Legal Hotline Year in Review

Louisiana REALTORS • July 8, 2021

By: Patricia B. McMurray, JD and Melissa M. Grand, JD
Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC

450 Laurel Street, Chase Tower North, 21st Floor

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70801


The following document is a summary of the questions and answers from the 2020 and 2021 Hotline. The Louisiana REALTORS® maintains a hotline for their Brokers to answer questions affecting the real estate industry as a whole. The hotline does not provide legal advice but provides general information. It is important to note that the laws and court decisions affecting these responses to these questions may change as new laws are passed and new court decisions are published. The topics commonly asked fall into the below categories:


  • Commission & Commission Liens Inquiries
  • Deposit Inquiries
  • Ethics Inquiries
  • Listing Agreement Inquiries
  • MLS Inquiries
  • Procuring Cause Inquiries
  • Property Disclosure Inquiries
  • Purchase Agreement Inquiries
  • Lease & Property Management Inquiries
  • RESPA Inquiries
  • Service Animal Inquiries


Please click on the link below to access a fully-indexed summary of the questions and answers from the 2020 and 2021 hotline.

Legal Hotline Year in Review


DISCLAIMER: These materials are to be used for informational purposes and should not be construed as specific legal advice. These materials are not designed to cover every aspect of a legal situation for every factual circumstance that may arise regarding the subject matter included. This publication is for reference purposes only and association members or other readers are responsible for contacting their own attorneys or other professional advisors for legal or contract advice. The comments provided herein solely represent the opinions of the authors and is not a guarantee of interpretation of the law or contracts by any court or by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission.

Consumer Guide Update: Buying Land and Building a New Home

By Louisiana REALTORS® • April 17, 2025
As previewed last week, NAR is pleased to share the latest consumer guide focused on buying land and building a new home. This guide covers how to find land for sale, explains construction loans, and weighs the pros and cons of building a custom home. 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: Buying Land and Building a New Home Deeds and Titles Alternative Listing Options Navigating Multiple Offers Homeowners Associations Thank you for continuing to engage 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 property title theft.
5 Negotiation Secrets Smart Buyers Use to Get Better Deals

5 Negotiation Secrets Smart Buyers Use to Get Better Deals—And How a REALTOR® Can Help

By Louisiana REALTORS® • April 16, 2025
Negotiating a real estate deal can be overwhelming, especially for buyers who don’t have experience with the process. Here are five key negotiation strategies smart buyers use—and how working with a REALTOR® provides a competitive edge.

Consumer Guide Update: Deeds and Titles

By Louisiana REALTORS® • April 11, 2025
As previewed last week, NAR is pleased to share the latest consumer guide focused on deeds and titles. This guide covers the difference between a deed and a title, common types of deeds, and title searches and insurance. 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: Deeds and Titles Alternative Listing Options Navigating Multiple Offers Homeowners Associations Marketing Your Home Thank you for continuing to engage 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 buying land / constructing a new home.
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