New Orleans Louisiana Real Estate and Community Blog 

Yes it is steaming in St Charles Parish this week! Hot, hot, hot! I am such a cold natured person, that I can never wait for the summer to get here. Now that it is here, whew, I am actually looking forward to winter again.

The weather is not the only thing steaming in St Charles Parish! Real Estate sales are starting to sizzle! Buyers are looking, sellers are listing. If you are in the market to purchase or sell, now is a great time to start the process.

After running an absorption report, a great tool offered to agents of Later & Blum,Inc/Realtors, I was not surprised by the results. We have a total of 207 Active listings in St Charles Parish that include both banks of the river. 98 Listings were sold in the past 90 days. That averages out to at least one sale per day. After reading that report, I also ran an Area Averages Report. Another great tool offer to agents of Latter & Blum,Inc/Realtors. This report shows the average days a home is on the market from listing to sold. The average days were 118. Now let’s take into account that 45-50 of those days are where the property is Under Contract and the buyer is fulfilling his loan obligation terms in order to get to Act of Sale. I thought both reports were very positive for our market considering all the downs we get when watching the news.

I, too, watch the news reports of slow to declining housing markets around the country. I also listen to those reports with an open mind, knowing that St Charles Parish is an exception. Why? Why should St Charles Parish be an exception to the rest of the country? My opinion is this:

St Charles Parish has a high rated school system that is in high demand of buyers. Local Plants are relocating employees both in and out of our area on a consistent basis. St Charles Parish is located within reasonable driving distance to New Orleans, which makes it an attractive place to live for those who do not mind a commute to work. St Charles Parish has a very low crime rate, lower property taxes and your car insurance will also be lower living here. St Charles Parish also offers a more country style, slower paced atmosphere close but yet just out of the hustle of city living.

These are just a few reasons our market is always on fire. It might simmer down at some time during the year, which is good, but sales are consistent in my area. My down time is spent in Continuing Education Classes, learning new ideas, technologies and Real Estate Law. All the good stuff I like to know to keep me on top of the market and its trends.

Call me, Monique Gros / Realtor, if you would like to know more about St Charles Parish, Louisiana living. 504-460-4948

Posted by:Monique Gros

We’ve all heard horror stories about closings on a home sale that never occurred or were seriously delayed. The title on the home was never cleared properly or the buyer’s loan was not approved or something on the HUD settlement statement is wrong. And these are the easier problems to fix.

What can you do to help the closing on your new home purchase or sale go more smoothly? Here are some helpful tips:

1. As a buyer, call your bank frequently prior to the closing date to make sure they have everything they need to keep your loan moving through the underwriting loan approval process. Often mortgage companies are overwhelmed and understaffed, not calling you about issues that you must resolve until it’s too late to close on schedule.



2. As a seller, talk to your current mortgagee and ensure you understand what funds they need to clear your current mortgage and what proceeds should come to you once the sale is finalized.



3. Try to schedule your closing earlier in the day as compared to later in the afternoon. That way if issues arise during the closing, your lender, their support staff and other businesses involved in the transaction will still be open to help you solve problems and close that day.



4. Bring a driver’s license or federal identification to the closing. In Louisiana, the closing company will need to have a copy so they can prove you are authorized to sign.



5. Make sure whatever funds you need to bring to the closing are in the form of a cashier’s check. Often the cashier’s check must be made out to the company handling your closing. Verify with them who to make the cashier’s check out to and the amount you need to bring prior to the closing.



6. Review your HUD Settlement Statement BEFORE the closing. Often there can be mistakes about insurance information, loan payout amounts, taxes to be collected and what closing costs the seller is paying for on behalf of the buyer. Correct these issues before you sit at the table during the closing to save time.



7. Finally, talk to your real estate agent about all of the above. We’re here to help and can often spot potential issues that we may need to solve together to get you into your new home.

