The Real Estate market is poised for first time home buyers.  Affordability of own home ownership has never been greater and many Renters are now finding that home ownership makes better financial sense. I found an interesting real estate article  where the author shared  Millennials are slow to enter the housing market.   The age group of Millennial home buyers  is deemd to be the generation of the  late 70's early 90's.  If this age group doesn't buy, Generation Xers can’t move up, and if they can’t move up, then Baby Boomers can’t downsize.  The future of the real estate market remaining stimulated is connected to first time home buyers!  How many times have you heard this phrase from a "youthful" first time home buyer......"Before we make an offer and move forward, we want our par... 09/02/2012

This is Pre-Isaac Sunset in Southwest Louisiana   We are thinking of all our neighboring Parishes and the Gulf Coast where Isaac has passed through.  Here in Lake Charles we are experiencing the calm before the storm on the outer bands of Tropical Storm Isaac here in Lake Charles LA.  This is a slow moving storm and many residents are doing some back porch sitting this evening enjoying the wind.  Watching the news of the flooding that has occurred in Mississippi and parts of Placquemine Parish in Louisiana are not the only damage that storms bring.  Hurricanes are not all about the storm surge of water, wind and flying debris can do severe damage.  This is why residents prepare their homes for Hurricanes and Tropical Storms.  The neighbor's trampoline suddenly becomes a flying projecti... 08/29/2012

6902 Meadowview Loop  in Lake Charles  was a For Sale By Owner Property that just closed!  courtesy of Marilyn Boudreaux, Century 21 Mike D Bono & Co.'s   This home is located just off of Gauthier Road in the South part of Lake Charles, LA 6902 Meadowview Loop was  a For Sale by Owner SOLD by a REALTOR!!! Heads up, Lake Charles Sellers, Realtors are the individuals working with ready, willing and able buyers that are pre - approved!   Do yourself a favor, let a Realtor field those calls and showings for you.   This is the third For Sale By Owner property I have closed this month.  Let a Realtor earn a commission and bring you a buyer so you can move on to your next home!! If you are considering selling your Lake Charles home, contact me for a free Comparative Market Anlaysis.  I would ... 08/25/2012

    When I showed up for my closing today at Lundy Lundy Soileau & South in Lake Charles LA, all the conference rooms were filled   We got to close in the refurbished courtroom within this historic building and the wood work design is beautiful and a little piece of Lake Charles LA history.   I bet these walls could tell alot of stories! Lundy Lundy Soileau & South is located at 501 Broad Street in Lake Charles and the building is on the National Historic Registry.  The law firm has beautifully restored the Old Lake Charles Post Office and Court Building.      08/22/2012

800 Granger St in Iowa LA SOLD!   Earlier this Spring I was contacted by the daughter of the owners of this home who wanted me to help sell her parents house in Iowa LA.  The home had previously been listed by two other Lake Charles Realtors and the family was disappointed with no results and were motivated sellers. Upon reviewing this this large 4 bedroom 2 1/2 bathroom home in Iowa LA with over 4,000 sq ft of living and 7,000 sq ft total the reason the home had not sold successfully was due to pricing and lack of marketing.   During my listing presentation to the Sellers I prepared them that homes in Calcasieu Parish average about 120 days on the market to close.   The sellers were receptive to the information I provided and were in favor of an aggressively marketing and pricing their... 08/17/2012

According to statistics shared by the Wall Street Journal, the economic forecasters expect a 2% home price increase in 2012 and a 3% increase in 2013. This is a great prediction however it is news like this which makes sellers  hold off listing in the hopes of  gaining a larger profit with home prices that may jump in 2013.  Timing in the real estate market is always part of the  market equation so lets examine the timing of the real estate market NOW vs. the FUTURE and the risks involved. News that you won't hear  being reported in the media  are the  mortgage reform changes coming in January 2013  with qualified mortgages as part of the Dodd Frank Act .  Buyers who can obtain approval now may not meet the new criteria in 2013.   This is going to affect both home sellers and buyers. S... 08/15/2012

  Lake Charles Home 4908 W. St Charles SOLD! 4908 W. St Charles in Lake Charles  was a For Sale By Owner Property that just closed!  courtesy of Marilyn Boudreaux, Century 21 Mike D Bono & Co.'s I had the pleasure of working with buyers relocating to Lake Charles with a transfer of a new job.   We began searching Lake Charles Homes for Sale in June when the buyers made their first trip to Southwest Louisiana. After exploring all the neighborhoods and options the buyers were educated on what each area in Southwest Louisiana offered.     We viewed established homes for sale and Lake Charles historic homes for sale. By the time the buyer's returned for their second house hunting trip in July, they  had decided they were attracted to homes for sale in South Lake Charles.  The great thing ab... 08/14/2012

