Real Estate Information

By now you’ve heard plenty about the First Time Home Buyer’s Tax Credit and you may be wondering “What’s the big deal?”  Sandy’s Team wants you to know that it is a Big Deal and now is the time to buy!  The Baton Rouge and Prairieville La markets are loaded with great homes for sale. Don’t let this great opportunity pass you by, there may never be a better time to buy.

• Interest rates are great!
• You could get a lower monthly mortgage than you are paying in rent!
• You could qualify for one the government incentives! That could put money in your pocket!
• And invest in you and your family monthly rather than a landlord.

The Big Deal is simply this:

• A first time home buyer is anyone who has not purchased a home in the last 4 years.
• All types of home qualify; pre-existing, new construction, condo, townhome, & mobile homes.
• You must purchase a home on or before April 30, 2010.
• The tax credit is for 10% of the purchase price of your home, up to $8,000.
• You simply file your taxes, claiming the credit on your return, and the qualified amount will be added to your refund, less any taxes you owe.

It’s easier than you think…but you need to start now. Home buying is a process that can take several weeks. Don’t miss out on a great opportunity to become a homeowner, the First Time Home Buyer’s tax credit ends soon.

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There are many small decisions that go into making that big decision of buying a house. What size home do I need? Where do I want to live? What is my budget? What’s right for me? If you want easy living, consider buying a condo! Here are just a few advantages:

• Easy living lifestyle
  • wonderful courtyards
  • beautiful lake and fountain views
• Low maintenance. 
  • no grass or yard to keep up
  • no exterior painting
• Safe environment
  • gated community
• Great for someone who wants to be able to travel often; just lock it up and GO!
• With the current tax credit and low rates you could pay less than rent!

RE/MAX Excellent Properties has great condo listings in both Ascension and Baton Rouge. Check out our listings in the Quarters at Dutchtown and Baywood Quarters!

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According to 2theadvocate.com, Baton Rouge and surrounding areas like Prairieville and Gonzales could see snow as early as this afternoon, as well as tomorrow! Most people in South Louisiana don’t have much experience driving on icy, snowy roads, so here are some tips on how to keep safe while driving:

• Stay home. The best way to keep safe is to keep off of the roads if possible. If you must drive…
• Check your car before you go anywhere. Do your tires have the correct air pressure? Are your wipers working? Are you headlights working?
• Turn on your headlights. It will make it easier for you to see and easier for other drivers to see you.
• Go the speed limit. Driving to fast on freezing roads can cause you to skid.
• Avoid using your cruise control.
• Be easy on your breaks. Breaking to quickly or hard can cause you to skid.
• If you do start to skid, slowly let off of your accelerator (or breaks) and turn into the skid. If you are going right, turn right. If you are going left, turn left.  This should allow you to regain control of your car. The most important thing is to remain calm!
• Even if the temperature is above freezing, bridges and overpasses can freeze, so always exercise caution.

Really, the best advice Sandy’s Team can give you is to stay home, fix some hot chocolate, grab a book (or turn on a movie), snuggle up and stay safe! Enjoy this unusual Louisiana winter weather!

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With recent emphasis on the Saints' Superbowl victory, Mardi Gras - the national holiday of Louisiana - will be even livelier this year.  Parades, which began last weekend will continue until Fat Tuesday, will keep the party going in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and of course, Ascension Parish, as revelers eat and drink their way through the next week.

One holiday favorite to be found at many festivities will be King Cake, a decorated filled ring of twisted  bread. The delectable pastry originated in western Europe in honor of the Three Kings who made their way to Bethlehem to honor the Baby Jesus on January 6, the 12th day after Christmas. French and Spanish settlers brought the cake to the New Orleans, where it became a favorite.

Though the recipe varies for the cake, it always contains a trinket, most often a plastic baby.  Whoever finds the trinket in their piece is supposed to gain good fortune- and the honor or buying the cake next time.

