How’s the Market? A Look at March 2025 in Greater Baton Rouge and Beyond
May 06, 2025 01:53PM ● By Carrie Godbold
If you've been thinking about buying or selling a home in Zachary or the Greater Baton
Rouge area, the latest numbers from March 2025 offer a clear picture of where things
stand—and where they may be headed.
📍 Spotlight on South Louisiana: Let’s start by zooming in:
● East Baton Rouge Parish: 1,667 homes on the market, with a median sales price of
$264,800–same goes for Zachary.
● Zachary, EBR: +68 homes on the market from April-May, compared to March-April.
● Zachary, EBR: 38 homes sold in the past 30 days
● Zachary, EBR: Average days on market of 67, compared to 81 DOM in EBR
Compared to the national median of $402,500 for existing homes, East Baton Rouge Parish
remains relatively affordable. Inventory is growing here, but strong demand—especially in
desirable suburban areas like Zachary—continues to keep things competitive.
📉 Fewer Closings, But More Homes on the Market
March brought a slowdown in closed home sales in EBR parish, with 14.1% fewer homes sold
than the same time last year. Year-to-date, closings are down 6.4%. This could be due to
buyer hesitation, tighter lending standards, or just more competition for well-priced homes.
However, sellers are still listing. New listings rose 4.5% in March and are up 2.7%
year-to-date. That means more options for buyers who may have felt limited by tight
inventory in recent years.
💰 Prices Are Steady—and Slowly Climbing
Despite slower sales, home values remain strong in Greater Baton Rouge. The median sales
price increased 0.9% for the month and 2.3% so far this year. So, while the pace of buying
may have cooled, prices are still inching upward—good news for sellers and homeowners
tracking equity growth.
🤝 Slight Shift in Negotiating Power
On average, homes sold for about 97% of their asking price—just a slight dip from last year.
Buyers may have a little more room to negotiate, but we’re still far from the lowball-offer
days of the early 2010s.
⏳ Homes Are Taking a Bit Longer to Sell
The average Baton Rouge home now spends 81 days on the market, up from 75 days this
time last year. But Zachary has an average of 67 days on market currently. While this doesn’t
suggest a major slowdown, it does indicate buyers are taking their time—and sellers may
need to adjust expectations.
📦 Inventory Is Growing—But the Market’s Not Flooded
The number of homes for sale rose 12.3%, and at the current pace of sales, it would take
about 4.3 months to sell them all. This is up 13% from last year and nudges the market
toward a more balanced state—not quite a buyer’s market, but no longer red-hot for sellers
either.
💡 What Does This Mean for You?
● Buyers now have more options and a bit more room to negotiate.
● Sellers should price realistically and be prepared for longer listing times.
● Everyone should note that prices aren’t dropping—they’re just growing at a more
measured pace.
The East Baton Rouge housing market is stabilizing, not slumping. Whether you're buying or
selling, a smart strategy and up-to-date information are more important than ever.
🔮 What Experts Expect Next
You’ve probably heard real estate pros say “marry the house, date the rate.” That advice still
holds. The ultra-low interest rates of 2020 (as low as 2.66%) were historic anomalies. Most
analysts now expect mortgage rates to hover in the mid-6% range through 2025—lower
than recent spikes above 7%, but not likely to fall much further anytime soon.
💸 The Impact of Today’s Rates
To put things in perspective: a $400,000 mortgage at a 6.76% interest rate equals about $2,600/month in principal and interest (before taxes and insurance).
At 2.66%, that same payment would have been around $1,613/month—nearly $1,000 less.
So yes, buying power has taken a hit. But it’s still important to remember: today’s rates are
normal when viewed through a long-term lens. Buyers just need to be more strategic.
✔️ Strategic Moves for Buyers and Sellers
● Buyers: Watch interest rates closely and act quickly when you find favorable loan
terms. Homes that have been sitting longer may offer more room to
negotiate—especially if you’re using FHA or VA financing. Rate buydowns and local
grants can help ease affordability challenges.
● Sellers: Understand that the days of multiple offers on day one are easing up. Price
competitively, be patient, and make sure your home stands out—especially if it’s in a
more saturated market.
Bottom line: The South Louisiana market is showing early signs of stabilization. Inventory is
up, demand is holding, and pricing remains steady. Keep your eye on summer mortgage rate
trends and insurance updates, as they’ll likely shape the next chapter of our real estate
story.
Carrie Godbold Real Estate - 2348 North Turnberry Avenue, Zachary, LA
Carrie has been the #1 Realtor in the area for over 10 years running. More importantly, she is known for her honest, ethical and hard-working ways. She'd love to help you buy or sell! Read More »