Real Estate Quarterly

by Barbara Corbett
January 2012
www.BarbaraCorbett.com

Happy New Year!!!

HOME OWNERSHIP MATTERS!
There has been a lot of talk about whether home ownership really matters anymore. I say YES, it does matter. According to recent data from the Federal Reserve, the median net worth of home owning families is more than $200,000 compared with about $5,000 for families who rent. This is a significant difference. Home ownership has been part of the American way since the birth of our nation. Thomas Jefferson wrote that all men are created equal...with certain inalienable rights, among these, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. John Locke, whose work Jefferson admired, broadened this thought. It was Lockes belief that government had a duty to protect citizens life, liberty, and property that helped inspire the American Revolution. I think we need to connect as a nation to our truth and tradition: Home ownership matters! Your Vote Counts! Thank you for your support on the transfer tax. Your vote will now keep Louisiana free from being levied a transfer tax on the sale of real property. Yearly CENLA Residential Market Update 2011 had seven months where it outpaced 2010. The question asked is how is the market? Is there a market? My response, there is always a market. The market stats tell you if it is a Buyers market or if it is a Sellers market. The Average Sales Price through out the year in Rapides Parish increased to $152,755, with an average days on market of 98 days. The Average Sale Price in Grant Parish had a slight decrease to $110,108, with average days on market of 104 days. Avoyelles Parish Average Sale Price was up $95,923, with an average days on market of 88 days. Statistics indicate this is a Buyers Market. There is fierce competition in the market with informed, discerning Buyers. Condition, pricing, staging, and location are crucial to selling a property. It is a great time to purchase a home with increased inventory, great interest rates, and an occasional GREAT buy. Call me with any questions regarding the market in your neighborhood!

2010/2011 Residential Sales

120

100 80 60 40
20 2010

2011

0 Ja n. Feb. Ma r. Apr. Ma y June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.

Barbara Corbett
Key Realty, LLC 1216 MacArthur Dr. Alexandria, LA 71303

If you are currently working with a Realtor, this is not intended as a solicitation,

Louisiana Humor
Boudreaux and Thibodeaux decided to go fishing one morning at the pond in back of Boudreauxs house. It was dark and when they reached the pond they realized they wanted to cross to the other side. But they couldnt walk around and had no boat or pirogue to cross in. Thibodeaux turned to Boudreaux and said, Mais Boudreaux, how in the heck we gonna get across? Boudreaux said, No problem, Im gonna shine this here flashlight across the water and you gonna walk on the beam of light all the way across. Mais Boudreaux, you must think Im stupid or something, cause just when I get halfway across you gonna turn off the light.

CRS of the Year January 18, 2012 I was honored by Louisiana Chapter of Certified Residential Specialists by being named CRS of the Year. Every CRS designee is required to maintain membership in the National Association of Realtors and abide by its Code of Ethics. Training includes a strong focus on technology and its application in the real estate business. Less than 4 percent of all licensed Realtors are Certified Residential Specialists. To earn the designation every Realtor must have significant experience and demonstrate a volume of real estate transactions or gross sales as well as the education requirements. Call me, let my expertise help you. Tax REFUND How will you spend your 2011 TAX REFUND? Call me if you want to increase YOUR net worth with real estate. Call 318-715-0367.
Thought for the Day: "It is better to listen in order to understand than to listen in order to reply." -Author Unknown

If you or someone you know is considering moving, let my expertise help. Give me a call.

Networking, Service, Results with Barbara Corbett

CRS, GRI, e-Pro, SRS Certified Residential Specialist Cell 318-715-0367 Office 318-442-3300 Toll Free 888-749-2600