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Learn about common risks as a real estate agent and tips to stay safe during home showings.

Take advantage of safety training and other resources provided by your local REALTOR® Association in Louisiana.

Article provided through SPOT Pet Insurance partnership Key Points Spot plans can reimburse up to 90% of eligible expenses from covered accidents and illnesses. Submit claims online in 30 seconds and get reimbursed — often within 48 hours. Customizable plans and nationwide vet access make emergency care easier to afford and access. Why Emergency Vet Coverage Matters When a pet faces a sudden illness, accident, or injury, every minute counts — and so does every dollar. Emergency vet bills can be overwhelming, especially when costs climb into the thousands. That’s where Spot Pet Insurance can help. Spot’s plans are built to help pet parents handle the unexpected by helping cover eligible emergency vet costs for accidents, illnesses, and injuries. From X-rays and emergency surgeries to prescription medications and hospitalization, Spot helps make sure your pet can get the care they need — with less financial stress. What Do Emergency Vet Visits Cost? Emergency vet care can vary widely based on your pet’s condition, breed, and location. On average, an emergency visit can range anywhere from $150 to $5,000 or more — and that’s before factoring in surgery or ongoing care. Here’s a breakdown of what common emergency services might cost. Diagnostics (bloodwork, imaging, exams): $180 – $450 Pain medication: $40 – $80 Hospitalization: $800 – $2,500 IV fluids: $60 – $95 Surgery: $1,500 – $5,000+ Common emergencies like broken bones, poisoning, heatstroke, or severe infections can quickly become expensive — and unexpected. With Spot Pet Insurance, you can get help covering these eligible costs and focus on your pet’s recovery instead of worrying about the bill. How Spot Pet Insurance Helps with Emergency Vet Bills Spot’s plans help pet parents manage the financial impact of sudden veterinary expenses. Coverage can include: Emergency exams and diagnostics (like X-rays, blood tests, and imaging) Surgery and hospitalization Prescription medications and follow-up care Emergency or specialty clinic visits Spot reimburses up to 90% of eligible costs for covered emergencies, depending on the plan you choose. Whether it’s a late-night visit to an emergency hospital or an unexpected illness, Spot is there to help you cover the cost of care — fast. Customizable Pet Insurance Plans That Fit Your Budget Every pet — and every budget — is different. Spot gives pet parents the flexibility to customize their plan with: Annual coverage limits that fit your needs Deductibles you’re comfortable with Reimbursement rates of up to 90%1 With Spot, you’re in control of your coverage, helping give you confidence when unexpected emergencies happen. Fast and Easy Claims Process Spot knows that emergencies can be stressful, so we’ve made the claims process as simple and quick as possible: Visit any licensed vet in the U.S. or Canada — no network restrictions. Pay your bill at the time of service. Submit your claim online in just 30 seconds through the Spot Member Portal or app. Get reimbursed fast — most claims are processed and paid within 48 hours. This straightforward process means pet parents can spend less time worrying about paperwork and more time focusing on their pet’s recovery. Why Pet Parents Trust Spot During Emergencies Pet parents choose Spot Pet Insurance because it offers more than coverage — it offers confidence and peace of mind when life throws the unexpected your way. Here’s why Spot stands out: No network restrictions: Visit any licensed veterinarian, specialist, or emergency clinic in the U.S. or Canada. Fast claims turnaround: Most claims reimbursed within 48 hours. Flexible reimbursement options: Choose up to 90% back on eligible costs. Extensive coverage: Plans include accidents, illnesses, and even alternative therapies for covered conditions. Spot is designed to help give pet parents the freedom to make the best care decisions — with less worries about financial limitations. FAQs About Emergency Vet Coverage with Spot Pet Insurance Does Spot Pet Insurance cover emergency vet visits? Yes. Spot Pet Insurance helps cover the eligible costs of emergency vet care for covered accidents and illnesses — including exams, diagnostics, surgery, and hospitalization. Can I visit any vet during an emergency? Absolutely. With Spot, you can visit any licensed veterinarian in the U.S. or Canada — no network restrictions or referral requirements. How much can I get reimbursed for an emergency vet bill? Depending on your plan, Spot can reimburse up to 90% of covered expenses after your deductible. How quickly are claims processed? Spot aims to make reimbursement simple and fast. Most claims are processed within 48 hours, helping you recover costs quickly. Does Spot cover follow-up care after an emergency? Yes. If the condition is covered under your policy, Spot also helps reimburse eligible follow-up visits and treatments after the initial emergency care. Key Takeaway When emergencies happen, Spot Pet Insurance is there to help — helping to give pet parents financial relief and peace of mind during stressful moments. With plans that cover eligible costs for accidents, illnesses, and emergency treatments, Spot helps you focus on what matters most: getting your pet the care they need, when they need it. With customizable plans, fast claims processing, and up to 90% reimbursement, Spot makes it easier for pet parents to handle the unexpected — because caring for your pet shouldn’t come with financial worry. Follow this link to learn more about pet insurance, or get a free quote today! Melina Acra, Author With 10 years of experience as a pet parent, I aim to empower pet owners with insights into pet insurance and maintaining their pet's well-being. I aspire to be a trusted source, combining knowledge with a commitment to the welfare of our beloved pets.

