Current real estate activity in the City of Gretna: 57 homes are for sale in Gretna High list price $409,000 Low list price $34,900 Average list price $149,947 Median list price $139,900 7 homes are pending sale or under contract, listed from $49,900 to $255,000 Based on November sales (11), there is a 5.18 month supply of homes for sale in Gretna Gretna LA 70053 | Number of Homes Sold | November 2009 Great news for Gretna…home sales have now exceeded the number of sales in 2008, with another month of closings to go!   More good news is that the inventory of 5.18 months shows a balanced real estate market for the city that has worked so hard to improve the quality of life for its residents with community events that surpass those of most West Bank neighborhoods. Gretna LA 70053 | Averag... 12/31/2009

Current real estate activity in Terrytown and Gretna LA 70056: 161 homes are for sale High list price $899,000 Low list price $24,900 Average list price $210,333 Median list price $169,900 39 homes are under contract or pending sales, priced from $53,000 to $425,000 Based on November sales (30), there is a 18.6 month supply of homes for sale in the area Terrytown and Gretna | Number of Homes Sold | November 2009 The last couple of months have seen a substantial increase in the number of homes sold in Terrytown and Gretna, bringing the year to date number of sales to 210.  Looking at the average number of homes sold each month in 2009, I would project that this year will surpass 2008 – one of the only areas on the West Bank that will record an increase in sales. Most buyers (45.7%) are u... 12/31/2009

Current real estate activity in Terrytown and Gretna LA: 170 homes for sale High list price $999,000 Low list price $24,900 Average list price $217,709 Median list price $169,700 48 homes are under contract or pending sale, priced from $35,900 to $400,000 Based on the number of homes sold in October (26), there is a 6.5 month supply of homes for sale in the area (a fairly balanced real estate market) Terrytown and Gretna LA 70056 | Number of Homes Sold | October 2009 October marked the most active month of the year in Terrytown and Gretna home sales.  I’m sure that much of this increase was due to the uncertainty about whether or not the first time home buyer’s tax credit would be extended (which it has).  First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Extended and Expanded Year to date, there have b... 11/23/2009

Current real estate activity in Gretna LA 70053: 51 homes are for sale High list price $275,500 Low list price $42,900 Average list price $147,731 Median list price $131,000 12 homes are under contract or pending sale, priced from $52,000 to $240,000 Based on the number of homes sold in October (8), there is a 6.38 month supply of homes for sale in Gretna, which is just about a balanced real estate market. Gretna LA 70053 | Number of Homes Sold | October 2009 The year to date number of homes sold in Gretna as of October 2009 is 62, compared to 65 at the same time last year. Gretna is one of the only markets on the West Bank of New Orleans that has not had a dramatic drop in the number of home sales from 2008 to 2009. Given the recent amount of activity in the community, I would anticipa... 11/21/2009

I’m not talking about painting your house.  I’m talking about one of the newest hot spots for West Bank ladies (and a few gentlemen too) to get together for a few hours and share food, drinks and definitely a few laughs.  Painting With A Twist recently opened in Gretna LA, just a couple of blocks off the West Bank Expressway.  One of my friends decided that painting and drinking would be a fun way to spend an evening, so we rounded up a group and headed over there last night. We all arrived toting trays of goodies to share, bottles of wine and even a few daiquiris.  I figured the drinking was so that we wouldn’t cry if we hated our pictures.  The entire premise is that anyone can be at least a novice artist.  Bring your own snacks, drinks and $35 and Painting With a Twist provides the b... 11/04/2009

Current real estate activity in Terrytown and Gretna LA 70056: 167 homes are for sale High list price $1,390,000 Low list price $16,900 Average list price $209,418 Median list price $165,000 67 homes are under contract or pending sale, with an average list price of $172,469 Based on the number of homes sold in September (15), there is an 11.13 month supply of homes for sale Terrytown and Gretna LA | Number of Homes Sold | September 2009 Although they are down about 9% from this time last year, the number of home sales in Terrytown and Gretna is holding fairly steady from month to month. While the media focus has been on the first time home buyer tax credit and FHA loans, amazingly enough there were no FHA loans that closed in Terrytown in September. Type of Financing Used Number of home... 10/19/2009

