Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find the widest choice in multi-family homes and condos?

There are a at least a few condos and multi-family homes in all areas of Metro New Orleans. However, as the table below shows, some areas offer many more such homes than others.

You can find a wide choice of condos in New Orleans, East Jefferson and on the North Shore but very few on the Westbank and River Parishes.

There are lots of multi-family homes in the city of New Orleans and a fair number in East Jefferson and the Westbank. Multi-family homes are rare in the River Parishes and the North Shore.

Listed Single Family Homes, Multi-Family Homes and Condominiums
April 2009

Area	Total Active Listings	Single Family Homes	Percent Single Family Homes	Condos	Percent Condos	Multi- Family Homes	Percent Multi- Family Homes
New Orleans	2,986	1,468	49.2%	698	23.4%	820	27.5%
East Jefferson	1,682	1,199	71.3%	409	24.3%	74	4.4%
Westbank	1,209	1,080	89.3%	19	1.6%	110	9.1%
River Parishes	384	372	96.9%	5	1.3%	7	1.8%
North Shore	1,370	1,205	88.0%	147	10.7%	18	1.3%

 

Are there a lot of new homes available in the Metro New Orleans area?

There are at least a few new homes on the market in most areas of the metro area.

New Orleans and East Jefferson offer the fewest choices for never occupied homes. Both areas are surrounded by water, so there is very little undeveloped land available for new construction. For the most part, new homes are rebuilt properties in Lakeview and New Orleans East since Hurricane Katrina. In other cases, older homes have been demolished to reclaim the land. The Kenner lakefront area does have some tracts under development in Gabriel, Louisiana Trace and Southlake Villages.

On the North Shore, there are many new homes to choose from. Here is a recent breakdown of available newly constructed single family homes.

Availability of Listed Single Family Homes in Metro New Orleans
Homes Listed as New
April 2009

Area	New Homes Available	Total Active Listings	Percentage New
New Orleans	73	1,468	5.0%
East Jefferson	26	1,199	2.2%
Westbank	63	1,080	5.8%
River Parishes	31	372	8.3%
North Shore	172	1,205	14.3%

 

Where can I find homes that need renovation?

There are renovation candidates in most areas of our region. Much of the housing stock has been renovated since Hurricane Katrina, but many possibilities remain, especially in New Orleans. Here is a recent breakdown of available homes listed as needing renovation.

Availability of Listed Single Family Homes in Metro New Orleans
Homes Listed in Poor to Average Condition
April 2009

Area	Poor to Average Condition	Total Active Listings	Percentage Needing Renovation
New Orleans	493	1,468	33.6%
East Jefferson	168	1,199	14.0%
Westbank	222	1,080	20.6%
River Parishes	49	372	13.2%
North Shore	108	1,205	9.0%

 

For more information or help with finding the best possible home for your needs, please call or email any time.

 

I want to buy a condominium and rent it out while I am not using it.
Is this possible?

It depends. Many condo associations have restrictions, sometimes strict ones, against renting units. The aim is to foster owner-occupied properties. If you wish to purchase a condominium to rent to others, it is essential to examine the condo documents carefully.

In the French Quarter, it can be even tougher to rent your condo because city zoning laws require a minimum 90 day lease. This regulation is designed to protect the hotel industry.

Some of the listings I have received have no photographs included. How can I view images of these homes?

Photographs are normally supplied by listing agents. Some agents input a home into the MLS system before images are ready, so there can be a delay in your viewing photos.

When a new home is listed, you are notified by email almost immediately. If photographs are not online at that time, you will be emailed when images are posted. Simply revisit Web page to view the photographs.

I notice that on this Web site there is little or no information on some communities and neighborhoods. Why is this?

Like many metropolitan areas, the New Orleans region offers a lot of neighborhoods and communities, both large and small. It is virtually impossible to research and describe each and every area, so we have included the areas we know best from long experience in listings and sales.

That said, we are very happy to help you with your real estate needs, where ever your interests lie within southeast Louisiana.

Some of the abbreviations I found on the property information pages are tough to understand. Is there a guide?

Yes, we have an Adobe Acrobat file that you can use online or print out for easy reference. You can find it here.

Should I consider foreclosed homes?

The short answer is probably not.

A lot of investors are in the market for such homes and only the most experienced know how to deal with the problems presented by foreclosures.

• Homes auctioned at sheriff's sales are sold on an "as-is" basis and there are no inspections before you take possession. If the home has serious problems like termite damage or a cracked slab, it becomes your concern and not the bank's.
• Many foreclosed homes need at least some degree of updating/renovation, so you must be prepared to deal with that process.
• You must pay full price within a couple of days of the auction. This means that you must have a lot of cash on hand or access to short term loans that typically carry high interest rates.

How can I determine the value of my home?

The ultimate process to determine the value of any home is to put it on the open market and adjust your asking price to attract bids.

A second way to get an estimate of hour home's value is to log onto Websites such as Cyberhomes.com, HomeGain.com or Zillow.com which attempt to provide general estimates based on recent sales of nearby homes. In some cases, these sites are substantially inaccurate, but in other cases, they can give a ballpark estimate that may be useful.

A better method is to contact an experienced local real estate agent who will evaluate recent sales in your neighborhood, but more importantly, zero in on homes most similar to yours in condition and features.

Last, you can spend a few hundred dollars for the services of a professional appraiser.