New study ranks New Orleans among worst cities for first-time home buyers
Rough article, definitely merits a hard look. It is my contention that property insurance is the biggest challenge to home ownership in S. Louisiana. My recommendation is to confer regularly with engaged insurance agents, shop property and flood insurance with multiple agents, and keep your nose in the news, every day: https://www.audacy.com/wwl/news/local/new-orleans-home-sales-survey
Models hint at tropical development in the northern Gulf next week
Time to make that review of your property and flood insurance policies. We are looking at one of those circumstances where part of a front dips into the Gulf and possibly gins up a storm that usually does not have enough runway to become strong: https://www.gulfcoastnewsnow.com/article/tropics-tracking-hurricane-depression-gulf-coast/71915091
180-home Milton, la subdivision approved as residents warn of traffic, flooding concerns
Folks, the concerns in South Louisiana about new subdivisions and flooding and highway congestion runs across the state: https://www.theadvocate.com/acadiana/news/planning-panel-okays-180-lot-townhome-project-in-milton-area/article_edd56aee-8234-4a02-96ad-7767fe47f85b.html
New Orleans could vote on new drainage fees after recent flooding
This idea of raising more money to improve drainage in NOLA has been an ongoing theme. I personally think it’s necessary. Here, the plan would be for nonprofit organizations with property here to to foot more of the bill. I am for that idea, too. Nonprofits in New Orleans generally do not pay ad valorem millage (property) taxes. The Louisiana Constitution exempts property owned by nonprofits organized for religious, charitable, health, welfare, fraternal, or educational purposes. However, nonprofits are not exempt from specific local parcel fees, utility fees, or service charges to include drainage and sewerage fees. Quite simply, New Orleans is too often realizing flood insurance events that are very preventable: https://www.fox8live.com/2026/07/14/new-orleans-could-vote-new-drainage-fees-after-recent-flooding/
new orleans Residents frustrated by flooding
These downbursts have been really challenging the aged, underfunded and mismanaged drainage system in NOLA. Remember, for auto insurance comprehensive (other than collision) coverage protects against flood damage. For property, flood insurance does the job: https://app.theadvocate.com/article/residents-frustrated-by-flooding/content.html
Bipartisan housing bill automatically becomes law after Trump refuses to sign it
The "21st Century ROAD to Housing Act" just passed. The law includes: "The new law includes more than 45 provisions, many of which are aimed at increasing development of affordable housing by removing regulatory barriers and streamlining environmental reviews. It also launches a pilot program to aid local governments in converting vacant commercial buildings into affordable housing, unlocks more federal funding for the construction of factory-built homes and eliminates a rule that requires homes to be built on a chassis — a steel framework used to transport them.
In addition, it creates an innovation fund for communities that are increasing their housing supply, supports housing opportunities for veterans and limits the purchases of single-family homes by institutional investors": https://www.cbsnews.com/news/housing-bill-becomes-law-trump-sign/
New Orleans City Council approves River District affordable housing project
Pretty big deal for affordable housing in the city. This project will be located relative close to the River Gardens, Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO) development: https://www.wdsu.com/article/new-orleans-affordable-housing-river-district-approved/71886971
Air Products cancels $4.5 billion project to inject carbon dioxide under Lake Maurepas
This is big news. I've been following this story for several years. I was wondering which way it would go. My real question is what are the dangers of implanting carbon a mile underground. We are developing the means to capture carbon, to keep it out of our atmosphere, which would help slow down the effects of global warming, which is tied to our stronger, larger hurricanes and our rising sea levels, both critical factors to South Louisiana, factors affecting property and flood insurance. Where will we place this captured carbon?: https://app.nola.com/article/62af6004-a6ce-4954-8d6a-f150c236d88f/content.html
Louisiana suspends insurance rules for parishes impacted by Tropical Storm Arthur
The major take away from an action like this by the Louisiana Department of Insurance is that during the suspension period insurance companies cannot terminate a policy for non-payment or non-renew: https://www.kalb.com/2026/07/02/louisiana-suspends-insurance-rules-parishes-impacted-by-tropical-storm-arthur/
Fire Tracking App Used by Millions Expands to Help Monitor Dangerous Floods
Here's an app that Louisianians may want to add to their phones. Realtors, this piece might provide a talking point opportunity for you: Insurance Journal Article
New Orleans residents will soon get help affording fortified roof costs over $10,000 grants
This is good news, helping the state expand better roofing into more difficult areas. The more, better roofs, the more interest by insurers and reinsurers to come into the state. Remember, we have the real estate agent C.E. for Fortified Roofs and Wind Mitigation.
For five years no city in the state grew like Carencro. There's a reason why
I've been wondering when this action would start, homebuilding growth to move north toward Carencro in the Lafayette area. Higher grounds, a little further away from the strong hurricane winds, cheaper land, rural loans, it was a matter of time: