In the Bywater, a neighborhood as vibrant as the folks who call it home, lived a remarkable woman. She was the kind of neighbor everyone dreams of—full of life, a champion for the arts, the LGBTQ community, and a true believer in the magic of drag.
Her life, tragically cut short by an accident, left a void not just in hearts but in the cozy corner of the city she had made her home.
Her family, grappling with grief, faced the daunting task of parting with her condo and the treasures within. They reached out to us, as realtors and fellow community members, seeking guidance through this challenging time. We faced a puzzle: we needed to prepare the home for sale, find a new owner for it, and find owners for the contents, all while navigating a down market with grace.
But there was a catch: the proceeds from both the sale of the home and its contents were to go to charity, managed by the Charitable Estate of the deceased. The final decisions on pricing, contracts, etc., would be made by them. The benefiting charities, Doctors Without Borders and Heifer International were both headquartered out of state.
Understanding the delicate situation, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work. We created a staging strategy that highlighted the home's best features, including a room-by-room plan detailing which art, antiques, etc., would stay and which needed to be edited to show the home at its best. Minor repairs were also addressed. We then tapped into our VIP estate partners and crafted a strategy.
The treasures within the home were addressed in two phases. Phase 1 entailed the Estate Team removing objects for online sale, allowing us to showcase beautiful art, antique furniture, and collectibles within our staging plan. Phase 2, post-staging and securing a buyer, involved hosting an in-home estate sale to find new owners for the remaining treasures, with proceeds meticulously recorded and sent to the overseeing charitable estate.
We cleaned, presented, and promoted the property beautifully, aiming to do its former owner justice and find someone who would appreciate the place as much as she did.
Then, as if by fate, along came a woman who was struck by the soul of the home the moment she stepped in. Not just any buyer, she was the missing piece of the puzzle—an art lover, a mother, and a community advocate, touched by the same causes that the previous owner had supported.
As this new chapter began, we collaborated again with our estate experts, ensuring each piece of art and item of significance found a new home where it would be cherished. The new buyer even helped promote the event locally, bringing in additional neighbors, friends, and community advocates, each contributing to the cause in their own way.
During the final walk-through, the connection between the old and new owners deepened. The new buyer’s son, a graduate of NOCCA, fondly recalled the original owner, a routine docent at his school and an inspiration for the art he continues to create.
Standing there, watching the new owner and her son plan where to hang their art, surrounded by laughter and future plans, it struck me how homes in New Orleans are more than just structures; they're treasure chests in their own right, containers of stories, love, and legacy.
Finding a buyer is often like finding a key for a lock, and this home was no different. I’m honored to have been a steward for this home for a short while. Our journey wasn't just about closing a sale or navigating a difficult time; it was about honoring a life, celebrating new beginnings, and the beauty of finding the right fit.
Voted Neighborhood Favorite by Nextdoor, Team Cool Murphy is a top-producing, licensed real estate team based in New Orleans, brokered by Cool Murphy, LLC.
Celebrated for her next-level creative approach to real estate, Elisa Cool Murphy is an award-winning, top-performing real estate broker in New Orleans and the founder of Cool Murphy Real Estate.
Contact Her -
email: cool@coolmurphy.com
Facebook: @homeinneworleans
IG: @coolmurphynola
YouTube: @coolmurphynola
phone: 504-321-3194
