New Orleans has always been known for the non-stop party atmosphere of the French Quarter, the glorious cuisine that makes every other city pale in comparison and the annual celebration of Mardi Gras. But there is so much more to the city than a 24 hour party and last night we able to soak in some culture of another type. Since Hurricane Katrina, the Mahalia Jackson Theatre has been shuttered due to storm damage. Flooding and wind damage left the electrical and mechanical system in ruins and mold began its march up the aisles, and across the seats, curtains and walls. The New Orleans Opera Association was forced to move production to the much smaller McAllister Auditorium on Tulane's campus...until this past week. The theatre reopened with a free concert on January 8th, performances by ... 01/18/2009

We're receiving good and bad news regarding the New Orleans realty market toward the end of 2008. While we've been named (along with Baton Rouge) as one of strongest real estate markets by several publications, other industry sources are telling us that though our prices have climbed a bit toward the end of 2008, they're still down from 2007. Some areas of town are seeing price increases, some decreases. Of course, our market was humming along, relativey speaking, until the credit meltdown. Personally, I find that the biggest let down locally is difficulty in getting construction loans. It seems impossible for many to obtain and there's still so much rebuilding and investment opportunity here. This is all thanks to Katrina, of course. Our prices jumped after the storm, but not to crazy ... 01/18/2009

     These Japanese Magnolias started blooming in my yard last week. It not every location that is this lucky where you can play tennis outside at nite, see your flowers bloom and not have to worry about heating bills. Heating oil is unheard of here. I have a heat pump and the heater rarely comes on. We have our cool spells and sometime freezes but not this week in my yard.      You can probably tell I do not like cold weather. I love rain and we get plenty of that in large drops enoughto add up to 60 inches ore more in a year. No drought here.  Great place to have a second home for the weather and the culture. Mardi Gras is around the corner!!! Strawberries and Crayfish boils are getting nearer. 01/17/2009

New Orleans Buyers Agent, What exactly does that mean to you?       A buyers agent is an agent working for you in the purchase of a home or condo.  This agent in Louisiana can list properties as well sell them but more than likely will not sell you one of his or her  listings.  My number one goal as a buyers agent is to match then buyers needs with the properties that are on the market or may come on the market in the future.  One thing I focus on is how well the unit will sell in the future when you are ready to sell.  What is the future value of the condo going to be?      Does the condo  have value?  A Buyers agent should tell you what the condo is worth, this often times is different than the asking price.  Figuring out the asking price may be the seller or their agent.  I can look ... 01/16/2009

New Orleans Real Estate - Parade Schedule Mardi Gras 2009 Mardi Gras is nearly upon us! I know that my blog typically only discusses the New Orleans real estate market...but I just can't help myself! I am a big fan of Mardi Gras.  So let's take a break from New Orleans real estate today and take a look at the Uptown parade schedule for Mardi Gras 2009.  Enjoy the parades and have a safe Mardi Gras 2009! Saturday, February 7 · Krewe du Vieux - French Quarter, 6 30 pm Friday, February 13 · Krewe of Cork - French Quarter, 3 pm · Oshun - Uptown, 6 pm • Pygmalion - Uptown, 6:45 pm Saturday, February 14 · Pontchartrain - Uptown, 2 pm · Sparta - Uptown, 6 pm • Pegasus - Uptown, 6:45 pm  Sunday, February 15  · Carrollton - Uptown, Noon · King Arthur - Uptown, 1:15 pm • Barkus - French Quarter, ... 01/16/2009

New Orleans Real Estate - Snapshot of the National Economy Today is January 16, 2009.  Every day you hear about the national economy in the news. I was curious this morning about exactly what is going on. There always flucuations, labor reports, earnings reports, unemployment figures....TOO MUCH TO PROCESS!!!! I found a great set of figures put out my Realtor.org.  A research economist by the name of Manisha Singh wrote an article that I found helpful.  I thought that maybe some of my clients would be interested. Take a look: Quick Take on the Economy: January 15, 2009 By Manisha Singh, Research Economist Jobless Claims The Department of Labor today reported a rise in the number ofpeople applying for Unemployment Insurance to 524,000 seasonallyadjusted, for the week ending on the 10th o... 01/16/2009

