Bossier City has a lot to offer those looking to buy a home. From affordable housing and low cost of living to fantastic neighborhoods, Bossier City has a variety of opportunities. Zillow, a major real-estate marketplace, says the average home price in Bossier City is just over $215,000. This makes Bossier City an affordable option for many home buyers.

According to the Greater Bossier Economic Development Foundation, a new, 2,400 square-foot, four-bedroom, two-bath home in Little Rock, Ark., averages $389,088 and similar housing in Austin, Texas, costs $416,574. The cost of homes factors into the cost of living in Bossier City, which is lower than the national average. This makes it an attractive option for those looking to save on living expenses. 

The Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) produces the ACCRA Cost of Living Index to provide a useful and reasonable accurate measure to compare cost of living differences among urban areas. The Shreveport-Bossier City area is 90.3% of the cost of living, compared to Little Rock, Ark., averaging 96.6% and the cost of living in Austin, averaging 101.2%.

Joshua Hanson owns LARK Realty, based on Benton Road in Bossier City. Having started 10 years ago to help a friend, the first deal he finalized made him realize that it was his purpose in life.

“All my college, training, and jobs I had didn’t make me happy. Seeing buyers light up when they get the keys to their new home made me realize what I want to do,” Hanson said. “Seeing the emotions from people who never thought they could buy a house get their dream home makes all the stress and grey hairs worth it.”

Hanson offered several tips for first-time home buyers looking to set down roots in Bossier. The first tip he offered is that there are a lot of great neighborhoods to buy a home in. 

Greenacres, located between Bossier City’s two main thoroughfares in Airline Drive and Benton Road, is close to the city’s shopping areas, several schools, and hospitals. For outdoor enthusiasts, it is only a few minutes from Cypress Black Bayou and Lake Bistineau.

“Greenacres is a great place to find affordable single-family homes. It is known as one the safest, most well-kept communities in Bossier City,” Hanson said. 

Golden Meadows is a subdivision in South Bossier. South Bossier has several great schools for parents, and it also is near the Brookshires Grocery Arena, Bossier City’s major entertainment venue. Golden Meadows is conveniently located for active duty and military veterans since it is very close to both the south and main gates of Barksdale AFB.

“Golden Meadows is known for its cleanliness and safety, and offers several affordable homes for first-time buyers,” Hanson said.

Bellaire is located just south of Barksdale Air Force Base. Its proximity to Jimmy Davis Bridge makes it ideal for commuters who work in Shreveport, while its location next to the Arthur Ray Teague Parkway means large portions of Bossier City are accessible.

“Bellaire is a very convenient neighborhood. It is close to a lot of entertainment in Bossier City including the East Bank District and Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets just down the Parkway,” said Hanson.

No matter where you move, Hanson explains that researching the neighborhood is crucial.

“I tell people that if they want to move to a certain neighborhood to go on a Friday night, Sunday afternoon, or Tuesday afternoon to see what is happening there,” he said. “See if you can get to work in a timely manner. Look at what the schools are like, and how safe it is.”

Besides knowing the best neighborhoods in town, Hanson gave some practical pointers for prospective home buyers. He highlighted the need to know what is on their credit. He said there are several free apps to research your credit score like Credit Karma, NerdWallet, and local credit unions.

Hanson also pointed out that there are several programs available to help people. He notes that those who qualify as low to moderate income in Louisiana can get up to $20,000 in downpayment assistance. 

“I had so many buyers that never thought they could buy a house, and we got them grants that allowed them to find a great house. I’ve coached them through credit repair to get them to where they could buy,” he said.

That’s why, for new homeowners, Hanson says the most important tip is finding someone who will take care of all the details. 

“You need someone who knows what’s out there, knows all the facets, and who can guide you through the process,” Hanson said. “Find someone who is knowledgeable in all the facets — mortgage, legal, insurance. You need someone you trust and that fits with your personality.”