New Orleans West Bank Living and Real Estate News: December 2007

Working in the service industry (a euphemism for bartender), my oldest daughter always has some of the most interesting friends that I have ever met.  They are amazing young people from all walks of life that happen to have met up in the same place at the same time and struck up friendships that went beyond last call.

A couple of weeks ago, she was telling me about her friend, Mike, who is a local artist.  This piqued my interest, since I am a HUGE fan of not only shopping locally, but supporting local artists as well.  The most unique art in my home has come from right here in the New Orleans area and those few pieces mean more to me than all of the rest put together.  There is a heart and soul to our local artists and their work that surpasses the average.  They travel off the beaten path, flout the conventions and defy expectations.  They celebrate the uniqueness not just of our city and region, but of themselves as well. 

Anyway, back to Mike...  My daughter explained to me that she wanted to purchase one of his works for me as a Christmas gift, but could not afford it.  No mother wants her kids to spend their hard earned money on her anyway, so I brushed it off, telling her how much I appreciated her thinking of me when she saw it and even remembering how much I like stuff like that.  So, imagine my surprise when she showed up on Christmas Eve, with a small, freshly painted NoLA Rising piece for my collection! 

Here is what makes the story so quintessentially New Orleans...  She received a phone call last week from her friend, artist Michael Dingler, telling her to stop by his house the next day.  He instructed her to check under his front steps for a gift.  When she questioned him, he told her it was "something for your Momma".   I had NEVER met Mike....but he knew that his friend's momma was interested in what he does, and went out of his way to make sure that I had a present from my daughter that reflected that. 

This is a young man that is trying to raise awareness for the arts in our city, encouraging the public display of art and attempting to start a non-profit organization to supply art to families that have rebuilt their homes post Katrina.  He wants to provide original artwork to the new home owners in the Musician's Village and to the eventual owners of homes being built as part of Brad Pitt's project, Make It Right. 

When some naysayer wants to know why we stay, why we choose to rebuild our city, why we won't abandon hundreds of years of history, I only have to look at one small piece of art...

...and I know why.

p.s.  I was able to meet Mike personally this past week, and he attended our Carnival Ball last night.  What a charming, articulate, passionate person...a wonderful representative of all that is right with the world.  Please visit his blog or his website, and take advantage of the opportunity to own your own unique piece of NoLA Rising.

Thanks again, Mike!  All the best,

Leslie's momma

When buying or selling a home on the West Bank of New Orleans, you deserve professional, local expertise and advice.  Lisa Heindel provides full time, professional real estate services to buyers and sellers in Algiers, Algiers Point, Belle Chasse, Gretna, Terrytown, Harvey, Marrero, Westwego and more. 

West Bank Homes for Sale - Find a home for sale on the West Bank or other New Orleans metropolitan area.

Contact Lisa Heindel for help buying or selling your New Orleans area home

Free Online Home Evaluation of your New Orleans West Bank home

Copyright 2007.  Lisa Heindel, All rights reserved.

Can you believe that Mardi Gras is right around the corner?  The Christmas decorations are not even tucked back into their boxes yet, and the Carnival season in New Orleans has already begun.  Mardi Gras 2008 is February 5th (quite early), so the balls have started taking place throughout the city.

Last night, the Krewe of Choctaw held it's 25th annual Big Pow Wow at Mardi Gras World on the West Bank in Algiers, LA.  While most krewes hold balls, Choctaw, with its Native American theme, holds a Pow Wow, complete with Chief, Princess, Medicine Man, Maids and Maidens, Indian Braves and Papooses. 

Mardi Gras World provides the perfect venue for a Carnival event...it comes predecorated with huge props and full size floats!  Traditional purple, green and gold banners hung from the ceiling, while the Choctaw tribal teepee provided the grand entrance for the royalty and court of the krewe. 

The afternoon was spent in preparation for the nights event...decorating tables, meeting caterers, accepting flower deliveries and, of course, the rehearsal for the tableau. 

A frenzy of activity followed the rehearsal, as court members began donning makeup and their elaborate costumes in preparation for their introduction to the waiting crowd of over 450 people.  As a proud mom, I couldn't resist including this picture of my daughters, who were both maids this year!

