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LAPLACE — The real estate market in the River Parishes is holding steady despite insurance woes, according to Henri Dufresne and Nicole Landry, the team of State Title.

A recent move to 325 Belle Terre Blvd. in LaPlace and the upcoming opening of a second office in St. Charles Parish have allowed State Title to expand its reach in the River Parishes as homeowners, old and new, navigate an ever-changing real estate landscape.

“The most important thing right now for people who are buying or selling is seeking out those professionals who know the area so we can guide them on when and how to list, what kind of title programs you can use to get more buying power, and where to turn when you run into issues. Establishing a convenient and seamless transaction for people is our first priority,” Dufresne said. “Having other locations to make it easier for people who work or have to take off during lunch to get closings done as a convenience factor will make a big difference, as well as branching out and expanding our reach closer to the Kenner and Metairie area.”

According to Dufresne, details about the St. Charles Parish location will be released in the coming weeks.

State Title’s core services include real estate closings, escrow and title services, and legal and notarial services. The title company opened in 2019 as a partnership between Dufresne, who owns Dufresne Law Firm in LaPlace, and Landry, who brings more than 30 years of mortgage and title experience to the table. State Title works closely with home buyers, sellers, agents, lenders and developers to enhance communication and alleviate worry during the real estate closing process.

Since State Title serves as both a title and escrow agent, the team can look back through the past 30 to 60 years of title transfers in the history of a property to ensure everything was done correctly. This involves making sure all mortgages were cancelled and that the individual purchasing a property won’t be served a judgment. On the escrow side, State Title ensures all elements of contracts and loan conditions are met and that funds are dispersed to necessary parties.

“Just because mortgages are paid off doesn’t mean they are cancelled. Sometimes we need to help get something cleared to get you in a position to sell,” Dufresne said. “One of the things we’ve been doing a lot is dealing with houses that suffered hurricane damage with mortgage payoffs and construction liens that have been improperly filed by contractors. Knowing how to navigate the intricacies of the law and having that law firm expertise allows us to put people in position to succeed and not be blindsided once they get to the closing table.”

Dufresne and Landry are discovering the new market, which has a surplus of properties compared to what was out there two years ago. Homeowners are now faced with rising costs of insurance, both flood and homeowners, and Dufresne said there is still a lot of uncertainty regarding how the levee and other flood reduction projects will impact insurance premiums moving forward. Despite the challenges, the State Title team is continuing to see new construction, interest in investment properties, and families moving into the River Parishes. Several broker tours have been held with agents in the St. John Parish area in recent months.
“We are very fortunate that we have a lot of good realtors and very, very good lenders in the River Parishes that have continued to keep the market expanding even in these difficult times. They know what to look for and know how to make offers,” Dufresne said. “We are seeing a lot of young families moving into the River Parishes, whether they work here or not, because of the amenities we have here. Here, you get a better house and a better yard for a lower price than what you would get in the city.”

While the focus is currently on the River Parishes, Dufresne plans to expand State Title with locations throughout Louisiana in the future. The new office at 325 Belle Terre Blvd. will continue to serve as a centralized hub, both for the title company and for the law firm.

To reach State Title, email nicole@statetitlela.com or call 985-359-1239.