Occasionally, because Bedico Creek Preserve is such a popular neighborhood on the northshore of Lake Pontchartrain in New Orleans, Louisiana, we will have newspaper, magazine, and online articles and blogs written about our master-planned community. We feature these articles in our Press Room area. Also, we sometimes create press releases for special news and events that are happening at Bedico Creek Preserve. You can find all of this information, plus make media inquiries all right here in our Press Room.
The Hospice Foundation of the South’s signature event in Slidell.
Crawfish Cookoff
Fritchie Park
901 Howze Beach Road
Slidell, LA 70458
April 20, 2024
11am – 6pm
Tickets $35.00 in advance, $40 at gate.
Click Here for More Information!
There will be free face painting at this event in Folsom.
Spring into Summer Arts and Crafts Show
Magnolia Park
13296 Highway 40
Folsom, LA 70437
February 24, 2024
9am – 4pm
This is a free event
For More Information, Call 985-882-5002
Enjoy all you can eat crawfish, corn and jambalya at this annual event in Mandeville
Northshore Home Builders Association
Annual Crawfish Boil
Castine Center in Pelican Park
63350 Pelican Drive
Madisonville, LA 70448
March 8, 2024
6pm – 9pm
General Admission: $55 – includes 2 trays of crawfish, fried fish, corn, potatoes, dessert and bar.
KidZone Ticket: $20 – includes pizza, soda and bounce houses in a supervised area of the Hall. (Ages 6 – 12) *KidZone ticket does not include crawfish.
For More Information, Call 985-882-5002
After a festive pause, St. Tammany Parish Library is thrilled to announce the return of beloved Storytime events for young children and their families starting this month. The brief hiatus, dedicated to special holiday activities, has ended, and the library is ready to re-engage the community with the joy of reading and interactive learning.
Beginning January 16, families can dive back into the magical world of books with programs like KIDS StoryTots and KIDS Play Date. Additionally, Family Storytime sessions are set to create memorable experiences for children and their guardians alike across various library branches.
Particularly exciting for the little artists is KIDS Story Art, held at the Madisonville and Covington Libraries. This unique event caters to children aged 2 to 5, encouraging them to unleash their creativity by crafting an artwork inspired by a children’s story. The best part? All necessary materials are provided, ensuring every child can participate and explore their artistic talents without any barriers.
No pre-registration is required for these enriching Storytime events, making spontaneous attendance as easy as a fairy tale. For those interested in planning ahead, the full schedule of events is available at the library’s official website, sttammanylibrary.org/events.
To keep patrons informed of all the happenings at the library, St. Tammany Parish Library offers the Bookrunner, an online newsletter. Launched digitally post-2017 and having carried the ‘Bookrunner’ title since 1996, the newsletter has evolved to better serve the community’s needs. Patrons can sign up directly on the library’s website or ensure their library card includes an email address to receive this informative bulletin.
The Friends of the Slidell Library are hosting their exclusive Used Book Preview Sale on January 19, followed by a public sale the next day, offering a treasure trove of books and more. Similarly, the Friends of the Library of West St. Tammany are holding their monthly Used Book Sale on the same dates, with bargains starting as low as 25 cents.
Moreover, the silent auctions presented by the Friends groups promise rare finds and collectibles, perfect for bibliophiles and collectors alike. From historical texts to guides on natural history, these auctions are a bibliophile’s dream.
The library’s commitment to community engagement extends beyond reading. Events such as the Minecraft party at the Slidell Library and On the Floor Yoga sessions offer diverse activities for all interests and ages. Additionally, the ASK sessions at the Bush Library provide patrons with the opportunity to receive personalized assistance with their technology needs.
The St. Tammany Parish Library continues to be a cornerstone of the community, providing educational, recreational, and cultural opportunities for residents of all ages. With the return of Storytime events and a calendar filled with diverse activities, the library invites everyone to start the new year immersed in the joy of discovery and learning.
