New Orleans Louisiana Real Estate and Community Blog 

When working with first time home buyers, the question of whether or not they should explore purchasing a condo inevitably comes up. The subject often arises after the buyer looks at a few homes and realizes they’ll need a lawnmower to cut that grass, perhaps do some exterior painting, pay for their water, trash and sewer and eventually get down on all fours to weed the flower beds.

If these tasks seem overwhelming, purchasing a condo is a good alternative. For what is typically a monthly or quarterly condo association fee, you can often get someone else to mow, weed, pick up your trash and perhaps even pay for your water and sewer service. Often too these fees include exterior liability insurance for the buildings and common grounds of the condominium, as well as exterior termite treatments for those of us in the muggy south.

But along with all these possibilities of someone else handling the dirty work around your new condo, comes the probability that there will still be some things you’ll need to manage yourself. Before you buy, make sure you do your homework with your Realtor^® to understand who is responsible for what in and around your new potential home.

First, understand in clear detail what the condo fee does and does not cover because it varies from complex to complex. Secondly, see if a portion of your monthly fee is being saved for larger, one-time expenses such as replacing the roofs, repairing exterior walls and driveways. Ask if there are any special assessments for these larger projects currently being collected for or may be assessed in the next twelve months. Usually by reviewing a recent set of financial records for the condo association, which you should request prior to buying a condo, you can easily tell if the association is properly saving for the future or has little financial cushion to rely upon should a major repair be needed. Finally, take the time to read the condo documents that govern the condo association since they lay out the responsibilities of the management and members of 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

Latter & Blum Inc./Realtors Free Document Storage
How to Sign UP
Maintaining Constant Contact
Agents, Clients and Signs

Once again hurricane season is upon us. Some have already bought batteries, candles, flashlights, can goods, etc. and have started preparing a suitcase to be ready. Some have a wait and see attitude. Regardless of how one handle’s preparation and evacuation, one thing is for certain, we all have valuable documents that we must carry with us or protect in some manner. That is why at Latter & Blum Inc./Realtors FREE DOCUMENT STORAGE is a MUST for our clients. Many real estate companies charge for this service. Latter & Blum Inc./Realtors feels that in times of crisis their client focus should be on the safety and well being of their families.

When listing with Latter & Blum Inc./Realtors your e-mail address is a vital part of the process. If you do not have an e-mail address, it is perfectly fine to give your Realtor permission to use a relative’s E-mail address. KEEP IN MIND THAT THEY WILL HAVE ACCESS TO ALL OF YOUR DOCUMENTATION.

Once you have listed with Latter & Blum Inc./Realtors or CJ Brown go to www.latter-blum.com or www.cjbrown.com and sign up for a “My LatterBlum” or “My CJBrown” account. Fill in the information required, then, an E-mail will be sent to your E-mail address for verification—after you respond to that E-mail, you will have access. This is all necessary for the security.

Every bad situation we encounter in life teaches us a lesson.

The lesson learned during hurricane Katrina is the importance of being able to contact our family, friends and clients along with keeping valuable records safe. With little or no phone service we quickly adapted to texting, e-mail and blogging. Fortunately, Latter & Blum Inc./Realtors are on the cutting edge of technology. During hurricane Katrina Latter & Blum’s Website NEVER WENT DOWN. Latter & Blum also had available to their agents, brokers, and office personnel a blogging system which allowed them to be in constant contact. In fact, the very next day after the hurricane Latter & Blum was open for business assisting those who needed help relocating. This service is priceless, so take advantage of FREE DOCUMENT STORAGE now by contacting your local Latter & Blum Inc./Realtor.

During hurricane season it is absolutely imperative that agents contact their clients and be absolutely positive who is going to be taking in the flyer boxes and the signs. During high winds these objects pose a very dangerous threat to the community and can cause serious damage.

FROM: OUR FAMILY AT LATTER & BLUM INC./REALTORS & CJ BROWN REALTORS
TO: YOUR FAMILY
TAKE CARE AND BE SAFE DURING THIS HURRICANE SEASON

Posted by:Debbie Sanderson

Time is running out for the $8000 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit! Also known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, this is a program that will pay a first-time home buyer up to $8000 for buying a home on or after January 1, 2009 but before December 1, 2009. The definition of a first-time home buyer is a little broader than you might think—it is anyone who hasn’t owned a primary residence in the three-year period before this purchase, so you can own rental property or your flooded/gutted home from Hurricane Katrina. As long as you didn’t live in that property at any time in the last three years you are a first-time homebuyer! Not sure what a tax credit is? It’s free money. The government will write you a check for the amount of the tax credit–an amount equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to $8000. You can even file an amended 2008 tax return and they’ll send you the check this year—you don’t have to wait until next April. Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75K and married couples with incomes up to $150K will qualify for the full tax credit.

