New Orleans Louisiana Real Estate and Community Blog 

When you think of Marigny and Bywater, you usually picture quaint streets lined with old historic homes adjacent the Mighty Mississippi River. Many of these homes date back to the early to mid 1800’s. Many have been renovated to their original splendor. Some are like the “wall flowers” at the dance waiting for someone to choose them to be restored as “belles” of the neighborhood.

BUT, there’s some new girls town! AND, they’ve chosen these 2 historic neighborhoods in which to plant their roots!!! New construction is abounding in Marigny and Bywater! One of New Orleans’ most prominent developers is building a new 2 story residence on the corner of Pauline and Burgundy. 4 new condominiums were finished late last year on Dauphine Street bounded by Gallier and Piety Streets. A new 2-story Victorian home is going up on Royal Street between France and Mazant Streets. There is a brand new camelback popping out of the ground (pre-fab eco-friendly construction) on Royal between Congress and Independence Streets. The plans for this house call for the exterior to complement the other homes on the block. Let’s not forget the new camelback which is mostly completed on Royal Street in Faubourg Marigny between Marigny and Mandeville Streets.

Just so you’ll know, Royal Street runs from the foot of Canal Street in the Central Business District through the world-famous French Quarter, continuing on through Marigny, milling its way through quintessential Bywater all the way to Poland Avenue which butts up to the Industrial Canal….but the Canal doesn’t stop good old Royal Street….she hops the Canal and continues her trip through the lower 9th Ward ending at the next town of Arabi.

Take a look at our newest gals….they are welcome additions to our two beautiful communities.

Posted by:Lane Lacoy

At least once a week I receive a phone call from a new client wanting to look at foreclosures so they can get a “deal” on a home. Although there may be a few homes with good prices out there, in my experience they are very rare in this area as compared to real estate investment experiences I’ve had in Florida and Nevada. Granted, I have had a few clients buy well priced foreclosed homes in the Slidell and the North Shore areas. But they were homes that had been on the market for more than three months and were complete gut jobs – something few home buyers or even investors want to take on. (see photo)

Truthfully, in our area I find better deals can be had by working with individuals who have their home for sale – particularly if the home has been on the market more than six months. Individuals feel the pressures of paying a mortgage note, keeping a house clean for showings and the need to move to a new area. They are emotional about the sale and a smart buyer can use this to their advantage.

A bank, however, has a fatter wallet to support the carrying costs of a foreclosed property for a few months. For them, it’s a numbers game – everything is black and white with no emotion involved. Since there aren’t comparatively many foreclosed properties in the Slidell and North Shore areas to drag home prices down, banks don’t feel as much pressure to get rid of homes at bargain basement prices. Too, since most financial institutions pay for an appraisal prior to listing the home, they know what the market values the house at – and they can wait to get it.

I’d love to hear your comments on this blog! Feel free to contact me also with questions call me at 985-707-5035 or email me at pbennett@latterblum.com. Let’s get you moving! Anywhere in the country, I can get you there.

Posted by:Patricia Bennett

One of the great amenities Slidell has to offer is location, location, location! Nestled at the crossroads of I-59, I-10 and I-12, it’s a breeze to make it daily into New Orleans for work with a 40 minute commute, hit the casinos in south Mississippi in 45 minutes, the beaches along the Alabama/Florida coast in 1 ½ hours, and the quaint North Shore charm of Covington and Madisonville in 30 minutes.

Slidell’s great location and real estate variety is also a draw to many locals, New Orleanians and other transplants who move from all over the country to this great area. You can live on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain in the Eden Isles/Oak Harbor area and have a boat docked in your back yard or you can live in the bird sanctuaries of such subdivisions as Stonebridge and the Bluffs. There are developments with homes on one or more acre lots to make sure you have the space you need to live or you can live in the quaint Old Towne area to soak up the local charm.

Anyway you look at it, Slidell give you a quality of life that makes sure you can get where you want to go.

