I usually don’t talk about politics on this blog but this caught my attention right from the start. It started in Louisiana, it is somewhat silly and funny, and at the same time, I also believe that it could lead an interesting, new debate.

Enough with the election, let’s talk about secession for a while, shall we? 😉

More than 30 states now have petitions on the White House petition web site asking the Obama administration to peacefully let them withdraw from the Union and form their own “NEW” government. It does not say what kind of “new” government but surely, it can’t mean the same thing in Louisiana that it does in California or Oregon.

And all I keep thinking is that it could mean loads of opportunities for us Realtors when people start moving around. Who knows?

Truth is, I can hook you up with a fantastic Realtor anywhere you are or wish to go. So what color is the republic that you would like to move to? Blue, red, yellow, green, orange, purple? Blue is good? You want baby blue or dark blue? Want to move to Lafayette, Louisiana? Awesome! I’m your gal! I’m not going anywhere no matter what color we become unless all Cajuns move, too.

This unfolding secession story started November 7th, the day after the election, when Michael E from Slidell, Louisiana, started a petition on the White House petition web site asking the Obama administration to peacefully let Louisiana withdraw from the Union and form its own “NEW” government. Micah H in Arlington, Texas, quickly followed suit. I think Michael is about to get his 15 minutes of fame, maybe even Micah.

As of this morning, Louisiana has close to 28,000 signatures and Texas has more than 67,000. It’s not their first rodeo!

One question I do have is why people in other states are signing the Louisiana petition? Do they wish to kick us out or do they support the principle? Good riddance, or You go girl?

The other states that have similar petitions on the website, some even have two, are: Kentucky, Arizona, Oklahoma (2), Arkansas, South Carolina (2), Georgia (2), Missouri (2), Tennessee, Michigan, New York (2), Colorado, Oregon, Montana, Indiana, Florida, Alabama, North Carolina, Pennsylvenia, Nevada, Delaware, California, Ohio, Wyoming, Utah, Kansas, and Alaska. Nebraska, West Virginia, and South Dakota just joined the party this morning. By the time you read this, they’ll be more, I’m sure, and my numbers will be off. Oh well. Are we going to get to 50?

By the way, Texas and Louisiana have both crossed the 25K threshold needed to trigger a response from the White House, while Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and a few others are not far behind.

I wonder what the response will say. Like I said, fun stuff!

You think this is crazy and are against the idea of dismantling the Union? No problem, there are a couple of petition for you, too. One of them calls for the deportation of “everyone that signed a petition to withdraw their states from the United States of America,”  and the other reads: “Mr. President, please sign an executive order such that each American citizen who signed a petition from any state to secede from the USA shall have their citizenship stripped and be peacefully deported.” Where? It does not say. Maybe they ought to let one of the states go and then deport them all to that state. Just saying…

You think we should all just chill? This should help: scroll down to the petition asking the government to remove marijuana from the federal Controlled Substance Act and let the states decide how they want to regulate it. This one, too, has crossed the 25K threshold required to get a response from the White House.

And this petition business is not the only thing brewing. “Renounce Citizenship” is apparently one of the “fastest growing search terms in Google” says Simon Black, and according to Adam Bilzerian, American Expatriation is growing and becoming a fad. Who knew?

Oh, and did I mention that I can hook you up with a fantastic Realtor just about anywhere in the world, too? I’m being serious now. Try me!

Originally Posted at: Lafayette Real Estate News

Sugarcane burning and cutting season has begun in South Louisiana. For the next few weeks, our skies will be smoky and our roads muddy (when we get rain). I just want to remind everyone to be careful if you are driving on country roads as visibility is sometimes reduced near burning/cutting site, the roads can be slippery, and we have to share the roads with the slow moving cane trucks.

Farmers burn the sugarcane before cutting it because it reduces transportation and processing costs. The burning removes much of the leafy material around the cane, including the tops, that produces little to no sugar.

The sugarcane industry in Louisiana is the oldest and most historic in the country. Sugarcane was brought here in 1751 by the Jesuit priests and by 1795, granulated sugar was produced on a commercial scale by Etienne deBore at Audubon Park in New Orleans.

Today, some 30,000+ people are employed by the sugarcane industry in Louisiana and approximately 450,000 acres in 25 of our 64 parishes are used for its production.

If you are looking for sugarcane farmland in Acadiana, send me an email. I might just be able to help!

Originally Posted at: Lafayette Real Estate News

Tonight is the last edition of Rhythms on the River at the Town Square in River Ranch for this fall season. Tonight’s entertainment will be provided by Chee Weez, a group from New Orleans that plays the favorite classics from Rock to Pop, to hiphop.

To be honest, I am not familiar with Chee Weez but they sure look like a fun bunch and I’m intrigued so I will definitely try to make it tonight. It looks like it will be a beautiful day, too!

I might even go early and take a few pictures in the neighborhood, something I do on a regular basis. I love the look and feel of River Ranch and the colors and different styles of its residences. Below are some of the townhouses found near the Town Square in River Ranch.

Thinking about moving to Lafayette and considering River Ranch? There are currently 23 single family homes for sale in River Ranch ranging from about $370,000 to $1,400,000 and several condos and townhomes. You can view all of the available properties in River Ranch here. And by the way, this link is refreshed every night so it is always up to date!

Have a question about River Ranch or a different neighborhood? You can email me here.

Originally Posted at: Lafayette Real Estate News

We just listed this awesome property at 13509 Plantation Pl, just south of Abbeville near Mouton Cove (70510). This home has been totally redone after hurricane Rita from top to bottom, it has been elevated 2 feet above the minimum elevation, and it has top of the line hurricane shutters on all doors and windows. It is move-in ready and has so much to offer…

The home, which would also make a great camp for people who hunt down south in Vermilion parish, features 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, large living, dinning area and great kitchen with lots of cabinets and built-in wine cooler.

 

The home sits on a corner lot (0.6 acre) and is surrounded by woods. From the porch or the patio, you cannot see any neighbors.

And as a bonus, a hot tub next to the house (also elevated) where you can relax after a long day at work or hunting.

There is also a large shed/workshop on the property and to top it all, the owners are leaving all the kitchen appliances and are offering a one-year home warranty!

At $125,000, this property IS a very good buy. Love it? Click here to view more pictures and information about 13509 Plantation pl in Abbeville or Email me your questions.

Originally Posted at: Lafayette Real Estate News

I just pulled up home sales for the month of October expecting a slow down as is usually the case this time of year. Well, there is no slowing down. Our market here in Acadiana and Lafayette parish is still rocking with October home sales beating those of September and August!

Home sales remained very strong in October in Acadiana with only 6 less sales than September. In Lafayette parish, October was the 4th best month this year, behind April, May, and July. Amazing! And because some numbers are usually late getting in, I’m thinking that October will actually beat May, making it the 3rd best month this year.

If we compare home sales in Lafayette parish from last year to those of this year, we can clearly see that we are experiencing a very strong real estate market this year. Home sales in October were up more than 50% from October sales last year.

Overall for Acadiana in 2012, residential sales are up 18% over last year. Interest rates are still very low and there are great homes and investment properties available in our Lafayette area.

What are you waiting for?

Originally Posted at: Lafayette Real Estate News