http://www.denhamspringsappraisers.com/ – Denham Springs Antique District Rated Third In The South By AAA Southern Traveler

The following below is directly quoted from The Livingston Parish News Mobile Section.

“DENHAM SPRINGS – Introducing the South’s Best Antique Districts: New Orleans, Natchez and Denham Springs. That’s right, Denham Springs.

These cities are rated one-two-three in a poll published this month in AAA Southern Traveler.

More than 1,300 ballots from members of the nation’s largest motor travel club were used to determine what places were their favorites to visit, eat, play and shop. The bi-monthly magazine circulates to 220,000 American Automobile Association member households.

“That’s amazing,” said Al Bye, president of the Denham Springs Antique Merchants Association. “I’m pretty proud of that because I’ve been working with the association 10 years now. It was always good, but we have really banded together as merchants to make it a unique antique district. That’s because we want to get people to come back. Our business depends on it.”

The famous stretch of antique stores along Magazine and Royal streets in New Orleans were far and away the most popular, followed by the historic river city of Natchez in Mississippi. Yet then came small town Denham Springs, which has been quietly growing its reputation for flair in recent years, receiving similar recognition in other tourism forums.

“A very big congratulations to the Denham Antique District,” Mayor Jimmy Durbin said. “A designation like this does not happen without hard work by the Antique District Merchants Association and Denham Springs Mainstreet.”

Donna Jennings, the Mainstreet program director, said the recognition is part of a larger trend of improvements that will soon see upgraded paver brick sidewalks downtown – construction beginning next week – and a street park developed by volunteer organizations next to Old City Hall on Mattie Street.

“When you have a dedicated mayor and council determined to keep that area thriving, then a merchant’s association and a main street committee, it works,” she said.”

http://www.batonrougerealestateappraisal.com/ – Great News For Greater Baton Rouge Real Estate Housing In 2010

Realtor.org is reporting that Baton Rouge Metro Area (Greater Baton Rouge) experienced a median sales price increase of +4.3% since Q1 2009. The article is here and the charting is below.

http://www.appraisersindenhamsprings.com/ – Denham Springs Homes For Sale

Currently, there are “572″ homes for sale in the City of Denham Springs with the GBRAR MLS as of 4/26/2010. Listing prices range from $16,000 up to $2,600,000. Approximately 203 homes are listed at a price under $150,000.

To Search Denham Springs Homes For Sale, click below and visit to right side in the middle for “Search Local Real Estate For Sale or Rent”

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http://www.denhamspringsappraisers.com/ – Livingston Parish Homes Sales Report For March 2010. Below are compiled comparisons of Livingston Parish, MLS Areas 80, 81, 82 and 83, Detached Single Family Homes, based on March 2010, February 2010 and March 2009 numbers.

By Monthly Home Sales Comparison. March Monthly Sales were 87 home sales. For February 2010, there were only 77 sales, which represents a March increase of 13%. Comparison of March 2009 vs. March 2010? There were 90 sales in March 2009, which means a small decrease of 3%.

By Average Sales Price Comparison. Average Sold Price was $159,377. Comparison to February 2010: Decreased slightly 1% from $160,746. Comparison of March 2009 vs. March 2010: Decreased 5.76% from $169,115.

By Median Sales Price Comparison. (Which This Appraiser Believes Is A Much More Accurate Indicator). Median Sold Price was $150,000. February 2010 was also $150,000. Comparison of March 2009 vs. March 2010: Decreased 3.54% from $155,500.

Current Inventory or Number Of Homes On The Market. Current “Months Inventory” is 7.59 months. In February 2010 it was 8.35 months, which means we’re better in March 2010. In March 2009, there was a 6.24 months supply.

Average Time It Took To Sell A Home? In March 2010, it took 110 days. In February 2010 it took 106 days and in March 2009 it took 91 days.

What Price Range Had The Most Home Sales? In March, the price range experiencing the most sales was the $130,000 to $139,999 range. Same for February 2010 as well. And, same for March 2009 as well.