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

Posted by:Patricia Bennett

You may have not been familiar with the Broadmoor area before Katrina, but you probably are now. Located in the heart of the city between S. Claiborne Avenue, Nashville and Toledano, Broadmoor is a National Historic District, a newly designated Cultural District and demographically representative of the City as a whole. All of its approximately 2300 properties were flooded to varying degrees when the levees gave way. Home to a variety of architectural styles, including the Bungalow, Craftsman, Colonial Revival, Mediterranean and Mission Revival, Broadmoor has emerged as a vibrant community with a strong neighborhood association. Early on the residents of the neighborhood banded together to rebuild and rebuild they have! Over ninety percent of the housing units are either occupied or currently under renovation, the Andrew Wilson Charter School will reopen on its original site in the fall after a $29 million dollar renovation, the Rosa Keller Library will reopen in early 2011 after a $4.5 million dollar renovation and many more plans for redevelopment are in the works. (See my May 29th blog post about Dogmoor.) The neighborhood association, the Broadmoor Improvement Association (BIA) sponsors housing fairs, “Walk the Neighborhood” nights, KidsCount youth fairs, a KaBoom playground, the annual Broadmoorfest, with music, food and vendors, as well as assisting residents in rebuilding with countless volunteers, social work fellows, legal clinics, quality of life coordinators and so much more! As a resident for more than twenty years I can help you find your home in this great neighborhood, just call Kelli Wright at 504-613-7902. Broadmoor Lives!

Posted by:Kelli Wright

• Add Value this Season
  
• Go Green
  
• Kenner Selected Again As Tree City U.S.A
  

Traditionally the warm-weather months are the busiest for real estate sales. Coupled with the historically low interest rates and $8,000 tax credit that will end at the end of 2009, more first time home buyers are being allowed the chance to become homeowners.

IN CASE YOU HAVEN’T HEARD …

The $8,000 tax credit made available by the federal government can now be monetized. That means the tax credit can be used as “real money” toward down-payment expenses or certain closing costs.

Monetization is the act of converting something into money.

This offers homeowners a wonderful selling opportunity and the extra incentive assists buyers with the opportunity to become homeowners. You do not want to miss out on this great opportunity by waiting to see what the market might do.

At Latter & Blum Inc./Realtors in Kenner, weekly meetings and a close eye on interest rates have shown that in the past several months there has been a slow but steady increase in interest rates.

To all of the home sellers out there, check out this 2008-09 Cost vs. Value report from Remodeling magazine. A fresh coat of paint and simple landscaping upgrades may be all it takes to boost curb appeal.

If you do not have the money to put out to buy plants or do not have a green thumb, seek out your friends, neighbor or a garden club. They are more than happy to assist you. In my neighborhood we swap plants and cuttings.

Trees and plants not only add value but also allow for a healthier environment for yourself and your family. GO GREEN!

Close to one-half of all greenhouse gas emissions are produced from buildings.

Because of high greenhouse gas emissions, 62% of all state governments have adopted green building policies (with 18 states coming on board in the last 3 years alone). Residential green building is expected to increase 100% over the next five years. 70% of home buyers said they were more inclined to buy a green home in a down economy than a non-green home.

CONSUMERS ARE DEMANDING IT.
GOVERNMENT IS REQUIRING IT.

Once again the City of Kenner is ahead of the game. The Tree City U.S.A. program is sponsored in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. Kenner originally received the designation on December 7, 2007.

The people of Kenner realize that trees are a vital component in the infrastructure of cities and towns, providing environmental and economical benefits. Trees in urban areas reduce the radiant heat island effect caused by pavement and buildings. Properly placed trees can increase property values. Leaves filter the air we breathe by removing dust and other particles. Trees also help reduce the effects of strong winds during storms.

I am proud to announce that on May 15, 2009, Kenner was once again selected “Tree City U.S.A.”

For the citizens of Kenner who have planted trees “Thanks for doing your part to help the environment”, but also remember that it is your responsibility to care for and maintain your trees. Leaves, pine needles, etc. should be cleaned up promptly, if not, they might find their way into the storm drains causing problems for drainage and our flood ratings. Dead or infested trees should be cut down or treated. Remember that we are now in hurricane season. Please do not wait until there is an approaching storm to tend to your trees.

PROUD TO BE A CITIZEN OF KENNER

PROUD TO BE YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD REALTOR

PROUD TO BE A PART OF LATTER & BLUM INC/REALTORS

Posted by:Debbie Sanderson

The City of Kenner is a community that is constantly evolving and improving for the benefit of all who live and visit. The top priority for an elected official is, “What do we need to do to get the maximum benefits with the budgeted amount of money.”

As a realtor, homemaker, homeowner, student, business owner, etc. we are all doing the exact same thing every day. A person will realize that the mortgage or rent is the largest expense to budget for. Next in line would be your insurances. Let’s not forget insurance, mortgage, title, PMI, hazard, flood, health, life, disability, universal life, automobile, boat, business interruption, etc. “Need I Go On?”

