Latest Updates
As we gear up for the state's legislative conference, week 5 update reports on the activity of the bills being followed related to inclusionary zoning and the regulation of boards and commissions.
Senate Bill 462 passes the Senate and now heads to the House. Louisiana senators approved Monday night legislation that would assert state authority over local zoning efforts to create affordable housing.
Week 4 reports movement on several issues including Residential Property Disclosure and changes to security deposits for residential leases. Ongoing issues being watched is on inclusionary zoning and the regulation of the state's boards and commissions. Read more for what took place at the Capitol
This was a busy week at the Capitol and lots of bills are in various phases of the legislative process. The following provides an update on key pieces of legislation that the LR Lobbying Team is following and actively monitoring.
Louisiana REALTORS® convened a group of legislative volunteers and the lobbying team for a review of over a hundred pieces of legislation filed for the 2018 regular session. Each bill is reviewed and considered by whether it impacts the real estate industry, it's practitioners, or if it impacts the property rights for Louisiana's citizens.
There are two candidates for Louisiana REALTORS Officer positions. View their applications. Vote will take place at the April 26 Board of Directors meeting.
House Bill 383 by Representative Paula Davis was reported out of the House Ways and Means Committee by a 9 to 4 vote. Today's success can be attributed to the support of a great bill author, a great lobbying team, and the effort by REALTOR® members responding to the Call for Action and contacting their legislators for support of this bill.
The first week of the 2018 Legislative Regular Session is over and very few substantive bills have been moved to the House or Senate floor. It is expected that many bills will be heard in committee next week and things will start moving at a faster pace. Louisiana REALTORS® will provide regular updates on items throughout session.
Many aspiring first-time homebuyers find it hard to save for a down payment, especially with young families that are heavily burdened by student debt. The Louisiana First-Time Home Buyer Program would offer the help families need to buy their first home by reimbursing a portion of the first-time homebuyer’s closing costs and down payment and ultimately help boost our economy.
A copy of content and information provided in the March 5, 2018 email of the Louisiana REALTOR® Resource - the publication for REALTORS striving for excellence!
Five decades ago Title VII of the Civil Rights Act was signed into law. This final piece of civil rights legislation prohibits the discrimination in the sale and rental of residential housing. The goal of this act was to end the decades-long problem of discrimination based on race, sex, age, disability, and several other personal characteristics when it comes to access to housing.
Spring has arrived. And, after a colder, snowier, and icier than normal winter across Louisiana, the temperature isn’t the only thing that’s heating up. The real estate market is ramping up for home buyers and sellers alike. Here are a few things to help navigate the spring market whether you are buying or selling your home.
Warm temperatures and sunshine aside, this is the time of the year when prospective homebuyers come out of hibernation. If you are planning on selling your home, this is the time of the year to make sure it is ready to be shown, and ready to shine. Here are 5 tips for preparing your home for a spring sale.
There are many “if-then” scenarios in life. These hypothetical, cause-and-effect occurrences help us make plans to achieve certain goals. Some of these goals can be minor. “If” it doesn’t rain Saturday, “then” we’ll play golf. Others can carry significantly more weight; fewer more so than the decision and outcome of selling your home. “If” we sell our house, “then” we’ll move closer to the beach. Or, “if” we can sell our home for x amount of dollars, “then” we can travel more. Whatever that “if” is, as a home seller, your eyes are locked on the “then”; it’s your REALTOR’S® job to make the “if” a “when.” So how do you find a REALTOR that will do exactly that?
Just like a financial planner, your REALTOR®, whether you are buying or selling, has a fiduciary responsibility to you as their client. This responsibility, coupled with NAR’s strict Code of Ethics, means that you can have the peace of mind that your best interests and goals are at the forefront of every decision.
Buying a home can be one of the most exciting, and stressful experiences you can have. This is the largest purchase that you’ll ever make, and there can be pitfalls along the way if you aren’t careful. However, partnering with a REALTOR® cannot only make this a smooth transaction but an enjoyable one as well. Here are three mistakes that are easy for first-time homebuyer mistakes, and how your REALTOR® can help you avoid.
Over the past several years homebuyers have enjoyed record low mortgage rates. As the economy continues to recover and thrive after the recession, the threat of increasing interest rates has grown. While the escalation has been small, it doesn’t take much of a change on either side of the decimal point to mean big dollars over the next 30 years. So what does the mortgage rate landscape have in store for 2018?
When it comes to buying a home one of the most important steps is the home inspection. The items discovered during this process can be the difference in you purchasing or passing on a property. It can also be the difference in saving or spending thousands of dollars. So when the time comes for your prospective home to be inspected how can you be sure that you’re getting best inspection possible? Here are a few questions to ask.
There are some common new year’s resolutions that tend to garner our attention this time of the year. Save money, get in shape, etc. This year there may be a new one to add to your list; buy a home. While this is an important goal to have no matter the time of the year, there are some other factors in 2018 that can make this an ideal time to seriously considering purchasing a new home. Here are a few reasons why this year should be your year.
Every year there are new technological developments that change how we live and work. Today these developments are happening more quickly than ever before, and they are having sweeping changes how real estate is bought and sold. 2018 will be no different. Here are 3 big trends for 2018.