LESLIE HEINDEL AND HEATHER SHIELDS
THE
HOME BUYING AND SELLING PROCESS
LESLIE HEINDEL AND HEATHER SHIELDS
If you’re looking for an advocate with heart, fight, and soul, rather than one just wanting their next commission, we’re 100% your Realtors.
That’s why you’ll stay with us, but the reason you’ll choose us is because of our combined 20 years of experience in a competitive market, and the reputation we have as being the most collaborative agents in the game. There’s a reason Team Be New Orleans is a name recognized area-wide.
We’re in it for the long haul, and have steadily grown our clientele solely on referrals and the strength of our listings and negotiations. We are great buying and listing agents because we’re ethical, socially conscious, experienced, and genuinely want the very best for our clients and community.
MEET BE NEW ORLEANS
Be New Orleans consists of two of New Orleans’ best Realtors and is your guide to New Orleans real estate and neighborhoods. Prepare yourself for an insider’s look and feel for each area. We will give real estate market information, and while no one can predict the future, we will help you navigate the direction things are heading.
Knowing the real estate market is only a piece to the puzzle, if you are considering an area you also need to know what’s happening in that area and if it’s compatible with your wants and needs. From proximity to the nearest fire and police stations to the everyday essentials such as grocery stores, restaurants, and shops – Be New Orleans has you covered.
LESLIE HEINDEL
As a fifth-generation New Orleanian, Leslie is a native who knows her city’s neighborhoods like the back of her hand. She can tell you how the city has changed and will continue to change and understands why you just can’t ever leave here.
HEATHER SHIELDS
Heather grew up in Richmond, VA, but over 10 years ago, her “1/3 life crisis” led her to New Orleans. She fell in love with the architecture, history, and the neighborhoods, and eventually, with Algiers Point. She has spent the last several years renovating her home there, preserving its historical elements.
BE NEW ORLEANS ARE TOP NOTCH
Laura
J.
YOUR CITY
Whether you are a transplant or a long time local to New Orleans, we all are here because we love it. We love our weirdness, our community, our creativity, our green areas, amazing neighborhoods, our food, and our sense of endless possibilities.
ETHOS
Buying or selling a home isn’t always easy. For many, it’s terrifying and emotional. We will never get tired of seeing clients squeal, cry, and happy-dance. As you traverse moving your life to another space, we’ll listen to you, and get excited with you. We’ll be there every step, or respectfully stand back. Whatever you need, we’ll do it together.
THE HOME BUYING PROCESS
A new home is calling! You’ve been scouring real estate websites, working on your finances, and watching the market.
You’re looking for something that not only checks your boxes, but is also a wise investment. Here’s how we make it happen:
OBTAINING A PRE - APPROVAL
Before we even tour, you need to get preapproved for a loan. It’s very easy to get qualified by a lender, and we have several exceptional lenders on our roster. Believe it or not, who you choose as your lender is just as important as who you choose as your realtor.
Everyone’s finances are unique, and a truly great lender will be able to put all the pieces together, strategically, to get you the most “bang for your buck.”
HOUSE HUNTING
Once you establish a budget with your lender, we sit down for a chat about what your new home may look like. We will go through your present and future needs to narrow down the most important criteria. This may include the neighborhood, how much repair you’re willing to take on, or the pros and cons of various features. Then, we’ll begin touring!
If you’re starting this adventure from outside of New Orleans, modern tech makes longdistance transactions very easy to facilitate. We’ll combine virtual tours, increased communications and help you coordinate any trips you make to come see houses in the area.
“SHE WAS THERE FOR EVERY QUESTION, CONCERN, AND EVERY OBSTACLE. SHE MAKES EVERYTHING HAPPEN EXACTLY THE WAY YOU NEED IT TO. THANKS TO HER, WE GOT EVERYTHING WE ASKED FOR AND MORE IN CLOSING ON OUR NEW HOUSE. SHE HAS ALL THE CONNECTIONS YOU COULD POSSIBLY NEED, TO HAVE EVERY DETAIL EXCEED EXPECTATIONS.”
ERIN T.
WRITING THE OFFER
Once you have found a property you want to buy, the next step is to make a formal written offer. The offer will include: how much you are willing to pay, what type of loan you will be using, how long you have to inspect the property, and when you would like to close on the deal, and other provisions we will discuss in detail when the time comes.
OUR NEGOTIATION STYLE
We believe in collaborative negotiation.
We believe in understanding both sides’ needs and making sure everyone walks away with a beneficial result financially, emotionally… heck, spiritually!
We believe that we can advocate for you without a scorched-earth approach.
We go in, take your pain points and key concerns of the other party, discern the root cause of these points to understand their seller’s motivation. From there, we search for common ground.
