New Orleans West Bank Living and Real Estate News: May 2008

This Sunday, June 1st, is the official start of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season, which means that all of the talking head newscasters will be predicting doom and gloom for the entire Gulf Coast region until November.  There will be footage from Katrina played over and over again and "experts" will give their opinions on how active they think the storm season will be.  Since they are rarely correct, I can't figure out how they get this gig year after year.

Most of us now have those plastic tubs filled with all of the things we would want to bring with us in the event of an evacuation of the city.  Family photos, marriage licenses, school records.  Maybe even a pre-paid credit card or some cash stashed away (you do remember that ATMs don't work when there is no power, right?).  

One of my clients has what she calls her Hurricane Book.  It's a binder she compiled with all of the information she needs in an emergency such as:

• Phone numbers of hotels in every direction from the city including those that are pet friendly
• Evacuation routes and contra-flow maps
• Hurricane tracking maps
• Copies of insurance policies
• A list of all creditors, account numbers and phone numbers
• Veterinary records for her dogs

If an evacuation is called, she can grab her binder, book a hotel and be out of here before I've even remembered where I put my plastic tub.  It's a great idea that she assured me I could borrow and share.

The bottom line is preparedness.  I don't need to reinvent the wheel, so here are some sites with information on preparing for a storm:

• What to put in your disaster supply kit
• How to secure your home
• National Flood Insurance Information

Do you have a creative idea for storm preparation or evacuation plans?  Feel free to share it in a comment!

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

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Here's the disclaimer part:  The opinions expressed here are strictly those of the author, but you are free to share yours in the comments.  All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Copyright 2008.  Lisa Heindel, All rights reserved.

I spend so much time living, breathing and writing about West Bank real estate that sometimes I forget one of the most unique cities in the world lies just a few short miles from my front door.  So it was fantastic to spend Saturday night in downtown New Orleans on date night with the hubby and another couple of friends.

We started with cocktails at a downtown loft, just down the street from Lucy's, an iconic New  Orleans bar that is great for people watching.  Sitting on the rooftop patio, we could see other downtown dwellers outside on their patios too...grilling dinner, visiting with friends or just enjoying the evening breeze.  Note to self:  a small loft might be just the ticket to keep any of the kids from moving back home.

The wonderful thing about downtown New Orleans is that it's so easy to get from place to place without the need for a car or cab.  So, we strolled past the Piazza d'Italia on our way to Harrah's Casino Theatre to see a live performance by Leon Russell.  Great show, but Leon has no (as in zero, zip, nada) personality and the only words he spoke the entire evening were "Thank You".

The casino on a Saturday night is jam packed with suckers gamblers, so we made a quick exit after the show and walked over to check out the bar at the newly opened Ruth's Chris Steak House in the Harrah's Hotel.  I'm very happy to see a Ruth's back in the city, since I absolutely detest driving through all of the Metairie traffic to get the single location that's been open since the storm. 

I had not been to either the new hotel or the Fulton Street Plaza, and I was blown away by what a good job the architects and planners did of making the outdoor space so inviting.  Surrounded by great landscaping, lighting, and cool sculptures, sitting outside on a warm May night was very enjoyable indeed. 

I'm still working on my nighttime camera skills...

Sometimes you just need to be a tourist in your own hometown.

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

Here's the disclaimer part:  The opinions expressed here are strictly those of the author, but you are free to share yours in the comments.  All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Copyright 2008.  Lisa Heindel, All rights reserved.

Are you getting ready for the long Memorial Day weekend?  Planning that backyard BBQ?  Before you fire up the grill, be sure to check out these grilling safety tips from the Home Safety Council.

When you're not hard at work cooking over open flames, here are some other great things to do on the West Bank of New Orleans:

Toy Train Show

My experience with trains is limited to Thomas the Train and the track my husband bought one year to go around the Christmas tree that scared the cat.  If, however, you are a train aficionado, check out the Toy Train Show this weekend at the KC Hall in Gretna, LA.  Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm.

Gretna Farmer's Market

Every Saturday from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm, the farmer's market gears up with local vendors selling produce, arts and crafts, music and more.  You might just find the perfect additions to your Memorial Day cookout right in Gretna, LA.  Under the Market, Huey P. Long Avenue between 3rd and 4th Streets.

