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Getting to Home Study Results

Louisiana REALTORS® • October 3, 2023

A Snapshot of Homeownership Opportunity in Louisiana 

This statewide study, Getting to Home: A Snapshot of Homeownership Opportunity in Louisiana, was conducted in the summer of 2023 by the Louisiana REALTORS®, and was funded in part by the Louisiana REALTORS® Political Action Committee. SSA Consultants of Baton Rouge conducted the study.

 

The general focus of the study was barriers to homeownership and the design included a foundational set of four online surveys and a series of 31 individual interviews to capture the insights and perspectives of REALTORS®, including agents, brokers, and appraisers, mortgage banking professionals, and land title professionals actively working in Louisiana’s housing market. The study began in April 2023 and was completed in September 2023. The study findings include the following priority issues.


Interest Rates

The spike in mortgage interest rates since the fourth quarter of 2021 is recognized as a substantial barrier to homeownership. Study participants also recognize that the historically low interest rates enjoyed during the years of the pandemic are constraining the homebuying market today. Participants though, understand interest rates as a national commodity that rises and falls with national economic trends and federal policy. Consequently, the survey results include some cautious optimism that mortgage rates will peak and then moderate as the national inflation rate declines.

 

Homeowners Insurance

Dramatically increasing homeowners insurance premiums are recognized as a substantial barrier to homeownership. Study participants possess a solid understanding of homeowners insurance as a state-regulated product, the cost of which is influenced by state laws and regulations, and Louisiana’s geographical risks (i.e., hurricanes and floods). The rising costs of homeowners insurance is uniquely worrisome to study participants, because, unlike the interest rate issue, they are less certain about how the market for homeowners insurance improves and prices moderate. Study participants question if Louisiana can or will make meaningful change.

 

Flood Insurance

Dramatically increasing flood insurance premiums is recognized as a substantial barrier to homeownership. The study results indicate a solid grasp of flood insurance as a federal program (National Flood Insurance Program or “NFIP”) vital to insuring flood risk homes across Louisiana. Study results also indicate a general confusion and frustration with the Risk Rating 2.0 program changes.

 

The Affordability Problem

Affordability is the umbrella problem created by the current challenges with interest rates, homeowners insurance, and flood insurance, combined with the additional present barriers of general inflation, increasing home prices, and the lack of affordable housing choices/inventory. Study participants recognize that the affordability problem falls most heavily on young first-time homebuyers and other potential homebuyers seeking to buy in the lower price ranges.

 

You can view the results from the study by clicking here.

Consumer Guide Update: Preparing for Homeownership

By Louisiana REALTORS® • February 19, 2025
As previewed last week, NAR is pleased to share the latest consumer guide focused on preparing for homeownership. This guide covers what prospective buyers should consider as they kick off the home purchase process, including the importance of credit scores, mortgage pre-approval, down payments, budgeting, and educational resources. As a reminder, all guides in this series are available for download—in both English and Spanish—on facts.realtor . Please allow a few days for the Spanish version of the latest resource to be translated and uploaded. For ease of reference, below is a list of the most recent guides: NEW: Preparing for Homeownership Escrow and Earnest Money Pricing Your Home Preparing to Sell Your Home Fire Damage and Policy Coverage Thank you for your continued engagement with the “Consumer Guide” series and for sharing the resources with potential clients to ensure they have the information they need to be successful in their homebuying or selling journey. Remember that these guides are for informational purposes only and are not meant to enact or change any existing NAR policy. Be on the lookout for next week’s guide on Wednesday, which will cover property taxes.

Consumer Guide Update: Escrow and Earnest Money

By Louisiana REALTORS® • February 14, 2025
As previewed last week, NAR is pleased to share the latest consumer guide focused on escrow. This guide covers what homebuyers should know about earnest money deposits, including the general terms and use cases in real estate transactions. As a reminder, all guides in this series are available for download—in both English and Spanish—on facts.realtor . Please allow a few days for the Spanish version of the latest resource to be translated and uploaded. For ease of reference, below is a list of the most recent guides: NEW: Escrow and Earnest Money Pricing Your Home Preparing to Sell Your Home Fire Damage and Policy Coverage Flood Insurance Thank you for your continued engagement with the “Consumer Guide” series and for sharing the resources with prospective clients to ensure they have the information they need to find success in their homebuying or selling journey. Remember that these guides are for informational purposes only and are not meant to enact or change any existing NAR policy. Be on the lookout for next week’s guide on Wednesday, which will cover preparing prospective buyers for homeownership.

2026 LR Officer Elections, RVPs & NAR Director Applications

By Louisiana REALTORS® • February 12, 2025
The Louisiana REALTORS® Board of Directors will conduct several elections this Spring. Interested candidates that meet the qualification who are looking to serve at either the state association level or the national association level are encouraged to view the criteria and submit an application. An application that is not submitted on the appropriate form or not submitted pursuant to the instructions shall not be considered as submitted timely.
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