Live or recorded
Video tours of every home you like
We walk it on FaceTime and point out what photos don't show: the condition, the noise, the street, the smell.
Buying in Baton Rouge · Two agents, one price
Two agents in your corner
Brian and Janelle both work your purchase. We negotiate hard on price, repairs and closing costs, and we send video tours when you can't be here in person.
Free giftFound a home online? We'll walk it on video for you, no strings attached.2 agentsfor the price of one
5.0 ★from 60 client reviews
Live videotours from anywhere
LocalBaton Rouge, Gonzales, Prairieville & Denham Springs
Our approach
Four ways we protect your purchase
Buying a home is the biggest check most people ever write. We make sure you see the right homes, pay the right price and know exactly what you're getting.
01
Two agents, one price
You get Brian and Janelle both. One can be at a showing while the other is on the phone with your lender, so nothing waits.
02
Negotiation comes first
We negotiate price, repairs, closing costs and builder incentives, and we go through the inspection report with you line by line.
03
Video tours from anywhere
Moving from out of town? We'll walk homes live on FaceTime or send a recorded tour, so you only fly in for the ones worth seeing.
04
Guided from offer to keys
Lender, inspector and insurance introductions plus a clear timeline, so you always know what happens next.
Buying alone vs. buying with us
On your own
With us
Your offer
Guessing at a number and hoping
An offer built from recent sales nearby and what the seller actually needs
Negotiation
Taking the first counter
We push on price, repairs, closing costs and builder incentives
Inspection
A 40-page report and no idea what matters
We go through it with you and ask for the repairs that count
Out of town
A flight for every showing
Live FaceTime tours and recorded walkthroughs of every room
Surprises
Learning about flood zones and insurance costs after you're under contract
We flag flood zones, insurance and parish lines up front
Updates to you
Chasing your agent for answers
Regular updates from both of us, start to finish
Relocating?
Moving to Baton Rouge from out of town
Most of the homes you'll love online won't be the right fit in person. We help you narrow it down from wherever you are, so your trip here is short and decisive.
Know the area
Neighborhood context, honestly
Commutes, flood zones, insurance costs and what's nearby, so you can compare areas before you ever visit.
One trip
Fly in once, for the finalists
When you're ready to visit, we line up a tight tour of the homes that made the cut, and we're ready to write an offer that day.
See our relocation page →Schools, commutes, flood zones and parish lines, all in one place.
In our buyers' words
Nervous going in. Thrilled at closing.
“We were nervous first time home buyers and she calmed every worry we had.”
“Janelle fought for our ‘wants’ in the deal and made sure things went smoothly… Brian saw us over the finish line with the closing.”
First-time buyers · two agentsBlair D. · Google review
“Due to purchasing out of town he jumped through hoops to make sure everything went off without a hitch!”
“Brian was absolutely amazing through our entire home buying process.”
Bought from out of townEve M. · Google review
“Even when our first house fell through they stuck by us and helped us find our dream house.”
Abram H. · Google review
“Brian went above and beyond for us and the purchase of our first home… EASY to get ahold of at any hour.”
Haley D. · Google review
“He was very informative and communicative and made our first time buying a home go very smooth.”
Madison D. · Google review
“They truly are a dynamic duo! We’ve bought and sold several homes in the past five years, but this experience was by far the best we’ve ever had.”
Kim S. · Google review
Excerpts from Google reviews of Brian Mackey, Realtor. Individual results vary.
Straight answers
Questions buyers ask us
What it costs, what you need and how it works when you buy in the Baton Rouge area.
How much does a buyer's agent cost?
Before you tour homes, you sign a written agreement with your agent that states how they're paid. In many deals the seller or builder covers the buyer's agent through the purchase contract, but it's negotiable, and we walk you through it before you sign anything.
How much do I need for a down payment?
It depends on the loan. FHA loans allow 3.5% down, some conventional loans allow 3%, and VA and USDA loans can be 0% for eligible buyers. Closing costs are separate. We connect you with local lenders so you know your number before you shop.
Do I need flood insurance?
If the home is in a high-risk zone (A or AE) and your loan is federally backed, your lender will require it. Outside those zones it's optional, but many homes that flooded in 2016 were outside high-risk zones. We get you a quote during your inspection period. Read our flood zone guide.
Should I use my own agent for a new construction home?
Yes. The agent in the model home works for the builder. We review the purchase contract, compare builder incentives and push for independent inspections. See our new construction guide.
How long does it take to buy a home?
Once your offer is accepted, closing usually takes 30 to 45 days, depending on your loan, inspections and appraisal. Finding the right home can take a weekend or a few months; we move as fast as you want to.
Can you help if I'm moving from out of state?
That's a big part of what we do. We tour homes live on FaceTime or send recorded walkthroughs, give you honest neighborhood context, and line up one short trip for the finalists.
What areas do you cover?
Baton Rouge, Prairieville, Gonzales, Denham Springs, Walker, Zachary, Central and the surrounding parishes.
Free · no commitment · no pressure
Your free video tour
See a home online you can't get to? Send it our way. Brian or Janelle will tour it for you on video and tell you what the listing photos leave out. No contract to sign first.
- Send us the home. An address or a Zillow link is all we need.
- We walk it for you. Live on FaceTime or recorded, room by room, plus the street and the neighbors.
- You get our honest take. What we'd watch out for, and whether it's worth a closer look.
Our free gift to you
How to claim it
Answer a few questions
It takes about a minute. Then we'll reach out to set up your tour.
Rather text? Send TOUR and the address to 225-337-6363. Tours depend on showing availability.
Zero commitment · just a meet and greet
Let's map out your move
Pick a time for a 45-minute buyer consult. We'll talk through what you're looking for in the Baton Rouge market and how we'd help you get it.
Brian MackeyRealtor
Janelle HernandezRealtor
Prefer to call or text?
225-337-6363
Not ready to meet? Get a free video tour instead.
What we'll cover
- Your must-haves. Budget, timeline, and the areas that fit how you live.
- Your game plan. Lender, pre-approval and what the market looks like right now.
- How we negotiate. How we write offers that win without overpaying.
Pick a time
Selling before you buy?
See how we put the most money in your pocket, and get a free video review of your home.
Brian & JanelleAbout a minute
Brian Mackey & Janelle Hernandez · Pivot Realty · 225-337-6363 · Equal Housing Opportunity