http://www.accuratevg.com/ – Baton Rouge Real Estate Videos: Even Highland Creek Subdivision Is Correcting Downward into 2011. This is an on-going series into the decline of Greater Baton Rouge Home Values and why potential buyers should beware and not pay too much for “some” local overpriced listings. Bill strongly recommends in this housing environment to obtain a Pre-Purchase Appraisal to gain ALL of the facts before making a local home purchase decision.

Greater Baton Rouge Home Prices, in general, are in correction mode per the CoreLogic report for the 7th straight month and reflected in local housing statistics I see almost daily. The favorable Highland Creek Subdivision is no exception.

Highland Creek. Per the HOA Website http://highlandcreekbr.com/, “Highland Creek is an awesome neighborhood off highland road in beautiful Baton rouge. It is conventialy located to downtown BR, the LSU campus, three major retial outlets and two hospitals; great for kids of all ages.” Highland Creek was developed around 1982-1983 with 1 to 2 story garden homes ranging from 1,076sf up to 2,330sf situated on smaller lots. Approximately 75% of Highland Creek is located in the Flood Zone per the FEMA map below, map from a recent appraisal.

Highland Creek Homes

THE CORRECTION IN HOME PRICES – The Climb And Then Descent Of The Stairs In This Chart Below Visually Explains The Correction!

As with Hurricane Katrina, the Median Sales Price rose from $125,000 in 2005 up to $138,500 in 2006. Then median sales price from 2007 to 2009 from $145,000, $147,500 and $154,000 rounded. 2010 began the descent to $148,500 and 4 sales in 2011 currently have it at $126,500. At the highs, the Average Sold Price was at $104/sf and now in 2011 it’s at $84/sf. YES, 2 of the 4 2011 sales were foreclosures helping to bring down the 2011 numbers. However, even the 2 non-foreclosures sold at $90/sf and $99/sf showing a correction from 2008 and 2009 highs.

However, is it only Highland Creek correcting or are other competing developments correcting as well? YES, other developments are correcting as well. This chart below of 64 competing home sales in the 1250sf to 1650sf range in 70808, 70810 and 70820, homes in subdivisions that would be comparable to Highland Creek, shows a -6.2% decline.

NOTE: Based on information from the Greater Baton Rouge Association of REALTORS®\MLS for the period of January 1, 2005 to May 2, 2011. This information was extracted on 5/2/2011. YES, permission was granted by GBRMLS to use Subdivision Price Trends Chart Report!

For More Information On Highland Creek, Check Out The HOA Website here:

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 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.facebook.com/brrebuzz – Congratulations To Central Greenwell Springs Housing Market, Top Performer in 2011! This is based on a comparison between Q1 2010 versus Q1 2011.

WATCH THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS ARTICLE!

LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VERSION OF THIS ARTICLE!
greenwellsprings4162011.mp3

Biggest Gainer In East Baton Rouge 70739. Zip Code 70739, the Central or Greenwell Springs market, showed a +16.2% increase in Average Sales Prices AND +6.2% in Average Sales Price Per Sq. Ft.. Central is a “hot” market viewed by locals as having a favorable school district. 70739 also showed a +9.4% increase in the number of home sales.

Zip Code 70818, another Central Market, showed less stellar results with +13.3% in the number of home sales, +1.4% increase in average sales price and +2.1% increase in average sold price per sq. ft.

I asked local Real Estate Broker, Darren James with Darren James Real Estate Experts, LLC, about this fantastic news and Mr. James replied with, “Throughout 2010, I noticed a number of my clients showing an interest in the Central real estate market. Most were interested due to the school system, and the progressive, positive momentum displayed by the citizens of Central and it’s overall infrastructure.”

Other links to City of Central information can be found at:

City of Central on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=83582758881

Central City News on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Central-City-News/192881377788

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.batonrougerealestateappraisal.com/ – Baton Rouge Real Estate Appraisal Video: Highland Road Housing Market Trends In 2011.

Video Link is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_Y3eTRa_D8

In this video, local home appraiser of 20 years, Bill Cobb, points out trends observations from the Area 53 housing market, generally from Essen Lane over toward Country Club of Louisiana area.

