New Orleans Louisiana Real Estate and Community Blog 

Moving into a new area is difficult for anyone. I myself, moved with my 9 year old daughter to a town outside of Jacksonville, Florida. As many people know, there is a large Naval Base facility in Jacksonville. So, with my now ex-husband and 9 year old daughter, Kacie, I moved to Middleburg, Florida which I discovered was about an hour commute to my new job with light or no traffic to Mandarin. Little did I know, the commute would be a stressful, time consuming event.

So it’s very important to be aware where you are moving . You’ll want to be fairly close to work, since it consumes most of your time travelling to and fro for yourself or possibly a significant other. Do you have friends or relatives nearby? They can help with neighborhoods that you’d like and schools you may want children to attend. Ask co-workers that have already relocated to the area or scouted the area about their thoughts.

Call me and I can input the criteria for the West Bank areas closest to your work or an area of interest within the price range and location and email those neighborhoods. If you have interest in other West Bank neighborhoods, such as, Belle Chasse, Gretna, Algiers, Harvey, Avondale, or possibly waterfront communities, such as, Barataria or Lafitte, I can help.

See below for a list of the Marrero Subdivisions. If you’d like information on other areas of the West Bank or surrounding communities and the schools nearby just send me an email at cindy@cindypayton.com. I would be happy to send you information on the area of interest.

To begin your Search for West Bank Properties Click Here.

So, as you can see there are many subdivisions in the Marrero area you can choose from. Since I live in Marrero, it is an easy subject to cover and I’ll be blogging about area businesses of interest. There is also a website of Jefferson Parish Schools to find out more information about each school. I’ll also provide any other schools in the West Bank area or surrounding communities of interest.

Posted by:Cindy Payton

Uptown New Orleans is known for its many historic homes. Take a ride on the streetcar and you will see many stunning examples of our unique architecture—from the center hall cottage to the Queen Anne and everything in between. But the real beauties, true luxury properties, are clustered around Audubon Park and the stately oaks there.

This lovely home at 382 Broadway is just steps from Audubon Park and puts a modern flair on a traditional New Orleans home. Triple crown moldings, corbels, gleaming hardwood floors and a striking stained glass window are artfully blended with contemporary styling. The quality renovation features a gourmet kitchen, sumptuous master suite with study, his and hers master baths and a spacious dressing room. The den opens to a lushly landscaped courtyard designed by Davis Jahncke and saltwater pool.

Every detail, from the chic light fixtures to the winding staircase says this home is simply elegant.

For more information on this home or other luxury properties Uptown or in the Garden District call Kelli Wright at 504-613-7902.

Posted by:Kelli Wright

Broadmoor neighbors have come together to design a park for dogs and people, Dogmoor. The site is in the heart of New Orleans, only minutes from Uptown, the CBD, Mid-City, Carrollton and Jefferson Parish, in the neutral ground bounded by South Jefferson Davis Parkway and Washington Avenue, right by Blue Plate. Part of the Broadmoor redevelopment plan, the dog park is designed to revitalize that corridor by increasing pedestrian and business activity and will not only serve as a recreational area but also as an educational facility committed to pet health and safety. The Dogmoor Neighborhood Committee has formed partnerships with SPCA for events and pet-ownership education, the Red Cross for pet health awareness and with FEMA for pet evacuation education.

(Click to Enlarge)

The park will be completely fenced and sport double gates to prevent any canine escapes. In addition to a large dog area, there will be a small dog activity area, a training and education area, people and pet water fountains as well as seating, rest areas and a community bulleting board. There is plenty of parking surrounding the park and all new plantings will be donated by the Hike for Katreena Organization.

For more information on Dogmoor go to their website, www.dogmoor.com. Small and large donations are welcome!

Posted by:Kelli Wright

Real estate in the world-famous French Quarter is jumping!

36 sales have taken place in the last 6 months. Sale prices ranged from $83,000 for a 205 square foot studio located half a block from the Mississippi Riverfront to $1,830,000 for a renovated circa 1850’s stately Royal Street single with 5,387 sq. ft. with 7 bedrooms, 6.5 baths, and gated off-street parking. If you’re going to live in New Orleans, what a place to live! Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have a fabulous French Quarter home as does Nicholas Cage. Quarterites run the gamut from full time residents, weekenders, and people with 2nd homes….(photos below show some of the high-end homes)

Properties are currently listed from $110,000 to $7.4 million including condos, singles, multi-family, investment, and commercial real estate. Leases range from $700.00/month to $14,000/month…something for everyone.