Our ideal negotiation? The one that ends with a box of chocolates, a bottle of wine and a handwritten letter on the kitchen counter from one party to another.
This is why our clients are often clients for life, and why our colleagues love working with the Be New Orleans team.
DEPOSIT EARNEST MONEY
Most offers will require you to put down a deposit of 1% of the sales price, which is called “earnest money.” Don’t worry, this is a portion of your down payment, not in addition to it. This shows the seller you are serious about buying. Earnest money is typically refundable if you choose to terminate within certain contingency periods, like unexpected results on inspections or appraisals.
RECEIVE DISCLOSURES
In most cases, the seller will provide you with Sellers Property Disclosures. The intention is to inform you of any deficiencies that the seller knows about and help you understand the home’s history. In no circumstance should this replace home inspections - it just adds more to the story of a home.
HOME INSPECTIONS
Here you will need to do your due diligence in evaluating the condition of the house. We will get Inspectors to inspect several aspects of the house—especially to look for health and safety issues. The subsequent reports will tell a lot about a house!
NEGOTIATE REPAIRS
Once we get all of the inspection reports, we prioritize and decide what, if any, structural, health, or safety repairs are needed. This is where we negotiate with the seller! There are two ways to address repairs—credit or repair. If we agree on repairs, those would be completed before closing.
The credit from the seller can look like a credit towards your closing costs/prepaids, so you can keep some money in your pocket to pay for repairs after you close on the house. Every situation is a little different, and we will always communicate with you and consider your needs in the repair negotiations.
ORDER APPRAISAL
Your lender will order an appraisal to make sure the home is in its represented condition and in line with comparable home sales in the area. You will not be present during the appraisal but should receive a copy of the final report before closing.
COSTS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER
As a home buyer, these are some of the fees that you might see during your purchase. These fees differ case by case, but will include inspection fees, lender fees, title/escrow fees and commission.
There are three important parts of the cost of buying a home:
DOWN PAYMENT:
This can be as little as 3% of the purchase price. I know! Not the 20% you keep being told! Of that downpayment, you’ll need to have about 1-2% of the purchase price readily available to deposit right when your offer is accepted as Earnest Money. Remember, this is a part of your total down payment, not in addition to it. The balance of the down payment isn’t due until closing.
INSPECTIONS:
Your inspection period is where we get the house inspected to try our best to find out everything we can about the house. You’ll need to budget about $1000 to pay for inspections. This is out of pocket and will need to be paid at time of Inspections.
CLOSING COSTS:
Closing costs are all the lender and title fees associated with the transaction, plus pre-paid taxes and home Insurance. This will be an additional 2-3% of the purchase price, also due at closing.
usually 3-9 months of taxes and
HOW DO WE GET PAID?
Typically, real estate commissions are determined by a contract between the seller and the listing agent and are negotiated before the home is placed on the market. Due to new legislation, many sellers may choose not compensate a buyer’s agent. You would then be expected to pay your agent for their time and work. We can discuss this further in person!
CLOSING
Closing is when all of the hard work you put in comes to fruition. In Louisiana, you sign and close on the property on the same day. This day is referred to as closing day. On closing day, guided by a title attorney, you’ll sign all of the loan and title documents. Once the paperwork is complete, you will receive the keys and gain access to your new home. All you really have to do is show up, get the keys to your new home, and celebrate your achievement!
CONGRATULATIONS!
You just bought a house! That wasn’t so bad, was it?
THE HOME SELLING PROCESS
You want to sell your house for top dollar. Turns out, that’s a goal we share! In this guide you’ll find helpful material regarding our keys to a great sale.
SELLING YOUR HOME
Your home has served you well. But it’s time we find the perfect buyer to fall in love with it. In this market, maximum value means selling quickly. We want your house to be packaged perfectly, and to change hands smoothly.
HERE’S HOW WE DO IT →
SET GOALS
If you’re about to take the plunge into selling your home, it’s essential to know just what goals and expectations are driving your journey.
Do you want top dollar at any cost? Is an easy transaction priority above all else?
Think carefully - this can make all the difference! With these priorities in hand, we’ll use them as our map for success.
“LESLIE AND HEATHER WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND IN SELLING MY HOME. THEY PROVIDED EXCELLENT STAGING ADVICE AND ANSWERED ALL MY QUESTIONS PROMPTLY. I RECEIVED AN OFFER WITHIN 24 HOURS OF LISTING AND CLOSED WITHIN A MONTH. THE ENTIRE PROCESS WAS SEAMLESS AND EFFORTLESS. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!”
HOLLY J.
PRICING YOUR PROPERTY
Pricing your home is a subtle art form and should be done by experts with an intimate knowledge of your local market– like us! We keep a close eye on local market analytics and fluctuations, so when it’s closing time, you get a price you’re satisfied with.