For those who may have missed the information of April 7, 2009, The National Flood Insurance Program’s community rating system has a 10 class rating system with Class 1 being the highest. Through the City of Kenner’s participation in this program since 1992 and the work that has been done cleaning out storm drains of debris improving drainage, this has allowed Kenner to go from a Class 8 rating to Class 7 rating. This means that property in a special flood hazard area will now receive a 15% reduction in premium and non-special flood hazard will receive a 5% reduction in flood insurance premiums.

No other communities in the state have a higher classification than a Kenner’s Class 7. WAY TO GO KENNER!

Having read this, like most of you I will be anxious to see a reduction in my flood insurance, whatever it might be. From what I was told I will see the difference when my flood insurance is renewed.

As a citizen of Kenner please try to assist in keeping grass cuttings, pine needles, leaves, trash, etc. out and away from the storm drains. This not only helps our flood ratings but it will benefit each and everyone since hurricane season is upon us.

Posted by:Debbie Sanderson

I made a recent trip to the lower 9th Ward to check out the progress of the Make It Right Project. Progress is astounding!

The Make It Right project was established by Brad Pitt after the devastation to the lower 9th Ward from hurricane Katrina in August 2005. The lower 9th Ward is located just below the Industrial Canal. As you may know, the levees broke during the storm, and the area adjacent these levee breaches was totally flooded leaving residents homeless. Learning of this and witnessing the destruction, Pitt decided to actively tackle the problem with the cooperation of city officials and design-winning architects.

The goals of Make It Right are to revitalize the lower 9th Ward by building quality, affordable, innovatively designed homes. To date, many have been built and/or are in the construction stages. The area of construction is located in the 1700 block of Tennessee Street. It’s a sight to witness…a true work of art. Be sure to make the trip when visiting New Orleans. It’s well worth it!

Posted by:Lane Lacoy

One of the first questions I get after signing a listing agreement with a seller is, “What improvements can I make now to help sell my house faster?” Often the homeowner then rattles off a long list of expensive, time consuming and house altering projects that would be wonderful to do but would also prevent home showings for weeks as construction occurred. Except in that rare case where work is needed to make the house livable, I never encourage a seller to move forward with these types of projects when they first put their house on the market.

Believe it or not, it’s the most basic of actions that have the biggest impact on getting a home sold. My first and strongest recommendation with each new listing is to clean and declutter. These two simple things have the greatest impact on a home selling. A clean, fresh smelling house reduces worries about how well the home has been maintained over the years. Pet odors, mold in the tub and dust bunnies in the corner are some of the basics that must be taken care of if you want a buyer to pay attention to the house itself and worry less about your home maintenance habits.

Decluttering the home also is a simple yet effective way to help get your home sold. You want potential buyers to focus less on your decorating tastes and spend more time envisioning how they could place their furniture in each room. So clear the way for a buyer to see themselves living in your home by clearing off counters, clearing out excess and/or bulky furniture, cleaning out closets and any other eccentric decorating that doesn’t help show the home in a simple, neutral manner. Repainting walls to make sure they are warm, neutral colors is also a cheap way to make sure a buyer spends less time wondering why you chose bright orange to paint your living room and instead focus on the home itself.

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

Posted by:Patricia Bennett

On the off chance you might be lucky, one day you might happen upon an assorted band of musicians, brightly colored dancers, and an assorted collection of humanity waving and dancing to the beat of a brass band. You, my friend, have just had the distinct pleasure of coming across a second line. Recognized as a bonafide New Orleans art form, the participants are actually the followers who randomly fall in step behind the brass band and the members of the club.

If you need any assistance whether buying or selling, call me at 504-812-8481 or email me at cjdixon@latterblum.com

Posted by:Carol-Jean Dixon

Are the kids bored?

You MUST check out the wonderful summer programs for children at a St. Charles Parish Library!

So much to see and do … click here for the library website!

Besides fun reading there are …

crafts

painting

puppet shows

dressing like different characters

watching a balloon maker!

You can see interesting animals brought from the zoo

pet a pony

or a pig

be entertained by well known musicians

or be a rock star!

There is also a plantetarium to check out the stars!

Look at the schedule of events … don’t miss out!

The kids will love it … and it will give you a good excuse to go, too!

It’s one more reason why St. Charles Parish is .. the place to be!

