This is part of one of my web pages that is advertising a new listing that we picked up in the New Orleans French Quarter. One of the things I try to do is give a feel of a neighborhood. Its like localism in its early stages. You can take more photos, better photos than will be in the MLS and you can give people a lifestyle feel. People buy on emotion and want to get a feel for the area. You can be much more personal just like a blog. No one else is going to do this to any great degree. You can also give neighborhood links to help the internet client discover your property in another light. I do not do flash as not to bore people as they can scroll and see what they like as they like. The sellers like it as you can expand on the nice things about a property. Its another way to effective... 02/22/2007

New Orleans Mardi Gras 2007 Recap Mardi Gras 2007 has come to a close and I deem it a success! Granted, it is not up to me to make this determination, but I still will! I was able to reflect on the Mardi Gras season earlier today and was pleasantly surprised when I realized why I was in such high spirits.  I was able to put all of the pieces together and see that Mardi Gras was a resounding success! I love Mardi Gras!Personally, I love Mardi Gras! So I always have a great time.  But this year was even more special than most.  The weather the entire time was beautiful.  Warm during the day and just cold enough at the night parades.  The crowds were out in force and in great spirits.  The atmosphere was just fantastic, everyone wanting to have a good time and set aside all of the difficu... 02/22/2007

Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras was today. Everyone gets a different idea of what carnival is. This is the side of Carnival thet the national media never mentions but this is what most locals do. Rex the king of carnival rollled this morning on Napoleon Ave before reaching St. Charles Ave. This is the same spot I watched Rex 30 years ago as we did with my two year old grandson today. Mardi Gras is a family affair before it gets into the French Quarter. Just wanted to share part of the parade from the Krewe of Rex under clear skys and 70 degree weather.                          .                           02/20/2007

I do business in New Orleans where people are beginning and continuing to buy primarily condos as a second home. I think it would be great to have this feature worked into the local market. I think a lot of people use the internet to search for this in particular. I get several calls per week on this. The value is to the client because they are not here to see what we see. They have to plan ahead and need good info on the trends that only someone who works these areas everyday is familiar with. This is a speciality business that I have developed and am trying to perfect it along with my residential sales. You have to be more prepared when someone comes in for a weekend or most two weekends to buy a unit. I think the internet market will become more and more of a niche market, any commen... 02/18/2007

New Orleans Uptown is a neighborhood in the City of New Olreans. This area is blessed to have hundreds of Old Oak Trees that line the streets and fill Audubon Park where these pictures were taken today. The Oaks are evergreen so they stay green year round. It is great to have the shade during our summer months. many times I am trying to get photos of these homes but there is a tree in the way. It is better to have the tree in the way rather than not have them. You have to have the humid air and mild weather for these trees to grow. Its also great to put O back into the air. You can jog a mile and a half circle while always being in the shade in audubon Park. Its a City jewel that is kept up by and managed by the Audubon Institute. Better to keep the government out of the management of n... 02/17/2007

 You never know when you will get quoted in a national article. If you are to found in google you to may get a call. Katrina has had numerous people doing articles on our city of New Orleans. The best way to answer is to tell the interviewer what you think straight and brief. Matt kept me on the phone for about 10 minutes. i was talking to him from the car. Should have asked him to link my site and blog. Have to wait until next time. 5 seconds of fame. Just be prepared, it was great because I had just blogged on this very subject this past week. I was ready thanks to Active Rain!        French Quarter's Most Expensive HomesMatt Woolsey, Forbes.comFebruary 16, 2007 "It's a soft market right now because a lot of people who owned in the French Quarter were second home purchasers and they p... 02/16/2007

As a realtor in New Orleans you still have to look at diaster week after week. I decided to take a couple of shots of this Lakeview double. It is exactly the way it was left after the water drained off. This was an upper clss neighborhood before the storm. On the average there are 2 people on each block that have come back and are rebuilding. Many have begun to tear down their homes or rebuild if they can. The area had a lot of older people that had to move elsewhere to never come home again. Selling these people takes a little patience and does take a little longer because you are putting an honest effort to find them a place. They are always laughing about not having to worry about clothes and furniture, its gone. They do not even want to go back other than to look after once. Many of... 02/15/2007