This is a “sub-market” study of homes 2900sf to 3450sf, from 11-15 to 16-20 years old, from approx. $300,000 up to $450,000 range. This is not a broad study but a limited study of homes comparable to a 3250sf home buil in 1994 in the Bluebonnet 70810 market. The observations here are not broad or general, but specifics to these parameters.

NOTE: Based on information from the Greater Baton Rouge Association of REALTORS®\MLS for the period of June 1, 2008 to March 6, 2011. This information was extracted on 3/6/2011.

http://www.homeappraisalsbatonrouge.com/ – Baton Rouge Home Appraisal Blog: Azalea Lakes Subdivision 2009-2010 Update. Both the Average and Median Sales Prices were DOWN by -2% and 3.4%in 2010, but the Average Sold Price Per Sq. Ft. was up by +$2.34/sf or 2%.

Solds In Azalea Lakes from 1/2010 to 12/31/2010 revealed:
Average Sales Price: $193,080 ($197,147 in 2009)
Average Sold Price Per Sq. Ft.: $117.61/sf ($115/sf in 2009)
Median Sold Price: $187,900 ($194,500 in 2009)
Number of Sales: 15 (14 shown on chart below)
Average Number of Days On Market: 82
Low To High: $165,000 to $255,000
Number of Sold REO/Foreclosures Noted In MLS: 1
Current # Listings: 5, 0 Are Foreclosures
Current Listings Prices: $179,900 To $379,900

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 2/17/2011. YES, this appraiser does have the permission of GBRMLS to use the chart above Subdivision Price Trends Report!

http://www.homeappraisalsbatonrouge.com/ – Baton Rouge Skyline Photo Taken At 63 Mph From Mississippi River Bridge

This amazing photo was taken by local Real Estate Agent, Michael Steve Bourriague, Photo taken at 63 miles per hour from the bridge at f11, .125 sec with Sony a550 camera held out of the window looking backwards…

Michael Steve Bourriague is a full time Real Estate Broker/REALTOR® with MSB Realty, LLC. For personal service in Livingston Parish, East Baton Rouge Parish, and Ascension Parish, Call Steve at (225) 939-3030.

http://www.homeappraisalsbatonrouge.com/ – Baton Rouge Home Appraisal Blog Video: Review of Shadowbrook Lakes Housing

Shadowbrook Lakes Subdivision 2010 Housing Numbers
# of Sales: 4
Sales Prices: $299,900 to $399,900
Median Sales Price: $299,900
Average Sales Price: $151.07/sf
5 Current Listings From $294,900 up to $399,900

http://www.homeappraisalsbatonrouge.com/ – Baton Rouge Home Appraisal Blog: Hermitage Subdivision 2010 Update

Hermitage Subdivision is conveniently located near the blossoming area of the Bluebonnet Extension and Nicholson Drive, only a few miles from LSU and the Central Business District!

Solds In Hermitage Subdivision from 1/2010 to 12/31/2010 revealed:

Average Sales Price: $101,360 ($81,500 in 2009)
Average Sold Price Per Sq. Ft.: $72/sf ($59/sf in 2009)
Median Sold Price: $95,000 ($82,000 in 2009)
Number of Sales: 5 (7 in 2009)
Average Number of Days On Market: 42 (69 in 2009)
Low To High: $79,900 to $127,000
Number of Sold REO/Foreclosures Noted In MLS: 2
Current # Listings: 4, 1 Is A Foreclosure
Current Listings Price: $54,000 to $115,900 or $51/sf to $85/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 2/16/2011.

http://www.homeappraisalsbatonrouge.com/ – Baton Rouge Home Appraisal Blog: January 2011 East Baton Rouge Residential Building Permit Numbers Released

RESIDENTIAL PERMITS DECLINE Were Down In 2010! As a whole, residential building permits were down from 2,184 in 2009 versus 1,964 in 2010, a decline of 220 permits or -10% (includes all residential permit types). December 2010 versus December 2009 saw an increase from 177 in 12/2009 to 201 in 12/2010.

DECEMBER 2010 RESIDENTIAL SFR PERMITS TOTAL “53″! For Residential Permits only for “Single Family Residences”, December 2010 saw 53 permits issued versus 44 for November 2010.

