✏️ Editor’s Note: Realtor Associations, agents, and MLS’ have started implementing changes related to the NAR’s $418 million settlement. While home-sellers will likely save thousands in commission, compliance and litigation risks have significantly increased for sellers throughout the nation. Learn how NAR’s settlement affects home sellers.
In the vibrant state of Louisiana, the real estate market is constantly evolving. Whether you’re selling a house in Louisiana or an aspiring real estate investor, understanding the current trends and dynamics is crucial.
In March 2024, home prices in Louisiana experienced a slight dip of 1.6% compared to the previous year, resulting in a median price of $246,800. The number of homes sold also saw a significant decline, down 26.8% year over year, with 3,221 homes sold.
In this blog, we will explore effective strategies and valuable insights to help you navigate the process of selling a house in Louisiana.
📉 Louisiana Housing Market Update
- Median Home Sale Price Drop YoY: The median home sale price dropped to $364,366, down by 2.3% YoY, the biggest decline in more than a decade.
- Fewer Buyers are Applying for Mortgages: Mortgage purchase applications were down by 31% YoY. Due to expensive financing, fewer buyers are applying for mortgages.
- iBuyers are No More a Viable Option: Several iBuyers have either shut down or are suffering massive losses. As per our research, most iBuyers are not offering more than 70% of a property’s Fair Market Value.
- Bottom Line: In 2023, more sellers in the Pelican State are opting to sell their homes by owner. By listing on the MLS with the best FSBO sites in Louisiana, your Louisiana home gets maximum exposure, and you save thousands of dollars in commissions.
Step 1: Determine How You Want to Sell Your House in Louisiana
How you choose to sell will determine all other aspects of selling your Louisiana home. These include the cost of selling a house in Louisiana, marketing strategy, the level of preparation you need, etc.
Home sellers in the Pelican State are no longer required to work with only 3% commission realtors to list and sell their Louisana houses. You have options now – MLS listing services, discount brokers, FSBO sites, etc. – who work at lower rates. Weigh the pros and cons of each option before you choose one.
- Sell With a Discount Broker: A discount real estate broker offers all the services similar to a traditional broker at discounted rates. Discount brokers in Louisiana charge a 1.5%-2% commission or a $3,000-$5,000 flat rate. They will help you with everything, from listing to closing, and offer decent savings.
- Sell Your Property For Sale By Owner: You can sell your home without a Realtor, independently. You will save the entire 3% listing commission but won’t get MLS access. You can list your Louisiana home on For Sale By Owner website. The best FSBO sites leverage technology to get you listed and connect you with potential buyers directly.
- Sell With a Traditional Realtor: We do not recommend working with a traditional Realtor. They charge a 5%-6% commission and control most aspects of the transaction. However, if you need guidance at every step, work with Louisiana Realtors in your area who have expertise in the Louisiana housing market.
- Offer Your Home to a Cash Buyer: You can sell your home “as is” in Louisiana to a cash buyer. Louisiana cash home buyers offer 30% to 50% of the Fair Market Value and offer flexible closing timelines.
✍️ Pro Tip: Offer your home to an iBuyer if your house is in good condition. iBuyers offer up to 70% of the Fair Market Value and make instant cash offers.
Step 2: Set a Realistic Listing Price
The listing or the asking price is the most important factor for a successful home sale. Typically, the real estate broker will run comps and help you arrive at an asking price. However, in an FSBO sale, you can use online tools like Zestimate to determine the asking price for your Louisiana home.
Do not overprice your home. If you do, your home will spend more days on the market, and buyers may make negative assumptions about it.
On the other hand, underpricing can be a good strategy. Remember, the listing price is not equal to the sale price. The purpose of the listing price is to attract buyers for your home.
You can set the asking price at the lowest price acceptable to you. You might get multiple offers which may lead to a bidding war among buyers. Bidding wars can help you sell at a price higher than what you had in mind. Refer to this informative guide on how to price your home for sale for more such strategies.
Step 3: Market Your Home
A good marketing strategy will help you attract more potential buyers. You can work with a broker to market your home or do it yourself. Here are a few marketing tips that can increase your home sale value substantially:
- Stage Your Home: You can sell your home for up to $40,000 more by staging it. You can either DIY it or work with local Louisiana home staging companies. They will rearrange the interiors of your house to make it look spacious and presentable.