The presentation of the court and royalty began at 8 pm.  At the end of the presentation, all previous Choctaw royalty were invited to the stage area for a champagne toast to the reigning Chief (Frank Ruiz Jr) and his Princess (Jina Ellingburg).  How fantastic to see so many long time members continue the Mardi Gras tradition, standing with glasses held high! 

The tableau was followed by dining and dancing to both a band and DJ until the wee hours of the morning.  Beautifully decorated tables competed for prizes and the umbrella decorating contest judges had a hard time choosing from the many entries as they second lined through the ballroom. 

From the opening notes of the National Anthem to the final sounds of the last dance, it was an incredible, fun filled evening.  To everyone who worked so hard and so long to make this a success, a heartfelt thanks from the Captain and his family to you.  Happy Mardi Gras from the Heindels!

Everyone has that list, whether they write it down or just keep it in their head.   All of the things they vow to improve on, change or implement in the New Year.  Lose weight, get organized, spend more time with the family, focus on business....the list goes on and on.

If your West Bank home is currently for sale or you are getting ready to sell, have you considered making a list of New Year's resolutions related to how you can accomplish that goal?  Here is my short list of suggested resolutions for all New Orleans West Bank home sellers:

1.  I resolve to have my home ready to show.   Don't lose out on a sale because you weren't prepared to meet buyer expectations.  Need to know how?  Read these articles:

• Getting Ready to Sell - Home Staging Tips Part I
• Getting Ready to Sell - Home Staging Tips Part II
• Getting Ready to Sell - Home Staging Tips Part III

2.   I resolve to price my home right.   Take a hard look at what is selling in your area and price your home accordingly.  Consider how much it is costing you each month that your home doesn't sell...can this be offset with a lower price to reach a quicker sale?

3.  I resolve to treat selling my home like a business.  It's time to put your emotions away and take a new approach to home selling.

4.  I resolve to listen to my West Bank agent.  Selling a home is a partnership between the agent and the home owner.  We have to work together to attract as many potential buyers as possible.  As your agent, I promise to do my part, the rest is up to you!

As we move into the New Year, it is a great time to take stock of what has worked or not worked for us in 2007.  It is also the time to resolve to change the things we can to make 2008 even better.  Here is to your home selling success in 2008.

When buying or selling a home on the West Bank of New Orleans, you deserve professional, local expertise and advice. Lisa Heindel provides full time, professional real estate services to home buyers and sellers in Algiers, Algiers Point, Belle Chasse, Gretna, Terrytown, Harvey, Marrero, Westwego and more.

West Bank Homes for Sale – Find a home for sale on the West Bank or other New Orleans metropolitan area.

Contact Lisa Heindel for help buying or selling your New Orleans area home

Free Online Home Evaluation of your New Orleans West Bank home

Copyright 2007. Lisa Heindel, All rights reserved.

Many adult visitors to New Orleans never venture beyond the Convention Center and the French Quarter.  They have a great time, but never consider bringing their children to the area.  Why not?  There is more to the city of New Orleans than just a party happening 7 days a week.

If you are planning a visit or a relocation to the New Orleans area, check out  some of the kid friendly sites and activities to keep the little ones entertained:

Audubon Aquarium of the Americas  Conveniently located at the foot of Canal  Street in Woldenberg Park, the Aquarium of the Americas is ranked among the nation's best.  With over 15,000 animals to enthrall visitors, this is a must do for both children and adults.  After visiting the aquarium, you are within walking distance of Cafe du Monde (also kid friendly) to finish up the day with beignets and cafe au lait.

IMAX Theatre  Next door to the Aquarium is the IMAX Theatre, with a 5 1/2 story screen, digital sound system and a seating arrangement that gives everyone a front row view.   Family pack tickets can be purchased for both the Aquarium and the IMAX.

 Audubon Zoo  Nestled amidst Audubon Park, this world class 58 acre zoo features more than 1,800 animals in natural habitats.  A local favorite, the zoo offers year long family memberships at a discount.

Louisiana Children's Museum  Located in the Arts District, the Children's Museum is a local favorite.  Hands on activities and play areas make this a great way to spend a rainy afternoon.  A local favorite, the museum offers year long memberships with discounts and access to special events.

