Historic Louisiana

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LATTER & BLUM was already twenty
years old when this photo was taken in the
new office in April 1936.
LATTER & BLUM, INC./REALTORS
A tradition of quality service provided since
1916 has led LATTER & BLUM Inc./Realtors
to the forefront of the real estate business in
New Orleans and the Gulf South covering
Louisiana and Mississippi. Throughout the
firm’s history, it has helped shape the city’s
dynamic economy while respecting its rich
heritage, a balanced approach that has made
LATTER & BLUM itself a part of the city’s past,
present, and dynamic future.
The year was 1916 and two young
entrepreneurs, Harry Latter and Joseph Blum,
formed a partnership that has flourished to
become the largest and most successful real
estate company in the Gulf South. Latter arrived
in New Orleans in 1908, bearing a brief letter of
reference: “H. Latter is a bright and willing lad
and is sure to give satisfaction. He is leaving
London.” His natural gifts for the real estate
business, enhanced by his love and enthusiasm
for his adopted city, were a perfect complement
to the attributes of Joseph Blum, a quiet,
thoughtful man, who had never experienced the
slightest doubt about the future of New Orleans.
In the earliest years, agents who served both
commercial and residential clients handled all
real estate transactions from a single, central
location. Because the city’s suburbs had not yet
been developed, a large part of the business
took place in the city, and the company
handled primarily commercial real estate.
During this period the name LATTER &
BLUM Realtors became synonymous with the
incredible historical growth and development
of the New Orleans region.
LATTER & BLUM’s leadership responded to
the growth and development of the city and the
corresponding needs of its people for more
specialized service by adapting and expanding
the company’s operations. This expansion led
to LATTER & BLUM’s position as market leader
in the real estate industry, including services to
clients needing homes, commercial and
industrial properties, leasing, shopping
centers, high-rise buildings, insurance,
mortgages, and more. With its unequaled
background and expertise, LATTER & BLUM is
positioned to handle both individual and large
corporate clients.
In the early 1980s, as regional industries
began to experience a slump in production
resulting from decreased oil production, LATTER
& BLUM decided for the first time to attain
leadership outside of the founders’ families.
Robert W. Merrick, a nationally respected
appraiser and community leader, assumed
ownership of LATTER & BLUM in 1986 and
within a few short years grew the firm to its
current regional presence as the dominant real
estate firm in the Gulf South. LATTER &
BLUM grew from internal growth as well as
numerous large and small strategic acquisitions
of quality real estate firms in the region.
Growth has been constant in the years
since, including the acquisition of over
fourteen companies, development of a large
property management division in 1988,
formation of LATTER & BLUM insurance in
1991 and Essential Mortgage in 1999.
LATTER & BLUM has grown its nationally
recognized Relocation Division to its current
status as the largest organized relocation
service in the Gulf South, handling more
incoming corporate transferees than any other
firm in the region. In 2001 LATTER & BLUM
was recognized by RELO, the premier
relocation network in the nation, as the top
Relocation Broker in its category, nationwide.
Latter and Blum expanded the company’s
operation into Baton Rouge, with two offices
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