Laura Coakley · REALTOR® · KW New Orleans
A REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty New Orleans — six years in, 80+ closings, and a concierge approach to every move, from luxury homes to first-time buys.
More than 70% of my business is luxury and high-value buying and selling.
About Laura
Before I became a REALTOR®, I was a stay-at-home mom. Running a home — the schedules, the problem-solving, the listening, the patience — turned out to be the best training I could have asked for. It taught me what "home" actually means to a family, and that is the lens I bring to every transaction.
I'm originally from Alabama, where I studied business and psychology at the University of Alabama. New Orleans has my whole attention now. A good Saturday here looks like beignets and coffee at Café du Monde, the St. Charles streetcar through the Garden District, and live jazz on Frenchmen Street after dark. Every neighborhood has its own personality, and I love matching people to the one that fits their life.
I treat every transaction as if it were my own — honest answers, a win-win at the table, and someone in your corner from the first call through closing and beyond.
I work primarily in luxury and high-value real estate, but the standard never changes with the price point. New Orleans is a city built on relationships, and I bring those same values to every client: be honest, be fair, do the work, and want the absolute best for the people who trust you with one of the biggest decisions of their lives.
Want to talk it through? Call me at 504-875-8369 or send a note.
What I Do
High-end transactions are most of my business, but the level of attention is the same whether you're buying your first home or selling your fourth.
More than seven in ten of my transactions sit at the high end of the market, including homes above one million dollars. At that level every detail matters: careful market analysis, nuanced negotiation, discretion, and tight coordination with lenders, title, and attorneys. I run it like a concierge service, start to finish.
70%+ of my businessThe days of a sign in the yard and offers overnight are behind us. I price strategically, market professionally, and give you honest prep advice — so your home attracts the right buyer, on the right terms, with the fewest surprises.
Sellers · Move-up buyersFirst home or forever home, I help you find the right fit without overpaying. I point out the concerns, not just the highlights, and I build a negotiation strategy designed to protect your interests and position you to win.
First-time · Young professionalsNew to New Orleans, settling into retirement, or building a portfolio? I'll help you learn the neighborhoods before you commit, weigh value and potential honestly, and navigate a market made of hundreds of micro-markets.
Relocation · Retirees · InvestorsWhere I Work
The conditions on one block can be completely different from the next. Here's where I spend my time — tap any neighborhood to go deeper.
The Garden District is the postcard New Orleans most people picture — oak-canopied streets, cast-iron fences, and grand 19th-century mansions set back behind manicured gardens. It is rich in unique historic New Orleans homes, and it carries some of the highest values in the city, with restored estates regularly trading well into seven figures and the occasional landmark property beyond that.
Architecturally, this is the heart of Greek Revival and Italianate New Orleans, with raised center-hall homes, double-gallery townhouses, and deep porches built for the climate. Buyers here are paying for provenance and craftsmanship as much as square footage — original millwork, heart-pine floors, plaster medallions, and the kind of detail that does not get reproduced today.
Lifestyle is walkable and unhurried. The St. Charles Avenue streetcar runs the district's spine, Magazine Street's shops and restaurants sit a few blocks toward the river, and Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 anchors the neighborhood's history. It suits buyers who want a true New Orleans address with character, a strong long-term store of value, and proximity to Uptown and downtown alike. If you are weighing a purchase or sale here, this is exactly the kind of market where strategy and discretion matter most.
The Lower Garden District sits just downriver of its better-known neighbor, and it is rich in unique historic New Orleans homes — often at a more attainable entry point than the Garden District proper. Streets named for the Muses, the green expanse of Coliseum Square, and a dense mix of architecture give the area a creative, lived-in energy.
You'll find everything from grand restored townhouses to raised cottages and converted doubles, in Greek Revival, Italianate, and Victorian styles. It rewards buyers who appreciate character and see the upside in a neighborhood that has been steadily restored over the past two decades. Values range widely block to block, which is exactly why local guidance matters — two homes a street apart can tell very different stories.
Day to day, the Lower Garden District is genuinely walkable. Magazine Street's coffee shops, boutiques, and restaurants are at your doorstep, the riverfront and Crescent Park are close, and downtown is a short ride away. It suits young professionals, design-minded buyers, and investors who want New Orleans authenticity with momentum behind it.
