Real Estate Information Archive

Back to School Time...

Here are some helpfull links to get the kids ready to go back to school.

Ascension Parish School Calendar

http://www.apsb.org/index.cfm?md=pagebuilder&tmp=home&nid=121&pid=134&fmid=0&catid=0&elid=0

School Websites & Supply Lists

Elementary Schools

Central Primary - http://www.edline.net/pages/Central_Primary

Donaldsonville Primary - http://www.edline.net/pages/DonaldsonvillePrimary

Duplessis Primary - http://www.edline.net/pages/Duplessis_Primary_School

Dutchtown Primary - http://www.edline.net/GroupHome.page

G.W. Carver Primary - http://www.edline.net/files/_GTBIO_/8ab5b24ea0e85e3c3745a49013852ec4/Supply_List.JPG

Galvez Primary - http://www.edline.net/GroupHome.page

Gonzales Primary - http://www.edline.net/pages/Gonzales_Primary_School

Lake Elementary - http://www.edline.net/ResourceList.page

Lakeside Primary - http://www.edline.net/GroupHome.page

Lowery Elementary - http://www.edline.net/pages/Lowery_Elementary

Oak Grove Primary - http://www.edline.net/pages/ogp

Pecan Grove Primary - http://www.edline.net/pages/Pecan_Grove_Primary

Prairieville Primary - http://www.edline.net/pages/Prairieville_Primary

St. Amant Primary - http://www.edline.net/pages/Saint_Amant_Primary_School

Spanish Lake Primary - http://www.edline.net/pages/Spanish_Lake_Primary

Middle Schools

Central Middle - http://www.edline.net/pages/centralmiddle

Dutchtown Middle - http://www.edline.net/pages/dutchtown_middle

Galvez Middle - http://www.edline.net/pages/Galvez_Middle_School

Gonzales Middle - http://www.edline.net/pages/Gonzales_Middle_School

Lowery Intermediate - http://www.edline.net/pages/LOI

Prairieville Middle - http://www.edline.net/pages/Prairieville_Middle_School

St. Amant Middle - http://www.edline.net/pages/Saint_Amant_Middle_School

High Schools

Donaldsonville High - http://www.edline.net/pages/Donaldsonville_High_School

Dutchtown High - http://www.edline.net/pages/dutchtownhigh

East Ascension High - http://www.edline.net/pages/East_Ascension_High_School

St. Amant High - http://www.edline.net/pages/Saint_Amant_High_School

Sandy Ogburn-Sandlin of RE/MAX Excellent Properties recently held a “Mother of the Year” contest open to 4^th grade students at Central Primary. Students were asked to describe in 100 words or more why their mother should be “Mother of the Year.” Sandy announced Daijah Adams of Mrs. Hano’s class as this year’s winner. Her mother was awarded a dozen roses, while Daijah was given a $50 gift card to Wal-Mart. Special thanks to all participating students and teachers.

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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.

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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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!

Louisiana citizens are happy folk –i n fact, according to a recent survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP), they are the happiest people in America! The pleasant, sunny climate mixed with a lifestyle that includes great cooking and Dixieland music beat out near rivals Hawaii, Florida, Tennessee, and Arizona. 

Economists Andrew J. Oswald of the University of Warwick, England and Stephen Wu of Hamilton College in Clinton, NY then matched the CDCP results with studies that rated states on criteria such as climate, crime rates, air quality, schools, local taxes, commuting time, and the availability of public land.  Their report found that people who perceived their quality of life as good also report themselves as “happiest.”  Even though part of the research was done before Hurricane Katrina and part after, the findings hold up.

Oswald noted: "We wanted to study whether people's feelings of satisfaction with their own lives are reliable, that is, whether they match up to reality — of sunshine hours, congestion, air quality, etceteras — in their own state. And they do match."  Perception is reality!

Among the lowest states in satisfaction are New York (50^th) and California (46^th).  The researchers theorized that people moved to these states assuming they would be great place to live but congestion, housing prices, taxes increases, and corruption offset the advantages and made people unhappy with their environment.

The research findings are played out in our recent blogs about the Greater Baton Rouge area:

The economy in Baton Rouge is growing despite the recession.

Baton Rouge is among the hottest housing markets.

The home buyer’s tax credit will get you plenty in Greater Baton Rouge and Ascension.

Area schools are among the top performers in the state.

Sandy Ogburn-Sandlin and her team at RE/Max Excellent Properties can share more reasons to be happy with you, as well as show you the best new and resale homes in Ascension Parish as well as neighboring cities in the Baton Rouge market.  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!

Prairieville home buyers, if you are planning on buy a home with FHA financing, listen up!

