What Can Home Buyers Expect in 2020?
Louisiana Realtors • December 31, 2019
2020 marks not only the beginning of a new year but also a new decade. Furthermore, it’s an election year. This means it’s a year that marks many milestones. Is one of those going to be the purchase of a new home? If it is, it’ll be helpful to know what you can expect in terms of the real estate market and economy in 2020. Here is a quick forecast of the year to come.
Home Prices are Rising
While prices rose more slowly in 2019, a 3.3% increase, compared to 5% in 2018, they are still on the incline. 2020 is forecasted to see a 2.8% increase in sale prices. This trend will play an important role in not only your mortgage process but also the neighborhoods that you shop in. Entrust your time with a professional, knowledgeable REALTOR® who listens to your list of needs and be able to communicate your expectations from the beginning. Be sure that you understand the inventory of what is available on the market and how much house you can afford by first talking with a trusted lender.
Millennials Will be the Largest Group of Homebuyers Again in 2020
As in recent years, Millennials will be the leading demographic of home buyers. Last year this generation accounted for 37% of home purchases. This means that home shoppers in this age range need to understand what they want and need now, as well as in the future. Are you married or planning to be? Do you have kids? Expecting? Lots of things need to be considered when looking for a new home.
Mortgage Rates Will Continue to Decrease
Some good news in 2020 for prospective home buyers is that mortgage rates are expected to remain low. Rates are forecasted to stay below 4% again, with an expected average rate of 3.7%. This is an excellent opportunity for home buyers to get a low, fixed-rate mortgage.
No matter where you are looking, what you need, or anything else, if 2020 is the year you by a new home, entrust the process to knowledgeable, professional REALTOR®.
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.
