We’re starting where most people are: debating whether it’s smarter to rent or buy. In this lesson, we’ll look at side-by-side comparisons for real parishes—what it costs to rent a 2-bed in Lafayette vs. what you'd pay monthly if you bought. We’ll factor in taxes, insurance, maintenance, and more. Plus, we’ll talk about the long-term financial impact of both decisions, and how Louisiana’s market trends play into that.

Here’s the full walkthrough—from your first house-hunting scroll to getting the keys. We’ll lay out each step: working with an agent, scheduling showings, making an offer, dealing with inspections and appraisals, and navigating closing. We'll also talk about Louisiana-specific quirks like flood disclosures, elevation certificates, and raised foundations. You’ll leave this one knowing how the homebuying timeline works—and what’s different when you’re buying in the boot.

This lesson is about the numbers. We'll walk you through how to estimate a budget that really fits your income, lifestyle, and monthly comfort zone. You’ll learn how to plug in local numbers for taxes, insurance, and utilities. We’ll also break down upfront costs like earnest money, inspections, and closing fees—so you're not blindsided at the worst moment.

Not all loans are created equal, and Louisiana has a few that are especially first-timer friendly. We’ll walk through FHA, USDA Rural Development loans (super popular in smaller parishes), and the state-supported programs from LHC. You’ll also learn how to tell the difference between pre-qualification and pre-approval, and how to talk to lenders without feeling overwhelmed.

MLS listings can feel like a secret code. We’ll show you how to read them like a pro: flood zones, foundation types, roof ages, and more. Then we’ll zoom out—how do you actually choose a good neighborhood? We'll talk about flood maps, school zones, elevation data, commutes, and where first-time buyers are having success right now.

Now it’s time to walk through homes with confidence. This lesson covers how to spot red flags: signs of water damage, foundation issues, worn-out HVAC systems, and more. We’ll also prep you with smart questions to ask during showings and help you separate emotional “ooh, pretty kitchen” reactions from practical concerns like “this roof is 20 years old.”

You found the one—now what? We’ll walk you through how to write a strong offer, including how to use concessions to protect your wallet. Then we’ll break down the Louisiana Residential Agreement to Buy or Sell—line by line, clause by clause—in plain language. You'll know exactly what you're signing and why it matters

From the home inspection report to the title company’s role, we’ll walk you through what to expect once your offer is accepted. You’ll learn what issues can delay or kill a deal in Louisiana (spoiler: flood insurance can get spicy), and how to keep things moving forward. This is also where we explain how appraisals work and why your lender really, really cares about them.

Once you’re in, you’ve still got some boxes to check. We’ll show you how and when to file for the Homestead Exemption (it’s not automatic), what to double-check in your homeowner’s policy, and whether flood insurance is a good idea (hint: usually, yes—even in X zones). We’ll also give you a “first 60 days” checklist to make settling in smoother.

Now we look long-term. You’ll learn how to build and protect equity—through smart maintenance, potential upgrades, and understanding refinance options. We’ll also talk about resale prep: what affects value in Louisiana homes (like age of systems and flood history), and how to keep your house market-ready even if you don’t plan on moving anytime soon.