A Jump In Homebuyer Traffic

Even with the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 has seen a lot of upticks in the residential real estate market. In fact, Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), believes that the sales will be higher this year than they were last year. His prediction for next year forecasts an 8 – 12% increase in home sales.

According to ShowingTime which is used by Realtors to track showings, home buyer traffic jumped again in July, recording a 60.7 percent year-over-year increase in nationwide showing activity.

Traffic was up in each region of the U.S. The Northeast saw the biggest increase at 76.6%, the West at 56.7%, Midwest saw an uptick by 52.1% and the South was up 46.7%. Approximately 60% more buyers are out there looking for a home than this same time last year. This indicates that the market has already rebounded from the downturn it faced during the pandemic’s shelter-in-place orders.

“On an aggregated level, the housing economy remains rock solid despite the shock and awe of the pandemic,” noted Frank Martell, President and CEO of CoreLogic.

Now is a great time to sell or purchase a new home. If you are in the market, call a Realtor who can get the best price for both the sale and purchase of a new home.

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New RTA Ferry Between Canal Street and Algiers Point

A new ferry called the RTA 2 took its maiden voyage on October 10, 2020, after two years of delays. Passengers will be taken on the Missississippi River between Algiers Point and Canal Street.

The RTA 1, RTA 2 and another aluminum boat were slated to be completed in 2018. The vessels were completed on time however did not pass a series of Coast Guard inspections. A feud ensued between RTA and the manufacturer that took two years to negotiate.

The RTA 2 is a much-welcomed site at the Algiers Point-Canal Street route which did not have any ferry service for three months last year. The ferries that serviced the route for 40 years had such high repair costs that they were frequently left out of service.

According to the Regional Transit Authority (RTA), the boat is environmentally greener and more fuel-efficient than its predecessors. Marine fuel is known to emit nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides into the air when burning in combustion engines. The RTA 2 releases lower levels of nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides which are the main pollutants caused by marine boats.

The aluminum catamaran-style boat allows for a faster, calmer journey. Passenger Christina Burrle says the ferry does not rock up and down.  She goes on to describe the experience as a smooth relaxing ride.

Guiding the ferry straight across the river might seem like a simple task, deckhand Joshua Burris said. “But it takes a lot of technique, practice and great ship-handling capabilities when you get high river stages and the currents start moving at five, six, seven, eight knots. You can catch yourself in an eddy, kind of like a blender, and you can flip yourself all the way around.”

So far passengers have been pleased with the new ferry. The seats are nicer and the clean cabin offers seats with tables that look out open windows. Under each seat are life jackets stored in a nice pocket under the seat giving passengers easy access if needed. The older ferries provided one big community bin of life preservers.

“It’s only a buck each way. But often there is practically no one riding the ferry,” said the honorary mayor of Algiers, George Hubbell.

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Moonlight & Miracles Virtual Gala, November 1, 2020

This is the 8th annual Moonlight and Miracles Gala in New Orleans.

Virtual
New Orleans, LA 

Tickets $150+

 

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Boo at the Zoo, October 25, 2020

Pee-A-Boo at Boo at the Zoo in New Orleans.

Boo At The Zoo

Audubon Zoo
6500 Magazine Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70118

October 25, 2020
10am – 5pm

$20 per person

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Audubon Boo at the Zoo, October 24, 2020

Annual Boo at the Zoo in New Orleans will have fun activities for the family.

Boo At The Zoo

Audubon Zoo
6500 Magazine Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70118

October 24, 2020
5pm – 9pm

$20 per person

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