This Weekend's Parade of Homes and Open Houses Provide Excellent Opportunity for Home Buyers

The Capital Region Builders Association's Parade of Homes is an annual event that allows the public to tour homes for free throughout several communities in the Greater Baton Rouge Area. There are 49 homes on this year's tour split across Baton Rouge, Central, Denham Springs, Gonzales, Plaquemine, Prairieville, Pride, St. Gabriel, and Zachary. The Parade of Homes continues this weekend from 11am - 5pm on Saturday, May 19th, and 1pm - 5pm on Sunday, May 20th. The Parade of Homes is an excellent opportunity to learn about new communities and view new trends in residential construction.

Outside of the many homes included in the Parade of Homes, our Realtors are hosting Open Houses of homes available for sale. See a list of our homes included in the Parade of Homes and Open Houses below:

Parade of Homes - 37397 Cypress Hollow

Our sister company, Pro One Corp, will showcase their stunning newly constructed house in the Parade of Homes. The home is located in the Hollows of Dutchtown subdivision in Prairieville and can be toured from 11am - 5pm on Saturday, May 19th, and 1pm - 5pm on Sunday, May 20th. Some of the home's highlights and features include:

• Interior brick arch and exposed beams
• office with built-in desk
• common area upstairs
• lake lot
• community clubhouse and swimming pool

Open Houses

The below homes are for sale and will be available to tour this weekend from 11am - 5pm on Saturday, May 19th, and 1pm - 5pm on Sunday, May 20th. They are all located in the new Hollows of Dutchtown subdivision in Prairieville, LA.

• 14085 Doe Run, Prairieville, LA - Home Information
• 14073 Doe Run, Prairieville, LA - Home Information
• 37424 Cypress Hollow, Prairieville, LA - Home Information
• 37410 Cypress Hollow, Prairieville, LA - Home Information
• 37378 Cypress Hollow, Prairieville, LA - Home Information

For a complete list of the houses and builders on this year's Parade of Homes, visit the Capital Region Builders Association's website.

Mardi Gras season is upon us and soon streets throughout the state of Louisiana will be flowing with bands, floats, beads, celebrities, royalty, and everything the creative mind can imagine. Below is a schedule of many of the parades in Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

Baton Rouge Mardi Gras Parade Schedule

Krewe of Mutts - Downtown, Baton Rouge - Sunday, January 28th, 10:30 AM

Krewe of Artemis - Downtown, Baton Rouge - Friday, February 2nd, 7 PM

Krewe of Mystique - Downtown, Baton Rouge - Saturday, February 3rd, 2 PM

Krewe of Orion - Downtown, Baton Rouge - Saturday, February 3rd, 6:30 PM

Krewe of Southdowns - Southdowns Neighborhood - Friday, February 9th, 7 PM

Krewe of Spanish Town - Downtown, Baton Rouge - Saturday, February 10th, 12 PM 

New Orleans Mardi Gras Parade Schedule

Krewe of Excalibur - Metairie - Friday, February 2nd, 7 PM

Krewe of Barkus - French Quarter - Sunday, February 4th, 2 PM

Babylon - Uptown - Thursday, February 8th, 5:30 PM

Chaos - Uptown - Thursday, February 8th, 6:15 PM

Muses - Uptown - Thursday, February 8th, 6:30 PM

Hermes - Uptown - Friday, February 9th, 6 PM

d'Etat - Uptown - Friday, February 9th, 6:30 PM

Krewe of Morpheus - Uptown - Friday, February 9th, 7 PM

Krewe of Endymion - Mid City - Saturday, February 10th, 4:15 PM

Krewe of Bacchus - Uptown - Sunday, February 11th, 5:15 PM

Krewe of Orpheus - Uptown - Monday, February 12th, 6 PM

Krewe of Zulu - Uptown - Tuesday, February 13th, 8 AM

Rex - Uptown - Tuesday, February 13th, 10 AM

Elks Orleanians - Uptown - Tuesday, February 13th, following Rex

Crescent City - Uptown - Tuesday, February 13th, following Elks Orleanians

Preparing Your Louisiana Home for Freezing Temperatures

When weather reaches sustained freezing temperatures, it is important to adequately prepare your home to avoid potential damage. Since these temperatures occur seldom in a given Louisiana year, it is easy to forget everything that needs to be taken care of. Below are a few items that you should note: 

• Wrap all exposed pipes
• Run a small trickle of hot and cold water at night
• Remove/drain your hoses and sprinklers and store away (sometimes if water still resides in the hose, the entire hose will freeze up)
• Be sure to keep your home heated, even if you are out of town
• Open cabinets with piping to let heat and air circulate to them
• Know where your main water shut-off valve is
• Drain and cover your swimming pool
• Cover your water Well if you have one
• Bring your pets inside your home
• Help your energy costs by reversing your ceiling fans to swing clockwise to circulate warm air through the room
• Check your insulation and your furnace filter
• Check the batteries on your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and keep fire extinguishers handy

Keep in mind that more house fires occur in the fall and winter than any other time of year as homeowners increase the usage of their heaters. As mentioned, it is imperative that your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are working correctly. Avoid overloading electrical circuits and be aware of the candles you light.

