New Orleans Real Estate by Eric

  Many of you hear things on the news about New Orleans, some of it is true and some of it is not. It tends to become twisted and you wonder if its the same place that I live. it gets pretty wild at times. The experiences will surely last a life time and there were few dull moments. You just have to look forward to the future and remember what was but move on at the same time. People here are a hearty bunch and wear their feelings on their sleves. The politicians have not lead as they should have, they were worried about thier future more than the recovery. FEMA is much like the IRS, form after form and still no one can answer the questions.

  The biggest fact I learned is do not wait for the Government to help, you have got to do things on your own and help your neighbor as they need help. One of the biggest reasons recovery is slow because this was a very poor community that became dependent on some sort of handout. Over 63% of the residents in the city were renters, had very little education, minimum skills to find a job. It like they were trained to fail. Many people from all over the USA have come down, given of their time and energy to actually help people begin to have a better life. Very little of this gets reported, but things get done without forms. Lets pray for a better future of all. So when you are having a bad day think of that family still living in a little trailer in a devasted neighborhood.

My son get this picture in St. Berand Parish. The truck floated and came to rest on someones fence. The other is the Mississippi Coast before and after. 
                        
                                              

According to a recent survey New Orleans and Louisiana has a lot of fat people if you believe the numbers. It is most likely true as people here like to eat and cherish the meals, several of them per day. It could be the food we eat, it could be the fact that most humid places have more fat people. We have a high percentage of African Americans who tend to get overweight due to their diet and health related issues. There may be some cultural reasons as well. No we are not slim but I see an awful lot of people working out on a daily basis. Do You have any ideas?

I am always intrigued where I get clients from and what areas of the country from my website. I got another call from a person in area code 415 which is the San Francisco Bay area. This is about the 15th time this has happened. I have closed several properties and know the people are serious. New Orleans which is area code 504 is about 2500 miles away. I think I know the answer but have you guys got any ideas as to why this is. What bridge connects these two cities?

    As urban areas become more popular with young professional buyers, it also becomes an area where people are beginning to look at these areas as second home choices. Not everyone wants a home on the beach or the mountains. They may be too far away. They may not want that lifestyle. I am selling more second homes to people that like to come to New Olreans for long weekends. Knowing the things that your clients want and have int answers will go a long way in making you an expert. Remember the guy pays and the woman chooses in most cases so you have to learn what most people want.               

I have never concentrated much effort on expireds in the past. I know some people work these on a regular basis. Since there are going to be more and more availiable do any of you have plans to call on expireds on a regular basis. Few in this market do. I do remember one agent who would call me and ask if I was going to relist the property as it was coming up for renewal. I would tell him the truth. Always remember the fella for calling a asking. If I was not going to relist I would give him help and knowledge on the property. He no longer works the area. Any insite or plans that you guys have? Any experience with a website targeted at expired listings?

                    Warehouse District in New Orleans with art on the street. its the side of a music hall, gives the     area some more features.

I have been so busy the past 3 years getting back to prospecting can be fun. I thought the bottom was going to fall out of our market last year so I continued to work. Having a sale per week does not leave a one person team a lot of tiime. I am working on the websites again... Making calls on past clients, coming home early, getting in shape , taking tennis lessons, getting a blog of my own, so it is not all bad. My business was 50/50 listings and buyers so know hwo to work each side. Just wanted to know what some of you guys are planning as business has slowed?

And of course building my neighborhood pages around photos and lifestyles. The historic homes are something I am most interested in as they will not be replaced. Real Estate will not stand still and neith will I.

Having neighborhood pages on your website can give you a prrsonality much like a blog. You can feature things that many people miss. Doing business in an urban and historic city like New Orleans give those who like history and cameras a chance to express themselves. A photo with a brief description can say a lot about the lifestyle of an area. Pictured below is the Italian Plaza in downtown New Orleans. Most people do not know its here. Ihave done several pages to give people ideas of the area. This is the New Orleans Warehouse District link to my neighborhood page. Take a look. Being a little different never hurts. it has more info than most agents put on their entire website. 

One of the things I learned from blogging is to put your thoughts about your local market on paper or in this case keeping your neighborhood pages of your website updated. This took me about 10 minutes to update to give my quick assessment of the New Orleans Warehouse District market in my own words. i will review it in the morning to make some adjustments and additions. I have several neighborhood pages and will do this several times on each. Makes you look like an expert which you are. This will add content to the site New Orleans Condos. Its using some blogging ideas on your website.

Hurricane Dean is going somewhere? I pray its not hear nor anywhere else where some lives. Everyday we still talk and see what Katrina did to the Gulf Coast. Come tommorow we will know more. As we talk many companies are making plans to shut down the oil platforms in the Gulf. Hurricanes in the Gulf are dangerous because the water has no where to go but inland. The winds are bad enough but a 20'-25' tidal surge causes damage for miles and miles. In real estate when a hurricane enters the gulf insurance companies stop writting polices so if you are buying a home it may be too late come Monday. Its not like we have a lot of choices.

You make your mental preps. Water, gas, food, batteries ect. What if it changes course?

In all the excitement of rates, subprimes, and foreclosures we have to have some common sense inot why thsese things tend to happen. In most areas of the country the prices are in direct correlation of what people earn and can expect to earn. There are pockets where jobs and incomes matter less but for most of our markets its going to be a strong correlation. When it get out of line the prices drop where people will again be able to afford a home. The incomes face increasing pressure from taxes, tuitions, have to have items, and incomes will cap out at a point in time. Is this common sense? Where does a teacher making 40k live in your community? is there someone in the next generation going to be able to replace your demand? Something to think about next time you are sitting on your porch.