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

http://www.gbrpropertytaxappeal.com/ – Greater Baton Rouge Tax Appeal Appraisals: Steps To Lower Property Taxes and Assessed Values

The following is a re-broadcast of a letter to the editor in Saugatuck, Michigan to “The Commercial Record” sent it in by Patricia K. Topping, Saugatuck Property Owner and is quoted verbatim below. The direct link to this letter to the editor is here! Keep in mind that this is from the State of Michigan, which may have different tax policy and procedures. This is offerred as possible help for locals in the Greater Baton Rouge housing market!

“To the editor: Steps anyone can take to lower their taxes and assessed values:

1. Go to the city building and get a copy of your property’s residential appraisal record card. Compare facts about your property to what the assessor’s information is on the card. Are items such as the size of your home and land, the home’s age, number, type and size of rooms and condition all accurate?

2. Verify the actual true market value of your home. This doesn’t mean having a realtor give you a price, although this can be a useful place to start. Keep in mind most agents are optimists. The best way is to hire a professional certified appraiser. Ask your bank for a recommendation.

3. Learn what your property records and notices mean. For example, when you get this year’s notice for your taxes and assessed values, pay attention to more than taxable value. Look at the SEV and AV values. Both are supposed to be 50 percent of your property’s true cash value, its actual market value. Double either of these two values and ask yourself if the result is what your home would actually sell for as of Dec. 31, 2010. If the SEV value is incorrect, it can have an impact on your taxable value. Taxable value can’t be greater than the SEV value.

4. Is your land subject to flooding; is it very steep, in the flood plain, or in the critical dunes? In other words is all of your land useable and buildable? Could you rebuild your property, as it is, if it burned down? If you answered no to the second question and yes to the first, then your property’s value is likely to be too high compared to what the assessor claims.

5. Did your SEV or assessed value go up this year? Stay the same? How can this be true in light of today’s real-estate market where values have declined 27 percent since 2006 and are projected to decline even more? Pay attention to your assessed (AV) and SEV values. The SEV value, not your current taxable value, determines what a buyer will pay in property taxes when you sell your home. A typical new property buyer in Saugatuck will confront a property tax bill that is 25 to 40 percent higher after the sale than before. This can be a deal breaker. Go to https://treassecure.state.mi.us/ptestimator/ptestimator.asp. Enter your SEV and see what a buyer will have to pay. Ask yourself, if you would buy your property and pay the amount shown.

6. Check out your neighbors’ values. Are they consistent with yours? And don’t fall for the “Everyone got treated the same” excuse you might hear. Your property is unique. The law requires each property to be individually assessed. So, based on things like the age, condition, and size of your property, its location and land characteristics, your property may or my not have been properly assessed.

7. Ask to see the land value maps and studies that the assessor used to determine your property’s land values. Are the maps up to date? Are the studies accurate and up to date?

8. Don’t be intimidated or confused by the assessor. You’re paying for the assessor’s wages and have the right to straight, understandable answers and access to all the information and calculations the assessor used to determine your property’s values. If you can’t get straight, understandable and complete answers, there could be a problem.

Once you’ve done your homework, it will not be unusual that your property would have assessed values that are incorrect. Your next step is to appeal the error to the March 2011 board of review.

Don’t be surprised if the BOR rejects your appeal. After all, it’s not in the government’s interest to lower your taxes or assessed values.

Don’t fret if you don’t prevail. Kick it up a notch and go to the Michigan Tax Tribunal. The process in either case is straightforward. Be aware, though, that unless you have appealed in March to the BOR, you can’t later appeal to the tribunal.

Have confidence when you make an appeal. It’s your right and you are armed with the facts and a professional appraisal of your property. The assessor is finally going to be required before the BOR and under oath if before the tax tribunal to show by a preponderance of the evidence that the city made no mistakes and the assessed and taxable value of your home was correct.

It’s been said that more than 80 percent of those who do their homework and are armed with a professional appraisal prevail at the tax tribunal. This is exactly what Aubrey McClendon did in Saugatuck Township and he saved more than $350,000.

There is no expense to file an appeal with the BOR. The cost to file with the MTT is around $50 for most claims.

Owners who have followed these steps have prevailed before the Saugatuck BOR. Others who have not prevailed have taken their appeals to the tax tribunal.

At this juncture these appeals have been held in abeyance because the state, which seized the Saugatuck city tax roll three years ago, has not released the roll to the city. This by itself may reflect a question as to the accuracy of your assessment.