ANY IMPROVEMENT IN JANUARY 2011? NO! According to EBRP Department of Public Works Permit Office, “Building permits are down from 1,763 in December 2010 to 1,673 in January 2011.” For Residential ONLY, there were 30 permits issued for Single Family Residences and 62 for Additions-Remodeling for a total of 92 permits. This is a -36% decrease compared to the 143 permits issued in January 2010. And, this is -48% decrease compared to the 177 permits issued in December 2010. However, December 2010 did see an odd “88″ permits for “Duplexes”, which was more than any recorded in recent history.

NOTE: Top Image Source: www.remodeling-sanantonio.com

http://www.homeappraisalsbatonrouge.com/ – Greater Baton Rouge Housing Trends For January 2011 Residential Sales Update!

Ok, we know from the recent LREC release that in all of 2010, the number of home sale was down -7.3%. Total home sales volume was down -5.2%. And, that the “Average Sales Price”, which I am not a fan of reporting on, rose 2.3% from $197,587 in 2009 to $202,138 in 2010. To find out why I’m not a fan of using Average Sales Price, see this explanation under “AVERAGE SALES PRICE IS NOT INDICATOR WHAT WE SHOULD BE RELYING ON! .

WHAT INDICATIONS CAN WE DRAW FROM JANUARY 2011 NUMBERS? So, with 2010 being a down year for the number of home sales, how did January 2011 perform to give us an indication of what 2011 might result in?

On Facebook in 2011, there’s been a lot of positive comments from local Agents about the uptick in Agent showings and buyer interest. Is that translating into actual increase in the number of home sales?

Number Of Home Sales Down 9%. January home sales were down 9% from 2010 with 328 total sales recorded for the first month of the year versus 360 for January 2010.

No Improvement In Number Of Sales By Parish. There was no improvement in the number of home sales for ALL four local Parishes. Ascension had 73 sales in 2010 versus 72 in 2011, down 1%. East Baton Rouge had 206 sales in 2010 versus only 183 in 2011, down 11%. Livingston had 74 sales in 2010 versus 66 in 2011, down 11%. And, West Baton Rouge had 7 sales in 2010 versus 7 in 2011, unchanged.

Average Sales Price Unchanged. Average home sales prices were up 0.61% from 2010 $188,529 to $189,688 for 2011.

Median Sales Price Up 2.5%. Median home sales prices were up 2.5% from 2010 $164,850 to $168,950 for 2011.

Average Sales Price Per Sq. Ft. Down 2.3%. Average home sales prices per square foot was down 2.3% from $99.70/sf in 2010 versus $97.40 in 2011.

Days On Market Increased. Marketing time periods also increased in 2011 to an average of 103 days versus 92 days in 2010

Number of Existing Home Sales Down, Prices Up Just Slightly. Existing home sales made up 79% or 259 of the total sales recorded with an average sales price of $189,356, median sale price of $159,900. In 2010, Existing home sales made up 76% or 274 of the total sales recorded with an average sales price of $185,144 and median sale price of $159,450. So, the 2011 average sales price is up 2.3% while the median sales price was virtually unchanged.

Number of New Home Sales Down, Prices Up. New home sales made up 21% of the total sales recorded. There were 69 new homes sold in 2011 with an average sales price of $202,197 and median sales price of $179,900 versus 86 in 2010 with and average sales price of $199,313 and median sales price of $176,598.

Number of Foreclosure Sales Up 15%, Prices Down! Bank sales were up 15% from the prior year and average bank sales prices were up 21%. Average REO Sales Prices in 2010 were $113,265 versus only $106,247 in 2011. There were 60 “REO” sales in 2011 versus 52 in 2010.

NOTE: Based on information from the Greater Baton Rouge Association of REALTORS®\MLS for the period of January 1, 2010 to January 1, 2011. This information was extracted on 02/11/2011. Source For Quarterly Indicators chart is LREC.

Search Parameters were Ascension, Livingston, East Baton Rouge and West Baton Rouge Parishes, All property types except Manufactured Housing and All ages.

Tags: Ascension Parish Real Estate, Baton Rouge FHA Appraisers, Baton Rouge Home Appraisers, Baton Rouge Homes, Baton Rouge Housing, Baton Rouge Housing Market, Baton Rouge Real Estate, Baton Rouge Real Estate Agents, Baton Rouge Real Estate Housing, Baton Rouge Real Estate Trends, Livingston Parish Real Estate, West Baton Rouge Parish