Neighborhoods and Activities in Baton Rouge

Yesterday President Obama signed into effect the Economic Stimulus Act.  A portion of that is targeted to help the failing housing market and stabilize values in neighborhoods, by giving first time homebuyers a tax credit.  Some Things to Know:  (1) First Time Homebuyers for Principal Residence (2) Calendar year 2009 only  (3)There are Income Limits. (4) It's Refundable even if you don't have that much tax liability (5) Buyers have to own the home for at least 3 years or return the credit if they sell early.  While more details of this opportunity will be forthcoming, here's a summary to get you started planning from U.S.News and World Report's Luke Mullins.

Don't wait!  With record low interest rates combined with this tax incentive, there's never been a better time to own your first home!

When you hear of Mardi Gras you usually think New Orleans.  However, for those of you not native to Louisiana, it may come as a surprise to learn that most of the major cities have parades.  Now Mardi Gras is not just a parade, but a series of parades starting the first weekend in February and culminating with final parades and the crowning of a King and Queen on Mardi Gras Day which is Feb. 24th this year.  You will find many colorful parades.  Many have themes that vary from year to year. 

Parades in Baton Rouge aremuch more family friendly and not as risque, with the exception of the wild and wacky Spanish Town Parade. 

Here in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, one of the favorites is The Mystic Krewe of Mutts.  That's a parade of dogs.  Dog owners dress their favorite dog in colorful costume and parade in downtown. 

 Krewe of Orion theme this year is Tour de France, WBRZ Video..

The Spanish Town parade is one of the more famous and goes thru one of the oldes historic area of the city.  This one usually features flamingos in some other theme that varies year to year.  This year's theme:  Buy Yeaux Bailout.

Visit Baton Rouge has  videos of all the parades that captures some of the flavor.

After years of infamous national press, Louisiana scored big when Baton Rouge was named one of the top 10 hottest real estate in 2009.  On the heels of such good news comes the latest from Newstatesman., that louisiana's governor Bobby Jindal is selected as one of this year's choice of 10 people who could change the world.  In 2005 Barak Obama was predicted to be running mate to Hillary Clinton in last year's elections.  As we know, he did even better.  Bobby is labeled Saviour of the Republicans.  And the review identifies his most noticeable flaw is that he talks too fast!  You can follow him on Twitter at

http://twitter.com/BobbyJindal

As a broker, following trends and business models is a must.  In the past 5 years there has been an explosion in information available to the consumer on the internet, including real estate information.  To handle this change there needs to be a shift in the way real estate brokerages are set up.  Let's face it, the goal is to attract agents or buyers who use the brokerage to buy or sell property.  So where are the consumers going?

NAR statistics shown in this chart show an explosion of consumers looking online.  The 2008 data just released in January show that 87% of home buyers used the internet to search for homes, up 71 percent from 5 years ago . The Baton Rouge Business Report noted in analyzing the NAR statistics that the number of people in Baton Rouge looking online for information about houses increased 29.5% in December.   Looking at the patterns that consumers use, that means that a brokerage MUST have a solid online presence to attract buyers and sellers.  A second pattern that emerges is that Consumers Follow Agents, not Companies or Brands  The highlighted article challenges the traditional real eatate brokerage model of opening an office and establishing your broad(logo, slogan, etc.)  The article further shows that (1) referrals, (2)repeat business and (3) the internet are the top 3 lead generators.

Establishing an Internet Presence, Embracing technology, and recognizing that clients follow agents will be key parts of new, innovative business models for real estate brokerages.   

There's some good news just off the press:  Baton Rouge is one of the top ten "Hottest Real Estate Markets in 2009" according to Housing Predictor,  This independent market forecaster defines "Hottest Markets" as "areas of the country where there is stronger employment, prospects of growth and promises of prosperity.  They represent exceptions in a cascade of deflationary housing markets that are projected to appreciate despite an economy that has years to fully turn around."  Now, that's some really good news for the Baton Rouge metropolitan area!

Baton Rouge shares this honor with cities in Texas Wyoming, Mississippi, Utah, North and South Dakota, and Idaho.

Additionally it was announced this week that Census 2010 is creating 1200 new jobs in the Capital City.

If you have younger children or grandchildren, there are those days where it's too cold or rainy to play outside.  Here in Baton Rouge there is a solution to working off some of that pent up energy!  It's a play area called Monkey Biz.  This indoor play area is child and parent firendly. 

The carpeted indoor area is divided into several areas.  First, there's the Play Area filled with tunnels and ball pits and slides.  They even have an enclosed play area for little toddlers with soft mats and steps and a playhouse. 

The second area is the game area where players can win tokens playing a wide variety of games such as Ms.Packman, ball machines, basketball or bowling, air hockey, etc. 

A third area of activity is the rides.  There are numerous rides all designed for the younger family members.  Some move and shake.  Others, like the rocket ship, move up and down.

Next time your family needs to work off some energy, try out Monkey Biz, in the Drusilla Shopping Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

This morning on Twitter, I came across a link shared by John Jamieson in Detriot Michigan that inspired me to write this post and share his link.  There is so much negative press and many of us have seen our real estate business fall away and our markets become difficult.  Many have lost jobs, homes, and suffered much grief. In the ever day hum drum our lives can loose meaning and focus.  This family kept their focus and turned their difficulties into opportunities that have gone on to inspire many other people all over the world! 

The lessons in the message are ones we can all benefit from watching.  Team Hoyt - I Can  

Looking around at various Baton Rouge Area schools?  In addition to our public schools, Baton Rouge has numerous private schools.  One of the private schools we'd like to introduce today is Runnels School, one of the oldest independent schools in Baton Rouge.  

With campuses on Jefferson Hwy. and Harrells Ferry, Runnels goes from PreSchool thru Senior High. Runnels boosts high academic achievement plus sports, arts, and technology programs. 

You will find a variety of programs.  For example, one of their 8th grade students, Theresa Hudson, was featured in Baton Rouge's 225 online magazine.  She was invited to Pres. Obama's inaguration in Washington, D.C. and is blogging on this event.  See her blog at 225 online.

One of our Realtors, Wendi Hairford, assists at Runnels; and her 2 boys are students. 

At Baton Rouge Area Homes we are all about families.  Recently CBS did a story on a family that will warm your heart:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBtFTF2ii7U&eurl=http://www.netvibes.com/  Family members sleep together, eat together, share life's journeys togther and help each other in their life activities.  We are providing this story to you to encourage you and inspire you.  After you watch this, you'll be able toanswer the question "Who is a dog's best frient?"

Do you need assistance relocating your family members? This link may give you some ideas:  http://www.petrelocation.com/ 

This week has some upcoming events of interest.  Wednesday, Jan.21, 2009, the Council Zoning Meeting will hold Public Hearings on Amendments to the Comprehensive Zoning Map of the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge that includes Plank Rd., Joor Crossing, Southdowns Subdivision, Perkins and Acadian, Destin Place Subd.  http://brgov.com/dept/council/agendas/zoning.pdf

The intersection at Coursey Blvd. and Sherwood Forest will be under construction for about 5 months.  During this time there will be no left turns in any direction.  Plan you routes accordingly.  http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/37401384.html