Real Estate Information Archive

We have compiled the latest information from the City of Baton Rouge regarding debris removal, a list of disaster recovery centers, and Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP) information.

Debris Collection

For a map detailing flood debris collection status by zip code, please click here. We have also included a link here to a helpful infographic on how to prepare debris for collection.

The following information courtesy of the City of Baton Rouge website…

Disaster Recovery Sites

DRC Sites currently open in EBR - 8:00AM - 6:00PM

New Hope Outreach Center
5925 Greenwell Springs Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70806

Second Baptist Church
914 North Acadian Thruway West
Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Zachary's Men Club
5746 Rollins Road
Zachary, LA 70791

St. Louis King of France Catholic Church
2121 N. Sherwood Forest Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70815

There is also one mobile disaster recovery center:

City of Central Parking Lot
13421 Hooper Road
Central, LA 70818

Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP):

Four Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP) sites will begin operations Monday, August 29, 2016 through Saturday, September 3, 2016 from 8:00AM - 4:00PM.

Council on Aging Activity Center
6955 Florida Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70806

F.G. Clark Activity Center
798 Harding Boulevard
Baton Rouge, LA 70807

Gloryland Baptist Church
6745 Greenwell Springs Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70805

Louisiana Leadership Institute
5763 Hooper Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70811

The Pat Wattam Team has compiled a wealth of resources to assist those affected by the flood. Our Baton Rouge Flooding page is now up and contains information on disaster relief, volunteering and donations, school information, contractors, debris removal and more. If you need home repair, we have people we can put you in touch with. If you need to make a home purchase or find a place to rent immediately, we can help. 

Our goal is to assist the community by continuously updating this page with current resources for those in need in Baton Rouge. If you are looking for resources to assist you or someone you know who has been affected by the flood, visit the page here and check our blog frequently as we will be updating it with useful information for our community.

Four ordinances were authorized by the Metro Council yesterday to help those impacted by the flood. The following information has been provided by the City of Baton Rouge...

"1) TEMPORARY HOUSING ORDINANCE AND UDC WAIVERS: Waiving and suspending enforcement of certain provisions of the City-Parish Code of Ordinances and the Unified Development Code regarding temporary housing, parking of motor homes on residential streets, parking in the grass, and single-family occupancy of dwellings for a limited period of time in response to the emergency created by the historic flooding in order to preserve the public peace, health and safety. More info: http://brgov.com/emergency/files/2016Flood/docfile-1.pdf

2) TEMPORARY NOISE ORDINANCE WAIVERS: Waiving the provisions of the City-Parish noise ordinance so as to allow construction work in or adjacent to a residential area from 5:00 a.m. until sunset on weekdays and Saturdays for a period of 90 days. More info: http://brgov.com/emergency/files/2016Flood/docfile-2.pdf

3) TEMPORARILY WAIVING PERMIT FEES FOR STRUCTURES DAMAGED BY THE FLOOD: Amending relevant ordinances so as to waive permit fees on property damaged during the 2016 flood. More info: http://brgov.com/emergency/files/2016Flood/docfile-3.pdf

4) CITY-PARISH ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE POLICY CHANGES: Granting administrative leave with pay to employees who are unable to report to work due to the state of emergency, under certain circumstances and approved by the employee’s appointing authority. More info: http://brgov.com/emergency/files/2016Flood/docfile-4.pdf "

If you are looking for resources to assist you or someone you know who has been affected by the 2016 Baton Rough Flood, please visit our blog as we will be updating it with useful information for our community. You can to click here to visit our blog.

Information courtesy of https://www.facebook.com/cityofbatonrouge/

Take care of the following before you put sheetrock back up...

1. Do a moisture test on the studs and any wood

2. Do a mold test - takes several days to get results.

The level of drying needed before rebuilding according to FEMA is as follows:

Putting up sheet rock too soon can result in mold growing behind the sheetrock, then coming through the sheet rock, and then you have a SERIOUS and EXPENSIVE repair to do. Kevin Dinkel of Advantage Services is continually putting up helpful videos on his Facebook page here. Visit the website: http://www.extramileteam.com/ for more information or call (225) 753-8114. Advantage Services offers home inspections, moisture tests, mold tests, termite inspection and treatments. I believe we have lots of good inspectors in Baton Rouge to help everyone with this.

If you are looking for resources to assist you or someone you know who has been affected by the 2016 Baton Rough Flood, please visit our blog as we will be updating it with useful information for our community. You can to click here to visit our blog.

I have lived in Baton Rouge all my life and have experienced all the hurricanes that have come through here since the late 1950's. The Greater Baton Rouge area has NEVER experienced anything like "The Great Flood of 2016". I can also say that I have never been prouder of how the citizens of south Louisiana have responded to their neighbors in need. 