In Ascension Parish, one of the biggest suppliers of King Cake is Ralph's Market in Gonzales. Located at the intersection of Hwy 44 and Hwy 931, Ralph's makes over 1, 000 cakes per day during Mardi Gras season.   The enterprise keeps seven or eight employees busy rolling and stuffing the dough with fillings and the precious baby, and then baking and icing the finished product.  This year, the crew has worked night and day to meet the demand of local shoppers who line up at the door to buy them up for their own celebrations and to ship out of town.  Of course, this year, the store has also been extra busy preparing Who Dat cakes and Valentine's Day cakes.

Ralph's isn't sharing their recipe for the king cake, but here is a tasty variation from Chef Emeril Lagasse

King Cake

 2 envelopes active dry yeast

1/2 cup granulated sugar

 1-1/2 sticks (6 ounces) unsalted butter, melted

 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F)

 5 large egg yolks, at room temperature

4 1/2 cups bleached all-purpose flour

 2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

 1 teaspoon vegetable oil

1 pound cream cheese, at room temperature

4 cups confectioner's sugar

 1 plastic king cake baby or a pecan half

 5 tablespoons milk, at room temperature

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Purple-, green-, and gold-tinted sugar sprinkles

Combine the yeast and granulated sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Add the melted butter and warm milk. Beat at low speed for 1 minute. With the mixer running, add the egg yolks, then beat for 1 minute at medium-low speed. Add the flour, salt, nutmeg, and lemon zest and beat until everything is incorporated. Increase the speed to high and beat until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl, forms a ball, and starts to climb up the dough hook. (If the dough is uncooperative in coming together, add a bit of warm water (110 degrees), a tablespoon at a time, until it does.)

Remove the dough from the bowl. Using your hands, form the dough into a smooth ball. Lightly oil a bowl with the vegetable oil. Place the dough in the bowl and turn it to oil all sides. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 2 hours.

Meanwhile, make the filling. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese and 1 cup of the confectioner's sugar. Blend by hand or with an electric mixer on low speed. Set aside.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Using your fingers, pat it out into a rectangle about 30 inches long and 6 inches wide.

Spread the filling lengthwise over the bottom half of the dough, then flip the top half of the dough over the filling. Seal the edges, pinching the dough together. Shape the dough into a cylinder and place it on the prepared baking sheet seam side down. Shape the dough into a ring and pinch the ends together so there isn't a seam. Insert the king cake baby or pecan half into the ring from the bottom so that it is completely hidden by the dough.

Cover the ring with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and place in a warm, draft-free place. Let the dough rise until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F.

Brush the top of the risen cake with 2 tablespoons of the milk. Bake until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool completely on a wire rack.

Make the icing. Combine the remaining 3 tablespoons milk, the lemon juice, and the remaining 3 cups confectioner's sugar in medium-size mixing bowl. Stir to blend well. With a rubber spatula, spread the icing evenly over the top of the cake. Sprinkle with the traditional purple, green, and gold sugar crystals, alternating colors around the cake.

The cake is traditionally cut into 2-inch-thick slices with all the guests in attendance.

YIELD: 20 to 22 servings

Ralph's all sold out?  Also try these local suppliers of King Cakes.

Need a house with a gourmet kitchen where you can make your next King Cake? Sandy and her team can find you the perfect place to call home in the  Greater Baton Rouge area, including Baton Rouge, Prairieville, Gonzales, Denham Springs, Watson, Walker, Central, Greenwell Springs, Zachary, Baker, Port Allen, Brusly, Geismar, and St Amant.  We can also you answer any questions you might have about the home buyer's tax credit - $8,000 for first time buyers or $6,500 for repeat buyers.

Before starting your home search in the Prairieville or Baton Rouge area here are 5 great reasons to contact a mortgage broker to get pre-approved.

1. You will know in advance what your payments will be.
2. You won't waste your time considering homes you cannot afford.
3. You can select the best loan package that suits your needs without being under pressure.
4. Sellers will find your offer to purchase more favorable if they know in advance of your ability to secure financing. This will make your offer more competitive if you are in competition with other offers.
5. Peace of mind.

As a buyer, you are in constant competition with all of the other buyers who are looking to buy a home. There is a big difference in the level of expertise and quality of service provided by Realtors. Give yourself the advantage of working with the very best...work with ReMax Excellent Properties and get all the expertise and value added services that will make a huge difference in your home buying experience.

