According to the University Hills Civic Association website, “University Hills has one of the widest entrances of any subdivision in Baton Rouge. And, it has the one of the oldest and most historic live oaks on public property in the city. The larger Centennial oak has been estimated to be nearly 300 years old. (In 1979 , it was designated “Legacy Oak” 0002 by the City-Parish Beautification Commission, meaning that it was the second oldest live oak on public property in East Baton Rouge.) The other oak, on the corner of Delgado and Tulane Drives, is approximately 200 years old.”

Legacy Oak Designation Above!

The Homes Of University Hills Below Ranging in sizes from 768sf up to 4,168sf

Bill Cobb is Greater Baton Rouge’s Home Appraiser frequently called upon by banks, homeowners, and savvy real estate investors to assess property values. A home appraiser with 20 years experience, Bill Cobb brings a wealth of knowledge to the table as a home appraiser.

Bill’s company, Accurate Valuations Group, serves Greater Baton Rouge (East Baton Rouge Parish, West Baton Rouge Parish, Western Livingston Parish and Northern Ascension Parish).

Contact Bill Cobb and Accurate Valuations Home Appraisal Group for your next home appraisal:
Office: 225-293-1500, Cell: 225-953-0638
Fax: 1-866-663-6065
info@accuratevg.com
http://www.accuratevg.com/

This is 975 Louisiana Avenue, near Beauregard Town and the Baton Rouge Central Business District. I appraised this property in 2008 as a foreclosure when the condition was much less impressive. Property was sold through local Real Estate Agents, Jeff Furniss and Darry Gissel in 11/2008 for $70,000. 975 Louisiana Avenue is actally located in Young Subdivision, near Beauregard Town.

2011 AFTER PHOTO!

2008 BEFORE PHOTOS BELOW!

]]> http://www.batonrougerealestateappraisal.com/2011/03/amazing-beauregard-town-renovation-975-louisiana-avenue-before-and-after-photos/feed/ 0 http://www.batonrougerealestateappraisal.com/2011/02/baton-rouge-real-estate-appraisal-2010-park-forest-e-subdivision-market-metrics/ http://www.batonrougerealestateappraisal.com/2011/02/baton-rouge-real-estate-appraisal-2010-park-forest-e-subdivision-market-metrics/#comments Thu, 03 Feb 2011 23:23:02 +0000 Baton Rouge Real Estate Appraisal http://www.batonrougerealestateappraisal.com/baton-rouge-realtors/baton-rouge-real-estate-appraisal-2010-park-forest-e-subdivision-market-metrics/ http://www.batonrougerealestateappraisal.com/ – Baton Rouge Real Estate Appraisal: 2010 Park Forest E Subdivision Metrics

Solds In Park Forest East Subdivision from 1/2010 to 12/31/2010 revealed:

Average Sales Price: $109,878 ($133,242 in 2009)
Average Sold Price Per Sq. Ft.: $72.47/sf ($83.45/sf in 2009)
Median Sold Price: $135,000 ($135,000 in 2009)
Number of Sales: 11 (12 in 2009)
Average Number of Days On Market: 95 (130 in 2009)
Low To High: $39,900 to $145,000 (Yes, A Home Sold For $39,900)
Number of Sold REO/Foreclosures Noted In MLS: “5″
Current # Listings: 8, 3 Are Distressed Listings
Current Listings Price: $89,900 to $147,400 or $59/sf to $98/sf

NOTE: Based on information from the Greater Baton Rouge Association of REALTORS®\MLS for the period of January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2010. This information was extracted on 1/31/2011. YES, this appraiser does have the permission of GBRMLS to use the chart above Subdivision Price Trends Report!

Tags: Appraisers Baton Rouge, Appraisers in Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge Estate Minute, Baton Rouge Garden District, Baton Rouge Home Appraisers, Baton Rouge Homes, Baton Rouge Housing, Baton Rouge Housing Market, Baton Rouge Real Estate, Baton Rouge Real Estate Trends, Baton Rouge Realtor, Baton Rouge Realtors,

Country Club Estates is conveniently located near the center of Baton Rouge, near Bocage Area and generally within the Baton Rouge Garden District!

