Holiday Library Fun

 This December, St. Tammany Parish Library will have its Annual Winter Bingo. Bingo is for all ages and will be a great way for residents to enjoy some holiday fun together.

The way it works is to sign up for Beanstack to play. Patrons have a chance to complete five badges in a row and win blackout (all badges on the card). Beanstack is available online or in the app store for phones. If you cannot do the game electronically, you can go to your local library and get a physical bingo sheet (you will still have to sign up for Beanstack.

Beanstack is a great way to get patrons motivated to read. It is a great way to hold a reading challenge by using this free online service. Started by a family who wanted to have a way to create love and passion for reading in communities around the world. Create an account then log in to the books you read for credit.

You can create an account at sttammanylibrary.beanstack.org and you will get your first prize for just registering for the Winter Reading Challenge! Bingo prizes this year include treasure chest goodies for children, library swag for teens and special edition coloring books for adults. If you win a blackout card, you will then have a chance to register for the big prize drawings. These include a Lego set for kids, a $25 gift card for teens and a Disney puzzle for adults.

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How St. Tammany Schools Did on the State LEAP Exam Scoring

 The annual LEAP exam scores came out and according to the Department of Education, St. Tammany Public Schools tied for fifth in the state. This was counted by the students’ scores that were mastery or above. Forty-five percent of the students in St. Tammany Parish and Plaquemines Parish scored above or mastery in English language arts, math, science and social studies last school year.

Other Parishes in the state scored well which included St. Charles at 42%, St. Bernard at 35%, Jefferson at 28%, Orleans at 24% and St. John the Baptist at 19%. In the whole state, 33% of Louisiana students scored mastery which means they are ready for the next grade level. The scores for the test are graded on five levels which are unsatisfactory, approaching basic, basic, mastery or advanced.

“Our students are making amazing progress and we are so proud of the work the teachers and kids have done to grow LEAP scores in our district. To demonstrate this amount of growth as one of the 10 largest school districts, with more than 37,000 students, is incredible. It truly showcases the dedication of our teachers and the effort of our students,” says Superintendent Frank Jabbia.

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Storytime At St. Tammany Parish Library

 A fun time for young St. Tammany residents is the storytime events at the St. Tammany Parish Public Libraries. The storytime events returned to the library system at the end of the summer.

This is a perfect segway as the Summer Reading Challenge came to an end. The Fall storytime calendar can be found online and includes StoryTots, Play Date, Storycraft and Family Storytime. Along with these events also come many different classes and events for all residents in the community.

The Friends of the Library of West St. Tammany also holds monthly book sales for the community. The event is held at the building close to the Parish Fairgrounds at 1301 N Florida Street in Covington. There you will be able to purchase children’s books for $0.25 each, paperbacks for $0.50 each, hardbacks and audiobooks for $2.00 each. The Friends of the Sliddell Library also holds a used book sale. This event is held in the Slidell Library meeting room where books will be from $0.10 to $3.00.

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What FEMA Says About New Flood Insurance Rates for St. Tammany Residents

 A Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) official, Gilbert Giron, has addressed St. Tammany residents' concerns regarding the huge increase in their flood insurance premiums. The spike in rates can be contributed to the "overhaul currently taking effect" with a complex new system. The official explained that for years Louisiana residents have been paying artificially low rates for years while the state has had a large amount of claims paid out.

“We are addressing that not just in Louisiana,” said Giron. “We're addressing this in the entire country.”

This new system is called Risk Rating 2.0 and will take the place of FEMA's maps for setting rates. The system will look at each property taking into consideration the individual characteristics basing the premium on each property. The change will bring FEMA's national program up to date with how many in the private sector practices.

FEMA says that rate increases to existing policyholders will be phased and will be at a maximum of 18% per year. The increases will continue each year until the policyholder's home reaches their full risk rate. Insurers and real estate agents in the state have already seen some premiums quadruple or more compared to what they saw with the old system.

Parish leaders are afraid of what these new rates will do to the housing market in Louisiana. The state has the most residents participating in the National Flood Insurance Program. The state and parish leaders want to be able to set a limit to increases but so far they have not been able to set a limit.

