New Orleans Real Estate by Eric

Jessica Beeson

My Katrina experience was a rather special one. Four or five years ago my parents separated; I stay with my mom during the week because it's closer to school, and I go with my dad on weekends. For the hurricane my mom and step dad weren't sure if we were going to evacuate, so Sunday morning my dad came to pick me up. We were off to Tunica, MS - population of about thirty - in the very top corner of Mississippi, with my aunt, uncle, cousin, and three dogs.

My dad and I are very alike. We both kind of enjoy a good argument or as we call it discussion. The problem is that neither of us like to admit when we are wrong, so what starts as a little discussion turns out to be hours of going around and around in circles.

When my aunt and I became totally bored we would go to the local mall containing about six stores, one being a religious store. While in Tunica I grew closer to my faith by spending time with my aunt, but my dad grew closer to non-belief. He was one of those people who were saying ‘if God really exists then why would he let this happen to so many people?' My aunt and I would try to convince him that there was a reason for this that we would someday realize, but it was pointless to even try. My aunt would eventually get frustrated with him and leave the room; however, my dad and I would keep going on about it.

For the whole six weeks we were there we discussed many things including faith, friends, and the dreaded cell phone bill. All and all, though, it was a good experience. It was the longest length of time I had spent with my dad in a while.

When we arrived back in Louisiana we found out that my dad's house had received about a half of a foot of water, and a tree had fallen on the roof. There was mold everywhere and we needed new furniture. Because of the living conditions there, he didn't really want me to have to spend the weekends, so I didn't see him for a few weeks. However, he passed by my house every now and then.

Unfortunately, a few weeks later, on November 2, I got the news that my dad had suddenly passed away. Most people saw having to evacuate as horrible and inconvenient. Personally, I saw it as a blessing in disguise because I was able to spend six weeks with my dad that I will never forget. Now I truly believe that God has a reason for everything.

St. Louis Cathedral
If there is a signature scene for New Orleans, it is this beautiful church and not a Mardi Gras float. Since 1720, Catholics of New Orleans have worshipped in a succession of churches built on this site. The Church has hosted notables in both American and world history ? from General Andrew Jackson to the Pope.

Its been a long year for people who call New Orleans home. We are a hearty bunch when you look back over the past year. Many people have left but many have stayed and have had to rearrange their lifes under most difficult circumstances. Homes that we sell were peoples lives and dreams. Its the place where you raise your kids, know your neighbors, go to church, store your possessions. Its tough when your neighbors their homes and the lives they knew re gone l feel for the poor who were forgotten before the storm. You are mad, you are sad, you wonder what you can do, and you pray for someone to solve some of the problems. Its up to us who live here. We all remember what we were doing last year this time. I was on the way to Houston. You have to remember this was a regional things for a hundred or more miles to the Mississippi Gulf coast. We will remember August 29,2005 and natures fury where man was no match. We will remember those who helped and prayed for us. This photo from Mississippi says a lot.

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Blogs with photos and images are becoming more common to the posting. I hope that trend continues because seeing gives everyone another way to see what you are talking about. People and clients like to look at pictures of houses, areas, and interesting places. If I were William Faulkner then I could write it out. This is where he lived in New Orleans. Houses are one of the most popular photos outside of the grandkids. I am working on several neighborhood pages like the New Orleans Warehouse District and New Orleans French Quarter where I take the photos for the ideas then go back and do the text. The text takes me longer so you can enjoy the photos as I get to the text. Many times clients give you some great ideas and you can use them. Why did you buy here? For locals and many tourist the French Quarter is much more than Bourbon Street.

Like one of the agents wrote a blog about dogs while showing. They need to be gone. If you can train them to go for a drive while showing then you will have it made. Since most don't drive you can take the dog blog and print it for your presentation. Sometimes coming from a third party it plays better, sometimes the sellers will read these articles once you are gone. Human nature is the dog is part of the family as mine was. its all about what other think.

