baton rouge Archives - The Houk Group

Investing in Real Estate in Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge, Louisiana is a great place to invest in real estate for a variety of reasons. Here are the top three reasons why you should consider buying property in Baton Rouge:

Strong job market: Baton Rouge has a strong and diverse economy, anchored by major employers in industries such as healthcare, education, and petrochemical manufacturing. This means that there is a steady demand for housing in the area, making it a good place to invest in rental properties.
Affordable housing: Compared to other major cities, the cost of living and housing in Baton Rouge is relatively low. This makes it an attractive option for both first-time homebuyers and investors looking for a deal.
Growing population: Baton Rouge is one of the fastest-growing cities in Louisiana. This means that there is a growing demand for housing as more people move to the area. Additionally, the city’s population is relatively young, which bodes well for the long-term growth of the housing market.

All in all, Baton Rouge is a great place to invest in real estate, whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or an experienced investor. With a strong job market, affordable housing, and a growing population, Baton Rouge offers plenty of opportunities for real estate investors

5 reasons to move to Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge, the capital of Louisiana, is a vibrant and diverse city that offers a range of benefits to those considering a move. Here are the top 5 reasons to make Baton Rouge your new home:

Affordable cost of living: Baton Rouge has a lower cost of living compared to other major cities in the United States. This means that you can enjoy a high standard of living without breaking the bank.
Cultural richness: Baton Rouge is steeped in history and culture, from its famous Cajun and Creole cuisine to its lively music scene. The city is also home to several museums and art galleries, as well as an annual film festival.
Education opportunities: Baton Rouge is home to Louisiana State University, one of the largest and most prestigious universities in the state. The city also has a number of other colleges and universities, providing plenty of opportunities for education and career development.
Natural beauty: Baton Rouge is surrounded by natural beauty, from the Mississippi River to the many parks and gardens found throughout the city. The city is also a short drive away from the Gulf Coast, providing easy access to miles of sandy beaches.
Strong economy: Baton Rouge has a strong economy with a number of large companies, including ExxonMobil and Dow Chemical, having operations in the area. This diversity of business, along with a strong healthcare sector, makes Baton Rouge a great place for job opportunities.

In summary, Baton Rouge offers a great quality of life at an affordable cost, a rich cultural heritage, outstanding educational opportunities, beautiful natural surroundings, and a strong economy. All of these reasons make Baton Rouge a great place to call home.

7 Most Unique Louisiana Airbnbs

10 Most Unique Louisiana Airbnbs Welcome to the best online resource for the most unique Louisiana Airbnbs. Call or text (225)-234-0022 for more information!

There are a ton of unique Airbnb to stay at that are scattered all over Louisiana, ranging from a simple home with unique features on the inside, to an entire castle that you and your friends or family have to yourself (check out #7). So if you are ever planning an in-state staycation, but still want to experience something more fun than just staying in a hotel room or a regular Airbnb, here are a few fun options to explore:

1. Haunted new Orleans room

Though it may seem simple on the outside, this home that is located in the heart of the Garden District has three different rooms each with its own unique features. The most note-worthy room is the haunted bedroom. Even though it is noted that the ghost is very shy, some guests do swear to seeing her, and this home was voted among the “Top Ten Haunted Airbnb Locations” by Buzzfeed. If you would prefer your room without spirits, though, this home also has a booklover’s dream room and a red room that is decorated with antiques!

2. Grand isle beachfront campsite

If you don’t mind sleeping in a tent, this furnished beachfront campsite is the perfect Airbnb for a weekend beach trip! Located on a beautiful beach ridge that was created by the waves of the Gulf of Mexico, this location is perfect for crabbing, hiking, sunning & boating, or relaxing on the beach! This tent is equipped with all the necessities to make sure you have a great experience.

3. cozy riverfront school bus

Ever wondered what it is like to sleep in a school bus? This school bus Airbnb located in West Monroe is exactly what you get! It features a bathroom, kitchen, dining area, and a plush, memory foam bed with soft bedding to ensure a great night’s sleep. The outside patio area is nice for grilling and chilling with your family, friends, or pets! This bus is only about three minutes from downtown, so you can experience a private area near the big city that most locals don’t even know about!

4. st. Martinville church

Experience a very unique stay in this beautiful, quaint, church-turned-studio. Some reviews for this Airbnb describe it as a dreamy hidden gem that is situated in a very convenient location. This is the perfect place to stay for history buffs, or if you are just looking for something outside of a hotel room!

