Move-up buyers
Ready for more room or a better block? I'll help you time the sale and the purchase so they line up.
Karen Conaway · REALTOR®
"Local Knowledge, Real Results, Pure NOLA"
New Orleans isn't just where I work; it's where I was born and raised. My years spent in the service industry taught me how to read a room, earn trust, and connect with just about anyone. I bring that same energy to every real estate transaction. Whether you're buying, selling, or just starting to dream, let me be your Crescent City Connection!
11
Years in real estate
75+
Transactions closed
$19M+
In closed sales volume
About Karen
From behind the bar to across the closing table.
Before real estate, I spent many years bartending and managing some of the city's most beloved bars and music venues. That world taught me everything about reading people quickly, earning trust across every walk of life, and building the kind of lasting relationships with many of my customers and musicians that actually mean something. Those aren't just soft skills. In real estate, they're everything.
I came into real estate full time after the pandemic because I genuinely like working with people, being their advocate, and doing my best to ensure that they walk away with a good experience. That's not a sales pitch. It's just who I am. My superpower is making connections; after years in the New Orleans service industry, my sphere is as diverse as this city itself.
"There are a lot of places I like, but I like New Orleans better." — Bob Dylan. I know exactly how he felt. I've traveled, I've explored, but at the end of the day, New Orleans is home, and I honestly can't imagine living anywhere else in America. I live in Bayou St. John, my favorite neighborhood in the city. Where else can you find a beautiful canopy of oak trees like the ones on Ursulines Ave., a namesake bayou (yes, there ARE alligators in there on occasion), a dedicated greenway path for exercise, commuting, and weekly community events, Jazz Fest, Sunday Second Lines, and a City Park practically at your doorstep? An ideal Saturday for me looks something like this: brunch at Café Degas, followed by a stroll to City Park to catch an exhibit at NOMA. Happy Hour is a MUST with friends at Pal's Lounge, then live music and delectable Japanese snacks from Nikkei at the Broadside, or perhaps some pinball and a flick at the Broad Movie Theater. This is my neighborhood. This is my city. When you work with me, that local knowledge comes with you.
Want to talk? Let's make it happen →
What I do
Built for sellers — and the people moving with them.
Selling your home
When I take a listing, I use both my personal and numerous business resources through Keller Williams, which has both a national and international reach. Our referral network system is unparalleled; I can network with agents from Los Angeles to Lisbon. Need to transfer elsewhere? I got you. I can reach out to a vetted agent to assist you in finding a new home while I am working on selling yours. Broker Tours, Open Houses, Social Media Marketing, and working with both my sphere and work colleagues are just some of the tools that I will use when selling a home. I'm not afraid to knock on some doors, either.
Downsizers
Less house, more life. I handle the logistics — and the emotions — of letting a long-time home go.
Young professionals
First place of your own? I move at your pace, answer every question, and never rush the call.
Relocation clients
Moving to New Orleans? I'll be your guide to the neighborhoods, the quirks, and the paperwork.
How I work
The first 24 hours, step by step.
No pressure, no script. Here's exactly what happens when we start working together.
1
We meet in person
I keep it casual. I want to get to know you a little, and see whether your energy and mine are a good fit. Building trust and providing value so that we have a good working relationship is my goal.
2
We talk agency
I go over the Agency Agreement for working with Buyers and Sellers, and why a Buyer Representation Agreement is required before we tour any property.
3
We map the when & why
I get a sense of your timeline, your reasons, and any past experience you've had buying or selling. I assist in getting you qualified with a Lender if that is the next step, and answer any questions you may have.
Where I work
Four New Orleans neighborhoods I know block by block.
Tap any neighborhood to read what it's really like to live and buy there — from architecture to price ranges to the everyday details that listings never tell you.
Bayou St. John is where I live, and it's my favorite corner of New Orleans. The neighborhood wraps around the slow water of the bayou itself, with some of the oldest and most beautiful homes in the city sitting right on the bank — Creole plantation houses, Spanish Colonial cottages, and grand center-hall homes shaded by live oaks. You get nature, architecture, restaurants, and entertainment all in one walkable place.