“We have people who are leaving because they simply can't afford to live there anymore,” said Bonnie Peyroux, president of the homeowners association in the Moonraker Island subdivision.

Although FEMA officials have explained in detail the new system, residents still are taking the new rates hard. St. Tammany President Mike Cooper was thankful for FEMA's presentation to St. Tammany residents, but this still does not put their concerns at ease.

“Last year when we were aware of this, there were too many unanswered questions,” Cooper said after the meeting. “And Congress has tried to intervene. Our local officials have met, other parish presidents have met. And we have asked Congress to intervene with FEMA.”

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St. Tammany Parish Council Delays Moratorium on Residential Rezoning

 St. Tammany Parish Council will have a proposed moratorium that will ban rezoning that will increase subdivision density. The proposal will not appear on the agenda until late spring. Parish President Mark Cooper believes the moratorium will help with accurate planning and assessing for growth in St. Tammany.

"The reality in St. Tammany Parish is that development is outpacing infrastructure improvements and has been for years,” said Cooper.

Originally the moratorium was to be put on the agenda for the March 3rd vote but was delayed. Jerry Binder explained that the agenda for March 3rd's meeting already had nine zoning appeals and thirty proposed ordinances. Five of the agenda items were to overturn Zoning Commission denials of rezonings for Timber Branch II, a controversial development.

The moratorium would not affect any commercial-zoned properties and would not apply to any development of any property under its current zoning. The purpose is for the moratorium to halt any rezoning or resubdivision of residential properties that would allow density greater than one house per acre.

Many residents are concerned and want the moratorium to pass. They are frustrated with the overdevelopment in their community that is negatively affecting the roads, drainage, water, and sewage. In fact, a group called the Concerned Citizens of St. Tammany has suggested to the council to not allow any high-density appeals to be approved until the moratorium is voted on.

"The time has come when we should stop codling developers seeking discretionary rezoning," says Rick Franzo, a member of the Concerned Citizens of St. Tammany.

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St. Tammany Parish School District's Tax Renewed

 St. Tammany Parish voters approved the St. Tammany Parish school district tax to be renewed. The tax renewal will bring $102 million to the school district. Voters were in favor of the four property taxes that total 42.72 mills.

The school district's current budget is close to $453 million. The renewal of the property taxes will cover a big part of the district's budget. The money will be spread between general school operations, employee salaries and student educational programs.

According to St. Tammany schools Superintendent Frank Jabbia, the taxes will go into effect starting in 2023 and will be collected for 10 years. The communities votes were as follows. For the first property tax, 54% of the residents voted yes for the 4.42 mills that would bring in around $10.52 million per year. The second property tax vote was yes for 55% of the residents. This tax is for 32.41 mills and would collect around $77.1 million annually. The third property tax would be at 3.14 mills and would collected around $7.4 million a year which 54% voted yes. The fourth property tax got 53% of the voters approved and will bring in around $6.5 million per year at 2.75 mills.

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n.

The New Tunnel in Tammany Trace Will Be Opening Soon

The Tammany Trace Tunnel broke ground in June 2019 and is about to be completed. The $3.5 million project is being built by Hard Rock Construction. The project will solve the dangerous impediment for bicyclists, joggers and those who enjoy a walk along the Tammany Trace.

Tammany Trace is an asphalt trail that runs from Slidell to Covington, with trailheads near Slidell and in Lacombe, Mandeville, Abita Springs and Covington. It is mainly used for hiking, jogging and cycling. It was funded by federal money and opened its first part in 1994. It was included in the Rails-to-Trail's Conservatory's Hall of Fame in 2017.

The location where the trace crosses over La. 59 has been a dangerous intersection for cyclists and joggers. Located close to a mile north of I-12 there is a high volume of traffic there along with an S-curve that limits visibility.

The tunnel was slated to be completed in December says Chris Welty, public information officer for the state Department of Transportation and Development, but the weather will have to cooperate.

Hurricane Ida put a halt to the project when the trace was closed due to fallen debris. Workers have been working diligently to clear fallen trees and miscellaneous debris that fell on the 31-mile asphalt pathway during Ida. St. Tammany Parish government has still not announced a reopening date.