Don’t let your wallet be taken to task or your ability to sell your property adversely impacted. Exercise your right and do a little homework. The reward can be many thousands saved.

Patricia K. Topping
Saugatuck property owner”

Proper Attribution is being given to The Commercial Record

http://www.batonrougerealestateappraisal.com/ – Greater Baton Rouge Home Appraisers: One Year Housing Study Released!

Accurate Valuation Group has released a 1 year and 3 year study on Greater Baton Rouge Housing – Facts, Prices, Trends! The 1 year study includes 10 charts and 3 year includes 9 charts.

Click here to view the 1 Year Study!

Click here to view the 3 Year Study!

http://www.batonrougefhaappraisers.com/ – How To Understand Baton Rouge Home Appraisals: Market Conditions Section. The challenges local home appraisers now face when valuing Greater Baton Rouge homes after the Federal Tax Credit Expiration.

I recently completed a refinance appraisal assignment off Sharp Rd and witnessed a trend I wanted to bring your attention to. This is still the recovering Post Hurricane Gustav market of MLS Area 42, zip code 70815, generally Broadmoor and Sherwood Forest areas. I say Post Hurricane Gustav because Gustav’s damage in 9/2008 disrupted this housing market more than most realize. I believe the 2 weeks it took to restore utilities had a psychological impact on this market as home sales prices dipped, see chart below. Chart represents home sales from $100K to $300K in 70815 from 1/1/2007 to present.

As a home appraiser appraising in any local market that is now NOT always increasing every year as in prior years, it’s now crucial to know where the market has been, where it is now and where it might be in the future.

Cautions On Interpreting Market Data Post Federal Tax Credit Expiration. This post below illustrates that just because the Federal Tax Credit artificially elevated home sales and possibly home prices, doesn’t indicate an always favorable appraised value for your home. The word favorable is a favorable value in the home owner’s mind, not necessarily market reality. The areas listings inventories or homes for sale, has been building or increasing for months now while at the same time home sales have been slowing. This could be attributable to the national economy finally catching up with the local economy, more difficulty now in qualifying for a mortgage and/or the shift within the Greater Baton Rouge housing market toward more affordable housing, ie., closer to $100/sf versus $135/sf to $160/sf.

Appraisal Assignment: 38 year old 2,850sf living area home, 3 Bedroom, 2.5 Baths, off Sharp Rd in between Broadmoor and Sherwood Forest areas.

MLS Search Parameters

3 to 5 Bedroom Slab Homes in Area 42 Between $150,000 to $275,000, Zip Code 70815, 10/4/2008 to 10/7/2010, Ages 16-20 to Max Age.

Sold Results: Median Sales Prices!

Sold results indicate an increasing median sales price since 10/4/2008 of +11% and +7.5% over the past year.

Sold Results: Average Sold Price Per Sq. Ft.!

Sold results indicate an increasing average sold price per sq. ft. since 10/4/2008. In Broadmoor, the increase has been $4/sf or +5.3%. In Sherwood Forest, the increase has been $2/sf or +2.7%.

HOWEVER, The current market conditions, the Fannie Mae 1004MC or Market Conditions Form describes a different market condition THAT MUST BE ANALYZED AND RECONCILED BY THE APPRAISER.

COMPETING HOME SALES ARE DECLINING – From 18 to 3!

ABSORPTION RATE IS DECLINING – From 3 Sales Per Month Down To Just 1!

TOTAL COMPARABLE ACTIVE LISTINGS IS INCREASING – Inventory Is Growing!

MONTHS OF HOUSING SUPPLY IS INCREASING – FROM 5 TO 22!

NOTE: When the top right 4 boxes are checked for Declining, Declining, Increasing and Increasing, that’s not a good market indication!

Chart Showing Slowing Home Sales!

Conclusion.

When appraising local Greater Baton Rouge Homes, it’s important for both the appraiser and the homeowner to know that ALL market conditions are examined and reconciled to arrive at a value conclusion. In the above market examination, YES, the median sales prices and average sales prices per sq. ft. were increasing, but were also still recovering. If one examines the very first chart in this post, you’ll find that this market still hasn’t fully recovered to the $180K median sales prices of 2007/2008 prior to Gustav.

And, it’s very important to lenders underwriting the loan if there’s only 1 competing home per month selling resulting in a 22 month supply of competing housing, declining absorption rate (declining number of homes within the large inventory being removed from that inventory), increasing number of months on the market and increasing number of listings being added each month.

