Maurice & Co. - Your Real Estate Resource

Maurice & Co. - Your Real Estate Resource Buying a home is one life's most importance decisions. Let me help you make the right one!

06/26/2026

This might be the most important thing I have shared so far, especially given recent events in our area. If you are buying a home anywhere in Jefferson Parish, Orleans Parish, St. Charles, or really anywhere in South Louisiana, you need to understand flood insurance before you close. Pay close attention because this directly affects your monthly budget and your ability to close on time.

Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. This is not a Louisiana-specific rule. It is nationwide. But it matters here more than almost anywhere else in the country because we receive more rainfall than any place in the continental United States and we sit in one of the most flood-prone regions on the planet.

If your home is in a high-risk flood zone your mortgage lender will require flood insurance before they will allow you to close. But even if you are in Zone X, which is considered moderate to low risk, I strongly recommend carrying a policy anyway. People outside high-risk zones account for 25 percent of all flood insurance claims nationally. That number tells you everything you need to know about the real risk regardless of the zone designation.

The median flood insurance cost in Louisiana is about $1,400 per year but that number varies widely by location. A home in the French Quarter or Irish Channel might cost a few hundred dollars annually. A home in Lakeview or Bayou Gauche could run $3,000 or more. Under FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0 pricing premiums in Jefferson and Orleans Parishes have roughly doubled for many homeowners and they often feel like they make very little logical sense.

You have options. You can go through the National Flood Insurance Program or explore private flood insurance and comparing both could save you a significant amount of money. But the bottom line is this: factor flood insurance into your budget from day one because it is a non-negotiable cost of homeownership in South Louisiana and surprises at closing are avoidable when you plan ahead.

Reach out if you want help understanding what flood insurance will mean for your specific property and budget.

06/26/2026

One of the biggest myths keeping people from buying a home in our area is the idea that you need 20 percent down. Let me put that to rest right now because this belief is keeping qualified buyers on the sidelines unnecessarily.

In Jefferson Parish where the median home price is around $270,000, a 20 percent down payment would be $54,000. That is a significant amount of money and I completely understand why that number feels out of reach. But here is the truth: you do not need anywhere close to that to become a homeowner today.

FHA loans require just 3.5 percent down. On that same $270,000 home that is about $9,450. Conventional loans now allow as little as 3 percent down. VA loans offer zero down for eligible veterans and service members. USDA loans also offer zero down for eligible rural and suburban properties.

And then there is the Louisiana assistance that makes this even more accessible. The LHC Soft Second Program can provide up to $55,000 at zero interest with no monthly payments, forgiven after 10 years. The Resilience Soft Second offers up to $60,000. And right here in New Orleans the city's Direct Homebuyer Program offers up to $35,000 as a forgivable second mortgage. When you stack these programs together some buyers are walking into homeownership with very little out of pocket.

The money is there. It exists right now and it is available to qualified buyers in our area. Your first step is talking to a lender who participates in LHC programs and getting pre-approved so you know exactly what you qualify for.

Reach out and let's find out what you qualify for together.

06/19/2026

I get this question all the time so let me give you the real picture for the three main parishes I cover heading into summer 2026. The answer depends entirely on where you are looking.

In Orleans Parish prices have actually softened. The median listing price dropped about 7 to 8 percent year over year and approximately 74 percent of listings have had at least one price reduction. That is a significant number and it tells you that sellers in New Orleans proper are having to adjust their expectations to meet where buyers actually are right now. That creates real negotiating room for prepared buyers.

Jefferson Parish is telling a very different story. Prices are up nearly 6 percent year over year with steady demand particularly in Metairie, Kenner, and the West Bank. This market has remained resilient and competitive even as conditions have shifted elsewhere.

St. Charles Parish saw some price fluctuations earlier in the year but remains a strong market supported by quality schools and newer construction homes that continue to attract consistent buyer interest.

Statewide Louisiana home prices are up about 4.5 percent. Most experts are not forecasting any kind of crash but rather a continued normalization where overpriced listings get corrected and well-priced homes still sell efficiently. If you are waiting for a 2008-style collapse, do not hold your breath. That is not what the data is pointing toward.

