Latest Updates
Louisiana REALTORS® is happy to report that the real estate industry came out of the 2018 Regular Legislative Session unscathed once again. In large part, the bills that Louisiana REALTORS® supported are awaiting action on the part of the governor and bills that Louisiana REALTORS® opposed were either heavily amended to remove our opposition or stalled in the legislative process.
Many homes and buildings are now equipped with video and audio surveillance. Property owners may have video and audio cameras at their front entrances. They may also have security cameras inside the building or home, or on the perimeter of the property. Read on about how this impacts real estate
This is the weekly summary of legislative events of note having to do with inclusionary zoning and regulation of boards and commissions.
On Monday, April 30, Louisiana REALTORS hosted an educational webinar that addressed Fair Housing Compliance for Real Estate Agents. The webinar was presented by Marilyn Lafrouy, Compliance Officer of the Public Protection Division. Lafrouy walked through her presentation and answered questions from agents in the field.
This is the weekly summary of legislative events of note having to do with inclusionary zoning and regulation of boards and commissions.
As of Monday, April 30, House Bill No. 383 was voluntarily deferred in the House Appropriations Committee at the request of Louisiana REALTORS® and the author. Due to state budgetary issues, we do not anticipate this legislation being able to complete the legislative process. Therefore, the bill will not advance any further this session.
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.
Generational changes influence just about every aspect of any market. From the way that information is consumed, to style preferences and beyond. This fact is evident in the growth of Millennial home buyers. A Millennial is anyone born between 1981 and 1996; making the youngest of this generation 22 in 2018. For the fifth consecutive year, this generation is the largest and most active group of home buyers in the United States. 36% of home buyers fall into the age range, with 65% of them being first-time home buyers. The opportunity for REALTORS® to leverage this emerging population is great. Here are a few trends that can help you understand and market to these prospective clients.
We are more connected than ever before. Our phones keep us updated on the latest news, weather, scores, and social happenings. Our cars can give us diagnostic updates when connected to Wi-Fi. And now our homes have evolved from simply shelter to “smart”. Turning on appliances and turning off lights with your voice via different devices; monitoring every inch and ounce of energy your home has and uses from anywhere in the world; these abilities are becoming more important, not only for homeowners, but for home buyers as well.
Commuting from showings to closings to open houses can take a toll on your odometer. While your vehicle is one of your most important resources as a REALTOR®, it can also be convenient come tax time. Did you know that the mileage deduction for 2018 is 54.5 cents per mile? Now a couple of quarters each mile may not sound like much, but it can really add up. Let’s assume you drive 50 miles a day on average, five days a week, 48 weeks a year. You’re looking at approximately $6,500 that can be deducted from your taxable income. If you aren’t recording your mileage for tax purposes, you are literally leaving money on the table, or road.
April is known for a lot of different things; spring time, showers, baseball, and taxes. While the latter is the least pleasant of those three, if you sold your house last year, or are planning to sell it this year, you could have a few extra deductions to make, which could make tax season a little brighter. Here are four tax deductions that every home seller should be aware of.
There are 24 hours in a day. While that may sound like a lot, once we begin those hours fly by. As a REALTOR® each day is filled with generating leads, following up with potential clients, handling the many moving parts of your current transactions, and of course the countless other duties and responsibilities that never fail to pop up. Keeping all of these balls in the air can be quite the challenge, not to mention all of life’s other aspects that don’t fall under the real estate umbrella. However with a few scheduling and routine tips and tricks, you can not only streamline your day, but even have a few minutes left over.
The highly competitive world of real estate sales means that you need any competitive advantage that’s available. A great place to start is with your current and former happy clients. When they refer their friends and family, it makes it easier to keep your pipeline flowing. Here are a few tips to earn more referrals.
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?