Gayle's Blog

Think of the many traditions that you and your family have during the holidays. Think of all you have to be thankful for when you're among friends and family throughout this holiday season. In the midst of errands and bustling schedules, it's easy to forget to stop and remember the important things in life.

Every year, the American Red Cross takes time to collectively pause and think of those unsung heroes-our military servicemen and women.  This year, the American Red Cross/Pitney Bowes Holiday Mail for Heroes campaign will collect more than a million holiday cards from people across the United States. The cards will be screened, sorted and respectfully delivered into the hands of wounded warriors, service members, military families and veterans.

What a way to make a difference in the lives of these men and women who give so much day in and day out. Help us spread holiday cheer, encouragement and appreciation to the members of our armed forces.

The Red Cross will collect cards postmarked through Wednesday, December 10.  The holiday card mailing address, and other guidelines, are on the Holiday Mail for Heroes page.

 http://RedCross.org Click on "Giving Thanks for Our Heroes."

I'm sending a whole bunch! I hope you will take a few minutes and join me.

Gayle Causey
318-614-5615
Keller Williams Realty
1390 Hudson Lane
Monroe, LA USA

30 year mortgage rates went down to 4.875% on Wednesday! Money doesn't get much cheaper than that!

Who do you know right now that is renting? With so many opportunities for first-time home buyers, everyone who is renting should at least explore what opportunities may be available. Sellers are now helping buyers with down payments and other concessions!
In addition to that good news, have you heard about the $7500 FEDERAL TAX CREDIT for first-time home buyers?  
First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit at a Glance

• The tax credit is available for first-time home buyers only.
• The maximum credit amount is $7,500.
• The credit is available for homes purchased on or after April 9, 2008 and before
  July 1, 2009.
• Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit.
• The tax credit works like an interest-free loan and must be repaid over a 15-year period.

With this double-whammy of GOOD NEWS, who do you know that might want to learn more?
The real estate market changes quickly, so don't let your friends miss out on this fantastic opportunity. Email or call me today to find out more.

Gayle Causey
318-614-5615
Keller Williams Realty
1390 Hudson Lane
Monroe, LA USA
http://WestMonroeRealEstate.com

The numbers are in for October, 2008. We hear it on the news everywhere. You know the country is going to hell in a handbasket because you heard it on MSNBC, CNN, FOX, and all the other channels, right? Yes, the picture is dismal in several parts of the country, but let's compare the foreclosure rate in LOUISIANA.

According to RealtyTrac, Louisiana is ranked #41 in the number of foreclosures in the US. Here are the states at the top of the list for the month of October:
#1 Nevada--1 in 74 homes are in foreclosure or default (total 14,483). This is a jump of 118% over Oct. '07
#2 Arizona--1 in 149 households are in the foreclosure process (17,507 total), a jump of 176% over Oct. '07.
#3 Florida--54,324 homes in the foreclosure process (1 in 157 housholds), an increase of 79.94% over Oct. '07.
#4 California--56,954 homes in foreclosure or default (1 in 231 households), rising 13% over Oct. '07.
#5 Colorado--1 in 390 households are in default/foreclosure (total 5,374), a DECREASE of 0.09% from Oct. '07.

Here are the numbers for our state:
Louisiana had 642 homes go into the foreclosure process in October, 2008. That means 1 in 2,851 households are in jeopardy. This is a DECREASE of 10.83% from Oct., 2007.

You've heard it before-REAL ESTATE IS LOCAL!  Please remember that our market is not the same as the market in other states.

NOW is a good time to buy a house. Interest rates are favorable and values are stable in Monroe, West Monroe, Swartz, Calhoun and Sterlington. Even if you are not in the market yourself right now, if you know someone who has been afraid to buy because of the scary news on TV, please tell them that it really is OK to buy! Houses are selling in Ouachita Parish and all other parts of Louisiana.

If you want to know more about the LOCAL market, don't hesitate to call me at 318-614-5615.

Gayle Causey
Real Estate Consultant
Keller Williams Realty
Monroe, LA USA

Stats for this article taken from http://www.realtytrac.com/ContentManagement/pressrelease.aspx?ChannelID=9&ItemID=5420&accnt=64847

If you're trying to keep up with local mortgage interest rates, good luck!  Rates change every day, sometimes 2-3 times a day.

