OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY July, 18th 1-3pm

3019 Banks.

3 bedroom 2 bath
1830 square feet
wood floors
high ceilings
central air and heat
lot of closets space
off street parking
nice work shop/shed
ready to move in.
Must See!

Super low interest rates make it a great time to buy!!

By MJ Sauer on 7/18/2010 12:59:00 PM

30-year fixed-rate mortgage stays at record low Mortgages - MarketWatch

By MJ Sauer on 7/18/2010 12:54:00 PM

CONGRESS EXTENDS HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT!

Bill extends homebuyer tax credit into next year.

By Tami Luhby, CNNMoney.com senior writer

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- New homebuyers are poised to see the $8,000 tax credit extended into mid-next year.

The legislation extends the $8,000 homebuyer tax credit to contracts signed by April 30 and closed by June 30. The controversial credit, which many say has boosted home sales in recent months, was set to expire after Nov. 30.

The bill also creates a $6,500 credit for those who buy a home after living in their current house at least five years. That measure would apply to contracts signed by April 30 and closed by June 30. The current credit defines a first-time homebuyer as someone who has not owned a residence within the past three years.

The credit would be available only for the purchase of principal residences priced at $800,000 or less.

The bill would raise the adjusted gross income cap to$125,000 for single filers and $225,000 for joint filers. The amount of the credit currently begins to phase out for taxpayers whose adjusted gross income is more than $75,000, or $150,000 for joint filers.

"It's gonna put people back to work, the home builders, put people in the real estate business," said Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn. "The kind of jobs that can make a difference."

The extension will cost $10.8 billion over 10 years, according to the Joint Committee on Taxation.

Through mid-September, 1.4 million tax returns had qualified for the credit, according to the IRS. Some portion of those returns, which the IRS couldn't specify, represents buyers who took advantage of an earlier version of the tax credit, which was only worth $7,500 and has to be repaid over time.

By the end of November, the credit will have been used by 1.8 million homebuyers, at least 355,000 of whom would not have bought a house without the tax break, according to estimates by the National Association of Realtors.

"The data on the present home buyer tax credit show that the credit has had its intended impact -- sales have jumped in recent months to a projected 5.1 million for the year and housing inventory has been trimmed, thus stabilizing home prices noticeably," said Ron Phipps, the association's first vice president, in Senate testimony last month.

By MJ Sauer on 11/6/2009 11:30:00 AM

Tax Credit Provides Outstanding Opportunity for Home Buyers

A tax credit of up to $8,000 is available for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009.

http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/2009/faq.php

By MJ Sauer on 8/25/2009 12:21:00 PM

BAYOU BOOGALOO

The Mid City Bayou Boogaloo is this weekend and I can't wait. This is truly one of the best festivals in the city. The band line up is always great, its on the underutilized beautiful Bayou St. John and best of all it's FREE!! I having been volunteering at the beer booths since the begining and we have a blast. The last two years our beer booth has been hosted by my other business the Mid City Yacht Club. This is how they pay for the festival and keep it free so come see us and buy lots of beer. They also have an art market and lots of food vendors so come hungry and enjoy yourself. See you there!

Friday, May 22nd 5pm-9pm
Saturday, May 23rd 11am-9pm
For more information www.thebayouboogaloo.com

By MJ Sauer on 5/19/2009 8:11:00 PM

Soft 2nd Mortgage for "1st Time" Home Buyers

Finally, New Orleans is getting some help in the rebuilding department. The New Orleans Finance Authority has some fantastic programs to help first time home buyers -- but don't stop reading there-- they have expanded the definition of "first time home buyer." If you owned before Katrina, but have rented since, you are considered a first time home buyer in these programs. In addition, divorcees and widows are considered first time home buyers.

You can get up to $65,000 in the form of a "soft second mortgage" which you'll NEVER have to pay back if you stay in the home in good standing for ten years! That means on a house that costs $165K in New Orleans, a good size home in this market, you could end up only having a mortgage that you pay against for $100K, usually only $550 a month for principal and interest (P&I), depending on your circumstances. Talk to our agents -- we are the best in the business as locals very much invested in finding solid home buyers to rebuild our city!

By MJ Sauer on 4/22/2009 6:31:00 PM

NEW ORLEANS IS THE PLACE TO LIVE!

Things have been going so fast for Urban Vision that we've been neglecting our blog. That stops today!

Welcome to our fabulous listings website, also a place to get to know us as agents and broker. I'm MJ Sauer, owner and broker for Urban Vision. I'm a New Orleans local, working the real estate arena here for the past 10 years.