See you soon …

Posted by:Chuck Sheefel

One of the many great advantages of buying or selling with Latter & Blum is the Free Document Storage. I went to a closing last week and a few days before one of the ladies from the Title Attorney’s office called and wanted to know what the last few charges were for my client and the seller if I knew them so that she could get the HUD finished. Well it was a Latter & Blum listing and I was the buyer’s agent. She asked if there was a Home Warranty, what was the charge and who was paying. Then she wanted to confirm the commission which I did. Then she asked me a question I thought was… different. She said she heard that several of the companies were offering the new Document Storage service and wanted to know what the charge was to the seller for ours. I said “nothing”. She thought I didn’t understand her question so she repeated it. I said no, I understand what you are asking but Latter & Blum does not charge a fee for document storage. Not to the buyer, seller or to their agents. She was surprised to say the least! Laughingly she gushed “do you realize what a great bonus that is for your clients?” Yeah, I know. And now, so do you!

Everyone remembers the days and months after Katrina and how we panicked when we thought about income taxes or finding property disclosures, listing agreements, contracts and paperwork for insurance. Well, that’s one less thing you’ll have to worry about with Free Document Storage. All the paperwork from your listing through the sale stored for you. I remember some of the Latter and Blum offices scrambling after Katrina to salvage files and hope they were not wet or worse, gone! Well, we don’t have to worry about that either.

All you need to do to get this free document storage service is list or sell with Latter & Blum. Or, you can call me and we can talk about this valuable service and I’ll let you know how easy it is to sign up for it! You can reach me, Diane Hunn, at the Kenner office at 504-443-3300 X 21177 or at the St. Charles Parish office at 504-565-5868 X 35208. I look forward to helping you negotiate the sale or purchase of your home! “See you around the neighborhood!”

Posted by:Diane Hunn

Faubourg (neighborhood) Marigny is located adjacent the world-famous French Quarter, and is a treat to visit and/or live in. Marigny was originally the plantation of Bernard Xavier Philippe de Marigny de Mandeville which was located just outside the New Orleans city limits. Marigny is the quintessential New Orleans neighborhood bounded by elegant Esplanade Avenue, the mighty Mississippi River and Press Street.

Wonderful historic homes range from the shotgun single to the lofty Creole Townhouse. One of the oldest Creole Cottages is located at the corner of Bourbon and Pauger Streets. Another fabulous property was former home of Marie Laveau’s (Voudou Priestess) father, located on the corner of Dauphine and Kerlerec Streets. George Rodrigue, BLUE DOG artist, and Chef Paul Prudhomme (owner of K-PAUL’s) are also proud Marigny residents. Marigny architecture is so inspiring, that numerous movies have been filmed in the area including THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON.

Marigny single family homes currently for sale range from $159,000 - $2,999,000.

PLACES TO GO, THINGS TO DO

There’s famous Frenchmen Street with its eclectic mix of restaurants, bars and shops such as Snug Harbor, the Brassiere and Wasabi. For a real treat, stop by the Praline Connection and try the fried chicken livers! Even if you hate chicken livers, these are gourmet treat from heaven!

If you like a little less commotion, travel a few blocks further down river and try Feelings Cafe, Mimi’s (voted one of the hippest bars in the city), Cutters, Big Daddy’s, and the Friendly Bar. The fare ranges from gourmet food, jive bands, to racy drag shows! Remember, you ain’t in Kansas any more!

Educationally, Marigny is the home to NOCCA (New Orleans Center for Creative Arts) which is nestled beside the Mississippi River between St. Ferdinand and Press Streets. NOCCA is a facility for secondary school students offering courses in creative writing, theatre, dance, music and art. The majority of NOCCA students graduate and move on to top colleges. Harry Connick, Jr., the Marsalis Brothers, and Anthony Mackie are some of NOCCA’s more famous alumnus.

So next time you travel to the “City that Care Forgot,” be sure to trek down to Marigny.

Posted by:Lane Lacoy

While others eat to live, down in New Orleans we live to eat. If you happen to mention food to one of the locals, you will surely hear about their favorite restaurant. With New Orleans having such a cultural diversity, that restaurant could be almost anything from Italian, Mexican, Japanese, French Creole, etc. While others may enjoy some of the more diverse foods, I particularly prefer good old fashion New Orleans seafood. When it comes to seafood, Salvo’s Seafood on Belle Chasse Highway is on the top of my list providing a semi-casual dining experience with reasonable prices.