Solds In Country Club Estates Subdivision from 1/2010 to 12/31/2010 revealed:

Average Sales Price: $155,650 ($154,000 in 2009)
Average Sold Price Per Sq. Ft.: $120.28/sf ($115.78/sf in 2009)
Median Sold Price: $158,500 ($155,000 in 2009)
Number of Sales: 5 (3 in 2009)
Average Number of Days On Market: 80 (48 in 2009)
Low To High: $131,900 to $177,000
Number of Sold REO/Foreclosures Noted In MLS: 0
Current # Listings: 3, 0 Are Foreclosures
Current Listings Price: $134,900 to $299,000 or $118/sf to $132/sf

NOTE: Based on information from the Greater Baton Rouge Association of REALTORS®\MLS for the period of January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2010. This information was extracted on 1/14/2011. YES, this appraiser does have the permission of GBRMLS to use the chart above Subdivision Price Trends Report!

Tags: Appraisers Baton Rouge, Appraisers in Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge Estate Minute, Baton Rouge Garden District, Baton Rouge Home Appraisers, Baton Rouge Homes, Baton Rouge Housing, Baton Rouge Housing Market, Baton Rouge Real Estate, Baton Rouge Real Estate Trends, Baton Rouge Realtor, Baton Rouge Realtors, Country Club Estates, 70809

New Millon Dollar Home Finished Construction On Longwood Drive!

I was performing a home appraisal yesterday morning on Longwood Drive in Glenmore Place and you’d never know there was a “National Recession” taking place in this neighborhood! Below is the map where Glenmore Place is located.

The “Lure” of the Baton Rouge Garden District! The Lure must be very strong because the builders of this home under construction below, at 1571 Longwood Drive, paid $312,000 for this home below, demolished it and are building this high-end home below. In reality, the $312,000 sales price was for the 100′ x 250′ lot or $12.48 a square foot.

Why would a buyer pay $312,000 for a lot you might ask? The answer is simply convenient location in the middle of Baton Rouge and close to LSU & Central Business District, “neighborhood” feel, wide streets with sprawling oak trees (natural beauty) and more a active population in terms of fitness! The LSU Lakes walking paths are only a couple of miles away. Neighborhoods within the Baton Rouge Garden District are very different from neighborhoods to the southeast such as Shenandoah Estates where I grew up. There’s a “community feel” and one generally knows who their neighbors are. I’ve often thought of the contrast as the “living-awake versus living in the rat race”.

Here are some of the newer homes on Longwood and Ingleside Drives

What I’ve been seeing in this National downturn locally is that those with cash and investments are doing well and those living paycheck to paycheck are those that are struggling! Drive through Longwood Drive or in Jefferson Place Subdivision and you will quickly understand what I’ve been seeing since 2008 when this downturn began. There are those that are thriving in this downturn helping to make Baton Rouge the success story it is nationally! And, those that are helping to make Baton Rouge such a success story live in Shenandoah Estates as well in the Baton Rouge Garden District!

Tags: Baton Rouge Estate Appraisers, Baton Rouge Estate Settlement Appraisals, Baton Rouge Housing, Baton Rouge Housing Market, Baton Rouge Real Estate, Baton Rouge Real Estate Agents, Baton Rouge Real Estate Appraisers, Baton Rouge Real Estate Trends, Baton Rouge Realtor, Baton Rouge Realtors, Baton Rouge Garden District

Homewood Subdivision is very conveniently located within the 70810 zip code and has home sizes ranging from 1,317sf up to 4,075sf, but most are in the 1,350sf to 1,500sf range. Since January 2007, home sales have ranged from $112,000 up to $178,500 with home sizes from 1,344sf up to 2,366sf. The average home is approximately 45 years old as the first filing was approved by East Baton Rouge Parish Zoning in 1959 with construction of some homes between 1961 to 1970. NOTE: There were no 2009 MLS sales in Homewood to use for comparison purposes in this blog post.

Difficult Appraisal Assignment. I’m currently appraising a home between 2,100sf and 2,200sf because of an addition, which is a very difficult assignment because most homes are 1350sf to 1500sf and the five (5) that sold in Homewood in 2010 were 1,344sf, 1,356sf, 1,364sf, 1,493sf and 1,626sf. These smaller homes mainly sold between $95/sf to $102/sf (1 REO sold or $75/sf). BUT, it would not be correct to compare homes that are 750 sq. ft. smaller than the home I’m appraising to 1,400sf homes. Nor would it be correct for an Agent to take that $95/sf to $102/sf and multiply it by subject’s 2,150sf living area to arrive at a listing price of say, $210,700. This means I have to mainly go outside of Homewood to find comparables, again, making this a very difficult assignment because there aren’t many subdivisions that compare in predominant prices and smaller sizes.