I do hope locals can now better understand part of the appraisal process. Home appraisals in 2010, with the newer 1004MC form and more and more requirements being added each month it seems, take much longer to complete now with much more investigation and reporting requirements.

REO OR FORECLOSURE RATE!

And, for those that would like to know to know the REO or Foreclosure rate for this assignment, the chart is below showing only 2 “MLS” foreclosures for homes 2500sf to 3100sf since 10/4/2008. There could have been several more take place outside of these 2 listed in MLS as many national lenders today choose not to list their REO inventories in the MLS anymore….up to 70%. In my report, I stated, ” It’s also stated here that a recent article (The Landmines Within by Michael Tarabotto http://activerain.com/blogsview/930436/The-Landmines-Within ) stated that as much as 70% of REOs never make it into the MLS – Meaning that it might be impossible to know or state the exact # of competing REOs if
they’re not being listed. MLS is reporting 2 comparable REO listings.”

Data used with permission of the GBRAR MLS, search dates 1/1/2007 to 10/07/2010, extracted on 10/07/2010.

http://www.batonrougerealestateappraisal.com/ – Greater Baton Rouge Real Estate: Understanding the difference between an appraisal and an assessment!

Lea Miller has written an article I wanted to share locally: Understanding the difference between an appraisal and an assessment . Here are a few snippets (not the entire article) from her article below:

“A real estate appraisal is an estimation of market value. Lenders usually require appraisals for homes on which they are asked to lend money in the form of a mortgage or home equity loan. Appraisals are performed by trained professionals who are licensed by the state in which they operate. The appraiser may be hired by you or by the lender, but is an impartial third-party who provides an objective analysis of the property’s value.

An assessment, on the other hand, is conducted by a municipality when evaluating properties for the purpose of levying property taxes. Municipalities look at the overall value of properties in an area and the specific use of a particular property. For example, commercial properties like professional offices are assessed at a different rate, even though they may be in buildings that are just like homes in the same area. Property tax may also vary depending on the last date the property changed hands. Today, computer technology streamlines the process of assessment and allows for sophisticated statistical models. Many states offer homeowner’s exemptions, which reduce the assessed value of a property when it is the owner’s primary residence.

Municipalities typically send assessment notices yearly in advance of the issuance of property tax bills for the year. A provision is made for an appeals process if the property owner does not feel that the assessment is correct.

In a stable real estate market, appraisal and assessment values may be similar, but never make the assumption that if you have one that you know the other. Market fluctuations, lag time from assessment to notification, and recent renovations or improvements may cause a disparity between the two numbers.”

Tags: Baton Rouge Real Estate, appraisal and tax assessement differences

http://www.gbrprelistingappraisals.com/ – Greater Baton Rouge Pre-Listing Home Appraisals Video 225-293-1500.

This video describes what’s included in a “Pre-Listing” Home Listing Appraisal for the Greater Baton Rouge Housing Market performed by Bill Cobb with Accurate Valuations Group! Visit http://www.gbrprelistingappraisals.com/ and find out more about having a video made for YouTube to help sell your home faster. Plus, this appraiser can help your home get found on Google for interested buyers. So, we not offer Pre-Listing Appraisals, but a full marketing package and a listing on the Greater Baton Rouge Realty Video Visual Tours Website: http://www.gbrrealtyvisualtour.com/

Tags: Baton Rouge Real Estate, Baton Rouge Home, Baton Rouge Homes, Baton Rouge Listing Appraisal, Baton Rouge Listing Appraisals, Baton Rouge Pre-Listing Appraisal, Baton Rouge For Sale By Owner, FSBOBR.com, FSBO.com, For Sale By Owner Baton Rouge, For Sale By Owner Greater Baton Rouge

http://www.batonrougebpoappraisals.info/ - Home Of The Greater Baton Rouge Similar Sales Desktop Valuation Reports (SSDVR) – Compliant With USPAP & Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac, 225-293-1500

Welcome To The $100. 00 Greater Baton Rouge Comparable Sales Reports! Greater Baton Rouge Comparable Sales Reports Is A Desktop Appraisal Service Performed By William D. Cobb with Accurate Valuations Group, Serving East & West Baton Rouge Parish, Northern Ascension Parish and Western Livingston Parish. William Uses An Approved Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac Appraisal Form (SSDVR) To Complete This Report.