HUNGRY?!

Visitors to New Orleans want to know where the great, non-touristy French Quarter restaurants are. My 2 favorites are IRENE’S located on the corner of Chartres and St. Philip Streets where the food is absolutely terrific and the service is top notch and friendly! Get there when they open, or be prepared for a wait…but, they do have a piano bar.

MONA LISA is a cozy place tucked away in the 1200 block of Royal Street. if you like pizza and Italian food, you will freak out here…it’s just TOO GOOD with pop art and super service.

Posted by:Lane Lacoy

While the Westbank enjoys all of the attractions of a major city, the area has always maintained its own individuality and “small town” feeling. Only minutes by expressway or ferry from the hustle of the heart of New Orleans and French Quarter, the West Bank’s quaint personality has been forged in part by its partition from those centers by the mighty Mississippi.

A few of the many attractions include first class golf courses, a large cineplex and very unique swamp and airboat tours. Young and old enjoy Bayou Segnette State Park and Jean Lafitte National Park, and sport fishermen enjoy some of the country’s best fresh and salt water fishing. You don’t have to go far to find fine dining establishments. In addition to Oakwood Mall, a major suburban shopping center, the casual shopper might enjoy the Gretna Farmer’s Market and the open air seafood market in Westwego.

The Westbank has many residential communities to choose from to fit individual wants, needs and price range. From historic Algiers Point to the luxurious gated community of English Turn, the savvy home buyer will find the best prices per square foot in the greater metropolitan area.

If the Westbank of New Orleans sounds like the place for you, Click Here to search for properties.

Posted by:John Moore

As eluded in my last week’s BLOG ONE to the cycles over the past years within the real estate industry , with BLOG TWO I again reflect on history with the results of the “1986 Tax Reform Bill”; plus, simultaneously the down turn of the oil industry here in New Orleans and affecting many other areas of the United States. With the negatives there also came the positives for home buyers and investors resulting in a thriving business of analyzing the values of “troubled” assets for financial institutions, marketing the assets, and FINALLY a satisfied buyer and an improvement in the asset’s neighborhood. These “assets” are commonly know as REO’s, an abbreviation for “Real Estate Owned” (definition = property which is in the possession of a lender as a result of foreclosure or forfeiture) and HERE WE GO AGAIN in a similar cycle with an added dimension of SHORT SALES. So, if you are in the position to buy your first home, “move up” and/or invest: count your pennies, check your credit, get pre-approved by a lender if you need a loan (TSerro@Essentialmtg.com), and call Carolyn Mitchell, GRI,CRS,SRES,BS–agent with Latter & Blum Inc./Realtors 504-561-6083 for guidance.

TIP ONE

“Your Dream Castle” could come true using the patience & strategy of a (POSSIBLE SHORT SALE) with listing #786663 (www.latter-blum.com) comfortably tucked behind the gate in Barkley Estates.

3357 Knightsbridge Dr., Harvey, La. 70058

TIP TWO

Just a sample of REO properties that may glean a “positive cash flow” for the investor and/or owner-occupant on these two “doubles” with listing #780818 (www.latter-blum.com) (63-67 Westpark Court) and listing#782402 (www.latter-blum.com) (320-322 Slidell Street) in Algiers, 70114, on The Westbank close to The Mississippi Bridge within a few minutes of The French Quarter, The Convention Center, The Riverwalk, The Superdome, and The Central Business District. The lender may even do “special financing”.

63-67 Westpark Ct

320-322 Slidell St.

OR this economical single-family FANNIE MAE REO opportunity offering unique FANNIE MAE REO RENOVATION FINANCING with listing #770540 (www.latter-blum.com)

3537 Timberbluff Lane in Algiers 70131

HURRY!!! Give me a call and I’ll help you through ANY steps to BUY or SELL REAL ESTATE—Carolyn Mitchell 504-451-6083 (cmitchell@latterblum.com)

Posted by:Carolyn Mitchell

I’m often asked by friends and clients alike how I like living in the French Quarter. I think they believe life in the French Quarter is one long party, and that surely no sane person can endure such a lifestyle for long. Well, there is a party always going on for sure, but it’s up to you how much you want to join that party. More than party central, it was and is a vibrant eclectic neighborhood full of vitality and characters, surrounded by incredible architecture, and the true heart of the city. Because the Quarter is not known for expansive yards, you are pretty much out interacting with your neighbors, whether you want to or not. Your neighbors see you walking your dog for his morning constitutional, heading down to Matassa’s to make groceries, and dropping off your cleaning at Pap’s. They see you enjoying a drink at Cosimo’s or having brunch at Eat or enjoying the dog park with that aforementioned dog. So in a sense it’s like living in a 50’s neighborhood, where everyone knows everyone else and their business, but no one ever admits that. So next time you’re in the Quarter look for the signs of the original New Orleans neighborhood that surrounds you. You won’t be disappointed.

