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Shreveport, LA Real Estate News

By Heather Goodwin, Results That Move You
(Licensed by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission)
Realtor.com released some interesting statistics for December 2008.  The data show the most-searched real estate markets in the United States ranked in order of popularity, year-over-year and month-over-month percentage increases. I want to give a heads up to all homeowners in Shreveport and Bossier City who are thinking of selling their home.  The month-over-month increase in online searches for this area was 22.6%.  This means that close to 25% more people searched online for homes for sale in Shreveport this December compared to last December. According to the National Association of Realtors®, 80% of home searches nationwide begin on the internet.  This is significant information for sellers. How so?  It simply means that the agent you select to list your home must know how to effec...
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By Heather Goodwin, Results That Move You
(Licensed by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission)
Here is a list of ten cool places to go when you're visiting Shreveport or if you live here and are looking for something to do.  I've put them in no particular order. 1. Sci-Port Discovery Science Center and IMax Theater The kids love this one, but it has something for everyone. 2. Yogie and Friends Wild Cat Sanctuary Get up close and personal with lions and tigers and panthers - no bears! 3. Chimp Haven A family of chimps retired from the scientific research sector. 4. Water Town Shreveport's own water park. 5. R.W. Norton Art Gallery A unique art museum with rotating exhibits and absolutely beautiful gardens with walking paths. 6. The Strand Theater A true Shreveport icon. 7. Cross Lake A fishing, skiing, sailing mecca in north Shreveport. 8. Louisiana Boardwalk Across the river in B...
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By Gary and Rebecca Bolda
(Ark-La-Tex Virtual Media )
Ark-La-Tex Virtual Tours now includes a new social networking utility in our Shreveport virtual tours, making it easier than ever for your tour to be bookmarked.  Now when a visitor comes to your website and views one of your property tours, they can take it with them when they go simply by selecting the ‘Share Tour’ tab then choosing their favorite social networking site. Why is this important to real estate agents?  Because your real estate marketing just went viral!  What is viral marketing?  It works like this: When a visitor comes to your website they look at your listings and information then leave when they are finished.  Your marketing information remains on your website.  But with viral marketing, it means that the visitor can take information about you and your listing with th...
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By Heather Goodwin, Results That Move You
(Licensed by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission)
Louisiana is known for its food - cajun, seafood, barbeque. You name it, we've got it. And it's delicious. So, in no particular order, here are my favorite local restaurants in Shreveport.  See if you agree with me. Strawn's Eat Shop - An All-American Diner Dahn's Garden - Thai, Chinese, and Vietnamese food Yeero! Yeero! - A great little Greek restaurant Pie Works - Pizza like you wouldn't believe Cush's Grocery and Market - Great sandwiches, pasta, and Angus beef Albasha - Lebanese food Johnny's Pizza House - Home of the Kajun Sweep the Swamp Pizza Counter Culture - Frozen yogurt concoctions and healthy sandwiches Monjuni's Italian Cafe and Grocery - It's Italian! El Mariachi - No website, just good Mexican food So, what would your list look like?  Have I missed your favorite?  Let me ...
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By Heather Goodwin, Results That Move You
(Licensed by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission)
Okay, I admit it. I may be too old to learn new tricks like Facebook and Twitter. Somehow I just don't get it. I have an account for both of these social networks, but Twitter I have all but abandoned, and Facebook may soon follow. Perhaps I should get my teenage son to give me a lesson on how to use Facebook, because there's something I'm not getting. Is it me, or am I just using it wrong? My main problem seems to be the inability to follow one side of a conversation, or to find the entire conversation. So, I spend most of my time on Facebook confused. And today, I took drastic action to try to get a better handle on Facebook. I removed some Friends!!! When I first began to use Facebook, I felt like I needed to build my Friends list up very quickly, so I requested to be friends with an...
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By Heather Goodwin, Results That Move You
(Licensed by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ You're at Home with HeatherShreveport and Bossier City, Louisiana Real Estate Shreveport Home ConnectionColdwell Banker J. Wesley Dowling & Assoc. LLC Serving your real estate needs in Shreveport, Bossier City, Benton, Haughton, Keithville, Stonewall, Blanchard, and Barksdale Highlighting the southeast Shreveport neigborhoods of Twelve Oaks, Acadiana Place, Norris Ferry Landing, Hidden Oaks, the Leonard Road Area, Norris Ferry Crossing, St. Charles Place, and Ellerbe Road Estates Licensed Realtor® in Louisiana.  Contact me at 318-465-6746 to list or buy a home.