Buying a historic Louisiana home? Learn about inspections, renovation rules, insurance, flood risk, and incentives before you make an offer.

Louisiana REALTORS® CEO Norman Morris issued the following statement after SpaceX announced plans to invest $100 billion in a new launch facility in Vermilion Parish. The project is expected to create 3,000 direct jobs and more than 8,100 indirect jobs across Acadiana. “SpaceX’s investment is an extraordinary economic win for Louisiana. We congratulate Governor Jeff Landry, Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois, Vermilion Parish leaders, and everyone who helped bring this historic project home. The housing and infrastructure improvements needed to support more than 11,000 new job opportunities should generate a huge economic boost to the Acadiana and Gulf Coast region. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, each typical Louisiana home sale generates approximately $88,600 in economic activity. Even if only half of the new SpaceX related jobs lead to a home purchase, the impact would generate nearly half a billion dollars across our state's economy. That improves our tax base and school systems, and ripples through our economy touching builders, bankers, hardware stores, appliance dealers, contractors and so many more. “Housing is not downstream of economic development; it is an essential infrastructure. Louisiana REALTORS® and our partners stand ready to help turn these new jobs into homes, stronger communities and lasting roots in Louisiana. Economic development creates jobs, but housing turns those jobs into homes. Let’s make Louisiana home again, together.” Economic-impact estimates are illustrative calculations by Louisiana REALTORS® using employment projections from Louisiana Economic Development and the National Association of REALTORS®’ estimated economic impact per typical Louisiana home sale. They are not forecasts or recurring annual-impact figures. Enjoy the video below from the Louisiana Department of Economic Development .

Explore technology investments that help Louisiana real estate agents stay organized, strengthen client relationships, and market more effectively.

Selling a home in Louisiana? See how an experienced real estate agent helps keep your transaction on track from offer acceptance to closing.

Discover technology Louisiana real estate agents can use to keep buyers and sellers informed, educated, and confident throughout every transaction.

 Candidate qualifying for Louisiana’s November 3 election began Wednesday, August 5, and concludes Friday, August 7. The three-day qualifying period will establish the candidates for all six U.S. House districts, as well as judicial, parish and municipal races across the state. This election cycle includes several changes to Louisiana’s congressional races and election calendar. The state’s U.S. House primaries, originally scheduled for May 16, were canceled following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais. The Louisiana Legislature subsequently adopted a new congressional map that reduced the number of Black-majority congressional districts from two to one. Under the revised election calendar, the November 3 U.S. House contests will use an open primary system. All qualified candidates will appear on the November ballot, regardless of party affiliation. A candidate receiving more than 50% of the vote will be elected. If no candidate receives a majority, the two candidates receiving the most votes will advance to a December 12 runoff. U.S. Senate The November general election will feature Republican nominee U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow and Democratic nominee Jamie Davis. Letlow's Senate campaign has also created an open seat in Louisiana's 5th Congressional District. 5th Congressional District Several candidates have announced campaigns for the 5th Congressional District seat: State Sen. Stewart Cathey State Rep. Michael Echols Louisiana Board of Regents Chair Misti Cordell State Rep. Gabe Firment Cathey, Echols and Firment currently serve in the Louisiana Legislature. Additional candidates may qualify before the deadline on Friday. The 5th District covers portions of northeastern and central Louisiana and extends into the Florida Parishes. 6th Congressional District Congressman Cleo Fields has announced that he will not seek reelection in the newly redrawn 6th Congressional District. Instead, Fields is running in a special election for his former state Senate seat, which became vacant following the death of Sen. Larry Selders of Baton Rouge. The newly drawn 6th Congressional District extends around the Baton Rouge area and includes portions of rural communities surrounding the capital region. State Sen. Rick Edmonds has announced his candidacy. State Sen. Blake Miguez has also been discussed as a potential candidate, although the candidate field will not be finalized until qualifying closes Friday. Federal law requires congressional candidates to reside in the state they seek to represent but does not require them to reside within the specific congressional district. 2nd Congressional District Congressman Troy Carter currently represents the 2nd Congressional District, which extends from the Baton Rouge area toward New Orleans. Under the newly adopted congressional map, the 2nd District remains Louisiana's sole Black-majority congressional district. East Baton Rouge Parish Judiciary All 15 judgeships on the 19th Judicial District Court are scheduled for election following the Legislature's creation of two new judicial election subdistricts. Each subdistrict will elect seven judges, with an additional judgeship elected parishwide. Litigation challenging the new judicial map remains pending. Judicial races are among the contests being monitored by Louisiana REALTORS® and local Political Action Teams. Judicial decisions can have implications for property rights, business activity, litigation and the overall legal environment in Louisiana. Local Elections Voters across Louisiana will also consider candidates for mayors, city and parish councils, school boards, police chiefs and other local offices. While these races typically receive less statewide attention than congressional and statewide contests, local elected officials make decisions affecting land use, zoning, permitting, infrastructure, taxation and housing policy. These issues can directly affect real estate activity and development within local communities. Candidate Lists and Election Information The candidate field will not be final until qualifying closes Friday, August 7. The official list of qualified candidates is available through the Louisiana Secretary of State's Candidate Inquiry portal. The complete election schedule, including key dates for voting, registration and absentee ballots, is available through the Secretary of State's election calendar. For Louisiana REALTORS®, the qualifying period provides an early look at the candidates who will appear on the November ballot and the races that may affect real estate, property rights, development and local communities across the state.

