Originally from Wisconsin, I moved to New Orleans six years ago and fell in love. I have been selling real estate here for the past five years earning the prestigious CRS and HHS designations and becoming one of the top agents in my office three years in a row. I've been able to achieve success by helping buyers and sellers get what they want quickly and with little hassle. I don't consider myself a salesperson, because I don't try to "sell" anybody. I listen to what you want, and then busy myself making sure you get it!

I love urban neighborhoods and like seeing adaptive reuse of old structures. I feel like this is a great way to keep our downtown lively while at the same time cutting down on suburban sprawl, so I mainly work within the city limits of New Orleans which includes Bywater, Marigny, the French Quarter, Uptown, Irish Channel, Holy Cross, MidCity, Gentilly, Lakefront and Algiers Point.

I live in Bywater where my husband Joseph Meissner has renovated an old pharmacy into a kung fu school ( http://www.nolashaolin.com), and I'm very active in our neighborhood association serving first as a board member and now as the association president. From neighborhood clean ups to summer socials, I believe you have to stay involved if you want your neighborhood to be vibrant.

I've owned both residential and commercial property in New Orleans and I've had personal experience buying and selling my own homes, so I can understand what people go through. If you or a friend is ready to make a move, I can help. Give me a call.

What is the CRS? Only 4% of agents nationwide have the prestigious CRS designation.

A Certified Residential Specialist is a REALTOR who's undergone, not just weeks of rigorous training, but also specific production requirements. Many agents are not qualified to get the CRS designation because they don't sell enough real estate. Others just don't take the time to complete the course of instruction, but in today's complicated real estate market, choosing a CRS means you'll get a qualified, experienced agent who's taken the time to invest in their business.

What are some of the advanced training topics a CRS is versed in?

- Using technology to maximize client benefits

- Negotiating difficult situations to keep a sale together

- Maximizing 21st Century marketing to get homes SOLD!

What is an HHS? A HHS is a Historic Housing Specialist. This designation is given by the local non profit, the Preservation Resource Center here in New Orleans.

Their fun and educational course delves into the particulars of renovating old houses, identifying the different historic homes prevalent in New Orleans, and finding loans and tax incentives that will help today's historic home buyer complete their purchase.

The PRC also offers some great classes for buyers, and their website has a great map of New Orleans historic neighborhoods. I highly recommend checking it out at www.prcno.org.

If it's in the city limits of New Orleans, chances are I can help you, but here are the specifics. . .

First time homebuyers - It feels like just yesterday that I bought my first home, so I'm very aware of the different questions you may have as well as the feeling of getting overwhelmed with information. I'll work with you to make sure you get the answers you need, in a no-pressure environment, as you need them so your interests are protected.

Investors - I've worked with a number of investors buying single family homes, condos, and especially multi-family homes for investment. Something many of my investors have been interested in is the 2-4 family home, and I can definitely help you there. From cash flow analysis to help with property managers and lenders, I can help you find a great little cash flow investment here in New Orleans. I've worked with many out of town investors, and some were so confident that they bought properties sight unseen. Others fly in to look at properties and then fly in again for the closing - usually trying to line up their dates with something like Jazz Fest or Mardi Gras!

2nd Homes - New Orleans is a popular place for second homebuyers and whether you're looking for a getaway condo in the Quarter or a luxurious Uptown home, I can help you negotiate the details from wherever you are. There are a lot of beautiful Uptown homes on the market right now, so if you've ever thought of grabbing a place on St. Charles Avenue or near beautiful Audubon Park, now is a great time.

Commercial - I'm a residential specialist, so while I have some agents that I partner with for commercial deals, it's not my primary skill set. Check out my friend Grasshopper Mendoza at 504commercial.com or agentgrasshopper.com. She's an amazing commercial agent who knows New Orleans well.

"Helen, your tenacity brought this deal together. Thank you so very much!" Angela F.

"I'm writing to thank you again for everything you did - most of it above and beyond the call of duty to help me find and buy a home. . . You listened to everything I had to say about what I wanted in a home and devoted yourself to helping me find exactly the right place. I was impressed that you committed all of my wants and needs to memory and not once did you steer me towards a home that didn't satisfy my criteria. Now, I have not just a house but the perfect home." Shawn V.

"You care more about your clients than the commission, and it shows. You're going to go a long way with that business philosophy." Sheilah V.

"As a loan officer, I work with many real estate agents. Helen is one of the most professional and effective agents that I've worked with. She works incredibly hard to realize her clients goals, and it definitely separates her from the masses." Jeffrey J, Vieux Carre Mortgage