• Pros and Cons of Buying a New Orleans Shotgun Home,Crescent City Living

    Pros and Cons of Buying a New Orleans Shotgun Home

    Pros and Cons of Buying a New Orleans Shotgun Home The New Orleans shotgun is a captivating symbol of our local architecture. This iconic style, known for its exceptional cross ventilation, first emerged in the early 1800s. Long before the era of air conditioning, the ability to let a refreshing breeze flow seamlessly from one end of the house to the other (and even sideways) was paramount for surviving our sizzling hot summers. Throughout the years, the shotgun house acquired a reputation as a housing option for the less fortunate and lost popularity among builders. But times have changed. Today, this once-dismissed "shotgun" label holds no negative connotations as many of these homes have been skillfully rearranged and renovated, preserving their historical significance. The Layout In a traditional shotgun, rooms are located one behind the other, forcing residents to walk through each room to get to the next. Indoor plumbing was not a given when many of these homes were built, so bathrooms were often added to the very back of the house, behind the kitchen, which was traditionally the last room. The pros of a New Orleans shotgun Living on narrow lots means less yard maintenance, as the house occupies most of the land. You get to have a close and intimate connection with everyone in your household, as you walk through their bedroom to reach the kitchen or bathroom. The flexible room arrangement allows you to create as many bedrooms as you need or use one as an office. Each bedroom can be customized according to your preferences, as many of them don't have closets. The cons of a New Orleans shotgun You get to have a close and intimate bond with everyone in your household... Seriously, you have to genuinely enjoy the company of your friends or have a fantastic decorator to feel comfortable letting guests pass through your bedroom to access the kitchen or bathroom. They can be more challenging to rent or sell. Prospective tenants often ask, "Does it have a shotgun layout?" Traditional floor plans can be a tougher sell nowadays, as people value their privacy more than in the past. With long houses on narrow plots, the house tends to occupy most of the land, leaving little space for a backyard. Off-street parking is rare. If having at least one designated parking spot is crucial for you, a shotgun layout may not be the ideal choice for your home. Things to watch during your home search Listing agents are the ones who determine how a house is listed in the MLS. Don’t discount every home listed as a shotgun until you’ve seen the photos. It’s highly likely that the configuration has changed over the years into something else.

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  • Selling Your Tenant Occupied Property,Crescent City Living

    Selling Your Tenant Occupied Property

    Selling Rental Property in New Orleans When it's time to either retire from the landlord business or move on to another property, there are some important things to know about selling rental property in New Orleans. And it all comes down to your tenants and how they can impact the success of a sale. Let's dive into the pros and cons of listing a home with a tenant: PROS You can still generate income through rent. The property won't be left vacant. Your tenants can notify you promptly if any issues arise, like a broken A/C or a leaking water heater. Investor buyers are more likely to be interested in a property that generates income. Buyers who want to occupy the home themselves may be hesitant to bid on a tenant-occupied property. CONS Tenants may be reluctant to move, making it challenging to show the property. The property may not be well-maintained for showings since tenants don't have a financial stake in the sale. (We've seen some seriously messy places!) Tenants may speak negatively about the property to prospective buyers. You might not have the chance to clean up, repaint, or make necessary cosmetic repairs before listing. Do you need some suggestions? If you're putting your property on the market while your tenants are still there, consider offering them an incentive to cooperate with showings. It could be a discount on their rent or help with moving costs. Working together with your tenants, rather than against them, will make it worth the investment. And remember, the easiest way to sell your investment property is after the tenants have moved out, allowing for showings at any time, rather than on someone else's schedule. Need help to sell your rental property? Call 504-327-5303 today and we’ll be happy to help you put together the right plan to get it done.

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  • Broadmoor New Orleans Neighborhood Video,Crescent City Living

    Broadmoor New Orleans Neighborhood Video

    Broadmoor Neighborhood :: New Orleans LA With spectacular raised basement homes built in the 1920s and 1930s, Broadmoor offers some essential New Orleans architecture that’s different than what you’ll find in the adjacent Freret, Milan, and Carrollton neighborhoods. The Broadmoor Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. There’s a neighborhood Wellness Trail on Napoleon Avenue that ends at the gorgeously rebuilt Rosa F. Keller Library and Community Center, an active neighborhood association, and even a water garden that runs along South Broad Street.  If you'd like to call Broadmoor home, reach out to one of our neighborhood specialists at 504-327-5303.       

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