Archive for the 'French Quarter' Category
New Orleans French Quarter Condos, always a lot to do within walking distance…
April 7th, 2013 categories: Condo Knowledge, French Quarter, Second Homes
The real estate market in the New Orleans French Quarter is as strong as it was before Katerina. Lots of buyers and fewer properties by half than just over a year ago. I had a client in early Spring last year who could have bought 4-5 nice properties in her price range. The sales were just beginning to pick up then in 2012. Three of the ones I showed her sold before she left and returned to Canada. Today she may have one nice choice at higher prices.
The higher end properties are few and far between as are the almost all the categories as well. You have to be ready to act when a unit does come up because if it is nice it will sell quickly. We are seeing many more Louisiana people buy places than ever before. I have had a number of clients from Kenner, Slidell, Mandeville, Baton Rouge and Lafayette searching for their weekend place.
They all use it more than they thought as they are not that far away. They live close by and didn’t even know how many things there were to do.
The vaste of the condos in the French Quarter are second homes for people that love to come to New Orleans because there is always things to see and do. I have pictured a few below but there is always much more.
Drink in some of the oldest bars in the United States…
Eat in Five Star Restraunts that are short walks from your Condo
Enjoy Sidewalk artist and their clorful displays…
You like Music then New Orleans likes you… Something going on..
People Having fun, it wears off on you and you get in to it…
Shopping in unique stores and shops, You can still bargain in New Orleans
Always a festival going on in or around the French Quarter
Always a great walk along the Mississippi River
Historic Buildings one right after another, block after block…
Street Musicians play on many corners, Some are quite good….
You can Just hang out and decide what you are going to do next….
Historic Tours, Let the guide talk as the mules have the route memorized….
Take the River Front Street Car to the Warehouse District….
Unique Hotels and Bed and Breakfasts are all “one of a kind”
A sky line of short building looking towards Canal Street…
This is just a few reasons that people visit the French Quarter…
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1027 Chartres A, A Premium French Quarter Condo…Last one left of 7 Condos
March 10th, 2013 categories: Condo Listings, French Quarter
This is the last condo of 7 units in the Danny barker House Condos located at 1027 Chartres Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Its a couple of blocks from Jackson Square on one of the demanded streets in the French Quarter. These units are one of the few examples of a historic renovation that is basically new Construction.
The building was gutted and redone by Mark Fusiler in one of the best renovations that I have seen to date. The National Park Service approved it as a historic renovation. Its all new but its made to look old. Its very hard to find a courtyard like this with only seven units.
Below is the view from condo A that runs from the front of the building onto this price courtyard. There are three fire places, two sets of French Doors that are on the alley and this fantastic view of the courtyard. The 13 foot ceilings, wood and tile floors, natural light make this unit that is under a 1000 sq. ft. seem much larger. Its a two bedroom and two bath condo. The hall is on one side, the alley on the other and the courtyard on the rear.
The unit is furnished and priced at $535,000. The unit comes with appliances, full size washer and dryer, granitecounters, custom cabinets, new doors and windows, new floors, new wiring, new plumbing, security system in each unit, new a/c-heat, and much more. The bricks are old and that is about all. New Construction carries a premium and once you see this unit you will know why. Reasonable condo fees of under $400 per month.
In the end its all about location and condition and this unit has both. You will need to check this unit out before it gets sold. Has been on the market since Mid February 2013.
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1027 Chartres Condo in the New Orleans French Quarter, Great Location….The Danny Barker House Condos!!
November 17th, 2012 categories: Condo Listings, French Quarter
The 1027 Chartres Condos known as the Danny Barker Condos has a prime location in the French Quarter of New Orleans. You are a couple a blocks away from Jackson Square and many of America’s top restaurants. Its all about a great location.
The Condo #E is a self standing cottage condo in a complex of 7 total units. The units is a 2 bath and 2 bedroom townhouse style condo. The cottage measures about 1000 sq. ft of living area. The courtyard is one of the largest for a small complex in the French Quarter. The sales price is $549,900. The condo fees are only $396. Pets are allowed and should have a great time at the Barker House.
The building is like a new construction as everything except the bricks, roof and rafters are the only original items. New Appliances, New A-C-Heat, New Baths, New Kitchens, New Electrical, New Windows, New Doors and all the details. The complex was approved for a historic redo by the National Park Service.
