Greetings!

 As we come to the end of another great year we would like to sincerely thank all of you for your business in 2008. We wish everyone a very safe and happy holidays and we can't wait to start working for you in 2009!

This month enjoy artilces on the positive aspects of the Baton Rouge market. 

Enjoy! 

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Viewpoint: Louisiana's real estate market is healthy

By: Mark Rodi

While the nationwide economic picture is less than encouraging, Louisiana has been fortunate to avoid most of the difficulties that many parts of the country are experiencing, particularly in real estate. Our foreclosure rate is among the lowest in the nation, employment numbers are strong, and real estate values are being sustained. In working with our local boards of Realtors across the state, we are encouraged by the fact that our residential and commercial markets are holding their own. 

Read more...

Source: www.businessreport.com

Officials promote B.R. residential real estate market
 

By: Timothy Boone 

City and business leaders held a news conference this morning to bolster public confidence in the Baton Rouge residential real estate market. "It's time to give thanks for being here in Baton Rouge," says Linda Fredericks, president of the Greater Baton Rouge Association of Realtors. The theme of the event, which was attended by Mayor Kip Holden and Adam Knapp, president of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, was that despite falling off its post-Katrina high, the local housing market remains strong, and that the economic downturn that's gripping large segments of the U.S. is absent locally. 

Read more...

Source: www.businessreport.com

The Local Corner:

Positive Happenings in Louisiana 

Falling mortgage rates generating interest

Local Realtors are calling attention to rapidly falling mortgage rates. At the start of last week, rates were 5% for a 30-year fixed mortgage, says Linda Fredericks, president of the Greater Baton Rouge Association of Realtors. By the middle of the week, Fredericks says she was getting reports of rates as low as 4.875% for a 30-year mortgage. These rates are leading to a refinancing rush in some cities, Fredericks says, but not in Baton Rouge. "Many who are not even thinking of buying or refinancing are not looking at the rates as we do," she says.
Terri Heitman, a mortgage loan officer with Hancock Bank, says "people are definitely calling" about the low rates. "People hear about 5%, they want to get 4.75%," she says. While there is tightening in the credit market, Heitman says people with reasonable credit scores, such as 620 and above, are able to refinance at the lower rates. "There's still plenty of money out there," she says.

-Timothy Boone
 

Source: www.businessreport.com