We have just wrapped up French Quarter fest here in New Orleans, and now it's time for Jazzfest. This is the best place to live. Plus, it's crawfish season! Does everyone know that Urban Vision's offices are located atop of our bar, the Mid-City Yacht Club, where we have free crawfish boils every friday night starting at 5pm? Stop by! You will surely need a beer to cool your lips.

p.s. Also, more helpful New Orleans tips: take note my husband has the best home theater company in town, NOLA Smart Wire! He's the best, really.

By MJ Sauer on 4/21/2009 2:50:00 PM

When everyone is selling. . . buy!

I was reading an article this morning by cnn money writer Les Christie, and it talked about now being the best time to buy a home in the past four years. For those of you who read my blog “2008, Last Chance for deals,” you know I feel the same way.

For years we saw double digit home equity increases in home values and so everyone kept buying. Now we’re suddenly seeing home prices stay stagnant, so everyone wants to sell or to keep on renting for awhile until prices stabilize. But that doesn’t follow market economics. Markets are one of our few chances to be contrarians. If everyone is doing something, you should probably do the opposite!

In this case, if you can afford to buy, now’s the time. Lending requirements have gotten stricter, so I would absolutely recommend talking with a lender first to find out what you qualify for, and more importantly, what you’re comfortable with.

The interest rates are low and the sellers are motivated. Check out the article. It names Louisiana as one of the top undervalued markets in 2008:

http://promo.realestate.yahoo.com/housing:-best-time-to-buy-in-four-years.html

By Helen Krieger on 3/10/2008 12:27:00 PM

Bywater and Marigny sales prices

I’ve been hearing a lot of projections about how well or poorly the housing market did in the Bywater and Marigny neighborhoods of New Orleans, so I decided to take a look at the numbers. I compared the last half of 2006 (July 1 – December 31) with the last half of 2007 in terms of single family home sales.

In Bywater *
second half of 2006
Homes Listed 37
Homes Sold 20
Days on market 84
Avg. $/sf $125
Avg. Home size 1300

Second half of 2007
Homes Listed 24
Homes Sold 16
Average days on Market 130
Avg. $/sf $130
Avgt. Home size 1500

In Marigny
Second half of 2006
Homes Listed 50
Homes Sold 15
Days on market 98
Avg. $/sf $163
Avg. Home size 1900

Second half of 2007
Homes Listed 36
Homes Sold 15
Days on Market142
Avg. $/sf $156
Avg. Home size 1992

As you can see, in Bywater less homes were listed in the second half of 2007 and less homes sold taking a much longer time to sell, almost twice as long, as in 2007. However, the average price per square foot did go up from the second half of 2006 to the second half of 2007.

That’s a positive sign that even though the market is moving much more slowly than anyone would like, it is still holding its price overall in Bywater. Each home needs to be looked at individually, however. For example, homes that need a little bit of repair must be priced very well to convince buyers to take on the headache of a renovation in this market.

In Marigny in the second half of 2007, less homes were listed, less were sold, they spent more
time on the market and had a lower average price per square foot. However, it’s not all bad news, the lower amount of homes put on the market means supply is starting to regulate itself to demand.

What about all those homes that were listed and not sold? For Marigny in the second half of 2006, for example, 50 single family homes were listed and only 15 sold. What happened to the other 45? In many cases, if sellers could not get the price they wanted in the time they wanted, they often stayed put, or they rented out their homes. There were a very large number of homes that were expired or withdrawn.

What does this mean for sellers? If you want to sell your home quickly and not in the average time of almost five months, you need to pay strict attention to price and make your home look its best. We’re no longer in the market where you can have strange pet smells, pealing paint or messy yards and expect to get top dollar. Helen and I can show you what you need to do to get your home ready.

For buyers? Be reasonable, but make offers! Helen and I can show you what a good offer would be for the home you’re interested in.

* For Bywater, I’m just looking at the prices on the riverside of St. Claude. The Bywater historic district encompases more homes than that, but the houses on the riverside are more similar lending themselves to better comparison. In a later blog I’ll try to pull the numbers for all the Bywater Historic District, which has very varied boundary lines!

By Lisa Fury on 3/3/2008 12:42:00 PM

2008 - Last Call for Deals?

In spite of the national gloom and doom reports on the housing market, there are a lot of indicators that 2008 may be the best time to get in on a booming buyers market. Both nationally and locally, experts think 2008 may be the bottom of the softening housing market and possibly one of the best times to buy.

First, it’s key to understand that the recent "housing crisis" has been a little over hyped. According to the chief economist for NAR, nationally 2007 was the fifth best year for housing sales ever on record. Home prices declined about 1.5 percent after a 50 percent run up in prices over the previous years.

Secondly, even though the national numbers look good, talking about national real estate numbers is about as helpful for the average buyer as talking about national weather patterns. What is happening in our area, New Orleans?

Local Indicators
After almost three years of post storm rebuilding, the effects are beginning to show. Many flooded neighborhoods are coming back strong while others are just gearing up. Businesses and schools are reopened and corrupt politicians are getting winnowed out even before our new inspector general has started his investigative job. The population is coming back sooner than expected, and they need places to live.

