The general situation in the whole world has created a very unpredictable atmosphere for most businesses. The global pandemic has changed the way people work and travel, which has affected many industries. Some of them had to stop working, and others just adapted the way they provide their services and goods. The real estate market has also suffered some changes, and many people wonder what is happening in certain areas. In this article, we’ll talk about Louisiana. It has been a popular destination for newcomers. However, some reports say that the population of this state is currently shrinking. Therefore, if you’re planning to invest, let’s see what you can expect in the Louisiana housing market in 2021. Here are some predictions and ways to prepare to dive into this market properly.
Baton Rouge is still the most popular area
Let’s start with the more obvious items on this list. Baton Rouge is the capital of Louisiana and undoubtedly the most popular choice among newcomers. The number of homes sold in the previous year was the highest in the last decade, and the same trend will continue in 2021. The demand will continue to stay high, and homes will be sold even in unpopular sale seasons.
The pandemic shifted people’s budgets
The pandemic is undoubtedly a negative thing. However, it has made people buy homes more in Louisiana. As we were restricted from traveling, celebrating, and shopping, many people saved up some money during the last year or two. They used this time to sort out their budget, improve their credit, and save for a down payment. That’s why the housing market in Louisiana has seen an increase in sales over the past year – and this trend will surely continue. Therefore, if you were hesitating to put your home up for sale – 2021 may just be the right time to do it.
Competition may be a challenge
More people are indeed in the mood to buy a home. However, the other side of this story tells that fewer homes are up for sale. People are hesitant to sell their homes due to overall uncertainty. The number of houses for sale has dropped, and there are more buyers than sellers. Therefore, one thing you can expect from Louisiana’s housing market this year is fierce competition. Sellers will not have so many options to choose from, making finding a perfect home more challenging. However, as the global health situation is getting better in 2021, we can expect this to change as well. Our advice is to take your time when picking the right home and stay patient throughout the process.
Online purchases
Real estate agents will have a lot of work to do to satisfy the clients’ requirements. However, we can expect from the housing market in 2021 that most of the house purchasing steps will happen online. Due to the pandemic, many daily tasks are happening online, and the housing market is experiencing the same thing. Clients will look for agents online, visit their websites for more information, require online showings, and sign papers remotely. Therefore, be sure to prepare for this new-age real estate market, as these changes have already started happening.
How to buy a home and move to Louisiana
Here are some main steps of buying a home and moving to the Bayou State.
Make sure you know your budget
It is essential to know your budget before you start house hunting. The median house value in this state is $183,101. That’s why you should determine your budget first so you can find the house of appropriate condition and size. Furthermore, it would be best if you got pre-approved for a mortgage before you start house hunting. The reason is that you will look more serious in the eyes of sellers, and they will be more willing to show you their home and accept your offer.
Hire an agent
If you’re not experienced with house purchases, make sure you hire a reliable agent to help you out. An experienced real estate agent knows more about the Louisiana housing market in 2021. They can note your wishes and needs and make sure you get the best property for what you can afford.
Make a great offer
No matter how much you love a house, it might be challenging to get it due to multiple buyers wanting the same property. That’s why you need to act fast and make sure the seller likes your offer. Talk to your agent and find out if there’s any way to ‘sweeten the deal’ and make your offer more attractive than others.
Move to Louisiana with professionals
Buying a house and organizing a move can be pretty overwhelming. Moving to another state takes a lot of effort and energy, so make sure you have someone to assist you. Luckily, help is just a click away. With reliable long-distance movers, moving to Louisiana can be entirely painless. There are numerous moving companies out there, so make sure you look for them in reliable online directories. Unfortunately, moving scams are pretty common, so be sure to trust only the experienced, certified moving teams.
Enjoy the Bayou state
The last step will surely be to enjoy your new home. After researching the Louisiana housing market in 2021 and buying a property, it’s time to explore the state and enjoy. Louisiana offers excellent cuisine, outdoor activities, friendly people, and low living costs – we’re sure you will enjoy this new life chapter in this fantastic state.
