REALTOR® Community Involvement Spotlight: Katlyn Morrow

Louisiana REALTORS® • June 7, 2021

REALTOR® Spotlight: Katlyn Morrow

Deneka Vallius

What began as an opportunity that offered flexibility for her young family while her husband was serving the nation overseas has blossomed into a successful, fulfilling career that has gained national attention. 

 

Born and raised in the Fort Polk, Louisiana area, Katlyn Morrow attended Northwestern State University before starting her first career as an insurance marketing specialist. Years later, she decided to leverage her conversational skills and negotiation tactics to seamlessly transition into real estate. She viewed this field as one where she could influence her own outcomes and put herself in a great position to be successful, and she’s proven that to be true.


30 Under 30 Recognition

 

When the submission period opened for the National Association of REALTORS®’ annual 30 Under 30 nominees, Katlyn was hesitant to apply. After some coaxing from a client, who was also one of several who provided a letter of recommendation, she threw her hat in the ring. Of the nearly 300 REALTORS® who applied, she was shocked when she was selected given her market area and average sales prices of transactions. 

“Looking at previous bios, the recipients were producing so much real estate, and I’m from small-town Fort Polk, where our average sale price is about $185,000,” states Katlyn. Actively serving the DeRidder area where a major army installation and training facility are based means that her market moves with the military, and that residents often don’t have the equity to sell or a large budget to buy because they’re always on the move.

 

To make matters more challenging for an already difficult market, her sales were severely impacted by both COVID-19 and hurricanes in 2020. In fact, the military froze movement for a whole quarter, which meant minimal opportunity in real estate. During this period, she had to get creative and market to the small number of locals in her town until operations resumed.

 

With her adaptability and positive spirit throughout not only this trying climate but also throughout her entire REALTOR® career, Katlyn has proven that hard work, service, and dedication deserve industry recognition no matter the size of your market. “It made me feel good knowing that they (NAR) took into consideration my community service work and me as a person, and not just my production,” she explained.

 

Developing as a REALTOR®

 

In addition to her 30 Under 30 recognition from the National Association of REALTORS®, Katlyn has earned several other honors and distinctions. During her first year as a REALTOR®, she was named her Latter & Blum office’s Rookie of the Year. She has also been featured on Latter & Blum’s Top 100 Agents list and was recognized by the American Institute of Real Estate Professionals as one of the 10 Best Real Estate Agents in Louisiana based on her exceptional and outstanding client service.

 

While her first two years in the industry were challenging, Katlyn was committed to growing her business and providing the service her clients needed, and that has been the case ever since. “They feel like they are well advocated for, and they feel well represented,” Katlyn says when asked how her clients feel about her. She strives in each transaction to make her clients feel like family and that they are very well taken care of.

 

She says that while she was getting her career off the ground that her in-laws, who are both established REALTORS® in the area, and her office manager, who began a new position around the same time, made her feel as though she didn’t have to walk it alone. This sense of community in the industry is something crucial for a REALTOR®, no matter the stage of your career.

 

Her advice for anyone who is even a little bit interested in real estate is to shadow someone in action. “There is so much of the work that you don’t see from the outside looking in. Seeing behind the scenes allows you to understand and appreciate all that REALTORS® do. There is always something to learn in real estate!” says Katlyn. 

 

Community Involvement

 

Katlyn is heavily involved in her community, contributing to causes that she is passionate about. She is on the board for the June Jenkins Women’s Shelter, which helps women and children who are victims of domestic violence. “I appreciate the opportunity to take what I’ve seen in my life to help people going through something similar,” said Katlyn. 

 

Katlyn also sits on the board for Water Works District 6, an initiative aimed at bringing community water to the residents of Beauregard Parish. Her role as a REALTOR® was the main reason she was requested to serve on this board, as no one knows a community better than its REALTORS®. “If you can’t offer clean drinking water, how can you expect us to grow?” asks Katlyn, who has been working diligently to get funding granted for this project.

 

The way that Katlyn cares not only for her clients, but for her community as a whole, truly embodies what it means to be a REALTOR®. And her story is a great testament to why so many people get into real estate in the first place. It allows individuals to change the trajectories of their lives to provide a stable environment for their families and to make a difference in the markets in which they serve.


