I help move-up buyers, sellers, and investors across Orleans and St. Tammany Parish build real wealth through real estate, one informed decision at a time.
Before real estate, I was a teacher, an oilfield roughneck, and eventually a safety advisor on offshore rigs. Those jobs taught me two things that still drive everything I do: how to work hard in high-stakes environments, and how to translate complicated information into something people can actually use.
I've lived in Dubai, graduated high school in Jakarta, and traveled to 36 countries. I've seen a lot of the world, and I can tell you without hesitation there is nowhere like New Orleans. No city has a living culture this organic, the architecture, the people, the food, the music. It doesn't feel staged. It just is. That's why I came back to raise my family here, and it's why I fight for every client who wants to be part of it.
I grew up watching my dad make his clients real money in the oilfield. I wanted to do the same thing, but for everyday people.
A perfect Saturday tells you the rest: brunch at Ralph's on the Park, a walk through City Park's Sculpture Garden and NOMA with my wife and two little girls, then home to make chicken and andouille gumbo with the LSU game on in the background. I've had the privilege of guiding close friends and clients from renters to owners to investors, building wealth one property at a time. That's the whole point.
Most of my clients are making a move that's bigger than their last one. Here's where I spend my time, and where I can save you the most money and stress.
The buy-and-sell-at-the-same-time challenge most agents avoid. We run your numbers before you make a single move, what your home sells for today, what that equity unlocks, and what the bridge looks like if there's a gap. I've coordinated same-day closings clients didn't think were possible.
Pricing your home correctly is the whole game. An overpriced listing that sits kills your leverage on both ends. A clean, well-priced home that moves fast gives you the timing and the terms to compete on your next one. I'll tell you the real number, not the optimistic one.
I help first-time buyers access grant and closing-cost programs they don't know exist. I once got a renting college friend into a home with a first-time-buyer grant and seller-paid closing costs, she's now keeping that house as a rental while we find her next one.
I analyze investment properties for clients building long-term wealth across Orleans and St. Tammany Parish. Sometimes that means telling you to hold when the numbers say hold, even when selling would pay me a commission. The asset has to work for you, not for the transaction.
Questions about your situation? Call me at 504.335.7481, no pitch, just a real answer.
Most agents send you a Zillow link and wait. Here's what actually happens when you work with me.
I call back fast, and I'm not pitching, I'm listening. Three questions: why are you moving, what's your timeline, are you pre-approved? If not, I connect you with a trusted local lender before we go further. Every first call ends the same way: let's get 30 minutes on the calendar before I pull a single listing.
The most important meeting we'll have. Wants vs. needs, target neighborhoods, timeline, budget. I pull live market data, median price, months of inventory, days on market, for every area you're considering, and walk you through how offers actually work here: flood zones, insurance costs, leased solar disclosures, inspection norms. No surprises later.
I build your search in the MLS with the exact filters from our conversation and turn on real-time alerts. You see listings the moment they hit, not recycled Zillow data. You get a text: you're live, send me anything that grabs you and I'll pull the full picture.
I preview the shortlist on paper first and cut anything that wastes your time. On tour I'm narrating the whole way: roof condition, HVAC age, drainage, signs of water intrusion. I flag what you won't catch. I'm your scout, not a tour guide.
A text within a few hours: what stood out, what to skip, any red flags. If something has legs, I pull fresh comps that night. Any urgency I communicate is data-driven, never manufactured.
Before I write anything, I walk you through it: list price vs. offer, escalation if needed, inspection contingency, timeline. I write clean offers. Once accepted, you get a one-page "What Happens Next" covering every key date and action item.
Within two hours of acceptance: your full transaction timeline, an inspector recommendation, the lender contact to lock your rate, and insurance guidance. I check in at every milestone, inspection, appraisal, clear to close. You never have to wonder where things stand.
Every neighborhood here behaves differently. These are the ones I know best, and the kind of buyer each one suits.
Lakeview is where I live, and it's the neighborhood I know down to the block. Residents love the walkable streets and the strong sense of community, Harrison Avenue's coffee shops and restaurants, the lakefront a few minutes north, and easy access to City Park to the south. The housing stock runs the full range: rebuilt post-Katrina homes with modern systems, raised classics, new construction, and larger lots than you'll find closer to the river. That mix is exactly why it works for so many buyers, a young professional's first purchase, a growing family's move-up home, and an investor's rental can all live on the same street. It's one of the few New Orleans neighborhoods where the elevation, the schools, the amenities, and the resale story all line up at once. If you want a place that holds its value and feels like a real community the day you move in, Lakeview is usually the first place I point move-up buyers. I track what's selling here every month, so when something comes up that fits your budget and your timeline, you'll hear about it from me before it's all over the apps.
Explore Lakeview on KW New Orleans →
Fountainebleau and Marlyville sit in the heart of the city, full of well-built established homes and a lot of history. This is classic New Orleans architecture, center-hall cottages, raised-basement homes, and bungalows with real character, at a more accessible price point than the neighboring ZIP codes. That's the whole appeal: you get quiet residential streets and the kind of detail buyers fall in love with, without the Uptown premium. It's become a top target for value-focused homebuyers in Orleans Parish who want square footage, a yard, and a short commute to almost everything. The area draws families and young professionals who've been priced out elsewhere but refuse to compromise on quality of life, and it rewards buyers who move with a plan. Because these are older homes, knowing what you're buying matters, foundations, wiring, and drainage are exactly the things I walk through with you before you fall in love with a place. If you're hunting for the most home your dollar can buy inside the city, this is one of the first neighborhoods I'll put on your map, with a real read on which blocks are appreciating fastest.