Fun at the Library

Every Saturday morning at 10:30 the Jefferson Parish West Bank Regional Library offers fun crafts for children of all ages in the Children's Wing of the library.  2751 Manhattan Blvd. in Harvey. 

 Plaquemines Parish Seafood Festival

The festival kicks off on Friday evening at 7:30 and continues on Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 11 pm.  Helicopter rides, games, arts and crafts, music and (of course) the best seafood in the world!  Some favorite local bands performing include The Chee-Weez, the Bucktown Allstars, Amanda Shaw and Bag of Donuts.  All for the low admission cost of $4 for adults and $2 for children under 12.  Taking place at Louisiana's Medal of Honor Park in Belle Chasse.  Visit the fair website for more information, directions and a music schedule.

Upcoming West Bank Events

Wednesday, May 28th.  Oak Park Baptist Church in Algiers is having a community festival and block party from 4:30 to 7 pm.  Games, food, live music, face painting and more.  Open to the public, the event will be a welcoming party for a volunteer group coming from Chattanooga, TN to help in the continued recovery efforts of the city.  A big thank you to these great volunteers!

Saturday, May 31st.  The Confetti Kids will be holding a fundraiser to benefit both the Delcazel and Confetti Parks in Algiers Point.  Food, wine and local art.  Visit the Confetti Kids website for more information and tickets.

Make it a great West Bank weekend and have a safe and happy Memorial Day!

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

Here's the disclaimer part:  The opinions expressed here are strictly those of the author, but you are free to share yours in the comments.  All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Copyright 2008.  Lisa Heindel, All rights reserved.

One of the casualties of Hurricane Katrina was the city sponsored curbside recycling program.  Before the storm, I faithfully filled my little blue bin and placed it by the street every week for the recycling truck to come by and empty.  Did I make a real impact?  In a city that measures the success of an event by the tons of trash produced, probably not.  But it sure did make me feel better to know that at least some of the garbage produced by my family wasn't ending up in a landfill, taking up space better used by other items that could not be recycled.

One of my pet peeves is the huge number of plastic grocery bags I accumulate.  With 2 kids still at home and 2 that come by to visit often, I buy a lot of groceries.  Lots of groceries = lots of those plastic bags.  More than I have room for. 

But throwing them away makes me feel so guilty!  Do I really need all of those bags just to get my groceries from the store to my house?  There's something to be said for the Sam's Club practice of not using bags at all...except for the fact that it's a big pain in the butt to schlep everything from the car to the house and I almost always break something in the process.   Did I mention that I'm clumsy sometimes?

Then there is  The Paper vs Plastic Debate.  Plastic - bad.  Paper - also bad. And some stores still don't offer any options except plastic.  Yikes!  What's a girl with hungry kids, dogs and a cat to do? 

Standing in the checkout line at the store today, the solution was hanging on the rack - staring right at me from that "impulse buy" section filled with candy, gum, and the celebrity gossip magazines.

For only 99 cents each, I bought 2 reusable grocery bags that held all of the items I was buying with room left over for more.  Had I let the checkout lady use the plastic bags, I'm sure she would have used way too many.  After all, she tried to put the reusable bags into a plastic bag after she scanned them.  Ahem...hello!

Anyway, I figure it's a start to ridding myself of the guilt of bringing home throwing away all of those plastic bags.  With a couple of more trips to the store, I should have enough reusable bags to do all of my weekly shopping.  Thanks to the folks at Rouse's Supermarket for giving me a chance to focus on all of the other things I should feel guilty about.

Need more information on recycling in New Orleans?  Here are some resources:

• Recycle New Orleans - a directory of places that reuse and recycle materials in the New Orleans area
• Take part in a web campaign directed at the Mayor and Council Members of the City of New Orleans, asking for the return of curbside recycling in the city.
• New Orleans Group Sierra Club
• Greenlight New Orleans
• Participate in the City's Recycling Survey 
• Sign up for paid local recycling through Phoenix Recycling (No plastic grocery bags accepted)

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

Here's the disclaimer part:  The opinions expressed here are strictly those of the author, but you are free to share yours in the comments.  All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Copyright 2008.  Lisa Heindel, All rights reserved.