Current real estate activity in Gretna LA 70053: 53 homes for sale High list price $287,100 Low list price $24,900 Average list price $148,388 Median list price $135,000 15 homes are under contract or pending sale, with an average list price of $142,841 Based on the number of homes sold in September 2009 (9), there is a 5.9 month supply of homes for sale in Gretna (a balanced real estate market). Gretna LA 70053 | Number of Homes Sold | September 2009 Year to date, Gretna has seen 54 successful home sales, compared to 59 at the same time last year.  Not bad, when the majority of the West Bank has seen the number of sales drop substantially from 2008 to 2009. The average Gretna home sold in September had 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1373 square feet of living area and was on the market for 46 da... 10/19/2009

Recently, I heard about a 5 year old boy who lives in Algiers named Ben Sarrat.  Ben is fighting an inoperable brain tumor caused by pediatric cancer.  His family is doing everything they can to make Ben’s life happy, including sending him to St. Andrew the Apostle School which has been a dream of his since he was very small.  Attending St. Andrew’s has let Ben meet some great kids – and those kids are showing just how great they are this weekend. Because they want to help Ben get better, several of his friends and classmates have organized a multi-family bake sale for this Sunday morning at 753 Huckleberry Lane in Terrytown.   Not only can you buy cookies, cupcakes, lemonade and other treats, but there will also be a raffle of a $100 gift certificate to Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse (raffle ... 10/15/2009

The 2009 Gretna Heritage Festival is now part of the history books, and despite the fact that Sunday was dreary and rainy, I’m sure that another new attendance record must have been set.  After spending 3 days on the festival grounds, I didn’t even come close to seeing or hearing everything, but I did get a really good sampling of food, music and fun. The festival opened on Friday afternoon to a queue of waiting people and more continued to arrive in a steady stream throughout the evening.  Lines quickly formed at the various food booths around dinner time and the arts and crafts vendors seemed to be doing a steady business.  Saturday was a gorgeous day and I’m sure that any previous records for one day attendance were smashed.  By the time the sun set, it was getting difficult to make ... 10/06/2009

From it’s start with one stage and a couple of hundred attendees, the Gretna Heritage Festival has come a long, long way!  The fun kicks off again tonight and lasts through the weekend with a stellar line up of music, over 40 food booths, carnival rides and art, jewelry and craft booths to satisfy your need for retail therapy and more. The weather forecast for Friday is looking a little damp, so throw on your raincoat, pull up your galoshes (or your shrimp boots – we don’t mind) and head on out to Gretna for an amazing start to the weekend.  Just look at the talent that will open the festival this year! See the entire weekend music schedule  And this is just the opening night!  Named to the Southeastern Tourism Society’s Top 20 Festivals, Gretna Fest welcomed over 130,000 people last ye... 10/02/2009

09/24/2009

One of the things I adore about the West Bank is that the people who live here love to eat as much as I do. They will invite you to dinner, a BBQ or a boil at the drop of a hat. Some of our friends are excellent cooks who should be making a living at it. Since I really don’t like to cook, we are usually looking for a place to eat each weekend. Sometimes it’s an old standby, but last weekend we visited the new Monroe Street Cafe that Ernie and Joanne Elfer opened a few weeks ago in Gretna. Serving breakfast, lunch (with a rotating menu of daily specials) and dinner they are a welcome addition to the West Bank restaurant scene with family members working alongside each other in the kitchen and the dining room. We were greeted by Rosey, the Elfer’s daughter, as we entered and made to feel ... 07/31/2009

Current real estate activity in Terrytown and Gretna LA 70056: 168 active listings High list price $1.590,000 Low list price $62,900 Average list price $250,151 Median list price $186,500 42 pending sales, priced from $56,900 to $499,900 Based on the number of March sales (21), there is a 8 month supply of homes for sale in the 70056 zip code Terrytown and Gretna LA – Number of Homes Sold March 2009 Sales in the 70056 zip code rose again in March 2009, ending the quarter with 48 homes sold year to date, compared to 59 at this same time last year.  The majority of the homes sold in the area in March were in Excellent condition, so potential sellers should be sure that they have prepared and priced their home well before going on the market since buyers in the community are looking for th... 04/19/2009

Current real estate activity in Gretna LA 70053: 57 active listings High list price $359,000 Low list price $42,900 Average list price $158,380 Median list price $148,000 16 pending sales, priced from $19,900 to $250,000 Based on the number of homes sold in March (5), there is a 10 month supply of homes for sale in Gretna Gretna LA 70053 – Number of Homes Sold March 2009 The City of Gretna recorded 5 closed sales in March, bringing the year to date total to 12, compared to 16 at the same time last year.  Sales were across every spectrum, from new construction to properties in poor condition that need complete rehab.  The loan of choice for March was conventional, with 60% of the sales being financed that way.  Since conventional loans are the hardest to get right now, these were well qu... 04/18/2009