Part of the reason this larger home complicates matters in reporting is that Fannie Mae requires the 1004 MC or Market Conditions form as of March 2009 to be filled out, which reflects the “Sub-Market” comparison data. Sub-Market data would be data on both solds and listings comparable to a 2150sf home in this market, within reason and comparable to Homewood itself. As one can see above in the last 3 months, comparable home sales have plummeted, competing active listings have increased from 5 to now 12 and there’s now a “36″ month supply of competing homes on the market. 1 Year ago, there was only a 4.3 month supply. Can you see how this market is struggling now? However, BASED ONLY ON “1″ SALE IN THE CURRENT 3 MONTH PERIOD, that $160,000 sale reflected an increasing median sales price trend. I wouldn’t call it a new trend based on only 1 sale, but FNMA does and requires me to check the “increasing” property values box. Can you begin to see the difficulty in being a home appraiser within this market and assignment?

Solds In Homewood S/D from 1/2010 to 12/14/2010 revealed:
Average Sales Price: $134,500
Average Sold Price Per Sq. Ft.: $94/sf
Median Sold Price: $134,000
Number of Sales: 5
Average Number of Days On Market: 69
Low To High: $112,000 to $155,000
Number of Sold REO/Foreclosures Noted In MLS: 1
Current # Listings: 4, 1 Is A Foreclosure
Current Listings Prices: $124,900 To $270,000

Per GBRMLS, there have been two (2) REO or foreclosures in Homewood.

NOTE: Based on information from the Greater Baton Rouge Association of REALTORS®\MLS for the period of January 1, 2007 to December 15, 2010. This information was extracted on 12/15/2010.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Residential Building Permit Data Through September 2010 has been released. See the results below for actual residential building permits less those permits issued for additions or remodeling projects. In 2008, there were a total of 693, in 2009 882 and in 2010 year-to-date, there have been 549 through September 2010. If this pace continues through 2010, there should be 732 permits issued, which will be better than 2008, but less than 2009.

RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMIT CHARTS FROM YEARS 2000 TO 2010 YEAR TO DATE. NOTE: Does Not Include Permits For Additions or Remodeling!

2010 EAST BATON ROUGE RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMIT CHARTS BY MONTH YEAR TO DATE. NOTE: Does Not Include Permits For Additions or Remodeling!

High End Homes Market Appears Near Solid Support, Most Solid Within East Baton Rouge Parish. From 9/1/08 to 9/30/09, MLS reports 298 sales versus 294 sales 9/1/09 to 9/30/10, which is only a decrease of -4 sales or -1.3%. Average Sold Price for the 2009/2010 period is $539,650 compared to $548,036 for the 2008/2009 period. Median Sold Price for the 2009/2010 period is $500,000 compared to $495,700 for the 2008/2009 period. Average sold price per sq. ft. is $157.89/sf versus $159.43/sf for the 2008/2009 period. Average days on the market is 122 days versus 140 days in the 2008/2009 period. So, while the average sold price per sq. ft. is down $1.54/sf, and average sold price is down approx. $8,400, the median sales price has increased by $4,300 and the days on the market has improved.

Yes, There Are Certainly Exceptions! Copper Mill in Zachary is one example where the average sold prices were $161/sf in 2007, $158/sf in 2008, $157/sf in 2009 and $147/sf in 2010 based on 13 sales. That’s a $10/sf drop since 2009. Plus, the days on the market for the 13 sales were: 336, 850, 20, 274, 4, 393, 252, 1082, 50, 344, 197, 54 and 2. Renaissance in Prairieville is another example where the average sold prices were $137/sf in 2007, $141/sf in 2008, $133/sf in 2009 and $129.24/sf in 2010 based on 7 sales. That’s a -$4/sf difference between 2009 and 2010. And, MLS reports the average days on the market were 417 in 2009 and 252 in 2010. Actually, upon closer examination of total days on market, the actual continuous days on market were: 231, 1, 4, 561, 692, 1025 and 302. Greystone Golf in Denham Springs has only had 2 sales in 2010 averaging $142/sf and 6 sales in 2009 averaging $146/sf, a $4/sf decline. NOTE: For this paragraph, this includes all price ranges within these high end subdivisions.

