How Can You Help Your First-Time Home Buyers After Purchasing?

Louisiana REALTORS • August 9, 2019

The homebuying process is a long one.  The culmination of all of this hardwork is seeing your client through their final walkthrough.  While the dotted line is signed and the ink is dry, it’s little steps like this that can turn a satisfied customer into a return client that is eager to recommend you to their friends and family.  Here are a few tips and tricks you pass along to your newly satisfied clients as they begin to make their new house a home.

Start with Painting and Repairs

Look for any updates, upgrades, or repairs that can be made before moving in.  Taking these actions while the home is empty will be much easier.  Whether it’s a new coat of paint, touching up scuffed up floors, or hanging new fixtures, take care of it before you have a house full of stuff.

Have Your New Home Professionally Cleaned

Hiring a cleaner to freshen up every square inch of your new home is great way to get off on the right foot.  This will allow the house to be thoroughly cleaned.  It may seem small, and is an added expense, but it can take quite a load off from the stress of moving.

Remember to Change the Locks

After moving in, changing the locks is a prudent idea.  Remember to address all of the access points to your new home.  This isn’t to say that there is a reason to distrust the seller, but you also aren’t aware of anyone else who may have a key to your house.  There are also new options for doors and locks.  Smart locks and home automation features may be an update you’d like to make, this is a great opportunity.

Be Familiar with the HOA

If your new neighborhood has an HOA you can save yourself a lot of time, money, and headaches if you are familiar with their policies.  You can get off on the right foot by having the right paperwork ready and anything else you may in your neighborhood.

These are only a few tips that can go along way in making for a smooth transition.  Another helpful suggestion for going the extra mile is to put together an easy to use reference guide, especially if your clients are new to the area. Include local takeout menus, automobile service companies, attractions and more. 

By Louisiana REALTORS® March 13, 2026
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.
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