Good news for Baton Rouge home owners and potential home buyers, Congress has approved an extension of the National Flood Insurance Program.  Most home buyers who are purchasing homes located in a flood zone have to have flood insurance to qualify for a mortgage and are, therefore relieved for the reprieve.  The program has been extended through September 30, the same extension date as the tax credit extension.

Hurricane Katrina displayed the importance of flood insurance in Baton Rouge as well as the entire southern part of the state of Louisiana.  Katrina had a major impact on flood insurance and has prompted a number of bills related to flood insurance.  The extension of the program is helpful for those considering purchasing property in Baton Rouge.

Click here to learn more about the National Flood Insurance Program.

For a complimentary search of all available real estate in Baton Rouge go to www.glendadaughety.com for access to the Baton Rouge MLS.

Call Glenda Daughety and her Team today, (225)-205-2672, for the best in Baton Rouge Real Estate knowledge and service!

If you are planning to use the extended and expanded home buyer tax credit to purchase Baton Rouge real estate better act fast.  The tax credit can be used on Baton Rouge homes purchased by July 1, 2010, but the homes must be under contract by April 30, 2010.  There is a little more than a month to locate your new Baton Rouge home.

Key points to remember about the tax credit:

• The tax credit is for two types of buyers, first time home buyers (home buyers who have not owned a home in the past 3 years) or current home owners who have lived in their home for 5 of the past 8 years and want to purchase a new primary residence.
• Homes must be closed by July 1, 2010, under contract by April 30, 2010.
• Homes must have a value of $800,000 or less and must be the buyer’s primary residence.
• There are income restrictions, $125,000 for singles, $225,000 for couples.
• The credit is also affected by being single or married.  Married couples who file together are entitled for up to $8,000 for a first home buyer, up to $6,500 for current homeowners.  Single people are entitled for up to $4,000 for a first time home buyer and $3,250 for a current homeowner.
• The credit will need to be repaid if you sell your home within a time period of 36 months.

Remember, time is running out.  Contact us today to start looking for your new Baton Rouge home if you intend on using the tax credit.

For a complimentary search of all available real estate in Baton Rouge go to www.glendadaughety.com for access to the Baton Rouge MLS.

Call Glenda Daughety and her Team today, (225)-205-2672, for the best in Baton Rouge Real Estate knowledge and service!

Mortgage news is good for Baton Rouge real estate as rates look like they will be staying put.  Ben Bernanke announced today that he doesn’t see interest rates going anywhere for the time being, in order to help the fragile economy.  Low home sales and unemployment figures across the Country make raising rates an impossibility.  Low rates have helped boost the real estate market in recent months.  In addition, keeping interest rates low will help those thinking of buying real estate in Baton Rouge LA.

The tax credit for first time home buyers and those who are have lived in their primary residence for five years.  The tax credit combined with low mortgage rates make it an optimum time to purchase real estate in Baton Rouge.

Click here to read an article from Yahoo Finance about interest rates.

For a complimentary search of all available real estate in Baton Rouge go to www.glendadaughety.com for access to the Baton Rouge MLS. Call Glenda Daughety today, (225) 205-2672, for the best in Baton Rouge Real Estate knowledge and service!

September real estate sales in Baton Rouge were strong

The September data for Baton Rouge real estate sales is in and it shows a marked improvement compared with September of 2008.  While overall sales for the first nine months of the year have been fewer than 2008, the strong September real estate sales in Baton Rouge are a positive sign and help the overall sales statistics catch up a bit.  Realtors in Baton Rouge sold 615 homes in September 2009 compared with 405 in September 2008.  This represents a significant jump in sales volume.  Much of the increase in Baton Rouge real estate sales is attributed to the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit which is set to expire at the end of November as well as with the historically low interest rates that are currently available.

For a complimentary search of all available real estate in Baton Rouge go to www.glendadaughety.com for access to the Baton Rouge MLS.

Call Glenda Daughety and her Team today,  (225)-205-2672, for the best in Baton Rouge Real Estate knowledge and service!

Real Estate sales are picking up in Baton Rouge LA

A recent real estate report shows that Baton Rouge real estate sales were off only 4%, in August.  The drop is seen as a positive sign in a year which has had considerably higher, double digit, drops in every month until now.  The improvement in Baton Rouge real estate sales is seen as a direct result of the first time home buyers tax credit, with over half of the real estate sales in the Baton Rouge area being first time home buyers.  There is a hope among Baton Rouge real estate professionals as well as real estate professionals across the Country that the tax credit will be extended as well as expanded to include all home buyers.  Congress is currently debating the tax credit and whether it will be extended and/or expanded remains to be seen.  It is certainly encouraging to see the real estate sales trend improving in Baton Rouge Louisiana.

For a complimentary search of all available real estate in Baton Rouge go to www.glendadaughety.com for access to the Baton Rouge MLS. Call Glenda Daughety today, (225) 205-2672, for the best in Baton Rouge Real Estate knowledge and service!