High End Homes Market Absorption Rate Appears To Be Improving! The numbers of high end home listings has declined just slightly from 445 for September 2009 and 424 for September 2010. In September 2009, the Months Inventory showed 23.42 months. In September 2010, the Months Inventory showed 21.2 months and in August 2010 it was 19.4 months. Certainly, the market for homes requiring “Jumbo” loans remains slower in the overall Greater Baton Rouge market.

High End Homes Market NOTE: Parameters were $400,000 to $1,000,000, all price ranges within ASC, EBR, LIV and WBR for Property Types: DSF, ASF, PRC and PRA.

NOTE: Data For The September 2010 GBRAR MLS Report is used with permission of the GBRMLS from dates stated above and from 1/1/2008 through 9/30/2010.

I recently completed a refinance appraisal assignment off Sharp Rd and witnessed a trend I wanted to bring your attention to. This is still the recovering Post Hurricane Gustav market of MLS Area 42, zip code 70815, generally Broadmoor and Sherwood Forest areas. I say Post Hurricane Gustav because Gustav’s damage in 9/2008 disrupted this housing market more than most realize. I believe the 2 weeks it took to restore utilities had a psychological impact on this market as home sales prices dipped, see chart below. Chart represents home sales from $100K to $300K in 70815 from 1/1/2007 to present.

As a home appraiser appraising in any local market that is now NOT always increasing every year as in prior years, it’s now crucial to know where the market has been, where it is now and where it might be in the future.

Cautions On Interpreting Market Data Post Federal Tax Credit Expiration. This post below illustrates that just because the Federal Tax Credit artificially elevated home sales and possibly home prices, doesn’t indicate an always favorable appraised value for your home. The word favorable is a favorable value in the home owner’s mind, not necessarily market reality. The areas listings inventories or homes for sale, has been building or increasing for months now while at the same time home sales have been slowing. This could be attributable to the national economy finally catching up with the local economy, more difficulty now in qualifying for a mortgage and/or the shift within the Greater Baton Rouge housing market toward more affordable housing, ie., closer to $100/sf versus $135/sf to $160/sf.

Appraisal Assignment: 38 year old 2,850sf living area home, 3 Bedroom, 2.5 Baths, off Sharp Rd in between Broadmoor and Sherwood Forest areas.

MLS Search Parameters

3 to 5 Bedroom Slab Homes in Area 42 Between $150,000 to $275,000, Zip Code 70815, 10/4/2008 to 10/7/2010, Ages 16-20 to Max Age, 2500sf to 3100sf.

Sold Results: Median Sales Prices!

Sold results indicate an increasing median sales price since 10/4/2008 of +11% and +7.5% over the past year.

Sold Results: Average Sold Price Per Sq. Ft.!

Sold results indicate an increasing average sold price per sq. ft. since 10/4/2008. In Broadmoor, the increase has been $4/sf or +5.3%. In Sherwood Forest, the increase has been $2/sf or +2.7%.

HOWEVER, The current market conditions, the Fannie Mae 1004MC or Market Conditions Form describes a different market condition THAT MUST BE ANALYZED AND RECONCILED BY THE APPRAISER.

COMPETING HOME SALES ARE DECLINING – From 18 to 3!

ABSORPTION RATE IS DECLINING – From 3 Sales Per Month Down To Just 1!

TOTAL COMPARABLE ACTIVE LISTINGS IS INCREASING – Inventory Is Growing!

MONTHS OF HOUSING SUPPLY IS INCREASING – FROM 5 TO 22!

NOTE: When the top right 4 boxes are checked for Declining, Declining, Increasing and Increasing, that’s not a good market indication!

Chart Showing Slowing Home Sales!

Conclusion.

When appraising local Greater Baton Rouge Homes, it’s important for both the appraiser and the homeowner to know that ALL market conditions are examined and reconciled to arrive at a value conclusion. In the above market examination, YES, the median sales prices and average sales prices per sq. ft. were increasing, but were also still recovering. If one examines the very first chart in this post, you’ll find that this market still hasn’t fully recovered to the $180K median sales prices of 2007/2008 prior to Gustav.

And, it’s very important to lenders underwriting the loan if there’s only 1 competing home per month selling resulting in a 22 month supply of competing housing, declining absorption rate (declining number of homes within the large inventory being removed from that inventory), increasing number of months on the market and increasing number of listings being added each month.

