http://www.baton-rouge-real-estate.com/ – Baton Rouge Home Appraisers: Where’s The Bottom For Greater Baton Rouge Housing? Correct Answer Is Based On Local Incomes!

Last week, David Jacobs, with the Baton Rouge Business Report, reported a startling study about how high and out of sync Greater Baton Rouge housing prices are when combined with transportation. The article, Baton Rouge-area household spends 52% of income on housing and transportation, was published on 8/9/2011. In the article or study, the CNT recommends spending no more than 45% and that combining local housing prices with true transportation costs provides “an accurate measure of of the true affordability of housing”.

Other Studies. We also know that according to Core Logic, Baton Rouge is in its’ 9th straight month of home price correction. We also know from the 24/7 Wall Street study that Baton Rouge made America’s 10 Sickest Housing Markets list this month.

We’re In For More Correction. It would appear, based on these 3 studies, that Greater Baton Rouge Housing is in for more correction.

This is my reply below to David Jacobs submitted on 8/10/2011:

I read your Business Report Weekly and wanted to thank you for reporting on this. This has really helped me. Just 3 weeks ago, I was ready to go for a visit to the LSU Real Estate Research Department with similar questions as to where should GBR Housing be priced relative to local incomes? I think this is a foundational question going forward and might possibly shed some light on where the bottom might be in local housing prices in the future. If GBR housing is out of proportion, by how much or by what percentage? Are the current still nose-bleed high housing prices sustainable? Obviously if we asked this question in 2007 from some of the Zachary and ASC $300,000 neighborhoods, the answer today is probably not. $140/sf for new homes wasn’t sustainable across the board. This is why builders like DSLD Homes are having such success……because the insanity in local new home prices from 2006 to 2008 was never sustainable based on local incomes.

As a local home appraiser, I’ve been scratching head all along here wondering WHY local housing is so expensive…..in Louisiana. Baton Rouge has been a wonderful place to grow up and now raise my family, but we’re not California with almost a perfect climate where one would expect high prices. Why are home prices so high here….still in 2011? Even with the modest correction, it would certainly seem that we’re still at nose bleed levels on the pricing of some local housing relative to local incomes. I scratch my head monthly on this issue.

Please understand, I’m not a conservative appraiser. Whatever the housing market’s decision has been, in the form of home sales, I reflect in my reports. However, we’re now about 9 months into this local correction and I’m beginning to think that locals are finally coming to their senses on what they pay for local housing relative to local incomes. There are A LOT of sellers in denial right now, and Hurricane Katrina didn’t help with that at all. It only made it worse. Today, some local Real Estate Agents are hiring me for my Listing Appraisals on their listings that have been on the market for months now, they know are overpriced and they bring me in to show the seller the reality of the local numbers in comparison to sellers perception that their home is worth more.

The chart below doesn’t indicate a huge problem in GBR housing, not like some sour markets in the USA where there’s 3-4 years of supply. However, talk to most appraisers locally and you’ll find that we’re checking “Slow” market for growth or sales and in some subdivision/markets, there’s been such few home sales that it’s become very difficult to complete appraisals for the lack of comps sold within 3 to 6 months, especially under $125,000.

NOTE: Based on information from the Greater Baton Rouge Association of REALTORS®\MLS for the period of August 2010 to July 2011. This information was extracted on 8/10/2011. YES, this appraiser does have the permission of GBRMLS to use the chart above.

These are some of the things I’ve been thinking about in GBR Housing since 2007 and going forward. Are we fairly priced or still way out of balance? Yes, the market is correcting back to some sense of sanity…..finally…..and how many more months or years will it be till we reach equilibrium (sanity) based on local incomes.

New Homes Are Still Priced High. I still see a local builder and have them say something like, “This market is killing me…when the market coming back?!”. And that builder just doesn’t get it….that the post Hurricane Katrina builder’s market isn’t coming “back” in terms of such exaggerated pricing. The odd thing here is the LHBA (La Home Builders Association) would probably tell you today that we’re too low for their builders to make a decent profit on local home building. What they experienced in 2006-2008 (unsustainable pricing) and expect in the future just wasn’t/isn’t sustainable.

