{"id":489,"date":"2015-03-05T00:10:55","date_gmt":"2015-03-05T00:10:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/foundation\/?p=489"},"modified":"2015-03-05T00:10:55","modified_gmt":"2015-03-05T00:10:55","slug":"buying-a-home-in-new-orleans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/blog\/buying-a-home-in-new-orleans\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Things Every New Orleans Homebuyer Needs to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

First-time homebuyers who want the thrill and excitement of living in the Big Easy could be considered adventurous, culture-loving folks who might be a little lost when it comes to what to expect. While there are some really great deals, you need to do your homework first.<\/p>\n

Here are some tips on moving to New Orleans<\/a>, straight from our local experts.<\/p>\n

1. Consider Flood Insurance<\/h2>\n

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Source: Flickr user Bart Everson<\/div>\n

Not all home listings will tell you if you\u2019re in a flood plain and need to purchase flood insurance. If you\u2019re lucky, the previous owner will have had flood insurance and you can take over theirs. If not, you might have to go to the courthouse and figure it out on your own. New Orleans floods at times with big storms, and flood insurance can add hundreds a month onto your monthly payments.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0Make Sure You Choose the Right Neighborhood for Your Lifestyle<\/h2>\n

Orleans Parish, with its higher prices and crime rate, may not be a place for\u00a0younger families. On the other hand,\u00a0Movoto Certified Agent Cassandra Johnson<\/a>\u00a0recommends families try nearby Jefferson or St. James Parishes. There are also some subdivisions younger families might like, including Stonebridge<\/a> and Timberland Estates<\/a>.<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0Research Homebuyer Incentives<\/h2>\n

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Source: Flickr user Bart Everson<\/div>\n

You can get great incentivization grants from the government, and they can be larger the closer you get to downtown. Johnson said she recently helped a family get a $36,000 loan in Jefferson Parish and has seen families qualify for $56,000 in relocation grants for Orleans Parish. It\u2019s a way to try and convince people to move back to the area, since so many people fled after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.<\/p>\n

4. Not All Agents Know About These Programs\u2014or Are Willing to Help<\/h2>\n

Some real estate agents in New Orleans won\u2019t work with families who are looking to take advantage of the grant assistance programs mentioned above. Do your homework and ask a lot of questions and find the realtor who can meet your needs and can help you take advantage of the opportunities out there for home buying here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Like what you see? Check out the rest of Movoto Foundation<\/a> for more great home-buying tips!<\/center><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

5. There Are Termites Everywhere<\/h2>\n

Be sure to have any home you like thoroughly inspected for termites. A lot of lenders don\u2019t require termite certificates, which means as long as there isn\u2019t an “active” termite infestation, you might not know about it unless you bring in an independent home inspection company.<\/p>\n

6. The Commute Times Aren\u2019t Bad, but the Roads Are Bumpy<\/h2>\n

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Source: Flickr user Bart Everson<\/div>\n

Streets in this part of Louisiana<\/a> are notoriously filled with potholes. So think twice about attempting a bicycle commute to and from work. Consider using the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) for longer commutes.<\/p>\n

7. Watch Out For Toxic Drywall<\/h2>\n

After Hurricane Katrina, lots of homes in the area were rebuilt using what has now been deemed to be toxic drywall. A home inspector should be able to tell you, but sometimes you\u2019ll need to specifically request a test to make sure you\u2019re safe and won’tto redo your walls later on.<\/p>\n

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