The Louisiana REALTORS® Board of Directors will elect six (6) LR At-Large Directors at its October 1st meeting. Qualifications and an application for the position can be found below.

From the Louisiana Department of Insurance: Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple recognizes fire districts that have received improved fire ratings since last year. Improved fire ratings lead to reduced fire insurance premiums for property owners in the associated area. “Improved fire protection ratings demonstrate the hard work and dedication of fire departments and community leaders. These improvements make homes and communities safer and can reduce fire insurance premiums,” Commissioner Temple said. “Some premium reductions are more than others, but any improvement to the safety and resilience of our communities is a win for everyone.” Fire protection grading is promulgated by the Property Insurance Association of Louisiana (PIAL) and approved by the Commissioner of Insurance. All fire districts are graded on a scale of 1 to 10 by PIAL, with 10 representing no fire protection and 1 representing the best level of protection. The PIAL considers several factors when determining a district’s grading, including the number of dispatchers on duty, the number of firefighters and fire trucks and the availability of water. “I’m extremely proud of the Louisiana Fire Service,” said Department of Public Safety Principal Assistant Chief Bryan J Adams. “They continue to step up, work hard and deliver exceptional service to protect our community. As we partner with them through training and the enrollment support they need to succeed, you can expect continued results like this. Our office is committed to staying at the forefront of collaboration with the Louisiana Fire Service—because we’re truly One Team.” Policyholders in the affected areas should contact their insurance producer if they have questions about how fire rating improvements may affect their fire insurance premiums.  The average annual premium reduction examples below are calculated for a brick masonry home with an HO-3 policy insured for $250,000, with a $500 deductible.

As previously noted in our 2026 legislative session update, HB 468 by Rep. Troy Hebert was adopted with no opposition and was effective August 1, 2026, as Act 807. The Act amends portions of the Louisiana Real Estate License Law (La. R.S. 37:1430, et seq.) to regulate the practice of wholesaling with respect to residential property. Specifically, the Act establishes newly defined terms of “residential real property”, “wholesaler” and “wholesaling” (La. R.S. 37:1431(35) through (37)) and enacts La. R.S. 37:1448.5 to specifically address wholesaling of residential real properties, including required disclosures, written agreements, notices and deposits and also provides for enforcement of the new law. The Act does not prohibit real estate wholesaling. Rather, there are certain requirements for “wholesalers” solely with respect to “wholesaling” of “residential real property.” Each of those terms are defined below. The intent is to make sure that sellers (homeowners) understand the true nature of the wholesaling transaction. To accomplish that, the law requires wholesalers to clearly disclose whether they intend to assign, transfer, or market any rights they have under a purchase agreement for financial gain. The wholesaler must prominently disclose that intent along with advising the seller to seek legal advice before signing each contract and that the seller has the right to cancel the wholesaling contract for any reason and without penalty for at least five calendar days after the execution of the contract. The law expressly requires that each wholesaling contract include the following: "NOTICE REQUIRED BY LOUISIANA LAW: You may cancel this contract at any time before 11:59 PM of [Insert Date]. [Insert Name of Wholesaler] CANNOT ask you to sign or have you sign any cash sale, conveyance or deed, or any other document until your right to cancel this contract has ended. See the attached notice of cancellation form for an explanation of this right. It is advisable that you find your own attorney before signing the contract. The law requires this contract to contain the entire agreement. You should not rely upon any other written or oral agreement or promise." The “notice of cancellation form” referenced above has been published by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission as the “Wholesaling Residential Real Property Mandatory Cancellation Notice” and can be found here . Failure to include that notice renders the contract void and terminable by the seller and in the event of such a termination due to failure to include the notice or other non-compliance by the wholesaler, the seller will receive the deposit. However, if the contract is terminated within the 5-day rescission period, the wholesaler receives the deposit in full. Notably, the Act requires a minimum deposit equal to at least 1% of the purchase price, with funds properly held in escrow, in all wholesaling transactions. In addition, wholesalers are also prohibited from: (a) acting or purporting to act on behalf of the seller whether pursuant to a mandate, power of attorney, or otherwise; (b) representing himself as holding any license or certification or being a member of a licensed profession without the license or certification; (c) placing any lien or other encumbrance on the property; and (d) engaging in any deceptive or unfair trade. Louisiana REALTORS ® is proud to have supported this Act to promote transparency and consumer protection in the real estate industry while allowing for continued investment in our communities through real estate transactions. Definitions: "Residential real property" means real property consisting of one or not more than four residential dwelling units, which are buildings or structures each of which is occupied or intended for occupancy as single family residences. "Wholesaler" means any person or entity that is either engaged in or intends to engage in the wholesaling of residential real property. "Wholesaling" means securing, negotiating, or facilitating the purchase or sale of residential real property with the purpose of transferring, assigning, or selling a contractual right to purchase or any other equitable interest in the residential real property, whether directly or indirectly, for financial gain. The marketing for sale of the contractual rights or other equitable interests constitutes a presumption that the person or entity marketing or selling the rights or interests is engaged in wholesaling. "Wholesaling" includes but is not limited to the following: (a) Entering into a contract to purchase residential real property with the intent of assigning or selling the contractual rights to another party before taking possession or legal ownership of such residential real property. (b) Simultaneously consummating or closing two separate transactions relative to the same residential real property, including one transaction with the original owner and seller of the residential real property and another transaction with the end buyer, without the purchaser providing all funds needed to close the sale transaction with the original owner and seller and without the intent to reside in, occupy, or otherwise materially improve the residential real property.