The project will take bicyclists and joggers through the tunnel under La. 59 and will also make the S-curve a little straighter for motorists. Those using the trace will now be able to move beneath La.59 at Emile Strain Road seamlessly. This marks the second tunnel on the trace. The first tunnel opened in 2002 and goes under Florida Street in Mandeville.

As far as the S-curve, it will be realigned and slightly shifted east. Motor traffic has already been routed along the new alignment on the slight curve making it safer for motorists.

As of right now, the tunnel and north approach slab is completed and the south approach slab is currently being constructed. New drainage and driveways are being installed for those that have been affected by the realignment.

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Highway To Link St. Tammany Parish to Bogalusa Will Be Funded

Talk of a highway being built to connect St. Tammany Parish to Bogalusa has been discussed for years. The four-lane road has been on Louisiana's state project list for over thirty years. Finally, funding has come through for the project.

"My age group thought the older people were crazy," Bogalusa Mayor Wendy Perrette, who is 45, said. "They were holding on to a hope we didn't ever see coming."

"A lot of people weren't even born when we started talking about this," Washington Parish Sen. Beth Mizell said.

The highway named La. 3241 will be funded by money from Louisiana's 4-cents-a-gallon gasoline tax. The highway which will run through St. Tammany, from Bush to I-12, will be a "vital artery for Bogalusa. The $240 million project will run from the junction of La. 40 and La. 41 in Bush south through the central part of St. Tammany Parish to connect
with I-12 and will be completed by the end of 2024.

Many sections throughout the area will benefit such as the paper mill in Bogalusa and the economic development of St. Tammany Parish. The new highway will not only allow easier access to these areas but will also create jobs. It will improve St. Tammany businesses' logistics, distribution and transportation.

This project comes at a great time for the city of Bogalusa which is starting to see growth in retirees and young families who are looking for lower housing costs.

"A young family can live here for a little bit of nothing," Perrette said of the area. "Property taxes are low, it's affordable. It's beneficial even if you had to commute."

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St. Tammany Parish Libraries Are the Place To Go

The pandemic closed most public places for a good part of the last two years. Places are slowly starting to open back up with new procedures in place to help stop the spread of the virus. The St. Tammany Parish Library is one of them and is now open for residents to enjoy.

This fall the library will be pack with things for patrons to be involved in. The only difference, many events will be virtual programming or in-person outdoor events. Each library will maintain the rule of social distancing and the libraries have been redesigned to incorporate safety standards and features to keep patrons and library staff safe.

Masks will be required for everyone visiting the library ages five and older. Under Governor John Bel Edwards' indoor mask mandate masks must be worn by both vaccinated and unvaccinated patrons and workers. Computers will be open but only every other computer may be used and sanitizing supplies will be provided by the library.

If patrons are still leery of visiting the library, the libraries wills still offer curbside service and free wi-fi will be available in the parking lots of each library. The small libraries Abita Springs, Lacombe, Pearl River, Lee Road, Folsom, and Bush will now have evening hours on Wednesday nights.

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St. Tammany Makes Recommendations To Change an Ordinance for Subdivision Development Requirements

 

March 16, 2021, an amendment was approved that added more requirements for applicants to provide when it comes to major subdivisions. The parish planning department will now require the following information at the initial, tentative phase which includes the location of all drainage, access, and utilities’ rights of way, topological contours extending at least 100 feet beyond the proposed subdivision boundary and the direction of flow of surface water in roadside ditches, canals, and drainage features.

If adopted commissioners will review and consider the drainage impact of a subdivision when it first appears on their tentative approval agenda, rather than having to wait to do so at the subdivision’s preliminary and final hearings. John Martin, Goodbee Civic Association president is excited about the amendment.

Another amendment was also discussed at the March 16th meeting which will change the current regulations where traffic and drainage impacts cannot be discussed during a rezoning hearing. The amendment would allow its members to consider the impact of a planned unit development overlay on traffic and drainage before granting the overlay request.

Developers will see the full impact of the changes in the New Directions 2040 committee’s report.