Posted by:Carol-Jean Dixon

Are you a first time home buyer? Would you like some free money? The Finance Authority of New Orleans (FANO) is offering a fantastic program to help you become a homeowner called The Pathway to Homeownership. It’s a soft second mortgage program that may give you up to $65,000 and an additional $10,000 for closing costs. What is a soft second mortgage? It is a mortgage with no interest and no payments. This program requires you to live in the home for three years. After five years they forgive 25% of the second mortgage, every year after that they forgive 15% of the balance until the tenth year when they forgive the whole second mortgage. Free money! If you sell the house before the ten years are up you just repay the balance of the loan with your proceeds from the sale.

Most of the funds are for specific neighborhoods called Opportunity Zones. The Opportunity Zones are all over the City in areas like Broadmoor, Carrollton, Lakeview, Central City, Gentilly and New Orleans East. However, there is some additional money for any home that sustained at least $5200 worth of damage in Hurricanes Katrina or Rita. That’s almost every house in Broadmoor, Lakeview, Gentilly and New Orleans East! Here are two houses that are eligible for the funding, a single at 2605 Laurel Street and a double at 8524-26 Apricot Street.

The home must be completely renovated and able to pass an FHA inspection. There are some income restrictions and the buyer must complete a 12-hour home buyer’s class. Check out FANO’s website at www.FinanceAuthority.org to see maps of the Opportunity Zones, find a home buyer’s class or a partner lender (remember you will have to qualify for a first mortgage for more than 50% of the sales price.)

Posted by:Kelli Wright

New on the market is this classic Southern Plantation home reminiscent of a way of life that goes back to Louisiana’s roots. This home offers 6565 square feet of living on three floors. Designed by well renowned architect, A. Hays Town, who was known for the use of old Cypress floors, doors and beams with brick floors. This home takes the ordinary to the extraordinary with so many unique features.

An impressive pool surrounded by a brick & slate patio looks out to a deep navigable lagoon leading to the river. It won’t be hard to relax and take in the beauty of Louisiana here.

Take a boat ride down the river from the boat dock which will take you out to Lake Ponchartrain then into the Gulf of Mexico.

You will enjoy privacy on this 4.3 acre estate in Covington, Louisiana

Visit LouiseBradySells.com for additional information.

Posted by:Louise Brady

Looking for a foreclosure or an REO ( Real Estate Owned), property in St Charles Parish? Here are a couple of tips that I am finding to be the new trend in foreclosure sales. As a Listing agent for foreclosed or Real Estate owned properties for the past couple of years, I have noticed a few changes. One of the biggest changes has been list price.

A few short years ago, Foreclosures were originally listed very close to the market value of that area, even when the home was in need of repairs. These listings would sit on the market, and then price reduction after price reduction until a bargain hunter was finally found. Today, Asset Managers are listing these homes far below market value and taking into account the repairs needed to make the home livable. Because of the below market pricing, foreclosures are not remaining on the market for long. If you are interested in one of these homes, the first step you need to take is to secure financing. If you are choosing to purchase with a mortgage, contact a lender and start the process. If you plan to invest your cash, talk to your banker and have a proof of funds letter available to you. In order to make an offer to purchase an REO property, you must have proof of funds or pre-qualification. Don’t sit on the fence, by the time you decide to get off; the home will almost certainly be gone. Contact a Real Estate Agent, let them know what you are looking for and have them start searching for properties. A Realtor will be your link to these homes, your personal representation and your direct link form contract to sale. Don’t miss out on what could be a golden opportunity by trying to surf the millions of web sites out there.

A local Realtor will have all the information you need to get your investment, or owner occupant property, a certainty. Just remember, Location, Location, Location, still plays a key role in Real Estate. If it is location you are looking for, it is location you will pay for.