Have you ever heard that old saying about people who have "never met a stranger"?  Well, that's just a way of life in southeast Louisiana.  Strangers become acquaintances, acquaintances become friends and friends become family.  We have a tendency to celebrate for any reason, or sometimes for no reason at all.  We live every day with joie de vivre (joy for life) and when there is a special occasion, we love to gather and rejoice in it.

Today was such a day.  Some very dear friends of the family have a son who just graduated from Tulane University.  In just 5 years, he earned both a bachelors and master degrees, all the while playing on the football team.  Soon, he'll be heading off to explore Europe for a few weeks and then moving to Washington D.C. to start his career. This is definitely cause for celebration!

So early this afternoon, we packed the lawn chairs in the car and headed south to Crown Point, Louisiana.  Even though it's just 30 minutes from our home in Algiers, it feels like a world away from the suburban lifestyle we live every day.  We drove through the Barataria Preserve and came out on the banks of the Intracoastal Canal, taking in the views of some of the spectacular homes hugging the opposite bank in Lafitte, LA and passing swamp tour operations along the way.

But, we had no need to stop for a tour...we were heading to a little piece of paradise tucked away at the end of a road.  Wouldn't you like to sit on your back porch and take in this view?

It wouldn't be a true Louisiana celebration without food and there was plenty!   The burners were blazing away, boiling the crawfish, crabs and shrimp.  The grill was fired up for the hot dogs and hamburgers.  The dessert table was groaning under the weight of brownies, cakes, muffins and bread pudding.  A pirogue was pulled into use to ice down the drinks for all of the guests.

Once the kids had a chance to eat, it was time for their own, private swamp tour as they piled into the boat and headed down the bayou...passing other boats along the way.

One of the highlights of the paid swamp tours is when the alligators swim up to the boats.  They do this because the tour operators feed them and why hunt for food when someone will bring it to you?  Well, this little guy must have been hungry, because he showed up to snack on the leftover crawfish tails and shrimp shells...

It was a terrific Sunday afternoon on the bayou.  I wonder what our next West Bank weekend will bring?

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

Here's the disclaimer part:  The opinions expressed here are strictly those of the author, but you are free to share yours in the comments.  All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed,

Copyright 2008.  Lisa Heindel, All rights reserved.

Here we are at the middle of May already and it's time again for the monthly absorption reports for the West Bank of New Orleans.

The best performing West Bank communities this month are all in Jefferson Parish.  The top three selling areas are Marrero, Westwego, Terrytown and unincorporated Gretna, while Algiers and English Turn are bringing up the rear. 

Algiers

English Turn: May 2008 Real Estate Absorption Report

Algiers, LA 70131: May 2008 Real Estate Absorption Report

Algiers, LA 70114: May 2008 Real Estate Absorption Report

Algiers Point: May 2008 Real Estate Absorption Report

Gretna and Terrytown

Gretna and Terrytown, LA: May 2008 Real Estate Absorption Report

City of Gretna, LA 70053 : May 2008 Real Estate Absorption Report

Other West Bank Communities

Belle Chasse, LA: May 2008 Real Estate Absorption Report

Westwego, Avondale and Bridge City, LA: May 2008 Real Estate Absorption Report

Marrero, LA: May 2008 Real Estate Absorption Report

Harvey, LA: May 2008 Real Estate Absorption Report

Related Reading:

Previous West Bank Absorption Reports

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

Here's the disclaimer part:  The opinions expressed here are strictly those of the author, but you are free to share yours in the comments.  All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed,

Copyright 2008.  Lisa Heindel, All rights reserved.

Don't forget about the Gatsby Dog Second Line Parade in Algiers Point!  The fun starts this evening at 5:30 at the Algiers Ferry Landing, with a doggie and owner costumed second line parade through the Point.  A benefit for the Louisiana SPCA, there will be food, music, kids activities and more.

West Bank Theatre

Joey & Mary's Irish Italian Wedding continues its run at the Teatro Wego Dinner Theatre.  Audience participation is encouraged during this comedic wedding and reception with a whole cast of characters.  Shows at 7:30 pm on Friday and Saturday and a matinee performance on Sunday at 2:00 pm.  Visit the Jefferson Performing Arts site for more information and tickets.

Gretna Farmer's Market

Rain or shine, you can always count on the farmer's market for your fresh, locally grown produce every Saturday from 8:30-12:30.  Under the covered market on Huey P. Long Avenue, between 3rd and 4th Streets.