After all of the Mardi Gras celebrations, you would think we would be paraded out on the West Bank.  Not a chance! This Saturday is the annual Pawdi Gras parade in Gretna, held to benefit the Plaquemines Animal Welfare Society, a no-kill animal shelter in Belle Chasse that has partnered with the City of Gretna. Here's a picture of the royalty from last year's parade as they were honored Monday night at Lundi Gras From the wonderful folks at GEDA: You can register your 4-legged friend Saturday at Second and Huey P. Long Avenue beginning at 10:00am, Costume Contest & Crowning of Royal Court at 10:30am, parade to follow at 11:00am. While you’re waiting for the parade, visit the Gretna Farmers’ Market and enjoy fresh shopping and eating! We’ll have smoked meats, dressings & dips, lunch spec... 02/26/2009

Saturday was glorious!  The weather was absolutely perfect, thanks to the efforts of the Medicine Man, as the Krewe of Choctaw celebrated with their annual River Parade.  The morning started off at Front Street Station in Gretna, with a breakfast buffet prepared by owner Joey Istre and his wife Pam. Suitably fortified, we made our way across the street to the Gretna Ferry Landing to board the Steamboat Natchez.   We were greeted by the Officers and Captain along with the crew of the Natchez   As passengers began boarding, the calliope was playing our song... And the party began! The view of the city was incredible: The fireboat guided us up and down the river, spraying streams of water into the air I hope you can join us on Valentine's Day as we parade through the streets of Algiers, Te... 02/09/2009

I've been so busy that Mardi Gras is kind of sneaking up on me.  But this Saturday is the Krewe of Choctaw's annual River Parade and it's one of my favorite events of the season.  Choctaw is the only krewe to offer a river parade in New Orleans and it's a tradition that dates back many, many years.  I remember when I first heard about it and dismissed it out of hand thinking that it was just a boat ride.  Boy, was I wrong! Rub shoulders with the royalty and court members, enjoy some great music, dancing and  food.  Those famous Natchez Steamboat Bloody Mary's are on tap for what is expected to be a beautiful day.  Thank goodness, because the last couple of years have been cold AND rainy and it's about time that the Krewe got a little love from the sun gods. Here are a couple of photos f... 02/05/2009

2008 is but a memory now as we move into the new year. Let's take a look back at how the real estate market in Gretna LA performed. Current real estate market in Gretna LA 70053: 47 Active listings, priced from $42,000 to $375,000 3 pending sales (homes still being shown) priced from $119,900 to $299,000 4 homes are under contract, priced from $35,000 to $89,900 The average listing price in Gretna is $151,931 The median listing price in Gretna is $145,000 Based on December 2008 sales (2), there is almost a 2 year supply of homes for sale in Gretna Gretna LA - Number of Homes Sold 2008 The City of Gretna ended the year with 72 successful home sales - down almost 22% from the number sold in 2007 and right on par with the rest of the West Bank real estate market. Why are sales down? Just l... 01/17/2009

Originally published at West Bank Living Current real estate statistics for Terrytown and Gretna (70056) as of 11/5/2008: 189 active listings, priced from $39,900 to $1,590,000 Average listing price of $226,697 Median listing price of $179,900 6 pending sales (continuing to show) priced from $30,000 to $235,000 1 open predication (waiting on buyers home to sell) priced at $209,000 19 under contract listings, priced from $30,000 to $499,000 Based on October 2008 sales, there is a 9 month supply of homes for sale in Terrytown and Gretna LA, down from 12.9 months in September. What changed?  A 50% increase in the number of sales from September to October directly impacted the projected supply. Terrytown and Gretna LA - Number of Homes Sold October 2008 On average for 2008, 18.9 homes have ... 11/10/2008

Whew!  Another festival has come to a close and it had to be the biggest one yet if the sales at the Krewe of Choctaw booth were any indication. Thankfully, we had more volunteers this year to help out, so I was able to wander a little bit more and eat a whole bunch more...I'm holding the city of Gretna responsible for the 5 pounds that I'm sure I gained in the last three days. Here are some of the sights and sounds of the closing day: The crowds were unbelievable and the kids were thrilled with all of the rides and games. Shrimp and crab alfredo from Barreca's in the Italian Village - YUM! Amanda Shaw and the Cute Guys performed at the Riverfront Stage with the Crescent City Connection in the background.   Bonerama makes music with trombones that you have to hear to believe.  I heard ... 10/06/2008