Posted by:Monique Gros

The Talking Heads’ song, “Once in a Lifetime” opening line was “And you may find yourself living in a shotgun shack…” Who knew until then that David Byrne appreciated these wonderful historic homes? And for many New Orleanians and visitors alike, these are the homes that are typical of New Orleans architecture.

Most believe these homes got their name from the belief someone could shoot a shotgun through the front door and the pellets would go clean out the back of the house without hitting anything. That’s a comforting thought. The basic structure of a New Orleans shotgun was a raised wood frame house, built close to the street, with 3-5 rooms lined one after another.

Fireplaces were centered between rooms, and high ceilings allowed for better air circulation. Over time and renovations, these delightful shotgun homes have evolved into appreciated uniquely New Orleans architectural homes.

Don’t forget to check out some shotgun variations like camelbacks on the Bywater Home Tour this Sunday, May 24 from 1-4pm. Tickets are $12 at Bud Rip’s Bar, corner of Piety and Burgundy.

Please call me at 504-812-8481 if I can be of any help!

Posted by:Carol-Jean Dixon

Today we learned that New Orleans will host the NFL Super Bowl in 2013!

It’s great news for our city, because it loudly demonstrates to the world that we are back in the saddle as a premiere venue to host a national event. We’ll also be hosting the Sugar Bowl, the Final Four, and several other large sporting events that year.

Aside from bringing in an estimated $300 million to the city, the psychological boost is enormous. The fact that the NFL owners have enough faith to entrust their largest spectacle to this city sends a message that business leaders around the world can do the same.

I received data from the National Association of Realtors today that showed that national vacancy rates for industrial, retail and office have each risen this year. Only multi-family occupancy rates held. Commercial real estate activity usually calms down during the summer months (and is already sluggish now); but our national economist predicts that in the fourth quarter of 2009, we’ll see commercial activity moving upward.

This movement should tie in nicely with today’s announcement, because it means that New Orleans will be well positioned to take advantage of the increase in activity.

For instance, the construction of new condo units here is dormant, but this news should mean that we can anticipate a revival within three years. Additionally, there has been a deal on the table for the owner of the Saints, Tom Benson, to buy the vacant office building, Dominion Tower, next to the Dome and lease it back to the state.

It wouldn’t look good for the world media to cover the Super Bowl game and see a shuttered office tower immediately next door.

Look forward to the deal being struck. Look forward to the big game in 2013. And look forward to a resurgence in our commercial market before then.

Posted by:Skip Weber

Agents need to take extra time with first time homeowners these days to educate them with the basics of home ownership. I looked back through my own first time ownership experience, to help the generation of today. Sometimes it gets a little frustrating, but very rewarding in the end.

My first home was a single wide trailer, parked on a rented piece of property. It was not a mansion, by any means. It was clean, neat and my first home! Wow, was I excited. I knew this would not be my home forever, but it would serve its purpose. I only lived in that second hand trailer for 1 year and 2 months. My goal was to purchase the property I was on and build a small home. For 1 year, we saved and saved. The land owner finally agreed to sell us the 80x120 lot we were on. I sold the trailer, moved in with friends and got in touch with a builder. I had my loan ready and waiting. I could not afford much, so we built a small home, 3 bed 2 baths, cozy and comfortable.

I guess what I am trying to say is… Your first home does not have to be your last home. Talk to a lender, see what price range you qualify for. Remember; the price range you qualify for may not be the price range you chose to spend in. Consult a Realtor, get a list of available homes within your comfortable range. Your Realtor will make appointments to view these homes. When touring these homes, keep your focus on affordable and upgradeable.

I teach my first time homeowners the 80-10-10 rule. If the home has 80% of your qualifications met, 10% of things you can change and 10% of things your can live with. It is probably the best fit for your needs.

Posted by:Monique Gros

A local favorite of mine is Southside Bar & Grill located on Ponchartrain Drive in Slidell. I enjoy its laid back atmosphere and mouth watering food served up daily. You can sit at the bar and watch some sports with a beer in hand or sit at a table and do some good eating. Some favorites of mine include the “killa fries,” a mound of fries slathered in cheese and other toppings that make me salivate just thinking about them. Although they’re listed as an appetizer, I’ve had many a friend get them for their entire meal. Another good appetizer is the spinach and artichoke dip, with those extra crispy chips doused with parmesan cheese.

But these are just the warm-ups to the variety of hot sandwiches and plated dishes that Southside has to offer. My recommendations for hot sandwiches include the Honey Island Chicken and the Pontchartrain Pig. You also can’t beat their seafood poboys, especially when they’re filled with fried oysters, shrimp or soft shell crab. I had the fried catfish and sweet potato fries on my last visit and I just about licked the plate when I was done. So stop by if you in the area and taste a little of Slidell. It’s just that good!