You are going to have to act fast—you must go to act of sale on your new house by November 30, 2009. Since most home purchases take about 45 days to close you shouldn’t waste any time—get shopping! Don’t hesitate to call Kelli Wright at 504-613-7902, I’ll help you find that dream home and collect your free money!

Posted by:Kelli Wright

One of the best experiences of both Marigny and Bywater is enjoying a leisurely breakfast at one of the numerous neighborhood establishments that dot our landscape. Who hasn’t enjoyed breakfast at Elizabeth’s, The Cake Factory, La Peniche, or Bywater BBQ? But today let’s talk about one of the best-kept secrets in Bywater and that would be breakfast, or dinner for that matter, at The Country Club. Most people remember The Country Club as the private club with the fabulous pool, and although the pool is still private and still fabulous, the addition of a restaurant that is open to the public is a great addition to the neighborhood.

Located at 634 Louisa at the corner Royal, The Country Club’s home is a center hall frame cottage, with sophisticated Italianate features. Some have suggested it was built around the 1850’s, but as the style indicates a late nineteenth century time frame and as it does not appear on the Robinson map of 1883, the date of construction is probably some time after the 1880’s. Regardless of the date, it is a handsome structure with a deep gallery and exquisite detailing.

So a journey just to see a historic home lovingly preserved is worth the visit, but it is the addition of a superb breakfast that makes the event memorable. The pace is leisurely and quiet, and the length of breakfast can be extended by the number of mimosas consumed in anticipation of the hand milled grits with roasted garlic or the French toast with orange butter or other delights from the menu. Their daily special, prepared by Chef Coy LeBeau is always an inspired, tasty delight. Menu details and specials can be found on their website: www.thecountryclubneworleans.com

No doubt after one visit you will join others who have visited and become members of the “clean plate club”.

So next time you are wondering where to venture next for a fabulous meal, come on down to Bywater or Marigny, where the plethora of historic homes is always a treat and the tucked away neighborhood restaurants add to the experience.

Please call me at 504-812-8481 if I can be of any help in searching for one of our historic homes!

Posted by:Carol-Jean Dixon

One of the things about living and working in historic homes is the appreciation that you really aren’t the owner of a historic property but rather the steward of one. When you live in a home from the 1830’s, you realize you are just one of a long line of people that have passed through that front door and that others will pass through that front door long after you have gone. Hopefully “the spirits” of those who came before you are pleased with what you are doing. Maybe they always longed to live in a salmon colored house with French Quarter green trim. This brings me to a point of how history can reach out and touch you in unexpected ways. In a somewhat blighted home, undergoing extensive renovations, a board was discovered inside one wall written with the date 1887 and signed by two German men. Apparently these two fellows decided to leave a little memento behind for future generations. I remember holding that board in my hand and wondering about those two gentlemen and whatever happened to them. With that in mind, as my boyfriend and I are involved in historic renovations, we always take the time to write a note about us, how Katrina affected us, enclose a few pictures, and seal our packet in a zip lock bag to be placed behind a wall before the sheetrock goes up. It is my hope that 100 years from now, someone else will uncover my time capsule and be as touched as I was by those German gentlemen from 1887.

Posted by:Carol-Jean Dixon

Marigny and Bywater are truly unique New Orleans historic neighborhoods located just below the world-famous French Quarter. These neighborhoods are graced with stunning architecture dating back to the early 1800’s. Residents are justly proud of their homes ranging from the Creole cottage to the lofty Greek Revival.

But, there’s more to these neighborhoods than houses. The area is surrounded by art in every direction from Studio Inferno with this glass blowing and casting to NOCCA (New Orleans School for the Creative Arts) which accepts talented secondary school students and tutors them in dance, theatre, art, creative writing, culinary arts, voice, and music. Most students graduate and head on to top colleges and many make it big in show business (Anthony Mackie, Harry Connick, Jr., the Marsalis Brothers, and Nicholas Payton).

