You’ve heard me stress how important decluttering is when preparing your home for sale.  Get rid of the old magazines, free up some kitchen counter space, take down the wall of photos documenting every family member’s life from birth to high school graduation.  Standard agent advice.

As we toured through this week’s selection of open houses, however, I saw decluttering and depersonalization taken to new levels that were so extreme the homes no longer felt welcoming and might as well have been vacant.

Bedrooms with nothing except a bed and night stand.  No artwork.  No pillows.  No flowers.  No nothing to make it feel inviting.

Dining rooms with just a table and chairs.  Bare walls.  No candles.  No decorations.  Just a cold room with a hunk of wood stuck in the middle.

While we certainly advocate clearing the clutter before your home goes on the market, taken to the extreme, the result can be the opposite of what you are trying to achieve.

Think warm.  Think inviting.  Think what the room will look like in photos.  If you overdo it, you might be left with something like this:

It doesn’t exactly make you want to whip out your checkbook, does it?

If you need some expert guidance, we can refer you to a local home stager that can help you find that balance between too personal and way too stark. Give us a call at 504-327-5303 and we’ll point you in the right direction.

153 single family homes are for sale

• High list price $499,000
• Low list price $15,000
• Average list price $149,547
• Median list price $139,000

47 homes are under contract/pending sale

• High list price $299,000
• Low list price $29,000

Based on 1st quarter 2012 sales, there is a 12 month supply of homes for sale in Algiers.

Homes sold in Algiers LA 70131

As of the end of the 1st quarter, there were a total of 39 single family homes sold in Algiers (70131), down from 62 at the same time last year.  It appears that the rally in sales we experienced in 2011 was mostly due to low end sales of homes to investors and do-it-yourselfers who were snapping up the bottom price ranges.

Home prices in Algiers LA 70131

While the number of sales has dropped significantly, average prices, while down, have not taken a huge plunge.  That’s the good news.  The bad news is that the 5 year trend for sales in the 70131 zip code continues to show a year over year decline in prices.  Much of this is due to the condition of properties being purchased (more than half were in Average or less condition) and the number of foreclosures and short sale being sold (46% of sales in 2012).

Remember, these are averages prices for the entire community and your neighborhood may or may not be experiencing the same market.

All data provided by GSREIN and is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed

More about Algiers home sales

• Days on market is holding steady at an average of 108
• Foreclosures and short sale made up 46.15% of homes sold in 2012, up 2.7% from last year
• 21% of sellers provided a home warranty, down from 31% in 2011
• 38% of sellers provided closing cost assistance to buyers, down from 39%  in 2011

Questions about buying or selling in Algiers?  Feel free to contact us.  We’ll be happy to share our market knowledge with you.

Invariably, during these conversations, we ask the question “are you working with an agent“.  Most of the time, folks say no.  And they usually are not, at least in their minds.

But there are those times when a home buyer or seller is deliberately cheating on their agent and using us.

They might be doing a little checking behind their own agent’s back, looking to find out if another agent will give them a different answer than their own agent did.  This is a trust issue.  If you don’t trust your agent, please don’t cheat on them.  Just break it off and find a new one.

Their agent might not have answered the phone.  Contrary to popular belief and the proliferation of social networks and smart phones, none of us are connected 24/7.  Your agent might be with another client, might be on the phone with a potential buyer for your home, might even (horrors!) have taken a break to grab a bite to eat or go to the bathroom.  Please.  Leave them a message, send them a text or fire off an email.  If they are habitually unresponsive, see the advice above…break it off and find a new agent.

Those callers might be under the mistaken notion that we have their best interests at heart, when we don’t know them from Adam.  There’s a reason that you should work with your own agents.  Actually, there are about 572 reasons.  But the number 1 reason is that they are charged with protecting your interests.  We don’t have that obligation when you call to pump us for information.  In fact, anything you say outside of an agency relationship can be used against you during negotiations if you happen to write an offer on one of our listings.  Call your own agent, who is doing everything they can to protect and represent you.

If they aren’t…well, you know the drill by now.

Start your New Orleans home search here

Great starter home for sale in Marrero LA.  This home has been meticulously maintained, is immaculately clean and in move-in ready condition.

Cozy and welcoming, the large eat-in kitchen is the heart of this home.  Measuring 13.5 x 13, there’s room for a large table and it features updated cabinetry, a pantry, recessed lighting and includes a range/oven and built in microwave.  Attached to the kitchen is a spacious laundry room with built in cabinets and shelves and space for more storage or to add a freezer or extra fridge.  A traditional side door in the laundry room provides access from the covered carport/patio.