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By Heather Goodwin, Results That Move You
(Licensed by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission)
As reported in the January 19, 2009, issue of Louisiana Realtors® publication, eNews Digest, the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) is advocating an expansion of the first-time home buyer tax credit. NAR's chief economist, Lawrence Yun, said, "A home buyer incentive is critical to help reduce housing inventory and stabilize home prices.  The bigger the incentive, the faster housing can help pull the economy out of recession. The cost to the Treasury would be far less than the additional costs of a prolonged recession with insufficient housing stimulus."  The expansion they would like to see would include all home buyers in the $7,500 credit, do away with the repayment feature, and allow homeowners to use the credit as part of their down payment.   Their estimates show an additional...
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By Heather Goodwin, Results That Move You
(Licensed by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission)
Thanks to my associate, Marshall Graham, a lender with Aulds, Horne, and White for the following information to help you decide whether refinancing is right for you in your situation. The question whether to refinance or not can seem overwhelming to most. After all, we're speaking of your number one asset! How does one know when the right time to refinance is? The mortgage industry is notoriously popular for statements such as, "My cousin Vinny said that you shouldn't refinance until a 2% reduction in rate". My intention is to shed some light into the mystery question, "When Should I Refinance?!" The answer cannot be summed up as easily and as blatant as 1%, or 2% rate differential. Why? Because a 1/8th of a percent increase in the rate of a $10 million commercial loan is a lot bigger d...
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By Heather Goodwin, Results That Move You
(Licensed by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission)
Heads up if you're financing your new home. One of the things the mortgage company will require is homeowner's insurance. Do you know how to get the best rate possible with the proper coverage? By asking the right questions and paying close attention to the details, you can be sure that you're getting all the discounts you qualify for. Below are some of the discounts insurance companies might give to policy holders. Do you have a current renter's or homeowner's policy with any company? Having a current policy will lower the rate by up to 10%. What is the age of the home? Newer homes have better rates. Up to a 20% discount. Does the home have a security system? If is has a security system it will get a discount. If it is monitored by a company, the discount can be up to 20% off. Are you ...
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By Heather Goodwin, Results That Move You
(Licensed by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission)
When you sit down with a real estate agent who wants you to sign a listing agreement with them so they can sell your home, be very careful.  As I mentioned in my post, What's Your Listing Agent Really Doing For You?, there are three important blanks on that document that you should be aware of. First, let’s talk about the length of the Listing Agreement.  Most agents will want a six-month listing contract.  Ask yourself if you are willing to work with that particular agent for six months while he/she tries to get your home sold.  Do you need to sell your home more quickly than that?  Whatever length of time you agree to, make sure you have a way to cancel the agreement with written notice to the agent. Here’s a tip for you.  Make sure the expiration date falls on a Monday.  That way if ...
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By Heather Goodwin, Results That Move You
(Licensed by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission)
The original title of this post was, What Is Your Real Estate Agent Really Doing For You?  The topic was too broad, however, because an agent can work with a client in one of two ways. As a listing agent when you want to sell your home As a buyers agent when you want to buy a home. I guess if you want to get technical, there's a third way. If you're selling one home to buy another, and you use the same agent for both transactions - lucky agent. He or she is working for you in both these capacities.  So, do you really know what a listing agent does for you? Do you understand what they're doing to earn their commission? And do you understand just how much money they actually receive when you use their services? The Basics There are some basic things you should expect from your listing age...
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By Heather Goodwin, Results That Move You
(Licensed by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission)
Well, 2008 has come and gone with incredible changes in the housing market and overall economy.  Although the Shreveport market has fared better than most of the nation, we haven't been totally immune as the table below shows.  While homes sales were down 123 and average home values were down 4%, it took just an average of 73 days to sell those homes.   All in all, Shreveport's housing market is doing well, but at a little slower pace.  As I've written before, putting your house on the market involves more than hammering a For Sale sign in the front yard.  In a nutshell, you must find your competition and prepare your house to outshine and outprice that competition to differentiate your home from the slew of homes on the market today.  And because over 80% of consumers begin looking at ...
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By Gary and Rebecca Bolda
(Ark-La-Tex Virtual Media )
I have read a number of articles lately discussing predictions on what the real estate market will be like when it corrects. There is an agreement among these articles that the real estate market will be a new ball game and that marketing will make a shift to predominately online media.                                  With a drive to optimize marketing dollars, the Internet is by far the hands down choice for broad reach with an abundance of information for a small cost. However, not only is economy driving the shift, but the Internet savvy consumer is demanding it. In this modern economy of high demand on individual's time, and high demand for information on which to base decisions, online information is the option of choice. An ever increasing number of consumers are looking online ...
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By Heather Goodwin, Results That Move You
(Licensed by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission)
Although 2008 was a rocky year in many ways, we consider ourselves blessed.  2009 will bring belt-tightening, new beginnings, and a re-focus on family and friends.  I'm looking forward to everything God is bringing into our lives in 2009.  Our hope is not in the economy, the president, the auto or housing industries, but in Him alone. Join with me in committing yourself to making 2009 the best that it can be for you in the areas of family, friends, business, and spirituality.  I challenge you to make the lives of all those who cross your path, no matter how briefly, better because they came into contact with you.  It's what we are called to do. I'm looking forward to the beginning of 2009 like I have never looked forward to the beginning of a new year before.  I'm not the only one feeli...