Salvo’s specializes in all types of seafood dishes from boiled seafood, fried seafood, po-boys, raw oysters, etc. I started visiting Salvo’s Seafood over twenty years ago when it was located near the rear gate of the Naval Support Activity Base. Due to their popularity with the military and their growing return clientele, Salvo’s was moved to a larger location on Belle Chasse Highway. When visiting, don’t be fooled by its wooden benches and tables. On weekend nights, go there expecting a wait and leaving happy.

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

Posted by:John Moore

On last weekend’s Super Sunday, several Mardi Gras Indian tribes paraded through the streets of Mid City in an unparalleled show of color, craftsmanship, and splendor. Gathering at Bayou St John, the Mardi Gras Indians, resplendent in plumes, feathers, sequins, and beads in suits that can take up to a year to complete, and accompanied by a Bone Gang, a sprinkling of Baby Dolls, and assorted second line musicians with fans in tow, strutted down Orleans Ave to St Bernard and to Claiborne Ave. The traditions of Mardi Gras Indians and their homage to Native Americans are long, at least two centuries old by some accounts, and varied, evolving over time from gang rivalry where warring tribes often engaged in violence, to today’s Indians vying for bragging rights to be called “the prettiest.” Witnessing the spectacle of Mardi Gras Indians is but one of the events that abound throughout our historic neighborhoods and one that separates this city from anywhere else. As one of the revelers said, “Only in New Orleans…”

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

Posted by:Carol-Jean Dixon

If you missed the recent newspaper article, all council members of St. Charles Parish have their own websites that are easily accessible. Click the link of your favorite!

AT LARGE, DIVISION A Councilwoman Carolyn K. Schexnaydre

AT LARGE, DIVISION B Councilman Terry Authement

DISTRICT I Councilman Billy Raymond, Sr.


DISTRICT II Councilman Shelley Tastet

DISTRICT III Councilwoman Wendy Benedetto

DISTRICT IV Councilman Paul J. Hogan


DISTRICT V Councilman Larry Cochran

DISTRICT VI Councilman Marcus M. Lambert

DISTRICT VII Councilman Dennis Nuss


Check out the wonderful website provided by the Parish.

Just one more reason St. Charles Parish is … the place to be!

See you soon !

Posted by:Chuck Sheefel

Recently a friend shocked us with the news that her home was in foreclosure. The reality of her situation hit home – literally - when she was served papers from the local sheriff’s department notifying her that her house was to be auctioned next month as part of a sheriff’s sale. She called us in a state of panic, asking what she should do.

After she explained what had happened, it was clear that fear had gotten the best of her as the late notices began to pile up. She never called the bank when she missed payments to see if she could work out some arrangement to get caught up. Lenders can offer potential alternatives in these situations but you must ask questions to get information from them. She never thought to ask her lender about a short sale or find out if she had enough equity in her home to sell it outright. In a nutshell, she was too afraid and too ashamed to do anything for almost a year.

Now she’s worried about not only losing her home, but the impact a foreclosure will have on her ability to buy a home again in the future. Carol Adams with Essential Mortgage offers this advice. “If applying for a conventional home loan, a foreclosure must be at least 5 years old and [for] FHA loans, it must be at least 3 years old. Very often when [foreclosure] happens, a person wants to pay cash and not become indebted [again]. Your credit score will not improve, however, unless you reestablish credit.” You also need to make sure this new credit is paid timely.

We’re hoping our friend can find a path through this mess and re-establish her family in a new home someday. But if you find yourself in this situation, don’t put your head in the sand when you fall behind on your mortgage payments. Take action now because if you don’t deal with it, you’ll lose your home and potentially even more.

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

Posted by:Patricia Bennett

On a spacious corner lot in central Slidell sits a craftsman cottage. It has been spruced up to the hilt over the past three years – new wiring, plumbing, floors, siding, windows and roof – so that it gleams in the sultry Louisiana sun. With a chef size kitchen and all stainless steel appliances included in the sale, it is a wonderful home to entertain and live in. Wood floors cover the oversized living room, as well as the three bedrooms. The master has its own bath suite with a separate shower and claw foot tub. Did I mention the storage this house holds? A huge laundry/storage area, large walk-in master closet and sizeable outside cottage shed give you all the room you need for you and your family to grow.

Located at 1208 St. Tammany, stop by our open house on Sunday, June 7 from 3-5:00pm. Priced at $149,900, it’s a wonderful property for those ready to relax and enjoy a home.