- Hire a Real Estate Photographer: With professional real estate photography, you could sell your home in Louisiana 32% faster. Professionally clicked pictures will make your property listing pop. It will also help you to market your home to 90% of buyers who search for properties online. Check out the top real estate photographers in Louisiana.
- List on MLS: With an MLS listing, you can sell faster and for up to 17% more. Your property listing will also get syndicated to 100+ real estate websites. But, only licensed real estate agents in Louisiana have access to the MLS. They charge a 3% commission which can burn a hole in your pocket. You can list your house on MLS in Louisiana with Louisiana Flat Fee MLS companies. Houzeo will get you listed for $379, and that too within 48 hours.
- List on Free FSBO Websites: Several FSBO sites allow you to list your home on their website for free. Your Louisiana property can attract buyer traffic that visits a particular FSBO website. Some examples of free FSBO listing websites in Louisiana include Craigslist, Zillow, ForSaleByOwner.com, etc. However, you may attract unverified buyers or scammers as well.
- Post a Yard Sign: With a yard sign, you can attract unrepresented buyers and save the buyer agent commission. Ensure you get a yard sign with your phone number so that the buyers can contact you directly.
- Host Open Houses: In a hot market like Jacksonville or Miami, an open house can be a great way of showing your property to home buyers. Also, you can attract unrepresented buyers.
Step 4: Show Your Home to Potential Buyers
Showings are essential when selling a property in Louisiana or anywhere. The more the number of buyers touring your home, the greater the chances of you getting an offer. But this doesn’t mean showings should be inconvenient for you. You can use an online showings management tool like Houzeo Showings.
Houzeo Showings allows you to schedule slots for buyers to tour your Louisiana house. Home buyers can also request and reschedule or cancel showings.
Step 5: Negotiate Offers
Interested buyers will send written offers to your agent or directly to you, in case of an FSBO sale. In a seller’s market, buyers might make offers above the list price. But, experts predict 2023 to be a buyer’s market. So, be open to negotiations.
As a seller, you can accept, reject, or counter an offer. A counteroffer is a way of negotiating an offer for better terms or prices. It should be in written format and must have a set timeframe for the buyers to respond. In the counteroffer, you can offer seller concessions, repair credits, etc., in exchange for selling at the list price.
In case of multiple offers, weigh all of them across various merits and do not accept the highest bid right away. You may want to consider the following before accepting an offer amongst multiple offers:
- Mode of payment (cash vs financing)
- Home buyer’s mortgage approval status (pre-approval vs pre-qualified)
- Buyer’s willingness to cover the closing costs in Louisiana or some part of it
- Buyer’s willingness to bypass some contingencies like a home appraisal, home inspection in Louisiana, etc.
- Closing timeline
In a traditional home sale, a real estate professional will negotiate for you. However, as an FSBO seller in Louisiana, you are on your own. In such a situation, you can use digital offer management tools like Houzeo Offers. With Houzeo Offers, you can counter an offer, call for the highest and the best offer, and more.
Step 6: Close the Sale
After the seller accepts an offer, the MLS listing status is changed to “house under contract“. You and the buyer have to complete a lot of tasks from contract to closing. Here are the key milestones in the closing process in Louisiana:
Allow the Buyer to Complete the Due Diligence
After you accept an offer, your Louisiana property goes off the market, and the buyer can perform the necessary due diligence. The buyer inspects their to-be-home to proceed with the purchase.
Post due diligence, the buyer works on securing a mortgage, known as the underwriting period. During this period, the lender verifies the buyer’s finances and inspects and appraises the property. An amount equivalent to the property’s appraised value is sanctioned to the buyer.
Pay the Closing Costs
As a seller, you will pay 5%-6% in Louisiana real estate commissions, equally split between your and the buyer’s agent. Additional seller closing costs in Louisiana that you may have to incur include:
- The escrow or the title fee
- Taxes on selling a house in Louisiana such as the transfer tax, capital gains tax, etc.
- Outstanding HOA dues
- Real estate attorney fees
- Seller credits (if you have offered any).
» Louisiana Seller Closing Costs Calculator: Estimate the exact cost to sell a house in Louisiana.
