Gayle's Blog

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More good news for the Monroe area economy!

There was a B-I-G event in Monroe yesterday! Governor Bobby Jindal was in town to share a bountiful Thanksgiving luncheon at CenturyLink's headquarters on Hwy 165N. During his visit, President and CEO Glen Post and Gov. Jindal made the announcement that CenturyLink will be adding 350 jobs here in Monroe within the next 4 years.  Post also announced that the company is committed to remain in Monroe at least until 2019.

CenturyLink has tripled in size since the acquisition earlier this year of Embarq Corp. It is now the 4th largest telephone company in the US.

Adding to the excitement, Fox News was broadcasting live from CenturyLink headquarters office for most of the day.

You can read the complete story from our local newspaper: http://www.thenewsstar.com/article/20091119/NEWS01/911190331/More-jobs-coming-to-area

This is wonderful news for Monroe, West Monroe and northeast Louisiana. Homeowners can feel confident that their investment is likely to remain secure. Home buyers should be looking now while prices are reasonable and interest rates a historically low.

Call me! I can help.

Gayle Causey
318-614-5615

Keller Williams Realty Parishwide Partners
1390 Hudson Lane, Monroe, LA USA 318-812-7653
Each office independently owned & operated.

Gayle Causey, GRI, ePRO
Direct: 318-614-5615
REALTOR, Relocation Specialist
Find your house with your mouse: http://WestMornoeRealEstate or http://GayleCausey.com

Keller Williams Realty Parishwide Partners
1390 Hudson Lane, Monroe, LA USA 318-812-SOLD

Each office independently owned & operated. We Support Equal Housing Opportunity.

0 commentsGayle Causey • November 19 2009 03:11PM

I'm not known for my cooking...

...but MARTHA STEWART certainly is! YUM!

If you're looking for the right side dish or dessert, I'm sure Martha has the recipe. Martha and her friends on SIRIUS Satellite Radio are offering a FREE Thanksgiving Cookbook. (We like FREE.) You can download it here:

http://www.sirius.com/thanksgiving

Have fun getting ready for the big day.


Gayle Causey
, 318-614-5615
Find your house with your mouse at http://WestMonroeRealEstate.com

Keller Williams Realty
Parishwide Partners, 318-812-7653
1390 Hudson Lane, Monroe, LA USA
Each office independently owned & operated.

 

Gayle Causey, GRI, ePRO
Direct: 318-614-5615
REALTOR, Relocation Specialist
Find your house with your mouse: http://WestMornoeRealEstate or http://GayleCausey.com

Keller Williams Realty Parishwide Partners
1390 Hudson Lane, Monroe, LA USA 318-812-SOLD

Each office independently owned & operated. We Support Equal Housing Opportunity.

6 commentsGayle Causey • November 18 2009 09:53AM

Send A Gift- Thank You Card To Our Soldiers- Xerox Let's Say Thanks Program

I'm IN! I hope you will be, too.

Gayle Causey--318-614-5615
http://WestMonroeRealEstate.com

Keller Williams Realty
Parishwide Partners, 318-812-7653
1390 Hudson Lane, Monroe, LA USA
Each office independently owned & operated.
 

Via Nestor & Katerina Gasset Realtors® Wellington Florida Luxury Homes (International Properties and Investments, Inc.):


Thanks to Xerox sending out a Thank You card to our soldiers is simple, fast and free.   support our troops

At this time of the year we can take some time out to teach our children about giving thanks and living in gratitude.
The best way of course to teach gratitude is by being a good example of being in a thankful state of mind.

You can gather your children around your computer right now and go to this site:

Let's Say Thanks- In Support of our Troops.

All you do is click on the card you want to send and then click on what you want the words on the text side of the card to say.
You don't even have to think to do this because it is all done for you. You just have to choose the card and the text out of the ones on the site.
Then you just click send.