NOMINATE A REALTOR®

2026 Legislative Session Scoop - Week 8 Recap

By Louisiana REALTORS® • May 1, 2026
Week 8 was one of the most consequential weeks of the session so far for Louisiana REALTORS® and the real estate industry. Two of the association’s flagship bills moved to the brink of final Senate action, rent stabilization was stopped again in committee, major insurance legislation continued to advance, and several bills affecting property rights, tort reform and transaction practice saw meaningful movement. The biggest developments of the week came on HB 468 and HB 1027 , both by Rep. Troy Hebert . HB 468 , the residential wholesaling bill, cleared the Senate Commerce Committee on April 28, had its amendments adopted on April 29, and was referred to the Legislative Bureau putting it one step away from the Senate floor. HB 1027 , the appraiser liability bill, followed the same path after its overwhelming House passage earlier this month and is also now pending Legislative Bureau review before final Senate consideration. Louisiana REALTORS® strongly supports both measures, which are designed to strengthen consumer protection, improve market clarity and reinforce confidence in the real estate transaction process. On the rent-control front, HB 472 by Rep. Alonzo Knox was brought back before the House Municipal, Local and Parochial Affairs Committee this week. Louisiana REALTORS® testified in opposition, and the committee voted 8-5 to defer the bill involuntarily. That is a meaningful win for property owners, housing providers, and the long-term health of Louisiana’s housing market. Louisiana REALTORS® remains firmly opposed to rent stabilization proposals, which may sound politically attractive, but have consistently been tied to reduced housing supply, deterioration in rental stock and long-term affordability problems in markets where they are adopted. Insurance remained one of the session’s most active and important policy areas. HB 1187, Rep. Paul Sawyer , dealing with Louisiana Citizens for emergency assessments, passed the full House 87-9 on April 29, and now heads to the Senate. Because Citizens' assessments can ultimately affect policyholders across the state, this bill has clear relevance for affordability and homeownership costs. HB 408, Rep. Edmond Jordan was heard in House Insurance Committee this week and remains pending. This bill would prohibit insurers from non-renewing residential policies when homeowners have taken documented steps to reduce risk, an issue with direct implications for insurability and failed closings in vulnerable markets. In addition, SB 241 by Sen. Valarie Hodges , which requires insurance adjusters and appraisers to include their license numbers in written communications, cleared House Insurance unanimously and is now headed to the House floor. Taken together, these measures reflect the legislature’s continued focus on insurance stability, transparency and accountability, all of which remain central to real estate activity in Louisiana. Week 8 also brought movement on broader tort reform and property-rights-related legislation. HB 437 , addressing expert witness fees, and HB 1089 , creating structured CARE Accounts for tort damages, both cleared House Civil Law and are now set for House floor debate next week. Meanwhile, SB 180 by Sen. Franklin Foil , allowing surviving spouses of disabled veterans to transfer a property tax exemption, is nearing final House passage after advancing to third reading. While not all of these bills directly regulate licensees, they reflect the broader civil liability and property tax environment that affects the cost and accessibility of owning property in Louisiana. Another key bill for the industry, HB 1166 by Rep. Kim Carver , remains very much alive and is now positioned for House floor debate on Tuesday, May 5 . The bill would require disclosures for vacant residential property, and it would close an existing gap in Louisiana law that currently exempts many vacant homes from standard seller disclosure rules. After being called and returned to the calendar earlier in the week, the bill is now finally set for debate. Louisiana REALTORS® also intends to use the bill as a vehicle for a structural amendment to the Louisiana Real Estate Commission that would move toward a more geographically balanced appointment process, with one member appointed from each congressional district and the remaining members appointed at large. That change would better ensure regional representation across Louisiana’s diverse real estate markets and help modernize the commission’s structure. Taken together, week 8 was a strong and consequential week for Louisiana REALTORS®. The association’s two flagship bills are now within reach of Senate floor passage, rent stabilization was turned back in committee, important insurance legislation continued moving, and HB 1166 remains positioned as both a major disclosure bill and a possible vehicle for meaningful LREC reform. Louisiana REALTORS® remains fully engaged at every stage of the process to protect private property rights, support practical regulation and advance policies that strengthen Louisiana’s real estate market. Lastly, this week, Louisiana REALTORS® wants to extend sincere thanks to Rep. Delisha Boyd — a real estate broker herself — for her tireless work shepherding HB 292 through the legislative process. The security deposit fairness bill, which allows landlords and tenants to mutually agree in writing to extend the timeline for returning a security deposit when damage is found, has passed to third reading and final passage in the Senate and is nearly on its way to the Governor's desk. This has been a meaningful win for both property owners and renters across Louisiana. Please view the weekly bill tracking report provided by our lobbying team over at Harris, DeVille and Associates.
Compliant advertising under the Fair Housing Act