A surge in builder confidence marked a positive turn following a four-month decline, propelled by a drop in mortgage rates and promising economic indicators for the housing sector as we approach 2024.
According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) released today, builder confidence in the market for newly constructed single-family homes climbed three points to 37 in December.
The recent decrease in mortgage rates by approximately 50 basis points over the past month has rejuvenated builder optimism. Prospective buyers who had previously felt excluded due to pricing are now reevaluating their options, leading to increased traffic, notes NAHB Chairman Alicia Huey, a custom home builder and developer from Birmingham, Ala. Addressing the pressing housing shortage, Huey emphasizes that boosting new home production is a pivotal step to alleviate the affordability crisis, expand housing inventory, and counter inflation.
NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz adds that the housing market seems to have navigated the peak mortgage rates for this cycle. This positive development is expected to stimulate home buyer demand in the upcoming months, with the HMI component measuring future sales expectations rising by six points in December.
Dietz acknowledges the recent dip in builder confidence, which contrasts with gains in the pace of single-family permits and starts during the same period. He attributes this temporary discrepancy to dramatic increases in short-term interest rates, impacting land development and builder loans used by private builders. Dietz suggests that as rates moderate, this temporary gap between sentiment and construction activity is likely to diminish.
Despite the positive trend, many builders are still contending with mortgage rates above 7% through November, prompting them to adjust home prices to bolster sales. In December, 36% of builders reported reducing home prices, matching the previous month’s peak for 2023. The average price reduction remained at 6%, unchanged from November. Additionally, 60% of builders offered sales incentives in December, a figure consistent with November but slightly down from 62% in October.
Derived from a monthly survey conducted by NAHB for over 35 years, the NAHB/Wells Fargo HMI assesses builder perceptions of current single-family home sales and sales expectations for the next six months. Scores for each component are used to calculate a seasonally adjusted index, where any number above 50 indicates that more builders view conditions as good than poor.
In December, the HMI index reflecting traffic of prospective buyers rose by three points to 24, the component measuring sales expectations in the next six months increased by six points to 45, and the component charting current sales conditions held steady at 40.
Examining three-month moving averages for regional HMI scores, the Northeast increased by two points to 51, the Midwest declined by one point to 34, the South dropped by three points to 39, and the West posted a four-point decline to 31.
If you’re in the market to purchase a home, it’s crucial to take note of the recent development wherein the Federal Reserve has opted to maintain stable interest rates. This decision holds significant implications for potential homebuyers, potentially offering more accessible mortgage options. In our most recent blog post, we’ll delve into the repercussions for borrowers and how it might influence your journey towards homeownership.
One of the pivotal factors influencing mortgage rates is the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy. Typically, during robust economic periods, the Fed tends to raise rates to curb inflation. However, given the current economic uncertainties and the necessity to stimulate the market, the Fed has opted to keep rates steady. For homebuyers, this is positive news, signifying that mortgage rates are likely to persist at a favorable level, making homeownership more financially attainable.
The historically low mortgage rates create an excellent opportunity for potential buyers. With rates maintained at their current levels, you have the chance to secure a mortgage at a lower rate, potentially resulting in significant savings over the life of your loan. Whether you’re a first-time buyer entering the market or an existing homeowner planning an upgrade, the present time is particularly opportune to leverage this favorable rate environment.
Furthermore, stable rates not only enhance affordability but also provide peace of mind. As a borrower, you can budget with greater confidence, assured that your mortgage payments will remain consistent in the foreseeable future. This stability enables you to plan your finances more effectively, allowing you to focus on finding your dream home without the concern of unpredictable rate fluctuations.
In summary, the Federal Reserve’s decision to maintain stable rates brings positive tidings for homebuyers. The chance to secure a mortgage at historically low rates is within grasp, providing more affordable options and substantial long-term savings. Seize the opportunity presented by this stable rate environment to turn your homeownership aspirations into reality. Stay tuned for additional insights on navigating the mortgage market in our forthcoming blog posts.