You’ll have to excuse me from the start… this may be a bit of rant! Does the general public understand that a real estate purchase agreement is a legal contract? It seems as if most people do not understand that when they fill out a purchase agreement that they have entered into a legal contract. Here is the story…I had a closing scheduled for this past Friday and I represented the seller.  The buyer was a no show.  Obviously, we did not close and my client was not very happy! Some more background info: 2 weeks earlier the buyer signed a property inspection release form and asked for early occupancy.  So not only did the buyer state that the property was in acceptable condition, but he wanted to move in early.  My client choose not to allow the buyer early occupancy.  Then, 48 hours be... 02/12/2007

                4119 Vincennes PlaceNew Orleans, La 70125Total Renovation $519,0004119 Vincennes Place, New OrleansThis totally renovated Broadmore home features a gourmet kitchen with upscale custom cabinets, sub-zero frig, granite countertops, new light fixtures, new tile floors, island, new gas stove, new dishwasher, new microwave, and plenty of storage area. The kitchen measures 16x15. The 4 bedrooms and 3.5 bath home  has 3800 sq. ft. of living area. Most of the home has wood floors. There are 3 a/c units to cool this well insulated home. There is a large office or play room measuring 18x16.5 upstairs. There are two bedrooms that could be considered the master bedroom one up and one down. New tile floors, custom cabinets, new appliances.This home did flood after the Levees broke af... 02/10/2007

I will not bore you with numbers and charts. The New Orleans Warehouse District is alive and well. The area had little damage from Katrina and continues to be a trendy place to live and buy a second home. Condos are the main residential spaces with many old warehouse converted into condos. The nicer units when priced correctly generally sell in a number weeks. prices have been holding steady and going up for the nicer units. There are many new projects on the drawing board as I am writting this blog. the strating prices are going to start around the 200k level and go up from there. Young Professionals, empty nesters, and second homers are the amin buyers. They like the historic feel, many fine restraunts, attractions, no need for a car, walk to the French Quarter,a nd the overall safety... 02/09/2007

   A mild climate such as we have in South Louisiana allows an average gardner like me to grow a variety of plants in his back yard. Its a great hobby for a realtor as you are not out showing houses early in the morning. Great time to do things in the morning before the sun heats up our humid air in the summer. I thought about the yard work Super Bowl Sunday as I realized my yard needed mowing more to remove the weeds and leaves that are finally falling. The new leaves push out the old ones as the early blommers are getting started. next week will be a great time to repot and get some of these guys ready for another season.  Being in real estate allows you to get cuttings and plants from clients and homes you are showing. People are always willing to give and share. They get excited whe... 02/07/2007

                         New Orleans French Quarter Market UpdateThe New Orleans French Quarter real estate market is soft and may be a good time to buy. After Katrina many of the owners of second homes began to sell even though the area had little damage. Most of the units are condos. Real Estate is location and there are few locations like this. You will never have new units due to the building codes and restrictions. The old part of the city has been her since the early 1700's and has had a colorful history. If you like art, music, historic buildings, interesting people, great food, unique bars, museums, spicy food, pretty women, a tropical climate, jazz, shopping in unique shops, colorful politicians, walking or riding your bike. the Saints, and people who will appreciate you, then ... 02/05/2007

                          6629 Louis XIVLakeview, New Orleans 70124Complete Renovation July 2006$450,000 "Best Price Award"Lakeview is back!  This beautifully renovated 4 bedroom 3 ½ bath home, one block off Canal Blvd is ready for you.  The bedrooms and baths are set for two separate suites. The downstairs floor plan is crisp and open leading through the foyer to a huge den and brick covered porch. Ten foot ceilings down, nine foot ceilings up, granite, sub zero, Jenn air, crown molding, air conditioned garage, three hot water heaters (2 gas, 1 electric) in just over 3000 square feet of living area.  Did I mention that the master suite is just a little larger than huge?  You miss Lakeview,Lakeview misses you.This was one of the first homes to resell after Katrina that has been renovate... 02/05/2007

Before the storm, after the storm, pre-Katrina, post-Katrina, pre-K, post-K, 17 months ago…Every single day I say one or all of those phrases! I noticed this quite a long time ago but reflected on it last night while I was at dinner. Not one day goes by without some sort of time frame reference to Hurricane Katrina. In terms of our business, August 29 has become the most important date in recent (and not so recent!) memory. Everything goes back to that date. Home pricing, sold and active statistics, insurance rates, property condition, every aspect of the real estate business relates back to the storm. Clients ask…what was my pre-storm value? Why are my insurance rates so high? Did this property flood? Was there roof damage? And on and on! Don’t get me wrong, these are important questio... 02/04/2007

