If you ask a homeowner what it was like to buy their first home, they’ll probably mention a few things they’d change if they could do it all again. While it’s impossible to know everything about the home-buying process beforehand, you can still prepare yourself for what lies ahead—and figure out how to avoid some potential pitfalls. Not sure where to begin? Here are some key pointers to keep in mind before starting your search.
You’re Buying More Than a House
We all know the phrase “love at first sight,” and it can certainly apply to homes, too! Even if you step inside a home and instantly fall in love, it’s crucial to step back and consider the whole picture before making a purchase.
When you buy your first property, you’re investing in more than just four walls. It’s worth paying attention to things like a home’s location, neighborhood, and physical condition, too. Even if you find that open concept kitchen you’ve been dreaming of, it might not be the right fit if it’s in the wrong community or if the rest of the house requires out-of-budget repairs. It’s best to stay realistic and listen to your agent’s (and home inspector’s) advice. Remember, this is likely one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make, so spend your money wisely!
Down Payments Are Different for Everyone
So many would-be buyers are scared of homeownership for one reason: the down payment. Traditionally, you’d put down around 20% on a home and spend anywhere from 10 to 30 years paying your lender back. However, you actually have more flexibility than you might expect.
Depending on your credit history, location, and occupation, you could be eligible for loans that require as little as 0% down. However, making a larger down payment means you’ll pay less interest to your lender in the long run. Be sure to shop around for the right fit and reach out to your agent with any questions—they’re always available to help you out.
Prepare for Extra Expenses
Homeownership often comes with unexpected expenses, especially right after you move in. When you’re setting a budget for your big purchase, consider adding some wiggle room to allow for any additional and long term costs. You don’t want to realize that you can’t afford your home after you’ve purchased it!
Wondering what kinds of expenses can come up? Inspections, homeowner’s insurance, prepaid taxes and other various closing costs, HOA dues, and repairs are just a few possibilities. You’ll pay for some of these before or at the closing, but certain recurring costs will have to be factored into your monthly budget.
Get Pre-Approved Before You Start Searching
Once you’ve made the decision to buy, it’s tempting to start looking at listings right away. However, you might want to press pause and complete an essential step before you start scheduling showings. Getting pre-approved for your loan will show sellers and agents that you’re serious about buying—and it can tell you exactly how much you can afford to spend.
Ready to start the pre-approval process? First, you’ll want to get your finances in order and shop around for the right lender. Be sure to have all of your important documents on hand, such as your W-2 tax form, paystubs, and social security card. Most lenders allow you to apply online, and within a few business days, you’ll know whether you’ve been approved or not, as well as the conditions of the loan.
Are You a First-Time Buyer?
Buying your first home is a big deal, and it’s important to have the right agent by your side throughout the process. If you’re ready to start your search, feel free to reach out to us with any questions. We can’t wait to help jumpstart your journey to homeownership!
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Orange, Locust Grove, Norther Virginia or even Maryland or DC, we are your Real Estate team committed to finding the perfect home for you! Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by homeowners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar, and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, one of our area expert advisors will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available properties, please visit our website licatagroup.com
Research is essential before renovation, as it will help you scope your options and choose quality.
When you plan to renovate your house, the
renovation is an investment in your home. When doing so, you are not only
fixing it and redecorating for yourself. You are also adding value to it
should you ever choose to sell it in the future. Furthermore, as renovating
your house is a form of investment, it should
definitely be well planned and thought out. In addition, as we continue
discussing this topic, we are also going to delve deeper. We will discover the 10 essential and beneficial things one should do before renovating a house.
Renovating a House 101
A written plan and a mood board will be so
helpful throughout the renovation.
Renovating a house can be a small project or a very big
one. Whether you are fixing a bathroom or redesigning the entire interior look
of your home, there are multiple elements to be
considered beforehand. Why is a renovation something you should not rush into?
The answer to this is because a single renovation should withstand time and
have the quality to it. This takes good research, a solid plan and professional
help, amongst many other details.
Tips 1 and 2
Meanwhile, what do you think the number one thing on the
list is? When renovating your house, our number one tip to do first is creating
a mood board. Gather images, samples of textures, materials and more and place
it all on a board to visually create a concept and style. Placing everything in
one spot will help you view what your renovation could possibly look like. A
mood board is also a great idea because sometimes it is difficult to imagine
patterns and textures and colors in your head at once. Having them one beside
the other will help you make decoration ideas as well.
