January 4th, 2012
http://www.myflipcamerasecrets.com/ – Learn How To Use Your iPhone 4 or 4S For Real Estate Video Marketing!
Inside the supercharged iPhone Video Hero …
Professional Video based training viewable 24/7 on Mac/Pc and iPhone/iPad.
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Keep your viewers focussed. How to shoot rock steady videos without a tripod.
Bad Audio kills sales. Revealed: The microphone you already own but might not realise!
The ‘secret’ accessory that will allow you to use your iPhone with external microphones AND monitor the sound.
How to film an excellent vlog, opt-in or sales page video that will stand out a mile.
How to shoot magnetic customer testimonials to win you more business. (You get my cheat sheet – the questions you MUST ask your clients)
How to make a high value Video Ad (worth $700) for you, or a client, in minutes using an App that edits your videos for you! (Save a tonne of time editing!)
How to light on a budget and make your videos sparkle.
How to create that famous Apple white background look using your iPhone to get your message across crystal clear. (Download by own lighting plan)
Step by step guide to some of the best and most creative Video apps on the market. (Don’t waste precious time with the rest)
Quality Handpicked Music to download and use in your videos, on Youtube or on your website. (Requires a credit)
Easy editing guide to iMovie on your iPhone. (Works with an iPad too!)
Insanely useful accessories guide including tripod ready cases, lighting systems and microphones, so you don’t waste precious money buying bad stuff!
Over 2 hours of fact filled content and rising!
Click Here if you want to harness the Power of Online Video!
Crunch! Look at what I made with my iPhone! (So can you!)
December 10th, 2011
Baton Rouge Real Estate News Video Resource: http://www.batonrougehousingreports.com/
Baton Rouge Real Estate News
Why Baton Rouge Housing Reports?
Because a home is the largest, most important investment most locals make in their lifetimes. Because of the importance of getting this decision right, housing market facts, trends and analysis are provided to help locals execute competent, informed home purchase or home selling decisions.
There’s a new Premier web video resource in Baton Rouge with a residential focus: Baton Rouge Housing Reports Dot Com. This site offers the good news in our market as well as the on-going correction, tips on what improvements really add value, local REALTOR® video update of the month, local real estate expert interviews, local remodeler’s tips, trends videos, monthly and quarterly reports, Top 150 Subivisions trends, current housing charts and stats, gbrmls stats, local NAR stats, special investigative series and a long list of local online resources. Visit Us for the scoop on local housing.
Baton Rouge Housing Reports Dot Com – Local Real Estate Professionals Providing Trends, Analysis & Tips Helping Locals Make Informed Housing Decisions!
Keywords: Baton Rouge Real Estate, Baton Rouge Homes, Baton Rouge Housing, East Baton Rouge, Greater Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge Realtors, Baton Rouge Real Estate Agents, Baton Rouge Homes For Sale, Baton Rouge Home Appraiser, Baton Rouge Home Appraisal
October 25th, 2011
http://www.realestateappraisertips.info/ - Fannie Mae UAD MLS Import Software is here for WCA and SFREP Home Appraisal Software Customers!
UAD MLS Importer Software is here….for WCA and SFREP Customers! This is what I’ve been beta testing and am loving it. I no longer groan when I receive a UAD Appraisal Order.
Watch this short video: http://bit.ly/uNBmZV
The link to find out more is http://wca-inc.com/Grab-It.php
October 18th, 2011
Baton Rouge Real Estate: Don’t Over Improve Your Greater Baton Rouge Home! On Homes Under $150,000, Stick To New Paint and Carpet To Get Your Home Sold
A St. Petersburg Florida REALTOR® and Appraiser has some advice for Greater Baton Rouge Locals when it comes to sell their home in this 2011 market: Stick To New Paint and Carpet To Get Your Home Sold.
There’s a new article out entitled, “Low Appraisals Blamed for Scuttling Real Estate Deals“. In the article, the reason given for Low Appraisals is, “Appraisals routinely come in under the negotiated sales price, often driven down by the glut of foreclosed houses and short sales with rock-bottom prices.”.
THE POINT OF THE ARTICLE IS TO CAUTION ON SPENDING TOO MUCH ON RENOVATIONS TO HELP GET THE HOME SOLD!
In the article, the “Capetz” family invested an extra $11,000 on a new roof and air conditioner to help their home sell ($11,000 for a new roof and central heat and air is really cheap). In July, they accepted an offer of $142,000 only to have the home sale fall through because home appraisal came in at only $130,000.
GOOD ADVICE! Quoted from the article, “Frank Gregoire, that St. Petersburg FL and Appraiser who headed the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board for eight years during the housing boom, advised sellers to stick with new paint and carpet.
“If you make a major improvement, you should expect to enjoy that improvement. Don’t treat it as an investment,” he said. “It’s unlikely you’ll get what you paid for it.”