More information is coming out daily on what to do to start rebuilding your home. Below is information on loan program available through the FHA to enable homeowners and home buyers to repair flood damaged homes. 

What is the FHA 203h Loan?

The FHA 203(h) program allows FHA-qualified lenders to offer FHA loans specifically to those who have either lost their homes in the disaster or have had extensive damage to the home. The FHA rules for 203(h) loans say, “Individuals are eligible for this program if their homes are located in an area that was designated by the President as a disaster area…(these) mortgages may be used to finance the purchase or reconstruction of a one-family home that will be the principal residence of the homeowner.”

These loans are no-downpayment mortgages and borrowers may apply for 100% financing of the loan. The FHA requirements for these home loans also includes, “Closing costs and prepaid expenses must be paid by the borrower in cash or paid through premium pricing or by the seller, subject to a 6 percent limitation on seller concessions.”

How does the FHA 203(h) Loan Program Work?

The FHA 203(h) mortgage insurance program for disaster victims was created to help victims in Presidentially designated disaster areas get back on their feet. Its purpose is to help those victims become home owners or for those who previously owned a home in the disaster area, to rebuild or purchase a new home.

Like all of the FHA mortgage insurance programs, the FHA 203(h) program reduces lender risk by insuring mortgages made to disaster victims against default by the borrower. This makes mortgages for borrowers in these disaster struck areas more available.

The FHA 203(h)-insured loan offers many of the same benefits as the FHA’s 203(b) mortgage loan and more. Some features of this program for disaster victims are:

• No down payment:  Unlike the 203(b) mortgage, borrowers with loans insured under Section 203(h) are eligible for 100% financing.
• Limited Fees:  Many of the fees normally charged by lenders for conventional mortgages are capped under the FHA program. Other fees like property appraisal and inspection fees are actually set by the FHA.
• Loan Limits:  HUD sets FHA loan limits ($271,050 in the Greater Baton Rouge area) depending on the area where the property is located.

All of these features help to make home ownership more obtainable for individuals in areas struck by disasters.

Applying for an FHA 203(h)-Insured Loan

Again, if your home was severely damaged or destroyed in an area that was subsequently declared a Federal disaster area by the President then you are eligible to apply for assistance under this program. Application for an FHA 203(h) loan must be made within one year of the area being declared a disaster area.

Bill Arey  REALTOR

The Pat Wattam Team

ReMax First  

225-329-4349

Many clients have called me to get informatoin on what to do next.  This is the information I have gathered so far with my personal experience with one of our rental houses that flooded.

If you are a home owner and your personal home flooded and you have flood insurance, your first call is to your insurance agent.  Your next call is to FEMA or to register on line.  The web site to register is http://www.disasterassistance.gov.  If you would prefer to have them take your application over the phone, the phone number for FEMA is 1-800-621-3362.  My wait time was between 20-30 minutes and it takes about 20 minutes for them to take the application.  You can then elect to do everything on line - nothing is emailed to you, you have to set up a password and an account to look at things they send you.  You can also elect to do everything via regular mail.

If you are a home owner and did not have to have flood insurance (not in a flood zone), your first call is to FEMA - same as above.  You will be elibigle for up to $33,000 in grant money assistance.  One of my clients said that when she did the FEMA application on line, it sent her to the SBA site.  Not sure why but just make sure you apply with FEMA and get a FEMA claim number.

IF if it your rental property that flooded and you do not have flood insurance, even though FEMA has nothing for you, during my application with SBA (Small Business Administration) to get a low interest loan, it asked for my FEMA number.  So, I suggest you go ahead an apply for FEMA - in fact, our governor told us to all be sure to register with FEMA so I did.  The phone number for the SBA is 1-800-659-2955.  FEMA person also told me to call IRS at 1-800=829-3676 and ask for publication #2194B.  I think that was to see how the cost to repair our rental would impact taxes.  Haven't checked that out yet.  

FEMA  1-800-621-3362 Helpline

SBA  1-800-659-2955

With the horrible time our state is facing, it's easy to think you are alone. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Our team has a wealth of resources available and we are here to help you. If you need home repair, we hae people we can put you in touch with. If you have questions about flood insurance, call us now and we'll make sure your questions are answered. If your home was flooded and you don't have flood insurance, call us now. There is relief available. If you need to make a home purchase or find a place to rent immediately, we can help. We stand ready to help however we can in these difficult times. 

The Pat Wattam Team is ready to assist you!

We have several vacant homes for sale right now that would make for an easy move. Call us now to find out more! (225)298-6900

These are priced between $130k-180k