Nicole Trumps | Lafayette, LA Real Estate

May 10 2011

Keller Williams Gearing Up for RED Day in Lafayette, LA!!

Yes, it is that time of year again!

RED Day is this Thursday, May 12th, 2011. RED Day (Renew, Energize, Donate) is a day where Keller Williams agents and offices across North America give back to the communities in which they live. The initiatives are varied, from rebuilding homes, refurbishing local parks, giving to local food shelters, hosting blood drives, etc.

Last year, Keller Williams Realty Acadiana spent the day at the Acadian Village and refurbished some of the flower beds at the entrance and that of a couple of homes (see image below). This year, we are going back to Acadian Village and we will be painting the table and benches that are in the reception pavilion. I will most certainly be posting pictures of our day and our results later this week.

To read about what Keller Williams Realty Acadiana accomplished last year in Lafayette, click here. And don’t forget to come back later this week to read about and see what we will do this year!

RED Day 2010 Keller Williams Realty Acadiana at Acadian Village

May 10 2011

FREEZE Your Property Value in Lafayette, Louisiana!

This is a subject very few people know about. A client of mine educated me about this a few months ago and was asking if it can be done in Lafayette (She is moving here from another area in Louisiana). Good read and good information!

The Property Value Freeze Program enables eligible homeowners to “freeze” the assessed value of their homes at the January 1, 2011 value. In other words, if your home in Lafayette Parish was valued at $100,000 as of January 1, 2011, that value will be frozen until the home is sold or remodeled.

It is important to note that this does not mean that your taxes are frozen. Property taxes will not be frozen because those taxes are calculated by multiplying the taxable assessed value by the assigned millage rate. Although the taxable assessed value will not change, the millage rate may change from year to year.

As an example, if your home was valued at $100,000 on January 1, 2009 and you claimed a $7,500 homestead exemption, your taxable assessed value would be $2,500 ($10,000 – 7,500). If your home is within the Parish of Lafayette but located outside the Lafayette City limits, your millage rate for 2009 was 86.29. Your total taxes due would be $2,500 x .08629 or $215.73. Note: The millage rate decreased in 2010 to 85.89, therefore the property taxes due would have decreased to $214.73. However, the taxable assessed value of your home remains at $2,500.

To learn more about how your taxes are calculated, click here.

To be eligible for the Property Value Freeze Program you must meet ONE of the following requirements:

Be totally disabled,

Be a partially disabled veteran (at least 50%), or

Be 65 years in age or older on or before January 1, 2011

and ALL of the following requirements:

Claim a Homestead Exemption.

Have a 2010 adjusted gross income of $65,891 or less as required on your federal income tax return (if husband and wife file separately, the combined income for both must be $65,891 or less).

Provide proof of age and income.

File a permanent application with the Assessor’s Office.

It should be noted that the Property Value Freeze applies only to the land and buildings that are eligible for homestead exemption. Only the assessed values of these items will be frozen. The millage rate is not frozen and therefore the taxes are not being frozen.

If you are interestred in additional details about the Property Value Freeze Program or wish to apply for the program, please visit the Lafayette Parish Tax Assessor’s Office. It is located on the 4th floor at 1010 Lafayette Street, Lafayette, Louisiana. You may also call their office at (337) 291-7080. Parking is available on the left side of the building. Applicants are reminded to bring their 2010 Income Tax Return AND a valid Driver’s License.

Click here to download the form.

We set the standard for exceptional service in Acadiana!

Abbeville, Arnaudville, Breaux Bridge, Broussard, Cankton, Carencro, Church Point, Crowley, Duson, Erath, Eunice, Kaplan, Lafayette, Maurice, New Iberia, Opelousas, Parks, Rayne, Scott, St. Martinville, Sunset, Ville Platte, Washington and Youngsville are just a few of the communities we service.

2314 Kaliste Saloom Road, Suite 913, Lafayette, LA 70508-6835 (337) 212-5373

E-Mail: Mike@iListForLess.com Web: www.iListForLess.com

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May 07 2011

Lafayette Home Sales January-April 2011

Home sales for April in Acadiana and Lafayette parish show a steady increase as is usually the case this time of year.

Graphic of home sales in Lafayette, la, january-april 2011

If we compare home sales this year to last year, we see that more sales closed last year, which is likely due in part to the first time home buyer tax credit that ended in April 2010.

Graphic of home sales in Lafayette, la, january-april 2010vs2011

There are currently 2293 homes available in Acadiana and 1244 in Lafayette Parish. This is down from last month’s numbers, 2318 and 1257.

Pending home sales are steady with 543 homes under contract in Acadiana and 351 in Lafayette parish (last month was 538 and 355).

If you are considering buying a home or investing in real estate in our area, I would love to assist you. Visit my web site to start your search today!

Apr 23 2011

2 acres of Commercial Land for Sale On Nouveau Lane Near Moss Street

Just listed is 2 acres of commercial land on Nouveau Lane in Lafayette. Nouveau Lane is located off of Moss Street between Pizza Village and Chris’ PoBoys. The property is located at the end of the cul-de-sac and the zoning is B-G.

Arial view of Nouveau Lane property for sale

Nouveau Lane features single residences (north side of street) and a dentist office (bottom left).

Nouveau Lane property for sale, Lafayette, LA

This is a view of Nouveau Lane taken from Moss Street. The Available property is where the trees are in the cul-de-sac.

Click here for more information about this property or visit my web site to search for all available properties in Lafayette, LA and Acadiana.

Apr 23 2011

Festival International de Louisiane: Are You Ready for the 25th Edition?

Festival International de Louisiane is next week, April 27 – May 1, 2011, and this 25th anniversary edition promises to be something to remember! Click on this year’s logo to be taken to the Festival’s web site.

For the past two years, I’ve been a member of the Board of Directors for Festival International and this year, everyone worked hard at making the 25th edition very special.

The line up is fantastic, as always, and this year, the programming committee made it a point to invite popular artists from past editions of the Festival. One of my favorite bands from Canada, “Suroit,” is back this year and so are the Burundi Drummers, Balkan Beat Box, MarchFourth Marching Band, Ricardo Lemva & Makina Loca, and Maria de Barros. New and exciting performers are Bomba Estereo, JJ Grey & Mofro, Toubab Krewe and Red Baraat!!!!

On the site, you can build your own schedule and save the bands you do not want to miss. You can also download the FREE Festival International App for iPhone and Android!

Festival International de Louisiane is Free for everyone because of our volunteers! If you would like to volunteer and be a part of Festival, please register on our web site and tell us which area interest you.

We are in particular need in the following areas: -Production (we need strong individuals willing to work hard) -Ticketing at Scene International -La Boutique -and the volunteer Center.

I hope to see many of you there next week.

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