Home Loan Borrower Duped By Online Valuation Tool in Baton Rouge! $326,000...Misled by another "Online Value" lookup!Saturday morning I'm visiting a property for a Reverse Mortgage loan, 1 non-resticted acre (not in subdivision), 20 year old 1700sf built of average quality, low quality flooring, no frills, average condition. I begin to talk to homeowner and they say, Yeah, the banker typed on their computer and said our home is worth $326,000.This home might be worth $225K to $245K. The problem is this home is surrounded by newer homes, mostly in newer subdivisions, of higher values. These online valuation tools can't distinguish differences like this and pull an average or median sales price of sales in say a 1 mile circular radius.So, this homeowner spends $ on loan application, credi... 04/03/2016

Green Trails At Shenandoah Subdivision Baton Rouge Home Sales 2013 to 2016 YTD Zip Code 70817 by Bill Cobb Appraiser 225-293-1500To answer a question about if a new home is worth the asking price in Green Trails, I searched from 1600sf to 2200sf, there's been 3 sales and 3 current listings. Three solds from $295,300 to $316,000, 1842sf to 2059sf, median size 2004sf, median sales price $148/sf, median days on market 122 days and median listing to sales price ratio 99%.Two active listings from $288,400 to $289,900, 1876sf to 1981sf, median size 1928sf, median listing price $150/sf, median days on market 124 days.One pending listing $290,091,1887sf, $154/sf, median days on market 24 days. Green Trails At Shenandoah Subdivision Baton Rouge Home Sales 2013 to 2016 Zip Code 70817 from Bill Co... 03/23/2016

Pre Contract Price Appraisals in Baton Rouge, Pre-Listing Appraisals for Greater Baton Rouge 225-293-1500Originally published here: Pre-Contract Price Home Appraisals for Greater Baton Rouge  HELPING BATON ROUGEONS UNDERSTAND HOW THE BATON ROUGE HOUSING MARKET WORKS By Bill Cobb, Greater Baton Rouge's Home Appraiser 225.293.1500Selling Your Greater Baton Rouge HomeWhere Do I Begin The Process of Selling My Baton Rouge Home?With A PRE-LISTING HOME APPRAISAL FROM BILL COBB, GREATER BATON ROUGE'S HOME APPRAISERAND Then Finding A REALTOR® To Work With...The Role Of A REALTOR® Is Vitally Important, Just Insist YOUR HOME Is Physically & Accurately Measured By A Real Estate Professional Why A Home Appraisal? You Need A Real Estate Professional To ACTUALLY Measure YOUR HOME Based A.N.S.I. Stand... 03/11/2016

Originally published here on BatonRougeHousingReports.com Greater Baton Rouge Home Sales January 2016 Update by Bill Cobb AppraiserIt used to be in Baton Rouge Real Estate January and February were slower months for home sales.  However, January 2016 was a very busy start to our new year. A couple of local REALTORS said they sold more homes in January 2016 than they did in their busiest months in 2015.  Here is this month's look at Greater Baton Rouge home sales for detached and attached homes: East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Ascension and Livingston. I'm comparing January 2015 vs January 2016 statistics. DO KNOW we're looking at a 1 month comparison and not a full year.Overall, Greater Baton Rouge Parish January 2016 Home Sales Summary: In Greater Baton Rouge, the median sales pric... 03/03/2016

Real Estate Tips | Saving up for down paymentIf you are thinking about purchasing a home in Baton Rouge but don’t know where to start, contact local real estate agent Sabrina Didier at 225-773-2352 for a FREE consultation! Buying a house is most people's biggest purchase ever. Many find that the hardest part is building up a down payment as most monthly mortgage payments are cheaper than monthly rent payments on comparable homes. Down payments can be as low as 3% of the total cost of the house, which is around $6,000 for the average home for sale in Baton Rouge or the surrounding area. Saving up approximately $6,000 or more if you want to have lower monthly payments can seem like an impossible goal. As with most goals, breaking things down into do-able tasks will make achieving what you... 02/20/2016

4758 Tigerland Ave, Units 1,2,3,4, Baton Rouge 70820This 4 plex for sale in Baton Rouge, LA was listed in the first days of 2016. This is a great investment opportunity as this 4 plex is close to LSU and would give student renters quick access to the bus route and the LSU campus. This 4 plex has a total of 8 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. The total square footage for this 4 plex is 2,000 square feet. The listing price is $200,000 making the price per square foot $100. The 4 plex is a beautiful brick building with no back neighbors.If you are thinking about purchasing a home in Baton Rouge but don’t know where to start, contact local real estate agent Sabrina Didier at 225-773-2352 for a FREE consultation! Search homes for sale in Baton Rouge by clicking here.Become a resident of Baton Rouge ... 02/18/2016