Navigating Fair Housing Advertising Standards: A Guide for Real Estate Professionals

By Louisiana REALTORS® • April 24, 2026
Avoid costly fair housing violations with expert tips on compliant real estate advertising, from listing language to social media targeting strategies.

2026 Legislative Session Scoop - Week 7 Recap

By Louisiana REALTORS® • April 24, 2026
Week seven of the 2026 Regular Session was one of the most active weeks yet for legislation affecting the real estate industry. Louisiana REALTORS® remained heavily engaged as lawmakers advanced bills dealing with property disclosures, appraiser liability, rent regulation, insurance, blight, redevelopment and other issues that directly affect real estate professionals, property owners and consumers across the state. One of the most important bills this week was HB 1166 by Rep. Kim Carver , which would require disclosures for vacant residential property. The bill was reported from House Commerce with amendments on a 14-0 vote and then amended on the House floor, ordered engrossed, and passed to third reading. Louisiana REALTORS® testified on the bill in committee and worked closely with the author to better posture the legislation. Amendments advanced by our team were accepted by the author, helping improve the bill while preserving a practical disclosure framework that increases transparency without creating unnecessary confusion in the transaction process. Another closely watched issue this week was consumer-fee disclosure legislation. HB 617 by Rep. Mandie Landry moved this week, advancing from House Commerce and then the House floor, while HB 580 , another hidden-fee disclosure bill touching real estate transactions, remains pending. Louisiana REALTORS® is opposed to these measures in their current form to the extent they apply to real estate professionals because they are not well-tailored to the realities of real estate transactions, where many costs are negotiated, variable or controlled by third parties. Louisiana REALTORS® testified in opposition to the bills we oppose and is actively working with the author to better posture the legislation and remove real estate professionals from its scope altogether. On HB 472 by Rep. Alonzo Knox , the rent stabilization bill, the author is expected to try to bring the measure back before the committee next week with amendments. Even so, Louisiana REALTORS® remain opposed to the bill on principle. Price gouging is already illegal under existing law, and government-imposed rent regulation is not the right answer to housing affordability challenges. Louisiana REALTORS® testified in opposition to the bill and continues to oppose the measure because policies like this risk discouraging investment, reducing housing supply, and creating further market distortions rather than solving the underlying problem. HB 468 by Rep. Troy Hebert , which regulates the wholesale of residential real property, remains pending in the Senate Commerce Committee and continues to be an important bill for the industry. Likewise, HB 1027 by Rep. Troy Hebert , dealing with appraiser liability, had a strong week, passing the House 90-0 and moving to the Senate. Both measures are significant because they promote greater clarity, consumer protection and confidence in the real estate marketplace. Blight and redevelopment issues also remained active. HB 284 by Rep. John Wyble , which would allow certain local governments to expropriate blighted property through a declaration-of-taking process, remains subject to call and continues to raise serious concerns about private property rights. By contrast, HB 214 and HB 217 by Rep. Chance Henry , which create tax incentives for the rehabilitation of blighted property, represent a more constructive redevelopment approach by encouraging reinvestment rather than expanding government taking authority. Insurance legislation also remained a major focus this week, with multiple bills heard that could affect homeownership costs, market stability and post-storm recovery. Measures dealing with Louisiana Citizens assessments, pre-suit insurance claim review, the Fortified Homes Program and insurance market transparency all carry real implications for affordability and transaction viability. In Louisiana, insurance remains one of the most important issues affecting the real estate market, and Louisiana REALTORS® continues to closely track that legislation. Taken together, week seven showed that Louisiana REALTORS® remains actively engaged where it matters most: supporting practical transaction standards, protecting private property rights, testifying for and against legislation when necessary, pushing back on unworkable regulation and rent-control-style policies, and advancing policies that strengthen housing opportunity and market stability across Louisiana. Please view the weekly bill tracking report provided by our lobbying team over at Harris, DeVille and Associates.
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