New Orleans City Park  1,500 acre park featuring Storyland, a storybook exhibit that I remember from my childhood.  Next to Storyland, the Carousel Gardens Amusement Center offers a historic wooden carousel, miniature train rides, a ferris wheel, kid sized roller coaster and more.

Bayou Segnette State Park  Located on the West Bank of New Orleans,  Bayou Segnette is a 500 acre state park for the outdoor enthusiasts.  Cabins are available for overnight stays, or just spend a day.  Picnic spots, shelters, a playground and a boat launch are all on site.

Mardi Gras World  Also located on the West Bank in Algiers, Mardi Gras World offers daily tours for a behind the scenes view of how Mardi Gras floats are built.  Try on costumes and have a photo taken!  Private rooms are available for rent for birthday parties as well.

As you can see, there are plenty of family oriented activities in New Orleans.  This is by no means an all inclusive list...there is so much to see and do.  When planning your next vacation or move, the Big Easy may be just the right destination for you AND your family.

When buying or selling a home on the West Bank of New Orleans, you deserve professional, local expertise and advice. Lisa Heindel provides full time, professional real estate services to home buyers and sellers in Algiers, Algiers Point, Belle Chasse, Gretna, Terrytown, Harvey, Marrero, Westwego and more.

West Bank Homes for Sale – Find a home for sale on the West Bank or other New Orleans metropolitan area.

Contact Lisa Heindel for help buying or selling your New Orleans area home

Free Online Home Evaluation of your New Orleans West Bank home

Copyright 2007. Lisa Heindel, All rights reserved.

The New Orleans area has a national reputation for our historic architecture and old, established neighborhoods.  BUT, not everyone wants a resale home and buying a newly built home has some perks as well.  In Louisiana, all builders are required by law to provide a one year warranty on the property.  Additionally, many builders are offering assistance to the purchaser with closing costs or are providing discounts on upgrades.

Where can you find new construction on the West Bank?

There are currently 124 newly constructed homes for sale on the West Bank, from Algiers to Waggaman, from the starter home to luxurious, top of the line new homes in prestigious, gated communities.

What's for sale in your price range?

Take a look at the properties available as of 12/18/2007:

$130,000 - $150,000

• 25 new homes for sale
• 24 three bedroom homes and 1 four bedroom home for sale
• See these new West Bank homes for sale here

$150,000-$175,000

• 14 new homes for sale
• 2 two bedroom homes and 12 three bedroom homes for sale
• See these new West Bank homes for sale here

$175,000-$200,000

• 37 new homes for sale
• All are 3 bedroom homes
• See these new West Bank homes for sale here

$200,000-$225,000

• 8 new homes for sale
• 7 three bedroom homes and 1 four bedroom home for sale
• See new West Bank homes for sale here

$225,000-$250,000

• 7 new homes for sale
• 3 three bedroom homes and 4 four bedroom homes for sale
• See these new West Bank homes for sale here

$250,000-$300,000

• 12 new homes for sale
• 6 three bedroom homes and 6 four bedroom homes for sale
• See these new West Bank homes for sale here

$300,000-$350,000

• 3 new homes for sale
• 1 three bedroom home and 2 four bedroom homes for sale
• See these new West Bank homes for sale here

$350,000-$400,000

• 6 new homes for sale
• 3 three bedroom homes and 3 four bedroom homes for sale
• See these new West Bank homes for sale here

$400,000-$450,000

• 4 new homes for sale
• 3 four bedroom homes and 1 five bedroom home for sale
• See these new West Bank homes for sale here

$450,000-$550,000

• 2 new homes for sale
• Both newly built homes have 4 bedrooms
• See these new West Bank homes for sale here

$550,000-$650,000

• 4 new homes for sale
• 3 four bedroom homes and 1 five bedroom home for sale
• See these new West Bank homes for sale here

$650,000 and up

• 2 new homes for sale in English Turn subdivision
• Both newly built homes have 4 bedrooms
• See these new West Bank homes for sale here

When you are ready to purchase a new house on the West Bank of New Orleans, please call me.  I'll be happy to help you find the right place to call home.

When buying or selling a home on the West Bank of New Orleans, you deserve professional, local expertise and advice. Lisa Heindel provides full time, professional real estate services to buyers and sellers in Algiers, Algiers Point, Belle Chasse, Gretna, Terrytown, Harvey, Marrero, Westwego and more.

