Welcome!

      Please browse and find a variety of useful information and resources designed to help you buy or sell a home more effectively in the Baton Rouge and surrounding areas.

      From information on the local communities, to advice about finding a mortgage or preparing your home to sell, it's all available here on our web site. You can also search for your ideal home by viewing current listings with detailed descriptions and photos. You can get help determining the value of your home by requesting a report that includes the prices of similar homes that recently sold and similar homes currently for sale in the Baton Rouge areas.

      So whether you're buying or selling, feel free to contact us and we will be  HAPPI to help you with all your real estate needs.

 

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HUD: Tax Credit Can Be Used on Closing Costs
FHA-approved lenders received the go-ahead to develop bridge-loan products that enable first-time buyers to use the benefits of the federal tax credit upfront, according to eagerly awaited guidance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on so-called home buyer tax credit loans that was released today.

Under the guidance, FHA-approved lenders can develop bridge loans that home buyers can use to help cover their closing costs, buy down their interest rate, or put down more than the minimum 3.5 percent.

The loans can't be used to cover the minimum 3.5 percent, senior HUD officials told reporters on a conference call Friday morning.

Thus, buyers applying for FHA-backed financing with an FHA-approved lender that offers a bridge-loan program can get a bridge loan to bring down the upfront costs of buying a home significantly but would still have to come up with the minimum 3.5 percent downpayment.

There remain many sources of assistance for buyers needing help with the 3.5 percent downpayment, including many state and local government instrumentalities and nonprofit lenders.

In addition, some state housing finance agencies have developed their own tax credit bridge loan programs, so buyers in states whose HFAs offer such programs can monetize the tax credit upfront to cover all or part of their downpayment. These programs are separate from what HUD announced today.

The first-time homebuyer tax credit was enacted last year--and improved upon earlier this year--to help encourage households to enter the housing market while interest rates are low and affordability is high. The credit is worth up to $8,000 and is available to households that haven't owned a home in at least three years. The credit does not have to be repaid, and is fully reimbursable, so households can get their credit returned to them in the form of a payment.

Learn more about the credit, including how to apply for it this year even if you've already filed your taxes, at REALTOR.org.

Source: Robert Freedman, REALTOR® Magazine Online


  

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Client Testimonials...

 

We found you guys when we first started looking for a home in the beginning of 2007 through one of your advertised homes online.   You were very patient, knowing we were not quite ready to actually make the move.  In September 2007, when we were ready, you did a great job finding a good selection of homes in the area we wanted.  You were always kind and we felt you went beyond the call of duty.  We were in our new home by October 2007 and we love it!

We love the neighbors and the area we live in.  We also love the plant you gave us for Valentines Day and it is blooming on the window sill.  Thanks for everything!  We will always recommend you to all our friends and family.

Thanks, Mr Blaine Alan Edward and Mrs Anna Edward

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I just love the Happi Homes Team.  Not only did I have a great experience with a smooth real estate transaction but I have made a new friendship.  I love the move I have made with them and having their experience as my realtor was very crucial for me.  If I ever sell my home I will only call The Happi Homes Team.

Thank you, Patti Gauthier

 

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Our Mission...

“To honor our clients, family, and friends with honesty, integrity, and the highest level of service while moving them  into a HAPPI, new phase of their lives.”