I’d love to hear your comments on this blog! Feel free to contact me also with questions call me at 985-707-5035 or email me a pbennett@latterblum.com. Let’s get you moving! Anywhere in the country, I can get you there.

Posted by:Patricia Bennett

This community will be located in Historic Garyville, St. John Parish. I’m off to meet with the representatives to get more information on amenities, prices and floor plans. Designs will include Acadian, French and Creole.

Stay tuned for the full report.

St. James Parish
The Bonfire Capital of the World
www.stjamesla.com

St. John the Baptist Parish
The Andouille Capital of the World
www.sjbparish.com

For more information on the real estate market, available properties and the area, contact Vanessa B. Scott, REALTOR^® at 504.616.3539 or vscott@latterblum.com. I’m sure you have questions that you need answered, please call or email me. Then, you will discover and know why it is a great time to invest in St. James and St. John Parishes.


Posted by:Vanessa B. Scott

And you thought it was stressful just deciding on a home and making an offer! But once the offer is accepted by the seller, the real work by everyone begins.

Here are the steps you, as the buyer, and your real estate agent need to work through to get you in your new home):

1. Notify your lender of the accepted offer. Ask your real estate agent to forward to your lender a copy of the contract. Then meet with your lender to:

• Complete your loan application.
  
• Gather all required paperwork so to your loan request moved into “underwriting.”
  
• Order your home appraisal through your lender and pay for it.
  

2. Inspect your new home. Work with your agent to:

• Complete all home inspections within the time period stated in your accepted offer. Hiring a Louisiana licensed inspector is always recommended.
  
• Within the inspection period, once all inspections have been done, you must notify the seller in writing that you either:
  

1) accept the home as is and wish to move forward with the transaction, or
2) do not accept the home and are terminating the agreement, or
3) noted deficiencies during the inspection and are asking the seller to remedy the situation by reducing the selling price, pay for repairs of the deficiencies and/or pay certain buyer prepaid and closing cost items. Negotiate with the seller on these items and agree to any new terms in writing.

3. Hire a title search and closing company.

• Ask your real estate agent to obtain quotes from different companies in the area to perform the title search and handle the closing.
  
• Decide if you want to buy an owner’s title insurance policy. This is always recommended for new buyers.
  
• Ask the firm you hire to begin performing the title search on the property.
  

4. Obtain Flood and Homeowners insurance as required by your lender.

• Make sure an insurance binder is issued in your name for the property. Obtaining a quote from a company is not sufficient.
  
• Send this information to your lender AND to the closing company.
  

5. Do the final walk through of the home.

• Make sure the home is in the same or better condition from when it was inspected.
  
• Verify that any repair work completed by the seller was done as agreed to earlier as part of the inspection response.
  

6. Prepare for your closing.

• Review your HUD Settlement Statement provided by the closing company to ensure it properly shows all monies related to the transaction.
  
• Contact utility companies to have services turned on as of the closing date.
  
• Contact your lender once again to make sure they have given you final loan approval and are ready to close.
  
• Obtain a cashier’s check made out to the closing company for your portion of owed closing and prepaid costs, as well as the down payment. This total amount is listed on line 303 of the HUD statement.
  
• Bring a picture ID to the closing.
  
• Pack your items and plan how you will transfer them into your new home.
  

7. After the closing…..

• Change your locks on all doors.
  
• Make sure all your utilities are turned on.
  
• Have the post office forward your mail to your new address.
  
• Move in and enjoy your new home!
  

What else have you learned about this topic? Drop me a line and share with the group.

As always, if you have any questions call me at 985-707-5035 or email me a pbennett@latterblum.com. Let’s get you moving! Anywhere in the country, I can get you there.

Posted by:Patricia Bennett

Always unique, culturally diverse, and historically significant, well, we’ve always known the Faubourg Marigny was a treasure to the City of New Orleans. Now the APA, American Planning Association, has agreed and designated the Faubourg Marigny to its 10 Great Neighborhoods for 2009.

