Greetings from New Orleans!
This is a site for New Orleans MarketWatch subscribers to access some of the content we reference offline, like home listings with pictures and full details, school information, neighborhood profiles and much more.
Check back often because we're always expanding and posting new information that will be helpful to you, including our weekly listing feeds to the right.
Our goal is to give you the information you need to make good, easy decisions on your way to buying a home in New Orleans...
Until then, Laissez-les bonnes tempes roulez!
What Is New Orleans MarketWatch?
MarketWatch is a home buying plan developed for you to make your home search simple. If you’re looking to buy a home in New Orleans in the next 6-12 months, MarketWatch is for you. Best of all, it's FREE and easy.
If you are not currently a MarketWatch subscriber, visit SearchNewOrleansHomes.com to sign up today.
"Your "MarketWatch" is the best comprehensive listing service that I have seen anywhere. There is absolutely no need to look elsewhere for listings in the New Orleans market area."
- Bob C.
"Without the MarketWatch newsletter and information our house hunting would have been a much more difficult and overwhelming experience. This service that you offer is extremely good, especially for people who are first time buyers as well as people who are new to New Orleans. I am very glad that we have been part of this 'group' for the last year. Thank you for a great and memorable experience."
- Tiffani & Stuart
How does Marketwatch work?
When you sign up for a FREE MarketWatch subscription, you will get all listings in your desired area and price range mailed to you.
Along with the listings, you will also get a free one year subscription to our MarketWatch newsletter. The newsletter consists of information to help you become educated in the home buying process. Plus, there are current articles, booklets and other bonus material that is sent on an ongoing basis.
Every two weeks after the intial mailing, you will receive a mailing with all new listings and the MarketWatch Newsletter.
What do I do when I am ready to start looking at homes
You may want to take advantage of our FREE Homefinder Program, where our computers will search and match your exact wants and needs with ALL the new homes that come on the market each day. You can choose how often you want to receive these updates.
The Home Finder Program is perfect for when you’re starting to look at homes, and you want to find out about NEW listings as soon as they come on the market.
You may also want to join us for a Daily Tour of New Orleans Neighborhoods to learn more about the different homes and neighborhoods, or book a Buyer Planning and Strategy Seminar. Call 504.419.8395 for more information on our upcoming sessions.
What makes MarketWatch different than any other home search program?
As a real estate consultant, I understand that buying a home is a process, and the MarketWatch system is designed to give you an idea of values, get you familiar with the types of homes in the area, keep you posted regularly and educate you about the process of buying a home in New Orleans.
It's the step BEFORE you actually start looking, which is absolutely unique in the marketplace.
About New Orleans
Orleans Parish
Population in July 2008: 311,853. Population change since 2000: -35.7%
New Orleans
| Males: 146,118 |  (46.9%) |
| Females: 165,735 |  (53.1%) |
| Median resident age: |  33.1 years |
| Louisiana median age: |  34.0 years |
New Orleans
| New Orleans: | $38,614 |
| Louisiana: | $40,926 |
Estimated per capita income in 2007: $23,476
| New Orleans: | $23,476 |
| Louisiana: | $21,934 |
Estimated median house or condo value in 2007: $191,000 (it was $88,100 in 2000)
| New Orleans: | $191,000 |
| Louisiana: | $126,800 |
Mean prices in 2007: All housing units: $262,785; Detached houses: $266,527; Townhouses or other attached units: $210,509; In 2-unit structures: $268,106; In 3-to-4-unit structures: $332,844; In 5-or-more-unit structures: $312,875; Mobile homes: $60,229
Median gross rent in 2007: $892.
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2007: 20.6%
(10.8% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 25.1% for Black residents)
House Sales
Estimated median house or condo value in 2007: $191,000 (it was $88,100 in 2000)
| New Orleans: | $191,000 |
| Louisiana: | $126,800 |
Mean price in 2007:
Detached houses: $266,527
Here: State:
Townhouses or other attached units: $210,509
Here: State:
In 2-unit structures: $268,106
Here: State:
In 3-to-4-unit structures: $332,844
Here: State:
In 5-or-more-unit structures: $312,875
Here: State:
Mobile homes: $60,229
Here: State:
Median year house/condo built: 1953
Median year apartment built: 1953
The Ultimate Guide to New Orleans House Prices
If you're just starting to look for a new home in New Orleans, this guide could be very helpful. It's a comprehensive guide to the New Orleans and Orleans Parish real estate markets...
Click here for a copy of your Free Guide to New Orleans House Prices.