How do we do it? We find that subtle sweet spot of pricing which piques interest around your property while hopefully inspiring competitive bidding from potential buyers.
PREPARE YOUR HOME
With years of experience in the industry, our team is uniquely qualified to prepare your house for sale. From paint colors to light fixtures, we have a sharp eye that can spot what potential buyers are likely looking for and know which improvements will help make it stand out from others on the market.
Moreover, we boast an incredible network of professionals with diversified expertise who work together to ensure your home looks its best.
STAGING
Our final step in house prep is to make your home stand out. We are known for our eye in design and work with only the very best. Staging can give you a significant advantage in terms of aesthetics and visual impact, helping to sell homes faster and for higher prices. We can discuss the price of staging for your home to ensure it meets your needs and budget.
TAKE PHOTOS
High quality professional photos are essential when it comes to marketing a home. Buyers shop for homes online, and the first thing they see is the photography and videography.
We offer gorgeous professional images that showcase each room and highlight the best features of your house as well as a floorplan walkthrough for potential buyers.
GO LIVE
Once we’re done preparing your home, it’s time to hit the market!
We’ll communicate in the way that works best for you, be it phone calls, texts and emails –even virtual meetings if that works for you. Just sit back and let us do the heavy lifting.
LAUNCH MARKETING PLAN
Marketing is major when selling your home, and a place where we really shine. We are passionate about making sure your home catches the eye of potential buyers.
We use multiple strategies to achieve maximum exposure across web, email, social media, paid advertising and our personal networks. These steps ensure that we put our best foot forward when we first go live on the market.
ACCEPT OFFER AND NEGOTIATE TERMS
Once you get an offer, we’ll lay it all out for you and make sure there’s no confusion on your end. The decision is yours to either accept, reject, or negotiate the offer.
Don’t worry if negotiating isn’t really your thing. Our team will be by your side every step of the way so no detail goes unnoticed and all bases are covered. Let’s make this deal happen!
HOME INSPECTION
Once the terms are agreed upon, the buyer will conduct a thorough house inspection. These inspections may lead to another round of negotiation, in which case we’ll be ready to advise and renegotiate on your behalf.
APPRAISAL
Before you can close the deal on selling your home, the buyer’s lender will send an appraiser to the house to assess the home compared to other sales in your area. A 30-minute visit will give the appraiser an idea of your home’s fair market value and from there they’ll make their report.
CLOSING, TIME TO CELEBRATE
Your hard work is finally done! In Louisiana, you sign and close on the property on the same day, known as closing day. Guided by a title attorney, you’ll sign all of the loan and title documents. Take your time before signing, review all documents carefully, and don’t hesitate to ask us any questions that come up. Once everything is finalized, you can officially hand over the keys.
Congratulations! You successfully sold your home and are ready to transition to your next big adventure.
SELLER COST ESTIMATE
As a home seller, these are some of the costs that you should keep in mind. Costs may differ case-by-case and more information will be provided once we get to know your specific property.
Listing Prep
Repairs requested by buyer
Title fees
Paying off your mortgage (if you have one)
Commissions:
We will determine commissions with you by contract before placing your home on the market.
With years of local experience under our belt, we’re confident we offer something truly special.
Our strong listings, ethical and socially conscious practices, as well as our experience has allowed us to steadily expand our client base solely through referrals.
If you’ve been searching for someone who will look out for your interests both in terms of real estate value as well as values that go beyond financial gain– stop looking. We are those Realtors.
Make sure to connect with us so you can get to know us better. Follow Be New Orleans on Instagram at @beneworleans
NEIGHBORHOOD G U IDE
New Orleans is home to 73 amazing neighborhoods, each with its own distinctive flavor. Here in New Orleans, we might head uptown for shopping, downtown for the vibrant nightlife, or towards the lake or the river for a relaxing day out. New Orleans culture thrives in these unique areas, and you could spend days exploring any single quarter of the city.
But when it comes to living, we know you have different criteria. Use this guide to find the perfect location for your move based on your lifestyle—and maybe one for us to grab drinks after closing!
A NOTE ABOUT THIS SECTION
New Orleans is our passion—so much so that we have a whole website dedicated to exploring the ins and outs of the city. You can find the information you read in this section and much more at BeNewOrleans.com .
Becky H. “ “
BE NEW ORLEANS WAS UNBELIEVABLE
NEW ORLEANS NEIGHBORHOODS
LESLIE HEINDEL AND HEATHER SHIELDS
DISCOVERING UPTOWN
NEW ORLEANS
Put a group of locals in a room and ask them for the boundaries of Uptown New Orleans. Chances are, you will get different responses.
Uptown, for many of us, compromises the following neighborhoods: Garden District, Lower Garden District, Irish Channel, Milan, Touro, Audubon, Black Pearl, East & West Riverside, Carrollton, East Carrollton, and Freret.
