Common Homebuyer Mistakes: How a REALTOR® Can Help

Louisiana REALTORS • September 3, 2021

Buying a home can be one of the most exciting, and stressful experiences you can have. This is the largest purchase that you’ll ever make, and there can be pitfalls along the way if you aren’t careful. However, partnering with a knowledgeable and professional REALTOR® cannot only make this a smooth transaction, but an enjoyable one as well. Here are three mistakes that are easy for first time homebuyer and how your REALTOR® can help you avoid them.


Don’t Shop Around Without Being Pre-Qualified


One of the biggest mistakes is to begin shopping for a home without having a clear picture of your needs and to have your financing lined up. Skipping this can be a tremendous waste of time and energy for everyone involved. Your REALTOR® can be a great resource for helping you look at several lender options or ask your friends and family for referrals. It is also important to know that once you are pre-approved that you should not take on any new financial obligations like making big purchases or applying for a credit card. This can change the terms of your mortgage or even forfeit it.


Consider All of the Costs, Not Just the Mortgage Payment


While your monthly mortgage should be a key concern, there are many other financial considerations to be made. Homeowners insurance, taxes, home maintenance costs, and more can all add up quickly. Other factors like a new commute to work, schools, and more are all directly influenced by the location you choose. This is where a REALTOR® can be invaluable. Your REALTOR® can help you consider what these costs will look like, help you plan accordingly, and make the best decision possible.


Not Using a REALTOR®


This may have been implied as the expertise of a REALTOR® has been demonstrated throughout this list, but this is an all-to-common mistake made by many homebuyers. Take time to make sure your REALTOR® has the experience and expertise that will not only help you find the perfect home, but will be a tremendous resource in negotiations and seeing the transaction successfully through. Communication skills, patience, and good problem solving when working as your trusted partner are just some benefits of using a REALTOR®.   

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2026 Legislative Session Scoop - Week 1 Recap

By Louisiana REALTORS® • March 13, 2026
Louisiana’s 2026 Regular Session opened this week with several developments that matter directly to REALTORS ®, property managers and housing providers, alongside some broader political shifts worth watching. HB 292: Security Deposit Return Timelines Rep. Delisha Boyd’s HB 292, which addresses procedures for returning residential security deposits, was deferred to next week. This provides additional time for stakeholders to engage with members on practical impacts for lease administration, move out inspections and documentation standards. We’ll continue working to ensure any changes to deposit law are clear, workable and do not expose housing providers to unreasonable liability. Land Use and Development: St. James Parish Decision The Louisiana Supreme Court’s recent St. James Parish decision significantly tightens the standards for overturning local land use decisions, reinforcing that zoning and permitting authority rests with parish and municipal governments as long as their decisions are not arbitrary or capricious. For real estate and development, that means more predictability if projects are aligned with adopted plans and ordinances, but also higher stakes in local elections, planning processes and parish-level negotiations. Governor’s State of the State In his State of the State address, Governor Jeff Landry reiterated his push to phase out the state income tax, expand the LA GATOR and MJ Foster scholarship and workforce programs, and replace vehicle inspection stickers with a QR code system. These programs frame a debate around long-term competitiveness, workforce readiness and household cost of living which are all key drivers of housing demand and migration patterns. Business & Market Trends The business community is focusing the session on insurance, workforce and energy. Commercial and property insurance costs remain a top concern for employers and property owners, and we are monitoring civil justice and insurance reform proposals that could affect market stability and availability. At the same time, Louisiana is seeing more than $100 billion in announced industrial and data center projects, which could reshape local markets, labor conditions and housing needs in multiple regions of the state. Please view the weekly bill tracking report at the link below provided by our lobbying team over at Harris, DeVille and Associates.
Louisiana real estate regulations are designed to protect consumers

How Real Estate Regulations and Recent Policy Updates Protect Louisiana Homebuyers

By Louisiana REALTORS® • March 11, 2026
Learn how Louisiana real estate regulations, disclosure laws, and licensing standards help protect homebuyers and create safer, more transparent transactions.

2025 Awards Nominations

By Louisiana REALTORS® • March 9, 2026
Nominations are open now through April 24, 2026, for the Louisiana REALTORS® 2025 REALTOR® of the Year & the 2025 Lawrence R. DeMarcay, Jr. Distinguished Service Award. Both awards are aimed to showcase an individual who has volunteered their time in service to the real estate industry. Recipients of the awards will be recognized during the Spring Legislative Conference. (Registration coming soon!) Please see the below links with the selection criteria and consider submitting a nomination today. Contact Donna Teekel at (225) 224-0704 or dteekel@larealtors.org with any questions.
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