Posted by:Patricia Bennett

I went to the gas station last week to fill up and paid $1.99 a gallon to fill up my SUV. A few days ago it was $2.15 a gallon and yesterday my husband said he paid $2.19 a gallon. A REALTOR^®’s car is one of their most important tools. So I tell myself to just suck it up and pay the man.

While contemplating my marketing budget for 2009, I was lamenting the rising cost of advertising. Until my 4 year old granddaughter said excitedly, “Granny, I know someone whose picture is in the newspaper! Expecting her to show me a picture of her teacher or her mom or dad or even Hannah Montana, I waited for her to show me just who she was talking about. It was me. Latter & Blum helps support their REALTOR^®’s advertising budget by paying for most of an ad in the Times-Picayune on Sunday for 13 weeks with a color picture of the property and REALTOR^® in the various Metro sections. Later that week, I received a few calls from past clients saying they had seen the same ad, and though they might not be ready just yet they would forward it on to friends and family.

A couple of weeks ago while riding in the car with the same granddaughter, we passed a billboard for a local Gentlemen’s club my granddaughter yelled excitedly, look Granny, that’s where mommy gets our costumes from. Well, her mom wanted to crawl under the seat but her dad explained merrily that they had passed that sign in October when there was an attractive young lady in a witches costume on the same billboard. Having just ordered her costume and her sisters costume for Halloween and costumes for her Dance Review she naturally assumed mommy got her costumes from the same place. Ah hum – well if she could remember that, maybe there is something to this billboard advertising thing. Anyone know where I can sign up for one of those billboards?

And the latest form of marketing is this new blog! Welcome to www.neworleanscommunities.com, LATTER & BLUM’S newest and most innovative form of marketing and source for local information and Real Estate insight for all of our communities. If I can be of any help in marketing your home, or helping you find your dream home, please call me, Diane Hunn, at the Kenner office (504-443-3300 X 21177). Or, you can reach me at the St. Charles Parish office at (504-565-5868 X 35208). I’ll see you around the neighborhood!

Posted by:Diane Hunn

Welcome to my new blog!

It has been quite a ride since Katrina, and it seems that the New Orleans commercial real estate market never sits still.

Right after the hurricane, my phone rang off of the hook from people who needed industrial space. Many were trying to find places for their businesses which saw their buildings destroyed, and others were out-of-towners who wanted to open a business here to take advantage of the huge needs of hundreds of thousands of people.

There were not enough places for people to live that were habitable, so there was a huge demand for residential housing.

Today, it’s 3 and a half years later, and everything is 180 degrees changed from then.

We have over a million square feet of empty warehouses, and we have a glut of apartments!

Whereas immediately after the storm the commercial real estate market was red hot, today it is cool.

In future blogs, we’ll talk about what is the current situation and we’ll try to answer some of your questions about the market. Feel free to add comments at the bottom, and I’ll do my best to address them.

Thanks for coming to visit!

Posted by:Skip Weber

The Bywater Home Tour, “From Piety to Desire”, is scheduled for this Sunday, May 24 from 1-4pm. What a great way to see a fabulous mix of historic homes from Creole cottages to camelbacks to converted Victorian singles and all, of course, are found in the funky, eclectic neighborhood of Bywater!

Located down river from the French Quarter and Marigny, Bywater is home to artists, hipsters, and young professionals. Favorite neighborhood haunts include Vaughn’s, Bywater’s noted juke joint, Markey’s Bar, Saturn Bar, and Bud Rip’s, just a few of the local watering holes, and local eateries such as Bywater Bar B Que, The Joint, Elizabeth’s, Country Club, Coffea, Jack Dempsey’s, Bacchanal and who am I forgetting? What other neighborhood offers you the opportunity to buy Holy Water, a Catrina, and an old Mardi Gras costume except Bywater? And all surrounded by an incredible array of historic homes from camelbacks to Greek revivals to side hall cottages, and including the largest inventory of shotgun homes in New Orleans. This is one neighborhood that defies description and one tour of homes you don’t want to miss! Pick up your tickets at Bud Rip’s Bar located at 900 Piety St (at the corner of Piety and Burgundy), $12 general admission, $10 for Bywater Neighborhood Association members and see a wonderful array of historic homes.