I do hope locals can now better understand part of the appraisal process. Home appraisals in 2010, with the newer 1004MC form and more and more requirements being added each month it seems, take much longer to complete now with much more investigation and reporting requirements.

REO OR FORECLOSURE RATE!

And, for those that would like to know to know the REO or Foreclosure rate for this assignment, the chart is below showing only 2 “MLS” foreclosures for homes 2500sf to 3100sf since 10/4/2008. There could have been several more take place outside of these 2 listed in MLS as many national lenders today choose not to list their REO inventories in the MLS anymore….up to 70%. In my report, I stated, ” It’s also stated here that a recent article (The Landmines Within by Michael Tarabotto http://activerain.com/blogsview/930436/The-Landmines-Within ) stated that as much as 70% of REOs never make it into the MLS – Meaning that it might be impossible to know or state the exact # of competing REOs if
they’re not being listed. MLS is reporting 2 comparable REO listings.”

Data was used with permission of the GBRMLS, search dates 1/1/2007 to 10/07/2010, extracted on 10/7/2010.

Active Listings On 10/1/2010: 4245

Pending Listings On 10/1/2010: 795

SOLDS

Sept 2010-407 (Decline of 172 or -30% Compared to 9/2009)

Sept 2009-579

Sept 2008-374 ( Hurricane Gustav Meant Less Closings )

Sept 2007-695

Sept 2006-841

Sept 2005-1763 (Hurricane Katrina Meant Increase In Sales)

Sept 2004-635

NOTE: These numbers are provided by Tony Zito with Zito Real Estate Group and used with the permission of GBRAR MLS. Search dates would be 9/1/2004 through 10/1/2010, extraction date 10/1/2010. Parishes include East Baton Rouge, Livingston and Ascension.

Solds In Plantation Trace 70808 from 1/2010 to 9/28/2010 revealed:
Average Sales Price: $275,500
Average Sold Price Per Sq. Ft.: $116.33/sf
Median Sold Price: $275,000
Number of Sales: 6
Average Number of Days On Market: 36
Low To High: $218,000 to $345,000
Number of Sold REO/Foreclosures Noted In MLS: 0
Current # Listings: 6, 0 Are Listed As Foreclosures
Current Listings Prices: $210,000 To $399,000

Below is the charting of median sold price since 1/1/2005.

NOTE: Data for the Baton Rouge Real Estate Trends Report was used with the permission of the GBRAR. Data search was from 1/1/2005 to 9/28/2010, extracted on 9/28/2010.

Tags: Baton Rouge Home Appraisers, Baton Rouge Homes, Baton Rouge Homes For Sale, Baton Rouge Real Estate, baton rouge real estate agent listings, Baton Rouge Real Estate Agents, Baton Rouge Real Estate Appraisers, Baton Rouge Real Estate Buzz, Baton Rouge Real Estate Housing, Baton Rouge Real Estate Minute, Baton Rouge Real Estate Trends, Baton Rouge Realtor, Baton Rouge Realtors

]]> http://www.batonrougerealestateappraisal.com/2010/09/baton-rouge-real-estate-appraisal-plantation-trace-2010-housing-report/feed/ 0 http://www.batonrougerealestateappraisal.com/2010/09/baton-rouge-fha-appraiser-voice-comments-on-forest-oaks-subdivision-august-2010/ http://www.batonrougerealestateappraisal.com/2010/09/baton-rouge-fha-appraiser-voice-comments-on-forest-oaks-subdivision-august-2010/#comments Tue, 07 Sep 2010 07:49:16 +0000 Baton Rouge Real Estate Appraisal http://www.batonrougerealestateappraisal.com/baton-rouge-homes/baton-rouge-fha-appraiser-voice-comments-on-forest-oaks-subdivision-august-2010/ http://www.batonrougerealestateappraisal.com/ – Baton Rouge FHA Appraiser Voice Comments On Forest Oaks Subdivision August 2010 using fotobabble.com.