Inside, you’ll get pictures and price ranges for the most common house styles available, along with features and descriptions, so when you’re driving through these neighborhoods you’ll know how much the houses generally sell for...
It’s like having the teacher’s edition of your high school algebra book!
In the print version, there are locator maps of New Orleans and the surrounding areas so you can find your way around.
Plus, the guide also includes important telephone numbers you’ll need -- like schools, municipal offices and utilities, which you can also find here.
It's guaranteed to be the best resource for researching prices, along with MarketWatch, in the entire marketplace.
New Orleans Schools
Orleans Parish Schools
OPSB Schools District Managed Schools
- Ben Franklin Elementary
- Bethune Elementary
- McDonogh 35 H S
- McMain H S
Benjamin Franklin Elementary School
Lake Forest Elementary Charter
Lusher Elementary & High School
Buyer Representation... and How It Protects You
One of the most misunderstood concepts in real estate involves Buyer Representation.
In fact, I know a lot of REALTORS who don't even get it.
I'll try to break it down as simple as I can...
Normally, when a home is listed, the seller agrees to "co-operate" with any real estate professional who brings a buyer, negotiates the sale, removes the conditions and closes the transaction, and then pay us from the proceeds of the sale.
In other words, they pay us to help them find buyers.
The listing agent works for the seller - that makes sense.
But here's the part people have trouble with...
All the other 20,000 agents in the Houston area? They also work for the seller as "sub-agents". After all, the seller is paying them, so it makes sense that this is the default setting.
In other words, if you emailed me today (out of the blue) asking for information about a home, technically I would work for the seller. My interest is to protect the seller and get him the highest price and best terms to his benefit.
Even if it's listed with another company.
Even if you're my best friend in the whole world.
Even if you're on MarketWatch.
Seriously.
Our Code of Ethics says we need to disclose this as soon as possible. Unfortunately most Realtors don't.
So how do you get someone working FOR YOU?
A Buyer Representation Agreement is the only way to ensure you are protected.
The BRA is something that's done in writing, because everything in real estate is in writing.
Simply put, this Buyer Representation Agreement says that even though the seller pays me as your Buyer Representative, my legal duty is to ensure YOUR interests are protected as a buyer. It gives me permission to work for you, and not the seller.
Wait, there's more -- under a Buyer Representation Agreement, it's the duty of your "Buyer Agent" to keep your information confidential, and to make sure that the best price and terms are negotiated for your benefit. They will tell you the truth about market value, because they are under a contractual obligation to look after your interests.
On the other hand, if there is no Buyer Representation Agreement in place, your agent automatically works for the seller, and they would show you prices that would validate the seller's asking price. Their job is to protect the seller instead of you.
Now we have an obligation (no matter what) to be fair and honest and not misrepresent facts... but I'm going to repeat this because it's really that important...
The legal obligation of someone who is not your Buyer Representative is to represent the Seller.
When you go to open houses, or do anything WITHOUT a Buyer Representation agreement in place, you are on your own.
Or worse, you are working with someone who is not even looking out for you!
Imagine that. It can get complicated.
As you can see, NOT signing a Buyer Agency Agreement could cost you thousands of dollars more than what you might pay with the help of your own Buyer Representative.
The purpose of the Agreement is so that there is understanding, consent and clear boundaries about who's really working for who.
It switches the default setting over to YOUR best interests, instead of the seller.
The agreement can last anywhere from one hour to several years.
Is it a commitment in writing? Yes it is. So be sure to ask your representative if they offer an "Easy Exit Guarantee" if you're not happy.
All great businesses offer a satisfaction guarantee, and real estate should be no different.
Needless to say, we have an "Easy Exit Guarantee" in place. :)
This isn't a sales pitch - it's something everyone needs to know who is trading in real estate, now or later.
Here's a blank form if you're curious...
Buyer Representation Agreement
Hopefully that makes sense. If it doesn't, let me know.
This is probably the most important part of the site.
Almost every court case and problem that occurs in real estate is because the agent is either rushing and being sloppy... or it's because they didn't explain this properly.
Every phone number you could possibly want in New Orleans
This Community Contact Guide provides you with every phone number you could ever want - from emergency contacts, to school and church numbers, to the local chapter of your favorite charity, to every major city department!
It's a must-have document for living in New Orleans!
... Click here
New Orleans Mortgage Payment Calculator
Here's a great website to calculate your mortgage payments and help you budget your payments...
Remember that there are close to 200 different loan programs to choose from, so the payment options and downpayments can vary tremendously. For the most current and accurate options, call or email us today.
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