This is why I believe that new TND in Zachary recently announced will take a decade or more to build out because $140/sf to $200/sf just isn’t what local incomes will support and until local builders understand this, they’ll be more developments started and then finished by DSLD Homes. This is also why I believe that new Wyndam Estates development in Denham Springs with 1600sf homes on “tiny lots” in $190′s or $120/sf will also take much, much longer than expected to fill and should be filled with homes in the $150s to $160s. It’s about market economics and local incomes and the local economics, at least outside of Baton Rouge itself, is in favor of DSLD Homes pricing. Those builders and developers that fail to understand local incomes will continue to have their fledgling developments sold to and finished by developers like DSLD Homes after spending millions to break the dirt.

Bill Cobb, Appraiser

http://www.batonrougelistingsservices.com/ – Greater Baton Rouge Real Estate Elevated Photography Services Now Available by Bill Cobb with Baton Rouge Listings Services and AVG Accurate Valuations Group! Find out more at the url above in blue.

Below is a compare and contrast showing the marketing differences in perspective of home listing photo at normal elevation versus elevated elevations. Local Real Estate Agents prefer to combine normal photos and elevated photos in their marketing plan for their listings.

This service is also included in Bill Cobb’s AVG Pre-Listing Appraisals whether those are ordered by Local Real Estate Agents or for those selling FSBO without an Agent, see Greater Baton Rouge Pre-Listing Appraisals

Tags: pap, pole aerial photography, pole photography, baton rouge, baton rouge real estate, baton rouge homes, Baton Rouge Real Estate, Baton Rouge Housing, East Baton Rouge, Greater Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge Realtors, Baton Rouge Real Estate Agents, Baton Rouge Homes For Sale, baton rouge real estate elevated photos

http://www.batonrougerealestatebuzz.com/ – Greater Baton Rouge Housing Update For Week of April 22, 2011 (From April 16-22, 2011). This report covers the primary four (4) Parishes that make up Greater Baton Rouge Real Estate.

ASCENSION PARISH

SOLDS:

5 from $67,000 to $229,900, Average Sales Prices $168,180 or $99.98/sf, Median Sales Price $185,000, Average Days On Market 41.
LISTINGS:

Currently Actives Total: 744 $234,268 Average Listing Price and Median Price $198,200.
Currently Pending: 246 $194,128 Average Listing Price and Median Price $174,975.
New Listings: 40 With Average Listing Price of $195,992, Median Listing Price of $169,900
Pending Listings: 39 With Average Listing Price of $202,851, Median Listing Price of $189,000
Withdrawn Listings: 13 With Average Listing Price of $259,753, Median Listing Price of $224,900
Expired Listings: 7 With Average Listing Price of $155,673, Median Listing Price of $129,000

EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH

SOLDS:
42 from $21,900 to $575,000, Average Sales Prices $222,343 or $102.28/sf, Median Sales Price $187,000, Average Days On Market 123.

LISTINGS:
Currently Actives Total: 2695 $247,876 Average Listing Price and Median Price $176,900.
Currently Pending: 613 $209,906 Average Listing Price and Median Price $167,900.
New Listings: 133 With Average Listing Price of $220,158, Median Listing Price of $175,000
Pending Listings: 102 With Average Listing Price of $203,939, Median Listing Price of $169,450
Withdrawn Listings: 18 Average Listing Price $184,066, Median Listing Price of $142,500
Expired Listings: 23 With Average Listing Price of $468,832, Median Listing Price of $214,900

WESTERN LIVINGSTON PARISH

SOLDS:
19 from $22,500 to $448,000, Average Sales Prices $124,242 or $74.59/sf, Median Sales Price $89,000, Average Days On Market 74.

LISTINGS:
Currently Actives Total: 778 $193,809 Average Listing Price and Median Price $159,900.
Currently Pendings: 171 $151,976 Average Listing Price and Median Price $148,000.
New Listings: 37 With Average Listing Price of $186,735, Median Listing Price of $153,900
Pending Listings: 21 With Average Listing Price of $159,738, Median Listing Price of $146,900
Withdrawn Listings: 15 Average Listing Price $162,826, Median Listing Price of $147,500
Expired Listings: 17 With Average Listing Price of $170,894, Median Listing Price of $167,900

WEST BATON ROUGE PARISH

SOLDS:
1 for $179,700 or $127/sf, Median Sales Price $179,700, Average Days On Market 267.

