Closing costs in Louisiana usually range from 2% to 5% of the home’s purchase price. These costs may include fees for appraisals, inspections, title insurance, and lender charges. Your loan officer can give you a personalized estimate based on your purchase.

For example, on a $300,000 home, buyers can expect to pay between $6,000 and $15,000 in closing costs. 

The most common loans among Louisiana buyers are:

• Conventional Loans – Flexible terms with competitive interest rates. Often preferred by buyers with strong credit and larger down payments, though options with as little as 3% down are available.

• FHA Loans – Backed by the Federal Housing Administration, these are popular with first-time buyers. They allow lower credit scores and down payments starting at 3.5%.

• VA Loans – Available to eligible veterans, active-duty service members, and surviving spouses. VA loans require no down payment and no private mortgage insurance (PMI).

• USDA Loans – Designed for qualifying buyers in rural and suburban areas. These loans also offer no down payment and reduced mortgage insurance costs.

Louisiana’s public schools vary in performance, with a mix of districts and individual schools earning strong marks while others face significant challenges.

• Top districts include those in places like Benton Parish and St. Tammany Parish, which frequently rank among the best in the state for student achievement and graduation rates.

• Notable schools such as Benjamin Franklin High School in New Orleans and Haynes Academy School for Advanced Studies in Metairie stand out for high proficiency and performance metrics.

• The state uses letter-grade and performance frameworks through the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) to report metrics like student growth, proficiency, and school effectiveness.

For full data on school and district performance—including test scores, growth indicators, and accountability ratings—visit the Louisiana School Report Cards portal.