New Orleans Real Estate Market Report December 2008 This market report focuses on Single Family Homes. December 2008 - 1873 properties for sale in New Orleans. -9.6% December 2007 - 2072 properties for sale in New Orleans. 143 properties sold in New Orleans in Dec. 2008. -26.3% 194 properties sold in New Orleans in Dec. 2007 . The average price for sold properties was $197,000 in Dec. 2008. -11.7% The average price for sold properties was $223,000 in Dec. 2007. The average days on market for sold properties was 95 in Dec. 2008. 1.1% The average days on market for sold properties was 94 in Dec. 2007. You may also be interested in: New Orleans Real Estate - The Definitive Blog ______________________________________________________________ This New Orleans real estate market report was pro... 01/16/2009

New Orleans Real Estate (Condos) Market Report December 2008 This market report focuses on Condos in New Orleans. December 2008 - 738 condos for sale in New Orleans. -17.1% December 2007 - 890 condos for sale in New Orleans. 39 condos sold in New Orleans in December 2008. -33.9% 59 condos sold in New Orleans in December 2007 . The average price for sold condos was $221,000 in Dec. 2008. -6.4% The average price for sold condos was $236,000 in Dec. 2007. The average days on market for sold condos was 108 in Dec. 2008. -16.3% The average days on market for sold condos was 129 in Dec. 2007. You may also be interested in: New Orleans Real Estate - The Definitive Blog ______________________________________________________________ This New Orleans real estate condo market report was provided b... 01/16/2009

Looking for full time realtors??? Check out our website and call us to represent you when either buying or selling. Jane holds the buyer representative designation of ABR as well as the seller designation of SRS. We specialize in properties uptown, the historic Garden District as well as the Northshore and we have extensive knowledge of the condo market throughout New Orleans. 01/16/2009

We're excited to announce the first phase of our new Web Site is live. We look forward to rolling out much more over the next several months. Visit us at www.MyNewOrleansRealtor.com. Please contact us (sold@MyNewOrleansRealtor.com) if you're interested in placing a link on our site. Our pages featuring our strategic partners is coming soon! 01/15/2009

FOR RENT $800/mo also FOR SALE $135,400 Walking distance to Whole Foods, restaurants, bars, shopping! Right next door to a coffee shop. Being sold and rented as a furnished condo. For more New Orleans Real Estate information please see my website at www.DarrylGlade.com. 01/15/2009

I promised to come back today with photos from last night's Krewe of Choctaw Annual Pow Wow.  What a night!  We spent the day decorating tables, meeting caterers and getting dolled up for the big night.  With over 400 people in attendance, the Pow Wow was a resounding success.  The evening opened with the posting of the colors by the Helen Cox JROTC Color Guard and the singing of the National Anthem. One by one, the court from 2008 was honored. Then came the entry of the Captain to open the ball.  Only my musician hubby would take the theme of "The Mardi Gras of Love" and use it to enter the floor to the sounds of KISS and Calling Dr. Love. The Captain was followed by the presentation of the 2009 Court.  After the tableau was complete, there was an umbrella decorating contest, table dec... 01/11/2009

Slide shows add something extra to a New Orleans neighborhoods where you work and sell. Great way to show someone moving here what the area looks like. This is some of the photos I have taken in an area where I do a lot of work. You can reaarrange the photos to give you some sort of order which I will do in the future and add music as well. Get a feel by watching!!! There is so many things to photograph here so its easy to get interesting items for the area or event that you want to tell a story about. 01/11/2009

Believe it or not, the official Mardi Gras season of 2009 has begun. Tonight, we will be at Mardi Gras World in Algiers for the Krewe of Choctaw's Annual Big Pow-Wow (ball). I can't wait to see all of the beautiful costumes finally completed - I have big expectations for quite a show from the bits and pieces that I've picked up over the year. The Captain (aka my hubby) has been very secretive lately. He refused to tell me what color his costume is this year, which is a pain in the you-know-what since I normally try to find a complimentary color dress. I sure hope that brown and bronze doesn't clash with him. Also, he has kept this years Godrey Boudreax Memorial Award winner a secret as well. Where's the love from him when this year's theme is "The Mardi Gras of Love"??? The real love ca... 01/10/2009