How Does This Apply To The Baton Rouge Housing Market? First, we’re talking about the under $150,000 market. Baton Rouge Housing Market doesn’t face near the number of foreclosures or short sales as in Florida. However, with that said, one (1) issue I see in Baton Rouge Housing is overimproved homes, thanks partially to HGTV. Example: A $95,000 home in a first time homebuyer starter neighborhood with $5,000 in Slab Granite Counters. Or, in the photo below, a $160,000+/- local economy home with an elaborate approximate $10,000 Kitchen Slab Granite Plus Tile Backsplash Upgrade of which the market still hasn’t chosen to pay for.
HGTV Ruined Some Homeowners! Since the early 2000′s, with easy credit and HGTV, some locals went overboard on overimproving their homes on items that the market didn’t reward them for at the time of resale. Instead of keeping their homes at the quality of construction levels typical in their subdivision, they chose to invest $15,000 to $50,000 above that level and thus overimprove on items that the market wouldn’t reward dollar-for-dollar on at resale time.
The Point Of This Baton Rouge Home Appraisal Article: When Updating Your Home for a listing, pay attention to your price range, what other homes in your subdivision have in terms of quality and mirror those homes and features. While Slab Granite Counters certainly help a home sell, they are not common nor a wise investment for homes under $150,000. If your home needs a new roof because it’s old and for the seller’s appraisal to pass and qualify for an FHA or RD financing, then that might be a wise purchase, which might not return dollar-for-dollar. It might be wise to stick with just new paint and carpet and if listings feedback says do more updates, then you can proceed further. And, if you need a Pre-Listing Appraisal to help properly and accurately price your home, visit: http://gbrprelistingappraisals.com/
NOTE: Frank Gregoire is a friend and Appraiser Peer of mine. Frank writes the “Appraiser Active Blog” and enjoys the leisure life as an Appraiser along with Florida Coast with his wife, Fran. And, Frank likes to rub this in on Facebook weekly about how spoiled he is to live, play and work in paradise!
Author: Bill Cobb with Accurate Valuations Group (Greater Baton Rouge Home Appraisals).
Image Source: Top Image Purchased @ Bigstockphoto.com
September 14th, 2011
http://www.baton-rouge-real-estate.com/ – Baton Rouge Housing Makes Homevestors Top 100 Markets To Invest In Rental Property List
Homevestors of America, Inc., the We Buy Ugly Homes national real estate investor franchise, recently graded the Top 100 United States Housing Markets for their potential to be in the best rental property markets. Baton Rouge was ranked #66. Read more abut the this news here!
About HomeVestors
Dallas-based HomeVestors of America, Inc., the #1 buyer of houses in the U.S., was incorporated and began franchising in 1996. The first real estate franchise investment company, HomeVestors trains and supports its independently owned and operated franchisees that specialize in buying older homes in need of repair, and updating or rehabbing them. Most commonly known as the “We Buy Ugly Houses” company, HomeVestors strives to make a positive impact in each community. In 2010, for the fifth consecutive year, HomeVestors was among the prestigious Franchise Business Review’s “Top 50 Franchises,” a distinction awarded to franchisors with the highest level of franchisee satisfaction. For more information visit www.HomeVestors.com . HomeVestors has franchise opportunities available in 97 of the 100 markets listed on the current ranking. To learn more about the HomeVestors franchise, visit www.HomeVestorsFranchise.com . NOTE: Source is Homevestors Website.
September 13th, 2011
http://www.batonrougerealestateappraisal.com/ – Baton Rouge Neighborhoods: Shenandoah Estates Home Prices Correct -4.4% YTD in 2011
Correcting Average Sold Price Per Square Foot. An analysis of Shenandoah home sales prices from 2010 versus 2011 Year-To-Date shows a -4.4% decline or correction. In 2010, there were 46 total sales with an average sales price of $92.61/sf. In 2011 YTD, there has been 41 total sales with an average sales price of $88.55/sf, which calculates to a -4.4% loss. However, at $88.55/sf, this is only close to $1.00 off the 2006, 2008 and 2009 support levels. AND, with those homes set to close from summer buying season, the 2011 numbers could improve.
Correcting Average Sold Price and Median Sold Prices. These two (2) charts below show a fairly strong correction in sold prices since 2009 and September 2010. However, Shenandoah Estates is one of the largest subdivisions in Baton Rouge with varying sizes of homes. It did appear from analysis that more of the smaller homes sold in 2011 than in 2010 contributing to the visual declines below. No, I don’t believe it’s at all possible for declines of -19% since September 2010 as the median sold price chart shows. This is why I place the Average Sold Price Per Sq. Ft. chart above first in the series.