Make sure you set a budget before your renovation so that you don’t exceed your financial limits.
While we are on this topic, the mood board also ties into
our second tip. Placing everything on the board helps you create a visual plan,
which can also help you figure out your budget and the limits of it. Entering a
renovation without conceptualizing your finances and having a budget is a bad
idea altogether. You can get carried away and not even realize how much you are
actually spending. Moreover, adding the cost of all your ideas will help you
understand where you stand and how much you would like to spend on renovating
your house.
Tip 3
Now that you have an idea of what your renovation could
become visually, sit down and create a plan. This plan should consist of all the
changes you plan to implement within your home. Any necessary fixes and
additions you would like to see, along with the timeline of all of this. A
solid list with a good schedule will help you down the road and keep this
renovation organized.
Tip 4
A team of professionals will help guide you
through this process with beneficial advisement.
Consult with a team of professionals. If renovating your
house becomes a big project and you are unsure as to how to proceed, hire a
reliable contractor and decorator to help you. A team of professionals will
know and understand the standards and laws they must adhere to, taking that
stressful aspect away from your to-do-list. Additionally, a team of
professionals will also help you visualize your renovation and help you
understand the possibilities of your house. Sometimes the layout of the house
might not allow you to break down a wall, or add something, and it is good to
know ahead of time what you can do and what you cannot.
Tip 5
Renovating your house is easier if you move your
furniture out and have an empty space to work with. Whether you are renovating
a home you plan to stay in, or are renovating a house in another city, take
care of your furniture and belongings ahead of time. Meanwhile, if you are
moving away, we advise on getting your household belongings to another state before you start renovating. Place your belongings in
storage and keep them there until you complete and finish your new house.
Tip 6
Once your house is furniture free, our next tip is to
scope out space. Once you can evaluate the empty space, it will enable you to
visualize all the possibilities of your renovation. You could also check back
with your mood board and written plan to see if all of that can be done within
the dimensions your space allows you.
Tip 7
When it comes to the fun shopping part, don’t purchase
the first option you come by. If you are going to the hardware store on your
own, talk to the department associate there as they can advise you on the best
options. That way you won’t buy the wrong thing or spend more money than you
should have.
Tip 8
Don’t forget to prep your house for renovating. Details
such as priming the walls before painting them are crucial for the wall color.
Priming the walls creates a better canvas for wall paint and helps the paint
look fresher and stay on for longer.
Tip 9
Check your renovation timeline once again to ensure that
most things will run on schedule. Once you have your belongings in storage,
it’s also beneficial to know that your renovations will be timely so that it
all works out.
Tip 10
Our last but not least tip of this topic is good
communication. This is important before renovating your house but also just as
important throughout the renovation. Good and open communication with your
contractor or whomever you are renovating your house with is very important so
things would run smoothly and successfully.
In Progress
Simply being on top of everything, communicating and
being guided by your plan will be more than enough for a successful renovation.
Stay on schedule, and enjoy this investment into your new home.
Author’s Bio
Troy Thompson is a 35-year-old teacher, with experience in renovations and decorating homes. Not only is he a fan of HGTV, where he has learned a lot about renovating a home from various TV shows, but he has also moved a few times and renovated a few homes with his girlfriend. Troy loves sharing his advice for unexperienced renovators and hopes that his tips will help someone get started and learn more.
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Orange, Locust Grove, Norther Virginia or even Maryland or DC, we are your Real Estate team committed to finding the perfect home for you! Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by homeowners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar, and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, one of our area expert advisors will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available properties, please visit our website licatagroup.com
Buying a new home and moving for retirement is something that is pretty common in the United States. It also seems that it is something that almost everybody is doing nowadays. However, this process is something that will take some time and consideration. Buying a home, moving and starting over is exciting. However, it is also a task that you should take seriously. Think about your life now, and how it will change once you retire. What are the pros and cons of relocating? And starting fresh? Yes, starting fresh is possible even at the golden age. You’ve probably never had more money and time at your disposal. Now, you can finally enjoy life to the fullest. And you deserve it. Let us guide you through buying a home in Virginia after retirement process, and help you handle it the best way possible. You don’t only need it, you really do deserve it.
Reasons for buying a new home after retirement
We all have different reasons, however, we all have the main
goal in common – we want to make our lives better, every aspect of it. And that
is the main reason behind every home buying process. In Virginia, Japan or
anywhere else in the world. We just want what’s best for ourselves and our
loved ones. Retiring and enjoying your mature age comes with many benefits, and
one of them – you will have much more time on your hands. Time to take charge
of your life. And that sometimes means changing your surroundings and starting
over.