NOTE: Based on Detached Single Family Solds in MLS Areas 80, 81, 82 & 83 information from the Greater Baton Rouge Association of REALTORS\MLS for the period 03/01/2010 through 03/31/2010. This information was extracted on 04/21/2010.

http://www.denhamspringsappraisers.com/ – Denham Springs Home Appraisers Photos From The Field: Juban Parc Elementary School Construction Photos

Here are some photos I took of the construction progress of the Juban Parc Elementary School on 4/20/2010.

http://www.denhamspringsappraisers.com/ – Denham Springs Livingston Parish Real Estate Home Selling Tips: 4 Ways To Sell Your Home Faster. This article was written for homeowners and may be helpful for Real Estate Agents as well.

CBS Money Watch is reporting on 4 Ways To Sell Your Home Faster! Click the blue link to read the article! Here’s a snippet:

“Home sellers, buckle up: Spring selling season is here, and it’s going to be a bumpy ride.

For now, the April 30 deadline for closing on a house to claim the home buyer tax credit is boosting sales. But with mortgage rates edging up, deals are fragile and lenders are on edge. “Last-minute glitches are holding up things far longer than we have ever seen before,” says Michael Onorato, president of the Illinois Association of Realtors.

Just because you have a real estate agent, that doesn’t mean you can sit back and let the pro sell your house. To get top dollar, you’ll need to take control of the relationship and micro-manage like nobody’s business. Follow these four steps to sell your house fast.“

The 4 Ways To Sell Your Denham Springs Livingston Parish Home Faster:

1.) Keep Your Agent on a Tight Leash

2.) Prove Your Home’s Value

3.) Get a Fair Appraisal

4.) Get Your Home Staged

http://www.batonrougerealestatetube.com/ – This Month in US Real Estate April 2010 Video, Does It Apply To Baton Rouge Real Housing Market?

http://www.batonrougerealestateappraisal.com/ – Baton Rouge Certified Home Appraisers: Area Home Sales See Gains In March

The Advocate Newspaper and Chad Calder are reporting “BR-area home sales see gain in March“, click on the link to read the entire article. Below is a snippet:

“The number of homes sold in the Baton Rouge metro area rose slightly in March, though the first quarter was down 2 percent.

The March bright spot is largely due to an increase in Ascension Parish.

The figures, compiled by the Greater Baton Rouge Association of Realtors, account for about 85 percent of the market in the eight-parish area.

Realtors sold 600 homes in the metro area in March, 1 percent more than the 594 sold in the same month last year. Dollar volume in March was up 2 percent to $118.0 million.

The quarter, however, still reflects the downward trend that has characterized recent years. There were 1,406 homes sold during the first three months of the year, compared to 1,431 the year before.

Dollar volume was also down 2 percent to $270.3 million for the quarter.“

http://www.batonrougerealestatebuzz.com/ – Video Of Baton Rouge Homes Value: How Much Value Do Pools and Metal Buildings Add?

In this video, Realtor and Broker, Tony Zito, and Home Appraiser, Bill Cobb, discuss how appraisers value pools and metal buildings. Generally, the return might be 1/4 to 1/3 of investment, but not always. Sometimes pools have no value at all, especially the older the age of the pool. Some people likes pools and others don’t and end up filling them in with dirt. However, if you’re buying a home to live there forever, enjoy that home and add what you can afford to install…..just don’t expect to get a dollar-for-dollar return on your investment of items in your yard.

I wrote more about this topic here, “Greater Baton Rouge Homeowner Should Not Have Added $60,000 Pool In A $150,000 Subdivision“

and

“Greater Baton Rouge Real Estate Question: Is It Wise To Invest $60,000 For A Pool and Landscaping For A $250,000 Home“

NOTE: Just don’t let that pool salesman convince you that adding that pool will significantly increase the value of your home.

http://www.appraisersinbatonrouge.com/ – Certified FHA Appraisers Baton Rouge: Good News For Greater Baton Rouge Housing Market? The “Guys” at TBWS Have Good News For A Change!

“Foreclosures are upon us, but someone has to sell them. 5 reasons there isn’t going to be a double dip. Home Depot is hiring, 64% of Americans feel now is the time to buy.”