The New Orleans City Council recently passed a new ordinance that reinforces the city’s authority to demolish flooded homes that have not been gutted.  Finally! These neglected properties need to be removed from our city’s landscape.  Why? Well, for the obvious reasons: They look horrible, are health hazards, and provide safe havens for criminals.  This is not a new ordinance, though.  Way back in April 2006, the council first passed an ordinance to requiring owners to gut and clean their flooded properties by August 29.  However, on August 25, 2006, the council passed another ordinance basically giving owners some more time. As a quick aside for those of you who may not be familiar with this ordinance.  The ordinance does not allow the city to send bulldozers to certain areas and just... 02/02/2007

2006 was an interesting year in New Orleans…to say the least! Not only was an entire city picking itself up by the bootstraps after Katrina, but entire industries were trying to regain footing.  Real estate was certainly no exception.  We experienced significant statistical fluctuations unseen for many decades.  But are those statistical fluctuations relevant?  For example…  In October 2005, there were 1226 single family homes for sale…in October 2006, there were over DOUBLE that amount for sale, 2494.In that same time span average price per square foot went from $174 in October 2005 to $107 in October 2006.  FYI, average price per square foot dropped an additional $10 by December 2006. These statistics seem daunting…but once again do they truly paint an accurate picture of the real es... 01/22/2007

                               The Magazine Place Condos at 760 Magazine Street on the corner of Julia Street was once a Sauage Factory about a 100 years ago. Now it is a great location for living in the New Orleans Warehouse District. It is close to all the local attractions. You can walk to the New Orleans French Quarter, New Orleans Riverwalk, Convention Center and amny great places to eat. You do not have to have a car to enjoy New Orleans. This is a great place to have a second home. Most units have on site parking. The other feature include a roof top area for bar-b-que with great city views. There is a nice workout room with modern equiptment and free weights, courtyard, gated entrance, elevators plus being a well managed complex of 53 units. Eric is your Warehouse District exper... 01/16/2007

· Insurance, The largest charge for your condo fee is going to be causality and property insurance. This will be covered in all true condo associations. The flood insurance will also be covered. This will not include your contents, you need to get a condo contents policy which is about $400-$600 per year on your own. Many get this and many don't. · Common Area upkeep which includes repairs and cleaning areas that everyone owns· Water and Sewerage Bills, Are generally included along with trash pickup.· Common Area Utilities such as lights and a/c-heat of common areas· Security, It could be on site security personnel, cameras, and gates.· Pool Upkeep, costs of water and upkeep of exercise areas and equipment.· Elevator Contracts, Contracts to maintain the elevators· Landscaping, upkeep an... 01/12/2007

... New Orleans Real Estate, New ...500 x 375 pixels - 69k - jpgwww.ericbouler.com... New Orleans Real Estate, New ...500 x 292 pixels - 73k - jpgwww.ericbouler.com... New Orleans Real Estate, New ...500 x 375 pixels - 87k - jpgwww.ericbouler.com... New Orleans Real Estate, New ...500 x 375 pixels - 91k - jpgwww.ericbouler.com... New Orleans Real Estate, New ...500 x 375 pixels - 80k - jpgwww.ericbouler.comYou will be amazed at all the images that google stores in google images. I am not sure why they save the images but it must connect the image to the site where it first finds the photo. Take look and see if you see any of your photos. I assume the photos we use on active rain will also show up here. Krystal should have a bundle as I do. It very interesting to view photos in your area... 11/19/2006

 November is almost fall here but not quite. I took these photos Saturday on a listing appointment. You can use a light jacket this week at night because we still have humidity. Its great for jogging, ball and walking. We should have good weather until June. We may get a frost or two over the winter. The leaves have not started falling yet but then many of our trees are green all the time. These were taken on St. Charles Ave. with a shot of the jogger which I have to improve on but you never have time to set the camera up, but it gets the point across. The weekend end was great for the sports teams, the Saints crushed Tampa Bay, the Hornets win their first home game over the Houston Rockets, and my favorite team LSU beat the Tennessee Vols 28-24 with 9 seconds to go. Talk about the star... 11/06/2006