3 Things Every Home Buyer Should Ask Their REALTOR®

Louisiana REALTORS • May 2, 2019

When it comes to buying a home you’ll have a lot of questions.  How many bedrooms?  How’s the commute?  Are the schools good? They go on and one, and they should, buying a house is a big commitment that takes a big decision.  Luckily you have a REALTOR® to help you find the answers to these questions and make the best decision for you and your family.  However, there are a few questions that may not be on your list, but should be.  Here are three questions every homebuyer should ask their REALTOR®.

What is the sales history of the home?

Understanding the price and value of a home is a key trait of any real estate professional.  If a home has struggled to sell and remained on the market, you could make a competitive offer and walk away with a nice deal.  If home prices in that area have consistently increased over the years, you could be in store for a sound investment. 

Which Concessions are reasonable and worth requesting?  Which aren’t?

Of course, we each have our own tastes and preferences when it comes to style and other amenities.  However, knowing when to push for something and when to let it go can save you a lot of time and money in the home buying process.  Working with a REALTOR®, that has a thorough understanding of your best interest can guide you in deciding on what you should and shouldn’t demand from the seller.

What’s Going on in the Area?

Your REALTOR® should be knowledgeable and professional  about your prospective new neighborhood.  A big part of this is being aware of any upcoming HOA assessments.  These assessments will influence your monthly expenses, so knowing what to expect can be a big help.  It’s also important to know about any new amenities that are in the works like nearby retail, parks, pools, infrastructure and more.  Understanding what’s going on, and what is expected to occur in your new neck of the woods is very important.

 

By Louisiana REALTORS® • September 21, 2026
From the Louisiana Department of Insurance: Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple joined Governor Jeff Landry and Senate Insurance Committee Chairman Kirk Talbot today to announce that Louisiana is investing an additional $20 million in Fortified homes, bringing the total amount invested in state Fortified projects this year to $100 million. Governor Landry announced that $20 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will be transferred to the Louisiana Office of Community Development Restore Resilient Opportunities for Overhead Fortification (Restore ROOF) program to strengthen residential structures and reduce long-term disaster risk. Earlier this year, the Legislature passed a bill that allows $50 million in additional Katrina and Rita bond money from Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation to be added to the Department of Insurance’s Louisiana Fortify Homes Program (LFHP). Also beginning this year, LFHP is projected to receive approximately $30 million annually from taxes and fees the Louisiana Department of Insurance collects from the insurance industry. “Building stronger homes is a vital part of making homeowners insurance affordable in Louisiana,” said Commissioner Temple. “I appreciate Governor Landry’s leadership and support as we work with legislators like Chairman Talbot to make Louisiana a national leader in the adoption of Fortified roofs.” The Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI) has finalized its promulgation of Regulation 136—Fortify Homes Premium Discounts. The purpose of Regulation 136 is to implement the statutory provisions set forth in La. R.S. 22:1483, et seq. , which require that all Louisiana property and casualty insurers provide premium discounts or insurance rate reductions for homes constructed or upgraded in accordance with the fortified standards created by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety. View Regulation 136 here .
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