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By Heather Goodwin, Results That Move You
(Licensed by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission)
Just a note to let you all know that I am shutting down until after Christmas.  I'm taking the next week off in order to spend time with my family during this special time of year.  I'll be wrapping gifts which is something I enjoy doing every year alone in my bedroom.  I shut the door and lock it and get out all the gifts I've bought for the family and one by one wrap them up In pretty paper. I'll be baking and making candy with my daughter, Gypsy.  I've had a few specific requests, so I'll be making pecan pie, butter mint candies, and white bread dressing (isn't that a Yankee dish?).  I also have a new fruit cake recipe that I want to try out.  I know, I know.  A lot of you are saying yuck.  But it's not a fruitcake like you're thinking about.  The piece de resistance of the desserts ...
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By Heather Goodwin, Results That Move You
(Licensed by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission)
Hidden Trace Hidden Trace is a small neighborhood tucked away off Norris Ferry Road in the southeast area of Shreveport.  It is a gated community of only two streets, Grand Oaks and Hidden Oaks, which are lined with patio homes.  There are still a few lots left for building and there are a few homes for sale in the neighborhood. The small size of the neighborhood and the fact that it’s gated makes it a great place for families with small children, although you can also find empty nesters there.  If you're looking for a home that's in a neighborhood that is quiet and peaceful and surrounded by woods, you might want to consider Hidden Trace. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ You're at Home with HeatherShreveport and Bossier City, Louisiana Real Estate Shreveport Home ConnectionColdwell ...
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By Heather Goodwin, Results That Move You
(Licensed by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission)
Just a quick note to let you all know that the home owners association at Twelve Oaks has an online newsletter called Twelve Oaks Times. This HOA could be a model for many of the other gated developments here in Shreveport. They are organized and active. The newsletter contains different categories such as: A picture of the home that has won the Garden of the Month award. A Family of the Month award. Notices of upcoming events going on for residents. A What's New category to keep everyone abreast of changes in the development. Names, phone numbers, and addresses of the HOA board members. Information and reminders about neighborhood covenants and restrictions. It's chock full of information for current residents and those interested in living in the development. Building activity is stil...
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By Heather Goodwin, Results That Move You
(Licensed by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission)
These figures are for single family homes in Shreveport and Bossier City and surrounding communities. November Statistics 2007 2008 % Change Active 2343 1895 -19% Sold 283 188 -38%> % Sold 12% 10% -2% Avg Home Price $156,701 $147,306 -6% Avg # Days to Sell 60 69 15% Months of Inventory 8 10 20% As you can see when comparing home sales from October, sales in November took a hit.  If you are a seller with a home in the $400,000+ price range you are looking at just over 2 years of waiting to get your house sold.  Homes listed from $250,00+ to $400,000 have a 16 1/2 month supply of inventory.  Just a little better.  Let's take a look specifically at how southeast Shreveport* fared this past month. Southeast Shreveport Statistics November 2008  Shreveport SE Shreveport Active 1895 112 Sold 1...
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By Heather Goodwin, Results That Move You
(Licensed by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission)
St. Charles Place is a great New Orleans-inspired gated community in southeast Shreveport.  It is an established neighborhood, but homes are still being built.  A new section with about 20 lots for sale has just opened up. Streets reflect the French culture of south Louisiana with names like Ascension, St. Bernard, Toulouse, St. Tammany, and Poydras.  Prices for existing homes begin at about $235,000 and go up from there.  The winding streets ensure slower traffic for the families that call this St. Charles Place home. Just a minute from the Southern Loop and access to Interstate 49 means the city itself is just a few minutes away.  Easy access to all parts of Shreveport is one of the draws of southeast Shreveport and communities like St. Charles Place.     If you would like to know mor...
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By Heather Goodwin, Results That Move You
(Licensed by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission)
I know some of you are following the story of the drunk and/or stoned individual who hit my husband almost head on three weeks ago on a rural county highway in Texas, so I wanted to give everyone an update on RenRed's and John's conditions. John, the man who ran into my husband was in ICU for 18 days, but has now been in a regular room for 4 days.  He had a plate put in his upper left leg and a rod put in his lower left leg.  He also had a plate put in his right wrist.  This is in addition to surgery for a broken jaw.  He is in a lot of pain and will not be able to bear full weight on his left leg for about 16 weeks.  He already has a rod in his right leg and an almost totally paralyzed right arm from a previous accident. We are not sure yet where he will be going once he is well enough...
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