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Challenges With St. Tammany Zoning for Medline Distribution Center

 Medline had plans to build a medical equipment distribution company south of Covington. Many homeowners are up in arms about the prospect of such a project being in their community. Judge Reginald Badeaux of the 22nd Judicial District has thrown out the lawsuit filed by a group of residents.

January 12, 2021, the judge upheld the council's vote to rezone the property for the distribution center. The 70 acres between Interstate 12 and Ochsner Boulevard will be the first project of its kind in the area. Residents are concerned that the project will cause traffic and drainage issues. There is also concern that the project will need its own comprehensive zoning plan.

Many in the parish are hopeful that the original plan to build a 1-million-square-foot center in St. Tammany will still happen. Bruce Wainer of All State Financial Company owns the property and feels the judge made the right decision. He states the decision was "a matter of fact and a matter of law — I think the judge ruled correctly." St. Tammany Parish Council Chairman Mike Lorino is also in agreement with the judge's decision and feels the Parish Council did everything correctly in its handling of the rezoning and acted reasonably.

Not all leaders in the community are for the judges ruling. Nancy Wagner, president of the Flower Estates Civic Association is part of those who appeal the ruling. "We have said from the beginning when the council approved the...rezoning without following the law that we would continue to pursue all legal options," Wagner said in a text message. "We are disappointed that the ruling today mistakenly denies residents a full judicial review of our factual and legal arguments."

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Possible New Senior Center In Folsom

As Baby Boomers are now seniors, Council on Aging St. Tammany (COAST) believes there is a need for a new senior center in the village. COAST Executive Director Julie Agan and board member Bill Magee explain that the organization has several temporary locations that are not really working that they have been operating out of. COAST lost its permanent location six years ago.

The Folsom Board of Aldermen and Mayor Lance Willie opened a discussion with COAST at their latest meeting. During the meeting, both Agan and Magee proposed that COAST builds a permanent facility on village property. In return for its investment in the building, COAST would have primary use of it on weekdays for at least 30 years. The village would in turn own the building and the land and have use of it at other times when COAST is not using the facility.

The draft cooperative endeavor agreement between COAST and the Folsom Board, would be funded by COAST and possibly funded by the Northshore Community Foundation, the Northshore Homebuilders Association and the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. Mayor Willie believes that the village-owned lot on Railroad Ave across from the first station would be the proposed location. The village attorney, Roy Burns, will work on a draft agreement between the village and COAST.

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Reasons to Buy a Home

From a survey conducted every 2 years by the National Association of Homes Builders (NAHB), builders and Realtors can learn and understand what the “average home buyer” wants in the home that they are buying.  This survey is very important in detailing a buyer’s reasons to buy a home.   From a broad perspective, the survey indicated that over 55% of home buyers would prefer to buy a new home vs. a pre-existing home, but the actual percentage of home buyers buying new homes was only 11% from 2011 – 2013.  However ,this 11% was actually a 3% increase from 2008 when only 8% of home buyer bought a new home.

Size, floorplan, price and neighborhood scored in the top 70th percentile as reasons to buy a home by home buyers surveyed by the NAHB with the aesthetics and safety playing an important role in the decision to buy in a certain neighborhood.  In St. Tammany Parish, Bedico Creek Preserve offers a master planned community in Madisonville that scores highly on not only beautiful homes and an almost completely safe neighborhood location, but also, with 10 Neighborhoods within the subdivision from which to choose, new home buyers also get to enjoy lots of variety in choosing not only a house to buy but also a lot location on which to build a new, custom home, if desired.

The NAHB also said that good schools tended to be important to new home buyers especially.  Madisonville, Louisiana, boasts the best school district in St. Tammany Parish which already scores as one of the best school districts in the state.  Many home buyers’ reasons to buy a home in Bedico Creek is because of its excellent school district.

Another important factor found in the survey was that buyers of new homes valued quality construction especially when using a builder to build them a new home.  The construction, durability, and beauty of the home was extremely important to them.  In Bedico Creek, we have 14 new home builders that are available for a consultation on either building a new home on a lot purchased in our community or buying a new home built by our quality builders in St. Tammany Parish.

