It may be scorching hot out there, but there are some really cool events and benefits taking place on the West Bank this weekend....   West Bank Theatre Local favorite comedienne Becky Allen will be performing in The Queen of Bingo this weekend at the Teatro Wego! Theatre in Westwego.  The three shows are a benefit for Jefferson Children's Advocacy Center which helps investigate and treat children who have been abused.  Shows will be on Friday, Saturday and Sunday with opening night hosted by Spud McConnell.  Visit the Jefferson Performing Arts Society website for ticket information and show times.   Saturday Recycling drop-off event at the Algiers Regional Library on Holiday Drive, from 9 am to noon.  They will be accepting plastic containers (#1 through #7), paper products and metal c... 08/07/2008

So, how did New Orleans West Bank home sales fare in July?  Here are a few of the highlights: Highest average sale price - English Turn  ($459,000) Highest number of sales -  Marrero (34) Most balanced market  -  Westwego, Avondale and Bridge City  (6.8 months of inventory)   For a complete look at the West Bank real estate market in your neighborhood, read the following reports.   Algiers Algiers LA 70114- July 2008 Home Sales and Real Estate Market Reports Algiers LA 70131- July 2008 Home Sales and Real Estate Market Reports Algiers Point LA- July 2008 Home Sales and Real Estate Market Reports English Turn- July 2008 Homes Sales and Real Estate Market Reports     Gretna and Terrytown Gretna LA 70053- July 2008 Home Sales and Real Estate Market Reports Terrytown and Gretna LA- July 200... 08/05/2008

  448 Julia Street, its the corner unit on the top floor       Many times you can over spend on your condo with all the things you may like.  Not looking ahead to the day that you may want to sell the unit.  My client did jut that with this wonderful condo in Gallery Row at 448 Julia Street in the New Orleans Warehouse District.  My client is so attached that he wants to lease it since he has done so much work,     My client sand blasted all the exposed brick walls, custom made cypress hand made shutter were bought. The exposed beams were sanded and varnished. All the floors were redone. High end cabinets, granite counter tops, custom made cabinets for under the stairs, wine coolers, ice makers, 3.5 bathrooms when only tow may have been needed.     Most of the furniture was bought just... 08/05/2008

How could I have grown up in Algiers and never stepped foot into Frames Inc.? I don't know how this major oversight happened, but I made up for it today! My husband visited the store earlier this week and told me that I had to check out some of the beautiful fleur de lis gift items they have in stock since he knows I am all about using the fleur de lis to decorate everything and everywhere. Since we had a few minutes to spare this afternoon, we ran over to grab a colorful flag to hang in our garden room. With an oh so convenient location on Kabel Drive, even the outside is welcoming...   Once we made our way inside, I was blown away by how much fabulousness (is that a word?) was contained in the shop.   Picture frames, decorative items, candles, wedding and baby gifts, jewelry...with mu... 08/02/2008

Come to our home buyers seminar being held at our Uptown office at 4721A. We will have a licensed Realtor and General Contractor and Mortgage Broker ready to work hard for you.  Our goal this Saturday and every Saturday is empower people on how to buy a home or investment property for the lowest possible cost.  We also can explain how to rebuild a home, explain Real Estate contracts and Contractor contracts to better enable consumers to get the best value out of their invvestments. Call me directly at 504-615-2333 if you need directions, or have questions for me.  We will not be showing or selling any one particular property.  Our goal is to help folks get to the finish line.      08/02/2008

Friday Algiers night at Zephyrs Baseball.  OK, so it's not just Algiers night, it's also Fireworks Friday and Jefferson Parish night.  But I happen to know a busload of Algierines that are heading over to the stadium to spend a lazy Friday evening cheering on our local boys of summer.  Can you think of a better way to start the weekend?  Visit the Zephyrs website for ticket information.   Saturday The Jefferson Parish Summer Reading Party will be held Saturday from 2:30 to 6 pm at Skate Country on Terry Parkway in Terrytown.  Admission is free and you can rent skates or bring your own to celebrate the end of the summer.  I wonder who has bragging rights for the most books read? Algiers Goes Back 2 School  Free school supplies will be given away (while supplies last) to all students acc... 07/31/2008