Posted by:Patricia Bennett

On Sunday, May 24 the [Bywater Home Tour], “From Piety to Desire”, was held. Despite the ominous forecast of torrential downpours on the horizon for that day, the weather cooperated with bright, sunny weather and the visitors came from all parts of the city to enjoy an array of historic homes that is so typical of the Bywater area.

While it’s hard to lay claim to a favorite home, most seemed intrigued by the voodoo altar in one of the homes, but again, this is the Bywater, home to an electic group to say the least, so a voodoo altar is not so much out of the ordinary in the Bywater. If you missed the home tour this year, mark your calendars and plan to catch it next year.

Posted by:Carol-Jean Dixon

I recently returned from a trip to Pensacola, Florida to visit my father, who was staying in the area. My husband and I decided to not only enjoy the beaches during our visit, but also join my father on a few scouting trips to look at investment property in and around Pensacola. My dad always had a nose for home ‘steals’ and as a result has successfully invested in properties in Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida for the past twenty years.

As we saw the large number, varying quality and low prices of the homes that were available, I was amazed at the evident contrasts between the Pensacola housing market and that of the New Orleans North Shore community of Slidell where I primarily handle real estate transactions. In Slidell and the North Shore in general, we have had relatively stable prices and lower home inventory levels during the last five years as compared to states like Florida, California, Nevada and Arizona. What a difference a few hundred miles makes!

As another example, my brother currently lives in Denver and is frustrated with the lack of available homes for sale. He also complains that there aren’t enough distressed properties in the area to really find a good deal. He’s eager to buy but he’s waiting for the right home to come along with that bargain basement price tag the nightly news tells you is out there and dragging our economy down. “Where are they?” he asks me over and over.

Regardless of where you want to buy your next home, the lesson here is to get to know the housing market of the area where you want to live. The ‘scary’ national housing statistics that you hear on the nightly news do not apply equally to every area. So do some research and set your expectations accordingly as you start your home search. Your real estate agent can also help you understand the housing market in your area and point you in the right direction to find your next home.

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

Posted by:Patricia Bennett

There is a lot of confusion about the $8000 real estate tax credit. It is actually called the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, it is part of the economic stimulus package to help revive the housing market which means for you, more free money!

First, you have to be a first time homebuyer. This is broader than you would think—it means that you can’t have owned a primary residence for the last three years. So investment property you might own doesn’t count and if you have a flooded/gutted house from Katrina it doesn’t count. But if you own a house and you have lived in it anytime in the last three years—it counts and no tax credit for you. There are some income limitations so check out this web site to find out more.

Secondly, you have to buy the house between January 1, 2009 and November 30, 2009. If this is a program you are interested in then get cracking because you have to go to Act of Sale by November 30, 2009. But you don’t have to wait until next year to get this money, you can file an amended return for 2008 and get the money this year even though you bought the house in 2009.

Thirdly, you MIGHT be able to get this money up front and use it to help with closing costs. The federal government has approved this bridge loan program, but it is not currently available in Louisiana. The bridge loan would have to come from a non-profit or state housing finance authority like the Louisiana Housing Finance Authority (LHFA) but they decided not to participate.

Lastly, it’s an $8000 credit whether you are single or married. Some mistakenly have thought that a single person would only get half of the tax credit amount but it is $8000 per property.

If you are still confused or if you just need help finding a house so you can take advantage of this tax credit and get some free money by calling call Kelli Wright at 504-613-7902.

Posted by:Kelli Wright

It seems like I have been listing quite a few Succession Properties in the last 6 months. That might make me the local expert in this type of listing. Except that it takes a special attitude to handle the Succession clients. Maybe attitude is not exactly the word I was looking for. It’s not easy selling the family home after such a loss. I’ve had to get used to stepping back a little and looking at the home with the eyes of a buyer. And then I have to break the bad news to the client that the old homestead needs some work and needs to be priced right in order to get it sold. It also takes a lot of compassion and patience; particularly if you’re working with more than one heir. They can never quite agree on the price or repairs that need to be done. But then again, that’s my job. I’m the REALTOR^®, better known as the counselor, negotiator and referee.

The newest listing is at 1200 Clay St. in Kenner, Louisiana. It is a great opportunity for an investor to flip the property or to fix it and rent it out. It has 2 bedrooms and 1 bath. The roof is only about 3 years old. There are hardwood floors that need refinishing in most rooms. Everything else needs updating. Really nice corner lot! Asking $99,500. Make an offer!!! MLS # 791351.