While one wanders these neighborhoods, he/she can sight the mirrored house, ship of tree limbs, and pop graffiti art. Every 3rd Saturday of the month, Markey Park hosts an art fair where local artists exhibit their works. Art even comes in the form of food. Sensational popsicles are made by a Bywater couple with flavors ranging from Blueberry-Lemonade, Kiwi, Coconut Lychee and Strawberry Basil.

Art can be witnessed in many Bywater/Marigny eclectic exterior paint choices and interior murals.

And, the Bywater/Marigny real estate market is hopping! Lots of sales to out of state retirees/transferees and first time home buyers who are scooping up the great buys with 42 homes sold in the last 90 days, prices ranging from $50K to $490,000! Pretty good, huh?!

Next time you visit New Orleans, come on down to visit us in Bywater/Marigny. Rent a bike, or just stroll on down. We’d love to meet cha! You betcha!

Lane Lacoy

Want to beat the heat and tickle your tongue? For a dollar or so … try a snowball! Indulge in this delicious, wonderfully simple concoction of shaved ice and flavored syrup.

Order up any one of the several dozen choices available of this brightly colored dessert that looks as good as it tastes.

In St. Rose, you can satisfy your cravings!

“St. Rose Snowballs” is operated by the “Snowball Sisters”, owner Pelur and sister Ahryonne Ordoyne, now in their fourth year of operation.

The new “Paradise Ice” beckons you to stop by…

as owner Susan Naquin greets you with a friendly warm smile!

For a sweet treat, visit a snowball stand in St. Rose!

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

Posted by:Chuck Sheefel

Working with a mortgage lender can be a dream come true (literally) or a nightmare. As with all professionals, a lender should return your phone calls promptly, answer your questions so that you understand what they are talking about, provide a good faith estimate so that you know what all of your fees and costs will be up front and provide an open line of communication and cooperation with you, your real estate agent, appraiser and closing attorney. I usually recommend that my clients work with local lenders for several reasons. A local lender is committed to rebuilding New Orleans and knows the neighborhoods here. You can walk into their office and meet with them face to face. They know the realtors, insurers, closing attorneys and appraisers in our market. The single most important reason to use a local lender is that their underwriting department is not in Houston or New Jersey, but in New Orleans, and possibly in the same building as their office and if there is a problem they can walk down the hall, solve it and put you in your new home.

Posted by:Kelli Wright

I recently moved to Slidell, Louisiana, after marrying the love of my life. Growing up, I had rarely thought of Slidell except as a possible bathroom stop on my way to Florida. But my husband was adamant about moving to Slidell. And over the past year, I’ve noticed that he was right to love this area. Slidell is a great place to live.

Why is it good to be a Slidell local (aka a “Slidellian”)? Here’s what I’ve learned:

1. There’s no doubt about it. Compared to other North Shore communities and especially New Orleans, you get a good “bang” for your housing buck in Slidell with safe neighborhoods, an easy commute to New Orleans and great schools to boot.



2. Being so near New Orleans, it’s easy to find great restaurants in the Slidell area with restaurant talent pouring in from the Big Easy. Nathan’s is a great example of this trend, with it’s tasty cuisine that makes my mouth water just thinking about it. Palmetto’s, Southside Café, Young’s, T-Leblanc’s Creole Kitchen, and Camellia Café are other local favs that only make my hunger pangs worse.



3. There’s a great community vibe here. Heritage Park has many events – concerts, fairs, and fireworks – throughout the year that allow people to mix in a great cultural and relaxed atmosphere.



4. Don’t forget about the top notch schools in Slidell and the low crime rate. Who wouldn’t want to live here!



5. Olde Towne Slidell is another great feature of the city, which hosts numerous antique shops, cafes and art galleries, as well as a weekly fair where you can buy everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to collectibles.



6. You can let the good times roll in Slidell as well, just by heading over to Olde Towne and stopping by for a drink at Heidelbergs or Time Out. There’s also the Wine Market, where you can sample the latest vintage of your favorite wine. If you’re more adventurous, New Orleans is only 40 minutes away so you can eat and drink ‘til you’re heart’s content.



7. With the new twin span bridge about to open, it will be even that much faster to get to New Orleans for work or play. If you want to head to the Gulf’s shores, you can easily make it to Biloxi in 45 minutes to win big bucks at their many casinos and catch a show, or go another one and a half hours to layout on the pristine beaches of Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and catch other nearby Florida sites.