Additionally, be careful where you store firewood as it may attract unwanted pests around your house. 

Click here to view more homeowner tips!

The real estate market reports for the month of August for East Baton Rouge Parish, Ascension Parish, and Livingston Parish have been released. These reports provide a quick glimpse into the numbers of new listings, sales prices, inventory of homes for sale, and days on the market throughout the region. Have questions about what these numbers mean and how they translate to your situation? Contact one of our agents here!

Some key real estate stats for the month of August in the Greater Baton Rouge area include:

• There was a 22.8% increase in new listings in the area
• There was a 2.2% decrease in inventory of homes for sale
• The median sales price was $191,200
• Days on Market was down 30.4% with the average listing being 48 days

Check out the detailed reports below for the Greater Baton Rouge area as well as each individual parish. 

Ascension Parish August Report:

East Baton Rouge Parish August Report:

Livingston Parish August Report:

The above reports are published monthly by the Greater Baton Rouge Association of Realtors.

Market Update: New Real Estate Listings and Price Changes

Below is a compilation of our newest listings in the Greater Baton Rouge Area. Feel free to contact the Listing Agent identified below each home to receive more information on the property or to view the home!

5004 Shenandoah Lane Place • Baton Rouge, LA

• List Price: $425,000

• 4 Bed, 3.5 Bath

• Shenandoah Lane subdivision

• For more information or to view the home, contact the Listing Agent, Kai Smith, here.

16192 N Galvez Ave • Prairieville, LA

• List Price: $210,000

• 3 Bed, 2 Bath

• Villa Galvez subdivision

• For more information or to view the home, contact the Listing Agent, Kai Smith, here.

213 Lucky St • Plattenville, LA

• List Price: $160,000

• 3 Bed, 2 Bath

• Lucky Hit subdivision

• For more information to to view the home, contact the Listing Agent, Shari Jacobson, here.

45335 Penny Duplessis Rd • St Amant, LA

• List Price: $119,500

• 3 Bed, 2 Bath

• Penny Place subdivision

• For more information to to view the home, contact the Listing Agent, Cathy Chifici, here.

*LAND • Moody Dixon Rd • Prairieville, LA

• List Price: $59,900

• Multiple lots available

• 1/2 Acre each lot

• Rural Tract (no subdivision)

• For more information, contact the Listing Agent, CaBrena Roberts, here.

Real Estate Price Reductions in the Greater Baton Rouge Area

Prices have recently been reduced in these listings in Ascension and Livingston Parishes. Click the addresses below to view more information on these properties!

• 30957 Cambridge Dr, Livingston, LA - Now $315,000! - Contact Cindy Hardy
• 17097 Sills Dr, Prairieville, LA - Now $243,900! - Contact Johnny Mondello
• 15252 Amanda Dr, Gonzales, LA - Now $225,000! - Contact Sheila Payton
• 2223 S Helens Way, Gonzales, LA - Now $173,500! - Contact Johnny Mondello

View all of the most recent HOUSE and CONDO listings by clicking the links below.

• Newest Homes and Condos for sale in Ascension Parish
• Newest Homes and Condos for sale in East Baton Rouge Parish
• Newest Homes and Condos for sale in Livingston Parish

View all of the most recent listings for LAND in the Greater Baton Rouge Area by clicking the links below! 

• Newest Land listings in Ascension Parish
• Newest Land listings in East Baton Rouge Parish
• Newest Land listings in Livingston Parish

Have questions about the home buying process? Check out our Home Buying Frequently Asked Questions or contact one of our real estate agents!

It is imperative to be as prepared as possible if a tropical system threatens your home. Scroll below for an excellent guide from the Louisiana Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness with a detailed emergency supply checklist, wind and flood preparation, evacuation routes, sheltering information, and much more useful data. 

Things to do before a storm hits:

• Run your generator to make sure it works smoothly
• Consider sandbags
• Choose windowless interior room in case of high winds/tornado and rid room of potential projectiles that could fly off shelves/topple
• Gather important documents and place them in waterproof container/bag (birth certificates, social security cards, insurance, bank info, etc.)
• Consider communication options in case of power, phone service, and internet outages
• Fill vehicle gas tanks and gas cans for generator
• Maintain full battery charge on phones and electronics in case of power outage
• If home is in danger of flooding, locate an axe for puncturing attic/roof if you need to get to higher ground
• Secure outdoor items that wind could project through windows or neighbors' yards (trampolines, dog houses, etc.)