What Is An SSDVR Report? A desktop appraisal report conducted by Louisiana State Certified Appraiser, William D. Cobb, CREA, License #R0851. Bill will drive-by the home being appraised, rely upon the physical data the client provides, research the MLS database, select the 3 most similar and competitive sales/comps and render a value opinion.

http://www.batonrougerealestateappraisal.com/ - Baton Rouge Real Estate: Four Demographic Trends That Will Affect Greater Baton Rouge Housing

Realtor.org and and The Urban Land Institute are reporting on 4 demographic trends that will affect Greater Baton Rouge Housing! Their short article is located here and is quoted below.

“4 Demographic Trends That Will Affect Housing

A new report from the Urban Land Institute predicts two major changes in the U.S. housing market as we began a new decade.

Home appreciation will slow considerably to about 1 percent to 2 percent annually.

The current U.S. homeownership rate, now at 67 percent (which is down from a record high of 69 percent), will fall further to about 62 percent.

4 Major Demographic Trends

The report also cites four major U.S. demographic trends that will have a major impact on housing.

1. Aging baby boomers (ages 55 to 64 years old): They will keep working, and many will be forced to stay in their suburban homes until values recover. Those who are able to move will choose mixed-age living environments that cater to active lifestyles. Walkable suburban town centers also will appeal to this group.

2. Younger baby boomers (46 to 54 years old): They are now entering their prime earning years but they will lack home equity and unlike the older members of their generation, they won’t be able to purchase second homes. This will likely curb the prospects for the second-home market.

3. Generation Y: They are larger than the baby boom generation (with a population of about 86 million). As they enter the housing market, they are less interested in homeownership than their parents were when they were young adults. “They will be renters by necessity or choice for years ahead,” says John K. McIlwain, author of the report.

4. Immigrants – both legal and illegal: They are nearly 40 million strong. They often prefer multi-generational households and if they can afford them, larger homes in neighborhoods with a strong sense of community.

Source: The Urban Land Institute (01/27/2010)

Tags: Baton Rouge Estate Appraisers, baton rouge real estate, greater baton rouge real estate, baton rouge real estate trends

http://www.batonrougerealestateappraisal.com/ - FHA Appraisers Baton Rouge Report: Shenandoah Estates Subdivision 70817

Housing Market Direction: Up or Down?

Solds In Shenandoah Estates from 1/2007 to 12/2007 revealed:
Average Sales Price: $193,628
Average Sold Price Per Sq. Ft.: $93.62/sf
Median Sold Price: $190,000
Average Days On Market: 81
Number Of Sales: 91

Solds In Shenandoah Estates from 1/2008 to 12/2008 revealed:
Average Sales Price: $200,524
Average Sold Price Per Sq. Ft.: $89.68/sf
Median Sold Price: $205,000
Average Days On Market: 89
Number Of Sales: 68

Solds In Shenandoah Estates from 1/2009 to 12/2009 revealed:
Average Sales Price: $196,030
Average Sold Price Per Sq. Ft.: $89.48/sf
Median Sold Price: $196,500
Average Days On Market: 106
Number Of Sales: 62

Therefore, based on the “median sale price barometer” within Shenandoah Estates, the barometer used by the National Association of Realtors, the market direction increased from 2007 to 2008 but declined from 2008 into 2009. However, the 2009 median sales price at $196,500 is still higher than the 2007 $190,000. The gap between the high and low median sales prices was $15,000. The Aveage Sold Price Per Sq. Ft. only varied $4.14/sf within this 3 year period, which shows a fairly tight, supportive market.

For Your Greater Baton Rouge Home Apprasial Needs, Give Accurate Valuations Group A Call at 225-293-1500 or visit http://www.accuratevg.com/

http://www.gbrpropertytaxappeal.com/ – Greater Baton Rouge Property Tax Appeal Home Appraisals

Office: 225-293-1500 or 1-888-678-3544

Fax: 1-866-663-6065

Staff Email: fastvalue2@cox.net

Bill Cobb, Accurate Valuations Group Appraiser, has operated as a home appraiser for 18 years now primarily in the Greater Baton Rouge, Louisiana market. Bill performs Conventional, FHA and RD/Rural Development home appraisals. For more information on Accurate Valuations Home Appraisal Group, visit FHA Appraisers in East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Ascension & Livingston Parishes.

Our Service Areas: All of East & West Baton Rouge, Western Half of Livingston Parish (Denham Springs, Walker, Watson & Livingston) and Northern Ascension Parish (Prairieville, Gonzales, Geismar, Saint Amant, Sorrento)