The bottom floor opens to the brick courtyard while the top floor opens to the balcony that runs the length of the condo. Enjoy the exposed brick, wood floors, lots of natural light, vaulted ceilings up and that real historic French Quarter Feel. Its like having a small house.
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Homes and Condos on Esplanade Ave. in New Orleans, A very Colorful Block Indeed…
November 5th, 2012 categories: French Quarter
Esplanade Ave is one of the more interesting Streets in New Orleans as it winds it self from the French Quarter at the Mississippi to Bayou St. John at City Park. These homes are all in the same area as the street leaves the French Quarter. One has been turned into a hotel. One is a double town home, and the other an elegant single with wrap around balcony.
It is also a great area to find a condos the buildings are relatively newer and larger. The area gives you a real neighborhood feel along the Oak covered Avenue. The parking is much easier than most parts of the French Quarter and access is easier from the interstate.
The new Street car line will come down N. Rampart as it makes its way from the train station to Elysian Fields. The Marigny Triangle is a hot spot for local musicians and clubs and its a short walking distance away.
It is one of my favorite spots for that condo purchase because you get that old world charm in a quiet mostly residential neighborhood.
This is one of my favorite Courtyards and Pools at 1020 Esplanade Ave. It was once an Italian Hall for dances, weddings, and social gathering. You never get to see some of the nicer courtyards from the street as they are hidden and normally walled in for privacy.
The condos at 1004 Esplanade are one of my favorites as the units are large with plenty of natural light. The Victorian Home is much newer than most homes in the French Quarter. It was turned into several large condos from a large home. Just very nice. The two best units sold again in 2012 in April and September.
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Halloween is Big in New Orleans, Getting to be another Venue to Value….
October 15th, 2012 categories: Art , Music , Parks, French Quarter
Halloween is a big holiday in New Orleans and is getting bigger all the time. More and more people are decorating. This is some of the great decorations in the French Quarter this weekend with more to come. New Orleans is just a natural for this holiday. People just like to costume and this gives them another chance to do so.
This weekend was the Seafood Fest at Waldenberg Park. There was also a Blue’s Fest in Lafayette Square. The Voodoo Fest is on the way. It will run the weekend before at City Park on October 26,27, and 28th. People will stay the entire week to enjoy New Orleans and hopefully some fo best weather of the year.
The First New Orleans Hornets NBA game is October 31st with another one on Friday night. The big LSU-Alabama is on Saturday. That will put a lot of Bama fans in town. Maybe they will run into a ghost of the game. The New Orleans Saints play on Sunday against Philly. You can see that it will be a busy week or so.
Lafitte’s is one of the oldest bars in the United States and it will get busy at noon on Halloween and stay busy to the wee hours of the morning. The number one costume may be pirates as they have dress rehearsals monthly as it is.
There will also be several big movies shooting around that times as well. That always adds to the fun.
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Condos on Esplanade in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Much Better than people think…
September 23rd, 2012 categories: French Quarter, Historic Homes
I have had on more than one occasion from clients looking in the French Quarter for a condo that they did not want to be on Esplanade. One client said he lived there in the 1980′s and it was unsafe and rowdy. Today it is not the case…You can get more your money in this area. Get a larger place, get a larger common area, sometimes parking, sometimes a pool. Always easy access to the interstate and all points East and West.
All these photos were shot this week in the 1000 block of Esplanade near Rampart. A lot of changes have happened in the immediate area and all for the better. There are beautiful historic homes, Hotels, and many condos. You are adjacent to the Marigny, a popular area for the locals that was more like the French Quarter of old. More people just live their full time….
The intersection of Esplanade has seen a new apartment complex, an upscale condo complex. More changes are coming with new and upgraded sidewalks and streets. The New Streetcar line will be finished next year that will intersect Esplanade as it runs from Loyola to Elysian Fields. This is a big deal that will open up the area even more and provide even more access to the area. Add in the Riverfront Park development and the area will become even more popular.
The condo sales have picked up in the French Quarter for 2012 with few new properties coming on the market. The demand has picked up as well. The market is doing better with the larger units selling quicker. Things that were on the market last Fall are not there now. There was some great buys but almost all sold in the last Fall of 2011 and Spring of 2012. I sold a couple that had been on the market for only a week. I expect the trend and demand to continue.