NOTE: Based on information from the Greater Baton Rouge Association of REALTORS®\MLS for the period of January 1, 2006 to September 13, 2011. This information was extracted on 09/13/2011. YES, this appraiser does have the permission of GBRMLS to use the chart above Subdivision Price Trends Report!
Author: Bill Cobb with Greater Baton Rouge’s Accurate Valuations Home Appraisal Group
August 28th, 2011
http://www.denhamspringsappraisers.com/ – Denham Springs Home Appraisal Services: Why Did Buyers Give No Value To Nice Brick Gameroom? I came across this sale last week and thought it would shed some light on how “the Market” or “home buyers” view these types of detached amenities. The red arrow below shows this extra 20 x 20 brick Gameroom on concrete slab with electricity and really nice.
The sales price of this 5 year old 2625sf home, with lake view and on larger lot, was between $240,000 to $250,000 in late 2010 or $93/sf. At this sales price for these features, it doesn’t appear the 20×20 Gameroom below was given much of any contributory value. And, the sellers paid the buyers $8,000 to buy their home or paid $8,000 in seller paid concessions. This fact alone shows there was no contributory value for this Gameroom.
Why did the market not pay contributory value for such a nice building? I’m not exactly sure but after 20 years of appraising homes, it’s been my experience that the market rarely rewards dollar-for-dollar for such amenities. Quite often, the market pays about 25% of original cost for such detached Gamerooms, Workshops, Inground Pool and Wood Decks. My advice is if you’re going to live in your home forever, then build what you want in the backyard and enjoy it. However, if you plan on moving within 5 to 10 years, then I don’t advise making such investments that won’t bring at least the full amount of your investment in return.
Author: Bill Cobb, Appraiser with Accurate Valuations Group
August 23rd, 2011
http://www.baton-rouge-real-estate.com/ – Baton Rouge Home Prices: Sherwood Forest Corrects Down To 2005 Support
The GBRMLS Trends chart below shows a substantial home price correction taking place within Baton Rouge’s Sherwood Forest Subdivision. The Average Sold Price Per Square Foot has declined from $80.66/sf in 2007 down to $68.61/sf in 2011, back to 2005 levels and a -15% correction. The Median Sold Price has declined from $181,000 in 2010 down to just $165,500 in 2011, a -9% correction (rounded). Some of this recent decline is due to foreclosure activity. And, the reason the chart shows a dip in 2009 to $165,000 was due to the devastating impact of Hurricane Gustav on this heavily treed neighborhood. In fact, there are still some homes that were renovated in 2009, after Hurricane Gustav in 2008, that are still on the market and haven’t yet sold.
NOTE: Based on information from the Greater Baton Rouge Association of REALTORS®\MLS for the period of January 1, 2005 to August 23, 2011. This information was extracted on 8/23/2011. YES, permission was granted by GBRMLS to use Subdivision Price Trends Chart Report!
Bill Cobb is Greater Baton Rouge’s Home Appraiser frequently called upon by banks, homeowners, and savvy real estate investors to assess property values. A home appraiser with 20 years experience, Bill Cobb brings a wealth of knowledge to the table as a home appraiser.
Bill’s company, Accurate Valuations Group, serves Greater Baton Rouge (East Baton Rouge Parish, West Baton Rouge Parish, Western Livingston Parish and Northern Ascension Parish).
Contact Bill Cobb and Accurate Valuations Home Appraisal Group for your next home appraisal:
Office: 225-293-1500, Cell: 225-953-0638
Fax: 1-866-663-6065
info@accuratevg.com
http://www.accuratevg.com/
August 20th, 2011
http://www.baton-rouge-real-estate.com/ – Baton Rouge LA Home Appraisers Housing Trends: The Lakes At Aubin Wood August 2011 Update. The location is very convenient to the center of Baton Rouge, a newer development from 2003 in an older housing market. According to the charting below, the Average Sales Prices fluctuated in the $230s from 2006 to 2009 and then broke above in the $240s in 2010. The last 2 MLS sales took place in 2010 with no 2011 sales or MLS Listings to report on.
Entrance
Entrance Sign
Home Styles
Development Lake
NOTE: Based on information from the Greater Baton Rouge Association of REALTORS®\MLS for the period of January 1, 2007 to August 18, 2011. This information was extracted on 8/18/2011. YES, permission was granted by GBRMLS to use Subdivision Price Trends Chart Report!
Bill Cobb is Greater Baton Rouge’s Home Appraiser frequently called upon by banks, homeowners, and savvy real estate investors to assess property values. A home appraiser with 20 years experience, Bill Cobb brings a wealth of knowledge to the table as a home appraiser.
Bill’s company, Accurate Valuations Group, serves Greater Baton Rouge (East Baton Rouge Parish, West Baton Rouge Parish, Western Livingston Parish and Northern Ascension Parish).
