Maisha, a true native of New Orleans, faced a unique opportunity that spoke to her love for the community. The chance to buy a double shotgun house next to her parents in Bywater was more than just a real estate transaction; it was about keeping her family close. Her parents, who once ran a café on Frenchmen Street and even started a community garden in the Marigny, were excited about being even closer to Maisha and her daughter.
Having owned her Marigny home for 20 years, where she raised her daughter in the heart of NOLA, Maisha was initially overwhelmed by the thought of expanding her living situation. The new property needed a lot of work, with one side barely touched since a decades-old renovation. Facing these challenges, Maisha reached out to me, knowing we shared not just a friendship but a seven-year history as neighbors. She knew my deep understanding of real estate and, importantly, my commitment to our community. If there was a way to make it work, she trusted I could find it.
Together, we brainstormed an innovative approach that didn’t require selling her cherished home. By using its equity, Maisha could finance the purchase and renovations without uprooting her life. This strategy wasn’t just about getting more space; it was a smart move for her long-term retirement goals and a way to honor her family's legacy by further investing in the neighborhood we all loved. Maisha also felt she could give back more to the community by moving from a single homeowner to owning two long-term rental units, ensuring they were owned by someone who deeply cares about the neighbors and neighborhood.
Owning two homes at once while one was under renovation seemed daunting, especially since Maisha isn’t a wealthy person with all the time in the world. She’s like many readers of this story, and the prospect didn’t seem possible until we showed her how. Yet, the vision of what lay on the other side of this challenge—a closer connection with her family, supported by the financial stability of rental income—made the effort seem not just doable but deeply appealing. Maisha and her parents even joked about removing the fence between their homes so their dog could enjoy pets from the whole family and her dad could announce his visits whenever he pleased.
With the help of our go-to partner at local lender Interlinc Mortgage, Alex Shafirovich, we navigated what it would take for financing. I helped negotiate a firm bargain, leaving room for her renovation project within comfortable financing terms. But what would happen next when she moved forward with the renovation? At Cool Murphy Real Estate, closings aren't code for goodbye. We stick with and by our clients, and this story goes on to share how.
The Happy Ending: Bringing the Vision to Life
After the sale, I brought in Cool Murphy Real Estate Agent, Jess Rocco, for strategic guidance to make the place just right for Maisha. Jess, Maisha, and I sat down together to create a plan that Jess could run with. Jess, a licensed renovation consultant, worked closely with Maisha to understand not just her wish list but her priorities, making sure everything got done on budget. She helped make sure the important things got done and helped Maisha navigate choices on the less important things.
Jess then brought in our partner, Esplanade Construction owner Miguel Angel Villafana Rivera, to get to work, staying on top to manage the project. Their expertise, great service, and strategic partnerships allowed them to get high-quality products and craftsmanship for prices we couldn’t imagine. Together, Jess, Miguel, and Maisha created something truly show-worthy.
Maisha is so happy she stopped me on a recent dog walk to show off pictures of her new kitchen and bath. Her bath is her sanctuary, her temple, her escape, and the end result was just what she needed—but better. The kitchen feels like something from a design website, not only making the flow of the home more inviting but also more practical and beautiful. It took someone else’s rental property and made it home. By working with us, Maisha turned a dream that seemed impossible into a space that truly reflects her, one she can enjoy for a long time. This will also allow her to build towards her financial goals by renting the other side of the duplex and her existing home, creating stability for many years while being there for her parents. That's the win.
We feel so blessed to have been not only a part of this story—Maisha is the hero, not us—but to have helped show the way forward. Maisha’s story is a testament to the power of vision, community, and the lasting bonds of neighborhood friendship. It’s about finding a balance between preserving one’s roots and reaching for new opportunities, a journey Maisha has navigated with grace, backed by a deep love for her community and the city that calls her home.
Voted Neighborhood Favorite by Nextdoor, Cool Murphy Real Estate is a top-producing, licensed real estate firm based in New Orleans.
Elisa and Jess are celebrated for their combination of a next-level creative approach to real estate and the ability to turn visions into reality. Elisa Cool Murphy is an award-winning, top-performing real estate broker in New Orleans and the founder of Cool Murphy Real Estate. Jess Rocco is a top-producing agent at Cool Murphy Real Estate and a licensed renovation consultant.
Contact Elisa -
email: cool@coolmurphy.com
IG: @coolmurphynola
Contact Jess -
email: jess@coolmurphy.com
IG: @jessrocco