Originally the area denoted as the Faubourg Marigny was part of Bernard de Marigny’s plantation, and it was from this land that the neighborhood down from the French Quarter was created. Parcels of land began to be sold around 1805 often to gens de couleur or free people of color. Speculation and rumor has the land was sold to satisfy Bernard’s gambling debts, but whether that is true or not remains unclear, although it adds to the rich lore of the Marigny. Over time the area filled with rich and diverse architectural styles including Craftsman, Italianate, and Greek Revival styles along with Creole cottages and shotguns. As a point of interest, in 1974 the Faubourg Marigny was added to the National Register of Historic Places in large measure due to these diverse and unique architectural styles.

With the abundance of historic properties in the area, the supernatural aspect can’t be far behind in New Orleans. Several local establishments such as Feelings Restaurant located at Franklin and Chartres is rumored to be haunted on the second floor by a small girl. Having eaten at Feelings on numerous occasions, I can attest to the great food and atmosphere, but alas! no ghostly apparition. Perhaps you will be luckier!

Moving forward, the Marigny will play an integral role in the development of green space along the Mississippi River in the $30 million project to begin in the first quarter of 2010 dubbed Reinventing the Crescent. That project will open access to the river for residents and guests alike to enjoy that magnificent waterway through parks and walkways along the Faubourg Marigny and Bywater. Just another reason to enjoy this fabulous historic neighborhood!

If you’re in a walking mood, come join us at Washington Square for the Fourth Annual Faubourg Marigny Walking Tour this Sunday October 18th to learn more about the rich architectural homes of the area.

And as always, if a historic property in a rich diverse area steps from the French Quarter interests you, give me a call at (504) 948-3011!

As an fyi, the following are the other nine APA 2009 Great Neighborhoods for 2009:

• Pasadena, California - Bungalow Heaven
• Lincoln, Nebraska - The Haymarket
• Kenmore, New York - Village of Kenmore
• Fargo, North Dakota - Downtown Fargo
• Portland, Oregon - Ladd’s Addition
• Franklin, Tennessee - Downtown Franklin Historic District
• Houston, Texas - Montrose
• Newport News, Virginia - Historic Hilton Village
• Spokane, Washington - Browne’s Addition

Posted by:Carol-Jean Dixon

Location. Location. Location.

Whenever you purchase a home, you also make an investment in the community. This weekend is a great time for you to visit St. John Parish to find out more about the area. Noted for the Cajun sausage, Andouille, the parish is hosting the festival named for the same. Located on the grounds of the St. John the Baptist Parish Community Center, this festival is designed so “A Smokin’ Good Time!’ will be enjoyed by all. Events include a gumbo contest and an apron contest as well as a 4-H contest. Sunday’s activities include a Jazz Brunch. Throughout the weekend, there will be children’s activities including a petting farm, a Hanna Montana impersonator, a playground and more. There will be a variety of music, dance performances, a food court, specialty vendors, and so much more. Make plans to attend the 2009 St. John Parish Andouille Festival. Dates: October 16, 17 & 18 Highway 51 Park at the St. John the Baptist Parish Community Center

Rides-Music-Crafts-Games-Food-Children’s Activities

St. John Parish is located within a half hour’s driving distance from New Orleans International Airport.

Visit the following links for more information:

www.andouillefestival.com www.baileysandouille.com
www.jacobsandouille.com www.cajunsausage.com

St. James Parish The Bonfire Capital of the World www.stjamesla.com

St. John the Baptist Parish The Andouille Capital of the World www.sjbparish.com

MEMO: Election day is October 17. October 17-18 is the Oak Alley Plantation Fall Arts and Crafts Festival in St. James Parish.

For information on available properties and great value for your investment dollars, please contact Vanessa B. Scott, REALTOR at vscott@latterblum.com or 504.616.3539. Then, you will know why it’s truly a great time to invest in The River Parishes.