Each neighborhood has its own feel and offers different amenities. The price ranges in these areas can also vary drastically. The closer to Audubon Park you get, the more expensive!
We can discuss more to find the right fit for you!
UPTOWN
MID CITY AREA:
Bayou St. John: One of the most coveted New Orleans neighborhoods due to its location on the bayou and walkability factor.
City Park: The name says it all! This neighborhood offers the 1300-acre park as your outdoor space. Raised basement and Art & Crafts homes are most popular here.
Navarre: Although this area is largely considered part of Lakeview, it is its own special place. The streets are tucked away, but being so close to City Park gives it one of the best locations in the city.
Mid-City: In a city full of neighborhoods with charm and character, Mid-City manages to shine bright like a diamond. A good mix of homeowners, renters, and businesses, Mid-City offers all the quirks New Orleans is known and loved for.
BEST IN THE BUSINESS! HEATHER SHIELDS AND LESLIE HEINDEL ARE TOP NOTCH. I TRUST THEM IMPLICITLY. THEY CAME HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, SO I USED THEM TO SELL MY MOM’S CONDO. I LIKED THEM SO MUCH THAT I HIRED THEM TO SELL MY COMPLICATED HOUSE AND PLAN TO USE THEM TO BUY ANOTHER HOUSE.
LAURA J
MID CITY
DOWNTOWN:
French Quarter: The ornate wrought-iron balconies, wrap-around porches, lush courtyards, secret gardens, and gas lanterns will leave you mesmerized. She is unapologetically loud and, at the same time, the most sophisticated of places.
Marigny: Note the lush greenery in the neighborhood, which lures you in and makes every day feel like a vacation. The residents of this neighborhood are diverse – you’ll find many musicians, artists, dreamers, and families who have lived here for generations.
Bywater: It’s one of New Orleans’ most colorful neighborhoods, and the architecture is dreamy, especially if you love Creole Cottages, with Victorian touches and details.
CBD/Warehouse District: This is THE place for condos. The professionals & second-home owners love being downtown.
WEST BANK: YEP, IT IS STILL NEW ORLEANS
Algiers: It seems like there are two types of people who live in Algiers. You are either one of the families that have been there for generations or one of many who figured out there are plenty of affordable housing options that aren’t far from downtown.
ALGIERS
Algiers Point: Algiers Point is New Orleans’ second oldest neighborhood. With that, it gives us a lot of history and plenty of charming, old houses. This area offers a mix of architectural styles – Greek Revival, Italianate and Creole Cottages, single and multifamily and Victorians.
ALGIERS POINT
GENTILLY:
The Gentilly area is actually made up of many different neighborhoods as well. You may have heard of Filmore, Milneburg, Gentilly Terrace, Pontchartrain Park, Gentilly Woods, St. Anthony & Dillard. Well, these are all considered Gentilly!
Mostly known as a more suburban area, it takes no time at all to get downtown.
Most of the area was developed during the mid-20th Century and mainly offers raised cottages and brick ranch style homes.
GENTILLY
NEW ORLEANS METRO: THE BURBS
Metairie: This is the largest region in the metro area outside the New Orleans city limits. Metairie offers your chain restaurants, shopping malls, and less walkability.
Gretna: Located on the West Bank of the city, this city has a more historic section with more traditional New Orleans-style houses. Gretna also has other sections with brick ranches and national chain stores.
Arabi: This town is located in St. Bernard parish and is closer to downtown New Orleans than most other metro areas. Old Arabi is filled with long-time residents and historic homes. Arabi Heights offers more newly built homes.
North Shore: Across Lake Pontchartrain, you will find the cities of Mandeville, Madisonville, and Covington. While this would be an hour’s commute into the city for work, many people do it every day!
METRO AREA
HOLY CROSS:
With some of the city’s best views, you’ll love walking your pup or jogging along the Mississippi River levee. You won’t ever get tired of seeing the two Dollut houses. They are iconic steamboat-inspired homes right on and near the levee.
Creole cottages, traditional shotguns, Queen Anne, and even some random ranch homes will all be found in Holy Cross – and most have more yard space than you can find elsewhere in the city.
FONTAINEBLEAU:
Fontainebleau is like the new girl in school. She didn’t come around till the turn of the 20th century. This New Orleans neighborhood gives you an inviting feel as residents greet each other while strolling under the large oak trees.
Architecturally, Fontainebleau offers California Bungalow, Craftsman, Mission Revival, and some Spanish Revival.
FONTAINEBLEAU
HOLY CROSS
THANK YOU
On behalf of our whole team, let us say that we are so glad you are thinking about, or have decided to, choose us as your realtors.
Know that you’ve made a connection for life and that we are always here to support you, especially after your transactions! We look forward to many great years in partnership with you!