Tip of the Day - Paint Before You Move In! Seems pretty basic, I know! But you would be surprised at the number of buyers that move in to their new homes before they paint.  Postpone that moving truck a few days and get in and paint.  It is so much easier to paint in an empty home rather than one filled with your personal items.  Plus, you do not have to worry about getting paint on your expensive sofa! __________________________________________________________________________ This New Orleans real estate tip of the day 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 estate office is conveniently located in Uptown New Orleans at 8001 Maple Street. Darryl works throughout the Grea... 07/29/2008

Tip of the Day - Use Craigslist for Rentals If you are in the New Orleans area and need a place to rent or need to rent your investment property use should try Craigslist. Most of you have already heard of it already but may not know how powerful of a website it is. It is a free service for you to post your rentals and for renters to search available rentals. There is plenty to choose from and you can re-post your listings should you be unable to find a tenant with the first posting. Give it a shot today! http://neworleans.craigslist.org/ __________________________________________________________________________ This New Orleans real estate tip of the day 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.... 07/29/2008

New Orleans Real Estate - Pricing - Tip of the Day If you are considering putting your New Orleans real estate on the market or already have your home on the market, this tip is for you. In any real estate market (buyer's market or seller's market), you must price your home ahead of the market. That means if the market is declining, you have to price your home lower than everyone else and in a growing market you can actually price your home higher! The reason being that you do not want the market to pass you by and therefore make your New Orleans property priced either too high or too low. Give me a call and we can discuss this tip further! __________________________________________________________________________ This New Orleans real estate tip of the day was provided by Darryl Glade,... 07/29/2008

I love being part of a Carnival krewe, especially one right here on the West Bank.  So I was thrilled to see a local business owner named as the 2009 Chief Choctaw at the Coronation Party held Saturday night at Timberlane Country Club in Gretna.  John Dugas, owner of J&K Cafe and Bar in Algiers will reign over the krewe with his beautiful daughter-in-law, Rachel Dugas, at his side as the Princess. Since the parade falls on Valentine's Day 2009, the theme will be The Mardi Gras of Love.  The new Chief and Princess were crowned with red and white headpieces after the traditional passing of the tomahawks from the 2008 royalty who reluctantly gave them up. Also announced was the 2009 Medicine Man, Matthew Heindel.  Yep, I'm a proud mom :)                        The most touching moment of t... 07/27/2008

     In New Orleans there are conversions of four plexs or apartments into condos.  Many are just cosmetic changes and not close to being new. This is a great example of a total interior renovation where the developer started from the studs with new wiring, new Sheetrock, new a-c, new plumbing, new roof, new fixtures and much more. The idea was to save the old features and combine them with what people are looking for in today's New Orleans Market.      The big advantage to the buyer is that almost everything inside is new. This means less will break in the first 10 years of ownership and you can enjoy the moderm modifications.      This exciting condo at 1627 Conery Street in the New Orleans Garden District is a new listing of mine.  This is a great example in how we in New Orleans lov... 07/24/2008

Today through Saturday The International Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo kicks off today at the Sanddollar Marina in Grand Isle, LA.  The oldest fishing tournament in the United States, the Tarpon Rodeo draws fishermen from around the country to the small town of Grand Isle.  For more information visit www.tarponrodeo.org. Saturday The Gretna Farmer's Market takes place under the Gretna Market on Huey P. Long Avenue between 3rd and 4th Streets in the city of Gretna.  Fresh, local produce along with art, music, jewelry and more from 8:30am to 12:30pm.  Beat the heat and get there early!   Algiers Ferry Night starts with a pre-party at the Dry Dock Cafe at 2 pm in Algiers Point.  The party continues with a 5 pm ferry ride to Canal Street and a second line parade through Woldenberg Park.  The fer... 07/24/2008

(From West Bank Living) For the last couple of days I've been working with a fabulous military couple who will be relocating to the West Bank as a result of an assignment to NAS JRB New Orleans.  Their home in another state is currently on the market for sale, so they know what it's like to be the seller. They know that sometimes appointments aren't at the most convenient time and they may have to leave their house when they would normally be having dinner They know that it's a pain to be sure the beds are made and no dishes are in the sink every time they walk out the front door They know that buyers are not as plentiful as they were a few years ago They know that they are facing tough competition from the other homes in their area and price range Imagine their disappointment when we c... 07/23/2008

