Archive for September, 2009
Selling your New Orleans Condo! Print advertising is doing little to sell your Condo! People want to see it!
September 27th, 2009 categories: Selling your Condo
I stopped doing newspaper ads 6 years ago when I noticed no one would call on them. The ads in the newspaper and in the real estate magazines are expensive and give you little or no return on your investment. The small chance to sell via print ads is getting smaller by the year. Wonder why newspapers and the post office are in trouble. The Internet has taken over as the place to start your New Orleans condo search.
Six years ago is about the same time I got interested in websites and how they can promote your properties. What can a person really learn about a property, only that it is precious and the very basics from print. People want to see photos first. You get showings if you can show off your property in the best possible light.
The wide angle digital camera has become a “must have tool” in the current real estate business. This leads into some the most important way in which you need to promote you properties in the Internet age. Make sure you take great photos that can high light the best features of your New Orleans condo. The photos should promote what you are selling. Its a lifestyle presentation in many cases. You should capture the common areas of the condo association as well the interior features.
In this photo I wanted to show the high ceilings, open floor plan, wood floors and the natural light from the large windows. I figured it was also helpful to write on the photos to point out a feature at a time. More than one feature tended to clutter the photo.
Trying shots from different angles gives you a different look and gives you a different feel for the size of the rooms and other features. You can always take a lot of photos and come back to clean up your mistakes. I am always amazed that I never take enough. Next time I will have to clean up the sink as the photo tends to capture it all. As a seller you should make every effort to have the property in tip top shape as this is the start of the selling process. Start well and the chances go up in finishing well.
Getting the photos of the better features of the common areas are important as well. In this photo I wanted to show the historic nature of the complex as well as the pool and courtyard. I took this from a second story window as I had never seen this angle before. Each time I try to get some of the features I may have missed on previous shots.
You can put up to 12 photos in the New Orleans MLS so an agent should use them wisely. Using both the best features of the interior and common areas should give the viewer a feel for what they are getting or would like to look at. A “picture is worth a thousand words” is never more true in real estate as in today’s Internet marketing.
I cannot only use the photos for the New Orleans MLS but can post them on Craig’s list, local Blogs, websites, flyers, slideshows and even Face Book. Is your agent doing this for you?
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New Orleans Warehouse District-Lafayette Square Fall Concert series! Support Second Harvest Food Bank! Another Warehouse District Activity.
September 23rd, 2009 categories: Art , Music , Parks, Warehouse District
One thing about Living in the Warehouse is there is always something going on. Now we are looking at the Saints games on Sundays. The New Orleans Hornets season is getting close. Now you can add in the Concert series at Lafayette Square each week. Its Thursday which is a change from the Summer series.
Second Harvest Food Bank brings back the Harvest the Music Fall Concert Series starting Thursday September 17th for seven weeks! In its second year, Harvest the Music will feature celebrated regional and national artists including: Irma Thomas, Anders Osborne, The Radiators, Rebirth Brass Band, Kermit Ruffins and Blues Traveler (see complete schedule here ). In addition to a free, weekly concert, concert-goers will enjoy food and drinks from local favorites. An artists’ village will feature artwork and crafts from regional artists as well as the Lafayette Square Conservancy’s t-shirts.
Come out and support Second Harvest Food Bank in its fight against hunger in south Louisiana.
Upcoming Concerts in the Square! Voted by Gambit readers as the best place to hear free live music, the fall is full of fun and free events:
September 24: Harvest the Music 5:00 to 7:30 featuring Irma Thomas, Shamarr Allen and the Underdawgs
October 1: Harvest the Music 5:00 to 7:30 featuring Anders Osborneand Big Chief Monk Boudreaux
October 8: Harvest the Music 5:00 to 7:30 featuring The Radiators
October 15: Harvest the Music 5:00 to 7:30 featuring The Rebirth Brass Band
October 17 & 18: Crescent City Blues and BBQ Festival 10:30 am to 7:30 pm featuring many artists including Buddy Guy, Richie Havens, Booby Rush, Irma Thomas and more
October 22: Harvest the Music5:00 to 7:30 featuring Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers
October 29: Harvest the Music 5:00 to 7:30 featuring Blues Traveler plus Shannon McNally
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New Orleans Warehouse District Luxury Condo, Gallery Row Condo #410. Price alone does not mean Luxury!
September 19th, 2009 categories: Condo Listings, Warehouse District
The condo I just listed for $599,448 is a luxury in downtown New Orleans. The condo is located at 448 Julia Street in the center of the New Orleans Warehouse District. What makes this a luxury condo in the New Orleans market and a unique buy in this price range.
There is not a lot of Luxury Warehouse Style condos in the New Orleans Market. When you pay over 500k in this market for a condo the buyer expects to get something with Wow factor. Some of the factors that make this condo a Luxury Buy are:
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Attention to detail and the quality of workmanship is there.