According the National Association of Home Builders,  Bedico Creek Preserve scores highly across the board for all of the features that are important to new home buyers which is probably why the homes and lots in our new subdivision are selling out so quickly.  Don’t miss your opportunity to own a new home in the fastest growing master planned community in St. Tammany Parish!  Contact Us at 985-845-4200 or E-mail Info@LiveBedico.com.

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Buy a New Home on the Northshore at Bedico Creek Preserve

When relocating to the Greater New Orleans area, you may want to buy a new home on the Northshore at Bedico Creek Preserve.  If you are considering relocating to the tight knit area of West St. Tammany Parish, you can enjoy the ambiance of downtown Covington, LA, which is located approximately 7 miles from Bedico Creek Preserve.  Living in Madisonville, Louisiana, at Bedico Creek gives you easy access to shopping, entertainment, and dining at the many locations of the two shopping areas Colonial Pinnacle at Nord Du Luc and Stirling Covington Shopping Center off of Highway 21.  In addition to the prolific shopping at mall stores such as JC Penny, Belk, and Lane Bryant, Colonial Pinnacle at Nord Du Luc and Stirling Covington Shopping Center also showcase box stores such as Academy Sports, Kohls, Best Buy, Marshalls, Target, Hobby Lobby, as well as the Hollywood Stadium 14 movie theater.  This Covington, Louisiana shopping area also features restaurants such as Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse, Texas Roadhouse, Cracker Barrel, and Panera Bread Company.  For faster food and service, you can visit Steak & Shake, Firehouse Subs, and Dickeys Barbeque Pit.

Bedico Creek Preserve offers lots and homes for sale in its masterplanned community in St. Tammany Parish.  Lots for sale start in the mid $40’s, and new homes for sale begin in the $230’s.  If you are interested in building your own new, custom home or if you are looking to relocate to one of our existing homes for sale, you can find any lot or home in a selection of different neighborhoods in this St. Tammany Parish subdivision.  Contact Bedico Creek today to schedule your tour.  Call 985-845-4200 or E-mail Info@LiveBedico.com.

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Lot Sales, Home Sales, Good News for New Home Buyers

St. Tammany Parish now has one of the fastest growing, fastest selling new home communities on the Northshore at Bedico Creek Preserve in Madisonville, Louisiana.  Lot sales and home sales are setting a record pace for 2015.  This master planned subdivisions has, this year alone, opened up three new Neighborhoods within the community – Lakeview, Heron Point, and Heron Lake – with plans for 2 more neighborhoods to come online in 2016.  Located off of Hwy. 1077 and Hwy. 1085, .Bedico Creek is just over 3 miles from Interstate 12 and an efficient commute to Mandeville, Covington, Slidell, and Hammond, as well as the Southshore.

Close to 6 miles away lies the existing and new shopping districts of Highway 21 featuring mall box stores such as Kohl’s, Lane Bryan, Belks, and Best Buy, and multiple popular restaurants such as Longhorn Steakhouse, Olive Garden, Cracker Barrel, and Texas Roadhouse, just to name a few.  The area also features many small boutique shops and restaurants as well as grocery shopping at Winn Dixie.  All of this approximately 5.8 miles from the entrance to our Conservation Community.

Bedico Creek was specifically designed to be a nature habitat that just happened to have houses.  The community design offers green spaces, water features, and 500 acres of walking and biking paths as well as walking and hiking trails through a wildlife preserve.  Lot sales at Bedico Creek are happening quickly, so if you decide to buy, you will not only be able to choose from among 14 quality St. Tammany Parish builders, but you will also get to enjoy 500 acres of natural beauty, peace and privacy.  Many of our lots are also waterfront lots in that they are located around the many lakes and ponds throughout the community.

New homes are built and available to buy at Bedico Creek with a selection of different sizes and prices perfect for your family.  If you are interested in picking out your “view,” you can select your exact lot from a variety of Neighborhoods throughout the community.  Lots come in many different sizes and shapes with cul-de-sac and corner lots also available.

This new home, master planned neighborhood also features both natural and “man-made” amenities with a community swimming pool, Pavilion, dock / fishing area, disc golf course, and even a place to enjoy a fire on a chilly fall winter night where you have an uninhibited view of the stars.  We have a map of our parks and trails system throughout the community, and we encourage you to bring your camera to catch shots of all of the local wildlife.

