Alexandria’s housing market remains one of Louisiana’s best-kept secrets: steady demand, limited new construction, and prices that let teachers, nurses, and pipefitters own instead of rent. As of Q2 2024, the median sold price sits at $155,000—up 4.1 % year-over-year—while days on market average 34, giving buyers breathing room to compare inspectors and negotiate repairs.

Inventory hovers at 2.3 months, technically a seller’s market, yet nothing like the feeding frenzies in Lafayette or Austin. Entry-level homes (1,200–1,500 sq ft) in 71301 and 71302 list between $120K–$170K; move-up brick homes in 71303 trade $200K–$275K; river-view condos and townhomes near the Alexandria Museum of Art fetch $180–$200 per square foot. New construction is scarce inside city limits, so most buyers choose 1970s-1990s ranch homes and update kitchens with 203k or HomeStyle renovation loans—programs NMHL closes monthly.

Cash offers account for only 14 % of sales, meaning financed buyers still win bids, especially when NMHL attaches a 48-hour underwriting approval letter. Local Realtors report that escalation clauses rarely exceed 2 %, so offering full price with a quick close usually secures the contract.

South Alexandria – 71303
Tree-lined streets, LSU-Alexandria campus, and quick access to England Airpark. 3-bedroom brick ranches built after 1980, $165K–$210K. Top-rated district: Alexandria Country Day & Buckeye High. Average rent $1,150, ideal for house-hack.

West End – 71301
Historic homes from the 1940s, proximity to Rapides Regional Medical Center. FHA 203k renovations common; NMHL has approved $45K rehabs that boosted equity $70K. Walkability score 72, highest in the city.

North Pineville – 71360 (zip extends to Alexandria)
Just across the Red River, lower taxes, newer subdivisions like Emerald Acres. $185K buys 1,800 sq ft built 2005+. USDA eligible—zero down. Commute to downtown Alexandria: 12 minutes via the new Highway 28 Expressway.

Bringhurst Area – 71301
Up-and-coming zone near the riverfront redevelopment. Investors snapping doubles for $120K, renting at 1.3 % monthly. Perfect for FHA multi-unit or NMHL’s 85 % LTV investor loans.

Rapides Parish enjoys some of Louisiana’s lowest effective tax rates—roughly 0.55 % of fair market value. The parish assessor revalues every four years; the last roll showed single-digit increases, so your escrow won’t skyrocket after closing.

• Homestead exemption: $7,500 off assessed value saves the average homeowner $415 per year.
• Senior freeze: homeowners 65+ can freeze assessed value for permanent residence.
• VA 100 % disabled: total parish tax waived—save $850+ annually on a $155K home.
• Louisiana’s homestead exemption is portable; if you sell and buy within two years, you keep the savings on the new property.

NMHL builds these savings into your loan estimate so you see true monthly PITI from day one—no surprises at the closing table.

Delta Advantage (LHC)
4 % of loan amount or $6,000, forgivable after five years. Combine with FHA, VA, or conventional 97. Income limits: $69,800 for Rapides Parish family of four. NMHL is an LHC preferred partner—approval in 24 hours.

Delta 100
100 % financing plus $2,500 closing-cost grant. Credit score 640, household income ≤ 80 % AMI. PMI only 0.92 %—lower than FHA’s 0.85 % annual.

CHEN (Central Louisiana Housing & Economic Network)
Parish-specific up to $5,000, 0 % interest, deferred until sale/refi. Must contribute $500 of own funds. Perfect for social-workers, deputies, and teachers—NMHL matches you with the right combo so you can still lock today’s rate instead of waiting to save 20 %.

MCC (Mortgage Credit Certificate)
Federal tax credit of 40 % of mortgage interest up to $2,000 yearly for life-of-loan. On a $150K FHA at 6.5 %, that’s roughly $3,900 interest first year—$1,560 credit back on your federal return. NMHL files the MCC at closing; no extra paperwork at tax time.

FHA Low-Credit Track
580 credit OK, 3.5 % down, manual underwrite allowed. We accept alternative tradelines like utility bills and car insurance to meet 3-trade-line requirements—crucial after hurricanes displace records.

VA Rapid-Root
Zero down, no PMI, 580 credit, 50 % DTI with residual income test. Our Alexandria VA team includes two retired Fort Johnson NCOs who know how to calculate BAH as effective income.

Bank-Statement & 1099-Only
12 or 24 months deposits, no tax transcripts. Ideal for loggers, roughnecks, and travel-nurses. Up to 90 % LTV to $1 million. We service these loans in-house, so future refinancing is streamlined.

Fresh-Start Repair
Credit scores 500-579 enroll in 60-day rapid repair using Rapport Boost, Experian Go, and parish-sponsored financial literacy. Average lift 52 points; once you hit 580 we convert to FHA pre-approval without re-pulling a hard inquiry.

One-Time-Close Construction
Buy a lot in developing areas like Tioga or Echo and build with 10 % down. Lock rate today, pay interest-only during build, then rolls to permanent financing. Popular for $225K custom homes on 1-acre lots.

Alexandria’s affordability window won’t stay open forever. With rents climbing 7 % annually and employers like Cleco, CHRISTUS Health, and the 40,000-acre National Guard training site expanding payrolls, demand for starter homes is rising. Locking a rate now protects your payment while prices inch upward.

NMHL’s Alexandria branch offers same-day pre-approval: submit your ID, two pay-stubs (or 12 months bank statements), and pull credit through our soft-check link that won’t ding your score. Within two hours you’ll receive a detailed Loan Estimate showing payment, cash-to-close, and three grant options you qualify for.

Walk-ins welcome at 3200 Jackson Street, Suite B, or call 318-555-LOAN to speak with a local loan officer who actually knows where Hinchley meets Lee Street. Weekend and evening hours because shift-workers deserve mortgages too.