An open letter to the owners and management of Breaux Mart grocery stores:I want my Breaux Mart back.  I miss you here in Algiers.   I miss seeing Miss Doris at the checkout stand and Mr. Nick rounding up buggies and bagging groceries.  I miss everyone knowing when I was having a party by the items in my shopping basket.  I miss that sometimes daily interaction with the folks who live close to me when we meet up on the dairy aisle or in the produce section.  I miss crawfish dip from the deli section.  I miss having a locally owned business to shop at within 2 minutes of my house (selfish, but true).Those who know me are aware that I spend a lot of time "running to the store".  I almost never have what I think I want or need to cook dinner.  I am the mom who waits until the morning to gr... 08/24/2007

Louisiana SPCA now located in AlgiersSchool is back in session and as I was driving through Algiers yesterday, I noticed the fabulous sign that the Louisiana SPCA has at their new location at 1700 Mardi Gras Blvd.  Just had to stop and take a picture of it to share with everyone.  Take the time to visit their website and find out the different ways you can volunteer or make a donation tohelp support this local organization with all of the good work they do.  Looking for a 4 legged addition to your family?  Please consider one of the "Adoptables" that are patiently waiting for a new, loving family.If you already have a pet, please be sure he or she is spayed or neutered..in the words of Bob Barker, "Help control the pet population".Until next time...Lisa Heindel    Your West Bank Real Es... 08/23/2007

Algiers Economic Development Foundation LuncheonOn Wednesday, September 12, 2007, the Algiers Economic Development Foundation will hold its monthly luncheon at the Aurora Tennis & Swim Club (5244 General Meyer).  The guest speaker will be Dawn Brown, WWL-TV meteorologist who will cover hurricane preparedness.  I can't think of a more relevant topic at this time of year.These meetings are open to the public and always very informative.  It's also a great way to network with other Algiers residents and business owners.  For reservations or more information, call (504) 362-6436 or send an email to aedforg@bellsouth.net. 08/23/2007

There is a coordinated effort of agents in the Latter & Blum Algiers office to hold open houses this Sunday, 8/26/2007.  So far we have about 25 houses being held open in Algiers from 1-3 pm or 3-5 pm.  Check this Sunday's Times Picayune for details and addresses and then come on out and visit with us!  You might find your next home or meet the perfect agent to sell your current home.I'll be at 3700 Rue Mignon in Bocage from 1-3 pm.  Hope to see you there!!  08/22/2007

Many of my sellers are wondering (and asking me) "Why hasn't my house sold yet?"  Algiers has historically been a pretty easy place to sell real estate in, choices in schools abound, location is great, and crime is low.... what's the problem? It's easy to SAY that the market has changed substantially in our post Katrina real estate environment, but the numbers prove it.Date of salesUnits SoldAverage Days on MarketAverage Sales Price1/1/2005 - 8/1/200538330$160,0861/1/2006 - 8/1/200644561$178,6751/1/2007 - 8/1/200729091$174,512This information is provided by the Gulf South Real Estate Information NetworkAs of 8/1/2007, there were 366 active listings in the Algiers area, with an average list price of $235,841.   Who is fooling who here?  Hellooooo...Mr. (or Ms.) Seller... here are some qu... 08/21/2007

Corner lot in convenient location.  3 bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths, plus a walk in shower in spacious utility room.  Completely renovated kitchen with new cabinets, counters, appliances and ceramic tile floor.  Attached breakfast area.  Original wood floors have been refinished in living room, hallway and all bedrooms. UPDATED 9/19/2007:  OFF THE MARKET   08/21/2007

The New Orleans French Quarter is a great place for second homes. You can enjoy history and never have to use your car for a long weekend. Walking gives you the chance to see much more. The local residents like to express themselves with their plants and green thumbs. The houses have no front yards so the residents have to be very creative. Being in a sub-tropical climate things grow quickly and bloom often. Take time on your next visit to see the details.                                                              Individual expression of green thumb for all to enjoy.                                                                                 The very organized approach of a European style courtyard  08/15/2007