I do know that you get more for your money along Esplanade in terms of size, updates, courtyards, common areas. Many clients choose this area because its a quiet neighborhood yet close to all the things tourist like to do. The historic homes on Esplanade are larger and newer than many other areas of the French Quarter. That is why you get more space and have some great common areas.
Its all within walking distance and soon the streetcar can connect you to much more. For $1.25 it will be a fun ride and there may be no reason to use that car as much. This is a great area where you can bike as well.
So do not sterotype an area before looking for that condo as times and places have changed. And for the better in 2012. Maybe that is why the Port of Call is always busy several blocks away.
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French Quarter Condo Market, Lot of things always going on in the Quarter….
July 29th, 2012 categories: French Quarter, Market Trends
The French Quarter Condo Market is really doing well in 2012. The nice things are selling rather quickly if they are fixed up and updated. The majority of buyers are going to be second home buyers and they generally do not have the time to update. They want something ready to go. The other hard sell is the very small units under 400 sq. ft that will not be approved for a conventional loan.
The mid range and upper end condos are the units that are selling which is a good sign. This is the case in the New Orleans Condo Market as well. You are still going to units that are overpriced that tend to stay around for a while.
I recently sold one on Toulouse that had only been on the market for less than a week. It was move in quality. My client lives in Mandeville, Louisiana and wanted a place in the French Quarter. Kids in college and wanted a place to enjoy on long weekends and to have friends use when needed. The rates are still below 4% and more local banks are lending as they know the New Orleans Real Estate Market has shown a drastic improvement since last Fall.
Many locals in New Orleans may just not get to the Quarter that much but an ever increasing amount of locals are purchasing so they can have fun and enjoy a different lifestyle. That is why I will share my photos from this week when a lot of things were going on. There is virtually a top festival almost every weekend these days. So here is what I saw……French Quarter Real Estate Face Book is where I post a lot of photos along with New Orleans Homes. This is what I was able to see in about 90 minutes…..
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New Orleans Condo amenities do make a difference, especially with smaller condos…
July 24th, 2012 categories: French Quarter, Second Homes, Uptown NOLA, Warehouse District
I am finding that more and more people want the amenities that the larger condo associations have as long as the condo fees stay reasonable. When you live in or visit a small condo, you like spending time outside by a pool or lush courtyard. You cannot generally find this all over town but they tend to be concentrated in large buildings in the Warehouse District, French Quarter and along St. Charles Ave. in Uptown New Orleans.
You can find courtyards in all areas of the condo market. The tropical courtyard just says “You are in New Orleans” Many times you will find this in the larger condos but that does not mean it would not exist in smaller complexes. Most of these tend to be in the French Quarter where a small courtyard can really be made to be lush and inviting. It is up to the residents and owners to decide which they they will go. It will add value to the condo association as they become nicer and more inviting.
Many of the larger condo associations have added gyms for exercise. These can be rather Spartan to be one that has everything. This is more often found in the New Orleans Warehouse District where large building have been converted into condos. You will also see some very nice lobbies and meeting areas in some of the larger condo associations as well.
The swimming pools are enjoyed by all, most never get in but do enjoy the water and the relaxing quality of the blue liquid. Great way to cool off on our hot steamy days however. You can even jump in the pool in December with our weather patterns.
All the extra amenities will cost money and is spread over everyone’s monthly condo fee. Living in a larger complex makes these very affordable. As a resident you will not need to go to an outside gym. You may take your bottle of beer or glass of wine to the courtyard to relax. You can grill in most of these areas as well.
All these things just add to the quality of life issues. Its fun to enjoy where you live , getting out without going out of the complex is easy.
If you ever rent your condo then these quality of life issues do play a large part in the mind of the renter. These units just rent faster and stay rented longer.
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New Streetcar line will spur developement even more in Warehouse District, French Quarter and Marigny
July 22nd, 2012 categories: French Quarter, New Orleans Origionals, Warehouse District
The new streetcar line that will run 2.5 miles down Loyola from the Train Station will run through the Warehouse Distirct, French Quarter, Treme, Marigny, and the Bywater neighborhoods of New Orleans. It is currently under construction and would expect these lines to be ready for the Super Bowl in New Orleans in 2013. I think this is a perfect fit for our city. Streetcars just make our city have that sense of history and will provide another tourist attraction as well as transportation for the local community.