Add Voice To Your Photos With Fotobabble.com

]]> http://www.batonrougerealestateappraisal.com/2010/09/baton-rouge-fha-appraiser-voice-comments-on-forest-oaks-subdivision-august-2010/feed/ 0 http://www.batonrougerealestateappraisal.com/2010/08/with-federal-tax-credit-expiration-greater-baton-rouge-home-sales-numbers-decline-into-july-2010/ http://www.batonrougerealestateappraisal.com/2010/08/with-federal-tax-credit-expiration-greater-baton-rouge-home-sales-numbers-decline-into-july-2010/#comments Fri, 20 Aug 2010 12:40:49 +0000 Baton Rouge Real Estate Appraisal http://www.batonrougerealestateappraisal.com/baton-rouge-real-estate-appraisal/with-federal-tax-credit-expiration-greater-baton-rouge-home-sales-numbers-decline-into-july-2010/ http://www.batonrougerealestateappraisal.com/ – With Federal Tax Credit Expiration, Greater Baton Rouge Home Sales Numbers Decline Into July 2010!

The Baton Rouge Business Report Daily PM Report is report a Capital Region home sales plunge of 21% in July 2010. “The number of homes sold in metro Baton Rouge fell by 21% in July compared with the year before, as the market corrected itself after being bolstered by the federal homebuyer tax credit. There were 523 homes in the Capital Region sold in July, compared with 665 sales in July 2009, according to figures from the Greater Baton Rouge Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service. An $8,000 tax credit for homebuyers expired earlier this year, and transactions had to be under contract at the end of April to qualify for the money. That led to Capital Region home sales posting 21% and 28% increases in April and May over last year. The average sale price in July was $197,076, down from the $203,735 average in July 2009. Sales were down nearly 31% in Ascension Parish in July, from 111 in 2009 to 77. Livingston Parish saw a 25% drop, from 114 homes changing hands to 85. In East Baton Rouge, there was a 24% drop in home sales, from 414 to 313. The other category, which includes MLS sales in West Baton Rouge, Iberville and the Feliciana parishes, actually saw an 85% increase, from 26 to 48. Through the first seven months of the year, home sales continued to run slightly ahead of the 2009 pace. There were 4,107 homes sold through the end of July, up 3% from the 3,985 sales total at the end of July 2009.”

The “Guys” at TBWS (Think Big Work Small) and Housing Wire reports on the increase in closing cost.

Have Baton Rouge homeowners paying more in 2010 than they did in 2009? What do you think? Please Leave a comment below!

http://www.batonrougerealestatebuzz.com/

Local Real Estate Agent and Broker, Tony Zito, delivers the July 2010 Real Estate Update. http://www.tonyzito.com/

Tags: baton rouge, baton rouge real estate, real estate baton rouge, baton rouge july 2010 update, baton rouge homes, baton rouge houses, baton rouge homes for sale, baton rouge fsbo, baton rouge for sale by owner, baton rouge video listings, baton rouge home video listings

Tags: baton rouge, baton rouge real estate, real estate baton rouge, riverbend subdivision, lsu, baton rouge homes, baton rouge houses, baton rouge appraisers, baton rouge fha appraisers, accurate valuations group, baton rouge home appraisal, baton rouge home appraisals, baton rouge mls area 52

Welcome To The $100. 00 Greater Baton Rouge Comparable Sales Reports! Greater Baton Rouge Comparable Sales Reports Is A Desktop Appraisal Service Performed By William D. Cobb, CREA, with Accurate Valuations Group, Serving East & West Baton Rouge Parish, Northern Ascension Parish and Western Livingston Parish. William Uses An Approved Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac Appraisal Form (SSDVR) To Complete This Report.

What Is An SSDVR Report? A desktop appraisal report conducted by Louisiana State Certified Appraiser, William D. Cobb, CREA, License #R0851. Bill will drive-by the home being appraised, rely upon the physical data the client provides, research the MLS database, select the 3 most similar and competitive sales/comps and render a value opinion.

Heatherstone is a townhome development located near LSU off Brightside Drive 70820. According to MLS, the living area sizes vary from 1,474sf up to 2,280sf and ages vary from 11-15 years to 31-40 years old, from approximately 1973 to 1994. Since 1/1/2009, the Average Sales Price has been $156,417, Average Sold Price Per Sq. Ft. $87.31/sf, Median $156,500, Low $135,000, High $182,500 and Average Days On Market 108 Days.

The Chart Below Is Showing A -2.25% Decline In Median Sales Price From June 2009 to June 2010.

Data used with permission of the Greater Baton Rouge Board of Realtors. Data extraction date 06/21/2010, from 1/1/2007 to 06/21/2010.