The Audubon neighborhood is classic Uptown New Orleans — leafy, established, and rich in unique historic New Orleans homes. Built around Audubon Park and the stretch of St. Charles Avenue near Tulane and Loyola universities, it is one of the city's most consistently sought-after areas for families and long-term owners.
Architecture here leans toward stately: center-hall homes, raised Victorians, Colonial Revivals, and substantial early-20th-century houses on generous lots. Prices reflect the location and the schools, with well-kept homes commanding strong values and turnover that tends to be slower because owners stay. That stability is part of the appeal for buyers thinking in decades rather than years.
Lifestyle revolves around the park — the golf course, the Fly along the river, jogging loops under live oaks, and the zoo — plus easy access to the universities, Magazine Street, and the streetcar line. It suits established families, university-affiliated buyers, and anyone who wants green space, walkability, and a settled, residential feel without leaving the city. I'm happy to walk you through current inventory and what fair value looks like block by block.
New Aurora and English Turn offer something different from the historic core: exclusive, gated luxury homes and community on the West Bank, across the river in Algiers. English Turn in particular is built around a championship golf course and country club, with security gates, wide streets, and large custom homes on sizable lots.
This is the market for buyers who want space, privacy, and newer or custom construction — the kind of square footage and amenities that are hard to find in the historic neighborhoods. Homes here often feature open floor plans, modern systems, pools, and golf-course or water frontage, and they appeal to executives, athletes, and families who prioritize a turnkey, resort-style setting with controlled access.
The community feel is a genuine draw: a private club, golf, dining, and neighbors who chose the same lifestyle. New Aurora rounds out the area with established residential streets nearby. For luxury buyers and sellers, English Turn transactions reward discretion, precise pricing, and an agent who understands how this gated market moves differently from the rest of New Orleans. That's work I do well.
Curious what your neighborhood is doing right now? Ask me for a local read — or browse all KW New Orleans listings →
How I Work
My goal is simple: make the process feel organized, manageable, and stress-free from day one. Here's what happens once we start.
It starts with a conversation. I want to learn your goals, your timeline, and what matters most — your ideal home, neighborhoods, budget, and deal-breakers if you're buying; your property, selling goals, and timeline if you're selling. Most importantly, I listen.
After our call, I build a plan tailored to you.
I don't believe in wasting your time. For buyers, I schedule showings that match your goals and point out both opportunities and concerns. For sellers, I visit the property, evaluate its strengths, and give honest recommendations to maximize your return.
When the right opportunity appears, I move quickly. I explain every document, every deadline, and every option — you'll never feel pressured or confused. If we're submitting an offer, I develop a negotiation strategy built to protect your interests.
Within 24 hours you'll have a personalized action plan, clear timelines and next steps, property recommendations or a market analysis, contacts for trusted professionals, answers to your open questions, and direct access to me whenever you need guidance.
I become invested in every client I serve. Communication, honesty, and advocacy matter — and no problem is too big for me to tackle. You don't have to navigate real estate alone. From our first conversation to closing day, I'm in your corner.
Why Work With Me
"This is why I picked you." — what a client told me mid-deal
I become personally invested in every client I serve. On one deal that turned complicated fast — inspection concerns, tight deadlines, a lot of moving parts — my client stopped me and said exactly that: "This is why I picked you." What meant the most was the reason: they could tell I genuinely cared. That's the standard I hold myself to.
When obstacles show up, I focus on the solution, not the problem. I stay in constant contact with inspectors, lenders, title professionals, and contractors so the details never land on you. We closed on time, and my clients walked away confident in their decision.
Expertise matters. But caring about people and consistently showing up for them is what truly makes the difference. No problem is too big for us to solve together — and I'll be here long after the keys change hands.
Ready when you are. Let's talk about your move →
I'm part of New Orleans' only multi-generational, family-owned real estate brokerage — 136 agents, $250M+ in annual transactions, 28 years building this market.
In Their Words
"In my buying and selling of properties within 25 years, Laura is an absolutely incredible, amazing, and successful realtor. She helped us save time, energy, and expense — and made it easy to settle on our favorite house. She is my best agent."