Jefferson Hills Condo off Jefferson Hwy near Bluebonnet & Airline! Enjoy a quiet lifestyle along the active Jefferson Hwy Corridor in this 2 bedroom each with its our balcony, 2 bath upstairs condo near the community pool. Summer is coming, and you can enjoy maintenance free weekends poolside! Completely updated with wood floors, fresh paint and appliances, this open floorplan brings charm and space. Each bedroom has it's own private bath and LARGE walk-in closet! Windows along the living/dining combination bring refreshing natural light. A stable community, Jefferson Hills is near I-10, I-12, Airline, Bluebonnet and Essen. And all the entertaining, dining and shopping nearby. Park at your front door too! Call or text 225-335-5395 or CLICK HERE for more info. 9853 Jefferson Hwy. F20 Ba... 02/17/2016

Home for sale in Pride, LA - 14646 Denham RoadIf you are a Baton Rouge resident and want to know how much your Baton Rouge home is worth, contact Sabrina Didier at 225-773-2352.This home on Denham Road has 2 living rooms and is very spacious. There are 2 fireplaces in this home, and each of the 3 rooms are very spacious and have their own walk in closets. This home features a split bedroom floor plan, meaning that there is a bedroom on the other side of the house from the others. This home for sale in Pride is located on almost 10 acres of land. With 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, this home is priced at $205,000. This home is measured at 2,176 square feet and is a single story home. This home is zoned for Central High School. This home's acreage includes a large green lawn, mature trees, a... 02/08/2016

Soaring ceilings expand this condo in the Lee Drive/Southdowns area! Situated at the end of the street, this condo affords privacy and ample parking. Completely updated with ceramic flooring, fresh paint, new appliances, fridge and stackable washer/dryer to remain! Master bedroom opens onto a private courtyard for your morning coffee. Up the spiral staircase is a loft that can serve as an office or guest accommodations. Park at your front door too! Low HOA. Great opportunity for students, young professionals and retirees. Along the Lee Drive corridor close to shopping and restaurants. Ready for you to move in today! Call or text 225-335-5395 or CLICK HERE for more info. 402 Lee Drive #10F Baton Rouge, LA 70808 02/08/2016

Things to do for Valentines Day in Baton RougeAre you looking to make this valentines day special but don't know what to do other than dinner and a movie? Here is a list of things to do for Valentines Day that will make an impression! Be sure to choose something that you can imagine your Valentine enjoying with you!Get more information about buying a home in Baton Rouge! Contact Sabrina Didier, your local Baton Rouge real estate agent, at 225-773-2352.Search homes for sale in Baton Rouge by clicking here. Casino RougeSpend this Valentines Day on a boat! This casino is reminiscent of the historic paddle wheelers of Baton Rouge. Casino Rouge offers a all you can eat buffet, gambling, drinks, and an amazing time! To learn more go to www.crapshero.com or call 800-44ROUGE.Find out more abou... 02/07/2016

Mardi Gras Season, Letthe Good times Roll...What is Mardi Gras?  Mardi Gras, also called Shrove Tuesday, or Fat Tuesday, in English, refers to events of the Carnival celebrations, beginning on or after the Christian feasts of the Epiphany and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday. Christian holiday and popular cultural phenomenon, Mardi Gras dates back thousands of years to pagan spring and fertility rites. Also known as Carnival, it is celebrated in many countries around the world–mainly those with large Roman Catholic populations–on the day before thereligious season of Lent begins.Brazil, Venice and New Orleans play hostto some of theholiday’s most famous public festivities, drawing thousands of tourists and revelers every year.1699-  Jean Baptiste arrived approximately 60 mil... 01/24/2016

Greater Baton Rouge 2015 Home Sales $475,000 Plus List by Subdivision Since 01/01/2015, there’s been 428 luxury home sales $475,000 to $6,000,000. Low sales price per sq. ft. was $45/sf to a high of $455/sf, averaging $182/sf. Luxury home sold from 1 to 1,180 days on the market, averaging 152 days. Executive homes sold from 50% of listing price to 120%, averaging 96%. It appears Bocage market is showing some weakness selling at 88% to 89% of listing prices. Average size luxury home sold was 3,853 sq. ft..The most sales took place NOT in subdivisions but rather on Rural Tracts, 43 sales. University Club Plantation experienced the second most sales at 40 sales. Country Club of Louisiana was third with 26 sales. The Settlement At Willow Grove was fourth with 22 sales and Santa Maria and Le... 01/22/2016

Local Baton Rouge Real Estate Agent puts two homes in escrowSabrina Didier, local Baton Rouge real estate agent has just put two of her listings into escrow. These two Baton Rouge real estate listings were listed on the Baton Rouge MLS in late 2015 and are now pending two buyer's offers. If you are interested in the escrow process, read more here. Sabrina is able to get her listings quickly sold as she has a great marketing method and as a Baton Rouge local and experienced real estate agent, Sabrina knows how to price and list homes to sell.Search homes for sale in Baton Rouge by clicking here.One of the two listings to go into escrow is located in the Pride community of Baton Rouge. This home in Pride WAS UNDER CONTRACT IN 30 DAYS and is located on almost 10 acres of land. With 3 bedro... 01/19/2016