Today is June 9, 2010 and by this time, the solds for May 2010 would have been reported within the local GBRAR MLS related to the $8,000 Tax Credit. The video below was prepared by Tony Zito, with Zito Real Estate Group, and shares the number of pending sales for each month from February 2010 to today on June 8 2010. Tony also shares the sales for each May from 2004 to this past May 2010. Be sure to check out Tony’s Blog @ http://perfectbatonrougerealestate.com/

The questions in my mind are these:

1.) What impact did the $8,000 Tax Credit have on Greater Baton Rouge area home sales in 2010 leading up to the April 30 deadline? In the video below, I think you’ll find that it had a significant impact on local home sales.

2.) Was our market functioning based solely on this government stimulus and will home sales drop off after this stimulus has been removed? The answer to this question and concern will be answered by the market in the coming months.

I’m posting “the guys” video from this morning because we need some good news today regarding the U.S. National Economy! Yes, I understand that the local Baton Rouge market is performing OK into 2010! What we’ve learned in the past few days is that U.S. Real Estate Recovery you’ve been hearing about…..NOT!! Purchase Applications Decline Further In Latest MBA Weekly Survey to a 13 year low, see this!. Although the Tax Credit spurred new home sales, prices still dropped, see article here!. CNN Money reports that home prices fell 3% in early 2010, here! There are major reasons for concern for going forward!

Home To Be Listed With:

Ronald Julien & Associates, 1926 Wooddale Boulevard
Baton Rouge, LA 70806-1539
(225) 926-3475

Tags: West Baton Rouge, Port Allen, 70767, Homes For Sale, West Baton Rouge Foreclosures, Port Allen Foreclosures

http://www.batonrougehomeappraisal.com/

I recently performed a “Pre-Listing” home appraisal in Baton Rouge’s Westdale Terrace and the homeowner was saying what a bad time in the local real estate market to be trying to sell a home. I was scratching my head wondering if this homeowner had been watching the CBS News and applying what’s taking place in the national housing market to the local Baton Rouge Real Estate market, which would be a mistake. So, on May 10, 2010, I ran the numbers in the GBRAR MLS based on similar slab homes in Zip Codes 70806 and 70808, 1400sf to 1800sf, 3 bedrooms and with a 3 miles of Westdale Terrace. The results are below.

What I found is that YES, the median sales price is down -3.62% since February 2009 when the median sales price was $191,957, now $185,000. However, since May 2009 when the median sales price was $176,000, the February 2010 median sales price is $185,000, which is a +5.1% increase! YES, the last competing sales in this market were in February 2010, which shows a “stable market” and / or slower home sales. Also, within Westdale Terrace, homes are remaining on the market longer, which could also be too high of priced listings.

Tags: Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge Real Estate, Real Estate Baton Rouge, 70808, Westdale Terrace, Baton Rouge FHA Appraisers, Baton Rouge Home Appraisers, Baton Rouge Real Estate Appraisers

A smooth transaction is one when one has accurately represented the physical characteristics(in writing) of one’s home , whether it be listing the home with an agent or selling it yourself(FSBO). “The main step is to acquire the accurate living area during the whole process of obtaining the accurate representation of one’s property”, says William D. Cobb, CREA who is the owner of Accurate Valuations Home Appraisal Group in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. An agent will enlist a CMA or Comparative Market Analysis for determining a home’s listing price. Still, one should have with them, a precise calculation of the living area.

Also, to be on the safer side, it would be a wise decision to have a third-party measure the living area and value of the property before one signs the Listing Agreement. A residential appraiser is the best option in this case.

This has the following advantages:

When an appraisal report is done in a professional manner, it leaves a good impression on the potential buyer as it supports the price quoted as well.

An appraisal generally includes photographs, location map, accurate sketch, precise dimensions, outline of the neighborhood etc. Also, 3 to 4 comparable sales must be present adjusted to subject property.

Enlisting recommendations for repair or enhancements, if any. This listing appraisal can indicate a value for addition(s), items that require repairs, etc..

Accurate estimation of Living-Area size lends peace of mind, especially with values @ $100/sf +

In U.S, majority of real estate professionals base the price per square foot of a home on living area size. Living Area is measured from the exterior walls. All real estate professionals are to follow the ANSI Standards for Single-Family Residential Buildings (American National Standards Institute) when calculating area home sizes. In a seminar in Apex Appraiser Home Sketching Software and National ANSI Standards in Houston, TX, the ANSI instructor, who is also on the Appraiser Standards Board in South Carolina, stated that one of the most common lawsuits in Real Estate today is “misrepresentation of living area size”.

