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

For the first time since it was built in 1964, this terrific home in the heart of Algiers is for sale.

 

From the freshly painted exterior to the spacious 4 bedrooms and 3 full baths, there's so much to love here and a great location to love it in. Some of the wonderful features are:

• Formal living and dining rooms, giving you room to entertain to your heart's content
• Spacious den with a pass through/breakfast bar from the kitchen
• Large, eat-in kitchen with room for a table and chairs
• Covered and screened rear patio to keep you cool and dry
• Roll down hurricane shutters on all downstairs windows - no boards needed here!
• 4th bedroom is upstairs with an attached, full, private bath along with walk in closets...a perfect set up for an extended family, home office or home gym. How will you use it??

 

 

Priced to sell at only $189,000 and eligible for VA or FHA financing

 

 

 

More photos and community information at 3612 Huntlee Drive.

Located only 6 miles from downtown New Orleans, 3612 Huntlee Drive is also just a hop, skip and a jump to either NSA New Orleans in Algiers or NAS JRB New Orleans in Belle Chasse. Walking distance to Edna Karr School, Alice M. Harte Charter School, St. Andrew the Apostle School and Norman Playground offers weekly gas savings with fewer long drives. Just a half block off of General de Gaulle with quick and easy access to neighborhood shopping, parks, local dining, golf, tennis and swim clubs.

 

For more information or to schedule your private showing of this beautiful Algiers home for sale, please contact Lisa Heindel.

 

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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.

Many, many years ago (28 to be exact), my wonderful husband and I were married right here on the West Bank, at Algiers United Methodist Church.  I remember the sun streaming through the stained glass windows on that hot June afternoon in 1980, long before we ever dreamed we would have 4 children, 2 dogs, a cat, a mortgage, car notes and all of the other grown up responsibilities that come with being...well, grown up (which is completely overrated, by the way)

 

                                     

 

In typical New Orleans fashion, we still live in Algiers, just a stone's throw from the houses we were both raised in only 4 blocks from each other.  While lots of couples choose to travel to celebrate their wedding anniversaries, we chose to stay local.  With dinner reservations at that New Orleans original, Ruth's Chris Steak House, we headed out to spend an evening downtown enjoying our fabulous city.

 

 

 View of Fulton Street from outside Ruth's Chris                       The interior of Ruth's Chris Steakhouse

 

   I highly recommend the steak and shrimp                          Yummy creme brulee...

            (and the sinful creamed spinach)

 

                        A little wine....                                                        A little music.....

 

What better way to celebrate not just our wedding anniversary, but the rebirth of our city as well.

 

Happy Anniversary, honey...

 

 

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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.

Tracking how people get to my website allows me to see, in detail, exactly what kind of information consumers are looking for about West Bank real estate.  Recently, I had a website visitor that came to me by way of a search for "louisiana property disclosure vs. as-is".  I figure that if one person asked that question, then there are other folks out there wondering the same thing.

 

FIRST, it is important to point out that under Louisiana law, sellers (with few exceptions) are required to provide a property disclosure, whether they are selling the property "as is" or not.  Disclosing or selling "as is" is not a one or the other decision.   Unless you are one of the few who meet the state mandated exceptions, you MUST provide a disclosure to all purchasers.  The law applies equally to those using a professional REALTOR® and those attempting to sell their property on their own.

• For details on what has to be disclosed when selling your West Bank property, read more about Louisiana property disclosures here.
• For a list of those exempt from providing a property disclosure, contact Lisa Heindel.

 

As a listing agent, I always recommend that my sellers transfer their Louisiana property to the new owners with an As-Is Clause and Waiver of Redhibition.  (For people living in other parts of the country, Redhibition is basically the Louisiana civil version of a lemon law, allowing purchasers to sue for unseen defects.)  The waiver of redhibition is intended to minimize the number of lawsuits brought by purchasers against the sellers of real property in Louisiana.  IMPORTANT NOTE:  This does NOT mean that the purchasers cannot do inspections or that they cannot walk away from the purchase if there are inspection issues that cannot be resolved by negotiating repairs or a price adjustment. 

 

It does mean that after inspections have been completed to the purchaser's satisfaction the following language will become a critical part of the act of sale documents (the highlights are mine).