Posted by:Vanessa B. Scott

Adding to last week’s post on Chinese dry wall, here are some more tidbits I’ve found out by attending some local seminars in the New Orleans area and reviewing research on how you can detect potential drywall contamination:

1. Look for “Made in China” stamped on the back of drywall and/or receipts that show what type of drywall was purchased. But remember, not all drywall made in China is contaminated.


2. Determine if you and/or your family are experiencing common physical symptoms including rashes, eye irritation, sinus irritation, and respiratory issues. Document such issues with a medical professional when possible in the event that you can seek compensation for damages in the future.


3. Have an electrician review the copper wiring in electrical sockets and in your primary electrical panel to see if it’s been discolored with a black, sometimes sticky substance. This is evidence of sulfide “off gassing” which is corroding the wires.


4. Review copper tubing behind the toilet, feeding your hot water heater and/or other areas of the home to see if it too is pitted or discolored as mentioned above for the copper wiring. Souder joints in plumbing are very susceptible to this type of sulpher corrosion, potentially adding to the damage by creating pipe leaks, water damage and eventually mold.


5. Check your AC copper tubing to also see if there is any of this same black discoloration. If you’ve had to replace your AC condenser more than once within a 6-12 month period over the past few years, this is a sign you could have sulfides in the home.


6. Search for metal pitting or discoloration on items such as in light fixtures, faucets and other metal items. Sulfides like to eat metal and often show their corrosive impact.


7. If possible, obtain an industrial meter that can read sulfide “off gassing” levels. Remember, however, if it’s a cool, dry day, the contaminated drywall does not “off gas” the sulfide as much, thus making it more difficult for meters to pick up a reading. As a result, some inspectors don’t see sulpher meters as 100% reliable when it comes to detecting any issues.


8. Finally, you can send a sample of a suspected piece of contaminated drywall to specialized labs for analysis. Usually, they require a 1 foot by 1 foot piece of drywall. I’ve heard prices for testing quoted anywhere from $300-$800 per piece. Remember too that testing only confirms or denies contamination in that one piece of drywall – not the entire house of drywall. For the latter, you’d have to have every piece of drywall in the home tested.

There is a growing group of inspectors who offer their services to look and test for Chinese Drywall contamination in your home. However, check their licenses and references to ensure you understand their skill set since there is no specific certification for this area at the present time.

What else have you learned about this topic? Drop me a line and share with the group. More information to come in the next installment.

As always, if you have any questions call me at 985-707-5035 or email me a pbennett@latterblum.com. Let’s get you moving! Anywhere in the country, I can get you there.

Posted by:Patricia Bennett

Great News! We are very excited to have started our first home and it is a presold in this great new development. It will have a Tuscany look with a fabulous outside kitchen. If you have been watching this new subdivision you will want to revisit and see the progress. We will be starting two garden villas as well, so watch us grow.

Tuscany West is located just 1.9 miles north of Interstate 12 in Covington, Louisiana.

Please let me know how I can help. Latter & Blum, Inc. Realtors, Louise Brady, Realtor^® (985) 626-5695 or (985) 951-9328.

Posted by:Louise Brady

The month of October has been designated as Fire Safety Month. This is a perfect time to implement a fire prevention and safety plan for your family and your pets. Basics should include an escape plan. The plan should be posted in visible areas of the house. Each family member should know the plan. It is very important to have drills so everyone can actually know the process.

Fire extinguishers. There are several types of extinguishers available. These include A, B, C and Multi-purpose. Be sure you have the appropriate type to suit your needs. Learn to use the fire extinguisher correctly. Recently on a local news program, a New Orleans firefighter mentioned the PASS system.

P Pull
A Aim
S Squeeze
S Sweep

Some locations for extinguishers include garage, laundry room, storage shed and the kitchen. There should definitely be extinguishers in rooms that have space heaters. Kitchen fires are a major source of home fires. When cooking, especially frying foods, it is a great idea to have the lid for the pot, pan or skillet nearby.

Do not be afraid to dial 9-1-1.
Fires may be smoldering…It is ok to dial 9-1-1.
Prevention is key. So, develop and use a fire prevention checklist.

