The following are links to useful information from government agencies and NAHB that will enable you to monitor the housing market.

To access the latest information available, simply click the links.

• U.S. Census Bureau Construction Price Indexes

• NAHB's Housing Forecast

      Housing starts, sales and interest rate projections through 2009.

• Latest Home Mortgage Interest Rates

      Contains current and historical data on fixed and adjustable mortgage rates. Updated weekly.

• Characteristics of New Housing

      Highlights the latest data on new-home characteristics released by the U.S. Census Department. Includes links to the complete Census report and other trends

      researched by NAHB.

      Additional breakouts of this data and other trends researched by NAHB are available at www.nahb.org/constructionstats under "Selected Characteristics of New Housing" (dated 4/3/2008).

• Housing Starts

      Updated monthly and based on a seasonally adjusted annual rate.

• New and Existing Home Sales

      Updated monthly and based on a seasonally adjusted annual rate.

• New and Existing Single-Family Median Home Prices

      Updated monthly.

• Home Price Index

      The index measures average home appreciation in more than 250 metropolitan markets. Updated quarterly.

• Metro Home Building Permits

      Local and state data on housing construction rates. Updated monthly.

• Employment Trends for Metro/State Markets

      Provides metro and state employment data nationwide. Updated monthly.

• Local Economic Impact of Housing

      Shows how building 100 homes benefits a typical metropolitan area.

• Home Building's Direct Impact on the Economy

• Housing's Contribution to Gross State Product

      Measures how much housing contributes to the economic output of each state.

• Housing Market Statistics from HousingEconomics.com

      Full array of statistical categories available to NAHB members, a limited number available to non-members.

• In-Depth Analysis from HousingEconomics.com

      Full array of analysis of factors affecting housing and the impact on the industry available to NAHB members, a limited number available to non-members. 

Information Taken From HTA (Home Technology Alliance) Update from the NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) - http://www.nahbmonday.com/hometech/issues/2009-02-18/10.html.

The following are links to useful information about home sales and financing.

• Loan Remodification

     We are experts at working with banks to successfully modify the terms of your current mortgage loan.

Economists forecast that Louisiana will show growth and stability, while most of the other states show losses during this national recession period.

The United States will experience “a relatively shallow national recession lasting about one year, “ and during that time, Louisiana will have near level job growth in 2009 and a gain of 28,400 jobs in 2010 according to the Louisiana Economic Outlook.

(Report submitted in October, 2008 by LSU Economist Loren Scott, James A. Richardson, M. Dek Terell of LSU, E. J. Ourso College of Business)

According to the report, Louisiana has avoided problems in the housing crisis because the state’s banking industry did not get into the sub-prime loans that helped stall bank-to-bank lending.  Also, housing prices have not been artificially elevated in the state, thereby creating a housing bubble that burst in states like California, Florida and Nevada.

Investing in Real Estate is Historically One of the Safest Financial Investments.

Even in down markets, over the long term home prices still appreciate more than the stock market.  Homeownership can help you build long-term wealth.  On average, the value of a home nearly doubles every 10 years.  In fact, over the past three decades, home values have increased an average of more than 6% per year.*

(*figures obtained from the National Association of Realtors)

Interest Rates are Low.  Loans and Tax Credits are Available.  Selections are Great!

Because of the cool-down in the national real estate market, interest rates have been lowered to encourage activity.  Louisiana’s banks and lenders have available cash to loan to home buyers with good credit.  At the same time, qualified, first-time buyers can receive a $7,500 federal tax credit for a limited time.

Good Selection, Tax Credit, Low Interest Rates, & Loans Available – What is Stopping YOU from Buying a New Home Today?

If you would like to build or buy a new home, now IS a great time to do it in Louisiana.  Take advantage of the financial stability of the state’s housing market in these uncertain economic times.  You can benefit from knowing the facts.