The Details

Master bedroom 13.5 x 11.4, laminate wood floor
Bedroom 2  10.2 x 9.8, carpet
Bedroom 3  10.4 x 11.1, carpet
Living room  13.3 x 13, ceramic tile
Kitchen  13.5 x 13, ceramic tile
Laundry room  10 x 6, ceramic tile

Built in 1980, there have been numerous updates over the years.

• Double insulated windows
• Roof replaced 2006
• Kitchen renovated in 2007
• Bath fixtures replaced 2010

Virtual Tour

Community Information

Jefferson Parish Public Schools

Jefferson Parish Official Website

Utility rates in Jefferson Parish

To schedule a showing of this lovely home, please call Terri Babineaux at 504-258-5178.

We received an email from one of our clients that purchased a West Bank home last year.  She’s been getting repeated notices that she should request a copy of her deed and property profile and decided to ask us if this was something she was supposed to do.

Thank goodness she did, because this is nothing more than a scam targeting new home owners that might not know any better.  If you just glanced at this, you might assume that it’s a legitimate deal.  We know better.

How do we know it’s a scam?

• There is no official State Record Regulation Department in Louisiana
• We don’t have Grant Deeds in Louisiana
• The information they offer to provide in their “Property Profile” is already contained in the documents received by the home owner at the act of sale
• If it was an official state organization, they would know that we have parishes, not counties

Reading a little further, you’ll see that they eventually admit that it’s a solicitation for services.  Services in the amount of $87 for a copy of your address and legal description?  C’mon, man.

This should be a crime.

If you ever receive something after purchasing a home that just doesn’t feel quite right, contact your agent immediately.  Our service at Crescent City Living doesn’t end after you move in.

94 single family homes for sale

• High list price $860,000
• Low list price $15,200
• Average list price $112,644
• Median list price $78,750

23 homes under contract/pending sale

• High list price $280,000
• Low list price $22,500

Based on first quarter sales, there is an 18 month supply of homes for sale in the 70114 zip code.

Homes sold in Algiers 70114

As of the end of the first quarter of 2012, home sales increased by 87% over the first quarter of 2011, ending at 15 successful sales.  While this is a huge increase on a percentage basis, the majority of sales are of properties in lesser condition that appear to be attracting the interest of investors in the area.  This makes sense, because they more than likely banking on the future expansion of Federal City driving real estate prices in this part of Algiers.  It remains to be seen whether they remodel and sell or if they are choosing to hold as rentals while watching for a change in the market.

Home prices in Algiers 70114

Because so many of the sales this year have been either foreclosures or homes in need of a great deal of repair, the average prices have dropped substantially.  The highest priced home sold in the first quarter was for $205,000, while the lowest priced home sold for $25,500.  Obviously, homes at such a low price point have the effect of dragging down the averages.  It’s important for home owners who are considering selling to get a market analysis on their particular property instead of relying on the average for the entire community.

More about Algiers LA 2012 home sales

• Average days on market is 79
• 60% of buyers are paying cash
• 53% of properties sold were foreclosures
• 7% of sellers provided a home warranty
• 13% of sellers provided closing cost assistance to the buyers

All data provided by GSREIN and is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed

Anyway, today is Lemonade Day and kids all over the city will be setting up stands on sidewalks and in front yards, tempting you with a sweet, cool drink.  The timing is perfect, since it’s already hot in New Orleans.

One stand will be at the corner of Alix and Belleville in Algiers Point.  The kids are donating a portion of their profits to the Confetti Kids park, so if you are out and about, please stop and grab a glass.

Our youth need all of the encouragement they can get while doing something for others and learning how to be entrepreneurs!

231 single family homes are for sale in in Marrero

• High price $1,975,000
• Low price $19,000
• Average price $160,016
• Median price $134,000

74 homes are under contract/pending sale

• High price $425,000
• Low price $32,900

Based on sales in the first quarter of 2012, there is an 8.25 month supply of homes for sale in Marrero

Homes Sold in Marrero LA

The 1st quarter of 2012 saw an 18% increase in the number of homes sold when compared to 1Q2011.  As of the end of March, there have been 85 successful sales of single family homes in Marrero.  The most interesting item of note in these sales is that the condition of homes selling has declined.  In 2011, 62% of homes sold were in New, Excellent or Very Good condition.  So far in 2012, that percentage has dropped to 48% as the number of foreclosure sales has increased.

Home Prices in Marrero LA

As the number of foreclosure sales in Marrero has increased, there has been a corresponding decrease in average sale prices.  This continues the a 5 year trend of declines in prices.  The important note for home sellers to keep in mind is that the averages span the entire zip code and your neighborhood may not be experiencing this downward pressure on prices.  If foreclosures are the norm in an area, all of the surrounding properties will be negatively impacted.