Make sure there are smoke detectors throughout the house. Test the batteries in the smoke detectors. Typically, it is recommended that one change the batteries when Daylight Saving Time ends on November 1. Then, when Daylight Saving Time begins, the batteries can be changed again.

Today is a good day to go through your home to check for and take care of any fire hazards.

Please visit these websites for more information.

www.arcno.org
www.redcross.org/homefires

Vanessa B. Scott, REALTOR^®

St. James Parish
The Bonfire Capital of the World
www.stjamesla.com

St. John the Baptist Parish
The Andouille Capital of the World
www.sjbparish.com


Posted by:Vanessa B. Scott

Although there has been discussion of extending the $8000 tax credit to new home buyers by the November 30, 2009 deadline, it hasn’t happened yet! Don’t wait thinking this great opportunity will be extended. It may not and you’d hate to be on the sidelines full of regrets over that lost $8000.

In addition, a home purchase takes more time to put together than say purchasing a car. On the phenomenally successful Cash for Clunkers program, you could drive on the lot with your clunker of a car and drive off the lot with your new car. Purchasing a home requires a bit more time. Most lenders are requiring a full 45 days before a closing can be scheduled, and increasingly we have seen delays past the 45 day time frame. As we are already at the first of October, this opportunity to participate is passing new home buyers by! We are at 56 days and counting! Call your Realtor^® today, and begin the process for purchasing your new home!

As an aside, if you already have taken advantage of this $8000 tax credit, you can amend your 2008 income tax and receive your credit this year within 8-10 weeks after closing.

Posted by:Carol-Jean Dixon

I’ve attended a few different seminars for realtors on contaminated Chinese drywall in the New Orleans and North Shore area over the past month. One thing I’ve learned from listening to various inspectors and “experts” speak on the topic is that we are all still uncovering the financial, physical and structural impact this product will have on thousands of homeowners.

But there some great information out there that should be shared. Here are a few great things I’ve learned about this issue thus far:

• Not all drywall made in China is contaminated. The contaminated drywall has been traced to a few factories in a specific area of China. It’s hypnotized that these factories used contaminated run-off water from nearby coal mines to make the drywall, hence it’s contamination.

• The contamination primarily centers on 6 various sulfide contaminants that slowly breakdown within the drywall and “off gas.” Some of these sulfides smell (one in particular smells like a rotten egg) and some do not.

• Heat and humidity speed up the breakdown and “off gassing” of the sulfides in the drywall. Cool, dry air slows the “off gassing” down, making it harder to detect. Painting the drywall (which most of us do) does not block this “off gassing” from reaching living spaces.

• It’s estimated enough contaminated drywall was shipped and used in the US to build 37,000 ENTIRE homes. This number obviously increases when you consider that many people after a hurricane may have only rebuilt a portion of their home with drywall.

• It doesn’t take much contaminated drywall for there to be a problem. An example was given by an inspector who had a client where just a one sheet of contaminated drywall near his AC intake vent was installed. Thus all of the home’s air was circulated past this contaminated drywall and then throughout the house, causing numerous issues.

• At the present time, an overwhelming majority of complaints on contaminated drywall have come from Florida and Louisiana, primarily due to the extensive rebuilding that occurred in both states after hurricanes in 2004 and 2005. We need more people to file complaints so that not only a better estimate of the drywall damage can occur, but also to help ensure that this larger group of individuals can work together to deal with remediation issues, including finding legal and/or federal assistance.

• The earliest drywall issues go back to 2001, although most complaints center on drywall installed between 2004-2008.

• Go to http://www.doh.state.fl.us/ or www.cpsc.gov/info for more information. What else have you learned about this topic? Drop me a line and share with the group. More information to come in the next installment.

As always, if you have any questions call me at 985-707-5035 or email me a pbennett@latterblum.com. Let’s get you moving! Anywhere in the country, I can get you there.

Posted by:Patricia Bennett