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"Laissez les bon temps rouler!" (Let the good times roll!). Time for two weeks of celebration...great food, music, parades, and of course King Cakes! The floats are decorated, thousands of king cakes have been baked and now it's time to party! If you live in Louisiana, you just have to make it to at least one parade! Whether you live in Prairieville, Baton Rouge, Gonzales, or anywhere else in Louisiana there is a parade nearby. Be sure to check one out!

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Prairieville buyers have plenty of reasons to buy a great house in Ascension Parish or anywhere in the Greater Baton Rouge areas. After all, homes are plentiful and well priced, the interest rates are low, and of course, the home buyer’s tax credit is in effect through April 30.  Yesterday, the FHA made an announcement that impacts anyone who buys after the tax credit has expired. The best advice to potential home buyers is to buy now, if you can can to beat the FHA clock.

FHA has always been a good financing option if you less downpayment in hand and if your credit score was a bit lower than what some banks liked.  Over the last few years, FHA has written almost 30% of the loans (up from 3% back in 2006) and has suffered from rising delinquencies.  The agency now must build its reserves and keep FHA-insured financing alive and well for homeowners.  HUD Secretary wants borrowers to “have more skin in the game” as a way to reduce future defaults.

Some of the new rules apply to lenders who must now increase their reserves and practice more responsible lending practices.  These are effective immediately. So what are the new rules that affect buyers?

Mortgage Insurance Payment (MIIP) will increase from 1.75% to 2.25% of the one and be added to the balance at closing. This will go into effect April 5, 2010.

Credits scores must now be at least 580 if you want to qualify for a 3.5% down payment.  If your credit score is lower, you must come up with 10%.

Sellers will only be able to contribute 3% to the closing costs, as compared to 6% now.

These changes are reasonable, but they will cost new buyers more.  All three changes will be effective by late spring-early summer which means those who buy before April 30 will reap some benefits of the tax credit and be able to go by the old rules (except for the MIP increase effective 4/5/10.)  Currently, interest rates are low but expected to rise by late spring, so buyers will benefit from that as well.  After that, if your credit score is low, you may have to save longer to get your downpayment in order, while all FHA borrowers will pay more MIP and closing costs.

If you are ready to buy a home, call Sandy’s Team to discuss your home buying plans.  Sandy and her team can find you the perfect place to call home in the new year in Greater Baton Rouge area, including Baton Rouge, Prairieville, Gonzales, Denham Springs, Watson, Walker, Central, Greenwell Springs, Zachary, Baker, Port Allen, Brusly, Geismar, and St Amant.  We can also you answer any questions you might have about the home buyer's tax credit - $8,000 for first time buyers or $6,500 for repeat buyers.

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When you become a homeowner who just made one of the most expensive purchases in your life, you are starting out on an exciting new adventure.  You just bought a great home in Baton Rouge, Prairieville, or a nearby city and you are now  surprised to realize that you are pretty much on your own in learning to be a homeowner.  If a major system goes wrong, you may have recourse, especially if you have a homeowner’s warranty, but that’s only one of the challenges.  Here are some tips to keep in mind to help you make the transition.

When you rented, whether there was a leak in the room or a window didn’t open, you called the landlord. (You may have even mumbled aloud that the problem wouldn’t have happened if he had only done some preventative maintenance.)  Now, you need to fix what’s broke and plan ahead.  Aside from anticipating possible repairs, you need to schedule time to mow the lawn, fix the screens, and clean the gutters.  If you don’t have the time, money, or interest to do these things or hire them out, then perhaps a condo would have been a better choice for you.

If you are like most new homeowners, you will want to make a million changes in your new home to make it yours.  These projects range from painting to adding an addition and everything in between.  If you are qualified to do these things, great, you can save some money.  If not, depending on how much is involved, you can learn to do many projects.  For major projects involving plumbing, electrical, or major remodels, you are better off hiring a licensed contractor.  It’s safer, often cheaper, and more likely to increase resale later in comparison to an amateur job.