West Bank Homes for Sale – Find a home for sale on the West Bank or other New Orleans metropolitan area.

Contact Lisa Heindel for help buying or selling your New Orleans area home

Free Online Home Evaluation of your New Orleans West Bank home

Copyright 2007. Lisa Heindel, All rights reserved.

You sat down with your lender and discussed all of your financial options.  You  have supplied all of the required documents for your loan approval.   You have determined that you qualify to buy a home for up to $150,000.  So, what can you buy on the West Bank of New Orleans without breaking your budget?  There has been a lot of negative press about the housing market, both locally and nationally.  The truth is, there are some great deals for home buyers on the West Bank of New Orleans.  Take a look at what is currently for sale:

Homes Priced under $100,000

• 101 single family homes for sale
• About 80% of these homes need updating, with a large number needing total renovation
• 5 homes have 1 bedroom
• 26 homes have 2 bedrooms
• 55 homes have 3 bedrooms
• 14 homes have 4 bedrooms
• 1 home has 5 bedrooms

Homes Priced $100,001-$125,000

• 131 homes for sale
• 27% listed in Fair or Poor condition, indicating a large amount of work is needed on the property.  The majority of the homes are listed in Average condition.  Typically, a home in Average condition may be outdated, but is structurally sound. 
• 1 home has 1 bedroom
• 19 homes have 2 bedrooms
• 95 homes have 3 bedrooms
• 15 homes have 4 bedrooms
• 1 home has 5 bedrooms

Homes Priced $125,001-$150,000

• 228 homes for sale
• Less than 3% are in fair or poor condition, making this the easiest price range to find a home in move in condition.
• 13 are 2 bedroom homes
• 179 are 3 bedroom homes
• 39 are 4 bedroom homes
• 1 is a 5 bedroom home

When you are ready to begin your search for a home for sale on the West Bank of New Orleans, please call me.  I would be happy to help you find the perfect place to call home.

When buying or selling a home on the West Bank of New Orleans, you deserve professional, local expertise and advice. Lisa Heindel provides full time, professional real estate services to buyers and sellers in Algiers, Algiers Point, Belle Chasse, Gretna, Terrytown, Harvey, Marrero, Westwego and more.

West Bank Homes for Sale – Find a home for sale on the West Bank or other New Orleans metropolitan area.

Contact Lisa Heindel for help buying or selling your New Orleans area home

Free Online Home Evaluation of your New Orleans West Bank home

Copyright 2007. Lisa Heindel, All rights reserved.

One of the things I love about the New Orleans area is the fact that we don't have too many cookie cutter houses.  There are wonderful areas to live that are not part of "subdivisions"...they are neighborhoods in the true sense of the word.  Some of the most beautiful areas to live in are older, established and, in some cases, deemed historic.

To me, any house over 75 years old is a historic home.  Lucky for us, we have a large selection of homes that give us a peek into the history of our city and the surrounding area.  Some of them have been restored to their original grandeur, some have been completely modernized and some are waiting for the right person to come along and give them a facelift.

Relocating to the New Orleans area?  When looking for a home in a historic neighborhood, don't dismiss the potential of converting a double into a single family home.  At the time these homes were originally built, most people didn't live in really large houses and the kitchens were not the center of the home like they tend to be now.  The process of converting a double to a single allows you to increase your living area by rethinking the entire footprint of a home and how the spaces are used.  Kitchens and bathrooms can be relocated to more convenient locations, rooms expanded to accommodate our desire for open floorplans and updated mechanical systems can be installed.

There are some great local places that carry architectural items that can be used during renovation to maintain that old New Orleans look and feel.  Some sources for replacement architectural items include:

• Crescent City Architectural Salvage
• Ricca's Architectural Sales of New Orleans
• Carrollton Lumber & Wrecking Company

What is available in the historic housing market?

There are currently over 60 historic homes for sale on the West Bank of New Orleans, with the majority of them located in Algiers Point.  Since Algiers Point is the second oldest neighborhood in New Orleans, it makes sense that they have the largest number of historic homes available for sale.  However, Gretna, Marrero and Westwego also offer a few of these gems for sale as well.  Whether you are looking for a home that is ready to move into, or one that you can put your own personal stamp on, there is a historic home for you.  Call me today and we can get to work finding the perfect one.