Thank goodness we can finally close the books on 2008 and say that we made it through with only a few bumps and bruises. It was a rough year for the real estate market all across the country. Despite the bad news coming at you from all of the national media, home sales on the West Bank did not suffer nearly as much as many other communities in places like Florida, California and Arizona. The West Bank report includes the communities of Algiers, Belle Chasse, Gretna, Terrytown, Harvey, Marrero and Westwego. For those tracking by zip code, that's 70114, 70131, 70037, 70053, 70056, 70058, 70072 and 70094. New Orleans West Bank - Number of Homes Sold The West Bank ended the year with 1,511 closed sales of single family homes, down 23% from the number of homes sold in 2007. Although sales we... 01/07/2009

Where and When do I start on my New Orleans Condo search? When, in 2009 of course!       I often get asked how do I start my search for a New Orleans condo?  Contacting an experienced real estate agent who deals with condos is a common way to start.  I will then ask you several questions so I can determine what you are looking for.  I need to know if you know the price range that you want to be in?  Have you talked to a lender to get some ideas as to the numbers?  Where would you like to be?  Once I know this I can give you some of the better ideas and guide you through finding the best possible choice.     As a real estate agent I get paid by the seller a commission for selling you the property.  Our function is to take your ideas and needs and then to come up with a plan to find you t... 01/07/2009

New Orleans Real Estate - Top 10 Most Expensive Homes 2008 Back by popular to demand! My 2007 Top 10 list is currently my 4th most  viewed blog post. Time to write the updated version of The Top most expensive homes in New Orleans! I was excited a year ago when 7 out of 10 of the most expensive properties were over $2 million.  In 2008, all of the properties are over $2 million...in fact all of them are over $2.15 million.  Something even more astonishing is that 4 of them are over $3.2 million.  It is incredible that these solds occurred in the turbulent financial year of 2008. 10. $2,150,000 - 221 Walnut - Golf Course View on the Park - 7,962 Total square feet - 6 beds/6.5 baths 9. $2,225,000 - 6126 St. Charles Ave. - Condo near Audubon Park - 4,513 Total square feet - 2 beds/3.5 bath... 01/07/2009

New Orleans Real Estate - First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Are you a first-time homebuyer looking into buying a new home? If so, make sure that you speak to your tax professional regarding the Housing  and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit.  The short description is that on purchases made between April 9, 2008 and July 1, 2009 you may be eligible to take a tax credit of up to 10% of the sale (not to exceed $7,500).  This applies to New Orleans as well! Here are the rest of the details: Continue Reading: New Orleans Real Estate - First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit This New Orleans real estate blog post was provided by Darryl Glade, Realtor with RE/MAX N.O. Properties. Darryl can be reached at darrylglade@remax.net or by phone at 504.451.8960. Darryl's real estat... 01/06/2009

It is very rare that a two-letter word like "OR" is so powerful.  On a recent trip to Miami, driving down the street, I came across sign after sign reading, "FOR SALE OR LEASE"    As a broker, who represents clients closely, and often times gets to know them well or even become friends, I couldn't help but to feel so sorry for the owners.  You see, that this little, seemingly unimportant word, "OR", represents a very very bad situation.  These owners/sellers are in such a bad place financially that they would walk away from that piece of property anyway possible.  The "O" in the word "OR" is like a little life saver, the last gasp of a drowning property owner.  I know what you are saying, "these people over-extended themselves and they deserve it", and in many cases you are probably cor... 01/05/2009

New Orleans Real Estate - 2008 recap 2008 was quite the year in real estate.  New Orleans experienced a bunch of interesting things ...not all bad! I have compiled a few statistics from the year that was 2008 for your enjoyment: In Orleans and Jefferson Parish combined there were 53 sales of over $1,000,000. In Orleans and Jefferson Parish combined there were 10 sales of over $2,000,000. Orleans Parish alone had 40 sales of over $1,000,000. Sold average price per square ranged from a low of $89 in January to a high $121 in June in Orleans Parish. Properties for sale hoovered around 3600 for Orleans Parish and 2700 for Jefferson Parish. 405 properties sold in April of 2008 in Orleans compared to only 179 in September of 2008. I can find out anything that you may be interested in. If I di... 01/05/2009