New Orleans Louisiana Real Estate and Community Blog 

Situated along Historic River Road that winds parallel to the mighty Mississippi River, San Francisco Plantation has been an attraction for tourists as well as local residents for many years. Beautifully arrayed in its yellow and blue exterior, it can be described as grand, magnificent, and luxurious.  The surrounding buildings and grounds add to the grandeur of this majestic work of architecture.

This weekend, San Francisco Plantation will be the site of the 7th Annual Frisco Fest. A cornucopia of activities is guaranteed to keep everyone occupied.  Food, tours, music, a car show, cook-offs as well as over 100 arts and crafts exhibits.

There is also a 1-mile fun run and a 5k race. Can you believe there is also a 25-mile bike tour?  AND, also a 40-mile bike tour? Bicyclists will absolutely enjoy the scenic routes that will past other historic locations in St. John and St. James Parishes.

The weather forecast calls for mild temperatures, sunny skies and no rain. Have a WonderFilled weekend in the River Parishes.

You say, “what does this have to do with real estate?” or “I thought this blog was about real estate?” To respond, it is about real estate.  I always tell my clients that you are buying a property, a street, a neighborhood, a community, a city, a parish, … So, this blog will continue to keep you informed about the local real estate market.

I will also give you more information about the area where the real estate is located.The more information you have about the area, the better you will feel about your investment(s).

The Frisco Fest is one fantastic opportunity for all who are interested in investing and living in the River Parishes to come and check the parishes out.

For more information, visit www.sanfranciscoplantation.org

Remember, the tax credit expires 30 April 2010.
1st time and repeat homebuyers may qualify.

Daylight Savings Time begins 03.14.2010.

Spring begins 03.20.2010.

For information on real estate in The River Parishes, dial 504.616.3539 Vanessa B. Scott, REALTOR.
Please send your requests for information you want addressed via this blog to vscott@latterblum.com.   I’d be delighted to assist you with your real estate needs.

If you or someone you know is interested in buying or selling a home in the River Parishes, hire Vanessa B. Scott to work as REALTOR.

Fellow REALTORS/Agents:  I welcome incoming and outgoing referrals.

Saint James Parish - The Bonfire Capital of the World

Saint John the Baptist Parish - The Andouille Capital of the World

Posted by:Vanessa B. Scott

Construction is well under way for one of the largest homes in St. Charles Parish.

At 34,986 total square feet, this home will have 25 rooms, consisting of :

8 bedrooms, 7 and a half bathrooms, and a theatre!


St. Charles Parish - the place to be!

Posted by:Chuck Sheefel

The rate has been decreased to 26.40 mills, down from 26.85 mills.

A homeowner that occupies a home as their primary residence qualifies for homestead exemption of $75,000 of valuation.

Examples of the new rates for owner occupied property are:

One more reason …

St. Charles Parish is the place to be!

Posted by:Chuck Sheefel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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