How to Become a Better Problem Solver as a REALTOR® in 2023

Louisiana REALTORS® • January 31, 2023

Navigating and negotiating a real estate transaction can be a complex and challenging endeavor. No two deals are the same and with an endless array of variables that can influence a sale or purchase at any time, you have to be agile and ready for anything. Because of the nature of your business as a REALTOR®, the sharper your problem-solving skills are, the better you can serve your clients and find success. Here are a few ways you can enhance and improve your problem-solving skills.


Focus on Finding a Solution, Not the Problem

You feed negativity when you focus on the problem instead of finding your solution. The problem in its essence is a negative experience, and you react accordingly which makes it increasingly difficult to think of the best way to resolve it. Once you’re aware of the problem, acknowledge it, then move on to positive thinking in order to solve it. 


Keep Things Simple

It can be easy to complicate things in order to arrive at a solution, especially with the stress of an unexpected problem. When you are able to take a step back and simplify your approach, you are much more likely to arrive at an answer. Try and minimize the details and look at the big picture. The simpler you can make it, the more obvious the solution will become.


Change Your Perspective

Thinking laterally is a valuable skill. Too often it is too easy to get stuck in a rut trying to solve things the same way. When you address a problem from a different angle, it can open up new possibilities. Letting go of your instinctive, reflexive, dominant ideas opens up the opportunity to let chance show you a new way of solving an issue. When you can relax the rigidity and confinements of your everyday thinking, new concepts you may not typically come to will be easier to find.


While these are only a few ways to improve your problem-solving skills, one thing is for sure and it’s that you will have to deal with problems on a daily basis. The better you are at navigating these challenges, the better you’ll be able to serve your clients. From saving time to mitigating risks to providing the best service possible, enhanced problem-solving benefits everyone.

REALTOR® RESOURCES

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

Governor Landry, Commissioner Temple Announce Additional $20 Million Invested in Fortified Homes

By Louisiana REALTORS® • September 21, 2026
From the Louisiana Department of Insurance: Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple joined Governor Jeff Landry and Senate Insurance Committee Chairman Kirk Talbot today to announce that Louisiana is investing an additional $20 million in Fortified homes, bringing the total amount invested in state Fortified projects this year to $100 million. Governor Landry announced that $20 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will be transferred to the Louisiana Office of Community Development Restore Resilient Opportunities for Overhead Fortification (Restore ROOF) program to strengthen residential structures and reduce long-term disaster risk. Earlier this year, the Legislature passed a bill that allows $50 million in additional Katrina and Rita bond money from Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation to be added to the Department of Insurance’s Louisiana Fortify Homes Program (LFHP). Also beginning this year, LFHP is projected to receive approximately $30 million annually from taxes and fees the Louisiana Department of Insurance collects from the insurance industry. “Building stronger homes is a vital part of making homeowners insurance affordable in Louisiana,” said Commissioner Temple. “I appreciate Governor Landry’s leadership and support as we work with legislators like Chairman Talbot to make Louisiana a national leader in the adoption of Fortified roofs.” The Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI) has finalized its promulgation of Regulation 136—Fortify Homes Premium Discounts. The purpose of Regulation 136 is to implement the statutory provisions set forth in La. R.S. 22:1483, et seq. , which require that all Louisiana property and casualty insurers provide premium discounts or insurance rate reductions for homes constructed or upgraded in accordance with the fortified standards created by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety. View Regulation 136 here .

Fall 2026 Updates: Healthcare Member Benefit Program

By Louisiana REALTORS® • September 11, 2026
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