Most days you'll see folks out and about enjoying our beloved Bayou — people out walking, jogging, playing with their dogs, or just relaxing and catching a glorious sunset. It's just easy living here, with coffee and croissants at Le Ponce, my favorite cup of gumbo and BBQ shrimp po-boy from Liuzza's, wine and cheese at Swirl or Café Degas, my go-to falafel sandwich from 1000 Figs, and the best Italian sausage in the city from Terranova's. Paella from Lola's is one of my favorites. It has all that genuine neighborhood feel without any of the pretense. It's a short ride to the French Quarter and Mid-City, but it definitely feels like its own unique neighborhood.
Homes here cover a wide range. You'll find renovated doubles and cottages from the $400Ks into the $600Ks, while the larger historic homes along the bayou can run well past a million. Buyers who land here tend to want character, walkability, and a real sense of community.
If you're thinking about buying or selling in Bayou St. John, I can show you my favorite blocks and why, which homes have good bones, and what insurance is likely to run. I live this neighborhood every day — let's walk it together.
Bywater is one of the most creative neighborhoods in New Orleans — hip, colorful, and full of life. Think brightly painted shotgun and Creole homes surrounded by gems such as live music at The Saturn Bar and BJ's, tacos at Galaxie, po-boys from Frady's, Bud Rips for a good hang, snoballs from Chance in Hell, and the cutest store with the coolest stuff at Chance in Heaven, plus Euclid Records, Pizza Delicious, and the list goes on. The recently renovated Crescent Park along the riverfront has the BEST VIEWS of our city skyline and the Mississippi River. It's a place that rewards walking and wandering.
The architecture is classic New Orleans: 19th-century shotguns, doubles, and cottages, many lovingly restored and painted in colors that add to the signature look and feel of the neighborhood. An eclectic mix of residents have made this neighborhood their own, and it's just an all-around cool neighborhood to visit and live in.
Prices vary widely with size and condition. Renovated cottages and doubles often land in the $400Ks to high $600Ks, with larger or income-producing properties reaching higher. Many buyers here are drawn to the idea of a double — live on one side, rent the other — or a project they can put their own stamp on.
If you're buying or selling in Bywater, I'll be straight with you about which renovations were done well, what permits should be in place, and how flood and insurance factor in. See more on the KW New Orleans Bywater page, then let's talk about whether it's the right fit for you.
The Lower Garden District is a true neighborhood — filled with food, fun, and entertainment, and very walkable. It sits just upriver from downtown, with Magazine Street's shops and restaurants running through it and the St. Charles Avenue streetcar a short walk away.
The architecture is some of the prettiest in the city: Greek Revival and Italianate townhouses, raised center-hall homes, and rows of restored doubles on streets named for the Muses. Coliseum Square anchors the neighborhood with its old oaks and open green. You can leave the car at home and handle most of a weekend on foot. Some of my favorites are grabbing a coffee and The Ozzy Breakfast Bowl at HiVolt, delicious dumpling soup at Lilly's Café, a Fernando from Stein's Deli, and a Sunday Hand Roll Happy Hour at Bisutoro. A margarita and snacks at the OG Juan's Flying Burrito or a hop on over to The Saint for some libations are also on my radar. Le Marais, Trashy Diva Vintage Market, and Trashy Diva are my favorite clothing stores in New Orleans. There is a little something to shop for on Magazine St., from gourmet chocolates at Piety & Desire to a proper shave at Aidan Gill for Men.
Prices range broadly. Condos and renovated doubles often sit in the $300Ks to $600Ks, while larger historic single-family homes can run well above a million depending on block and condition. It draws young professionals, downsizers, and anyone who wants walkability with a real sense of history.
It's also one of the easier neighborhoods to reach downtown from — close to the CBD, the riverfront, and the Warehouse District's museums and galleries. Read the KW New Orleans Lower Garden District page, and I'll help you read the trade-offs block by block.
City Park is one of the real treasures of New Orleans — 1,300 acres of live oaks, lagoons, and open space, with the New Orleans Museum of Art and its free sculpture garden right at the edge. An extensive renovation was done to the park post-Hurricane Katrina, bringing it back to its former glory. Living near the park means daily walks in nature, a wide variety of flora and fauna, and miles of walking and biking paths essentially at your doorstep. Restaurants such as Ralph's on the Park, Charmant, Toups, Michelin-starred Zasu, Porgy's, and another New Orleans treasure, Angelo Brocato's, are all in or near City Park. Pandora's for snowballs is a must in the hot summer months.