Bedico Creek has it all lot sales, home sales, good news for home buyers. To take a peek at this amazing new subdivision in St. Tammany Parish, call one of our onsite sales representatives at 985-845-4200 or E-mail Info@LiveBedico.com.

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Builders & Buyers Enjoying Robust Real Estate Market

Builders and buyers alike are optimistic that the recovery of the real estate market nationwide is here to stay as new home sales increased 18% year-over-year in June, 2015 compared to 2014, and new home inventory also increased by 3.4%.  Builders are discovering that bank construction loans are easing slightly on credit requirements and equity, and also with the increasing number of new home sales, builders are “turning over” the new homes that they are building so they are freeing up capital to invest in new lots for sale in traditional as well as master planned developments.

However, all of the great news regarding the real estate market was tempered by a slight drop in sales from May to June, 2015, for a total drop of 6.8%, down from 517,000 in may to 482,000 in June.  However, the summer months sometimes experience a lag because of school getting out, and potential home buyers going on vacation in the early part of the summer.  Overall, new home sales have been increasing both incrementally and expotentially since 2012.

Good news for builders is that there is an increasing demand from new home buyers for homes to purchase. This demand has not tapered off or decreased since the housing market started its recovery.  This trend has especially been noticed in the new, master planned community of Bedico Creek Preserve in St. Tammany Parish which features 11 Neighborhoods of new homes for sale, lots for sale, and new homes under construction.  Buyers living on the Northshore already find that this new home community is convenient to the cities of Mandeville, Madisonville, Covington, and Abita Springs in West St. Tammany Parish.

New lots are constantly being developed as new neighborhoods within the subdivision are opening with available lots for those new home buyers interested in building their own custom home.  There is no shortage of new homes to buy and new lots to buy at Bedico Creek in the Greater New Orleans area.  Contact Bedico Creek to schedule a tour of this Conservation Community by calling 985-845-4200 or E-mailing Info@LiveBedico.com.

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New Traffic Circle at Highway 1077 Eases Traffic for Bedico Creek

The much anticipated traffic circle at Highway 1077 and Bootlegger Road (Highway 1085) has been started by the St. Tammany Parish Department of Transportation.  This crucial junction adjacent to the Archbishop Hannan High School, a renowned private school just south of Bedico Creek, has much traffic as subdivision and industrial growth continues construction north on Highway 1077. 

There are actually 2 major intersections on 1077 which greatly affect the traffic for residents and employees that use this road.  The second junction is north on 1077 at Highway 190.

Although there has been much talk of building a second roundabout at Highway 190, the only one currently under construction is the one at 1077 and Bootlegger Road.

Bedico Creek Preserve, a new home, masterplanned community in St. Tammany Parish, is located out Bootlegger Road (Highway 1085) just 3.2 miles from Interstate 12.  This new community features lots and new homes for sale, and 11 individual Neighborhoods have been built and developed with lots for sale with 2 more Neighborhoods coming online during 2016.  Bedico Creek already has over 200 new residents in our community, so the traffic circle being built at 1077 and 1085 is a welcome relief for those residents that commute to work and have to travel that road twice a day.  With a convenient location near the city of Covington, Highway 21 and all of the new and existing shopping and dining, and its short distance from the interstate, Bedico Creek offers “ease of use” for our

homeowners.

The road construction is being done by Kort’s Construction Services with land clearing and utility relocation being completed in the first phase of this $3.2 million project.  The St. Tammany Parish government plans for the utility location to be done by the end of 2015, and all road construction to be done by fall of 2016.  In addition to being a huge benefit for the current and future homeowners at Bedico Creek Preserve, the new traffic circle at Highway 1077 should also help with school traffic and industrial traffic north of the traffic circle.  In fact, a new Fed Ex distribution center is being built just northwest of the private high school as well.