 

From the Louisiana Real Estate Commission Website:

 

Do you still have questions about As Is and Waivers of Redhibition?  Please contact Lisa Heindel, REALTOR®.  I'd be happy to refer you to a local real estate attorney who is well versed on this topic.

 

 

  

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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.

 

 

• Subscribe to West Bank Living by Email
• Featured New Orleans West Bank Homes
• Search All New Orleans West Bank Listings
• What's My Home Worth? - A Free Online Valuation of your New Orleans West Bank Home

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.

While I'm celebrating my wedding anniversary this weekend, here are some fun things for you to do!

 

Gretna Farmer's Market

Every Saturday from 8:30 am - 12:30 pm under the Market on Huey P. Long Avenue, between 3rd and 4th Streets.  Featuring local produce, art, music, crafts and more, it's a great way to start your weekend!

 

 

Make-A-Wish Benefit

The Make-A-Wish foundation is the recipient of proceeds from a benefit being held at the West Bank Elks Lodge at 900 Monroe Street in Gretna.  The party will be rocking from 5 -10 pm on Saturday with food, live auctions, raffles and live music.

 

Don't forget about children's crafts every Saturday morning at 10:30 in the Children's Wing of the West Bank Regional Library on Manhattan Blvd., a cool start to these hot summer days!  Or, you can cool off at the wave pool at Bayou Segnette State Park in Westwego.

 

Beyond the West Bank

With the 4th of July coming up, why not get in the swing of things at the World War II Museum in downtown New Orleans?  This Sunday the New Orleans Jazz Vipers will be performing from 1-4 pm during Sunday Swing.  Also on hand for this FREE event will be dance coaches from NOLA Swing.

 

 

Upcoming Events:

Wednesdays on the Point

A summer music series taking place in Algiers Point, the concerts pick up where Wednesdays in the Square left off.  This weeks performance features Amanda Shaw at the Rosetree Glass Studio, located at 446 Vallette Street.  The studio will have glass blowing demonstrations, showcasing the talents of our local Algiers artists.  Take the ferry, take a walk or drive on over the Point and join in the summer celebrations.

 

Algiers Reunion Dance

July 12th at Mardi Gras World from 7 pm to midnight.  Reconnect with all of your old Algiers friends while you dance the night away at this benefit for Holy Name of Mary sponsored by the Blue Knights of Holy Name Men's Club.  The dance will have live music (of course), a silent auction, 50/50 raffle, photo opportunities and local memorabilia for sale.  This is absolutely the Algiers event to see and be seen at!  Call 450-7460 or 361-0937 for ticket information.

 

Make it a great West Bank weekend!

 

  

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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.

 

 

• Subscribe to West Bank Living by Email
• Featured New Orleans West Bank Homes
• Search All New Orleans West Bank Listings
• What's My Home Worth? - A Free Online Valuation of your New Orleans West Bank Home

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.

It's already past the middle of June, time to take a look at the New Orleans West Bank real estate market.  What's hot and what's not?

 

 

Algiers

Algiers, LA 70131- June 2008 Real Estate Absorption Rates

Algiers, LA 70114- June 2008 Real Estate Absorption Rates

Algiers Point, LA- June 2008 Real Estate Absorption Rates

English Turn- June 2008 Real Estate Absorption Rates

 

 

Gretna and Terrytown

Gretna, LA 70053- June 2008 Real Estate Absorption Rates

Terrytown and Gretna, LA 70056- June 2008 Real Estate Absorption Rates

 

 

 

 

The Rest of the West Bank

Belle Chasse, LA- June 2008 Real Estate Absorption Rates

Harvey, LA 70058- June 2008 Real Estate Absorption Rates

Marrero, LA- June 2008 Real Estate Absorption Rates

Westwego, Avondale and Bridge City, LA- June 2008 Real Estate Absorption Rates

 

 

Remember, an absorption report is a snapshot of the market at the current time, and the statistical odds of selling in 90 days will vary depending on the number of homes for sale and recent closed sales.  This is not a guarantee that your home will sell within this timeframe, only a tool to use to gauge buyer interest in the various price ranges in the area.

 

For a more detailed report of home sales in your West Bank neighborhood, please contact Lisa Heindel, REALTOR®.

