Tim Houk

From Baton Rouge Business Report

Bustling business: Sales of new homes posted another large gain in April as buyers rushed to sign contracts before government tax credits expired. The Commerce Department says sales of new single-family homes jumped 14.8% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 504,000 units. The April gain followed a 29.8% surge in March, the biggest monthly increase in 47 years. Activity in both months was pushed higher by a stampede of buyers trying to sign sales contracts before tax credits expired on April 30.

From Baton Rouge Business Report

The LSU Property Foundation has purchased a 38.6-acre tract next to its South Campus for $3.86 million. David Hardy, an attorney for the foundation, says the purchase extends the university’s holdings between GSRI Avenue and Nicholson Drive. The land is adjacent to a 60-acre tract LSU bought in late 2007 for $6 million. Officials with the LSU Foundation say it will be up to the university to decide what to do with the land.

From Baton Rouge Business Report

Baton Rouge builders will get to show off their handiwork for two weekends, beginning Saturday at the Capital Region Builders Association’s annual Parade of Homes. The event, which takes place Saturday and Sunday and May 22 to May 23, is the largest showcase for area builders. This year there are 52 homes in the parade; in previous years there have been between 60 and 80 homes in the parade. Lynda Evans, executive vice president of the CRBA, blames the drop on a lack of inventory. But Evans says there’s a “good mix” of homes, ranging in price from $120,000 to nearly $1 million. “There are a lot of first-time homebuyers who go out to this event looking for a home,” she says. “There are homes out in every price range.” For more information about this year’s event, including a list of homes that will be in the parade, click here.

Forbes magazine says Baton Rouge is the second-best midsized city in terms of job growth. Baton Rouge finished second, five spots higher than the 2009 rankings, despite seeing the number of non-farm jobs drop by 2.4%.

While 2009 was a dismal economic year, cities that had concentrations of government workers and government-subsidized industries, such as health care and colleges, fared better than others. Only Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, N.C., finished higher than Baton Rouge. In all categories, the Capital Region finished 15th in the Forbes rankings. Adam Knapp, BREC president and CEO, says the Forbes report confirms that the Capital Region economy is one of the most competitive in the U.S.

From Baton Rouge Business Report

Keller Williams First Choice has opened a real estate office in Prairieville. This isn’t a spin-off of the existing Keller Williams office in Baton Rouge, says Patricia Odom, team leader and CEO for the office; rather, it’s a totally new franchise for the chain, based in Austin, Texas. Keller Williams claims to be the third-largest real estate company in the U.S. Odom says company opened the new office because it wanted to enter the Ascension market. Sue McDonald, a veteran Ascension Realtor, is the operating principal along with Mary Garner DeVoe. The office has 30 agents now, yet Odom says the staffing is growing.

Back on the market in Westminster Subdivision!!!  This lovely home has GREAT potential in a fantastic area.

RESIDENTIAL - DSF-				Click photo to enlarge or view multi-photos.
MLS#:	B0910348md H	ListPrice:	$212,000
Status:	ACTIVE	LivingSF:	1,988/M
Address:	4528 BLECKER DR	List$/Sqft:	$106.64
	BATON ROUGE, LA	Bedrooms:	4
Zip:	70809	BthFull/Pt:	2/1
Parish:	EAST BATON ROUGE	Stories:	1
Area:	(62) EBR MLS AREA 62	YrBlt/Age:	/31-40Yrs
MapPage:	642 Key:F	OccStat:	VACANT
Subdiv:	WESTMINSTER PLACE	Zoning
ParcelID:		Style:	Trad
ElemSch: CALLSCHLBRD Middle: CALLSCHLBRD High: CALLSCHLBRD
Dir:	Jefferson Hwy to Pine Park to right on Blecker - House in rear of subdivision on right.
Lot:	293
Legal:	Lot 54, Westminster 5th filing Part 2 & 3
Builder:		Model Name:

A Baton Rouge Business Report poll  shows that Fifty-eight percent of people who responded to a Real Estate Weekly poll say buyers have the advantage locally in the market for homes under $300,000. Thirty-six percent of people who participated in the survey say the market favors neither buyers or sellers, while 6% say it’s a sellers market below $300,000. Nearly 100 people participated in the survey.

BEST PRICE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD! This 4 bedroom home is truly move in ready. Don’t miss the tax credit. Home was constructed by Southern homes and has lots of updates. Owner took care in selecting a fantastic open floor plan that is good for family and entertaining. The kitchen and living areas allow for maximum seating and usable space. Owner has built a six ft privacy fence and has a storage shed to keep lawn equipment and storage use OUT of the garage. Refrigerator, Washer/dryer to remain…with a REASONABLE offer.window treatments to remain. Seller also will be transferring the upgraded homeowners warranty package that is good through 7/2011