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More Homes Are Being Built to Supplement the Housing Inventory Shortage

A shortage in homes and a strong job market in the Greater New Orleans area definitely strengthened the housing market, especially in new home construction and the advent of new subdivisions. Solid hiring in the job market, low mortgage rates and easier credit conditions have driven the demand for new home buyers to purchase a new home for sale. The Greater New Orleans area alone represents 20% of the new jobs that have been created this year in the state of Louisiana which has led to the strong home sales on both the north shore and the south shore.

West St. Tammany Parish has seen a decrease in housing inventory making the average sales price increase.  The housing market in general is leaning more towards a seller’s market because of the lack of supply of homes for sale.  This lack of inventory in homes priced from $190,000 – $300,000 is causing a bidding war pulling the average sales price for metro New Orleans up by 7.8% from $197,300 to $212,610. New Orleans has seen an increase from 21,954 homes sold annually in 2010 to 30,322 in 2014. Homeowners are starting to realize that this is the time to sell, and for home builders now is the time to build new homes for sale in St. Tammany Parish on the northshore.

On the flip side, home buyers will not have long to wait because more homes are being built which means the inventory problem will start to correct itself. According to Richard Haase, president of NAI/Latter & Blum, who reported at the UNO/Latter & Blum Economic Outlook & Real Estate Forecast Seminar for the Northshore Region, which was held at the Clarion Inn & Suites Conference Center in Covington, ”There’s a lot of pent-up demand,” he said, because tight lending standards have kept potential buyers out of the homebuying market, even as the economy recovered. ”For the next one or two years, I’m extremely optimistic about housing prices and housing affordability,” Haase said. ”We’re in a very healthy supply-and-demand market.”

Bedico Creek Preserve in Madisonville, Louisiana, offers new homes for sale that could plug the dearth of homes priced from $190,000 – $300,000.  Two neighborhoods being built in this master planned community in St. Tammany Parish offer new homes for sale from the $230’s – $300’s. 

These two neighborhoods are called Cypress Crossing and Deer Park.  Also, if you purchase one of our lots for sale in the Garden / Courtyard section of this St. Tammany Parish subdivision, you can build a home starting from the $290’s.  For more information about our homes for sale, Contact Bedico Creek at 985-845-4200 or E-mail Info@LiveBedico.com.

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Premier St. Tammany Parish Master Planned Community

Bedico Creek Preserve, a premier master-planned conservation community in Madisonville, is nestled among nearly 500 acres of green space, lakes and ponds. Preserving and caring for the natural environment and wildlife is a top priority here. Life moves at a slower pace and there’s a healthy respect for the innate beauty of land and water. More than 200 acres of parks, 20+ acres of lakes and water features, a 375-acre nature preserve, and many natural amenities make it a thoughtful choice for discriminating homebuyers.

Driving into the community, the well-appointed main entrance is accented with twin sugar kettle waterfalls on either side and a wide thoroughfare crosses a quaint wooden bridge over Bedico Creek. Passing the gatehouse into the community, even the casual visitor will notice a careful cultivation of the atmosphere of the Northshore of yesteryear.

Inside the community you’ll find a collection of neighborhoods surrounded by thoughtfully planned, man-made amenities. The Rod & Paddle Club complex overlooks a sparkling lake and features the community swimming pool, a large party pavilion, a picnic area with colorful wind sails, a quaint fishing pier, a nine-hole disc golf course and an outdoor fire pit at Sunset Point.  It’s an ideal place for outdoor entertaining, leisurely paddling a canoe on the lake, or spending time with family and friends.
A rustic trail system for hiking within the wildlife preserves of the community and 3.5 miles of lovely paved walking/hiking/biking trails gracefully meander through the surrounding neighborhoods.  These trails connect parks, lakes, ponds and nature preserves to the neighborhoods, making it easy and convenient for homeowners to enjoy their natural surroundings.

Bedico Creek is not just another typical subdivision. It’s a community comprised of beautifully designed new and custom homes, located in individual neighborhoods that range in price from the $230’s to more than $1 million. Multi-generational families will find neighborhoods that suit first-time homebuyers just starting out, growing families, or retirees looking for a low-maintenance, carefree lifestyle.