"Laura was a very professional and diligent realtor — hands on and knowledgeable, with a firm grasp of the local market. She worked tirelessly to bring the two sides together, down to the furniture in the apartment. She made the deal happen."
"Laura is always available, and goes the extra mile. She helped me sell one home and buy two properties. You won't find another realtor that is more involved and puts your needs first."
What I Believe
The "perfect" house is often the enemy of a great opportunity.
I watch buyers spend months waiting for a home that checks every box, only to miss properties that would have been an excellent fit and a smart investment. In a city as unique as New Orleans, every home has character, quirks, and trade-offs. Sometimes the best decision isn't finding perfection — it's recognizing value, potential, and the right location when it shows up.
And price isn't always the most important number. The strongest deal is often the one with the best terms, the smoothest path to closing, and the fewest surprises. A slightly higher number can cost more in stress, delays, and concessions than people realize. Real estate isn't just about properties — it's about people, and I never lose sight of that.
What I won't do
Pressure you into a decision you're not comfortable with. My job is guidance, not a push.
Put a transaction ahead of your best interests. If I see a red flag, I'll tell you — even if it slows the deal down.
Disappear once the contract is signed. You get consistent communication and advocacy through closing and beyond.
Good Questions
The questions I get asked most — answered honestly, the way I'd tell you over coffee.
don't try to time the market—focus on your goals.
If the right home fits your needs, budget, and long-term plans today, waiting for lower rates may not necessarily save you money. When rates drop, more buyers typically enter the market, competition increases, and home prices can rise. What you save on the interest rate could potentially be offset by paying more for the home itself or competing in multiple-offer situations.
I encourage my clients to look at the bigger picture. Can you comfortably afford the payment today? Does the home meet your needs? Is it a property you can see yourself enjoying for years to come? If the answer is yes, it may make sense to move forward now and refinance later if rates improve.
Every buyer's situation is different, which is why I don't believe in one-size-fits-all advice. My job is to help you understand the numbers, evaluate your options, and make the decision that is right for you—not the market headlines.
The best time to buy isn't when interest rates hit a certain number. The best time to buy is when you're financially prepared, you've found the right home, and the decision supports your long-term goals.
The real estate market is always changing, which is why I encourage clients to focus on their specific goals rather than national headlines.
What I'm seeing is a market that rewards preparation. Buyers generally have more opportunities and negotiating power than they did during the extremely competitive years of the recent past. At the same time, well-priced homes in desirable locations are still attracting strong interest and selling successfully.
For sellers, the days of simply putting a sign in the yard and expecting multiple offers overnight are largely behind us. Today's market requires strategic pricing, strong marketing, professional presentation, and an agent who understands how to position a property effectively.
For buyers, there can be advantages right now. Less competition often means more time to make decisions, more room for negotiations, and opportunities to secure seller concessions that weren't common in hotter markets.
My advice is simple: there isn't one real estate market—there are hundreds of micro-markets. The conditions in one neighborhood can be completely different from another. That's why I focus on local data, current inventory, and my clients' individual goals rather than broad national trends.
Whether the market is up, down, or somewhere in between, people still need to buy homes, sell homes, relocate, invest, and start new chapters in their lives. My role is to help clients understand the market they're actually in and create a strategy that helps them succeed.
Let's talk through the numbers before you commit to anything. In most purchases the way commissions are paid is negotiated up front and spelled out in writing, so there are no surprises at closing. I'll walk you through who pays what, how it shows up on your settlement statement, and where there's room to negotiate. My promise is simple: you'll always know the cost of a decision before you make it, not after.
No. More than 70% of my business is luxury and high-value property, including homes above one million dollars, but I treat every client the same way—first-time buyers, move-up families, retirees, and investors all get the same attention and advocacy. The price point changes the strategy, not the standard of service. If you're buying or selling in New Orleans, I'd like to help.
I become personally invested in every transaction and I handle the details so you don't have to. I stay in constant contact with inspectors, lenders, title professionals, and contractors, and I'd rather flag a real concern early than push a deal that isn't right for you. Clients tell me they hired me because they could tell I genuinely care. That's the part I won't compromise on.
Let's Talk
Tell me a little about what you're thinking — buying, selling, or just getting your bearings. I'll be in touch within 24 hours.
No pressure, no spam — just a real reply.