Navarre is a small neighborhood that punches well above its size. Tucked between Mid-City and Lakeview and within walking distance of City Park, it's bursting with community, local street festivals, neighborhood restaurants, and parades that roll right past front porches. That combination of walkability, affordability, and genuine neighborhood feel is pulling in a wave of buyers who've been priced out of Uptown but won't trade away their quality of life. The homes here are tidy and characterful, the lots are manageable, and you're minutes from the museums, golf, and green space that make this corner of the city so livable. It's a strong pick for young professionals and families who want to put down roots somewhere that still feels like a secret. I talk about Navarre constantly with buyers chasing value and long-term upside, because the fundamentals, location, community, and proximity to City Park, are the kind that hold up over time. If you want to be where the parades pass and the neighbors know your name, this is the one to watch, and I'll tell you honestly when the right listing is worth moving on.
Audubon is one of the most prestigious residential neighborhoods in the city, set along St. Charles Avenue near Audubon Park and Tulane and Loyola universities. This is landmark New Orleans architecture, grand center-hall mansions, raised Victorians, and stately homes shaded by some of the oldest oaks in the country. The neighborhood pairs that beauty with substance: top-rated schools, the streetcar at your doorstep, the park and the zoo a short walk away, and enduring real estate values that consistently attract serious buyers and investors. Demand here is deep and durable, which makes pricing and timing especially important, these are properties where the right strategy can mean a meaningful difference at the closing table. I work with both luxury buyers who want a forever home on the Avenue and investors who understand that Audubon's fundamentals don't waver with the cycle. Buying a historic home here means understanding what you're getting into, and I flag the foundation, wiring, and insurance realities before you're emotionally committed, never after. If you're looking at the most established address in New Orleans and you want someone who will protect your money as hard as you'd protect it yourself, this is exactly the kind of transaction I'm built for.
A client came to me ready to sell their multifamily property. I told them not to. The market wasn't right for it, and the numbers said hold, more equity, more cash flow, more time to let the asset work for them. They had their reasons and sold anyway. But on the way out, they looked at me and said, "This is why I picked you."
Not because I closed the deal. Because I told them the truth when the truth cost me a commission. That's the job. My role is to be your fiduciary, to build a relationship, not just to close a transaction. If the numbers don't make sense, I'll tell you. If the timing is wrong, I'll tell you that too.
Some agents want the deal. I want the next ten years with you as a client. If it doesn't make sense to buy or sell right now, we'll make a plan for when it does, and I'll be here when it's time. The commission isn't worth more than your trust, and your trust isn't worth more than your financial wellbeing.
Start a conversationPocket listings hurt buyers and sellers. Sellers leave money on the table, and buyers lose out on homes when they're the ones playing by the rules.
I won't pressure you into a decision that doesn't serve you. Not a purchase that stretches you past your comfort zone. Not a sale in a market that isn't ready for your property. Not a move that looks good on paper but doesn't get you closer to where you're trying to go.
If the numbers don't make sense, I'll tell you. If the timing is wrong, I'll tell you that too. If it doesn't make sense to buy or sell right now, we'll make a plan for when it does, and I'll be here when it's time.
He helped us purchase our first home and was great from start to finish, extremely informative, patient, and took the time to walk us through every step. He had an excellent system to narrow down options and great communication the whole way. We found exactly what we wanted at a great price.Alex R · First-time buyers
Philip was both our buyer and seller agent and was wonderful through each transaction. Buying and selling can be stressful, but his expertise and suggestions really helped us through two successful transactions. He was always available, patient, and helpful.Mary B · Buyer & seller
Our agent went above and beyond to get our property the most visibility possible. He was available to answer questions and made selling our home a pleasant and effortless experience. I recommend him to anyone looking to sell or buy.John L · Seller
It depends entirely on the neighborhood. Lakeview and the Northshore are behaving differently than Mid-City or Gentilly right now. I publish monthly neighborhood-level market reports, median price, days on market, months of inventory, so you can see exactly what's happening where you're buying or selling.
I get this one every week. Here's the honest answer: timing the market is a losing game. The right question isn't "what are rates doing?", it's "what does my monthly payment look like at today's rate, and does the house make sense at that number?" If it does, we move. If rates drop later, we refinance.
Navarre and Gentilly are the two I talk about most with buyers who want value and long-term upside. Navarre sits between Mid-City and Lakeview, walkable, affordable, and attracting a wave of buyers who are priced out of Uptown but don't want to compromise on quality of life.
Gentilly is the sleeper pick: larger lots, more square footage per dollar, and a community that's been quietly growing for a decade. On the other side of the city, Bywater has already made its move, one of the most culturally rich neighborhoods in New Orleans, where buyers who got in early have seen serious appreciation. If you want the honest neighborhood-by-neighborhood breakdown, I publish it every week.
Most of New Orleans is historic, that's not a warning, it's the draw. But older homes here come with things you need to understand before you buy: pier and beam foundations, knob-and-tube or cloth wiring, cast iron drain lines, and wood-frame construction that termites find just as charming as buyers do.
None of these are dealbreakers if you know what you're looking at. A good inspector is non-negotiable on any pre-1970s home. I flag these issues before my clients fall in love with a property, not after. The French Quarter, Bywater, Carrollton, Lakeview, Fontainebleau, and Audubon are full of beautiful historic homes, you just need someone in your corner who knows what to look for.
Tell me where you are and where you're trying to go. No pitch, no pressure, just a real read on your situation and a plan for what's next.