The homes ringing the park range from raised-basement bungalows and center-hall cottages to larger renovated homes. Many sit on quiet, oak-shaded streets. It's a part of the city where these gorgeous trees add to the beauty and value. A scenic ride down Marconi Dr. will take you to some other park amenities — a gated dog park, tennis and golf courses, horse stables, a Sunday Farmer's Market, and a straight shot to the Lakefront for the Wednesday Night Sailing Regattas.
Prices vary by pocket and condition. You'll find renovated homes from the $400Ks into the $700Ks, with larger or fully redone properties reaching much higher. Buyers drawn here usually want space, trees, and easy access to the park without giving up a real neighborhood feel.
If you're looking near City Park, I can help you weigh your options. The adjacent Mid-City and Navarre neighborhoods are another good option as well if you're looking at a lower average price point, but close enough to the City Park area and the amenities. We can run some numbers and weigh our options.
What I believe
The insurance rates here are still out of control, and not every agent is up to the task right now.
You deserve someone who tells you the truth — about a roof, an insurance quote, a flood history, or a number that doesn't add up — even when it isn't what you want to hear. That's the whole point of hiring a professional who is here to be objective and act as your fiduciary.
Why work with me
Patient with people. Fearless with deals.
One of my first-time buyers told me she picked me because I was patient — I answered her questions, didn't rush her, and put her needs first. That's the whole job, and it's how I work with everyone. Trust. Value. Results. These are words I live by.
I also don't shy away from a challenge. When a repeat client brought me a 17,000-square-foot building in the CBD as a potential listing, I jumped at the chance! This building was also home to the last recording studio for Cosimo Matassa. Allen Toussaint worked his magic here, and so did The Meters — that bass line in Cissy Strut came to life right here, y'all! I partnered with Jeffrey Doussan, a trusted friend and the principal owner of Keller Williams New Orleans. Together we came up with a plan to list this unique property, while also incorporating the adjacent property into the sale in order for the deal to go through. Collaboration over competition is what I believe in personally, and that is also the vibe at my office .
This building, where JUNEBUG is now located, was recently named a prestigious TOP 10 U.S. NOMINEE for the Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards! I've also been the liaison between two of my dear friends to bring Applied Arts Coffee and Cafe to Bywater at The Old Iron Works. Outstanding coffee, snacks, and homemade gelato await you at the foot of the Rusty Rainbow Bridge! My French Quarter preservation moment was helping the owner of Dauphine St. Books find a stand-alone commercial condo unit to relocate his beloved bookstore near Jackson Square. I don't mention these to brag; it just feels good to be a part of something positive for our city . Connecting people and places, and leaving something lasting behind — that's what I'm proud of.
Backed by Keller Williams Realty New Orleans
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.
★★★★★
Karen went above and beyond helping us purchase a condominium in New Orleans. She even met with the service for us since we couldn't be in town, and she arranged an amazing buy — she truly worked as an advocate for us.
Questions I hear a lot
Straight answers, no runaround.
Every situation is different. I like to find out your individual needs and motivations so we can make the best decision for you. Let's get together and discuss your next steps. In general, real estate is a tried-and-true investment for building generational wealth.
Zillow is a general guide to a property's value, using general data. It may not know you just remodeled the kitchen or added a room — both of which add value to your home. Data is only one part of the equation; a REALTOR® gives you up-to-date market insight alongside the numbers.
I get this question a lot, and there's no single answer. Are you looking to buy, sell, or invest? Commercial or residential? What neighborhood are you looking in? I follow that question with a few of my own, and from there I can give you a real answer based on your needs. I have access to real-time data, and I'll share it with you.
For sellers, my commission is agreed up front and put in writing before we list — no surprises. For buyers, we'll sign a Buyer Representation Agreement that spells out how I'm paid before we tour a single home. I'd rather over-explain the money than have you wonder. Ask me anything and I'll give you a straight answer.
I work a listing like it's my own home. That means open houses, your property across my social channels, and a lifetime of New Orleans connections — locals, musicians, and business owners. I also ask how often you actually want people walking through your place, because it's your home and your call. And every listing goes to my office meetings, so the whole Brokerage is working for you.
Let's talk
Ready to make your move?
Tell me a little about what you're thinking — buying, selling, or just weighing your options. I'll be in touch within 24 hours.