Supplies you may need in case of power outages or area storm damage:

• Water (for drinking and sanitation)
• Nonperishable food items
• Manual can opener
• Flashlights
• Batteries
• Phone and electronics chargers (car chargers if power goes out)
• Radio (battery powered or hand crank)
• Moist towelettes and garbage bags
• Gasoline (vehicle and generator)
• Portable fans
• Baby supplies (formula, diapers, etc.)
• Pet food
• Cash (in case of power outage at local stores/restaurants)
• Important ID cards/forms, insurance forms, bank account forms, etc. in waterproof pouch

The Sanctuary at Juban Crossing: New Residential Development in Denham Springs

The Sanctuary at Juban Crossing is a new subdivision being developed in Denham Springs, LA. The subdivision, developed by Alvarez Construction, will consist of 139 single-family homes ranging from 1800 to 2040 square feet. Within the subdivision you will find a beautiful large lake and green spaces. Homeowners will enjoy their close proximity to the Juban Crossing commercial development which hosts a movie theatre and a multitude of dining and shopping establishments (scroll below to view a map image of everything Juban Crossing has to offer). The Sanctuary at Juban Crossing is also a very short drive away from Interstate-12 and the large public North Park. This new Denham Springs neighborhood lies in the high performing Livingston Parish School District. 100% Rural Development financing is available in this subdivision.

Directions to The Sanctuary at Juban Crossing

Traveling East on I-12, take Exit 12 and turn left onto Hwy 1026 (Juban Rd). Take a right onto Hwy 190 (Florida Blvd) and the subdivision will be on the left hand side after passing Barnett Rd. The map location of the subdivision is depicted in the image above. 

Convenience

Living in The Sanctuary at Juban Crossing places you only minutes away from shopping, dining, and entertainment. The map below highlights many of the options available in this large commercial development. More establishments are expected to open in Juban Crossing in the coming months. 

Nearby Destinations to The Sanctuary at Juban Crossing Subdivision

• Juban Crossing Development / Movie Tavern Theatre: ~1.8 miles, 4 minutes driving
• Bass Pro Shops: ~4.6 miles, 8 minutes driving
• Mall of Louisiana: ~17 miles, 19 minutes driving
• LSU Campus: ~18 miles, 22 minutes driving
• Southeastern Louisiana University: ~32 miles, 33 minutes driving
• New Orleans: ~82 miles, 1 hour 21 minutes driving

Looking for homes available in The Sanctuary at Juban Crossing? Click the button below! 

Click here to contact one of our seasoned real estate agents for more information on The Sanctuary at Juban Crossing subdivision or view other subdivisions in Denham Springs, LA by clicking here.

Searching for something in Louisiana for you and the kids to enjoy this summer? Check out this list of entertainment and attractions found throughout the state! 

1. Global Wildlife – This is an unbelievable experience in Robert, LA, especially if you have children. The largest totally free-roaming wildlife preserve of its kind in the country and home to over 4,000 exotic, endangered, and threatenedanimals from all over the world.

2. Blue Bayou Water Park/Dixie Landin' Amusement Park or Liberty Lagoon – Blue Bayou and Dixie Landin' are located off of Highland Rd just off I-10. http://www.bluebayou.com/ Liberty Lagoon is located near Independence Park at Florida Blvd and Lobdell in Baton Rouge.

3. USS Kidd Tour – Great experience for all. Walk through the ship self paced. It even has a recommended walking route to take so that you cover the entire ship.

4. World War II Reenactment on July 4th – You will not want to miss this! The USS Kidd battles enemy fighter planes on the river. Very loud but an awesome display to see. Kid friendly and a good time.

5. Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center - Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center is a 103-acre facility dedicated to conservation, education, recreation, and tourism. http://www.brec.org/index.cfm/park/detail/19

6. Baton Rouge Zoo - Located in Baker, this is a great place to take the family. Awesome tiger exhibit and a train to ride around the park.

7. Any of the Plantation Homes - There's Magnolia Mound, Nottoway and Houmas House. Very relaxing places with beautiful scenery.

8. Perkins Rowe - Awesome setting with a ton of things to do. Barnes and Noble, restaurants, shopping, and a movie theater all near to each other.

9. Bass Pro Shop - Shooting gallery for the kids, good food, and great place to visit. Located off of I-12 in Denham Springs.

10. Bowling at Premier Lanes in Gonzales– Great place to visit for the day. Bowling, arcade, and much more!