Let Them Eat Cake

I found myself between appointments today - not enough time to head back to the office but enough that heading to the next property meant sitting in the car waiting…and waiting.  Instead, I stopped in at Parrot Pete’s for an afternoon snack.  After all, they do have a very nice selection of sandwiches and salads and it was past the lunch hour rush so I knew I could get in and out pretty quickly.  My intention was to get a salad.

What’s that old saying?  Oh, yeah.  The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

                                   

I decided today that my favorite part of being a grown up is being able to sit outside, watch the fountains and have triple berry cake with strawberry-kiwi iced tea for lunch.

                

Parrot Pete’s Gourmet Bakery is located at 1901 Manhattan Blvd in the Fountain Park Centre and is open from 7 am - 7 pm.

Copyright 2008.  Lisa Heindel and West Bank Living.  All rights reserved.

Operation Facelift Offers Grants to Algiers Business Owners

There is more exciting news for the Algiers business community!

The Algiers Community Foundation and the Algiers Economic Development Foundation will be awarding a total of $50,000 in grants to business owners along General Meyer Avenue in Algiers in a project that has been named Operation Facelift.

Individual grants of up to $2,500 are being offered to improve exteriors and facades including:

• Windows
• Landscaping
• Signs
• Doors
• Exterior lighting
• Awnings
• Exterior paint
• Other improvements designed to enhance the appearance of the business

With the proposed Federal City moving one step closer to reality in Algiers, this is a great opportunity for business owners in the area to bring in new customers by improving the curb appeal of their buildings.

Interested business owners must submit application for the grants by September 16, 2008 at the AEDF office in Algiers. 

Some Important Notes About the Program

Funds awarded are only for the specific purpose of improving the facade or overall appearance of a building and/or grounds

Business owners remain responsible for obtaining the required city permits for any work

Grant proceeds will be used to reimburse business owners upon completion of the project.  No grants will be awarded for work done prior to the grant application process.

Grant recipients must adhere to a timeline for completion of the improvements

More information about grant guidelines and application

If you or someone you know is a business owner along General Meyer, I encourage you to attend the meeting being held on Tuesday, 8/26/2008 at 6:30 pm at the Delgado Community College West Bank campus on General Meyer.  The meeting will be held in Building 1, Room 130 and foundation officials will be on hand to answer specific questions and explain the entire grant process.

Since I drive along General Meyer every morning, I’m looking forward to seeing those improvements happening soon!

Copyright 2008.  Lisa Heindel and West Bank Living.  All rights reserved.

Marrero Home for Rent - 4 bedrooms, 2 baths

Not everyone is ready to take the plunge into home ownership.  And not everyone wants to live in an apartment or townhouse.  Solve those problems by renting a single family home on the West Bank of New Orleans!

Just listed in Marrero LA, 5437 Tusa, in the Oak Cove subdivision, is ready for a new occupant.

Features

• 4 bedrooms
• 2 full baths
• Spacious, with approximately 1,600 square feet of living area
• Living room plus family room with wood burning fireplace
• Breakfast area
• Galley style kitchen with dishwasher, range/oven and refrigerator
• Washer/dryer hookups in the single car garage
• Fenced back yard with patio
• $1,300 per month rent/$1,300 security deposit

Applications for tenants are now being accepted.  For more information, contact Lisa Heindel.

Copyright 2008.  Lisa Heindel and West Bank Living.  All rights reserved.

New Homes Coming to Belle Chasse LA - The Parks of Plaquemines

Belle Chasse is growing again!  Take a drive down Woodland Highway and you’ll see the signs.  Slow down enough and you can see that just behind the tree line there is a flurry of clearing activity happening.  A new residential development, The Parks of Plaquemines, is in the works and awaiting approval from the Parish Council.

                                  

I had a chance to sit down with the developer this week to take a peek at what’s in store at the newest exclusive West Bank community.  Encompassing over 200 acres of wooded land, I truly expect The Parks of Plaquemines to be the latest feather in the cap of David Waltemath (who also helped develop the prestigious English Turn community in Algiers).  Over 25 buyers have already placed their deposits on their chosen lots in Phase I - a sign that the area is ripe for the type of neighborhood amenities that will be offered in this new gated community.  Phase I includes the creation of nature trails, neighborhood parks and tot lots.

Although the clearing of some trees is taking place to provide space for streets and homes, a large portion of the land will remain untouched.  A 15 foot wide walking trail will circle in and around the development, with some lucky home owners facing or backing up to green belts, parks and waterways.  As the number of residents grows, a community pool, cabana and tennis courts will be added (the target right now is 50 completed homes) and HOA dues will be reduced until all of the amenities are up and running.

I’m very excited about this addition to the West Bank real estate market and can’t wait to watch the building and development unfold!

For more information about covenants and restrictions, pricing on available lots and pre-sale discounts being offered, contact Lisa Heindel. 

Copyright 2008.  Lisa Heindel and West Bank Living.  All rights reserved.

Westwego, Avondale and Bridge City LA Home Sales and Real Estate Absorption Rates for August 2008

Westwego, Avondale and Bridge City real estate absorption rates as of 8/18/2008

• Active listings in zip code 70094 are 116 vs 117 in mid July
• The overall supply of homes for sale in the area rose slightly, from 8.4 months to 8.9 months with the average number of homes sold per month dropping from 14 to 13 (a nominal difference)
• The most active price ranges are $40,000-$60,000 and $100,000-$120,000

The odds below are an estimate, not a guarantee that your home will sell in this time frame

Are you considering selling your Westwego home?  For an experienced West Bank real estate agent, contact Lisa Heindel.  I’d be happy to help you price your home to sell.

Related Reading:

What Is A Real Estate Absorption Rate?

Copyright 2008.  Lisa Heindel and West Bank Living.  All rights reserved.

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