The immediate effects of the storm combined with the tightening of mortgage requirements made for a softening of our market last year, particularly single family homes and condos. However, as the population has been coming back strong, and as many new young people have been inspired to move into the city, the buyer demand promises to be stronger in 2008, and I see a stronger 2009 where many of the deals will already be bought up.

What does this mean for buyers? With interest rates still at historic lows and the possibility of a strengthening housing market, 2008 could well be the best time to buy.

Next blog I’ll talk about some national indicators for a strengthening market.

By Helen Krieger on 1/4/2008 7:17:00 PM

Our Fearless Leader: Meet the Urban Vision Broker

MJ Sauer has been renovating homes in New Orleans for more than 10 years. She founded Urban Vision two years ago, and after Katrina found renewed reason to work on housing in New Orleans.

By James Howell on 8/8/2007 6:55:00 PM

Our Offices and Bar: Urban Vision & the Mid-City Yacht Club

Our new offices are over my brand new venture, the Mid-City Yacht Club. This bar combines the efforts of Ben and Stefanie Markey, my husband Jeremy Sauer, and me to make a place to play pool, listen to music, and socialize after working hard to rebuild New Orleans...one house at a time!

By MJ Sauer on 8/8/2007 6:46:00 PM

Tour One of Our Properties: Awesome Penthouse in the Sky!

BEAUTIFUL PANORAMIC VIEW CONDO!
Call us for a tour of this glorious property.

By UrbanVision Properties on 8/6/2007 6:19:00 PM

Welcome to Our New Site: "Be Nice or Leave"

OK, if you're not from New Orleans you may not get the title of this blog entry, but it's a New Orleans standard saying, used on signs by the artist Dr. Bob.

By UrbanVision Properties on 8/6/2007 4:29:00 PM

Why New Orleans: Mardi Gras! Jazzfest! Everyday is a Party!

Just thought I'd write a quick blog entry to all those non-New Orleans residents looking at moving to New Orleans. Get ready for a unique American experience: the feeling of living in New Orleans can't be found anywhere else in the world.

By UrbanVision Properties on 8/2/2007 6:29:00 PM

Meet One of Our Agents: James M. Howell

A Native New Orleanian, James Howell is a star agent for Urban Vision, providing personalized service to each prospective buyer or seller. Contact James today to sell your home!

By UrbanVision Properties on 7/30/2007 1:15:00 AM

One of a Kind Mid-City Home

3915 Baudin Street

Gorgeous Mid-City home with spectacular features including an indoor brick bbq pit, sky lights, a gas fireplace, exposed brick walls, granite counter tops, cherry wood cabinets, balcony, courtyard, fabulous bath (with jacuzzi tub and bidet), a full b ...

Adorable Bywater Double

928-930 France Street

Cute double shotgun with wide plank wood floors, bead board ceilings & walls, beautiful wooden doors, fire place mantles & picture molding throughout. Central A/H, new kitchens w/butcher block counters & tile baths added in 2005. Each unit has a litt ...

Beauty AND Value in Resurgent Holy Cross!

717 St. Maurice

Flawless renovation of detailed Arts and Crafts home in rapidly-renovating Holy Cross! Double parlors with Craftsman details, mantels and bookshelves. Three spacious, independent bedrooms and two large tiled bathrooms plus a spacious kitchen and den ...

Perfect for First Time Home Buyer

3019 Banks Street

Independent bedrooms with Closets
Large sitting room
Beautiful wood floors
Roomy kitchen
Stainless steel appliances
Separate dining room
Large sitting room
Large fenced backyard - great for entertaining
Great shed "the man-dome"
Covered of ...

Global Green Built Homes in Historic Holy Cross

417 Andry

Here's your opportunity to live in a 2 bedroom, 1 ½ bath LEED Platinum designed home built by Global Green. withhouse features solar (up to 3k), low E windows, high reflective metal roof, tank- less hot water heaters and energy star appliances. The ...

Renovator's Special

622 Congress St.

Prime opportunity to add your finishing touches to this Bywater Cottage just steps to the River. Formerly a double, but most recently used as a single family home with open floor plan featuring 3 bedrooms & 3 full baths, central air & heat, front por ...

Mid-City & Bayou St.John Beauty

715 N.Lopez St.

Adorable cottage near Bayou St. John, renovated in 2008. Almost everything has been updated including the wiring, plumbing, new windows, new siding and insulation, new sheetrock, and more. The large open living room & kitchen feature an exposed brick ...

Spacious Home in Carrollton Neighborhood

8620 Jeannette

This home was completely renovated in 2004, all new plumbing electrical, roof, foundation, windows, flooring. Attic insulated in 2008 for increased effeciency. Great layout with four bedrooms and two full baths. Open kitchen/dining and living area. ...

