Archive for the 'French Quarter' Category
French Quarter Condos, Zeus,Debra and Anne explore the French Quarter, Dog day Out!
March 16th, 2008 categories: French Quarter, New Orleans Origionals
People are not the only lovers of the French Quarter and Warehouse District of New Orleans. After a long week of indoor confinement, our dog, Zeus, decides it is time for a “dog day” outside… and that means Deb and me finding some entertainment for the old boy - or else. Woof.
We aren’t sure of the dog-friendliness of our neighborhood, or the French Quarter. One thing we do know for sure is that dogs are welcome and loved at the Cotton Mills condominiums.
Our building is full of dogs - from small yappy ones to full-blown great danes. A favorite is the shiny black lab, Boo-Ray, who lives across the courtyard and spins in circles with glee when he’s released outside. His owner is friendly, giving us a wave and a smile when we take Zeus out to play, and dozens of other pups populate the halls, stairwells and sidewalks of our cozy co-op.
But out on the town? We decide to give Zeus a special day, and our mission on a beautiful Saturday morning in March is to show the man of the hour a good time. We’ll have to be creative…
We start six blocks away from home with breakfast at Lucy’s, our favorite neighborhood pub. We’ve become “regulars” who can now order “the usual” at Lucy’s, so we think it will be a safe test… will our dog be welcome?
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Lucky Dogs carts have called the French Quarter Home for over 50 Years.
February 28th, 2008 categories: French Quarter
The Lucky Dogs Wagons have made the French Quarter their home for over 50 years. Lucky Dogs are the only vendor allowed to sell food from carts and has an exclusive vending permit for the steam hot dogs. The hero of Confederacy of Dunces was once a Lucky Dog vendor. Your selection is limited to the famous steamed hot dog and a variety of toppings. Twenty one million have been sold to date along with a lot of stories. The carts are out daily and nightly until 4 am when they head back home. There are hundreds of stories from many nightly revelers on Bourbon Street. People have been known to ride the carts amid a nite in the French Quarter. Check out the various stories about the famous cart on the Company’s website. The prices have changed over the years but the taste is the same.
In New Orleans once these institutions get established they tend to be supported and stay around much longer than in other cities. Its like Star Bucks is here, but they are not the most popular coffee house. We will figure this out with your help.
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The best real estate purchase ever!
February 20th, 2008 categories: French Quarter, New Orleans Origionals
That buy was the Louisiana Purchase. According to the “Geopolitical Intelligence Report,” and who can argue with a title like that, there must be a New Orleans. The rationale is that it was the Mississippi River which set America apart from other nations. We were the first country to produce more than we consumed with an economical way to transport that surplus to the world market. That mode of transport was barge traffic on the Mississippi. The authors of the report mention the impact of the oil business and tourism, but it is the port which makes New Orleans necessary.
The Louisiana Purchase was signed at what we now call the Cabildo which now serves as the Louisiana State Museum on Jackson Square since 1911. The Cabildo was constructed between 1795 and 1799 and was the seat of the Spanish government in the new world. The “Sala Capitular” was on the second floor where the Louisiana Purchase was signed on 1803. It later became a courtroom for the Louisiana Supreme Court.
The other historical note is that is that the famous case of Plessy vs. Ferguson case was decided here and later upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1892. The “separate but equal” clause became the law of the land. The law required separate railroad cars for whites and blacks. This was later overturned in 1954 in Brown v. Board of Education case in 1954. As you can see there was a lot of history in the French Quarter and this is only a slice of it.
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New Orleans French Quarter’s Most Expensive Homes
February 17th, 2008 categories: French Quarter, Market Trends
Quoting from a most recent article from Frobes.Com by Matt Woolsey, The New Orleans French Quarter is still alive and well. I know my business being mainly second homes in the Quarter has picked up in the last 8 weeks. I have 2 new clients and both are still looking for the right thing. There are a lot of listings but nothing nice in their price range. Neither is in the most expensive range so thought I would pass this along.
“Most memorable Mardi Gras stories involve, in some way, a balcony.
“ Above the street, behind the wrought-iron railings, and before color-soaked storm windows is where the luckiest experience the festivities, lording above the spectator-lined parade route, then retiring to courtyard parties thrown by the city’s krewes and grand dames.”
“You could hustle your way in, if you’re well connected.”