When is the Busiest Time of Year to Move in Southwest Louisiana?   Home Sellers always inquire when is the best time to sell a home in Lake Charles?  The time and season of the year has alot to do with that equation.   Because of our industrial sector and economic strength of  industry expansion, Calcasieu Parish has residents relocating to Lake Charles year round.  Southwest Louisiana Real Estate usually always shows a spike in  activity during the months of May-August.  The summer months are seen as the most convenient to move when the home buyer has school age children so the family can transition and be settled when the school year resumes.  389 Homes Sold in Calcasieu Parish from May 1- to August 13 Last weekend August 10-12 was the busiest moving day of the year here in Southwest ... 08/13/2012

Lake Charles Home buyers  have a large inventory of homes to choose from.  Your  Realtor can help narrow the search of  homes for sale in Southwest Louisiana depending on the area and price. Weighing the Options of Existing Homes V. New Construction Homes Choosing an existing home has its advantages.  Typically an existing home will cost less per sq ft than a new construction home. New Subdivisions being developed in the Southwest Louisiana area are growing outside the Lake Charles city limits and in areas of Iowa, Carlyss, Moss Bluff and Westlake.   Buyers need to evaluate the cost of the drive time and if that is worth it to them. New Construction homes are appealing and can be just like having a new car with the smell and sense of everything being new.  However after adjusting to th... 08/09/2012

  Today I closed on a home located at 985 Wineberry in Moss Bluff, LA which was a For Sale by Owner home.  Yes REALTORS can sell a For Sale By Owner home if the Seller is willing to do what is known as a "One Time Listing" in Louisiana and pay the REALTOR commission. These happy new home owners are not only first time home buyers they are also newlyweds!  Many young couples and first time homeowners have been able to purchase a home  that would  not be possible without 100% Rural Development financing Beginning October 1, 2012   Moss Bluff LA will no longer be an eligible area for Rural Development  Loans   In Southwest Louisiana 100% USDA Financing (Rural Development) is an extremely popular home loan.    What is a Rural Development loan? A rural development loan is a 30 year fixed mor... 08/08/2012

Earlier this year we finally decided to put a pool in our backyard.  As a full time Lake Charles Realtor married to a loan officer, we don't get to take a vacation very often.  The summer is usually the busiest time of the year so we decided to turn our backyard into a stay at home vacation we can enjoy throughout the year! I began to share my experience in an earlier post  Why I'm Not Singing in the Rain as I became frustrated with the rain delays we experienced for almost 10 consecutive days!!  (Refer to my first Blog for the beginning of the timeline and photos)   After 10 days of rain  with record accumulation, we waited for a dry forecast to  finish the  tile and proceed with the  next phase of pouring the concrete.   First the  pool  had to be drained of all the disgusting brown r... 08/07/2012

  Windsor Court is a  Lake Charles community of new construction homes.  Windsor Court is located off of  Lake Street  in Lake Charles, LA. Phase I has been completed and Phase II was opened with lot sales in January and  lots are now  SOLD OUT!!  A quick drive through the neighborhood will show the new construction activity taking place. PREVIEWING NEW CONSTRUCTION HOMES IN WINDSOR COURT  LAKE CHARLES LA   The most recent homes sold in Windsor Court have averaged between $299,900-$306,000.  the Sold Price : List Price is 99%  with an average of 116 days on the market. Click below to view current homes for sale in  Windsor Court 1019 N Worthington 1031 N Worthington 5132 E Worthington 5138 W Worthington   View more information on Lake Charles LA Communities. Search ALL Lake Charles Real... 08/06/2012

This custom built French style home is located in popular Canal Place Subdivision in South Lake Charles. Besides amenities galore, it offers a superb price for those looking for a bargain priced home in South Lake Charles. How can I claim that this is a bargain priced home? Simply but accurately stated, 930 LaSalle offers customized features minus the custom price.  It is truly an incredible bargain at less than $108 per square foot! It features 3 bedrooms and 2 baths downstairs and 1 bedroom upstairs which could be an office/media room with 1 additional bathroom. The house features 3,150 square feet of living area, a redesigned living room with tall ceilings throughout, gourmet kitchen, custom cabinets, pine and slate floors, custom brick fireplace and awesome master suite. To see this... 08/06/2012