When you got your mortgage you probably had to get homeowner’s insurance, to protect the bank’s interest, but buying a home is a good time to reassess all of your insurance.  The coverage on the home itself and on your possessions should include replacement value if you can get it, and should have high liability limits that can cover you if some litigation-happy person slips on your walk or is bitten by your dog.  You should also consider whether you have enough life and disability insurance to protect your partner and children in case of your death or illness or an accident that could limit your ability to work.  Even your car insurance deserves a look – minimum state limits won’t protect you enough if you are sued.

When you buy a home, your days of the form 1040EZ are probably over.  There are many deductions you can take as a homeowner, especially the first year; for other things, like improvements, there is no deduction until you sell.  Even if you usually do your taxes yourself, you might want to use a professional tax preparer the first year to make sure you take the deductions you are entitled to without over doing it.  Make sure to keep all your receipts on anything you do in the house so you can take the proper credit later.

Buying a home can be daunting experience but at RE/Max Excellent Properties, Sandy Ogburn-Sandlin and her team will prepare you for home ownership and follow up afterwards, as our testimonials attest. Sandy’s Team can show you new and resale homes in homes in the Greater Baton Rouge area that offer great values for first time buyers and repeat buyers available under the home buyer’s tax credit. AND that are right for you and your situation.

As 2009 winds down, Sandy Ogburn Sandlin and her team are busily selling the merits of living in the Greater Baton Rouge area and in the process, selling houses. At the moment, according to Realtor.com, there are 8,201 home for sale in Baton Rouge, Lousiana.  That breaks down to 3,321 in East Baton Rouge Parish, 1,528 in Ascension, 2,317 in Livingston Parish,and and 150-250 in East Feliciana Iberville, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana. 

Greater Baton Rouge offers a lot of home for the money.  The cities and specific neighborhoods where home are available each have their own unique flavor.  Sandy’s Team are specialists in helping you find the place in a neigborhood that not only fits your pocketbook but your lifestyle as well.  Whether you want a home near work or want a more rural property, Sandy will find it for you.

If you want to see examples of the home in a specific area or if you want to get an idea of exactly what your home-buying dollars will get you, Sandy will deliver a list of homes that meet your requirements right to your inbox.  To get this handy service started, just enter your preference and your contact information right here.  Sandy’s Team is always available to answer any questions you might have about the neighborhod, the home itself, or how to get started with buying a home. 

With the home buyers tax credit in full force, Sandy can help you claim the credit as a first time buyer or a move-up buyer!

As part of the Midwest celebrated Christmas or its aftermath with snow, Ascension Parish and the surrounding area was pelted with so much rain that some roads remain flooded today.  With the kids out of school, holiday gifts to exchange, and homes to buy, no one wants to be inconvenienced or endangered when out on the road.

Here are some timely tips for driving in wet weather issued by Ascension Parish in mid-December.

First, check for updates on the Ascension Parish website or local TV or radio stations on the status of local roads.  If your destination is the midst of a flooded area, think about rescheduling or at least call ahead to make sure the place is open.

Second, plan ahead and allow for more travel time.  You might have to detour or drive more slowly. 

Third, drive slowly, especially if the roads are water-covered.  You will be better able to stop and avoid road hazards and refuse that has blown unto the road.

Fourth, keep ample distance from the car ahead of you!  Follow in their tracks if possible.

Fifth, brake early and gently.  If you pass through water, tap your brakes lightly to dry them out.  Remember not to try to stop quickly with wet brakes.

Sixth, avoid driving through standing water.  If you can’t see the road markings through the water, it’s better to turn down a side street or turn around.  A foot of moving water can lift your car off the road!

Seventh, if you hydroplane, slowly release the gas pedal and steer straight until you regain control rather than braking or turning the wheel suddenly.  Don’t use cruise control

Eighth, turn on your lights if you are using your wipers.  It’s state law and good sense.

Ninth, be extra careful at night. 

A lot of traffic in Ascension these days is due to people who want to take advantage of the home buyer’s tax credit.  Sandy Ogburn-Sandlin and her team at RE/Max Excellent Properties can show you new and resale homes in Ascension Parish as well as neighboring cities in the Baton Rouge market that offer great values for first time buyers and repeat buyers!  It's likely that homes will move quickly with the new incentives in place, so contact Sandy's Team today to jumpstart your housing search!  Drive as quickly as conditions allow to take advantage of the great home values today!