5. Shreveport historic firehouse tower

Originally built in 1922 as the hose tower for the downtown fire station, this Airbnb has been renovated into an apartment for anyone to stay in! This tower has six different levels that are each their own room. The sixth level is the rooftop patio, where you can enjoy the views of downtown, public art installations, and an urban green space that is located directly next door! This home has a contemporary and industrial style in order to keep the fire station feel.

6. Historic new Orleans firehouse

To add to the firehouse theme, this Airbnb is a 19th-century firehouse that has been renovated with modern touches throughout! This historic gem is located in an area that many travel magazines consider one of America’s hottest neighborhoods! It fits around 14 guests, and is an easily walkable distance from Frenchman Street, and a little bit longer walk (but still manageable) from the French Quarter!

7. Covington Castle

The final and most impressive Airbnb on this list is this castle located in Covington that offers a truly royal treatment. This castle has so many unique features including (but not limited to) a medieval exterior, a cave-style shower with programmable jets, secret rooms all throughout, a movie theater with massage chairs, a game room with pool tables, and a pool in the back! There is no occasion that this castle couldn’t accommodate perfectly for. If you have been on the hunt for a once-in-a-lifetime stay, this is the perfect place!

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We would love to help you with all of your real estate needs, so if you would like to buy or sell a home, call us at (225)-234-0022 or click the button below!

How To Maintain Work-Life Balance.

Work-life balance. What is it, how to obtain it. By Dee Green, Realtor.

Welcome to the best online resource for how to maintain work-life balance. Call or text (225)-234-0022 for more information!

Can I be completely transparent with you and say that I have had my fair share of struggles around this subject? Work-life balance? Is there such a thing? Is it even possible to work from home? I had become so accustomed to spending all of my time at work throughout the day, I did not even realize I began to bring work home. The challenges, success, and even the gossip! Especially when the pandemic began, from the time I woke up, until the time I went to sleep, I was working. I had been so wrapped into my daily routine that I failed to take a step back and recalibrate myself when I clocked out at the end of the day; and if I am being truly transparent, I was okay with that. I started pushing off doing tasks like replying to emails, reading through files, creating schedules for my employees, and more.

One day, I found myself so frustrated with a situation from work, I realized I needed to stop carrying that energy with me while interacting with my family. As I got up from my desk, I started to think about what my conversation would sound like with my husband now. What we would talk about, and how I would deflect questions about work. It was then that I realized that we only talked about work because I was always working. This is when I began to reflect and see that every day, even before the pandemic, I would leave work physically, but still be invested in it mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. I realized it was time to make a change, and that I had to stop worrying about work whenever I was not in the office. “Work” and “life” are two different words, because they have two different roles in our worlds, and in order to keep them separate and find balance, we have to establish boundaries.

Here are the three things that worked for me to establish and maintain a healthy work-life balance:

1. Define my work hours.

When I started doing this, my calendar became my life. I began writing out my daily routine, and I made sure to separate my work from personal time. I blocked time out for each, and made sure each time block included many details about what should be done during that specific time. During my work blocks, I would make sure I was focused on what I needed to get accomplished. Unlike before, though, I started taking breaks out of my work day, and made sure I did something that I truly enjoyed, even if it was for a short amount of time.

2. Decompress.

The ability to decompress and take some time to remind yourself that you are “off the clock” is imperative when trying to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Now, when my work day ends, anything I have not yet finished, I leave alone and get back to it the next day. I also make sure not to start any new tasks until I am fully finished with all my previous tasks. Whenever I am not working in the office, I try to live in the moment and, like I have mentioned earlier, spend my time doing activities that I enjoy. Whether it is watching a movie with my family, or reading a book I bought years ago, I enjoy it to the fullest, and will not let my work interfere.

3. hold accountability

Before I started to balance my work-life schedule, I noticed I would sometimes make up excuses to not finish a certain task because I convinced myself I had something else more pressing occurring. It was at this point that I realized I need more will power and someone to hold me accountable to my goals. I decided to call my friend, and asked her if she could help stay true to my goals. Funnily enough, asking her to help me with this inspired her to hold herself accountable to her goals as well, because she also found herself straying away from important tasks she needed to get done. After a few weeks of this, I came to realize that I began to do exactly what I set out to do, and it started a domino effect in my life. I started reaching out to more people I trust to hold me accountable in different areas in my life and before I knew it, I was reaching every single one of my goals! This experience was so amazing and liberating to have.

So I say to you, find your work-life balance. Set goals, define your hours, decompress, and get some accountability! Work does not have to be your life, and your life does not have to be work! If you follow the tips I gave above, I believe you will find hat you have more opportunities in 24 hours than you thought was possible.