Consider: A 2,000sf home is for sale, priced at $240,000. Instead of measuring the home, the living area was obtained by County Records; estimating the typical home size in that development. The home is listed with a living area of 2,000sf. A purchase agreement for $240,000 is received and is accepted. The appraisal is ordered by the buyer’s lender. The sellers submit an offer on a $350,000 home in a neighboring development. The offer is accepted. However, the appraiser for the home turns in her appraisal showing 1,840sf and an appraised value of $220,800, much less than the purchase price. The sellers are asked to renegotiate the purchase price as the living area is 1,840sf, and not the 2,000sf. The sellers sue for misrepresentation of living area.

Thus, it’s crucial to have one’s home measured by the person listing your home. It is strongly recommended that when interviewing the person listing your home, one must confirm that they follow ANSI, that they will measure your home, and provide you a calculated sketch. Thus, a written verification of true living area is present.

Bill states that he recently performed a purchase appraisal in a South Baton Rouge Subdivision on a 2,026sf living area, for $260,000, listed FSBO. The home was marketed WITHOUT obtaining a professional opinion on the value of the home. The buyers end up with $9,000 in equity as the home appraised at $269k. So, as against a loss of $9,000 the seller should have paid $225 to get the listing appraisal done.

An appraisal helps homeowners make the best decisions like investment in homes and setting a competent sales price. Thus it is strongly recommended to have a Listing Appraisal before one lists their home.

Accurate Valuations Group
Office: 225.293.1500
Fax: 1-866-663-6065

In 2010 YTD, despite a few foreclosures, Shenandoah Estates is still outpacing the majority of the Baton Rouge housing market with a 10.43% increase in median sold price. “YTD” is year-to-date.

Median Sold Price Increase. In 2009, the overall median sold price was $196,500. As of this search, the median sold price has risen to $217,000 or +10.43%.

Average Sold Price Per Sq. Ft. Increase. In 2009, overall it was $89.48/sf. As of this search, the average sold price per sq. ft. has been risen to $94.23/sf or $4.75/sf, which is a +5.31%.

Average Days On The Market Decrease. In 2009, it took approximately 106 to sell a home. In 2010 YTD, it has taken 43 days to sell a home, which is 63 less days or a reduction in marketing time of 59%.

NOTE: Based on Detached Single Family information from the Greater Baton Rouge Association of REALTORS\MLS for the period 01/01/2009 through 12/31/2009 versus 01/01/2010 to 04/22/2010 For Shenandoah Estates. This information was extracted on 12/31/2009 and 04/22/2010.

Tags: baton rouge homes, baton rouge housing, baton rouge real estate, baton rouge real estate agents, baton rouge real estate appraisers, baton rouge real estate trends, baton rouge realtors, shenandoah estates, 70817, baton rouge real estate buzz

Wow, what a difference 6 months can make in a housing market. I appraised a home in Cottage Hill Subdivision 70809 in October 2009 and again in April 2010.

The differences in that housing market is like night and day. See Below!

Market Conditions Description in 10/2009:

Declining Market of -4.39% Since 10/2008. 28 Months Supply of Housing On
Market. 19 Competing Listings Does Indicate an Over-Supply (includes FSBO listings). 96% List-To-Sales Price Ratio. While comps 1-3 show 1-3
months marketing time, 28 Month Supply and an oversupply indicate over 6 months.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Market Conditions Description in 4/2010:

Stable to Increasing Market of 8.49% Since 4/2009. 6.3 Months Supply of
Competing Housing On Market. 14 Competing Listings Does Indicate an Over-Supply (does not include FSBO’s). 97% List-To-Sales Price Ratio.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

NOTE: Based on Detached Single Family information from the Greater Baton Rouge Association of REALTORS\MLS for the period 10/01/2007 through 10/15/2009 versus 04/17/2008 to 04/17/2010. MLS Areas 53, 61 and 62, Slab Foundation, 2100sf to 2500sf, 6-10 to 16-20 Yrs old. This information was extracted on 10/15/2009 and 04/22/2010.

Tags: Baton Rouge Estate Appraisers, baton rouge homes, baton rouge housing, baton rouge real estate

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 Baton Rouge 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