Why are Home Inspections so Important?

Louisiana REALTORS® • February 21, 2023

Look before you leap. Kick the tires. There are a number of euphemisms for gathering as much information as you can before you act. The greater the risk, the larger the investment, and obviously the more time and effort you should spend making sure you understand the context and content of your decision. For most people, the largest purchase they will ever make will be their home. This is why home inspections are so important. 


Home inspections are an essential and critical element in the home-buying process. The things that can be discovered can save you a lot of time and money in the long run. It’s important not to confuse a home appraisal and a home inspection, they are two different things.


What is the difference between an appraisal and an inspection?

Appraisals are required by banks and lenders in order to determine the market value of the home. An appraiser makes a visual inspection of the home noting any improvements or deficiencies that can impact value. Location, square footage, and comparable homes in the area are also considered in this assessment. 


An inspection focuses on the mechanical features and integrity of the home. Plumbing, heating, cooling, electrical and structural elements are the key focus of a home inspection. Inspections also look for any safety or health concerns and notify the buyer of any repairs that need to be made. 


Why should you have a home inspection before you buy?

Once you find a home you are considering buying you should have it inspected. The inspector should be hired by you, not the seller. Even if you are purchasing a new construction home, an inspection is a must. For the cost of a few hundred dollars and a few hours, you could end up saving thousands of dollars and years of headaches and frustration. Home inspections also give you a negotiating advantage when the time comes to make an offer. Any repairs can be leveraged as a purchasing condition. The results could also lead to a lower asking price. Inspections also give you all of the information you need to make the best decision and to truly understand what it is you are buying.


One of the best assets you can have during the home-buying process is a REALTOR®. REALTORS® are an invaluable resource. From finding the right location and home for you and your family, they are there every step of the way and can be very helpful during the inspection process.

BUYER RESOURCES

2026 Fall Governance Meetings Recap

By Louisiana REALTORS® • October 7, 2026
Louisiana REALTORS® wraps up the 2026 Fall Governance Meetings in New Orleans! Louisiana REALTORS® gathered in New Orleans September 29–October 1 at Harrah's Hotel Tower at Caesars for the 2026 Fall Governance Meetings, three days filled with professional development, governance, networking and celebration. The conference opened with the conclusion of the 2026 LR Leadership Program. Participants graduated from the yearlong program at a closing retreat, followed by a luncheon with LR officers. The 2026 graduates include: Meghan Adam, Scott Domingue, Nichole Donald, Herbert Dubuisson, Clint Galliano, Beth Graham, Ivan Jennings, Catice Johnson, Dana MacCord, Candy Modeen, Craig Morris, Ron Patron, Amber Reinking, David Rollins and Jennifer Tagliarino. That evening, the Welcome Reception at Stadium Club at Mannings celebrated the graduating class and brought back alumni from previous years for the LR Leadership Reunion. Tuesday's education kicked off with a live "Residential Real Estate Economic Update" from NAR Chief Economist Dr. Lawrence Yun, giving attendees an expert look at the trends shaping the market. Members who joined early for the Commercial Symposium on September 28 got a head start on the week. Wednesday brought a full day of learning and connection. After a breakfast buffet, Robert Siciliano led "CSI Protection: Cyber Social Identity and Personal Protection," equipping attendees to defend themselves and their clients against today's cyber threats. The Town Hall Luncheon followed, along with the Local AE Meeting and the YPN Open Meeting with Panel Discussion. Leigh Brown's "Fearless Agents" session gave REALTORS® the confidence and strategies to stand out in a shifting market. Wednesday night, members celebrated the 2027 Louisiana REALTORS® Officer Installation with a ceremony followed by The Sidewalk Step Second Line through the streets of New Orleans to Vue Orleans, where the evening continued with a reception. Thursday opened with Leigh Brown's "Next is Now," a session on rebuilding trust through availability, action and discipline. Regional caucuses followed, and the Board of Directors Meeting brought the governance portion of the event to a close. At the meeting, Cindy Dyer, [Northwest]; Mark Ouchley, [Northeast]; Lacy Baaeth, [Greater Baton Rouge]; Bill Boyd, [Bayou]; Marsha McGraw-Barbera, [Greater Central] and Candy Modeen, [Northshore] were elected as 2027 At-Large Directors. They will join the 2027 Board in helping guide the association and represent REALTORS® from across the state, serving a two year term. Attendees could also earn up to six hours of CE throughout the conference. Louisiana REALTORS® looks forward to hosting REALTORS® from around the state at the Winter Conference at the Golden Nugget in Lake Charles . We would like to thank our sponsors for their generous support in helping make this conference happen! Our Vue From the Top Sponsor: New Orleans Metropolitan Association of REALTORS® (NOMAR); Grand Marshall Sponsors: American Home Shield, Arena Collective, First American Exchange Company and Guard Home Warranty; Second Line Sponsor: Zillow; Brass Band Backer Sponsor: REALTOR® Association of Acadiana and Roy Appraisals, Inc.; and Sidewalk Stepper Sponsors: Bayou Board of REALTORS®, Bob Brooks School, Compass Inspection Services, LLC, Expert Insurance Services (EIS), LLC, Goosehead Insurance Brandon Katz, Greater Central REALTORS® Association, Hartwig Moss Insurance Agency and Women’s Council of REALTORS® New Orleans Metropolitan Area.
How Working With a REALTOR® Can Help You Get More Value From Your Home Purchase

