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® • 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 .
By Louisiana REALTORS® • September 11, 2026
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