Contact Bill Cobb and Accurate Valuations Home Appraisal Group for your next home appraisal:
Office: 225-293-1500, Cell: 225-953-0638
Fax: 1-866-663-6065
info@accuratevg.com
http://www.accuratevg.com/
August 16th, 2011
http://www.baton-rouge-real-estate.com/ – Baton Rouge Home Appraisers: Where’s The Bottom For Greater Baton Rouge Housing? Correct Answer Is Based On Local Incomes!
Last week, David Jacobs, with the Baton Rouge Business Report, reported a startling study about how high and out of sync Greater Baton Rouge housing prices are when combined with transportation. The article, Baton Rouge-area household spends 52% of income on housing and transportation, was published on 8/9/2011. In the article or study, the CNT recommends spending no more than 45% and that combining local housing prices with true transportation costs provides “an accurate measure of of the true affordability of housing”.
Other Studies. We also know that according to Core Logic, Baton Rouge is in its’ 9th straight month of home price correction. We also know from the 24/7 Wall Street study that Baton Rouge made America’s 10 Sickest Housing Markets list this month.
We’re In For More Correction. It would appear, based on these 3 studies, that Greater Baton Rouge Housing is in for more correction.
This is my reply below to David Jacobs submitted on 8/10/2011:
I read your Business Report Weekly and wanted to thank you for reporting on this. This has really helped me. Just 3 weeks ago, I was ready to go for a visit to the LSU Real Estate Research Department with similar questions as to where should GBR Housing be priced relative to local incomes? I think this is a foundational question going forward and might possibly shed some light on where the bottom might be in local housing prices in the future. If GBR housing is out of proportion, by how much or by what percentage? Are the current still nose-bleed high housing prices sustainable? Obviously if we asked this question in 2007 from some of the Zachary and ASC $300,000 neighborhoods, the answer today is probably not. $140/sf for new homes wasn’t sustainable across the board. This is why builders like DSLD Homes are having such success……because the insanity in local new home prices from 2006 to 2008 was never sustainable based on local incomes.
As a local home appraiser, I’ve been scratching head all along here wondering WHY local housing is so expensive…..in Louisiana. Baton Rouge has been a wonderful place to grow up and now raise my family, but we’re not California with almost a perfect climate where one would expect high prices. Why are home prices so high here….still in 2011? Even with the modest correction, it would certainly seem that we’re still at nose bleed levels on the pricing of some local housing relative to local incomes. I scratch my head monthly on this issue.
Please understand, I’m not a conservative appraiser. Whatever the housing market’s decision has been, in the form of home sales, I reflect in my reports. However, we’re now about 9 months into this local correction and I’m beginning to think that locals are finally coming to their senses on what they pay for local housing relative to local incomes. There are A LOT of sellers in denial right now, and Hurricane Katrina didn’t help with that at all. It only made it worse. Today, some local Real Estate Agents are hiring me for my Listing Appraisals on their listings that have been on the market for months now, they know are overpriced and they bring me in to show the seller the reality of the local numbers in comparison to sellers perception that their home is worth more.
The chart below doesn’t indicate a huge problem in GBR housing, not like some sour markets in the USA where there’s 3-4 years of supply. However, talk to most appraisers locally and you’ll find that we’re checking “Slow” market for growth or sales and in some subdivision/markets, there’s been such few home sales that it’s become very difficult to complete appraisals for the lack of comps sold within 3 to 6 months, especially under $125,000.
These are some of the things I’ve been thinking about in GBR Housing since 2007 and going forward. Are we fairly priced or still way out of balance? Yes, the market is correcting back to some sense of sanity…..finally…..and how many more months or years will it be till we reach equilibrium (sanity) based on local incomes.
New Homes Are Still Priced High. I still see a local builder and have them say something like, “This market is killing me…when the market coming back?!”. And that builder just doesn’t get it….that the post Hurricane Katrina builder’s market isn’t coming “back” in terms of such exaggerated pricing. The odd thing here is the LHBA (La Home Builders Association) would probably tell you today that we’re too low for their builders to make a decent profit on local home building. What they experienced in 2006-2008 (unsustainable pricing) and expect in the future just wasn’t/isn’t sustainable.
This is why I believe that new TND in Zachary recently announced will take a decade or more to build out because $140/sf to $200/sf just isn’t what local incomes will support and until local builders understand this, they’ll be more developments started and then finished by DSLD Homes. This is also why I believe that new Wyndam Estates development in Denham Springs with 1600sf homes on “tiny lots” in $190′s or $120/sf will also take much, much longer than expected to fill and should be filled with homes in the $150s to $160s. It’s about market economics and local incomes and the local economics, at least outside of Baton Rouge itself, is in favor of DSLD Homes pricing. Those builders and developers that fail to understand local incomes will continue to have their fledgling developments sold to and finished by developers like DSLD Homes after spending millions to break the dirt.
Bill Cobb, Appraiser
Baton Rouge Housing News
