The buyer's desk · New Orleans
Thinking of buying
a shotgun home?
Use this guided notebook to learn about a shotgun home in New Orleans before you buy. It shows you where to look, what to ask and how to keep your answers together.
- Made for first-time buyers
- 8 steps you can do at your own pace
- Save or print your notes
What will you have when you finish?
One worksheet for the house you are considering, with the information you found, the questions you still need answered and who to ask next. You can save it, print it or share it with Ryan and your home inspector.
- 1. Add the house address.Use the address from the listing. It gives your notes a name. Entering it does not automatically search for records.
- 2. Work through the eight steps.Open the suggested websites or ask for documents, then come back here to write down what you found. You can skip a step and return later.
- 3. Keep your notes and questions.Save before you leave. Your summary brings the missing answers together so you know what to ask about next.
Stuck on something? Write what you do not understand and choose "I need help or an answer." You do not need to solve every question yourself.
Start with the house you are considering.
Copy the address from the listing or the documents your agent gave you.
Your notes are not saved automatically. Use "Save in this browser" below before closing the page.
Check 01 of 08
Not startedAre you looking at the right property?
Start with the address in the house listing. A parcel is the piece of land the house sits on, so matching the address to the City's parcel record helps you avoid researching the wrong property.
Where to start
These links open in a new tab. Search or read there, then return here to add your notes.
What to look for and write down
Open City Property Viewer and search the address. Check the location on the map, then write down the parcel number (the land's reference number) and any different address shown. For a double shotgun, check the address on each side.
How to research permit history (opens in a new tab)Example note, just to show you how
The listing has two street numbers. I found one parcel on the City map but still need to confirm that it covers both sides.
Different addresses or an unclear map? Ask Ryan or the company handling the ownership checks for your purchase to help you match the records.
Keep your research
You can save notes for one house at a time in this browser.
Save a copy before you leave this page.
To return later, open this page in the same browser on this device and choose "Load my saved notes." Anyone using this browser profile can load them too. Download a text copy to keep notes for more than one house.
Bring to the next conversation
Your questions & next steps
The questions and next steps you write above will appear here. An empty list means you have not added any yet.
PROPERTY RESEARCH WORKSHEET Shotgun Homes New Orleans Property: Address not entered Other addresses / units: Not entered Your plans for the house: Not entered These are the notes you entered. They have not been independently verified by this tool. Ask the relevant inspector, City office or insurance agent to explain what they mean for this house. QUESTIONS AND NEXT STEPS You have not added any questions yet. Steps you have not worked through still need checking. ALL EIGHT STEPS 1. Are you looking at the right property? Status: Not started Where you found the information: Not entered Date checked: Not entered What you found: Not recorded What you still need to find out: Not entered What to do next, who to ask and when: Not entered Research links: City Property Viewer: https://property.nola.gov/ Assessor: property and tax records: https://nolaassessor.com/ How to research permit history: https://shotgunhomesneworleans.com/blog/check-permit-history-shotgun-house-new-orleans/ 2. What building work has the City approved? Status: Not started Where you found the information: Not entered Date checked: Not entered What you found: Not recorded What you still need to find out: Not entered What to do next, who to ask and when: Not entered Research links: One Stop App: City permit search: https://onestopapp.nola.gov/ One Stop search help: https://onestopapp.nola.gov/Help.aspx Read the permit research guide: https://shotgunhomesneworleans.com/blog/check-permit-history-shotgun-house-new-orleans/ 3. Are there special rules for changing this house? Status: Not started Where you found the information: Not entered Date checked: Not entered What you found: Not recorded What you still need to find out: Not entered What to do next, who to ask and when: Not entered Research links: City historic districts & landmarks: https://nola.gov/next/hdlc/topics/landmarks-and-districts/ City Property Viewer: https://property.nola.gov/ Guide to historic house renovation rules: https://shotgunhomesneworleans.com/blog/renovating-shotgun-house-hdlc-approval/ 4. What can you find out about flooding? Status: Not started Where you found the information: Not entered Date checked: Not entered What you found: Not recorded What you still need to find out: Not entered What to do next, who to ask and when: Not entered Research links: FEMA Flood Map Service Center: https://msc.fema.gov/portal/search City Ready for Rain guidance: https://ready.nola.gov/rain/ Research flood risk and elevation: https://shotgunhomesneworleans.com/blog/check-flood-risk-elevation-certificate-shotgun-house/ 5. Is there a document showing the height of the house? Status: Not started Where you found the information: Not entered Date checked: Not entered What you found: Not recorded What you still need to find out: Not entered What to do next, who to ask and when: Not entered Research links: City elevation certificate service: https://nola.gov/request-elevation-certificate/ Flood insurance guide to elevation certificates: https://www.floodsmart.gov/get-insured/elevation-certificates Understand elevation documents: https://shotgunhomesneworleans.com/blog/check-flood-risk-elevation-certificate-shotgun-house/ 6. Can you use the house the way you plan to? Status: Not started Where you found the information: Not entered Date checked: Not entered What you found: Not recorded What you still need to find out: Not entered What to do next, who to ask and when: Not entered Research links: Ask the City about allowed property use: https://nola.gov/next/safety-and-permits/topics/zoning-administration/zoning-determinations/ One Stop App: City permit search: https://onestopapp.nola.gov/ Is a double legally two-family?: https://shotgunhomesneworleans.com/blog/is-double-shotgun-legally-two-family-home/ 7. What do you know about the roof, wiring and plumbing? Status: Not started Where you found the information: Not entered Date checked: Not entered What you found: Not recorded What you still need to find out: Not entered What to do next, who to ask and when: Not entered Research links: One Stop App: City permit search: https://onestopapp.nola.gov/ Plan the property inspection: https://shotgunhomesneworleans.com/blog/inspect-before-buying-new-orleans-shotgun-house/ 8. What still needs a professional to check it? Status: Not started Where you found the information: Not entered Date checked: Not entered What you found: Not recorded What you still need to find out: Not entered What to do next, who to ask and when: Not entered Research links: What to inspect before buying: https://shotgunhomesneworleans.com/blog/inspect-before-buying-new-orleans-shotgun-house/
Ask Ryan about this property.