Saturday Crafts at the West Bank Regional Library

Looking for something to keep the kids busy?  Visit the West Bank Regional Library on Manhattan Blvd. in Harvey for the weekly kids craft activities - every Saturday morning at 10:30 in the Children's Wing of the library.

Make-A-Wish Foundation Benefit

Sunday at noon at the Impression Nightclub and Cafe in Gretna.  Sponsored by the Westbank Social and Marching Club and the Sassy Katz Social and Marching Club, the Make-A-Wish Foundation benefit will have music, karaoke, a water slide and kiddie pool, dunking for apples, drawings, raffles, auctions and more.  Head on out and help support these West Bank non-profits as they attempt to help others.

Mid-May Meatball Madness

I have to give credit to St. Martha's Church for coming up with such a catchy theme for their spaghetti dinner this Sunday.  Starting at 10:30 am, dinners will be for sale at 2555 Apollo Drive in Harvey.  Adult plates are $8 and children plates are only $5. 

Upcoming Events:

Plaquemines Parish Heritage and Seafood Festival, May 23rd and 24th at the Medal of Honor Park on Barriere Road in Belle Chasse.  Live music, carnival rides, helicopter rides and more.  Visit the fair's website for more information.

Make it a great West Bank weekend!

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

Here's the disclaimer part:  The opinions expressed here are strictly those of the author, but you are free to share yours in the comments.  All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed,

Copyright 2008.  Lisa Heindel, All rights reserved.

A recent article in City Business magazine states that foreclosures in the Louisiana real estate market rose 70% from the 4th quarter of 2007 to the 1st quarter of 2008.

One in every 944 households in Louisiana received a foreclosure filing in the first three months of this year. That’s well below the U.S. rate of one in every 194 households, according to an online foreclosure database.

Irvine, Calif.-based RealtyTrac’s first-quarter 2008 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report lists 1,938 Louisiana properties with foreclosure filings, an increase of 70 percent from the fourth quarter of 2007 and 31 percent from the first quarter of 2007. 

Read the rest of the article here. 

Although this is a drastic increase, Louisiana is still ranked #37 in the nation for foreclosures.  (Finally, a low ranking that we want).  The article made me realize that I haven't taken a look at the foreclosures on the West Bank for quite awhile and that it's time to see how this shift is affecting our neighborhoods.

Back in February 2008, there were a total of 77 bank owned or foreclosed properties on the West Bank listed for sale in the New Orleans Multiple Listing System (MLS).  As of today, there are 69 active bank owned or foreclosed properties for sale on the West Bank. 

While this may sound like it contradicts the City Business article, it is important to realize that when a bank starts the foreclosure process on a property, it does not list the home for sale right away.  It takes time to go through the legal process of foreclosure...time during which the property is typically not well maintained and is often without utilities.  With our long, hot, humid summers, a lack of air conditioning can cause a home to deteriorate very quickly, making repairs to it even more extensive AND expensive.  Additionally, some disgruntled and frustrated owners are stripping their homes of everything they can, leaving behind a shell of a house when forced to move out by the bank.

I've received several inquiries recently from people who are convinced that the best deals to be had on the West Bank are in foreclosures.  And that may be true for some.  But many of these homes need more tender loving care than a first time home buyer or amateur investor is prepared to put into them in terms of time, money and effort. 

 There are more homes for sale on the West Bank than we have seen in years in many areas.

Buyers should not let the media focus on foreclosures give you tunnel vision when shopping for your next home, causing you to pass up some of the great deals that can be had on properties that don't require the repairs that a bank owned property may need. 

In the meantime, sellers need to keep a close eye on the number of foreclosed properties for sale.  When the number of bank owned homes in an area increases, it can have a negative affect on the prices of ALL of the homes in a neighborhood as buyers seek out the best perceived value for their mortgage dollars.  Staying up to date with your neighborhood competition just became more important than ever.

Get a market snapshot of home listings and sales in your neighborhood delivered to your email every month - FREE.  Sign up here.

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

Here's the disclaimer part:  The opinions expressed here are strictly those of the author, but you are free to share yours in the comments.  All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed,

Copyright 2008.  Lisa Heindel, All rights reserved.