New Orleans is an old city and one of the unique things about the French Quarter is the balconies. The balconies are a way to show off you plants and how nice they can be. People in New Orleans like to be outside and enjoy seeing what is going on. Many of the homes have been turned into condos which make great second homes. Presently its very hot, but our best months for weather is form October thru May. We stay green almost year round. There is much more to the Quarter than Bourbon Street. We should have a contest to see who would win. A great feature that is free. See you in the Quarter.The windows, the shutters, the iron work, the plants, the flags, gas lights all make this a unique feature                                                                                                08/10/2007

If you watch any news, I'm sure you've seen it. There was the February article in the New York Times about how New Orleans Residents are leaving town in droves; there was a Post commentary about how the city's dead, and there have been numerous other commentaries as well as so called "news" stories all revelling in what they describe as the death of a great American city, and that city's real estate market.Not to be too trite, but the tales of our death have been much exaggerated.The Times article claimed that the flow of people out of the city is more than the flow of people back in, and it cited frustrations about the slow pace of recovery. While everyone down here is eager to get things moving as quickly as possible, and while many people are frustrated with leadership and other prob... 08/07/2007

The New Orleans French Quarter is a living part of history. Most of the condos in the French Quarter are second homes. Since Katrina the area has been depressed in the number of visitors and buyers for the properties. It may be time to start looking for that unusual get-away where everything is within walking distance to your condo. You can eat at 5 star places and listen to live music and New Orleans Jazz. No need to use your car. The area is filled with history, unusual shops, antiques, photo opportunities, entertainers, Harrahs Casino, The French Market and many things you cannot find at home.The area received very little damage from Katrina and no Flooding. We are seeing some great buys that will not be duplicated. I am getting a lot of interest in the past month of people looking a... 07/31/2007

I listed a an old home that is about 100 years old about half a block from the Historic St. Roch market. As a student of history and neighborhoods I can never resist doing a little research give people a taste of the neighborhood and what happened in the past. I do a page on each new listing and try to add something that may interest people. New Oleans Real Estate my website will never be finished. The photos always give me ideas and things to find out that I did not know. Its a google away to find out some tid bits that may interest someone. Its become a hobby as makes the job a little more worthwhile.1007 St. Roch Ave.Faurboug  Marigny New Orleans St. Roch Market in Fauborg Marigny of New Orleans Ninth WardThe St. Roch Market on St. Claude Ave. once a bustling seafood market.The Creol... 07/08/2007

"The Yat dialect is the most pronounced version of the New Orleans Accent. Natives often speak with varying degrees of the Brooklyn-esque accent, ranging from a slight intonation to what is considered full Yat. As with all dialects, there is variance by local speakers due to geographic, ethnic, racial, and social factors. This results in many different levels of Yat throughout the city, marking distinct differences between higher-income people, lower-income whites, lower-income African-Americans, and Creoles. African-American varieties of Yat have been significantly influenced by African American Vernacular English. Yat tends to differ in strength and intonation from neighborhood to neighborhood, regardless of race."I have no idea who can find these definitions but its very true that th... 06/08/2007

In New Orleans the locals call the call the grassy area between boulevards and streets the "Neutral Ground" . The neutral grounds are all over the city. Some are really wide where kids can play ball, streetcars can ride down the middle, and some just big enough for linear gardners. There are some that were canals that have long been closed in. The way the name came about was that it was the dividing line between the Creoles and the American Newcomers in the early 1800s. The neutral gound was Canal Street that divided the French Quarter where the Creoles resided and the Garden District and the Uptown area. Canal Street was where a canal was never dug.                                                  06/07/2007