Sign the Escrow and Title Documents
This is the final step in the process of selling a home in Louisiana. Here, you sign the escrow and title documents needed to sell a house in Louisiana. Additionally, you sign the deed and closing disclosure. Ensure you bring two valid ID proofs at the signing.
After the close of the escrow, the new homeowner’s details are registered in the public records. You receive a wire transfer or a check for the final home sale price, and the sale is complete.
Final Word
Selling a house in Louisiana requires a keen understanding of the local real estate market. With its unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, the Pelican State offers a diverse range of opportunities for both buyers and sellers.
In a fluctuating market, staying informed and using effective marketing techniques is essential to attract buyers. By working with experienced real estate professionals, you can successfully sell in Louisiana.
Whether selling a cozy cottage in New Orleans or a spacious plantation-style home in Baton Rouge, harness the spirit of the Bayou State as you embark on your real estate journey.
Get on the MLS with a Flat Fee Realtor or a Flat Fee MLS company like Houzeo. With Houzeo, your home will be listed for $379 within 48 hours. Read Houzeo reviews to know what home sellers across Louisiana say about Houzeo.
FAQs
1. What are typical closing costs for a seller in Louisiana?
Typically, closing costs for sellers in Louisiana are around 8% to 10% of the home sale value. Louisiana closing costs consist of real estate commissions, the title fee, owner's title insurance, recording fee, and other closing expenses. The real estate commission of around 6% forms the biggest chunk of the Louisiana closing costs. You can save thousands of dollars in the listing agent commission by selling your house by owner in Louisiana. You can work with a Louisiana Flat Fee MLS company to get listed on the MLS and manage the other aspects of the home selling journey on your own.
2. What disclosures are required when selling a house in Louisiana?
You need to furnish the following disclosure while selling a house in Louisiana:
1. Standard Property Condition Disclosure Statement
2. Lead Paint Disclosure
3. Condominium Disclosure Statement Louisiana
4. Home Owner’s Association Disclosure Statement
5. Louisiana Radon Gas Disclosure
6. Coastal Properties Disclosure Statement
7. Property Tax Disclosure
8. Seller Non-Occupancy Disclosure Louisiana
Read this guide on Louisiana real estate disclosures to know your disclosure obligations in Louisiana.
3. Do you need an attorney to sell a house in Louisiana?
It is not mandatory to hire a real estate attorney in Louisiana. However, it is highly recommended to work with an attorney to review the drafts and contracts. This will protect you from unforeseen legal problems and the expensive penalties that come along.
4. Should I sell my house in Louisiana now?
Yes, now is the perfect time to sell your house in Louisiana. As of March 2023, the median sale price in Louisiana has increased by 3.2% YoY. However, expensive financing and rising mortgage rates can turn the tables anytime, and you may have to settle for a lower sale price in the future. So, if you are ready, now is the best time to sell a home in Louisiana.
5. Can you sell a house while in probate in Louisiana?
The state laws allow home sellers to sell an inherited property in Louisiana while it is in probate. The home seller needs to provide certain documents in court. These include a petition for an order authorizing the property sale, a copy of the sales contract, a broker letter, etc. The court approves the sale of the property after verifying all the submitted documents.
6. Do you have to pay taxes when you sell your house in Louisiana?
Yes, you need to pay the federal capital gains tax, transfer tax, and property tax when selling a property in Louisiana.
7. Can you sell your house in Louisiana without a realtor?
Yes, you can sell your house without a Realtor in Louisiana. List your Louisiana home with a Flat Fee MLS company like Houzeo. Flat Fee MLS companies usually get you listed within 48 hours, or in most cases, even faster. You can manage other aspects of selling real estate in Louisiana using Houzeo tools like Houzeo Showings, Houzeo Offers, and more. With a Flat Fee MLS listing, you will sell fast and save thousands in real estate commissions. Check out our rankings for the top Flat Fee MLS companies in Louisiana.
8. What is the commission for selling a house in Louisiana?
A home seller pays 5.5% to 6% in real estate commissions when selling a house in Louisiana. This 6% commission is split equally between the listing agent and the buyer agent. Check out this detailed guide on how real estate commissions work in Louisiana.