Tomorrow as we honor Martin Luther King Day Jan 18, 2016, there are some events going on around town and throughout Louisiana to enjoy.City/TownAlexandria Martin Luther King Jr. Parade Alexandria https://louisiana.kitchenandculture.com/event/martin-luther-king-jr-parade-alexandria Baton RougeMartin Luther King, Jr. Parade Baton Rouge Hammond Pet Parade & Family Fun FestLafayette Martin Luther King Jr. Day LafayetteLake Charles Martin Luther King, Jr. Festival Lake CharlesOpelousas ZydefestMartin Luther King, Jr. was an American Baptist minister, activist, humanitarian, and leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. Born: January 15, 1929, Atlanta, GAAssassinated: April 4, 1968, Memphis, TNSpouse: Coretta Scott King (m. 1953–1968)Children: Martin Luther King III, Dexter Scott ... 01/17/2016

Garden District | Baton Rouge Real EstateThe Garden District is a area located in the middle of Baton Rouge that is very rich in history. The Garden District is made up of three parts: Roseland Terrace, Kleinert Place and Drehr Place. This area centers around the intersection of Park Boulevard and Government Street and includes many historic, iconic Baton Rouge homes. It's one of the most distinct areas of Baton Rouge dating back to the early 1900s. Shaded with tons of live Oak Trees this area gives charm unlike any other neighborhood in Baton Rouge. This area makes up over 1.7 square miles of mid city Baton Rouge.Want to learn more on the state of the real estate market and community information? Contact Sabrina to find out more!Roseland Terrace was the first district in Baton Rouge an... 01/17/2016

Pre-Purchase Home Appraisals For Cash Sale In Baton Rouge ExplainedThis involves the homebuyer paying cash and obtaining a pre purchase home appraisal, pre-purchase home appraisal or cash sale home appraisal to determine if they're paying a fair price and if the physical information presented by REALTOR is correct or not. Physical information can be the actual verified living area size, such as is this home really 2,800 sq. ft. of legal heated and cooled sq. ft. or is it really 2,400sf sq. ft. If the average sales price in a market is $110/sf, then that's a big deal.Also, both Appraisers and REALTORS are not Home Inspectors. Just to be fair, when a REALTOR lists a home, they don't know what possible problems there could be inside the walls or with a central heat/air system. Home Inspect... 01/16/2016

  Mardi Gras 2016 | Baton Rouge EventsMardi Gras 2016 will be one of the best years yet. With more than 5 different parades spread across the two weekends leading up to Mardi Gras (February 9th) and many more events happening in the surrounding area, residents and visitors will not be disappointed with the festivities of Mardi Gras 2016 in Baton Rouge, LA. Below is a list of parades and other options for those looking to have a great time celebrating Mardi Gras.Baton Rouge Mardi Gras Festival - Come to the 2016 Baton Rouge Mardi Gras Festival! Starting at 10AM on February 6th, the party will continue till 6PM. This celebration will be located at North Boulevard Town Square. With live music, exhibits, food, krewes, and other festivities, you will not be disappointed with this year's Bato... 01/12/2016

QUESTION: Is there a one-mile rule when it comes to finding Comparables for home appraisals.ANSWER: I would strongly recommend watching Fannie Mae's CU video on comp selection.  I've attempted to provide actual Fannie Mae references to help answer this concern. Not really, it really depends on the individual underwriter on that particular day, and it depends on which location box the Appraiser checks: Urban, Suburban or Rural.  AND, most underwriters want to see at least two comps sold within 90 days. When Urban is checked, then comps should be as very close as possible. Suburban generally provides more tolerance of say 1 to 3 miles, perhaps 5 miles if challenging. Rural here in GBR could mean 5 to 25 miles but in Idaho could be up to 100 miles.Naturally, you want to choose comparable s... 01/07/2016

Southern charmer on 2.1 acres in the heart of the city! Custom built New Orleans style home! Spacious living areas with quality features, triple plus split floorplan with 6 bedrooms plus office off the master wing. Just a few of the quality features include: gunite pool, brick patio, stucco walls, gas lanterns, exposed antique beams, antique ironwork (every piece has a story to tell), reclaimed doors, heart of pine flooring, exposed brick arches, 10+ foot ceilings, massive granite topped island in kitchen that overlooks large keeping area with fireplace. Two dishwashers, triple sink, professional gas range, pantry, and even two laundry rooms. Master suite provides a sitting area overlooking the tree laden ravine, split master bath with double sided walk-in shower, enormous closet with b... 01/07/2016

First Time Home Buyers | Baton Rouge real estateThe home buying process consists of many different parts, people, and variables that a first time home buyer has every right to be confused. First time home buyers have to understand that purchasing Baton Rouge real estate takes careful planning, financial responsibility, a decent credit score, and more. Below are a few simple steps to get you going in the right direction to purchase your first home.Get more information about buying a home in Baton Rouge! Contact Sabrina Didier, your local Baton Rouge real estate agent, at 225-773-2352.Search homes for sale in Baton Rouge by clicking here.Hire a real estate agentYou, being the buyer, will not have to pay for hiring a real estate agent as their commission comes from the individual selling t... 01/07/2016