Historic 1920's Commerical Building

2940 Canal

Historic former library, 3 floors with open floor plan. Sits on 3 lots with one lot providing parking for approximately 30 cars. Building has been gutted and a new roof was added. Owner will perform foundation work, install pigeon protection, paint t ...

4-plex with a view of the Quarter

3135-39 Burgundy

Beautiful 4 unit building with lots of charm on 1/3 acre, minutes to the F.Q. Building boast floor to ceiling windows leading to balcony with view of the Mississippi River, wood floors, 12 ft ceilings, Lg. landscaped grounds w/2 private decks, 8 car ...

Esplanade Avenue Elegance

1433 Esplanade Avenue

Make this elegant Esplanade Avenue house your home! Grandly-proportioned double-parlors feature cypress pocket doors. Other architectural details include mantels, cove ceilings, French doors, hardwood floors, 12’ ceilings.
Spectacular kitchen featu ...

Stylish Marigny Double

2453-55 Burgundy St.

Stylish Marigny Creole Cottage featuring 2 spacious units with exposed brick between posts construction, glowing wood floors, sunny double parlors, independent bedrooms, mantles, lots of closets & ceiling fans throughout.

Large master bedrooms wi ...

Beautiful Marigny Cottage with 3 Units & Lush Yard

727 Port St.

Beautiful Marigny Cottage featuring 3 spacious units, all independently metered & brimming with historic details such as wood floors, wainscoting, 14 foot ceilings, mantles, medallions, pocket doors & more. The owner’s unit includes cathedral ceilin ...

Magazine St. Retail Space Priced to Sell Quickly!

4332 Magazine St.

Prime Magazine St. retail space with storefront and residence. The first floor is currently leased to a popular coffee house. Downstairs includes the storefront, a charming courtyard & a separate storage building. The 2nd floor apartment has a double ...

Rustic Bywater Cottage on a Lush Double Lot

800 Poland Ave.

Lovely 2 story Bywater Cottage on a double lot featuring glowing wood floors and ceilings, open floor plan great for entertaining, working fire place, private bedrooms, 2 full baths with claw foot tubs, 10 pairs of French doors & lots of natural ligh ...

Spacious Cottage in Marigny

528 Franklin Avenue

Wonderful cottage with a large feeling in a compact footprint of 1680 square ft. Great layout with open kitchen/dining area, large living area, full bath down, french doors to brick courtyard. Three independent bedrooms up, master has balcony overloo ...

Tropical Marigny Retreat

1020 Music St.

Great renovation of this classic Victorian with beautiful wood floors and historic details through out. The spacious eat-in kitchen features butcher block counters, lots of cabinets, Jenn Air appliances, and Kholer fixtures.

Master bath sanctuary ...

Awesome Renovation

437 South Telemachus

Beautiful 2bed/2bath renovated single shotgun with a great layout set on an double lot w/ off-street parking. Stainless steel appliances, home warranty, and termite contract convey with property. Located just blocks from the streetcar line on Canal S ...

Quarter Studio with Private Balcony

812 Esplanade

Classic French Quarter studio with hardwood floors, the original fireplace, and granite tile in the kitchen and bath. Escape from the city in this second floor, air-conditioned unit with closet space, custom bamboo window shades, and a Jacuzzi tub. F ...

Sleek Bywater Cottage

1032 France St.

Move Right In! Newly renovated single with historic details and charm. 1144 square foot shotgun home features wood floors, bead board ceilings, crown molding, exposed brick fire places and mantles, closets, lots of windows and natural light. Bathroom ...

Adorable Side Hall Cottage at a Great Price!

905 Independence St.

A great opportunity to make this adorable cottage your home at an affordable price! Located in the heart of the Bywater, this lovely side-hall shotgun provides 2 private bedrooms, lots of closets, and a spacious 22 x 16ft great room which opens onto ...

Easy Living in Beautiful Historic Algiers Point

339 Belleville

Enjoy historic Algiers in this brick home only blocks away from the levee. Tree lined street is an easy walk to ferry, library, coffeeshops and parks. Home has an open floor plan with kitchen opening into the living, dining and sunroom. Recently reno ...

Longest Shotgun in the Marigny!

2833 Dauphine St.

The longest house in Marigny, this building is currently used as a popular art gallery. It has been stripped down to its historic and original details and is ready for your vision. It makes a shabby chic art gallery. As a residence, it would need fin ...

Adorable 1 Bedroom Cottage at a Great Price!

3520 Burgundy St.

This petite cottage has it all including hardwood floors, lots of windows and natural light, exposed brick fireplaces, mantles, French doors, ceiling fans, central air & heat, plus a cute patio and dog run. Very well maintained over the years, Timbe ...