June 2023 Sees a Positive Move When It Comes to Builder Confidence

 For the first time in the past year or so, builder confidence has moved into the positive range. The confidence booster is due to the heavy buyer demand, low home inventory and the increase in productivity in the supply chain. The National Association of Home Builders had a lot of great data to share about the housing market.

As of June 2023, builders’ confidence in newly-built single-family homes rose to fifty-five points. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) this is the sixth straight month that there has been an increase in builder confidence.

“Builders are feeling cautiously optimistic about market conditions given low levels of existing home inventory and ongoing gradual improvements for supply chains,” said NAHB Chairman Alicia Huey, a custom home builder and developer from Birmingham, Ala. “However, access for builder and developer loans has become more difficult to obtain over the last year, which will ultimately result in lower lot supplies as the industry tries to expand off cycle lows.”

“A bottom is forming for single-family home building as builder sentiment continues to gradually rise from the beginning of the year,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “This month marks the first time in a year that both the current and future sales components of the HMI have exceeded 60, as some buyers adjust to a new normal in terms of interest rates. The Federal Reserve nearing the end of its tightening cycle is also good news for future market conditions in terms of mortgage rates and the cost of financing for builder and developer loans.”

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Wine Tastings at a Lousiana Vineyard

 Bush, Louisiana is the home to Wild Bush Farm & Vineyard where patrons can go and enjoy local wine. Their tasting room is quaint and even the place patrons can go to dine.

Chef Marcus Jacobs, co-founder of Marjie’s Grill and Seafood Sally’s, made the inaugural dinner over an open flamed grill that was next to the tasting room. Owners Monica Bourgeois and Neil Gernon are excited about the new possibilities for Wild Bush Farm & Vineyard.

Previously known as Pontchartrain Vineyards, Wild Bush, is just north of Covington in St. Tammany Parish. The scene is beautiful and looks like it has been plucked from a piece of land in California wine country.

In fact, currently, the wine that is produced at Wild Bush begins in the West Coast wine country. It is brought over and then finished at Wild Bush. The owners want to start growing grapes locally that can also produce wine. This Louisiana climate is tricky and it will take a “newly developed hybrid grape” to make it successful.

“It’s a playground for us,” Gernon said. “We don’t have rules for it. Does it taste good? How can we combine what grows here to make something that’s great, or does what we’re growing taste good enough to be a single varietal? There’s so much we can do here.”

So far, Wild Bush has four varieties that are grown on the property which include muscadine grapes, old-school Norton grapes and blueberries. “We want to change what people think about when they hear ‘Louisiana wine.’ We want to make something they can show friends from other places, and say this is what Louisiana wine can be,” Gernon said.

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A Healthy Lawn During the Hot Summer Months Can Be Accomplished

 The hot summer can wreak havoc on your nice green lawn. A lawn can go dormant and turn brown which is not a nice look for your landscaping. Here are five steps to take to keep a healthy green lawn.

1. Mow at the right height

You want to make sure to mow your lawn at a good height so your grass stays nice and green. Cutting your grass at a taller height can shad the soil helping to keep in the moisture which allows for a robust root system. Shorter grass can dry out the roots causing ample opportunity for weeds to grow. A good rule of thumb is to cut off about 1/3 of the grass each time.

2. Let clippings lie

If you are OCD then this could be a hard task. Leaving the grass clippings can look untidy at times but if done the correct way this will not happen. Timing your cuts and cutting at the proper height will just give off enough clippings to be beneficial. The clippings will actually help your grass to stay healthy.  Sometimes called ‘grasscycling’, this will save you time and money – as the fine mulch clippings will act as a natural fertilizer to provide nutrients back to your lawn.

3. Clean up after your pets

Your four-legged family members can also be a bad thing for your yard. Their waste will leave dead spots in the lawn. When your pet goes potty, flush the area with water to dilute the urine.

4. Water properly

Too much or too little can be hazardous to a lawn. A deep soak every so often is the best. Continuously watering a lawn will cause mold issues but water too little will lead to brown dead grass.

5. Tackle tough lawn weeds

Weeds are the enemy when it comes to the lawn. When given the right environment, weeds will overtake the lawn. A lawn needs to be protected by using weed control on your lawn. There are many types on the market that will kill the weeds which include dandelion, chickweed, knotweed, plantain, henbit, spurge and many others commonly found in home lawns.

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Mandeville New Retail and Residential Project at Sucette Harbor

 A new retail and residential project will be proposed before the Mandeville City Council. The age-restricted community will be located on 15 acres on Mandeville’s lakefront at the location of Sucette Harbor.

There will be a meeting at City Hall where the council and residents can weigh in on the project. In fact, they are moving the voting event to a larger venue due to the size of the crowds. There will be many who will want to share their opinions about the project.

“We don’t want to wait forever on this, but there’s no reason to rush into a decision either,” says Chairman Rick Danielson.

The Mandeville Planning and Zoning Commission has already approved the project which will be around $150 million. It went through with a 4-3 vote so it was recommended to the City Council.

The LSU Health Foundation owns the land which is leased by the Sucette Harbor developer Woodward Interest. The land was originally dedicated to the foundation by Al Copeland’s family and Woodward Interests will use 60% of the lease money for cancer research and scholarships.

Many are against the luxury retirement community which will have 201 apartments for 55 and older, an 82-room boutique hotel, restaurants, an event center and a marina. Those that are opposed feel that the development will cause more traffic and congestion for the community. Mandeville is known for the beautiful oak trees which many on the land will have to be removed.

The council will take the votes and just move the project along for further discussion before a definite decision is made. “This has nothing to do with whether we (the council) want the project, do not want the project, like certain aspects or don’t like certain aspects,” Danielson told audience members.

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