• Average Foreclosure Sale Price $83,347
• Average Equity Sale Price $152,091

More about Marrero LA real estate sales

• Almost 58% of homes sold in 2012 have been foreclosures or short sales
• 26% of sellers have provided a home warranty, down from 30% in 2011
• 32% of sellers have provided closing cost assistance to the buyer, down from 34% in 2011

Start your Marrero home search here

Have questions?  Feel free to contact us for help with any of your real estate needs.

182 single family homes for sale in Harvey

• High price $850,000
• Low price $29,900
• Average price $174,575
• Median price $139,900

66 homes are under contract/pending sale

• High price $430,000
• Low price $10,000

Based on first quarter sales, there is an 11 month supply of homes for sale in Harvey – a buyer’s market.

Homes Sold in Harvey LA 1Q2012

The good news for the Harvey real estate market is that home sales in the 1st quarter of 2012 were up by almost 18% from the same time last year.  Unfortunately, that’s about the extent of the good news.  Foreclosures are making up a huge percentage of the successful sales across a large portion of the West Bank and Harvey is not immune.  As of the end of March, there were 60 homes sold in Harvey.  Of those, 45 (75%) were either foreclosures or short sales.  These distressed property sales result in lower home prices across the area when they become the norm.

Home Prices in Harvey LA 1Q2012

We’ve been watching prices decline for the last few years as demand for homes on the West Bank has dropped.  That’snot changing due to the number of foreclosure sales that are now happening.  Trends across the country seem to be that foreclosures sell off before the market begins a rebound, so I’m hopeful that this is stage 1 of our recovery.

The gap between prices on foreclosures and non-distressed (equity) sales is pretty wide:

• Average foreclosure sale price: $93,894
• Average equity sale price: $150,256

More about Harvey home sales

• 18% of sellers have provided a home warranty, down from 28% in 2011
• 25% of sellers have provided closing cost assistance to buyers, down from 40% in 2011
• Cash is the most common form of purchase this year, being used in almost 50% of the sales.  This is not surprising, since many of the lower end properties are being snapped up by investors who have sat out of the market for the last couple of years while it was harder for them to get financing.  That pent up demand seems to be loosening on their end, although financing is still an issue for some.

Start your Harvey home search here

Have questions about buying or selling in Harvey?  Contact us.  It would be our pleasure to help.

Don’t drive by and assume that this is your typical Terrytown home.  Hidden behind the front doors is a whopping 3100 square feet of living area, designed to provide you with space for a mother-in-law suite, guest quarters or just room to spread out in.

 2037 Laurel Avenue, Terrytown LA

Whether you love to entertain, run a home based business, have an extended or large family or just need space for out of town guests to have some privacy, this Terrytown home offers space to fill your every need.

The main portion of the house features 3 bedrooms and 2 baths plus formal living/dining room, kitchen and den.  A spacious office connects to the mother-in-law suite with a large living area/den, full eat-in kitchen, separate laundry room, master bedroom and a spare bedroom and sitting room/study/office upstairs.

This huge, well maintained home is a rare find in one of the most in demand sections of Terrytown and is priced well below what you’ll normally find in a 5 or 6 bedroom home on the West Bank.

The location is fantastic, with easy access to downtown New Orleans, local shopping, dining, entertainment and schools.

• 15 minutes to NAS JRB New Orleans, the naval base in Belle Chasse
• 12 minutes to Federal City in Algiers
• 12 minutes to West Jefferson Medical Center
• 3 minutes to Ochsner Medical Center

Jefferson Parish Schools

2037 Laurel Room Details

Main house

• Living room 16 x 13
• Dining room 12 x 11
• Kitchen 10.2 x 10.6.  Electric range/oven, dishwasher, disposal, updated cabinets and counters, tile floor
• Den 16 x 14  Vaulted ceiling, flat screen TV included
• Master bedroom 13 x 11 with attached private bath
• Bedroom 2 11.5 x10.9
• Bedroom 3  12 x 12
• Office 11 x 10 connects main house and guest suite

Mother-in-law suite

• Den 20 x 12 with brick accent wall
• Eat in kitchen  22 x 9  Electric range/oven, refrigerator, large work and storage spaces
• Master bedroom 17 x 16  French doors lead to backyard, attached full bath
• Upstairs bedroom 12 x 17  Vaulted ceiling
• Study/sitting room 12 x 9

Video Tour

Can’t see the video above?  Click here.

To schedule your private showing, please call Terri Babineaux at 504-258-5178.