Your family home might have served you for many years, but
it’s probably not the right fit for you anymore. It might feel like an empty
nest, or it might be too big now when the kids have moved out. Maybe you want
to be closer to your grandchildren. We all have our reasons, however, investing
in real estate comes with a great deal of work that needs to be done. Our
number one advice for you would be to really think through your reasons. Make
sure that they are good and reasonable ones.
Gathering the money
Yes, we need to mention and talk about this aspect when
having a conversation about buying a home in Virginia after retirement. Your
budget. It is real estate, and such investments don’t come cheap. That is why
you need to really consider your budget, as well as your wants and needs. What
are you looking for? And can you afford it? These two things can also be very
different, so make sure you know your budget as well as your limits.
Calculate your budget. Look into your savings. Talk to your
loaning manager and ask for some advice. Try to get all the information and
advice that you can use to your advantage along the way. And also – don’t
depend, but rely on professional assistance. Having someone who knows the real
estate business to its core on your team is of crucial importance. Why? You
will want to get the most value for your money’s worth. We all do.
Yes, you will want to hire a professional
As we have mentioned before, having a seasoned professional
when buying a home in Virginia after retirement is your best option. It will
save you some precious time, energy and even money. Hiring realtors or real
estate agents sounds more expensive than it is. And their service, on the other
hand, is much needed. Even though you might be buying your 10th
house this time around, if you are not a real estate professional yourself, you
will need some help for sure.
This market changes, without us even noticing. And in order
to get as much value for your money, you will definitely need some advice and
someone who can lead this whole process. Especially if you are coming from
another state. Relocating from one place to another is stressful enough as it
is, and moving interstate, well – let’s just say, there will be many things to consider when moving to another state.
Let professionals assist you. It is the best thing you can do.
Decide what you’ll do with your current house
You will have to make this call, sooner or later. And even
though leaving our old lives behind sounds fun and exciting, leaving all these
memories behind as well can be harder than you might have originally expected.
That is why you need to think about this move. And we mean – really think. Will
you leave your old house to your kids? Or are you going to sell it?
Whatever you choose to do, make sure you do it fast. Letting
time pass by won’t help you, and especially if you tend to get nostalgic. Allow
yourself to enjoy your new beginning, and say goodbye to your old life. Leaving
your old family house behind doesn’t mean you’ll leave all the people you love
(or the memories you share with them) behind. It is just a property. And the
sooner you start thinking this way, the sooner this process will become enjoyable.
And you really want things to go smoothly, trust us on this one.
Set up your criteria
Your new home in Virginia needs to be perfect. It needs to
meet your expectations and everything you have dreamt of all these years. Make
a list of things that are a must and a list of things that are a no-no. You
will have to make a compromise here and there, but there are still some things
that are and should stay deal breakers. You deserve the best. And now, you can
finally be picky.
Enjoy the process
Your real estate agent will lead the way, and all you have to do is to follow his or her lead. Of course, it is your house and you make all the calls, however, your real estate agent (or realtor) is there to do all the hard work. Buying a home in Virginia after retirement is something that you have waited for for so long. Make sure you enjoy it!
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Orange, Locust Grove, Norther Virginia or even Maryland or DC, we are your Real Estate team committed to finding the perfect home for you! Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by homeowners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar, and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, one of our area expert advisors will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available properties, please visit our website licatagroup.com
Whether you’re heading down the street or to a new town, moving is always a tough transition. However, relocating across the country presents a whole new set of challenges you might not have considered. Picking up your life can be an exciting change, but it’s also a bit overwhelming.
Need some help navigating the process? Take a deep breath and get ready—we’ve got some quick tips for you!
Stay on Top of Your Schedule
Sometimes a cross-country move can come out of nowhere, especially if it’s due to a job or major life change. Even if you’ve been planning your relocation for a while, it can still be exhausting. Before you start tearing your hair out, it’s crucial to start planning ahead of time.
Once you’ve figured out your moving date, be sure to stay on top of your calendar. It’s easy for your schedule to fill up with appointments, going-away parties, and other obligations. It might help to create to-do lists or invest in a good planner (digital or paper!). However, as you get busier, be sure to plan some time for yourself, too. Tackling a move is impossible without some self-care!