Xerox prints out the postcards and then these cards go into the care packages that Givetothetroops® sends to our soldiers.
What a gift Xerox is giving to the troops. I really appreciate a company setting a great example like this.
The cards have all been designed by children and are patriotic. There are many patriotic symbols and messages to choose from. 

There is a link on the site where you can read the responses from soldiers around the globe.
For some of these soldiers, your card will be the only mail they get from home.

Here are some of the comments sent back by different servicemen and women:



To all who have supported us,
 
I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you from myself and my fellow Marines. Your packages and well wishes have lifted our spirits at a time when we are so far away from our friends and family. I wish you could have seen the bright eyed looks and utter excitement from the Marines when opening the boxes. It was a true blessing that you made happen. It makes us proud to know that our fellow Americans care as much as we do. It makes the sacrifices we and our families make worth every minute we spend here. We Americans can stand shoulder to shoulder in unison on one thing - we're all proud of our country and we're all proud of each other. The effort you make on behalf of the troops is just as important as the work we are doing here and around the world.
 
- A Gunnery Sergeant


As I was leaving an un-eventful Valentine's Day today, one of the mail clerks yelled "Adams!! You have a package!!" A package, I thought to myself. I'm not expecting anything. What could this be? I took the box into my office and closed the door. As I opened the box, a flood of joy came over me as I looked over the cards from you and the young ones, one of my co-workers walked in to see tears rolling down my eyes. I had never received a gift with this much love, packed into one little place from someone that I've never known.

As I thought about what the cards talked about with soldiers giving their lives and privileges up to ensure the freedom of Americans, it was nice to know that someone out there does not take it for granted. I don't know who you are, but you are truly a gift from God. The gift that gives me the drive to serve my country proudly. As you pray that the Lord keeps the soldiers here safe and brings us home, I pray to the Lord that people like you do not die off from this world. Your contributions are nowhere near inadequate. Please never forget what this means to a soldier. Thank you for your love and thoughts.
 

support our troops


Please be kind- take a moment out of your day to send a card for free to a soldier today. Please Reblog! 


Gayle Causey, GRI, ePRO
Direct: 318-614-5615
REALTOR, Relocation Specialist
Find your house with your mouse: http://WestMornoeRealEstate or http://GayleCausey.com

Keller Williams Realty Parishwide Partners
1390 Hudson Lane, Monroe, LA USA 318-812-SOLD

Each office independently owned & operated. We Support Equal Housing Opportunity.

0 commentsGayle Causey • November 18 2009 09:33AM

SOLD! 255 Petrus Circle, West Monroe, LA

This nice home is in a very quiet cul-de-sac, tucked away off Ole Hwy 15 outside of West Monroe. You may not even know the neighborhood is there. The homes are all large with at least 2 acres, many with pools.

I represented the buyers in their purchase of this home. They are moving here from another state quite a ways north of here, so getting ajusted to LA weather will be a challenge. I'm sure all their new neighbors will reach out with a big West Monroe welcome to make them feel at home.

Listed at $385,000, sold for $375,000.  This is a 4BR/3.5-bath custom home with high ceilings and an open floor plan. The master suite and a guest room are downstairs. 2-bedrooms, each with private bath are upstairs, and there is a bonus room over the garage.

I doubt the new residents will be using the saltwater pool this week, but it will be so-o-o nice to have next summer!

 

 

 

Sitting on 5-acres of beautiful lawn, this home is a perfect place for entertaining. I know my customers will love living there.

If you're thinking of selling your home or buying a new one, please allow me to share with you how I may help make your move easier. I'm here to help.

Gayle Causey, REALTOR
Relocation Coordinator
318-614-5615
Find your house with your mouse at http://WestMonroeRealEstate.com

Keller Williams Realty, 1390 Hudson Lane, Monroe, LA USA
Each office independently owned & operated.

