FINALLY, the local media is starting to get it! Unlike the majority of the country, the Greater Baton Rouge real estate market is not depressed. It has been an uphill battle to try to get the word out to the public that things are not bad here; in fact they are pretty GOOD! << MORE >>

This will be short and sweet!
 
As you may be aware there is currently no bond money available in our area. However, I have a lender partner that has a little (and I mean a little) bond money left. If you or anyone you know is in the market to buy a home and needs 100% financing, give me a call or email ASAP. This funds are limited and will go fast. You can contact me at (225)296-7723 or shannon@judyburkett.com

For requirements and general information on the bond program, you can check out my blog post about it here: Shannon's Blog on the 2008 bond issue

When people hear the term rural development loan most think of a piece of property out in the middle of nowhere. Luckily, that is not the truth! Rural development loans are available for ALL of Ascension,Livingston,West and East Felician,West Baton Rouge and SOME of East Baton Rouge parishes. << MORE >>

Did you know that Baton Rouge has one of the most innovative curbside recycling programs in the country? It is true, we do! If you are a resident or business in the East Baton Rouge parish,free weekly curbside recycling is available to you. All you need to do is contact the City Parish and request a recycling cart. You can visit the website and get more info here. << MORE >>

Events for FRIDAY May 16,2008:

Live After Five: Featuring "Phat Hat":                                               

When: Friday 5/16/2008, 5 p.m.

Where: Galvez Plaza Downtown Baton Rouge

Cost: Free

Age limit: All ages

 Live After Five is Downtown Baton Rouge's live music concert series.
Do It Downtown Baton Rouge with live entertainment every Friday evening.
 

Cajun Dances (Dance Lessons)

When: Fridays from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

 Where: The American Legion Hall, 151 South Wooddale Blvd, Baton Rouge

Cost: $7

Age limit: All ages

The Cajun French Music Association is offering dance lessons for those who want their moves to be a little more authentic. A live Cajun band will set the soundtrack as dancers try to turn their two left feet into an appropriate matching pair.

Events for SATURDAY, May 17,2008:

Red Stick Farmer's Market....One of my favorites!!! See my blog post on it here.

When: Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Where: Downtown Baton Rouge near Third Street

Cost: Free

Age limit: All ages

 

Baton Rouge Scale Modelers Workshop

When: May 17,2008 9:30 a.m. to noon

Where: USS Kidd Veterans Memorial & Museum, 305 South River Road, Baton Rouge

Cost: Free

Age limit: All ages

Model building demonstration and questions answered by members of BRSM.

 

An Adventure in the Arts

When:

• Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Sunday  from 1 p.m. to   5 p.m.

Where: LSU Museum of Art, 100 Lafayette St 100, Shaw Center of the Arts, Baton Rouge

Age limit: All ages

Spanning the early 20th century through present times, "An Adventure in the Arts" encompasses 73 works by more then 40 artists who lived and worked in the East Hampton Area.
Included are works by Chuck Close, Stuart Davis, William de Kooning, Max Ernst, Jasper Johns, William King, Lee Krasner, Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Motherwell, Jackson Pollock, Robert Rauschenberg, Larry Rivers, James Rosenquist and Andy Warhol. 

Greenwell Springs Youth Riders' 50th Annual Rodeo

When:  Friday and Saturday, 8:00 p.m.

Where: BREC Greenwell Springs Shady Park Arena, Greenwell Spgs,

Cost: $4 - $8

Age limit: All ages

Saturday, May 17 Join friends at BREC's Greenwell Springs Park Arena, 7550 Shady Park Dr., for the Greenwell Springs Youth Riders 48th Annual Rodeo, 8 p.m. both days. Events include a Calf Scramble for the Kids and the chance to win a bike. For more information, call Mary Wunstel at 803-0115. Admission: Adults, $6; Children 6-12, $4; Children 5 & Under, Free. 

Sunday May 18,2008

 Baton Rouge Bike Club Spring Century Ride

When: 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Where: West Feliciana Sports Park

Cost: $25

Age limit: All ages

Join hundreds of cyclists in the BRBC Spring Century Ride. The event offers family fun rides all the way up to a full 100 mile century ride throughout the beautiful hills of West Feliciana. Food and drink will be supplied on the ride and a Jumbalaya lunch will be served afterwards. Get more information on the bike club and the event here!

 

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST,  Visit me at my open house! Shannon's Open House For Sunday May 18,2008

Please join me this Sunday ( May 18, 2008) from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at an open house located at 17615 Sugar Mill Avenue. This well maintained and updated home is conveniently located in High Point subdivision off of Old Jefferson Highway.<< MORE >>

The latest issue of "Money Magazine" ranked Baton Rouge ninth on the list of hottest real estate markets in the nation. According to the article, home prices in Baton Rouge are expected to climb 1.9% over the next 12 months. The good news is not limited to only Baton Rouge; New Orleans is ranked number seven on the list with an estimated growth rate of 2.2% through May of 2009. << MORE >>

We have all be bombard with the terrible national news concerning the housing market. In fact the local news media has basically regurgitated the same stats and figures the AP disseminates with very little if any local numbers or content included. In an effort to educated the Baton Rouge public on the true picture of the housing market in our area; the Greater Baton Rouge Board of REALTORS® teamed up with the Capitol Region Builders Association and Growth Coalition to get the word out. << MORE >>

If you purchased a home in East Baton Rouge parish this year, you need to file for homestead exemption before June! The tax assesor's office in East Baton Rouge will close their books from June until December. << MORE >>

Please join Shannon Sims this Sunday ( April 6, 2008) from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at an open house located at 16749  Centurion Avenue. This spacious home is conveniently located in Centurion Place subdivision off of O'Neal Lane.

 

This is beautiful custom built newer home that  is in like new condition. It feauters  five bedrooms, three and a half  baths. Other amenities include a sunroom, formal living and dining rooms, an oversized laundry room.

Wonderful closets and storage are found throughout the home. The property also contains a ;arge master suite. The master bath has large jetted tub.  You will find wood floors downstairs, new carpet and paint. There is also new tile in baths. The kitchen features granite counter tops and brick paver floors. The den has a massive fireplace.

 

The home is located on an over sized half acre lot. There is a separate over-sized enclosed garage.(space over garage fully floored for extra storage

This expansive family home boast 3,644 living area and is reasonably priced at $390,000.  If you or anyone you know would like to see this home and will not be able to attend the April 6,2008 open house, please call Shannon Sims at (225)296-7723 or email shannon@judyburkett.com to set up your private tour!