LISTINGS:
Currently Actives Total: 109 $196,436 Average Listing Price and Median Price $186,300.
Currently Pending: 21 $186,897 Average Listing Price and Median Price $185,900.
New Listings: 3 Average Listing Price of $204,900, Median Listing Price of $134,900
Pending Listings: 2 Average Listing Price of $175,900, Median Listing Price of $175,900
Withdrawn Listings: 1 Average Listing Price $49,900, Median Listing Price of $49,900
Expired Listings: 1 With Average Listing Price of $195,000, Median Listing Price of $195,000

NOTE: Based on information from the Greater Baton Rouge Association of REALTORS®\MLS for the period of April, 16, 2011 to April 22, 2011. This information was extracted on 04/23/2011.

Author’s Bio:
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/

http://www.batonrougerealestatebuzz.com/ – Greater Baton Rouge Housing Update For Week of April 15, 2011 (From April 9-15, 2011). This report covers the primary four (4) Parishes that make up Greater Baton Rouge Real Estate.

Ascension Parish

Solds: 9 from $86,700 to $385,000, Average Sales Prices $186,403 or $100.32/sf, Median Sales Price $137,500, Average Days On Market 59.

Listings:

Currently Pending: 229 $191,106 Average Listing Price and Median Price $172,500.

New Listings: 48 With Average Listing Price of $197,932, Median Listing Price of $174,950

Pending Listings: 39 With Average Listing Price of $195,857, Median Listing Price of $189,000

East Baton Rouge Parish

Solds: 31 from $5,500 to $1,054,000, Average Sales Prices $216,768 or $106.51/sf, Median Sales Price $161,000, Average Days On Market 96.

Currently Pending: 585 $208,328 Average Listing Price and Median Price $166,000.

New Listings: 120 With Average Listing Price of $268,194, Median Listing Price of $186,000

Pending Listings: 100 With Average Listing Price of $208,382, Median Listing Price of $165,000

Western Livingston Parish

Solds: 10 from $29,000 to $455,000, Average Sales Prices $189,525 or $97.54/sf, Median Sales Price $168,500, Average Days On Market 98.

Currently Pending: 177 $149,140 Average Listing Price and Median Price $147,900.

New Listings: 31 With Average Listing Price of $175,716, Median Listing Price of $168,900

Pending Listings: 24 With Average Listing Price of $120,687, Median Listing Price of $127,950

West Baton Rouge Parish

Solds: 4 from $51,500 to $226,000, Average Sales Prices $166,600 or $106.33/sf, Median Sales Price $194,450, Average Days On Market 68.

Currently Pending: 21 $187,983 Average Listing Price and Median Price $193,000.

New Listings: 0

Pending Listings: 1 Listing Price of $124,900

NOTE: Based on information from the Greater Baton Rouge Association of REALTORS®\MLS for the period of April, 9, 2011 to April 15, 2011. This information was extracted on 04/16/2011.

Author’s Bio:

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/

http://www.batonrougerealestatebuzz.com/ – Prairieville Home On 1 Acre For Sale: 16131 La Hwy 431 Prairieville LA 70769, North Ascension Parish Real Estate. Built in 1991 with 4 Bedrooms, 2.5 Bathrooms on approximately 1 acre.

Darryl Brasseur, with Brasseur Realty, has a new listing at 16131 La Hwy 431 Prairieville LA 70769.

Details about this new listing can be found by clicking the listing image below.

Darryl says, “This is a one of a kind! This beautiful custom 2 story French style home is situated on a corner lot with approximately 1 acre of land. There is a stocked coy pond with an island and gazebo. Swim year round in the kidney shaped, heated, gunite pool with waterfall. The inside and out has been totally renovated including floors, fixtures, paint, & appliances. There is a detached building that would be perfect for an office. NO FLOOD ZONE!”

