Buy or sell your home with confidence.

It depends on your loan. Some programs, like VA and USDA loans, allow little or nothing down, while conventional and FHA loans have their own minimums. Closing costs are separate and can sometimes be negotiated so the seller pays part of them. A lender can give you exact numbers for your situation. We work with some of the area's top lenders and will point you in the right direction.

A pre-approval tells you exactly what you can afford, and it shows sellers you're a serious buyer. In a competitive situation, an offer with a pre-approval letter is often chosen over one without. It also helps you avoid falling in love with a home outside your budget.

Before we start touring homes, we'll sign a simple written agreement that explains how your agent is paid. In most sales the seller covers some or all of that cost, and we can ask for it as part of your offer. We'll go over all of it up front so there are no surprises.

Once your offer is accepted, the clock starts. You'll put down your deposit, schedule inspections and finalize your loan, and the lender will order an appraisal. The title company checks that the property's title is clear, and you'll shop for homeowner's insurance (and flood insurance if needed). Your agent keeps track of every deadline and walks you through it step by step, all the way to closing day.

A licensed inspector looks at the home's major systems: roof, foundation, plumbing, electrical, heating and air, and more. If problems turn up, you can ask the seller to make repairs, offer a credit, or lower the price. Depending on your contract, you may also be able to walk away during the inspection period. We can help you decide how to approach it.

We can look up a home's FEMA flood zone before you make an offer. If the home is in a high-risk zone and you're getting a mortgage, your lender will require flood insurance. Even outside those zones, many homeowners here carry flood insurance anyway, and we always recommend getting a quote early. The seller's property disclosure should also tell you whether the home has flooded before.

The act of sale is what Louisiana calls closing. It's the day the buyer and seller sign the final documents, usually at a title company or attorney's office, in front of a notary. The money changes hands, the sale is recorded, and you get your keys.

It varies with how long you search. Once you're under contract, a financed purchase usually takes about a month to six weeks to close, and a cash purchase can close faster. Getting pre-approved first is the best way to keep things on schedule.

Online estimates can be far off, because they can't see your home's condition, updates or the details of your street. We'll prepare a free market analysis that compares your home with similar homes that have recently sold nearby, so you have a realistic price to work with.

Common seller costs include the real estate commission, your share of title and closing fees, prorated property taxes, and paying off your mortgage. Other items, like who pays for the termite inspection, are negotiated between buyer and seller. Every sale is different. We can give you a net sheet showing what you'll walk away with at any point. All you have to do is ask.

Most Louisiana sellers fill out the Louisiana Residential Property Disclosure. It covers what you know about the home's condition, such as the roof, plumbing, past flooding or termite damage. Being honest and complete protects you after the sale. We'll walk you through the form.

Not always. Fixing obvious problems and freshening up paint and landscaping usually pay off, while big remodels often don't return what they cost. We'll walk through your home with you and tell you which projects are worth it for your price range.

It depends on price, condition, location and the market at that moment. A well-priced home in good shape sells faster. We'll show you how long similar homes near you have taken to sell, so you can plan your move.

Often, yes. Some buyers make an offer that depends on selling their current home first, some qualify to carry both mortgages for a short time, and others line up both closings for the same day. We'll help you choose the approach that fits your finances and timing.

Every listing gets professional-looking photos, a strong MLS listing that reaches every agent in the area, and exposure across the major home search sites and social media. We price it right from day one, because the first few weeks on the market matter most.

The homestead exemption lowers the property taxes on the home you live in as your primary residence. You file once with your parish assessor's office after you buy, and many parishes now let you file online. File soon after your closing so you don't miss out on the savings.

Your parish assessor sets your home's assessed value, and local tax rates (called millage) are applied to it. Rates differ by parish and even by area within a parish, so two homes at the same price can have different tax bills. We can look up the current taxes on any home you're considering.

It depends on the price range and the neighborhood, and it changes throughout the year. Call us and we'll pull current numbers for the areas you're interested in, including how fast homes are selling and how close to asking price.

We help buyers and sellers in seven Louisiana parishes: East Baton Rouge (Baton Rouge, Central, Zachary and Baker), Livingston (Denham Springs, Walker, Livingston, Watson, Albany, Springfield, French Settlement and Maurepas), Ascension (Prairieville, Gonzales, Geismar, Sorrento and Donaldsonville), West Baton Rouge (Port Allen, Brusly and Addis), Iberville (St. Gabriel), East Feliciana (Clinton, Slaughter and Ethel) and St. Tammany on the Northshore (Covington, Mandeville and Madisonville). If you're not sure whether we cover your area, give us a call.

Gaspard & Co Real Estate has local roots going back to 1979 and brings together some of south Louisiana's most experienced agents. Each agent has their own style, and all of them bring the same care to every client. You can browse our agents and read their reviews to find the one who fits you best.