Here are the local mortgage interest rates for Thursday, Oct. 30, 2008:

30-yr Conventional     6.5%  Fixed
15-yr Conventional     6.25%  Fixed
FHA/VA, 30-yr             6.625%  Fixed
30-yr Rural Housing    7.5A%  Fixed

Rates courtesy of Bankers Mortgage Center, 909 N. 18th St., Monroe, LA.

Now is a good time to buy! You can spend the holidays in your new home. If you're ready to start looking, call me for a buyers' consultation. I will explain rates to you and help you find the most home for your money.

Gayle Causey
Real Estate Consultant
318-614-5615
Keller Williams Realty
Monroe, LA USA
Find your house with your mouse http://WestMonroeRealEstate.com

Cozy up and love this low-maintenance cottage located on one of the city's prettiest streets. Warm wood floors in the living room; carpet in both bedrooms. Kitchen complete with dishwasher and electric range. Big, fenced back yard stretches to Swiss St. This home is probably cheaper than rent and it's a lot more fun to own!  Only $79,000.
Call Gayle Causey for a tour--318-614-5615.
Keller Williams Realty
Monroe, LA USA

Front view. Note the large driveway that provides plenty of parking space.

Wood floors in the living room.

Bright kitchen.

Master Bedroom

Large back yard fenced for security.

Buyers are urged to have a pre-sale home inspection. If you are thinking of selling your home, one of the best things you can do is anticipate what the home inspector will find and take care of any problems before you even put your home on the market.

Take a look at the suggestions below. This may seem like a lot of trouble, but you will be so happy you did these things when your house is under contract and the worry about the buyers' inspection is minimized.

Exterior
* Remove leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts.
* Pressure-wash siding to remove & prevent mold.
* Check exterior paint for bare spots.
* Inspect and replace exterior caulk.
* Check window and door sills for leaks; caulk where needed.
* Clean air-conditioning unit.
* Check the foundation.
* Trim trees and bushes away from the house.
* Check decks for loose boards, railings and stairs.
* Inspect the roof.
* Check window screens.
* Check fences and gates.
* Make sure the garage door opener is working properly.
* Examine the septic system for flooding or unusual odor.
* Make sure water drains away from the house on all sides.
* Check outside walls for termite tubes and damaged wood.

Interior
* Clean and seal tile and grout.
* Inspect all heating elements or burners on the stove top
* Check and fix leaky faucets.
* Make sure that toilets are properly secured to the floor.
* Check and fix leaky toilets.
* Check the attic for signs of moisture (i.e., water stains on the underside of the roof sheathing).
* Clean out the fireplace.
* Replace the batteries in smoke detectors.
* Clean A/C ducts.
* Change A/C filters.
* Check the main electrical panel for rust and/or water marks.
* Test circuit breakers.
* Inspect fire extinguisher.

Before you list your home, I will show you a typical report from a licensed home inspector so you'll know what to expect. Call me any time!

Gayle Causey--318-614-5615
Real Estate Consultant
Keller Williams Realty
Monroe, LA 71201 USA
http://westmonroerealestate.com

Thanks to Christopher and Stephanie Somers of Philadelphia, PA for the great ideas. 
To find out what's going on in the Monroe/West Monroe, LA real estate market, call or email me. I'm here to help.
Gayle Causey
318-614-5615
Keller Williams Realty
Monroe, LA USA
Find your house with your mouse: http://WestMonroeRealEstate.com

I have so much sympathy for our neighbors to the west. They were hospitable to so many LA citizens for a very long time after Katrina. I hope the caring Texas Realtors know that we have not forgotten your help in 2005. We are here to help you now.  If you had to leave your home because of storm damage, we are ready to help you in north LA, too.

The news media reports that Ike missed LA and moved into TX. Here are a few pictures of what Ike left us. If we missed the main part of the storm, just imagine what happened in Texas.

This is Middendorf's Restaurant, a local favorite. It's off I-55 south of Hammond, LA. During one of my stops here on my way to New Orleans, restaurant staff told me proudly that this building did NOT flood during Katrina.