For over 50 years, FHA has helped those with less than perfect credit buy homes by guaranteeing the loans, but recent announcements by HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan indicate that major changes are on the way for both consumers and lenders.  Since the Great Depression, FHA has backed loans actually written through member banks.  Over the years, it has provided an alternative financing process that some sellers looked down on because it took longer. In recent boom times, FHA was only called on to guarantee about 3% of all mortgages. Buyers got their loans with as little as 3.5% down and with 500 credit scores though most participating lenders required a score of 620 or more.  Sellers could contribute up to 6% of the closing costs.

The recent mortgage crisis has affected FHA dramatically.  Over the last few yours, FHA suddenly has been called upon to back 30% of mortgages and 20% of refinancing deals on homes up to $729,750.  In an era when many homeowners have defaulted on loans, FHA cash reserves are at the lowest since 1994 and serious losses are projected for the next five years with over 71% of the losses coming from loans already on the books.  FHA has been called upon to back not just loans on starter homes but on more costly move up homes as well.  The defaults have hit them hard.

To prevent further losses, Donovan said the new plan would force potential buyers “to put more skin in the game” which would prevent further losses and stabilize the system.  The new rules would require buyers to put up a 5% down payment, raise required credit scores to a yet undetermined level, and decrease the amount of contribution the seller can make to the closing costs.  The agency is also considering whether to increase the monthly insurance fee borrowers pay.

HUD is also changing the rules for lenders, especially those who repeatedly make questionable loans.  All lenders will be held accountable for losses, and will be ranked on a “lender’s scorecard” of banks who make FHA loans. Lenders will have to submit annual financial reports and maintain higher net worth. Weak lenders will lose their ability to process FHA loans.  The agency does not want to be the source of the next “subprime crisis” in lending.

Will making it harder it to buy a home have the desired effect of reducing future loses for FHA?  The jury is out on this. Some critics of the new rules are more apt to blame unemployment and other disruptions in personal finance (i.e., divorce, death of spouse, illness or disability, unforeseen expenses) to cause people to get into mortgage trouble than how much down payment they paid.

FHA has not yet announced when the new rules go into effect but if the new down payment and credit score requirements would make a difference as to whether you could afford to buy a home now or not, waste no time in calling Sandy Ogburn Sandlin.  She and her team will discuss your options with you as you consider your new home in 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 first time buyers or $6,500 for repeat buyers.

This is a proud October for the 21 schools of Ascension Parish.  As a whole the district was named the fourth best school system out of 70 in the state, while 17 of the 21 schools improved their individual performance. 

The Ascension Parish district scored 105.09 in state performance scores.   This score was the district’s highest score ever and represents a 6.1% increase over last year.  Superintendent Donald Songy praised the “exceptional commitment and expertise of … teachers, administrators, and of staff” that resulted in this year’s success and laid the groundwork for “a pattern of steady growth from year to year.”  

Further, he noted the “the level of growth this year.provides us with reassurance that the strategic initiatives set in place are producing results and fostering an improved education for all our students.”  Assistant Superintendent Patrice Pujol added that Ascension had moved to the top due to high level assessments aligned with the Districts’ curriculum and teachers’ instructional practices.

Particularly noteworthy are the achievements of these schools:

12.6 point increase- Lowery Intermediate School.  For the second straight year, this school showed the larger improvement in the district and now has moved into the academically acceptable range.

12.5 points – Dutchttown High School

11.2 points - G.W. Carver Primary School

9.7 points – St. Amant Middle School

8.7 points – Galvez Primary

8.2 points – Donaldsonville High

7.6 points – St. Amant High

6.6 points – East Ascension High

6.3 points - Prairievile Middle

6.0 points – Dutchtown Middle

Seven other schools also shows great improvement, which qualified 17 schools to receive a Growth School Performance Score of 100 or more.  For more information on the progress of the Ascension School District over the years, see www.apsb.org/schoolscores.

As noted in our previous blog Top Schools Districts Attract Buyers to Greater Baton Rouge Area, 10 years ago, the State of Louisiana set out to improve school performance state-wide.  In 2009, nearly 80% of schools showed gains in their scores, while 43% met their growth targets this year vs. only 25% last year.  Twenty eight percent of schools exceeded an SPS of 100; the percentage of schools with scores under 100 decreased from previous years. Additionally, the number of Academically Unacceptable Schools (AUS) fell from 90 to 55, or 4.3 percent.

This good news on school performance is one more reason why buying a home in Ascension parish is a great investment for your family. When buying real estate in Louisiana., contact Sandy's Team  for the best properties in East Baton Rouge  and Ascension Parishes.