Eric Bouler

Harahan Condos, Elmwood Oaks has a lot going for it! A great Place to Live!

September 11th, 2009 Categories: Condo Listings, Jefferson Parish

The Elmwood Oaks Condos located in the Elmwood Business Park are in a class by themselves in the Harahan area. They remain one of the better buys for a two bedroom condo in all of East Jefferson. The common areas are what stands out to most people. The landscaped grounds, large pool, tennis courts, ample parking, secure entrance, low condo fees, balconies or patios, storage areas and much more make Elmwood Oaks a winner.

The condos are tucked into a corner of the Elmwood area and are close to the many businesses and warehouses that call Elmwood home. The area is an easy commute to town of less the 25 minutes and you have several routes if traffic does back up. You are 2-3 miles from Ochsner Hospital and less than a mile to the Mississippi River.

There are never many unit available as people tend to stay longer and make it their home. The values have remained steady. The condos are now older so you see a number of the units have been redone or improvedupon. The Elmwood Oaks Condos were built as condo so you have a decent amount of storage area and a community type of layout. The parking is easy with plenty of space. Secure entrance to all hall ways and elevators to all floors.

The large pool and picnic area are a focal point of the community. There are enough things to say about the complex that I will present my new listing on a separate blog. There are currently 3 units including the 2 bedroom condo I just listed. There is a 3 bedroom unit and a condo foreclosure that needs some updates for 120k.

This a neat tool from Picnik.com. They came up with this slide show currently in beta testing. What is neat is that all your photos are already there so it easy to move them in and out of the show.

I had some questions about getting the photos in order. They actually answered my e-mail within an hour to say that they were still working on some of the issues. The premium package is only about $25 per year.

These are a selection of the blog photos that I have used this year to give you a taste of the neighborhood where I work. Lot of uses as you can visit one of my blogs where I use a lot of photos. www.neworleanscondotrends.com

Putting a Value on your New Orleans Condo Views ! Views and Windows do Matter!

Condo Knowledge

One of the primary factors in the resale of your condo is the views. You may not have paid extra for the views in the beginning if you were the original purchaser. You just got first choice and you chose the one that you liked. This is most likely the one that most people would have liked. However all people do not think of resale. The smart ones do.

The views do not show up in the square footage prices so how do you quantify the views. It only shows up in like type of units. It is very hard to put a dollar figure on this factor but it does exist. Since New Orleans has few high rise condos its not how high you are. Most buildings here are not tall but conversions of older buildings and homes.

Light also figures into views as people like large windows that lets in natural light. No one wants the afternoon sun heating up your condo but they want the reflective light. Oddly enough most condos are exposed to the blistering heat of the New Orleans afternoon sun.

What you actually see is equally as important. Looking at a trash can is not going to add values but getting a nice city view does matter. Getting a nice city street view can be a great view. It all depends on what people generally like. People always ask about River Views but there are few high rises that have them in the under 600k range.

Hidden Gems in the New Orleans French Quarter! Beauty and History!

Last week I had to meet David with Absolute Pest Control in the French Quarter to so he could inspect a recent sale for termites. I arrived early and had a few minutes to take a couple of photos with my new camera. Its always in my car and ready to go when I see something. A real estate tool.

I had time to take a couple of photos and discover some new things about New Orleans and the French Quarter. I am a student of history and historic buildings. One of my hobbies is tropical plants. One of my hobbies is photography. In real estate you are your own boss so these hobbies really tie in with my work.

This group of town homes were built 10 years after Louisiana became a State. Many women in French Louisiana were the business person of the family. The brothers would often have too much play and the father wanted his investment protected so he chose the best to run the business. Many Creole plantations were also run by women at the turn of the century. That was the 18th century and early 19th century however.

New Orleans gets about 60 inches of rain per year and very few cold days and nights. Found these flowers growing in the courtyard flowing from the home next door. Now how many places in the United States could you find this much history, historic structures, tropical plants, be self employed and have time to goof off.

Now I will have to get me one of these plants. The were designed to turn someone's eye. Some of your best photos come the morning so enjoy!

Sugar Plantation Condos #219, New Orleans Warehouse Distirct, Get a feel for the Area as Well!

Condo Listings, Warehouse District

Getting a feel of the area where you are going to live is very important aspect of your buying decision. The Sugar Plantation Condo #219 is a premium unit in that is has everything that most people are looking for in a New Orleans Warehouse District condo. Great location in the center of the area at 840 Tchoupitoulas next door to Emeril's on the corner of Julia Street. The units were new in 2005, these were not conversions from rentals so all the build outs are new in 2005. This means all the a/c, heating, pipes, electrical were new at that ime . The condos sold out within several days at that time.

The #219 Sugar Plantation condo has Tchoupitoulas Street views from the second floor. It has designated parking in the garage below. It has a large storage area downstairs. The condo itself is very fresh with few scratches or even a lived in look after several years. The positives are high ceilings, exposed beams, stained concrete floors in living areas, large windows, exposed brick, and the true Luxury Warehouse feel. This unit is priced at $299,219 is considered a premium unit in the Sugar Plantation Condos. It still has the new unit feel.

The condo is about 1000 sq. ft. with one bedroom with plenty of storage. There is another room that could be used as a guest room or an office. It does not have a closet so I would not call it a two bedroom. The floor plan is open. The bath and kitchen are almost new with that upgraded feel and look. Washer and dryer in the laundry room off the kitchen. The rooms are large as well. plenty of storage for a condo.

This is more than likely the cheapest condo in the building which puts you in a great neighborhood of condos up to the 600k range.

The condo association is professionally managed and has secure entrances for parking and from the Street. The condo was completed in 2005. The condo features garage parking for all. The courtyard and pool are available for the residents. There is a party room and exercise room to enjoy as well. The condo fees are right at $300 per month which covers water, upkeep, cleaning of common areas, management, elevators, parking areas, and security.

I have include some various photos of the New Orleans Warehouse District so you can get a feel for the area as well as well as the condo. The area is the location and in real estate the location is a key factor of your decision.