Call me if you have any questions about this property. Diane Hunn, Associate Broker, LATTER & BLUM INC/REALTORS, cell: 504-289-9259. Office 504-443-3300 x 21177

Posted by:Diane Hunn

You save and save for a down payment to purchase your new home. You and your agent then scour the globe for the perfect place that meets all your dreams. You put an offer in, it gets accepted, the home passes inspection and then you jump through hoops to get your final loan approval! The day of your Closing is in sight and then….you receive a draft of your HUD Settlement statement which shows all the monies you need to bring to the closing to complete your purchase. You see it shows not only your hard earned down payment, but then….what’s all this other money you have to bring with you?

Often home buyers forget to put aside money, outside of their down payment, to pay for their closing costs and prepaid items associated with their purchase. What are closing costs? These include fees your lender will charge to establish your loan, fees to a title company for the title search and title insurance, and fees to the closing company to handle not only the closing, but also record your purchase and your mortgage at the local courthouse.

As for your prepaid items, these are often three to six months of your homeowner’s insurance, flood insurance and taxes your lender requires you pay up front to establish your escrow accounts. (The money accumulated in your escrow accounts over the coming year will then be used to pay these same items as they come due the following year.) On top of that, you need to pay your homeowners and flood insurance for this year to cover you for the next 12 months until you’ve built up enough funds in your escrow account to pay for next year’s premiums. Ugh!

Sound like a lot of money? It can be, which is why many buyers try to negotiate in their purchase agreement that the seller pay for some or all of the buyer’s prepaids and closing costs as part of the deal. If not, most buyers can expect to bring, on average, an additional $5,000 to $10,000 to the Closing to cover these items.

Prior to the recent housing crunch, many lenders would let the buyer roll some of these fees into their loan amount. Very rarely does that happen any more. To get an idea of what you’ll need to bring to the Closing, make sure your lender provides you a Truth-In-Lending statement when you apply for your loan. This should give you an estimate of not only your closing costs and prepaid items you’ll need to fund at Closing, but it will also give an estimate of what you’re monthly mortgage payment will be.

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

Posted by:Patricia Bennett

No doubt everyone in the Greater New Orleans area is familiar with the former location of “Celebration Station” – where I-10 crosses over Veterans Boulevard.

We currently have 84,000 square feet of land available for sale or lease that sees tens of thousands of vehicles pass by each day. The owner is willing to sell, lease, or lease purchase at very attractive rates. For more details, click here.

Thanks to the terrific visibility and the fact that it’s located in between the city and the airport, this site would be great for an interstate motor lodge, a car dealership, a restaurant, and numerous other commercial outlets. There’s just no other site like it that’s available in the Metairie/Kenner area.

Lots more information and photos available for this and other New Orleans commercial real estate at www.skipweber.com.

Posted by:Skip Weber

I’ve lived in Bywater since 1983 in various homes, and it’s a wonderful place to live!

Bywater is a Historic District and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is located just 7/10 of a mile from the French Quarter and bounded by Press Street, Poland Avenue (which is adjacent the Industrial Canal), and the mighty Mississippi River. It’s a laid back neighborhood where everyone knows each other by name. The Bywater land elevation is high, almost as high as the French Quarter, and had no Katrina flooding.

Bywater offers a collection of historic homes, some dating back to the 1840’s and earlier. Architectural styles include the shotgun single or double, the center and side-hall homes, Greek revival, Italianate, Eastlake, Creole cottage, and Victorian. (see photos). Home prices in Bywater are much less than those for similar homes in the French Quarter and Marigny and Bywater houses are as diverse and historically authentic.

The Bywater real estate market is hopping! Homes which sold in the last 6 months ranged from $39,900 - $490,000. Current listings range from $79,000 - $399,000.

If you’re not quite ready to buy a home, there are plenty of reasonable places to lease, such as the newly completed Artist Lofts complex.

There’s plenty to do as Bywater boasts many of New Orleans’ great restaurants and bistros such as Elizabeth’s, Bywater Barbeque, The Joint, Jack Dempsey’s, Vaughn’s Lounge (Kermit Ruffins plays here every Thursday night), Markey’s Bar, The Country Club (restaurant, bar, and pool), the Saturn Bar, Bacchanal Wine/Sandwich Shop, Coffea, and Bud Rips.

One Saturday of each month, Markey Park hosts an outdoor art show where one can buy terrific items from artists all over Louisiana and neighboring states. Studio Inferno offers classes in glass blowing, and artisans produce an array of glass art, most of which is for sale in the front gallery.