How will this effect the real estate values in the areas? It is one of the best developments that can help the real estate market and condos in particular. The Warehouse District is moving this way towards the Super Dome, New Orleans Arena, New Hyatt Hotel, Champions Square and the Benson Mall next to the Champions Square. This will just make it more friendly to leave your car and ride to the French Quarter and points beyond.
The impact on the French Quarter will also be great for Burgundy Street, N. Rampart and Esplanade. It will really give notice to the Marigny as a place to live and enjoy. This is a natural that will pay for it self but also spur development along the route. You can see this along the Canal Route as well. It would have been much further along except Katrina came along in 2005. However now its better than ever. But now Mid City is doing quite well.
The new lines along with some two of the largest projects ever in New Orleans such as the new VA hospitaland LSU Medical Center are going to be a magent for these areas. A certain per centage of people employed along the route will want to live in the area. We already see a shortage of condos and would expect it to grow as these projects come on line. The streetcars will just add to the quality of life that enjoy Urban Living.
This does not count all the spin off business that will employ even more people in the general area. So if you have been thinking of a primary residence or a second home, now may be the time to invest with rates at 3.5% before all these projects come on line. I am convinced enough to start looking myslf as I could see an entirely different look to the areas along the New Orleans Streetcar Lines.
Then they are just fun to ride while leaving the car parked. Project this to be a must for all tourist that come to town. Many have never been to these areas before. Riding the line as the Saitns win the Super Bowl can be remember forever. Geaux Saints….Get an all day pass or just pay the $1.25
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What you do not see from the outside of New Orleans Condos…Courtyards, Common Areas and Roof Top Areas….
June 14th, 2012 categories: Condo Knowledge, French Quarter, Warehouse District
The French Quarter condos are going to have smaller and more defined courtyards and common areas because the condo association are smaller as you can see from the above photo of the courtyard at The Italian Hall at1020 Esplanade in the French Quarter of New Orleans. It is large for the quarter but elegant none the less.
You do pay to have these common areas but most times the enjoyment outweights the cost that all the owners pay. Its a chance to escaped behind a gate to relax and enjoy the pool, gardens and fountains within an urban area outside your gates. Whey stay inside when this can is yours to enjoy day and night.
Many time you have no idea what is behind the walls of many of the condo associations in New Orleans. New Orleans is famous for its courtyards, fountains, tropical plants and its love for water. Condos are no different as you can see in these photos. This is but a small sampling of what I get to see on a weekly basis.
The Warehouse District has much larger condo associations. The picture above is but a part of the Cotton Mill Condos located at 920 Poeyfarre large 25,000 square foot courtyard which is the size of a city block. Hidden within the structure where plants, pools, grills, trees and plants can be very soothing.
The Federal Fibre Mills Condos at 1107 South Peters has one of the best Courtyards and common areas within the City Of New Orleans. It is a tropical garden that features a pool, workout room, a large party room, grills, table and chairs under tropical trees. Potted plants are all over the courtyard and are well taken care of. You get that splash of color in the Spring and Summer with an assortment of annuals.
The other feature not often seen from the street is the roof top viewing areas with panoramic views of the city. Many feature plants and small pools where you can cool off and watch the city lights at night and the skyline during the day. None of the buildings are tall and we have no hills here so you can view for miles.
The Julia Place Condos located at 333 Julia Street in the heart of the Warehouse District is pictured below has very nice area to enjoy the city. A small pool, covered sitting area, grills for common use and even a party room that residents can use with a small deposit. These common area expenses are shared by the owners. People do want these amenities and it really helps with the resale values.
The Metro View Condos in the center Metaire is another one of the best common areas in Jefferson Parish where you can enjoy a lot of amenities and common areas throughout the complex. Each unit has a balcony faces the courtyards and pools. Its great to open up your doors and enjoy the views, flowers, trees, and pools throughout the complex.
In larger complexes such as these it really adds to the quality of life at a very reasonable cost. The condo fees for a one bedroom are $152 per month and about $200 for a two bedroom. It is the better way to go as residents do use the facilities. The condos are reasonably priced and run at about half the price of those in the City of New Orleans. Buyers are starting to think of the Metro View as inexpensive place to own a Second Home to view and enjoy what New Orleans has to offer.
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