STOP  It's Time to Start Thinking About Football Season! August 30th the McNeese State Cowboys 2012 Football Season begins when the Cowboys will play Middle Tennessee State, then on September 8th, the Cowboys will host their first home game in Lake Charles! Let the  Lake Charles tailgating fun with  Blue and Gold Cowboy Fans and McNeese Football fever!  It is time to  countdown kicking off another football season!    Supporting our local university McNeese State University here in Lake Charles, LA is a great way to show your community spirit . Hope to see lots of friends stopping by the tailgate area as we start a new season!   While warming up for the game, flip through that Cowboy Football Program and look for my page.  I will be supporting our  McNeese State Cowboys again this year  ... 08/05/2012

I think it is wise to advise Sellers if they are going to listing their home for sale and move, then it just makes sense to go ahead and pack up those collectible items they don't need.  Buyers could be distracted by the Sellers hobbies and/or wall displays! 08/04/2012

South Lake Charles neighborhoods are desirable for families with teenagers attending SJ Welsh Middle School and Barbe High School.   The Reserve is  located off of Weaver Road in Lake Charles, LA.  Homes in The Reserve are  within a block walking distance of Barbe High School  in  South Lake Charles.  Homes located in The Reserve in Lake Charles are 5-6 years old and many homes feature the popular french country design with large stone columns. DRIVING TOUR OF THE RESERVE IN LAKE CHARLES LA The most recent home Reserve home sold in the Reserve for $320,000  ($122 sq ft). Click below to view current homes for sale in The Reserve 2407 Stoneybrook View more information on Lake Charles LA Communities. Search ALL Lake Charles Real Estate and Homes for Sale I would love to send you current l... 08/02/2012

Many Lake Charles residents who have teenagers attending Barbe High School in South Lake Charles want to live close to Barbe High School. Weaver Park subdivision is within walking distance of Barbe High School and is located just off Weaver Road in Lake Charles, LA. HIGHLIGHTS OF WEAVER PARK IN LAKE CHARLES LA The most recent solds in the neighborhood in the last six months for Weaver Park have a median price of $103.73 sq ft. 2404 Cassie $239,00 2408 Brent Keith $249,000 4517 Shelly $247,000 2412 Tyler $ 250,000 2409 Luke $289,900 Homes have been selling within 60 days with an average Sold Price: List Price of 96% Click below to view current homes for sale in Weaver Park 2404 Luke 2409 Tyler View more information on Lake Charles LA Communities. Search ALL Lake Charles Real Estate and ... 08/01/2012

SOLD!!  204 Blossom Lane, Lake Charles, LA These new  Lake Charles home owners are celebrating a dream come true with the purchase of their first home located in University Place in Lake Charles, LA !     I began working with these new home buyers several months ago in the Spring.  Now we find ourselves in the middle of the summer but the ending is sweet!!!  The gift I gave them was appropriate "God Bless Our Home" and the husband quickly said, "Oh that goes by the front door"!  Sometimes Lake Charles home buyers have to be patient when searching for the right house and then hang on with that patience while waiting for a "clear to close"!  Banks are experiencing a  backlog due to the volume of loans being processed and everything is taking a little longer with appraisals and underwriti... 07/31/2012

  Presenting the Four Seasons Community in Lake Charles, LA     Four Seasons is one of the newest subdivisions in South Lake Charles, LA.  New construction Lake Charles homes within The Four Seasons are being built with the popular French Country design and have custom features of stacked crown molding, brick accents and woodwork design.  The homes in Four Seasons are typically 3,000 sq ft of living area with many being 1.5 or 2 stories.  There are currently two new construction homes for sale in Four Seasons: View 2255 Longue Vue $439,00 View 2320 Longue Vue $499,500 Recently completed  new construction homes in Four Seasons have sold for $357,500-$376,000.   The lots isizes n the new Four Seasons subdivision off of Weaver Road in Lake Charles on Longue Vue are between 106 x 106 and 11... 07/30/2012

  There is an old Cowboy song entitled "Don't Fence Me In"  Some folks want land and lots of land so it is important to pay attention to the lot size when you purchase your Lake Charles home.   This is  also especially true when it  comes to adding on to your existing Lake Charles Home--you could have a tight squeeze on your hands. Adding On To Your Existing Lake Charles Home When Builders develop a Lake Charles Subdivision they typically want to sub-divide and sell as  many lots as possible. The result of from that subdividing is , many of the lots to choose from will be narrow.  Therefore, some Lake Charles buyers choose to purchase two lots to give them more space and more options for the placement of their home and house plans to choose from. Homeowners who wish to build want to fin... 07/28/2012