Call me at 504-812-8481 if you have any questions. I am here to help.

Posted by:Carol-Jean Dixon

It is important when you decide to sell your home that you are prepared to get it ready. I always explain to a seller that staging a home is like merchandising in a department store. Your home needs to show at its best.

The outside of your home needs to have curb appeal. Freshening up the landscaping with mulch and seasonal flowers will certainly dress up your home so that prospects wants to call for an appointment.

It is also a great time to remove the clutter and clean out closets. A little preparation on a seller’s part will go a long way in marketing the home in the shortest period of time. Staging your home will work to get a sale.

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

Oh my, how The Real Estate Industry’s technology has progressed in the past 29 years in which I have been privileged to assist clients in this ever-changing field!

In 1980 with the interest rates hovering around 18%, there was very little sharing of information from broker to broker except by flyers and an extremely basic “MLS” network (via a bi-weekly book the size of the old Sears and Roebuck Catalogue). We have NOW PROGRESSED to BLOGGING and our faithful sidekicks, the LAPTOP and the DIGITAL CAMERA!!

Here I go with MY FIRST BLOG!!!!! Routinely I will share my: “words-of- wisdom”, market prospective, facts and figures, tips on information that may make and/or save you $$$, information on “THE BIG EASY”, and hopefully lots of fun and opportunities.

TIP ONE-just listed 5741 Pembrook, N.O., La. 70131-A FINE BUY Ref #: 789207 on www.latter-blum.com

TIP TWO-JUST ANNOUNCED by HUD to HELP the “first-time homebuyer” with the down payment and closing costs (UP TO $8,000) to purchase the above FINE BUY Ref #: 789207 on www.latter-blum.com.

Hurry!!! Give me a call and I’ll help you through ANY of the steps to BUY or SELL REAL ESTATE—Carolyn Mitchell 504-451-6083.

Posted by:Carolyn Mitchell

Tuscany West Estates in Covington, Louisiana is one of the newest subdivisions in Western St. Tammany Parish. The grand entrance is very impressive for this well planned out community that has paved streets, street lights and a completely finished pool & cabana area. Two of our homes are being built now and will feature the Tuscany look.

There will be a small section reserved for garden villas for those who want to downsize and have less to care for. The rest of the home sites will be for single family homes.

The location of this premier subdivision is just 1.9 miles north of Interstate 12. The subdivision is close by a new high school that opened recently and to a soccer and baseball complex.

For more information why not give me a call. Latter & Blum, Inc. Realtors, Louise Brady at 985-626-5695 or direct at 985-951-9328.

Posted by:Louise Brady

What a treat it is to live in the peaceful community of St. Charles Parish. As a lifelong resident of this community, I have seen many changes our Parish has to offer homeowners. Our wonderful schools have excellent ratings and our crime level is so low, it is almost non-existent. Due to this fact, our car insurance rates are lower. The Parish taxes are some of the lowest in the State. St Charles Parish has so much to offer if you are looking for your first home, last home, investment property or if you are just looking to rent for a while. Neighboring Industrial Plants offer a variety of job opportunities and contribute to our Parish to keep our taxes low. Or newest subdivision, Ashton Plantation, located on the west bank of the Mississippi River, is a hit with both long time residents and new comers to the area. Ashton Plantation is located off of Historical River Road and is a stones throw away from I-310. We have new subdivisions like Ashton Plantation and established neighborhoods like Avalon, and Fashion Plantation.

Further into the Parish, but yet still conveniently located to the Interstate, there is Willowdale and Willowridge Plantation which is a golf course community complete with swimming pool and club house. Come out and see what St Charles Parish has to offer, you just might be a little surprised at how much we have grown in the last couple of years.

Call me for more information if you are interested in purchasing a home anywhere in St Charles Parish, Louisiana 504-460-4948

Posted by:Monique Gros

We are fortunate in the New Orleans Historic Districts to have an active real estate market. We have lots of buyers, many from out-of-state, with terrific incentives such as the $8,000 federal income tax credit and up to $65,000 soft second grants for first time home buyers.

Prices are competitive ranging from $115,000 for a fixer-upper to a $999,000 for a historically significant plantation-style home adjacent to the world-famous French Quarter. AND, there’s a healthy inventory of quality homes available under $200K.

Lots going on in Bywater … the 2009 Bywater Home Tour is scheduled for Sunday, May 24th, 1-4 p.m. with seven fine homes for you to view. This event is always a local favorite! Call me if you have any questions at 504-957-5116.

