Making the grade: Housing Predictor ranks Baton Rouge in its top 10 markets for homebuyers. The city ranked No. 9 on the annual list of places where buyers are most likely to see an investment from buying a house. Housing Predictor looks as factors such as prospects for growth and strong employment. McAllen, Texas, topped the list, and two other cities from the Lone Star State — Austin and Corpus Christi — were among the top 10.
Johnson makes $1.015 million deal: LSU men’s basketball coach Trent Johnson has purchased a home in Lexington Estates for $1.015 million. According to sales records, Johnson and his wife, Jackie, bought the home from builder Greg Flores in a deal that was filed Friday. The nearly 6,000-square-foot home was featured in the 2008 Parade of Homes.
Getting the word out: The Louisiana Home Builders Association has launched a campaign to make people aware of the organization and combat fears about the national housing slump. “Folks need to understand when you look at the national trends on subprime loans, foreclosures, whatever, Louisiana is right where it is all the time,” says Phil Hoffman, 2009 LHBA president. “Our average is pretty much the same in good times and not so good times … We’re bucking a lot of the national trends.” LHBA members have set aside $200,000 for the campaign, which involves a Web site LAhomeownership.com and newspaper, TV and radio spots.