I received my NAR New Orleans convention booklet in the mail today. I live here but was interested to see the number of great tours thay are having of area sites. I am going to take the time to go as when you live in a place you never get to see many of the things others come here to see. There are some great Hotels,places to eat. You can walk everywhere so no need for a car. if you have any questions just ask as I may know the answer or not? Saw where you can help gut flooded homes, once in a lifetime experience. Believe me this will change your outlook!! Have questions Ask? Ya'll come on down! eric 

Two of my kids live near this plantation upriver from New Orleans. Most of things to see here are free. The best ride was the St. Charles Ave Street car line which was knocked out from Katrina. But you can do the Canal Street one. Eric

Destrehan plantation is located up river from New Orleans and was built in 1792 on banks of the Mississippi River is near Ormond Estates and St. Rose. Destrehan offers a  more suburban and family lifestyle that is an easy commute to many places in the River Parishes as well as the New Orleans metro area. So it is a area to consider for larger lots, good prices and the availability of new construction. A great place to start a family, raise a family and have one of the better public school systems to use. Destrehan Real Estate click for photos

Sometimes people wonder what you do all day. 630pm and just got back to the office.

1. return phone calls to people who called before 930am and after 7 the nite before

2. Check emails and retun answers. New prospect wrote in and wants a condo downtown in the 250-300k range. We talk about condo fees,local taxes,state taxes and where he wants to be. He is going to be a professor at Xavier Univ. here. Will email him some properties and answer further questions.

3. Write offer on condo I showed last nite. Stacy had a million questions,her co-workers were telling her about a real estate bubble. i told her it didnt hapen here in the 150k range. I had to explain carpenter ants,ect. Finally got it written.

4. Showed new client that i picked up Monday a couple of more units. Got caught in rain storm and went back to the office to dry out.

5. seller called to see if the offer came in on his house. Will call the agent that showed it for a second time to find out. 

6. Seller whose 4 condos we havent sold called to see what action had happened. We ordered a banner for the front porch and it will be rady tommorow. Got to get it secured and up. got a check ready for the sign man.

7. Condo developer Audubon Frrench Quarter Condos wants to offer a 5% presale special to get the units moving,talked about giving the first five people the same deal,that was OK. We will do the reduction for Sept. We again stressed the need for a model unit.

8. Banner ready for the Sat. open house at the 71 unit developement is ready and the developer will attach it to the trailer. 

9.Heather wants to see a unit tommorow downtown. First time showing her.

10. Send attorney for Constance Steet condos the new schedule of condo fees. Post Katrina insurance is high and had to switch vendors. Set a borkers open here for after labor day.

11.Two people wanted rentals from the site. Talked to them and told them I didn't do rentals but could help them in purchasing. One seemd intereested and will follow up with him.

12. email from another lady thinking about moving and wanted to know about the warehouse units,she was suprised on what she didnt get for 250k. Will send her some choices.

13.Ads for the Audubon Condos are too expensive for the metro are so talke to the newspaper about a zone ad just in the downtown market. Its a deal as half the town is washed away so they have combined zones. She is going to send an e-mail so I can go over it later.

14.The office fax is borken can you help get it fixed. No One else can fix it. Why not a new agent needs to get a offer faed to another office. The sandbags are still by our front door and no sign so I moan about that with a couple of agents,Its agreed we work in a dumpy building.

15. Make several calls and leave messages. Wanted to followup so it makes me feel better.

16. Condo developer is in town today rather than tommorow. Luckly my partner can handle that one but it frees the friday afternoon spot up.

17. Just remembered I need to send some more things to Genny. My other partner Jack is in Cape Cod for a party and am working with them in his absence. Very nice young couple from Houma, Cajuns and the accents are nice to hear again. Few cajuns live in New Orleans contrary to everyone thought. They like the country where they can fish,talk,hunt and trap. Family is number one for most of them.

18. My stock broker called but i can talk to him tommorow. He wants to sell me something. National pen lady leaves a message.

19. the day is getting old and have to decide what to do later. If only that hour in traffic could be used again.

20. Thats my notes for the day. No Closings for tommorow. Boy how things have slowed down. My shirt is dry so it time to finish the blog. Thats the highlites of a normal day. eric No time to edit!!!!!!

Your website is extremely helpful in give new clients who may be moving to the area and want to know more than just prices and facts. I am trying to give clients a feel for the area more than just school facts, commute times and such. I will also give them those items but trying to think of the extra items. I am asking for ideas of things I may have missed. I use and lot of photos and work text around them. This page is not finished but an outline of my task. Your ideas Uptown/Garden District so take a look and I will help you with yours.

I have using these stamps that have the buyers or sellers new address. They are not expensive. its something the client will use and it stays around the home so they can remember you. The nice thing about this company is they send it to the client for you via an on-line entry. They keep a history of whom you have sent them too so you can go back and review. If they have a kid you can send them one also. Just ordered another 65 as I have a few to catch up on. Few agents use this in this area. What do you use.Eric