When buying or selling a home on the West Bank of New Orleans or relocating to the West Bank, you deserve local expertise and advice. Lisa Heindel provides full time, professional real estate services to buyers and sellers in Algiers, Algiers Point, Belle Chasse, Gretna, Terrytown, Harvey, Marrero, Westwego and more.

West Bank Homes for Sale - Find a home for sale on the West Bank or other New Orleans metropolitan area.

Contact Lisa Heindel for help buying or selling your New Orleans area home

Free Online Home Evaluation of your New Orleans West Bank home

Copyright 2007. Lisa Heindel, All rights reserved.

Many of the New Orleans fire fighters lost everything in Hurricane Katrina.  They were impacted not only in the loss of several fire stations, but personally as well with the loss of their uniforms.  As a fund raiser to replace station house uniforms for these brave men and women who serve their communities, the New Orleans Fire Fighters Look Hot 2008 Calendar is now on sale. 

On the West Bank, calendars are for sale at the Algiers Latter & Blum office and at J&K Bar and Cafe on General Meyer.   Calendars can also be purchased at retailers on the East Bank or online.

My 16 year old is a junior at a high school that believes in keeping parents informed about grades throughout the year, not just when it's progress report or report card time.  They have a dedicated website for parents to check the grades of their child at any time.  They send emails every time a new grade is posted.  Very cool for me as a mom, not so cool if you are a 16 year old struggling in French. 

I have watched my daughter's French grade go up and down, up and down over and over again.  Finally, one day in frustration I asked her, "Why, why, WHY are you failing French?"

She gave me that look.  The one that all teenagers have perfected.  The one that says my mother is apparently the dumbest creature on the face of the earth and I can't believe I am wasting my time explaining this.  Her completely earnest (albeit sarcastic) reply was "Uhhhh....because I don't speak French".

Funny?  In hindsight, yes.  But, you know what?  She's right.  She doesn't.  And in her mind, this is completely the fault of her teacher for not taking all of the time that she needs in order to understand the language.  To grasp the nuances of pronunciation.  To - horrors - conjugate the verbs correctly.  To become proficient enough to pass the class, which is the end result we are all hoping for.

When we, as real estate professionals, are talking with our clients, are we really communicating with them or are we effectively speaking French?

When we explain the market to a seller, are we throwing out words like CMA, comps and absorption rates?  Or are we taking the time to make them really understand the market...the nuances of price, condition and location?  Do we talk about "chasing the market" or do we really explain why the price we recommend is right, no matter what the house next door is listed for or how much the guy down the street got 6 months ago? 

If you are representing a buyer, do they truly understand earnest money, buyer brokerage agreements, agency, or predicated offers?  Buying a home is the biggest purchase most of us will ever make.  How many times do we have to hear "My agent didn't tell me that" to realize that perhaps we, as an industry, need to stop assuming that the average person understands the ins and outs of home buying and selling.  It is our responsibility to act as a translator...to teach them the basics of a new and foreign language.

This doesn't just apply to agents, either. 

Lenders speak another language altogether.  Latin, perhaps.  And they have just as much of an obligation as an agent to be sure that YSP, ARM, escrow, closing costs and APR are not foreign words to their clients.  We keep hearing all of these stories about consumers that didn't know what they were signing when they got over their heads on their adjustable rate mortgages.  Could it be because the lender did not explain it to them in a language they understand? 

Educating our clients is, to me, one of our primary functions.  If consumers don't understand, if they are confused by what we are saying, they will never fully appreciate what we bring to the table as industry experts and professionals.

The next time you meet with a client, think about it....What language do you speak?

I recently wrote a post about the possible loss of another New Orleans Mardi Gras tradition. 

I am very happy to say that through strong negotiations and the cooperation of the Steamboat Natchez company, the River Parade will take place as planned without an increase in cost to the Krewe!

The annual West Bank Mardi Gras event will take place on January 19, 2008.  Boarding will start at 9:30 am at the Gretna ferry landing and the boat will sail promptly at 10 am.  This wonderful and fun event is open to the public and everyone is welcome to be a part of the only river parade in New Orleans.  Food and drink will be available for purchase on the Natchez.

Need tickets?  You can purchase them online here.

Hail the Chief!