Louisiana REALTORS® Requests to Keep Real Estate Services Going
Louisiana REALTORS • March 22, 2020
As COVID-19 continues to impact business operations in our states and local areas, Louisiana REALTORS® has sent letters to Governor John Bel Edwards along with the Louisiana Tax Assessors’ Association and the Louisiana Clerks of Court Association on behalf of the real estate industry. The primary purpose of the letters is to acknowledge the challenging decisions faced by our officials if it becomes necessary for a statewide order to keep people at home. Additionally, we want to collaborate with the government entities that are critical to the transaction.
View the Letters Here
As stated in the correspondence, “We are specifically requesting that the state’s licensed real estate agents and brokers, home inspectors, appraisers, and attorneys be authorized to continue to transact business as their services are essential to persons who are in the process of buying, selling, and leasing homes and other property throughout Louisiana.” Many markets around the country are advocating the same messages and LR will continue to be proactive. While public safety and health throughout this pandemic is critical, the halting of real estate services can have serious and long-lasting impacts to the state’s economy.
While we are hopeful to avoid real estate services from coming to a halt, we encourage our members to continue to work with all the parties in the transaction and put into place safety precautions and making the necessary adjustments during this time. For a list of helpful resources, visit: https://www.larealtors.org/coronavirus
On March 23, 2020, Wendy Curphy Aguilllard, 2020 President Louisiana Assessor’s Association replied to the request of Louisiana REALTORS with the following message:
Ms. Callaway,
On behalf of the Louisiana Assessor’s Association I can appreciate your concerns.
Please be assured that every Assessor understands the difficulties our business owners, property owners, and communities are facing. I believe each Assessor measures his or her responsibilities to their community, staff, and families against any response or decisions they may make.
At this point I am aware that many Assessors have closed their lobbies to the public, but are still staffed and providing services to their communities via phone, fax, emails, websites and even scheduled appointments if absolutely necessary. However, since your email on Saturday the Governor has now issued a “Stay At Home” proclamation and the Assessors have been advised that they are not considered “essential” government offices so this may still change.
Most, if not all Assessors have websites that allow public access, usually for free. These websites allow the public to look up ownership of property, property descriptions, parcel information such as valuation, conveyance information, ownership history, and tax estimates. Most websites also have access available to some type of maps and even LAT business form reporting along with FAQ’s, links, and contact info. Not to mention, anyone who may buy or sell a home can file for homestead exemption anytime before the tax rolls close later in the fall and in many cases through the end of the year without worry.
At this point, each parish is facing their own unique challenges during this crisis. The situation is constantly evolving and therefore each Assessor will have to make the best decisions for his office based on those challenges. But again, please be assured that we are all determined to provide the services that we can to our communities without sacrificing the safety of our staff or the public while doing our part to comply with directives to flatten the curve & stop the spread of this virus.
Sincerely,
Wendy Curphy Aguillard, CLA
2020 President Louisiana Assessor's Association
2015 Assessor of the Year
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Candidate qualifying for Louisiana’s November 3 election began Wednesday, August 5, and concludes Friday, August 7. The three-day qualifying period will establish the candidates for all six U.S. House districts, as well as judicial, parish and municipal races across the state. This election cycle includes several changes to Louisiana’s congressional races and election calendar. The state’s U.S. House primaries, originally scheduled for May 16, were canceled following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais. The Louisiana Legislature subsequently adopted a new congressional map that reduced the number of Black-majority congressional districts from two to one. Under the revised election calendar, the November 3 U.S. House contests will use an open primary system. All qualified candidates will appear on the November ballot, regardless of party affiliation. A candidate receiving more than 50% of the vote will be elected. If no candidate receives a majority, the two candidates receiving the most votes will advance to a December 12 runoff. U.S. Senate The November general election will feature Republican nominee U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow and Democratic nominee Jamie Davis. Letlow's Senate campaign has also created an open seat in Louisiana's 5th Congressional District. 5th Congressional District Several candidates have announced campaigns for the 5th Congressional District seat: State Sen. Stewart Cathey State Rep. Michael Echols Louisiana Board of Regents Chair Misti Cordell State Rep. Gabe Firment Cathey, Echols and Firment currently serve in the Louisiana Legislature. Additional candidates may qualify before the deadline on Friday. The 5th District covers portions of northeastern and central Louisiana and extends into the Florida Parishes. 6th Congressional District Congressman Cleo Fields has announced that he will not seek reelection in the newly redrawn 6th Congressional District. Instead, Fields is running in a special election for his former state Senate seat, which became vacant following the death of Sen. Larry Selders of Baton Rouge. The newly drawn 6th Congressional District extends around the Baton Rouge area and includes portions of rural communities surrounding the capital region. State Sen. Rick Edmonds has announced his candidacy. State Sen. Blake Miguez has also been discussed as a potential candidate, although the candidate field will not be finalized until qualifying closes Friday. Federal law requires congressional candidates to reside in the state they seek to represent but does not require them to reside within the specific congressional district. 2nd Congressional District Congressman Troy Carter currently represents the 2nd Congressional District, which extends from the Baton Rouge area toward New Orleans. Under the newly adopted congressional map, the 2nd District remains Louisiana's sole Black-majority congressional district. East Baton Rouge Parish Judiciary All 15 judgeships on the 19th Judicial District Court are scheduled for election following the Legislature's creation of two new judicial election subdistricts. Each subdistrict will elect seven judges, with an additional judgeship elected parishwide. Litigation challenging the new judicial map remains pending. Judicial races are among the contests being monitored by Louisiana REALTORS® and local Political Action Teams. Judicial decisions can have implications for property rights, business activity, litigation and the overall legal environment in Louisiana. Local Elections Voters across Louisiana will also consider candidates for mayors, city and parish councils, school boards, police chiefs and other local offices. While these races typically receive less statewide attention than congressional and statewide contests, local elected officials make decisions affecting land use, zoning, permitting, infrastructure, taxation and housing policy. These issues can directly affect real estate activity and development within local communities. Candidate Lists and Election Information The candidate field will not be final until qualifying closes Friday, August 7. The official list of qualified candidates is available through the Louisiana Secretary of State's Candidate Inquiry portal. The complete election schedule, including key dates for voting, registration and absentee ballots, is available through the Secretary of State's election calendar. For Louisiana REALTORS®, the qualifying period provides an early look at the candidates who will appear on the November ballot and the races that may affect real estate, property rights, development and local communities across the state.
The Louisiana REALTORS® Board of Directors will elect six (6) LR At-Large Directors at its October 1st meeting. Qualifications and an application for the position can be found below.