Here is a photo of 1 of the 7 homes featured on the tour:


Posted by:Lane Lacoy

As the mighty Mississippi River flows through our land and hearts, the St. Charles Parish community enjoys scenic waterways, antebellum plantations, unlimited recreation, friendly people and our own way of life.





Well kept homes, great schools, and convenient shopping make us proud to .... "call it home in St. Charles Parish!"



A wonderful local government provided link gives more details on this community. Click here to view the site.

Posted by:Chuck Sheefel

In a city like New Orleans, where there are so many historic properties in historic neighborhoods, it’s a shame that more people don’t know about the Louisiana State Residential Rehabilitation Tax Credit. You may be familiar with the Vieux Carre and Garden District, but don’t forget about lesser known historic neighborhoods like Broadmoor, Carrollton and Mid-City. This under-utilized tax credit is available to any owner occupied building in a locally designated historic district, a Main Street district, a Cultural district, a Downtown Development District (DDD,) a contributing property in a National Register (NR) district, a residential structure that is listed or eligible for listing on the National Register, or a vacant or blighted building that is at least 50 years old. We have 19 Cultural districts, at least 21 Historic Districts, the Downtown Development District, 6 Louisiana Main Street communities, dozens of structures on the National Register and too many blighted and vacant old buildings to count. That covers a lot of properties in New Orleans!

There is a sliding scale on the tax credits, from 10% to 25% depending on the scope of the renovation, but the minimum expenditure is $20,000 and the cap on the credit is $25,000. The tax credit is divided into five equal portions so essentially you get up to a $5000 credit for five years. The first year’s credit must be taken in the year in which the work is completed. If the full credit cannot be taken in a given year, the owner will receive a check for that amount as a refund. Not bad! There are also Historic Rehabilitation tax credits for income-producing properties individually listed on the NR or as a contributing element within a NR Historic District and Louisiana State Historic Preservation tax credits for income-producing properties that are contributing elements within a DDD or Cultural District as determined by the Division of Historic Preservation. Have I mentioned that there are also Federal tax credits for historic properties?

As with any taxes or tax credits there are certain requirements and standards that must be met. Check out the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism’s website or call me at 504-613-7902 for more information.

Posted by:Kelli Wright

Attract the buyers’ interest! April and May are my favorite months to show properties! Really, Friday I spent all day (and I do mean all day) showing homes to a relocating buyer. What a nice man! He was scouting out areas for his wife who will be in next week. And he knew what he was looking for too. He had visited our website, checked out info I sent him and was already pre-approved in the price range we were looking in!

Oh yes, getting back to my favorite months to show property. Nice weather, blooming flowers, you know, perfect (contract writing) atmosphere! Most sellers had their gardens in order and their homes staged to sell! Realtors are getting through to them. That, or they are watching way to much HGTV. Selling 101 – invite the buyer in and then keep him there longer than the competition.

Let us start with the exterior; mow the lawn, plant fresh flowers, trim those hedges and put away garbage cans. Front doors and porches should be painted and cleaned. When selecting flowers for your garden, try to stick to 2 or 3 colors and plant in large clusters. Nothing too cluttered or busy. Moving inside; make sure your home is spotless and organized. Remember, the first impression of the interior of the home, is everything. Rover barking and nipping at the buyer does not a good impression make! Aromas can invoke wonderful or awful memories. Fresh baked cookies are great – Fluffy’s cat litter box, not so much.

All in all, Friday was a great day. The homeowners’ that followed the rules of attracting buyers’ will be getting another visit this week when his wife is in town! Those that didn’t should consult and listen to your REALTOR!

Posted by:Diane Hunn

I have lived on the West Bank of New Orleans for the majority of my life. I grew up in Lafitte, moved to Harvey, Jacksonville, Florida, then back to Marrero. I am a full time licensed REALTOR® and enjoy helping clients purchase and sell their homes. I have helped clients in Slidell, La Place, Chalmette, New Orleans East and Boutte, but my specialty area is the West Bank. Enough about me, lets talk about the communities of the West Bank. The proximity of the West Bank Communities to New Orleans are very close. In approximately 10 minutes, you can be at your favorite restaurant, a special event like the Saints or Hornets Game, or a local "hot spot" for music and drinks.

The West Bank Communities of New Orleans are comprised of Algiers, Avondale, Barataria, Belle Chasse, Crown Point, Gretna, Harvey, Lafitte, Marrero, Terrytown, Waggaman, and Westwego neighborhoods.

