4 Tips for Home Shopping This Summer

Louisiana REALTORS • May 28, 2019

The summer months are a popular time for home buying .  Many people that anticipate or plan to move typically prefer to do so once their children are done with school.  But how does home shopping during the summer differ from other times during the year?  Here are a few tips to get the most out your house hunting this summer.

Check Out Several Areas

You have a lot of things to consider when deciding where you want to live.  From schools and amenities, to commuting and infrastructure, location is a big deal.  The good thing about buying a home in the summer is that you can get a good feel for each community.  As people have more time and the weather is nicer, they tend to spend more time outdoors.  If you have a few neighborhoods in mind, take some time to check them out and learn more about safety and activities in the area.

Don’t Bother a Seller with Minor Repairs

The inspection is one of the most important processes in the home buying process.  If you find a home you really like, and the inspection report has a few minor things that need to be done, you can make your offer more competitive by taking care of those issues yourself.  Of course any thing major should be negotiated either in terms of repair or price concessions, but not nitpicking over small things can get you in your new home faster.

Take a Look at Fixer-Uppers

Inventory can be tight in some markets during the summer due to the demand.  However, if you find a home in an area you like, but it needs a little more attention, it could be a good idea.  As long as everything is structurally sound and the major systems are in good condition, modernizing a home can be done quickly and affordably.  You can also get a good deal if it’s a property that’s been on the market for a while.

Trust a Knowledgeable, Professional REALTOR®

Using a REALTOR®will help you find the right home for your family.  They know the area, they know what prices make sense, and they use this knowledge to find something that meets your needs.

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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