How Working With a REALTOR® Can Help You Get More Value From Your Home Purchase

By Danielle Edmonson • October 7, 2026
How can a REALTOR® help you get more value from your home purchase? Learn how REALTORS® can guide buyers through market research, negotiations, long-term value, and the homebuying process.

2027 NAR Committee Appointments

By Louisiana REALTORS® • October 5, 2026
Please join us in congratulating the Louisiana REALTORS® who have been appointed to NAR committees for 2027. A total of 26 Louisiana REALTORS® members and staff have been selected to serve on NAR committees for the upcoming year. Bill Boyd - Insurance Committee; Member: Regional Representative Luke Bullock - Broker Engagement Committee; Member: Government Affairs Director Donna Chandler - Membership Policy and Board Jurisdiction Committee; Member: At-Large Keary Coffin - Multiple Listing Issues and Policies Committee; Member: At-Large Tony Cornner - Housing Opportunities Committee; Member: State Representative Beth Cristina - Commercial Federal Policy Committee; Member: At-Large Deneka Desroches - Commitment to Excellence Committee; Member: At-Large Cindy Dyer - RPAC Participation Council; Member: State Representative David Favret - Meeting and Conference Committee; Member: Immediate Past Chair Jennifer Hebert - Professional Standards Committee; Member: At-Large Carole Horn - RPAC Trustees Federal Disbursement Committee; Member: Regional Representative Misty Ingersoll - Multiple Listing Issues and Policies Committee; Member: State Representative Angela Lavalais - AEC/Association IDEAS Advisory Board (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Support); Member: At-Large Trish Leleux - FPC Advisory Committee; Member: State Representative Marbury Little - Public Policy Coordinating Committee; Member: At-Large ; Consumer Advocacy Outreach Advisory Board; Member: Committee Representative Ginger Maulden - RPAC Major Investor Council; Member: State Representative Andrea McKey - Strategic Planning Committee; Member: At-Large David McKey - Insurance Committee; Member: At-Large Joe Mier - Real Property Valuation Committee; Member: At-Large Norman Morris - Meeting and Conference Committee; AEC Representative Danette O'Neal - Land Use Property Rights and Environment Committee; Member: Affiliate Representative Austin Polk - Business Issues Policy Committee; Member: At-Large Rhonda Reap-Curiel - Data Strategies Committee; Vice Chair Matt Ritchie - Finance Committee; Member: At-Large Erika Sluss - Membership Policy and Board Jurisdiction Committee; Member: State Representative Evelyn Wolford - Professional Standards Committee; Member: State Representative
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