Sell Your Home Faster By Making These Simple Repairs

LOUISIANA REALTORS • October 18, 2017
Selling your home is very similar to a job interview. The more successful your first impression is, the more beneficial the outcome can be in the end. And just like you wouldn’t show up late in a wrinkled suit to a job interview, and you wouldn’t want potential buyers to see your house in any state of disrepair. The good news is that there are several simple repairs and preparations that you can make before your home hits the market. Here are 5 great tips that can help your home sell faster.

1.) Tighten up: The little things can mean big dollars. Make sure that all of the hardware on your cabinets is tightened. Use a little WD-40 on your door hinges to prevent squeaking. Door knobs and handles should also be tightened, making them easy to open. Also replace older or burnt out light bulbs. This can add some fresh light and prevent the unfortunate event of light switch not responding.

2.) Add a coat: Freshening up the interior and exterior of your home can easily be done with a fresh coat of paint. Walls, trim, and ceilings should be painted with soft, neutral colors. Gray, beige, and other soft colors won’t offend the eye, and make it easier for potential buyers to imagine their own style.

3.) Look up: While replacing a roof can be an expensive endeavor, making small repairs can pay huge dividends. Replace missing shingles, clean out the gutters, and clear out any debris that has accumulated. It will present a well maintained roof and add to the curb appeal of your home.

4.) Wood you rather?: A quick pressure washing session can take years of wear and tear off of your fence, gates, and deck. Louisiana’s wet summers and hot sun can take a toll on these elements of your home, but pressure washing and treating the wood can make them look like new.

5.) Keep your plumbing humming: Toilets, faucets, and plumbing hardware need to be both operating properly and current. Replacing hardware and knobs in the kitchen and bathrooms can be an inexpensive and effective way to update your fixtures. It’s also important to make sure that faucets don’t drip and toilets don’t run. Doing a little routine maintenance can go a long way when showing your home.

Depending on the age and condition of your home, these are only a few tips that can enhance your selling potential. Entrusting the sale of your home to a REALTOR® is another important step. With resources and experience you can leverage the direct insight of your REALTOR to know exactly where to focus your effort.  
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By Louisiana REALTORS® September 4, 2026
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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. 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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.
By Louisiana REALTORS® August 25, 2026
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 .
technology real estate agents should consider
By Louisiana REALTORS® August 17, 2026
Explore technology investments that help Louisiana real estate agents stay organized, strengthen client relationships, and market more effectively.
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