing is right for you in your situation. The question whether to refinance or not can seem overwhelming to most. After all, we're speaking of your number one asset! How does one know when the right time to refinance is? The mortgage industry is notoriously popular for statements such as, "My cousin Vinny said that you shouldn't refinance until a 2% reduction in rate". My intention is to shed some light into the mystery question, "When Should I Refinance?!" … (4 comments)
heather goodwin: Asking The Right Questions Can Save You Money On Homeowner's Insurance
- 01/17/09 11:56 PM
Heads up if you're financing your new home. One of the things the mortgage company will require is homeowner's insurance. Do you know how to get the best rate possible with the proper coverage? By asking the right questions and paying close attention to the details, you can be sure that you're getting all the discounts you qualify for. Below are some of the discounts insurance companies might give to policy holders. Do you have a current renter's or homeowner's policy with any company? Having a current policy will lower the rate by up to 10%. What is the age of … (2 comments)
heather goodwin: What's So Important About The Listing Agreement?
- 01/17/09 01:39 AM
When you sit down with a real estate agent who wants you to sign a listing agreement with them so they can sell your home, be very careful. As I mentioned in my post, What's Your Listing Agent Really Doing For You?, there are three important blanks on that document that you should be aware of. First, let’s talk about the length of the Listing Agreement. Most agents will want a six-month listing contract. Ask yourself if you are willing to work with that particular agent for six months while he/she tries to get your home sold. Do you need to … (3 comments)
heather goodwin: What Is Your Listing Agent Really Doing For You?
- 01/16/09 01:05 PM
The original title of this post was, What Is Your Real Estate Agent Really Doing For You? The topic was too broad, however, because an agent can work with a client in one of two ways. As a listing agent when you want to sell your home As a buyers agent when you want to buy a home. I guess if you want to get technical, there's a third way. If you're selling one home to buy another, and you use the same agent for both transactions - lucky agent. He or she is working for you in both these capacities. … (6 comments)
heather goodwin: Shreveport Home Market Stats - December 2008
- 01/14/09 12:15 PM
Well, 2008 has come and gone with incredible changes in the housing market and overall economy. Although the Shreveport market has fared better than most of the nation, we haven't been totally immune as the table below shows. While homes sales were down 123 and average home values were down 4%, it took just an average of 73 days to sell those homes.
All in all, Shreveport's housing market is doing well, but at a little slower pace. As I've written before, putting your house on the market involves more than hammering a For Sale sign in the front … (0 comments)
heather goodwin: Happy New Year to All My Friends!
- 12/31/08 11:10 AM
Although 2008 was a rocky year in many ways, we consider ourselves blessed. 2009 will bring belt-tightening, new beginnings, and a re-focus on family and friends. I'm looking forward to everything God is bringing into our lives in 2009. Our hope is not in the economy, the president, the auto or housing industries, but in Him alone. Join with me in committing yourself to making 2009 the best that it can be for you in the areas of family, friends, business, and spirituality. I challenge you to make the lives of all those who cross your path, no matter how briefly, better … (11 comments)
Hidden Trace is a small neighborhood tucked away off Norris Ferry Road in the southeast area of Shreveport. It is a gated community of only two streets, Grand Oaks and Hidden Oaks, which are lined with patio homes. There are still a few lots left for building and there are a few homes for sale in the neighborhood. The small size of the neighborhood and the fact that it’s gated makes it a great place for families with small children, although you can also find empty nesters there. If you're looking for a home that's in a neighborhood … (3 comments)
heather goodwin: The Twelve Oaks Times Home Owners Association Newsletter
- 12/18/08 01:59 AM
Just a quick note to let you all know that the home owners association at Twelve Oaks has an online newsletter called Twelve Oaks Times. This HOA could be a model for many of the other gated developments here in Shreveport. They are organized and active. The newsletter contains different categories such as: A picture of the home that has won the Garden of the Month award. A Family of the Month award. Notices of upcoming events going on for residents. A What's New category to keep everyone abreast of changes in the development. Names, phone numbers, and addresses of the … (0 comments)
heather goodwin: Good News for Housing Market
- 12/17/08 11:51 AM
Some good news coming our way about the housing industry. Thanks to Debe Maxwell for sharing this with us. Please note, her data in #5 are for her local area. Here in Shreveport, there is about a 10 month supply of homes on the market in all price ranges. That is higher than in months past. Let's hope the decrease in interest rates will bring some buyers into the market.
Good News for Housing Market Being cautiously optimistic has become the 'trend' for those of us remaining in this turbulent market. Sometimes the news is so negative that we have … (2 comments)
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.
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