3 Ways to Get 2019 Off to a Great Start
Louisiana Realtors • December 26, 2018
A new year is a new start. This is especially true from a professional perspective. The beginning of a new calendar is great opportunity to keep momentum rolling while starting off on the best possible foot. Here are three quick and easy tips to keep in mind as January 1st approaches.
Set Meaningful Goals
A goal without a deadline is just a dream. Take this time before the 2019 arrives to think about not only what you want to accomplish, but when you want to accomplish it by. These could be quarterly goals, several small achievements, or a grand overall goal that has benchmarks that you can track through the year. Whatever it may be, set it now and commit to it. Make your goals visual. Put them in writing and leave them somewhere you’ll see them each. Constant visual, tangible reminders are a great way to hold yourself accountable.
Know What You Need to Do Daily to Meet Your Goals
Once you have your goals established you can work backwards from your deadline to know exactly what steps you need to take, and when to take them. It’s simple math. If your goal is to have x number of transactions in the first quarter, divide that number by 90, and you’ll know how often you need to close to meet your goal. This is a great strategy for understanding if you are ahead of, or behind schedule.
What is Your “Why”?
The context of your goals is very important. Why do you want to accomplish “x”? Understanding both what this achievement would mean to you personally and professionally, as well as the consequences of not meeting your goal can really put it into perspective. Knowing the answers to these questions transforms your goal from finish line full of numbers into a unique, personal story.
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.
Learn how Louisiana real estate regulations, disclosure laws, and licensing standards help protect homebuyers and create safer, more transparent transactions.
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.