The Baton Rouge real estate market remains strong, as one of the top 10 in the Country

Housing Predictor ranks Baton Rouge LA in the top 10 hottest real estate markets.  Ranking at number 7 Baton Rouge holds its position as a desirable place to purchase real estate expected to appreciate at a better rate than a plethora of other cities in our Country.  Unlike the double digit drops in home values that is evident elsewhere Baton Rouge remains in the single digits with home prices expected to drop less than 5% for 2009, amazing compared with the 15% and 20% drop in home values felt elsewhere.  While the volume of sales has decreased everywhere because of the fear the recession has induced Baton Rouge LA remains a safer place than most as far as real estate goes.  If you are interested in purchasing real estate for investment purposes why not pick one of the top ten best cities for real estate and take a look at Baton Rouge.

For a complimentary search of all available real estate in Baton Rouge go to www.glendadaughety.com for access to the Baton Rouge MLS. Call Glenda Daughety today, (225) 205-2672, for the best in Baton Rouge Real Estate knowledge and service!

Glenda Daughety

Glenda Daughety of RE/MAX First in Baton Rouge recently attended Howard Brinton’s Star Power Annual Conference in Denver, CO.  The Star Power Conference is on the cutting edge of real estate education, knowledge and information and more than 1,200 Realtors from across the Country attended this outstanding conference.  The topics covered included:

• How to Meet Consumer Expectations in Today’s Market

• Technology and Tools

• Communication Strategies

• Providing Consumer with Appropriate Consulting and Expertise

Glenda’s goal is to provide excellent service to buyers and sellers and continues to pursue the education and knowledge necessary to do so.  If you are interested in the Baton Rouge real estate market call Glenda Daughety and her Team today, (225) 205-2672, for an in-depth analysis of what is going on in Baton Rouge LA.

For a complimentary search of all available real estate in Baton Rouge go to www.glendadaughety.com for access to the Baton Rouge MLS. Call Glenda Daughety today, (225) 205-2672, for the best in Baton Rouge Real Estate knowledge and service!

The East Baton Rouge Mortgage Finance Authority is finding a way to help local home buyers in Baton Rouge LA.  The funds will be for first mortgages and will halp lower and middle class home owners.  In a recent article at 2TheAdvocate.com Chairwoman Astrid Clemens was quoted as saying, “prospective homebuyers, real estate agents and our lending partners have been calling in increasing numbers to see if we have money available for mortgages.  This proposed bond sale will give the authority the opportunity to help qualified buyers in East Baton Rouge Parish fulfill their dreams of owning their own homes.”  Prospective home buyers in Baton Rouge stand to have a lot to gain by the Finance Authority’s commitment to helping them.

For information on Baton Rouge real estate contact Glenda Daughety and her Team today, (225) 205-2672.  Glenda Daughety and her Team have the knowledge and experience you need to find the Baton Rouge real estate opportunity that best suits your needs.

For a complimentary search of all available real estate in Baton Rouge go to www.glendadaughety.com for access to the Baton Rouge MLS. Call Glenda Daughety today, (225) 205-2672, for the best in Baton Rouge Real Estate knowledge and service!

Baton Rouge has been added to another positive list, this time that of the Home Price Forecast.  Baton Rouge is listed as a city which is expected to fare well in the next 12 months as far as real estate values go.  Home prices are not expected to fall in the Baton Rouge area, another positive signal that the city is riding out the recession in a favorable position.  Baton Rouge was recently pointed out in the Brooking’s Institute study as a city that is surviving the recession quite well.  Baton Rouge was not involved in a big real estate boom and therefore is not expected to go through any sort of bust either.

If you are interested in investing in a city that is succeeding consider Baton Rouge.  Contact Glenda Daughety and her Team today, (225) 205-2672, to learn more about Baton Rouge and the opportunities that exist there.

For a complimentary search of all available real estate in Baton Rouge go to www.glendadaughety.com for access to the Baton Rouge MLS. Call Glenda Daughety today, (225) 205-2672, for the best in Baton Rouge Real Estate knowledge and service!

Michelle Copeland

Michelle Copeland, a realtor with The Glenda Daughety Team at RE/MAX First, has recently been awarded the National Association of REALTORS’ (NAR’s) Green Designation, the only green real estate professional designation recognized by NAR.  To achieve this prestigious designation Michelle completed 18 hours of course work designed specifically for REALTORS.  The Green Designation is seen as an important credit in today’s environment.  “As energy costs rise along with concern for the environment, homeowners are looking for innovative ways to save money and live responsibly,” said Dick Gaylord, NAR’s immediate past president.  As an NAR Green Designee, Michelle has gained the knowledge and the tools necessary to become a trusted green resource for Baton Rouge.

If you are looking for a home in Baton Rouge that meets or beats green standards contact the Glenda Daughety Team today, (225) 205-2672.  Michelle Copeland offers the knowledge and experience that is hard to beat and can make your Baton Rouge Real Estate transaction a huge success.

For a complimentary search of all available real estate in Baton Rouge go to www.glendadaughety.com for access to the Baton Rouge MLS.

Call Glenda Daughety and her Team today,  (225)-205-2672, for the best in Baton Rouge Real Estate knowledge and service!