Tim Houk

Sellers pay attention!  While the market in Baton Rouge has done well compared with rest of the state…and the nation. WE are having our issues with pricing. The Business Report reports that the prices of homes fell by 1.3% in October when compared to the year before. That is better than the 7.8% drop nationally sure. We do have to look at is like this:

A home that would have been listed at 200,000 last year priced ACCURATELY would need to be in the region of 197000 to be competitive. Most likely that price would need to be around 195 depending on the neighborhood competition.

Good news for next year however. Baton Rouge real estate prices are expected to climb by 2.35% accoring to First American CoreLogics Home price index. Sellers, get your house in the BEST shape possible if you are considering selling.

TIMOTHY HOUK OFFICE 225.768.1800 CELL 225.301.7467 EMAIL TIM@TIMHOUK.COM

RESIDENTIAL - DSF-				Click photo to enlarge or view multi-photos.
MLS#:	B0916771md H	ListPrice:	$135,000
Status:	ACTIVE	LivingSF:	1,362/X
Address:	10635 BLACK OAK DR	List$/Sqft:	$99.12
	BATON ROUGE, LA	Bedrooms:	3
Zip:	70815	BthFull/Pt:	2/
Parish:	EAST BATON ROUGE	Stories:	1
Area:	(41) EBR MLS AREA 41	YrBlt/Age:	/21-30Yrs
MapPage:	603 Key:E	OccStat:	VACANT
Subdiv:	RED OAKS	Zoning
ParcelID:		Style:	Cottage
ElemSch: CALLSCHLBRD Middle: CALLSCHLBRD High: CALLSCHLBRD
Dir:	From Florida Blvd head North on Sharp. Take a right on Red Oak, left on Gum, then right on Black Oak. Home will be ahead on the left.
Lot:	94
Legal:
Builder:		Model Name:

By and far my favorite home that I have listed.  Personally I mean. Gorgeous cottage home featuring 2 Bedrooms, 2 bath home at the corner of Claycut and Longwood (which is the best looking street in Baton Rouge to me).  1886 sq ft living, HUGE lot.  It doesn’t get any better than this!

Front of the home

Side of the home

Ok, EVERYONE is aware of the homebuyer tax credit ending NOV 30th.  But, I want to stress the point that we essentially have 2-3 weeks to get a home under contract!  If you aren’t searching for homes, I highly suggest you start TODAY.  Everyone will be cramming in to get their loans complete before the deadline.  FHA loans are taking a little longer than usual so don’ t put yourself at risk. Go to my site, www.timhouk.com, start searching for homes. Contact me and then we will get out and preview some homes.  Unless you have a home picked out today, it will be about 6 weeks before we close.  1-2 weeks to find and negotiate a contract and then a typical 4 week closing period.  Hurry before its TOO LATE! Here are a few steps that could speed up the process:

1. Go ahead and contact your lender to get pre-approved.  If you don’t know a good lender, I have many.

2. Locate your past 2 years tax returns and last 2 months pay stubs as the lender will need them to get started.

3. Once your lender determines your price range, then think about the areas you want to live in.

4. Start searching for homes on my site

5. Lastly, CALL me!  225.301.7467

I look forward to hearing from you!

From the Baton Rouge Business Report:

I was reading the Business Report article this morning and noticed this little tidbit of information I found VERY interesting. Baton Rouge real estate IS the investment to make!

“Still appreciating: Baton Rouge is ranked seventh on Housing Predictor’s midyear list of the 10 hottest housing markets for buyers. Housing Predictor says the Capital Region is among the places most likely to see home prices inflating over the next few years, despite the national recession. Amarillo, Texas, topped the list, with Sioux Falls, S.D. second and Biloxi, Miss. third. This is a bump up for Baton Rouge: the city was ninth on the list Housing Predictor released at the start of the year.”

I have a GREAT home in Westhaven subdivision that is available for lease, lease-purchase, or purchase.  3 bedroom/3 bath home in a growing area.  Westhaven subdivision near Bluebonnet extension.  Available immediately.  Immaculate and ready for move in!

According to 10/12 magazine:

The Capital Region has the strongest housing market along the corridor, a majority of 10/12 poll respondents say. Thirty-two percent of those who voted picked Ascension Parish as having the strongest housing market; 19%, East Baton Rouge Parish; and 14%, Livingston Parish. St. Tammany Parish got 12% of the vote; Lafayette, 7%. Orleans and Tangipahoa parishes each got 1% of the vote. Another 1% say they would have chosen another parish not included on the list, and 7% said they don’t know which parish has the strongest housing market. The 10/12 poll is not a scientific survey. It reflects the responses of the people who choose to participate.

There are a LOT of homes under the $160,000 range in the greater baton rouge area.  This presents  a great opportunity for first time home buyers as well as investors.  Take a look at the list of homes and let me know if ANY present an opportunity for you!

Tim HOuk

Fantastic new listing off of Staring Lane in Baton Rouge!  This 3 bedroom home has been completely renovated and updated.  Priced well below appraised value, this house is move in ready.  Not to mention a bonus room outside with slate floors that would be GREAT for entertaining.  Fantastic for a first time homebuyer or someone looking to downsize.