Gayle Causey, GRI, ePRO
Direct: 318-614-5615
REALTOR, Relocation Specialist
Find your house with your mouse: http://WestMornoeRealEstate or http://GayleCausey.com

Keller Williams Realty Parishwide Partners
1390 Hudson Lane, Monroe, LA USA 318-812-SOLD

Each office independently owned & operated. We Support Equal Housing Opportunity.

2 commentsGayle Causey • November 17 2009 10:04AM

What's happening in the Monroe/West Monroe market?

To keep you posted so you can make good decisions about buying and/or selling, here are the statistics for sales of homes in Ouachita Parish for the period of Jan--October. I have included the past 2 years so you can see how the market has moved during this "housing crisis".  It has pretty much been a non-event here in Ouachita Parish.

I will admit that homes are staying on the market longer, but I don't consider 7 days to be catastrophic. Local Realtors sold 22 more homes in 2008 than the same period of 2009. However, the number of homes sold compared to the number listed was greater in 2009. (That means that fewer homes were withdrawn from the market or the listings expired.)

More 3-bedroom homes are available for sale, so we sell more of them than any other configuration. You may notice that the average price of a 4-bedroom home is considerably higher than 3-bedroom units, so that probably has a lot to do with it, too. More buyers can afford a 3-bedroom home.

Please note that the average price sold has GONE UP each year. What that means is that homes continue to APPRECIATE IN VALUE in Ouachita Parish!  Good news for homeowners and for those who want to be homeowners.

If you are moving to Monroe, I hope this will help you see that you will be making a good investment when you buy a home in Monroe, West Monroe, Sterlington, Calhoun or all the places in between!

This information is from the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS).

For more information about the local real estate market, or about any home for sale now, please call or email me. I'm here to help.

Gayle Causey
Real Estate Consultant/Relocation Coordinator
318-614-5615
Find your house with your mouse at
http://WestMonroeRealEstate.com

Keller Williams Realty, 1390 Hudson Lane, Monroe, LA USA
Each office independently owned & operated. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Gayle Causey, GRI, ePRO
Direct: 318-614-5615
REALTOR, Relocation Specialist
Find your house with your mouse: http://WestMornoeRealEstate or http://GayleCausey.com

Keller Williams Realty Parishwide Partners
1390 Hudson Lane, Monroe, LA USA 318-812-SOLD

Each office independently owned & operated. We Support Equal Housing Opportunity.

0 commentsGayle Causey • November 16 2009 02:44PM

This Month in Real Estate--Staging Tips to Sell Your Home.

Gayle Causey, GRI, ePRO
Direct: 318-614-5615
REALTOR, Relocation Specialist
Find your house with your mouse: http://WestMornoeRealEstate or http://GayleCausey.com

Keller Williams Realty Parishwide Partners
1390 Hudson Lane, Monroe, LA USA 318-812-SOLD

Each office independently owned & operated. We Support Equal Housing Opportunity.

1 commentGayle Causey • November 12 2009 01:08PM

Veteran's Day....Never Forget.

It's the Military, not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the press. It's the Military, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech. It's the Military, not the politicians that ensures our right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It's the Military who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag.

Please pray for our men and women who have served and are currently serving our country and pray for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. 

Thank you for your service and your sacrifice.

God bless America.

Gayle Causey
318-614-5615

Keller Williams Realty, Monroe, LA USA
Each office independently owned & operated.

Gayle Causey, GRI, ePRO
Direct: 318-614-5615
REALTOR, Relocation Specialist
Find your house with your mouse: http://WestMornoeRealEstate or http://GayleCausey.com

Keller Williams Realty Parishwide Partners
1390 Hudson Lane, Monroe, LA USA 318-812-SOLD

Each office independently owned & operated. We Support Equal Housing Opportunity.

6 commentsGayle Causey • November 09 2009 11:29PM

Ft. Hood Shooting

Stop what you're doing and say a prayer for US military and especially those at Ft. Hood .