From West Bank Living comes the updated information about real estate supply and demand on the West Bank of New Orleans.  Algiers Algiers 70131: July 2008 Real Estate Absorption Report Algiers 70114: July 2008 Real Estate Absorption Report Algiers Point: July 2008 Real Estate Absorption Report English Turn: July 2008 Real Estate Absorption Report   Gretna and Terrytown City of Gretna: July 2008 Real Estate Absorption Report Gretna and Terrytown: July 2008 Real Estate Absorption Report   Other Great West Bank Neighborhoods Belle Chasse: July 2008 Real Estate Absorption Report Harvey: July 2008 Real Estate Absorption Report Marrero: July 2008 Real Estate Absorption Report Westwego: July 2008 Real Estate Absorption Report   For a detailed report on supply and demand in your West Bank neigh... 07/22/2008

     The New Orleans Warehouse District scores well on the Walk Score.  Its a neat tool for a couple of smiles and conversations.  The New Orleans French Quarter scores even better.  These neighborhoods existed well before cars, so things had to be close.  You had local markets in neighborhoods and public transport was good because it had to be.  Few families owned cars before 1950 in New Orleans.  Check out the link above and see what your score  neighborhood score is.       One of the nice things about walking is that you get to see the sites.  There will be something for everyone to see.   I am sure the score did not give you the conditions of the streets or the joys of walking in our humid summers. Walking here you can easily work up a sweat which is not all that bad.  In New Orlean... 07/21/2008

          The Paragon Lofts located in the New Orleans Warehouse District is a small complex of larger size units. The units are located on 900 South Peters Street.   Most of the 21 condos are spread over the upper 3 floors.  Most of the units are 2 bedrooms condos with two baths units and measure over 1500 sq. ft. of living area.  There are a few one bedroom units.  Everyone likes balconies but this is one of the few complexes in the New Orleans Warehouse District that has them.   The 900 S. Peters location puts them in the middle of the Warehouse District, a couple of blocks to Riverwalk and to Harrahs Casino.      All the condos have secure garage parking spaces on the first floor with a secure entrance via elevators to the units on the 2nd and third floors.  The penthouses and terra... 07/19/2008

The Aurora Methodist Church in Algiers has been hosting volunteer mission groups since right after Hurricane Katrina.  Hundreds of adults and youth have made the church their home for a few nights or even a few weeks while they have helped in the clean up and recovery efforts of the city. Today, the youth and counselors of Aurora Methodist packed up and headed out to Atlanta for their own mission trip to assist in cleaning, painting and repairing two homes for elderly Georgia residents.  This is how you change the world...     The little guy in the middle is mine and is making his first mission trip.   Wishing all of them a safe journey.... 07/19/2008

The heat and humidity of the New Orleans summer is upon us but sales are still happening.  Sellers have a nice unit and it has to be priced right to get the buyers attention.  The big trend that I have noticed is the demand for the 300-400k,` 2 bedrooms are way up over that of a year ago. I have sold several units this year around the 300k price to people that are buying them as second homes.  This second home segment of the market was missing last year.  You also see more people coming for jobs that are also buying condos as their primary homes. New Orleans Condo Trends for more info on area.      There are currently 181 units listed as active which includes some pre-sales and a good number of developer units.  There have bee 38 sales since May and there are currently 33 units under co... 07/17/2008

Have you planned your weekend yet?  Here are some cool events happening around town.   Summer Reading Bugmobile   Continuing to encourage kids to read all year round, the Summer Reading Bugmobile will be at the children's  wing of the West Bank Regional Library in Harvey, LA on Friday at 10:30 am.  Space is limited, so get your tickets right away or call the library at 364-2660 for more information.       Gretna Farmer's Market Saturday, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm, featuring local produce, art, music and more.  Under the Gretna Market on Huey P. Long Avenue, between 3rd and 4th Streets in Gretna, LA.     Westwego Performing Arts Theatre The talented kids taking part in the Jefferson Performing Arts Society's West Bank summer camp will be performing the summer musical "Once Upon A Mattress" on ... 07/17/2008

New Orleans Real Estate - Utility Bills - Tip of the Day For all of you buyers out there...ask about utility bills. It is much better to be able to budget for any change in your monthly utility bills before buying a new property. The bills may be more or less than your current bill and you want to know as soon as you can to best budget your monthly expenses. Your agent can find that information out for you by asking the listing agent. So don't be afraid to ask detailed questions! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This New Orleans real estate tip of the day 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 office is conveniently located in Uptown New Orleans at 8... 07/16/2008