Common questions
The questions I hear most.
Probably more than you think, and you won't know until you talk to a lender. There are loan programs built specifically for buyers with student debt, lower credit scores, or non-traditional income, plus down payment assistance and city grants that can mean little to nothing out of pocket. When I bought my first home at 23, I bought a double, lived in one side, and rented out the other. My tenant covered most of my mortgage. Being young with debt isn't a reason it can't happen. It might actually be the best reason to start now.
This is one of the most important questions you can ask, and I'm glad you're asking it before you fall in love with a payment estimate. In New Orleans specifically, you need to factor in homeowners insurance, flood insurance if your home is in a flood zone, a termite contract (non-negotiable in my opinion), property taxes, and a maintenance reserve for the older homes that give this city its character. The good news is Louisiana offers a homestead exemption that removes the first $75,000 of your home's assessed value from property taxes if it's your primary residence. I walk every client through a full cost breakdown before we ever make an offer so there are zero surprises at closing.
Honestly, this is one of my favorite questions because most people assume the answer is no, and it's often yes. Real estate is a long game, and if you're going to be here for at least 3-5 years, buying can make more financial sense than renting. And here's the thing about New Orleans: most people who aren't sure if they want to stay end up staying. This city has a way of getting into you. But even if you do eventually move, a well-chosen property here can become a rental that cash flows for you. I bought my first home knowing I might not be there forever. I still own it and rent it out today.
The goal is always to find it early. By the time we're touring, I've already spent real time understanding what you want from our consultation: your budget, your neighborhood priorities, your non-negotiables, and the things you think you want but might actually be flexible on. That work upfront means we're not wasting your weekends on homes that were never right. Sometimes people find their home on the second showing. Sometimes it takes longer. Either way, I'm with you the whole time and I'll always tell you honestly when something feels right and when something doesn't.
My honest take? Don't wait to buy real estate. Buy real estate and wait. The right time to buy is when you can afford it, not when the market feels perfect, because the perfect market never quite arrives. Rates change, and you can always refinance when they do. What you can't get back is the equity you would have been building the whole time you waited. That said, I will never push you to buy before you're ready. If the timing genuinely isn't right for your life right now, I'll tell you that too. My job is to help you make the right decision, not just a decision.
I charge 3% of the purchase price when working with buyers. In some transactions, the seller covers my commission as part of the deal, but that is not always the case. Before we submit any offer, we will sit down and talk through exactly what my compensation looks like for that specific transaction so you know what to expect going in. No surprises, no fine print. Just a real conversation before we make any moves.
Still have a question? Get in touch and I'll answer it directly.