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A spacious floor plan with extra built ins
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Great city views and lots of large windows 3×8 , morning sun
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A corner unit on the fourth and top floor.
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Exposed Brick, wall sand blasted for that Warehouse District feel
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Exposed beams and columns sanded and varnished for that rich look
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Cypress Shutters custom made for all windows
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High Ceilings, wood floors, carpet in bedrooms
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Over 1900 square foot of living, 3.5 baths
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2 loft bedrooms with each having a bathroom, office could be a third
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The office that can be either a guest bedroom or remain an office
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Two Garage parking spots, one spot can park two cars tandem style
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Full wet bar is off the living or entertainment room
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Complete Renovation not just a touch up
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2 circular staircases lead to loft bedrooms
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The condo has been kept in great shape which adds to the value.
I will cover the Gallery Row condos and the location in the next blog. When you are looking in this price range there are currently only 5 other condos in this price range. This condo is the best example of a true New Orleans Warehouse District Luxury Condo. The other factor that makes this one different is that most of the work was custom to this condo alone. The buyer never intended to get transferred so he overspent on a lot of details.
You can view the Snapshot here. This will give you a view of all the listings in the New Orleans Warehouse District between 500-650k.
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Elmwood Oaks Condos, New Two Bedroom Corner Listing for $153,336!
September 11th, 2009 categories: Condo Listings
Great new lisitng in the Elmwood Oaks Condos. My previouse blog was about the complex and this one is about the unit #336. Where do I come up with these prices? It just gives it attention with the odd numbers. A similiar unit just sold in the building for 153k. It had an updated kitchen but this condo is a corner unit with nicer views and just a better location within the complex.
The 2 bedroom and 1.5 bath condo measures 1013 sq. ft of living which does not include the balcony and outside storage area. The living area is large with vaulted ceilings at one end, balcony and fireplace.
The condo fees of $168 per month are very moderate and cover the common area maintenance, insurances, repairs to exterior, water, pool, elevators, and cleaning of the outdoor areas.
Recent updates are all new flooring in all areas except the kitchen and bath areas. New counter tops in kitchen. Cabinets have been tastefully painted. The entire unit has been recently painted. Crown molding has been added in the rooms as well. There is a full size washer and dryer in the laundry room. All appliances stay with the unit.
Be one of 101 happy owners with interest rates as low as 5%. You can go with an FHA loan at Elmwood Oaks with 3.5% down and a note of $807 per month at 150k. You may also be able to get the $8000 tax credit as well.
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Harahan Condos, Elmwood Oaks has a lot going for it! A great Place to Live!
September 11th, 2009 categories: Condo Listings, Jefferson Parish
The Elmwood Oaks Condos located in the Elmwood Business Park are in a class by themselves in the Harahan area. They remain one of the better buys for a two bedroom condo in all of East Jefferson. The common areas are what stands out to most people. The landscaped grounds, large pool, tennis courts, ample parking, secure entrance, low condo fees, balconies or patios, storage areas and much more make Elmwood Oaks a winner.
The condos are tucked into a corner of the Elmwood area and are close to the many businesses and warehouses that call Elmwood home. The area is an easy commute to town of less the 25 minutes and you have several routes if traffic does back up. You are 2-3 miles from Ochsner Hospital and less than a mile to the Mississippi River.
There are never many unit available as people tend to stay longer and make it their home. The values have remained steady. The condos are now older so you see a number of the units have been redone or improvedupon. The Elmwood Oaks Condos were built as condo so you have a decent amount of storage area and a community type of layout. The parking is easy with plenty of space. Secure entrance to all hall ways and elevators to all floors.
The large pool and picnic area are a focal point of the community. There are enough things to say about the complex that I will present my new listing on a separate blog. There are currently 3 units including the 2 bedroom condo I just listed. There is a 3 bedroom unit and a condo foreclosure that needs some updates for 120k.
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New Orleans Photos, There are always some great pictures in this area!
September 3rd, 2009 categories: New Orleans Origionals
New Orleans always has a lot of homes, streets, parks, shops, plantlife, lifestyles and the people to take photos of. Take a look and get a feel for New Orleans and what it has to offer. These are just some of my favorites for this year.
This is also a great format to show off listings and the neighborhoods of New Orleans that have a variety of lifestyles. You can also feature all the little features of a listing. Always on the lookout for new ideas to show off what people want to see. Photos of real estate.
Few real estate tidbits this week. Interest rates are at 5% which are as low as they have been since Spring of 2009. The Louisiana State Bond money is out and could work for many new buyers. We are beginning to see some nice prices as sellers are not fooling around this time of year. The $8000 tax credit is good till November 30,2009.
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