Declutter & Organize
Let’s face it—organizing everything you own and moving it thousands of miles is no easy feat. Start lightening the load right away, and get rid of things you won’t need once you move. You might even want to have a garage sale or donate your gently used objects to charity. Remember, if you don’t use it regularly, you should probably lose it.
Looking for a simple way to tackle the decluttering process? Try going room by room and sorting things as you go. It’s easy to get overwhelmed as you pare down your possessions, so having a system will help ease the burden.
Pack Everything Up
When it comes to packing, it’s essential that all of your belongings are secure. Check that all boxes are reinforced, and invest in some heavy duty tape and wrapping materials. Moving supplies don’t have to be expensive, though—check social media or local stores to find a bargain on some good quality boxes.
Your stuff is in for a long haul if you’re moving across the country, so you might want to take extra steps to prevent any damage. If you’re looking for some good padding, old t-shirts and socks will do the trick in a pinch! Don’t be afraid to get creative—jewelry boxes, small containers, and extra suitcases can help you save some space.
Make Travel Arrangements
When you’re making a move across the country, getting to your new home is one of the most difficult parts of the process. Be sure to make travel arrangements in advance—this means you should research hotels, book rentals, and reserve plane tickets ahead of time. As you’re packing, be sure to set aside any essentials that you might need as you travel to your new place.
Wondering what you should keep on hand? Think of it like packing for a vacation—you’ll want toiletries, extra clothing, medication, and all your other “must-haves.” Don’t forget to keep important paperwork, such as birth certificates and passports, with you in case you need them.
Connect with a Local Agent
Unless you have a friend or family member in your new city, it can be tough to scope out the area. Nobody will know your future home quite as well as a local, and connecting with the right real estate agent can help.
Aside from helping you find a home, your agent can also help you navigate your new surroundings with ease. Working with an area expert comes with a lot of perks, including relocation packages, personalized guidance, and specialized tools…not to mention the local knowledge to recommend anything from the top school district to the best pizza joint! When you’re choosing a real estate agent, be sure to do your research and reach out to a few before making your decision. You want to make sure you gel with whomever you choose!
Ready to Conquer Your Move?
Although relocating can be stressful, it doesn’t have to be as difficult as you might think. Remember, staying organized and prepared will make the entire process that much easier! If you’re new to the area or are looking for some long-distance buying resources, feel free to reach out to us. We’d love to ease the burden of your cross-country move!
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Orange, Locust Grove, Norther Virginia or even Maryland or DC, we are your Real Estate team committed to finding the perfect home for you! Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by homeowners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar, and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, one of our area expert advisors will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available properties, please visit our website licatagroup.com
With a new year comes new trends, and you can expect a number of home design shake-ups both big and small.
Here are the top home features that are sure to be priorities for buyers in 2021!
Separate Laundry Rooms
It might be a little unexpected, but laundry rooms were one of the most highly sought-after home features of the year, with a whopping 91% of buyers saying they’re essential. Many people also prefer the laundry room to be on the ground floor and sectioned off from the rest of the home.
In 2021, you can expect to see buyers continue to gravitate toward homes with designated laundry rooms—try brainstorming ways to bring more focus to yours!
Industrial Designs
The rustic farmhouse motif was certainly popular in 2019, but it doesn’t quite have the staying power of an industrial design. Next year, you’ll continue to see buyer’s seek out interior design elements like artisanal light fixtures, copper and metal hardware, concrete accents, and exposed brick.
Homes that already have these components incorporated will be a major plus—and while it’s a little tough to add brick walls and concrete accents if you don’t have them, there are other simple ways to industrialize your space!
Storage Space
As more and more buyers start moving towards smaller homes, efficient storage solutions become a high priority. In 2021, you can expect buyers to be on the hunt for homes that showcase their storage potential.
Built-in shelves along the wall, storage under the stairs, walk-in pantries—no matter your square footage, every inch counts. If you’re a seller, you can also use this to your advantage, staging your home in a way that emphasizes its efficient use of space. Think: a few extra storage cubes in your laundry room, a new shelving unit on an underused wall, or roll-out cubbies under your bed.
Green Features
According to a survey from the National Association of Home Builders, green features have shot up to become one of the most sought-after features in a new home. In particular, over half of the survey respondents would invest nearly $10,000 for green features that would save them money, such as ENERGY STAR-rated appliances and windows, improved insulation, and efficient lighting. Other priorities included bettering the air quality in the home with things like dehumidification systems and electronic air cleaners.