Here is your chance to have the convenience of walking to the ferry, to local restaurants and cafes or even taking a stroll along the levee while enjoying a skyline view of the city.  Or, you could sit and relax on the front or back porch and listen to the sounds of river...the distant notes of a steamboat calliope or the refrain of ships passing through the city.

While everyone else is working on keeping their home in shape or updating it, you'll have the freedom to enjoy your leisure time with this newly built home in a historic neighborhood that is just a mile or so from the Naval Support Activity in Algiers.  It's a perfect location for incoming military transfers!

139 Alix Street in Algiers Point is now available for only $289,000

3 bedrooms, 2 full baths

1,866 square feet living area

Off street parking

One year builder's warranty

Don't let the exterior fool you - the inside is bright, open and airy...perfect for today's lifestyle and entertaining with ease.

High ceilings, recessed lighting, bamboo flooring and crown molding all lend a modern touch to a old-fashioned community, where people still know their neighbors.

A kitchen for any cook, with granite countertops and breakfast bar, stainless steel appliances, custom backsplash and plenty of work and storage space.

Front and rear porches - perfect for relaxing on at the end of a long day...

Come be a part of the Algiers Point community...contact Lisa Heindel, REALTOR® for your private showing or more information today.

Related Reading:

5 Steps to Choosing Your New Orleans West Bank Real Estate Agent

Algiers Point Association

New Orleans Public School Information

New Orleans Parochial School Information

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

Here's the disclaimer part:  The opinions expressed here are strictly those of the author, but you are free to share yours in the comments.  All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed,

Copyright 2008.  Lisa Heindel, All rights reserved.

The real estate market on the West Bank of New Orleans has been in a state of flux since Hurricane Katrina.  Prior to August 2005, we were seeing a slow, but steady, increase in values across the entire West Bank.  Since flooding was limited to just a few affected areas in Jefferson Parish, there was a rush to purchase homes on the West Bank as people began to return to the city...pushing both rents and home prices up very quickly. 

After the initial spike in the market, these increases in value have been difficult, if not impossible, to maintain over the long term.  An unfortunate side affect is that many people who purchased a non-flooded home in 2006 paid a premium for it.  As these homes are coming back on the market for sale, some sellers are finding that they are upside down - they owe more than their house is appraised for.

The standard Louisiana purchase agreement allows the purchaser to make their offer contingent (conditioned) upon an appraisal that is equal to or greater than the purchase price.   Financing is usually a contingency as well, with the buyer's mortgage company requiring an approved appraiser inspect your home and determine the current value based on recent comparable sales in the area.  Recent means just that.  It doesn't matter what price your neighbor got for his house when he sold a year ago.  An appraiser will be researching sales within the last 6 months and prefers sales within the last 90 days.

What can you do if your West Bank home appraises for less than the agreed upon sale price?

• Cry.  Go ahead, I'll pass you tissues and hold your hand until the moment passes.
• Yell.  You are welcome to vent about the qualifications (of lack thereof) of the appraiser, but please don't yell AT me.
• Have the buyer pay the difference between the contract price and the appraised value.  Take your best shot, but I've never seen this happen except in the buying frenzy post Katrina.  Those days are long gone.  Stop and think...Would you pay more for a house than it's worth? 
• Cancel the sale and go back on the market.  Keep in mind that the next appraiser may come up with the exact same numbers. If you are in an area that is seeing declining values, the next appraisal could even be lower.
• Reduce the sales price to the appraisal amount.  This is the most common (and common sense) solution.  Will doing this cause you undue financial hardship?  Then it's time to take the sign down and settle back into your home until the market turns.  Please remember that my crystal ball is on the fritz again, so I cannot tell you when that might be.

There is one other option when an appraisal comes in low, and that is for your REALTOR® to provide additional comparable sales for consideration by the appraiser.   Occasionally, this additional information will be considered and result in an adjusted value, but it is the exception, not the norm.

The best way to keep from being surprised with a low appraisal is to hire an experienced West Bank REALTOR® who will keep you informed about market changes during the time your home is listed.  A monthly update of neighborhood sales keeps you on top of things and allows you to adjust your price as needed.  If you need more information about setting the right price for your West Bank home, please contact Lisa Heindel, REALTOR®.  I'd be happy to go over the real numbers with you.

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

Copyright 2008.  Lisa Heindel, All rights reserved.