Bricks, Beetles & Buyer Hesitation: Baton Rouge’s Real Estate Reality

Scott Bardwell of the Home Builders Association joins the show to break down Baton Rouge’s housing market. From rate buy-downs helping first-time buyers to middle-market sluggishness, the theme is clear: uncertainty. Inflation fears, ICE raids, and tariffs are shaking labor and material costs, while consumer confidence remains low. Buyers are remodeling instead of relocating, and new construction—with energy-efficient upgrades and smaller lots—is outpacing interest in older homes. Baton Rouge’s steady growth and permit activity keep it resilient, but lifestyle shifts and pricing mismatches are reshaping demand. It’s a candid look at what’s building—and what’s stalling—in the Capital Region’s housing scene.