 

AP Photo

Gayle Causey, GRI, ePRO
Direct: 318-614-5615
REALTOR, Relocation Specialist
Find your house with your mouse: http://WestMornoeRealEstate or http://GayleCausey.com

Keller Williams Realty Parishwide Partners
1390 Hudson Lane, Monroe, LA USA 318-812-SOLD

Each office independently owned & operated. We Support Equal Housing Opportunity.

2 commentsGayle Causey • November 07 2009 09:53AM

Extension & Expansion of Tax Credit PASSED the House!

The House voted 403-12 on Thursday to pass the bill after the Senate unanimously approved it Wednesday. The legislation includes provisions for the homebuyers' tax credit as well as extension of jobless benefits.

The bill would extend an $8,000, first-time home buyers' tax credit on all house contracts entered into before April 30, 2010, and closed by June 30 the same year. It would create a new, $6,500 credit for existing property owners who sell their home and buy another during the same period of time. The maximum purchase price on a home will be $800,000 with vacation homes not eligible. Income limitations are $125,000 for single tax payers and $225,000 for joint filers. 

Mr. Obama is expected to sign the bill into law on Friday. 

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) have been lobbying hard for the extension and expansion of the tax credit.  NAR claims that so far, about 1.4 million first-time homebuyers have qualified for the program and they estimated that 350,000 of these buyers would not have otherwise purchased. 

The tax credit is also set to be extended for another year for military personnel serving outside of the United States until June 30, 2011. 

Senator Johnny Isakson, who heavily pushed for the extension stated, "This is probably the last extension." 

Gayle Causey
Realtor, Relocation Specialist
318-614-5615

Keller Williams Realty, 1390 Hudson Lane, Monroe, LA USA 318-812-7653
Each office independently owned & operated.

Gayle Causey, GRI, ePRO
Direct: 318-614-5615
REALTOR, Relocation Specialist
Find your house with your mouse: http://WestMornoeRealEstate or http://GayleCausey.com

Keller Williams Realty Parishwide Partners
1390 Hudson Lane, Monroe, LA USA 318-812-SOLD

Each office independently owned & operated. We Support Equal Housing Opportunity.

0 commentsGayle Causey • November 06 2009 08:22AM

Cross your fingers! Congress set to expand tax credit for buyers!

Buying a home with a tax incentive from Uncle Sam is almost here for a whole new crop of homebuyers.

First-time homebuyers have been getting tax credits of up to $8,000 since January as part of the economic stimulus package. But the program will expire November 30. The Senate voted Wednesday to extend and expand the tax credit to include many buyers who already own homes

If the House approves the bill on Thursday, Nov. 6, buyers who have owned their current homes at least five years would be eligible for tax credits of up to $6,500. First-time homebuyers - or anyone who hasn't owned a home in the last three years - would still get up to $8,000. To qualify, buyers in both groups will have to close on a home purchase by June 30, 2010.

About 1.4 million first-time homebuyers have qualified for the credit through August. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) estimates that 350,000 of them would not have purchased their homes without the credit.

The credit is available for the purchase of your principal residence that would cost $800,000 or less, meaning vacation homes are ineligible. The credit would be phased out for individuals with annual incomes above $125,000 and for joint filers with incomes above $225,000.

The credit would be extended an additional year, until June 30, 2011, for members of the military serving outside the United States for at least 90 days.

Keep watching the news for updates on actions taken by Congress, or call me and I will tell you the latest info I have on the legislation.

Gayle Causey
318-614-5615
Realtor, Relocation Specialist

Keller Williams Realty, 1390 Hudson Lane, Monroe, LA USA
Each office independently owned & operated.

Gayle Causey, GRI, ePRO
Direct: 318-614-5615
REALTOR, Relocation Specialist
Find your house with your mouse: http://WestMornoeRealEstate or http://GayleCausey.com

Keller Williams Realty Parishwide Partners
1390 Hudson Lane, Monroe, LA USA 318-812-SOLD

Each office independently owned & operated. We Support Equal Housing Opportunity.

2 commentsGayle Causey • November 05 2009 12:08PM