So, next time you’re in New Orleans, be sure to visit us in Bywater, located in da 9th Ward, darlin?!?

Posted by:Lane Lacoy

It’s definitely a great time to invest in real estate in The River Parishes, namely, St. James and St. John the Baptist Parishes. There is a wonderful selection of available properties ranging from $24,000 to $599,000. These include existing homes as well as new construction. For the most part, sellers, including builders, are offering awesome incentives including but not limited to closing costs, prepaid items, homeowners’ insurance, etc. Discounted pricing for a limited time is another seller incentive. Interest rates are extremely reasonable. Lending institutions offer very competitive financing packages. There is an abundance of loan programs and products available in The River Parishes, specifically St. John the Baptist and St. James.

There is an outstanding financing product available - Rural Development. This program allows homebuyers to purchase their homes with zero $0 down payment. This program is not just for 1st time homebuyers. But for any person who meets the qualifications for an upgrade in homeownership. The biggest news is that the current home can be used as a rental. Wow, you can upgrade and become a landlord at the same time. What an investment portfolio. Well, if that isn’t the best news about real estate since…

For more details, please contact me at 504.616.3539 or vscott@latterblum.com.

Well, stay tuned for information on The River Parishes and our real estate market. Then, you will know why it’s truly a great time to invest in The River Parishes.

Coming soon…what you need to know about The Bonfire Capital of the World and The Andouille Capital of the World. What is a bonfire? What is andouille?

If you are interested in real estate in my service area, I’d be delighted to have you contact me at vscott@latterblum.com or 504.616.3539.

Posted by:Vanessa B Scott

It is always nice to hear about a new business opening up in one of our West Bank Communities, Marrero. The One Smart Cookie Company is located on Barataria Blvd, between Patriot Street and Wichers Drive at 1331 Barataria Boulevard.

Jimmie and Meiko Ditta are the owners and are excited about their new business. The bakery has been opened since early May and they have been steadily adding to their menu. They have been hard at work striving to have fresh baked goods, with a good selection for you. They are taking special orders for baby showers, holidays, birthday parties, and corporate events for any of their products. Many of their customers place orders for their sugar cookies in a choice of symbol, shape, size, and color you prefer, as well asspecial orders for corporate events. Other bakery items you may want to try are truffles, éclairs, brownies, petit fours, chocolate chip cookies, crème puffs, turtles, decorated cookie cakes, wedding cookies, and cakes. They now offer chili, hot dogs, nachos with cheese and jalapenos, chips, soft drinks, coffee, Blue Bell Ice Cream and many other items.

There is also Gift Center for great gifts. Carvist Lane has an assortment of Fleur de lis products, such as, coffee cups, decorative wall accessories, picture frames, and more. There is also a Party Supply Center stocked with items for birthday and anniversary parties.

“Their official Grand Opening is Sunday, June 14, 2009”, said Meiko Ditta. They will have fun and games and definitely sweet treats.

I have tasted a few goodies and I’m looking forward to the next new item. The Marrero area needed a good bakery to produce high quality baked goods. I hope that all of the West Bank Communities: Marrero, Avondale, Belle Chasse, Waggaman, Westwego, Gretna, Terrytown, Harvey, Lafitte, Barataria and Crown Point stop by to support One Smart Cookie Company.

For people wanting to relocate to our area click Search for Property. If I can help you in your Home Buying or Home Selling needs, please contact me at 504-722-8815 or email me at cindy@cindypayton.com.

One Smart Cookie Company will be adding new items weekly, updates to follow in my blog at West Bank Communities Blog.

Posted by:Cindy Payton

This weekend I had the pleasure of visiting the German Coast Farmers’ Market in Destrehan.

One can find incredible locally grown produce and talk to a farmer and his family about the zucchini, carrots, beets, cabbage, onions, and flower plants. They can tell you when the best time is to look for for this or that vegetable. And oh …you can’t beat Louisiana Creole tomatoes!

An exciting thing about the market is the variety of the vendors . You never know what you will find ! On this Saturday I bought some perfect squash, zucchini, peppers, mushrooms, and onions .. all grown right here in the Parish!

Soon my lunch was sizzling at home.

The wife did not have to tell me twice that if was time to eat!

Check out this link for the market.

If you haven’t visited yet .. try it!

I may see you there this Saturday!

Just one more reason St. Charles Parish is … the place to be!

Posted by:Chuck Sheefel