c.1959 Three Bedroom Louisiana Home For Sale Under $38K

Are you looking for a affordable investment property? Finding an income producing property & asset under $40k that doesn’t require a total gut job is nearly impossible in today’s market, yet here it is! Featuring three good sized bedrooms, a spacious living room, a dedicated dining area, and an updated bathroom with ceramic tile surrounding the tub shower combo, the layout checks every box for quality long term tenants. Yes, a quick coat of touch-up paint and a few minor cosmetic tweaks will make it shine, but make no mistake, a tenant could literally move in today!

The Pros

1. Very Affordable Housing & Low Cost of Living

• Accessible Homeownership: The median home sale price hovers around $200,000—well below the national average. Buyers can find spacious historic single-family homes or larger suburban lots for a fraction of what they cost in major metropolitan areas.

   

• Low Everyday Expenses: Overall cost of living runs below the national baseline. Property taxes and general goods remain budget-friendly.

   

2. Rich Culinary & Outdoor Culture

• Ark-La-Tex Flavor: The local food scene features a mix of Louisiana Cajun/Creole staples (boiled crawfish, gumbo) and Texas-style barbecue.

• Outdoor Access: Between Cross Lake, Caddo Lake, and the Red River, the region offers great bass fishing, boating, kayaking, and duck hunting right on the doorstep.

3. Regional Healthcare & Education Hub

• Medical Facilities: Shreveport serves as the primary medical hub for the tri-state area, anchored by Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport and Willis-Knighton Health System, which provide stable regional employment and comprehensive care.

• Higher Education: The city is home to LSU Health Shreveport, LSU Shreveport (LSUS), Southern University at Shreveport, and Centenary College of Louisiana.

4. Easy Navigation & Minimal Traffic

• Commute Times: Unlike major metro centers, traffic congestion is minimal. Interstate 20, Interstate 49, and the 3132 Loop make commuting across the city quick and straightforward.

• Proximity to Dallas: Dallas-Fort Worth is roughly a 3-hour drive west on I-20, making weekend trips for major concerts, sports, or shopping trips very manageable.

The Cons

1. Crime Rates & Neighborhood Disparities

• High Crime Metrics: Shreveport consistently ranks high on national scales for both property and violent crime rates.

   

• Localized Impact: Crime rates vary significantly by neighborhood. Areas like Southern Hills, Broadmoor, and South Shreveport/Ellerbe Road generally record lower incident rates, while other central and northern sectors experience much higher rates. Many professionals choose to live across the river in Bossier City or in unincorporated Caddo Parish for this reason.

   

2. Struggling Local Job Market

• Limited Economic Growth: Outside of healthcare, military support (Barksdale Air Force Base across the river), casino gaming, and local government, corporate job growth has been slow.

• Wage Ceiling: Average household incomes lag behind national medians, and specialized tech or corporate job opportunities are limited.

3. Infrastructure & Utility Concerns

• Roads & Water: Aging infrastructure is a recurring topic for residents. Issues with pothole-heavy roads and periodic water pressure or boil-water advisories during severe winter/summer weather snaps are well-documented.

• Extreme Weather: Summers are intensely hot and humid. The region is also prone to severe thunderstorms, occasional tornadoes, and high hurricane-related rainfall/wind threats.

4. K-12 Public Education Performance

• School District Variability: Caddo Parish Public Schools show wide gaps in performance ratings. While there are elite magnet programs (such as Caddo Parish Magnet High School), standard neighborhood school options often underperform, leading many families to utilize magnet lotteries or local private schools.