Archive for March, 2008
French Quarter Condos, Showings of French Quarter Condos is an experience!
March 31st, 2008 categories: French Quarter
The New Orleans French Quarter is unique in many ways and one is an afternoon showing of a number of French Quarter condos on a recent Sunday afternoon. Showing French Quarter Condos can be a lively experience especially on the weekend. Parking is not easy so all the units are shown by walking and you want to have the list planned out. In most cases agents and owners will meet you to show their units, this is the way its done and will not be changed anytime soon. A few empty places will have keys. Today Lana Sackett of Prudential and I were showing one of our clients 6-7 units in a couple of hours so we had to hurry. I had to leave early, so team work does pay.
Lana has her walking shoes and her map. We are ready to go. Lana wished she had a yellow dress but a picture in front of a yellow house will have to do.
French Quarter Hotel, too good a shot to pass up. Lana said she would buy lunch and we were short on time. Just too many people out enjoying the day. We stopped at Rouses Supermarket on Royal, this was an historic A&P until they were bought our last year. Now its a historic Rouse’s with much more to choose from. largest grocery in the Quarter by far. Time to pick our meal out!
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Harahan Condos, Colonial Country Club and the Belle Rive Condos. Proposed Condo Project?
March 29th, 2008 categories: Jefferson Parish, New Condo Projects
Plans for the Belle Ive Condos have been proposed by Lauricella Land Co. to build a 17 story, 154 unit-Luxury Condominium project with an complete upgrade to the Colonial Gold and Country Club golf course. The units will range in size from 900 sq. ft; to almost 2400 sq. ft. The prices will start at $350 per square foot.
The Redford Group, a Birmingham, Ala.,-based golf development and management firm that had a hand in the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, and golf course architect Nathan Crace of Watermark Golf in Jackson, Miss. Building architecture was handled by PageSutherlandPage out of Houston.
Parking to the complex will be a three story parking garage with 300 covered spots plus additional spots in a parking lot. The top of the garage will be an amenities deck where residents will have access to a pool, spa, outdoor kitchen and gardens.
“The current Colonial clubhouse would be demolished and replaced by a facility on the ground floor of the condominium tower, Lauricella said. It would include an expanded lobby, a restaurant and bar, men’s and women’s locker facilities, lounges and a 5,000-square-foot fitness center. ” according to the Times Picayune.
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“Is there going to be opposition to this project? Absolutely.” Lauricella said. “I think the amount of this opposition is going to be less than it was before. Albeit equally as vocal, but significantly less.”
Being a resident of Harahan, I think its a great idea to have something like this. The course can be upgraded to first class place for golfers. It can attract people from all over the area that would like the condo life style in an upscale development. It should be some great views of the Mississippi River as the land is on the river. Keeping the golf course is great news as a housing development would not be in the best interest of Harahan.
The Mississippi River leveee as it looks by Colonial Country Club
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New Orleans Condos, Your condo Inspections? One more Step!
March 28th, 2008 categories: Steps to Purchase
Once you have your offer accepted by the seller you have a certain number of days to inspect the working parts of the condo. This period is usually 15 days but doing it as quick as possible is the best rule and you may need some followup inspections. When you made the offer you looked at the condo and considered everything to be in working order. This is your chance to inspect the condo to make sure all items are working to your satisfaction. It is quite normal to find some items not working properly.
Its advisable to hire a professional inspector so he can go through the list of items he has to check. He will inspect everything from the electrical plus to the shower to the air conditioner unit. You want to know what you are purchasing. It is always advisable for you to attend the inspection so you can watch and really have time to look around. This is a time to ask questions. The inspector will write up a report and give it to you before we leave or e-mail it to us. This gives you a back up from a professional to go to the sellers with the items that we have found to be deficient.
Many times you will pick up on cosmetic issues that need addressing while the inspectors are checking the mechanical items. Mothers are really great when it comes to this facet of the inspection. We will combine the lists after both are finished.
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Zea’s Rotisserie and Grill another New Orleans Treat, a must eat!
March 27th, 2008 categories: Metairie, NOLA Eats
Zea’s Rotisserie and Grill in Harahan was the first location in 1997 and has been growing since that time. It was converted from an old Toddle House and has developed into another New Orleans experience in cooking. This has been one of my favorites since that time. Its like you do not want to try anything new. I like the Thai Ribs, corn grits and dirty rice and that is generally what I tend to order. A half rack should fill any person up. You can get flavored tea or regular tea and its just plain good. I will try the varieties of tea as a change.
Yes, I have tried the salads and the trout but I come back to what brought me here. The Ribs as they fall of the bone in the tasty sauce. I can never remember having something that I have not liked at Zea’s. Now there are several locations and they have expanded outside of Louisiana. In New Orleans and surrounding areas people do go to places that have great food. Its good at lunch or dinner.
Zea’s is also smart. Every year around the holidays the sell gift certificates for 20% off for the following year. I guess they think people are going to lose them or they will go unused, however I know where mine are and it give me a great excuse to go again. You can get the meals to go which a lot of people do at the origional location. Its come a long way since the Toddle House. See you there? We can talk about New Orleans Condos!
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New Orleans Uptown Condos, 3915 St. Charles Ave, St. Charles Gardens Condos
March 26th, 2008 categories: New Orleans Condo Reviews, Uptown NOLA
The St. Charles Garden Condos at 3915 St. Charles Ave is a 93 unit complex was converted in 2005 from apartments into condos. The condos are in Uptown New Orleans. Most of the units are two bedroom units with some one bedroom units. Almost all the units were updated by the developer as the apartements were very dated before the conversion. The more expensive units were those facing St. Charles Ave by at leat 40k and the units on the sixth and seventh floors got 10k more because of the views. The complex sold out rather quickly. The location gets an A Plus.