Tags: Ascension Parish, Ascension Parish Homes For Sale, Prairieville Homes For Sale, Baton Rouge Real Estate, Homes On Acreage For Sale, Brasseur Realty

http://www.batonrougerealestateappraisal.com/ – Baton Rouge Real Estate Appraisal: SFREP Appraisal Software Helps Underwriter Communication

SFREP or Software for Real Estate Professionals is a local real estate appraisal software company founded by R. Wayne Pugh, MAI. SFREP recently added a new mapping feature to their “Appraise-It” product, which aids the appraiser in better communication with the underwriters.

Video Link Is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtoXLINgvz8

http://www.batonrougerealestatebuzz.com/ – Prairieville La Home For Sale: 40054 Summer Brooke Ave Prairieville LA 70769

Also, be sure to check out the “Sisters Tak’n Care Of Business” Blog!

Tags: Baton Rouge Homes For Sale, Prairieville Homes For Sale, Ascension Parish Real Estate, Gonzales La Homes For Sale, 40054 Summer Brooke Ave, Baton Rouge Real Estate

http://www.ascensionrealestateappraisers.com/ - Ascension Parish Home Appraisers, Prairieville Louisiana 70769 Manchac Harbor Subdivision 2010 Update. Housing Numbers Report. Greater Baton Rouge Real Estate Trends Report.

http://www.batonrougerealestatebuzz.com/ - Baton Rouge Real Estate Buzz With FREE Cool Timer Desktop App For Scheduling Reminders!

In this video below, Home Appraiser Bill Cobb shows how he scheduled some immediate reminders with an app that gets his attention and is very quick and easy to use.

Some potential uses for Bill are for scheduling email answers later in the day, calling back a client later in the day, lunch appointments, reminder to update a client on the progress of their appraisal order, etc..

Here’s the developer’s explanation of the software:

“Harmony Hollow Software: Simple, no-nonsense, handy timer utility with a cool, customizable interface. Can be used like an oven timer, alarm clock, or stopwatch. Plays wav, mp3, midi files, or any of several built-in sounds as an alarm. Can optionally display a custom, scrolling, LED-type text message when the alarm sounds to remind you why you set the timer initially. Countdown mode is great for parents or teachers to limit the amount of time kids spend on video games or the computer, or for cooking, excercise, or a quick nap. Use as alarm clock mode to wake you up in the morning or remind you when it is a certain time of day. It even has a snooze feature to let you sleep just a little longer after the alarm sounds. Use stopwatch mode to keep track of how much time spent on a project or anything similar.”

Here’s the download link on Cnet.com

http://www.ascensionrealestateappraisers.com/ – Appraisers In Ascension Parish: Fairmont Garden Homes Sudivision 2010 Price Trends.

Overall, there were two (2) 2010 sales which brought the median sales price higher than 2009′s $154,900 and lower than 2008′s $159,450. In 2010 as compared to 2009, the Average Sales Price has increased 0.44%, Median Sales Price has increased 2.3% and Average Sold Price Per Sq. Ft. has increased $0.25/sf.

Solds In Fairmont Garden Homes Subdivision from 1/1/2010 to 12/31/2010 revealed:

Average Sales Price: $158,500 ($157,800 in 2009)
Avg Sold $ Per Sq. Ft.: $112.03/sf ($111.78/sf in 2009)
Median Sold Price: $158,500 ($154,900 in 2009)
Number of “MLS” Sales: 2 (3 in 2009)
Average Number of Days On Market: 129 (109 in 2009)
Low To High: $155,000 to $162,000
Number of Sold REO/Foreclosures Noted In MLS: 0
Current # Listings: 2, 0 Are Foreclosures
Current Listings Prices: $149,900 to $152,000 or $112/sf to $113/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 1/10/2011. Yes, this appraiser has obtained permission from GBRAR MLS to use the above pricing chart!

Tags: Ascension Parish Real Estate, Baton Rouge Appraisers, Baton Rouge Housing Market, Baton Rouge Real Estate, Baton Rouge Real Estate Buzz, Baton Rouge Real Estate Trends, Ascension Parish Appraisers, FHA Appraisers Ascension Parish,