My New Blog

The reason I wanted to start this blog was to add fresh and new content to my website and to improve my web ranking. I have procrastinated about making entries because being new to blogging I really did know what to blog about, what someone may be interested in and if I had anything of value to say. Being a real estate appraiser I did what comes natural to me and started doing research and conducting a survey of my friends about blogging.

What I learned was the best blogs are written by someone who has knowledge about the subject matter, has a passion about the subject matter and truly enjoys sharing with others. So I started by making a list of all the things I thought I knew about, was passionate about and that I would want to share with others. My list was short;

• My grandchildren
• Real Estate Appraisal
• Cooking

While I enjoy cooking, learning about cooking and even helping others cook, I know I am no Bobby Flay or Rachel Ray so I figured this would probably be a subject better blogged about by others.

Next I considered blogging about my grandchildren (one girl and one boy). There is no doubt I am passionate about them, I know a lot about them and they are an endless source of funny stories. They have taught me more about myself than I would have believed possible and so I thought this is what I should blog about. While at first this seemed like a good idea I realized pretty quickly that a blog about my grandkids on a website about real estate appraisal maybe wouldn’t be the best combination. So I decided that maybe that would be another blog for another site. I do make warning within the pages to be written here you may see a reference or two about the grandkids.

The only topic left was real estate and real estate appraisal. My dad was a Realtor, an appraiser and a developer so I have been around real estate all my life. I graduated from the University of New Orleans with the closest thing they had to a degree in real estate, I have attended hundreds of hours in classes about real estate and real estate appraisal and I have been appraising full time since 1983, that’s more than 25 years. I have taught real estate and real estate appraisal to lots of people and I really love what I do. So I figured that is what my blog should be about and it really fits the website.

I hope you enjoy reading the blog, I hope it provides answers to your questions, helps you understand that appraising is more of an art than a science and I hope to spark an idea or two that helps you. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions please join in the conversation because that is what a blog is all about.

Ben Oubre, IFAS

Managing Director of IRR-Residential Value Experts

Ben@thevalueexperts.com

2008 was the most recent year when every Assessor in Louisiana was mandated to re-assess property values. This re-assessment came at a time when real estate values were at their highest levels. Even though property value have fallen since then it is unlikely that assessed values will be lowered. In the end many people will have to pay more in taxes than they should.

If you think your property taxes are too high, your chance to appeal them will be coming up soon. Each year between August 15^th and September 15^th the Assessors open the tax roles and this is when you must request a change in your property tax assessment. After the books are closed the chances of having your taxes lowered are not very good.

Because so many people have seen the value of their real estate decline over the last two years many Assessors will be busy handling request for lower assessments. While having an appraisal by a Louisiana certified appraiser is not required or a guarantee that your assessor will lower your assessment it can help. Additionally an appraisal will help you know just how much the value of your property has changed.

If you need more information or help in finding out if your assessment if fair visit our e-mail us at info@thevalueexperts.com

Welcome to the IRR-Residential Value Experts blog.  This site will focus on the real estate markets in both the New Orleans and Baton Rouge markets.  We hope to bring you information about what is going on in the larger markets, as well as highlighting local neighborhoods. 

While real estate appraisers like to talk about numbers and statistics we know there is a lot more about choosing where you live than the price.  So we will talk about all thing that effect real estate like schools, goverment services, employment and culture.  We will talk to bankers about loans, title companies about closing, get tips on buying and selling residential real estate.