Deer Park offers smaller lot sizes and square footage homes from the $230’s to $260’s. Courtyard and Garden feature low-maintenance garden homes that begin in the $290’s.  Larger lot neighborhoods like Cypress Crossing, Lakeview, Longview, and Preserve are made up of single-family homes for growing families from the $300’s to the $500’s. Heron Point (just opening this Spring with its own gated access), Estates and Manors were created with upwardly mobile families in mind. These homes start in the $480’s and exceed $1 million.  Two new neighborhoods, Nature Walk and Heron Lake are slated to open later this year. All of them have water or nature views available. Most offer the availability to invest in a lot and build on it in the homeowner’s time frame.

Building a new home is a very important investment of time and money. Every one of the recommended builders at Bedico Creek Preserve has gone through a careful screening process to ensure that buyers are going to get some of the best, most qualified builders in the area. These preferred builders are ready to design and build homes on a lot purchased by the homeowner, or homeowners can use their own plans and builder in most neighborhoods, with approval by the Architectural Control Committee.

Located on Highway 1085 in Madisonville, in the booming I-12 Corridor, Bedico Creek is just minutes from shopping, restaurants, entertainment, and healthcare facilities, with more being added each year.  Homeowners with children have access to some of the best public and private schools that St. Tammany Parish has to offer.

Bedico Creek is a David Waltemath development. During the past twenty-five years he has created many extraordinary Gulf South communities, including English Turn, The Estates of Northpark, Highlands of Santa Maria, and Green Trails in Baton Rouge.  His track record of success and commitment to the community speaks for itself.

Several stunning new homes will be showcased at Bedico Creek Preserve in this year’s Northshore Home Builders Association Parade of Homes. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore this exceptional community, its stunning homes and beautiful neighborhoods.  See for yourself the value of building your future at Bedico Creek. Bring your Realtor, if you like; they’re always welcome.  More information is available about this fast growing, premier St. Tammany Parish master planned community by e-mailing Info@LiveBedico.com or calling 985- 845-4200.

Builders Are Enthusiastic With the Upturn in the Housing Market

Builders are enthusiastic with the upturn in the housing market and are seeing more new home buyers as the economy rises. The stronger job market caused by the addition of 3 million jobs in the U.S. has encouraged more people to become new homeowners. In fact, nationwide single-family homes sold for close to full asking price!
After a low sales report in March due to the harsh winter weather, it is encouraging to see an increase in standing inventory of new homes and new homes under construction. According to the current data release from HUD and the U.S. Census Bureau newly built home sales rose 6.8% in April. Regionally, new homes sales increased by 5.8% in the southern region. The new homes sales pace is expected to raise the amount of new homes for sale on the market creating a 4.8 month supply of new home inventory which is crucial to the housing market recovery.

“Sales are moving forward and our builder members are telling us they are starting to see more activity as more buyers get off the fence and enter the marketplace,” said NAHB Chairman Tom Woods.

At Bedico Creek Preserve, our master planned development in St. Tammany Parish had much to celebrate during the 1^st four months of 2015 achieving 22 new home sales for a total gross sales volume amount of $7,671,150. Bedico Creek, a collection of neighborhoods inside of a Conservation Community, offers a variety of new homes in a selection of price ranges both for lots for sale as well as new homes for sale. In one of our exclusive neighborhoods, one of our top St. Tammany Parish builders sold a Spec Home for a record sales price of $1,025,000 which comes out to $241 / per square foot.
In addition to the high volume of new home sales in 2015, Bedico Creek Preserve also had a phenomenal sales volume of $250,000 in lot sales in the first 4 months of the year. To keep pace with the increasing demand for local home buyers in the Greater New Orleans area, Bedico Creek Preserve opened two exclusive new home neighborhoods – Cypress Crossing and Deer Park – and the subdivision now offers lots for sale in Lakeveiw Neighborhood and Heron Point Neighborhood as well. Site plan (plat) approvals for new future Neighborhoods are also currently underway.

If you are in the market for a new home or considering purchasing a new home, Visit Bedico Creek Preserve today to discover our new homes for sale or learn more about building a new, custom home on one of our quickly selling lots! Contact Us Directly at 985-845-4200 or E-mail Info@LiveBedico.com.


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