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

When you decide to sell your home, you should select the best realtor who works in your area. You do not want a realtor who is unfamiliar with your neighborhood and extended area. Your goal, as seller, should be to sell your home at the highest possible price in the quickest amount of time. Accordingly, you need the services of a professional, seasoned realtor. You definitely do not want to use a friend or relative who is a part-time or novice real estate agent.

Check around with neighbors and friends to see who they recommend. Then interview at least 3 real estate agents. Remember, you will be working with the realtor you choose for 6 months, so it’s crucial you both “click” personality-wise. Just as important, you want the realtor who will give you the most “bang for your buck”.

Here are some ideas to remember:

1. Invite the realtor into your home and ask his/her opinion of items which need attention prior to listing. (dirty paint, bad odors, etc.)



2. Don’t allow the realtor to give you a list price off the top of his/her head. Insist he/she provide you a list of comparable homes in your area which have sold in the past 3-6 months. It is unwise to use home sales older than 6 months. You need these comparables to justify the list price for your home. Remember, when you get an offer, the purchaser will, most likely, be financing the purchase. The lender will have the house appraised. An appraiser will be doing the same as your realtor. The appraiser will look for homes which have sold in the last 6 months which are nearest to your home to establish value.



3. Once the realtor suggests a list price based on comparable “solds”, do NOT try to list a lot higher. It’s alright to list the property 3-5% higher than what the comparables suggest. To list any higher than this percentage, is putting your property at a huge disadvantage. It is a “buyers” market during these economic times. In general, buyers are exceptionally savvy pursuant to what homes are selling for. Home sales and list prices are readily available via the internet on sites such as www.realtor.com and the websites of top realtors and major local real estate companies.



4. Ask the realtor what services he/she will provide to market your home. Will the home be advertised in the local newspaper. If so, is this service free to you, the seller? Does the realtor and/or his company have a popular website which is “people friendly”?



5. What is the commission? Commissions are not set in stone. They are negotiable. However, keep in mind, real estate agents make a living from the commission. So, don’t insist on a ridiculously low commission. That will hurt you in the long run.



6. Ask the realtor for a list of homes he/she has sold, the average days the home was on the market (DOM-days on the market), and the percentage of sales price to list price. The longer your home is on the market, the less attractive it is. Buyers wonder what’s wrong with the house or is it overpriced? Sure, you can come down on your price, but you will have wasted valuable time by overpricing your home, then eventually adjusting the price to where it should be. Remember, you do not decide what the sales price will be, nor does the realtor. The purchaser decides the value of the home by what he or she is willing to pay. Also, even if a purchaser agreed to pay more than what the house is worth, if financed, the lender will have it appraised. If it’s overpriced, in all likelihood, it will not appraise and the sale will fall through unless the price is lowered or the purchaser comes up with more money down.



7. Get assurance from the realtor you choose, that he/she will stay in contact with you on a weekly basis so you are aware of new market trends, and what the realtor is doing to get your home sold.

• Advertise your property free in the Sunday Times Picayune with a full color display ad, classified ad, and photo ad in the Home Buyers’ Guide.
  
  
• Your home will appear on 3 websites with multiple photos and descriptive text:
  
  www.latter-blum.com
  www.realtor.com (with upgrades including FEATURE HOME)
  www.lanelacoyhomes.com
  
  
• Mail out 200 JUST LISTED postcards to homeowners in the area.
  
  
• Free American Shield Home Warranty for the seller during the listing period (applies to singles and condominiums only).
  
  
• Include your listing in my weekly “SOLD & LIST” mailouts to homeowners in area.
  
  
• Mail or email you weekly status reports showing the number of hits your listing has along with our HOMEOWNER’S REPORT showing number of views, ads, showings, etc.
  
  
• Maintain flyers in the Latter & Blum Historic Office so walk-ins see your home.
  
  
• Give Latter & Blum’s buyers and/or sellers free document storage service with free buyer/seller internet access to all your Latter & Blum real estate files before and after the sale.
  
  
• Hold periodic OPEN HOUSES.
  
  

So, before you sign a listing contract, do your homework! You want your home to be listed with an aggressive/ethical realtor who is totally knowledgeable of market trends and gives your property the most positive exposure.

Posted by:Lane Lacoy