What is true right now is that buyers across our area have more negotiating leverage than they have had in years and that is a genuine and time-sensitive opportunity worth acting on.

Reach out and let's talk through what this market means for your specific situation.

06/10/2026

Quick PSA for my self-employed folks out there.

If you have ever been told you do not qualify for a mortgage, in most cases it is not actually your income that is the problem. It is how traditional lenders read your tax returns. Write-offs lower your taxable income and conventional lenders only see that reported number. They do not see the actual cash flowing through your business. They do not see the clients you serve, the contracts you hold, or the real revenue you generate. They see a tax return that was optimized to minimize your liability and they call it a denial.

This is exactly why business owners, contractors, and entrepreneurs consistently get stuck in the mortgage qualification process even when they are genuinely making real money and running successful operations. The system was not built for the way you earn.

The good news is there are solutions that do not rely solely on tax returns. Bank statement loans and alternative qualification programs are specifically designed for self-employed buyers and allow lenders to evaluate your actual deposits and cash flow rather than a number your accountant worked hard to reduce. Your real financial picture is often significantly stronger than your paperwork suggests.

If you are self-employed and want to buy a home, do not count yourself out before having this conversation. DM me and let's talk through what options are actually available for your specific situation.

06/09/2026

This is hands down the most common question I am getting right now and the answer for buyers across Jefferson, Orleans, and St. Charles Parish this summer is genuinely encouraging.

The Greater New Orleans metro market is tilting in favor of buyers for the first time in years and the data tells a compelling story. In Orleans Parish the median home price is sitting around $350,000, though that varies significantly neighborhood to neighborhood. The real story is that homes are averaging over 100 days on market and selling at about 93 percent of list price. That means real negotiating room for prepared buyers. In Jefferson Parish the median is around $270,000, up about 6 percent year over year, with homes moving faster at around 55 days on market. St. Charles Parish is offering solid value with a median around $250,000 and homes moving in approximately 43 days.

Louisiana mortgage rates are averaging around 6.3 to 6.5 percent on a 30-year fixed and the state currently has some of the most generous first-time buyer programs available in quite some time. If you have been waiting for a window where you have real options, time to think through your decision, and genuine negotiating power, this summer market in Greater New Orleans is giving you exactly that.

But as I always say, the real answer to when you should buy is simple. The best time to buy is when you are ready. Reach out and let's figure out if that time is now for your specific situation.

04/09/2025

✨ NEW LISTING ✨

1101 Belmont Pl, Metairie
🛏️ 3 Bedrooms
🛀 2 Bathrooms
📐 2150 sq ft

Offered at $399,900

Listed By: Brian Maurice, REAL Broker LLC

Well… It’s about to get ΓEA⅃ It would be impossible to frame up these last 5 years in a single post. Words fall short in...
06/03/2024

Well… It’s about to get ΓEA⅃

It would be impossible to frame up these last 5 years in a single post. Words fall short in describing the ups and downs, the milestones and emotions. All I can say is God is Good.

And with that I yield to the voice inside that has guided me in the right direction wherever I went, that is of course when I decided to listen. Today I announce that I have decided to make a change in my career and leave eXp Realty for a new brokerage. This decision was not made lightly; however, I felt it was essential in order for me to reach the next level. I have nothing but gratitude for eXp as a company and of course for all of the wonderful people I have met along the way. I could not have done much without your help, and I will never let these relationships go even as I depart.

To my family, those of you here and no longer with us, I am forever grateful for your constant love and support. You are my WHY and always will be.

Now, let’s do this. More exciting news to come…

To those who served and those who continue to serve… Thank You. 🇺🇸
05/28/2024



To those who served and those who continue to serve… Thank You. 🇺🇸

Goodbye to this beautiful Lakeview double! Honored to work with the great —Thank you for placing your trust in me again...
05/21/2024

Goodbye to this beautiful Lakeview double! Honored to work with the great —Thank you for placing your trust in me again!

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