The button below opens a message in your email app with the house address and your question. To include your full notes, choose "Download notes" above, then attach that file to your email.
Ryan can help you decide what to ask next. Your home inspector, the City and your insurance agent can answer questions about condition, allowed use and insurance.
Preview email draft
Hi Ryan, I'd like to discuss this property: [add property address]. I'd appreciate help identifying the next research steps. I can share my property research worksheet separately.
Send it yourself from your email app. Or contact ryan@shotgunhomesneworleans.com.
PROPERTY RESEARCH WORKSHEET Shotgun Homes New Orleans Property: Address not entered Other addresses / units: Not entered Your plans for the house: Not entered These are the notes you entered. They have not been independently verified by this tool. Ask the relevant inspector, City office or insurance agent to explain what they mean for this house. QUESTIONS AND NEXT STEPS You have not added any questions yet. Steps you have not worked through still need checking. ALL EIGHT STEPS 1. Are you looking at the right property? Status: Not started Where you found the information: Not entered Date checked: Not entered What you found: Not recorded What you still need to find out: Not entered What to do next, who to ask and when: Not entered Research links: City Property Viewer: https://property.nola.gov/ Assessor: property and tax records: https://nolaassessor.com/ How to research permit history: https://shotgunhomesneworleans.com/blog/check-permit-history-shotgun-house-new-orleans/ 2. What building work has the City approved? Status: Not started Where you found the information: Not entered Date checked: Not entered What you found: Not recorded What you still need to find out: Not entered What to do next, who to ask and when: Not entered Research links: One Stop App: City permit search: https://onestopapp.nola.gov/ One Stop search help: https://onestopapp.nola.gov/Help.aspx Read the permit research guide: https://shotgunhomesneworleans.com/blog/check-permit-history-shotgun-house-new-orleans/ 3. Are there special rules for changing this house? Status: Not started Where you found the information: Not entered Date checked: Not entered What you found: Not recorded What you still need to find out: Not entered What to do next, who to ask and when: Not entered Research links: City historic districts & landmarks: https://nola.gov/next/hdlc/topics/landmarks-and-districts/ City Property Viewer: https://property.nola.gov/ Guide to historic house renovation rules: https://shotgunhomesneworleans.com/blog/renovating-shotgun-house-hdlc-approval/ 4. What can you find out about flooding? Status: Not started Where you found the information: Not entered Date checked: Not entered What you found: Not recorded What you still need to find out: Not entered What to do next, who to ask and when: Not entered Research links: FEMA Flood Map Service Center: https://msc.fema.gov/portal/search City Ready for Rain guidance: https://ready.nola.gov/rain/ Research flood risk and elevation: https://shotgunhomesneworleans.com/blog/check-flood-risk-elevation-certificate-shotgun-house/ 5. Is there a document showing the height of the house? Status: Not started Where you found the information: Not entered Date checked: Not entered What you found: Not recorded What you still need to find out: Not entered What to do next, who to ask and when: Not entered Research links: City elevation certificate service: https://nola.gov/request-elevation-certificate/ Flood insurance guide to elevation certificates: https://www.floodsmart.gov/get-insured/elevation-certificates Understand elevation documents: https://shotgunhomesneworleans.com/blog/check-flood-risk-elevation-certificate-shotgun-house/ 6. Can you use the house the way you plan to? Status: Not started Where you found the information: Not entered Date checked: Not entered What you found: Not recorded What you still need to find out: Not entered What to do next, who to ask and when: Not entered Research links: Ask the City about allowed property use: https://nola.gov/next/safety-and-permits/topics/zoning-administration/zoning-determinations/ One Stop App: City permit search: https://onestopapp.nola.gov/ Is a double legally two-family?: https://shotgunhomesneworleans.com/blog/is-double-shotgun-legally-two-family-home/ 7. What do you know about the roof, wiring and plumbing? Status: Not started Where you found the information: Not entered Date checked: Not entered What you found: Not recorded What you still need to find out: Not entered What to do next, who to ask and when: Not entered Research links: One Stop App: City permit search: https://onestopapp.nola.gov/ Plan the property inspection: https://shotgunhomesneworleans.com/blog/inspect-before-buying-new-orleans-shotgun-house/ 8. What still needs a professional to check it? Status: Not started Where you found the information: Not entered Date checked: Not entered What you found: Not recorded What you still need to find out: Not entered What to do next, who to ask and when: Not entered Research links: What to inspect before buying: https://shotgunhomesneworleans.com/blog/inspect-before-buying-new-orleans-shotgun-house/