Below is a graph showing home sales in Lafayette Parish since 2000. This is only for Detached Single Family homes and does not include attached dwellings (condos, townhomes) or mobile homes.

 

Home sales in Lafayette Parish reached their highest peak between 2005 and 2007 following hurricane Katrina and the housing boom it created in Acadiana. Since 2008, homes sales have fallen to levels slightly above what they were in 2004. Home sales are on pace this year to be near what they were in 2010.

The average price for homes in Lafayette parish increased at a faster paste between 2005 and 2008 following Katrina. The increased demand after the hurricane and the limited supply at the time cause this increased in prices. Since 2008, prices have fallen, but not below what they were pre-Katrina. So far this year, the average price for homes is higher than it was last year. Could this signal that we have hit bottom for our area? Only time will tell.

Because people often ask me how home sales are doing in the Village of River Ranch, I’ve decided to pull the numbers for the past 5 years. The graphs represent home sales and prices in River Ranch between January 1st and July 25th each year and do not include sales of condos.

The number of home sales is less than half of what it was 5 years ago for the same period.

The average sales price for homes in River Ranch is down from it high of $713,846 in 2008 and is now $588,866.

In 2008, at its highest, the average price per square foot for a home in River Ranch was $215.25. This year, it is $196.20/sqft, down from $197.18 in 2010.

Inventory remains high in River Ranch with 28 homes available. The average price for active listings is $593,994 and $205.91/sqft. The average days on the market for active properties is currently 234 days.

The average days on the market for the homes that have sold so far this year is 288 days, which is more than twice the average for all home sales in our area.

Click here to view all available properties in the Village of River Ranch.

If you would like more information about River Ranch or any other neighborhood in Acadiana, contact me.

 

 

When I began my gardening career many years ago, I had tried to grow watermelons one season. I had produced two big watermelons but the plant had taken over my whole garden space. I thought the result wasn’t worth giving up all the space so I never planted watermelons again until this year.

My daughter, Karima, was with me at Lowe’s when I purchased my vegetable plants this year and she asked to plant a watermelon. I now have two garden spaces so I though, what the heck, I wasn’t going to do that big of a garden this spring anyway. So we planted a watermelon and sure enough, it just about took over one of my gardens.

The large watermelon on the edge of the jungle is the second one we eat this season. The first one weighed 20 pounds.

This one was just over 35 pounds! We had to get daddy to carry it in the house.

 And one proud little girl!

 

 

If you love beer, this is the event for you! Gulf Brew 2011 will be held tonight (July 23rd) at Parc International in downtown Lafayette from 6:00 9:00 p.m. Tasting tickets are $25. If you don’t drink beer but would like to join the fun, non-taster tickets are available for $15 (no one under the age of 21 will be allowed in the park).

There is a special pre-taster event from 5:00 to 6:00 where you get to talk to brewers one on one and you can avoid the lines. Pre-taster tickets are $50 and there are only 300 available.

Gulf Brew is presented by the Acadiana Center for the Arts and it is a great opportunity for you to taste lots a brews for one price. How about a Tabasco Pepper Ale or an Imperial Bourbon Vanilla Porter?

There will be food available for purchase and of course, music to enjoy while you are there.  Here’s the line up for tonight:

5:00 – 5:45 PM The Von Dukes
With driving beats, timeless rifts, and a squealing sax, it’s a 21st century spin on the 50’s.

6:00 – 7:00 PM Rex Moroux Rex
Moroux is an Americana singer/songwriter. His Americana style is influenced by artists such as Townes Van Zandt, Leonard Cohen, Hank Williams, Tammy Wynette, and Levon Helm.

7:15 – 8:30 PM Soul Express Brass Band
The Soul Express Brass Band is Opelousas’ very own first jazz brass band.

For more information, visit the Acadiana Center for the Arts web site or call 337-233-7060.

Hope to see you there!

 

It is hard to believe that half of 2011 is already gone! Real estate sales in Lafayette, LA and in Acadiana are remaining steady. Here are the residential sales for Lafayette and Acadiana so far this year.

When compared to last year, sales are down, which is in large part because of the home buyer tax credit that was in effect last year until the end of June. We shall see what July numbers will show at this end of this month.

There are currently 498 home sales pending in Acadiana and 316 in Lafayette Parish. Pending home sales are moving downward.

There are 2319 homes on the market in Acadiana and 1264 in Lafayette Parish. Overall, our inventory is remaining stable as well.

If you are thinking about buying, selling or investing in real estate in Lafayette, LA or the Acadiana area, contact me today for a personalized consultation. No obligation, of course!