This is something we always like to see--trucks from Entergy, the regional utility company. Here, they are on the way to Port Fourchon, LA.

This shot is from Lake Charles, in southwestern LA.  Blackjack anyone?

If you're moving to LA and nervous about flooding, rest assured that we take flooding very seriously throughout the state. Declared flood zones are always disclosed, and owners are required BY LAW to inform you if water has ever entered the property by flooding or by wind and rain. Your buyer's agent will make sure you are made aware of all the facts when purchasing property in any area that has been affected by a storm.

Gayle Causey
Keller Williams Realty
1390 Hudson Lane
Monroe, LA USA
http://WestMonroeRealEstate.com
http://DeltaNeighbors.com

Sunday's federal takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will likely translate into lower mortgage rates and greater availability of credit, experts said. Rates could drop by 1 percentage point from the stubbornly-high 6.39% for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage.

In fact, when 2 local lenders sent rates to me today, I can see that rates are definitely FALLING!!
Bankers Mortgage Center (OIB) reports 30 year Conv Fixed Rate at 5.750 % (up to 95% & up to $417,000).
Iberia Bank's Conv. Fixed Rate is at 5.875 % while the Rural Development Loan is at 5.5 %.

This should be good for would-be homeowners. It will reduce the cost of financing at the new and improved Fannie and Freddie.

But the news isn't all good. With Friday's report that foreclosures in other parts of the country are at all-time highs (NOT in Louisiana), Fannie and Freddie are expected to maintain - if not ratchet up - tighter lending standards. And the fees they have introduced for borrowers with weaker credit histories won't go away anytime soon. Lenders are demanding credit scores much higher these days than the average 620 in the past, experts said.

While nationally U.S. home prices fell compared to last year, northeast Louisiana real estate is still in the win column, with average home prices climbing.  

Here's proof.  The following figures are from the Multiple Listing Service, NELA Assoc. of Realtors:

Total Houses sold Jan-Aug, 2007 = 1,560  
Avg. price = $138,661,  which is 96.2% of list prices
Avg. days on the market = 114  

Compare to  

Total Houses sold Jan-Aug, 2008 = 1,396
Avg. price = $140,096,  which is 95.66% of list prices
Avg. days on the market = 118

(These figures are for all parishes in northeast LA, not just Monroe & West Monroe.)

Given the above, I believe we will have a fairly robust fall market here. So please call or email me with the next person you know who I could help buy or sell in Monroe, West Monroe, Calhoun, Swartz or Sterlington. I will be sure to take excellent care of them. Please feel free to forward this message on to people you feel would be interested.

Gayle Causey
318-614-5615
Keller Williams Realty
1390 Monroe, LA USA
http://westmonroerealestate.com

We should have known. All the rain that came with Hurricane Gustav will provide the perfect nursery for record numbers of mosquitoes in the days and weeks ahead.  Here in Monroe, LA, it rained more than 9 inches in 24 hours.  In the little town of Lake Providence, LA, they received 20 inches of rain in about 36 hours.

Please be diligent in making sure there is no standing water around your yard. Check all the flower pots, pet bowls, bird baths, etc. that may have standing water. I change the water in my bird bath every day. The birds like it, and it eliminates the growing medium for mosquito larvae.

There was severe flooding in parts of Monroe and West Monroe. The son of a friend lived in the apartments near the West Monroe Guest House, and their flooding was so severe that they lost everything. What a shame. This is more widespread that you might imagine. If you can offer a helping hand to some of your neighbors, I'm sure they will really appreciate it. Even a small kindness like giving flood victims some towels, sharing supper or buying some pet food will make a big difference in how they feel. It must be really awful to be left with NOTHING in such a short period of time.

We are hosting several KW family members from the Baton Rouge, Alexandria and Mandeville areas. If you are displaced and find yourself needing a place with internet access and friendly faces, give us a call. Our arms are open.

Stay safe. Stock up on mosquito repellent!

Gayle Causey
Keller Williams Realty
1390 Hudson Lane
Monroe, LA USA
318-614-5615-cell
318-812-7653-office