This past weekend while showing a new client condos for her daughter, I suggested we walk around the block and to the street car line. It gave her a chance to see the neighborhood on foot and actually how close the St. Charles Ave cars were to the condo complex. She also got to see a little park and a taste of the homes. In an urban setting this is key in getting the cleint the feel of the area. Walking is a great way to see more and get that feel. Getting the feel was important to her. I scheluled to walk around the best two units as I figured that was going to be her best choices. I also showed your some others that were so,so. This made the better units shine. She called me tonite to wiite up the offer on her #1 choice where we walked the area. There is a method to showing propeties.... 06/05/2007

 The Cotton Mill Condos in the New Orleans Warehouse District is an historic renovation of a cotton mill that operated in the late 1800's near the Misssissippi River. This was a destination point for cotton from the south. Cotton was a major crop in the south until synthetic fabrics were developed in the 1950s. The units were first converted into rental apartments by HRI in the 1990s in order to meet a growing trend for urban and downtown living. many of the units were of different configurations shapes and sizes. They were phased in as condos in 2004. By 2006 all 288 were sold. The owners were given choices on weather to have an updated unit or take the units as there were. Most went with the upgraded p[ackage.The historic units have some great features that make New Orleans Warehouse ... 06/01/2007

Where else can a guy run his candy business virtually unchanged since 1915. In New Olreans this business is an icon. You can buy Sam Cortese's candy for 75 cents for a stick. You get the same flavors for the last 80 plus years. Vanilla, Chocolate, and Strawberry. See it and pull over and buy your stick of taffee. I saw him yesterday and took the photo on St. Charles Ave. There are several wagons so you can usually catch him. Did not have time as I was busy with real estate but had time to stop. Roman Candy in New Orleans                             05/28/2007

Greek FestThe 34th annual Greek Festival will be held Friday, May 25 thru Sunday, May 27 2007. The location is the Holy Trinity cathedral Cultural Center, 1200 Robert E. Lee Blvd. As always there is food and more food. This Greek Fest is offer a special blend where Greek meets Cajun dishes. This will include Greek sausage, a fete cheese and crawfish appetizer.Traditional Greek bands will perform as well dancers. Admission is $5. 05/25/2007

 New Orleans is surrounded by water as you may or not know. It is surrounded on one side by Lake Pontchartrain which is a brackish lake that empties indirectly into the Gulf of Mexico. it is 24 miles acroos and 40 miles long in the shape of an oval. It is unusual in that the deepest spot is about 14 ft. deep and has no rocks. It provides boaters of all types to enjoy the outdoors 15 minutes for the central business district. Its a great place to sail your sailboat day or night. The water is usually warm and there are no sharks. There are several  harbors near West End where parking your boat is inexpensive compared to other cities. Most of the fishing is at the salt water end of the lake where speckled trout are the main catch. Louisiana is a great place to fish and lake Pontchartain is... 05/20/2007

St. Charles Ave. in New Orleans is home to many historic homes and apartment houses that have been turned into condos. The street cars run down the middle of a divided Ave. under stately oak trees. In this particular condo you are several blocks to Audubon Park, several blocks to Tulane and Loyola Universities. You are a short ride to shopping areas, places to eat and drink. You can jog under the oak trees or walk to the park which is one of the nations oldest. You are on the Madri Gras parade route if you are from Naploeon Ave and town. its like living in a piece of history. These areas are great for a second home, student, med students, residents and people starting out who do not want to own a home yet. Take a look at New Orleans Condos to get some additional ideas. Its a great place... 05/19/2007

Going to school for 4-5 years can be expensive. Getting an education is a great investment as the payoff will be there. Think of paying someone else rent for 4-5 years is a great return for the landlord. Rent for $1000 per month and rent for 4 years you have spent some $48,000 and have nothing to show for it. If you buy you and or your parents can get a deduction on their taxes, you build some equity, and have some chance for appreciation. New Orleans has never been a bubble market but continues at a 3-4% pace. All the land has been used for many many years. You can walk to the campuses of Tulane and Loyola Universities for the several complexes like the one below. You can live a little further away and ride the street car to the Universities. New Orleans is a great place to go to colle... 05/14/2007