2025 Q1 Louisiana Market Recap: What Buyers Should Know

By Gregg Tepper

I have been married to my wonderful wife Letha for 29 years. We have 3 children: Max, Alexander and Charlotte. I have been a licensed Realtor in the New Orleans area for 19 years and am the Operator of The Tepper Group with Keller Williams Realty in Mandeville. Our team services the entire New Orleans and Baton Rouge metro areas. Our team of partners has well over 40 years of experience. In 2024 we helped 132 families buy, sell and lease homes, land and commercial investments.

The first quarter of 2025 is already behind us, and the real estate market has revealed some significant trends. What happened in these first 90 days could shape how you approach the rest of the year, especially if you plan to buy or sell. While the year got off to a slow start, March brought a strong turnaround. That shift in momentum is worth paying attention to because it could directly impact your next move.

The year started slow, but March saved it. We kicked off January with optimism, but then came Snowmageddon. A historic snowfall shut down roads, paused showings, and delayed deals. That cold snap froze the market for most of January and February. But once Mardi Gras passed, everything changed. By early March, the floodgates opened. Showings picked up, listings got more traffic, and activity surged. That post-holiday push saved what could have been a very slow quarter.

Prices are rising, but buyers are cautious. Across most parishes, home prices went up in Q1. Jefferson saw a 9% jump. Tangipahoa, on the other hand, spiked by 11%. Orleans and St. Tammany both increased by 3%. But price growth isn’t the whole story. Pending sales dropped in places where prices climbed the most, like Tangi. When prices rise too quickly, affordability becomes an issue, and buyers pull back.

Inventory is growing, but not all homes are selling. There are more homes on the market now than last year. Jefferson, St. Tammany, and Tangi all saw an increase in homes for sale, while Orleans had a small drop. But pending sales (the number of homes going under contract) are mixed. Jefferson’s pending is down 8.3%, while Orleans saw an 8% increase. That tells us buyers are still active, but only in certain areas and price points.

Homes are sitting longer in most areas. The number of closed sales dropped in Jefferson by nearly 15%. St. Tammany saw a healthy 6.3% gain. Days on the market are ticking up in most areas, meaning homes are taking longer to sell except in Jefferson, where they’ve sped up slightly. Showings per listing have also dropped, signaling a more selective buyer pool.

If you’re buying, you have more choices but must act fast on well-priced homes. If you’re selling, pricing your home correctly is key. Buyers are paying attention, and overpriced homes are sitting. Interest rates are steady at between 6.1% and 6.7%. That’s a big improvement from last year but not low enough to trigger a frenzy.

Here’s what it comes down to: the market is stable but not taking off. Homes are selling, but the pace is measured. If you want to make a smart move in Q2, it will take the right strategy, timing, and expert guidance.

Let’s discuss your goals. Call or text me at (985) 789 8717 or email TGroup@kw.com, and I’ll help you make your next move confidently.