 

 

  

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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.

 

 

• Subscribe to West Bank Living by Email
• Featured New Orleans West Bank Homes
• Search All New Orleans West Bank Listings
• What's My Home Worth? - A Free Online Valuation of your New Orleans West Bank Home

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 weekend weather looks to be pretty typical for a New Orleans summer...hot with a chance of afternoon showers which makes it pretty steamy afterwards!  Here are a few suggestions for things to do on the West Bank this weekend:

 

Gretna Farmer's Market

With all of the recent news about salmonella in tomatoes, there's never been a better time to go to the local farmer's market and pick up those Creoles that are not a part of the scare.  The market will be open on Saturday from 8:30 to 12:30 on Huey P. Long Avenue, between 4th and 5th Streets in Gretna.

 

 

Calling all actors!

Were you born to grace the stage?  Do you act, sing and love the roar of the crowd?  The Jefferson Parish Performing Arts Society will be holding auditions for the 2008-2009 season.  Adult auditions are by appointment only this Saturday, Tuesday and Wednesday. (Children's auditions will be held on July 12th)  Visit the JPAS website for more details on auditions.  Don't forget about June with Judy, a special tribute to Judy Garland that will be performed every Sunday evening at 7 pm at the Teatro Wego Theatre in Westwego.

 

 

Algiers Historical Society

Recordings of historic Algiers jazz musicians will be played and discussed at the Saturday morning meeting in the Algiers Museum (behind the Algiers Courthouse).  The public is welcome to attend the meeting at 10 am, 225 Morgan Street in Algiers Point.

 

Beyond the West Bank

Dog Days of Summer

You can treat your family dog to a day at the ballpark with the New Orleans Zephyrs for all of the remaining Sunday home games, where you and your furry friend can enjoy the game from the levee for only $6.  Visit Zephyrs Baseball for more information and a game schedule.

 

 

 

Upcoming Events:

Vacation Bible School is being held next week in Algiers.  If your children are looking for a fun way  to spend their mornings, check out the program at Aurora Methodist Church, 9 am to noon.  3300 Eton Street in Algiers.  Call 394-5483 for more information or to register.  If your high school student needs service hours, volunteering for VBS is a fun way to get them!

 

Author Night Continues

While the Hubbell Library in Algiers Point is closed for repairs, Author Night will be held at the Carriage House behind the Algiers Courthouse (225 Morgan Street in the Point).  Monday's guest will be Frank Davis, author of "Frank Davis Makes Good Groceries!".  Starting at 6:30 pm,  this local favorite will be sharing stories and recipes, including the one for Frank's Bananas Foster. 

 

 

  

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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.

I love selling West Bank real estate...I really do.

But my favorite thing in the entire world is the beach.  I loooooove the beach.  I love to spend the day lying on a towel on the sand with a good trashy murder mystery paperback and an ice chest full of Diet Coke, listening to the waves roll in.  I've been lucky enough to lay on beaches in Mexico, Jamaica, Grand Cayman and the Dominican Republic. 

Sadly, an out of the country excursion just wasn't meant to be this year.  Instead, we packed the car with kids, Grandma, towels, sunscreen and trashy murder mystery paperbacks and in less than a full tank of gas made the quick and easy 3 1/2 hour drive to Gulf Shores, Alabama for a week of rest and relaxation. 

 

                  

 

It's hard to unplug from the work world and at first I was not happy that the $100 wireless card for my laptop would not work at the end of the peninsula we were on.  But, after the initial withdrawal symptoms from not being able to access blog posts, feed readers and email passed, I was able to sit back and just enjoy the natural beauty of this part of the United States. 

 

We've stayed in condos in Gulf Shores before (hasn't everyone from New Orleans?) but this  year we had an entire beach house to call our own for 8 full days.   Even the beach itself was mostly private which was great because we set up chairs, towels and umbrellas at the beginning of our stay and didn't have to worry about lugging everything back and forth each evening.  The house was completely furnished, right down to a BBQ pit to cook burgers and hot dogs on and the local grocery store had a great selection of fresh watermelons that we iced down and shared with the kids in the house next door.  Most of the week was spent doing a whole lot of nothing.  Reading...sunbathing...scouring the shore for shells...taking flashlights to the water's edge in the evening to find crabs...trying to identify all of the stars in the night sky...playing rummy until the wee hours of the morning and sleeping in the next day.