NAR is sharing its latest consumer guide, Seller Handoff Checklist . Sellers can create a smooth transition for the new owners using the new one-page guide. It offers a handy checklist of information and resources that sellers can pass along—from appliance manuals to paint colors to garbage pickup schedules—as well as suggestions for goodwill gestures that will help buyers feel they made a great purchasing decision. As a reminder, all guides in this series are available for download—in both English and Spanish—on facts.realtor . Please allow up to two weeks for the Spanish version of the latest resource to be translated and uploaded. For ease of reference, below is a list of the most recent guides: NEW: Seller Handoff Checklist Defining Home Buying Needs vs. Wants  10 Tips For Unpacking Smartly After A Move UPDATED: Multiple Listing Services Overcoming Roadblocks to a Sale or Purchase Thank you for your continued engagement with the “Consumer Guide” series and for sharing the resources with prospective clients to ensure they have the information they need to find success in their home buying or selling journey. Remember that these guides are for informational purposes only and are not meant to enact or change any existing NAR policy. Check out the next consumer guide on condominium insurance.

NAR Community and Transportation Preference Survey reinforces need for housing choices and shows support for community design to easily access daily destinations.

New Blueprint for Housing: What the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act Means for Louisiana Real Estate

Learn how consumer education helps Louisiana real estate agents build client confidence, strengthen relationships, and create smoother transactions.

Get ready to press pause on your daily routine and join House Call Home Inspection for an unforgettable blend of education, networking and relaxation aboard the 2026 CE Cruise to Mexico. Departing from the Port of New Orleans aboard Carnival Valor, this annual House Call Cruise sets sail October 17–22, 2026, with ports of call in Cozumel and Progreso. Attendees can enjoy engaging continuing education opportunities, exclusive group activities, and all the dining, entertainment, and onboard experiences Carnival is known for — all while cruising to exciting destinations. While the official 2026 agenda will be released closer to departure, past cruises give a great preview of what attendees can expect. Sample activities and classes from a previous cruise included multiple CE class options, themed cocktail parties, costume night, group photos, a scavenger hunt, and elegant night festivities. Previous educational offerings featured courses such as Seller Ready, New Construction, and Home Inspection, taught by industry professionals — all conveniently hosted onboard, allowing attendees to earn CE credits without sacrificing the vacation experience. Cabin options are available in interior, oceanview and balcony categories, with pricing subject to change. Space is limited, and this popular cruise fills quickly each year. Booking & Travel Information To reserve your spot or ask questions about accommodations and pricing, contact the group travel agent: Chad Fleming Cruise Planners, Independent Franchise (337) 401-2033 chad.fleming@cruiseplanners.com www.timetogeauxtravel.com Please note that this CE cruise is not hosted by or affiliated with Louisiana REALTORS®. 

Learn how Louisiana real estate agents can earn more client referrals by building trust with educational content, local expertise, and consistent communication.