Photo Gallery: French Quarter’s Most Expensive Homes
“Or you could buy into the French Quarter, New Orleans’ oldest neighborhood. But it’ll cost you. The landmarked area with about 3,000 residents boasts several luxury properties featuring shaded courtyards, wrap-around balconies and details like pressed tin ceilings and French marble mantles. Like much of the nation, sales are sluggish, but price-per-square-foot figures are about where they were pre-Katrina.”
“I think that it’s a hard message to send that the French Quarter and areas that visitors would see when they come into town look fine,” says Michael Wilkerson, owner of French Quarter Realty. “But it’s a small part of it. The market outside of the French Quarter isn’t doing as well.”
“Traditionally, the French Quarter acts as a second-home location to residents from all over the country who rent out their mansions when they aren’t in town. That still goes on, but brokers say that an increasing number of buyers are from New Orleans, reaffirmed in their commitment to the city’s rebuilding and looking to land an iconic home in the city’s most famous neighborhood. “
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New Orleans Condos, How much do you pay for the views?
February 7th, 2008 categories: Condo Knowledge, French Quarter, Warehouse District
Views are very important in your New Orleans Condo. This is especially true in the French Quarter, Warehouse District and in Uptown New Orleans. Most great views will cost you more and could well be worth the price. Some of very nice views will not cost you more but will help your value when reselling. Developers know people will pay for a great view of the Mississippi River, they will charge you more and those units will sell first. The top or higher views will cost more or will sell first.
However in conversions the views mean the units sell first or stay on the market longer and thus will resell for less. Who wants to buy a view of a roof full of air conditioner units? Would you like a view of the interstate? People also like units with light that will many times be a function of what floor that you are on. Ground floors tend to do less well but this is not always related to views but often times to noise and security concerns.
Its all in how you view it.
You can help yourself by choosing your unit with these facts in mind because the difference is huge. I sold two or three units the the Cotton Mill Condos this past summer that all had great views of the city skyline. Two of the units this was not a factor in the pricing and thus getting the clients a great value when they go to resell in a couple of years. The other was my listing and we put a premium in the price for the city view and the fact that the unit was on the top floor. It sold for more than I thought it would and the view was a large factor plus the fact that it was furnished and decorated with a small condo in mind. Staging your condo is another blog subject.
When my client bought the condo below he did not pay extra for the view but it worked out well for him. He was transferred after a year and was able to sell his unit for about 10k more than he bought it for in a poor market when he needed to sell. This was the main reason it sold within a couple of weeks. It was the View! It pays to trust your senses and in this case the eyes have the last word.
Warehouse District View form the Cotton Mill Condos, 4th floor
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French Quarter Real Estate, What no front yards?
January 28th, 2008 categories: French Quarter, Historic Homes
The New Orleans French Quarter is the oldest residential neighborhood in the City of New Orleans. There are very few front yards. Either no one wanted to cut grass or even thought of having yards at that time. Parking was not an issue as the automobile would not be invented for another 200 years. The stables were in another neighborhood and horses were brought over when needed. Instead of front yards, courtyards, many graced with fountains and greenery, provided outside living space. Privacy was another reason.
Many of the early residents lived in New Orleans during the winters and ran plantations during the spring and summer. The plantations line the Mississippi River in the pre-1850’s. The housing styles came from Europe and of those in other French and Spanish colonies that had similar weather. The idea was mainly to keep cool and an air flow thru the houses. Many of these old homes have been converted into condos and no one wants to cut the grass anyway these days.
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French Quarter Condos - New Orleans Real Estate - Market Update January 2008
January 24th, 2008 categories: French Quarter, Market Trends
The French Quarter is a rather depressed market as we begin 2008. There are a 139 listing for French Quarter condos with very few under contract. There are quite a few new developments that are not doing particularly well. The main reason for the down trend is that this is an area that has a high percentage of second homes and that market has become much smaller since Katrina. The French Quarter is also competing with new and updated condos in the Warehouse District which is just across Canal Street. Uptown is also pulling people away as a second home choice also. The French Quarter units will have to adjust in price or the demand of the second homers will increase.
The second home people have however picked up since December and activity has picked up. Looking at the numbers however can be only part of the story. Once you begin to look, there are not a lot of nice condos on the market making the number irrelevant. Many people will tend to look elsewhere when they this.
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