The units came with gated parking with most of the spots being assigned as you bought the unit. The lush courtyard surrounds a large swimming pool. The secure entrance and night guard make the units very secure. The current condo fee for the two bedroom units are $445 per month. The management is on site. There are 2 units currently for sale and there are 2 under contract. The prices for the units are $279k and 289k, these are not units facing St. Charles Ave. The prices are steady with a downward drift as the origional units like these sold for 219-229k on the initial offering. Last year 9 units were sold.
There is a fitness center and gym. The private balconys in each of the units. The units had new kitchens with stainless steal appliances, granite countertops, microwaves, new stoves, new lights, new bathrooms, wood floors in living and carpet in the bedroom. Some units upgraded to all wood. Not all units opted for the washer dryer in the second bedroom. If there is downside to the units it is the lack closet space. All the units open onto the courtyard and pool. Elevator is near front gate and also in the rear of the units. There is also a community laundry if needed.
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Cotton Mill Condos, Warehouse District Condos-Great City Views from corner unit.
March 25th, 2008 categories: Condo Listings, Warehouse District
This is a new listing in the New Orleans Warehouse District that I picked up today that I wanted to share since it is such a special unit. The Warehouse feel comes alive in this corner unit #368 in the Cotton Mill Condos on the 3rd floor. City View are out of site day and night. With at least ten 15ft window you get plenty of light.
You get the 18′ high ceiling, exposed beams, brick exterior, a new kitchen, new appliances, new floors and carpets. The entire unit was redone in 2006 down to the studs after Katrina. Its a well kept unit where a professional stagger could not have done better. The two bedroom unit has a large 1191 sq. ft. of living area with 2 bedrooms and 2 baths. Price $349,368.
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New Orleans Crescent City Classic, 30 years old and running strong. Another New Orleans tradition
March 23rd, 2008 categories: New Orleans Origionals
The New Orleans Crescent City Classic a 10k road race was run over the Easter weekend on Saturday. As you can tell not everyone including me runs. Walking at a fast pace and a few photos later I finished the race in time to shower and get ready for an afternoon appointment. The Classic was 30 years old and still attracted about 18,500 to run, walk and communicate. There was a group costume contest as well. Real Estate agents are welcome, you never know what or who you will see.
The winners finish in under 28 minutes. The winners are usually from Kenya and are a blur to the camera as they run past. However they may not get to see that much. Here is what I saw as the race started. The race starts in Jackson Square in the French Quarter at 830 am. I started about 12-13 minutes later as the late arrivals and walkers started. The photos will be able to tell the story better than I. Had time for 150 photos so hopefully you can enjoy and get the New Orleans Feel.
Starting in the French Quarter we quickly move into the Warehouse District
Well, what can you say! We head downtown! Read the rest of this entry »
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New Orleans becomes a much smaller place with Internet connections!
March 21st, 2008 categories: Internet connections
It’s Funny How Things Work Out
I met Eric through a real estate networking site called ActiveRain about a year and a half ago. I was immediately impressed by his photos and obvious attention to detail. Over the course of this past year or so, I’ve learned that Eric is not only an amazing photographer, but he also has a contagious love and appreciation for the city of New Orleans.
When my sister and brother-in-law said they were moving there, I knew exactly who to call to help them with their search for a new home. Sure enough, Eric knew just the place for them, and if that particular property didn’t work out (although he was certain that it would), he had a list of properties they might consider in another part of town.
In just a few short hours, Eric and his business partner, Jack (who my sister said was so friendly and nice to work with — I don’t think she had the chance to meet Eric while she was in town), had pinpointed the perfect property, showed them the place, and sold them on their new home in the French Quarter of New Orleans! Read the rest of this entry »
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French Quarter Condos Market Update, March 2008
March 19th, 2008 categories: French Quarter, Market Trends
The New Orleans French Quarter Condo market is much slower than in years past. There are several reasons for this. Many of the units are second homes and the Quarter is getting competition from other areas such as the Warehouse District, Uptown New Orleans and the Marigny. Katrina had a large effect, not from damage or flooding but because today we see fewer numbers of tourists and visitors. Good news, the trend is improving!
Many of the units have retained their pre-K pricing — others have not been updated. However, with that said once you cull through the odd ball units, questionable locations, and pre-K priced condos, the number of choices becomes more manageable. I think the market may be better than in 2007 as we move further away from Katrina. The historic area will hold up if for no other reason than the location cannot be duplicated.
In today’s New Orleans MLS there were 144 condo units for sale in the New Orleans French Quarter. There are 16 units under contract waiting to go to sale. There are 55 units in the under 250k category, 66 units in the 250-500k range and that leaves 33 units over 500k for sale. The majority of these are second homes and quite a few new conversions. A lot of people are starting to look again and there is not a lot of new inventory coming on the market.
In 2007 there were 118 condos sold with 40 units being under 500 sq. ft. Can you believe that some were in the 200sq. ft. range? If you look at the units that I show between 200k and 500K the average selling price per sq. ft. was in the range of $380 per sq. ft. for 2007. These are just averages but it gives you an idea of what to expect. The secret is to find someone who is motivated to sell and who has their unit priced correctly.
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Louisiana State Bond Money, Your Mid-March Up
March 19th, 2008 categories: Julie's Mortgage Tips
Louisiana State Bond Money has just become available the interest rate is 6.30% with zero points and zero origination fees. State Bond gives you 4% of your loan amount as free assistance towards your closing cost. I would reserve your funds as soon as possible before the funds run out.
Julie Baudier Baudier & Grace Mortage Group 110 Veterans Blvd. Ste. 430 Metairie, LA 70005 (504) 583-1793| Discussion: No Comments »