 

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We did manage to squeeze in a little history lesson as well.   Only 4 miles down the road from the beach house was Fort Morgan, a Civil War fort that was at the center of the Battle of Mobile Bay and was used off and on through World War II.  Some restoration work is ongoing to the site, but it is open for tours daily for the low admission price of only $5 per adult.  We walked through the fort and around the grounds, with a great view of both Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.  The tunnels in the fort are covered in salt deposits from the gulf water, resulting in a strange looking white substance that appears to be leeching from the brick arches.

 

 

 

Of course, to keep the little ones happy we had to spend a day at Waterville USA, a Gulf Shores  water and amusement park with both a water play area for smaller children and several different water slides for the bigger kids.  Where were these great water parks when I was a kid?  Grandma got her observer wrist band since she wouldn't go on any of the slides and we staked a claim on a group of lounge chairs in the shade.  It was the perfect place to sit back and relax with frozen lemonade and watch all of the kids enjoying the day.  If you go, plan to spend the day.  Tickets are $29.95 per person plus tax, so you'll want to get your money's worth!

 

 

Our timing for the trip was perfect, since the storm clouds were rolling in on the morning we were leaving.   Driving home with a car full of luggage and all of the shopping bags from the outlet mall was probably not my husband's idea of the perfect Father's Day, but we'll make it up to him with that new bimini top for his fishing boat that he has had his eye on all year. 

While I was a little hesitant about doing an extended family and friends vacation, it turned out perfectly.  So perfectly that we are already talking about "next time".  To me, that's the mark of a truly successful vacation.  I hope your family has a chance to get away this summer too!

 

 

  

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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.

 

 

• Subscribe to West Bank Living by Email
• Featured New Orleans West Bank Homes
• Search All New Orleans West Bank Listings
• What's My Home Worth? - A Free Online Valuation of your New Orleans West Bank Home

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's your chance to scoop up a fabulous Algiers home in the Bocage subdivision for the bargain price of only $175,000.   Quick and easy access to downtown New Orleans, NAS JRB New Orleans and the Naval Support Activity in Algiers. 

 

 

What's nearby?

3700 Rue Mignon is conveniently located close to:

Schools:  Alice M Harte Charter School, Dwight D Eisenhower Charter School and St. Andrew the Apostle School

Parks:  Norman Playground sits right outside of the subdivision

Shopping and Dining:  The Village Aurora Shopping Center is just blocks away and contains Walgreen's, Winn Dixie Supermarket, Bennigan's Food and Spirits, Zack's Frozen Yogurt, PJ's Coffee Shop, Piccadilly's, Blockbuster and more.  Right across the street from Village Aurora is Rouse's Supermarket and Applebee's.

Family Activities:  Brechtel Park, Brechtel Golf Course, Aurora Tennis & Swim Club, Park Timbers Tennis & Swim Club and the soon to be reopened Lakewood Golf Course.

 

For more information on this or any other West Bank home for sale, please contact Lisa Heindel, your West Bank real estate specialist.

 

 

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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.

This month's best performing area on the West Bank was the City of Gretna, which showed a huge improvement from the April numbers.  For details about home sales in your West Bank community, please read the following reports:

 

Algiers, LA 70131- May 2008 Home Sales and Real Estate Market Report

Algiers, LA 70114- May 2008 Home Sales and Real Estate Market Report

Algiers Point- May 2008 Home Sales and Real Estate Market Report

English Turn- May 2008 Home Sales and Real Estate Market Report

 

 

 

City of Gretna, LA- May 2008 Home Sales and Real Estate Market Report

Terrytown and Gretna, LA- May 2008 Home Sales and Real Estate Market Report

 

 

 

 

Belle Chasse, LA- May 2008 Home Sales and Real Estate Market Report

Harvey, LA- May 2008 Home Sales and Real Estate Market Report

Marrero, LA- May 2008 Home Sales and Real Estate Market Report

Westwego, Avondale and Bridge City, LA- May 2008 Home Sales and Real Estate Market Report

 

 

 

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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.