Each week, I will review a city or town on the West Bank of New Orleans. My reviews will be about market snapshots, statistics, home sales reports, schools, restaurants, local "hot spots" (those hard to find places that locals love), businesses of interest, events, and activities. I'll also let visitors know my favorite places to visit and things they just can't miss while in New Orleans.

I would love to answer any questions you may have about the area. I do not claim to know everything, so if I don't know the answer, I'll research it and let you know. Click this link to search for property or give me a call at (504) 722-8815 or email me at cindy@cindypayton.com.

Also, If you been a visitor to our area, let me know about your experience and things you liked while you were visiting New Orleans.

I look forward to blogging again soon. Until then...

Posted by:Cindy Payton

I work with a number of first time home buyers. There’s no doubt that buying a home is a learning process – learning what you’d like to have, what you need to have and what you are willing to pay a little extra for as you assess your choices. So don’t feel bad if you need to look at one or two or even more than three dozen homes before getting comfortable enough with the process to make an offer.

Usually, a new buyer can quickly tell me how many bedrooms and bathrooms they want, and maybe even the school district. But does it need to have a split floor plan? Do you need a separate dining room? How large does the backyard need to be? Do you mind doing a little or a lot of renovation work to the home? Does it matter if it flooded during a rare, one time event such as Hurricane Katrina?

Regardless of how many homes you’ve bought, the key is to be patient. Look at a home’s details and prioritize what features are most important to you. Sure, you’d like a covered patio but is it more important than having granite countertops? Is a kitchen that is open to the living area more important than that fourth bedroom? Helping your agent understand your priorities helps us find what is right for you. Call me today at 985-707-5035 and I’ll be happy to help you take that first step into your new home.

Posted by:Trish Bennett

This is the time of year when people start to think of the glories of living on the water, specifically along the wonderful shoreline of Lake Ponchartrain. They see their boat sitting right outside their back door tied to their own, private boat dock or envision themselves lounging near the water as they sip a little something and watch the sunset. They hear the seagulls echo in their mind as they dream of getting on their sailboat and out onto the water at the drop of a hat.

The calls I get to look at homes in Eden Isles and the Oak Harbor communities, which sit on Lake Ponchartrain’s shores in Slidell, sky rocket during this time of year and with good reason. There are many great deals out there for homes on the water or a golf course in this established community. The variety of homes for sale give you plenty of options and price ranges as you decide to purchase either your primary residence, investment property or a vacation home in this area.

Features homes in this area have to offer include navigable waterways, pristine water views, open floor plans, direct access to golf courses, and nearby country clubs. There are also a cornucopia of townhouses and condos that sit near the local marina and are in excellent condition ready to be yours. Give me a call today at 985-707-5035 and I’ll be happy to send you more information on a wonderful, relaxing area to live in and enjoy.

Posted by:Trish Bennett

Katrina is now a memory but her signs are still alive in our world today. Was it not so long ago when you could drive through St Charles Parish on Highway 90 and not get stuck in traffic? Since Katrina, St Charles Parish has gained new residences. Where are all of these people living? Right here under our noses. After Katrina Homes sales soared to new heights. Homes were selling fast, people were moving into the area while others were moving out, either due to their jobs or just to get away from having to go through another hurricane. Where does our home selling market stand today, almost three years after Katrina?

Home sales have definitely slowed but have not come to a halt. St Charles Parish is still strong. We still have new people coming into the area due to our local plants and industries. Homes are sitting on the market longer than they did a year ago. We are seeing new subdivisions popping up, locals wanting to sell and move into those subdivisions but frustrated that their home has not sold yet. Is it your agent’s fault? Is my home overpriced? Is it outdated? Why am I not getting showings? All these questions and so many more go through buyer’s minds when their home doesn’t sell as fast as a friend or neighbors. You are not alone in your frustration. Your agent is doing all he/she can to market and sell your home. Work together, to get through this and soon a buyer will come along. If there is one thing I have learned in this business, it is that all homes have a buyer out there; some just take longer to find. If you are looking for that special home and just can’t find what you’re looking for, be patient, new listings appear frequently. If you are working with an agent, ask him or her to set you up with automatic e-mail. This will inform you every time a new listing with your specific criteria comes along. Whether it is a certain price, subdivision, city or a size preference, the right home for you is out there.

Posted by:Monique Gros