If you’re planning to sell next year and have a little extra money to work with, consider making upgrades that’ll appeal to your buyers’ wallet.
Natural Finishes
Next year, we’ll start seeing a move toward more unique homes, and nothing sets your space apart from the rest like natural features, including river rock, reclaimed wood, exposed brick, and steel accents. These elements don’t necessarily have to come with the home even—staging your space with a rustic wood bookcase or a contemporary geode end table will do the trick.
If you’re preparing your place for a showing or just need a few cohesive decorating tips, sprinkling plants and greenery can help balance out the heaviness of these natural elements.
Pastel Colors
While 2019 may have been a year of bold colors, 2021 will usher in a muted era. Pastel shades like the popular Millennial Pink, Neo Mint, and Buxton Blue will be giving interiors a softer aura, reminiscent of 1970s-era home trends.
Additionally, accent walls have started slipping in favor, replaced instead by more strategic splashes of color, like painted doors and cabinets, two-tone walls, and accent furniture pieces.
Don’t Fall Behind in the Latest Real Estate Trends
Each year brings new fads to the real estate world, and keeping up with them plays a major role in impressing buyers. Need a little help staying in the know? We’ve got you covered! Follow along with our blog for the latest updates, and check out our specialized resources for all of your buying and selling needs.
Have a few more questions? We’re just a phone call away.
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Orange, Locust Grove, Norther Virginia or even Maryland or DC, we are your Real Estate team committed to finding the perfect home for you! Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by homeowners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar, and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, one of our area expert advisors will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available properties, please visit our website licatagroup.com
Get ready to hang the lights, deck the halls, and spread some cheer—the holiday season is almost here! Juggling the holidays along with a home sale might be sound impossible (or at the very least, stressful), but we’re here to help you find the best way to balance both.
Here are our top 4 tips for navigating your home sale during the holiday season!
Use Decor to Your Advantage
You don’t have to go all out with holiday decor, but a little seasonal warmth sprinkled here and there goes a long way! Hang some white lights along the staircase, add a wreath to the front door, and string some garland along the mantel. If you do opt for a tree, you’ll want to make sure it doesn’t crowd the room—perhaps even consider a tabletop version.
Bonus tip: scent is the sense most closely tied to memory, so use that to your advantage to appeal to buyer nostalgia! Bake some cookies beforehand, warm up a pot of cider, or light a few seasonally scented candles.
Be Flexible with Showings
While you’ll probably have a busy schedule over the next month or two, you should make sure it doesn’t affect your availability for buyers too much. One of the biggest reasons people hold off on selling during the holidays is because they can’t be around to prepare their home…but intentionally making room in your schedule will make the whole process much simpler!
If you usually host a holiday party, consider asking a friend or relative to step in for you. If you’re traveling, try not to be gone for too long, and make it clear to your agent and any potential buyers when you’ll be back.
Work with a Home Stager (or Get Tips from Your Agent)
If you either: A.) really don’t have time to stage or B.) don’t want to take any risks on your home not looking its best, then working with a qualified home stager is a great option! You might be skeptical, but home stagers have been specially trained and certified to optimize your space with the right decor and furniture—which often leads to faster and more profitable sales.
It’ll also take one more stressful task off of your plate, giving you more time to plan for the upcoming festivities. If you want a few recommendations for home stagers, just give us a call. Of course, we can always do a walkthrough of your home and offer personalized tips and DIY projects, if you’d prefer that!
Practice Smart Marketing
Marketing a home is the key to reeling in the right buyer. It’s even more important during the holiday season, since fewer—but more serious—buyers are on the hunt. That’s where working with an agent really comes in handy! You can sit back, relax, and plan for the holidays, while we take care of getting the word out about your home through our comprehensive marketing resources, including our website, social media platforms, local advertising, professional contacts, and more.
And, of course, we’ll crunch the numbers and do the research to ensure that your home is priced at the best number for your interests.
List Your Home this Holiday Season
Balancing a home sale and the holidays can be stressful…but not if you work with a professional! Enlist our help, and we’ll be around to carry some of your workload, reduce your stress, and sell your home for top dollar—and answer any and all of your questions along the way. Ready to list your home? We’re just a phone call away!
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Orange, Locust Grove, Norther Virginia or even Maryland or DC, we are your Real Estate team committed to finding the perfect home for you! Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by homeowners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar, and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, one of our area expert advisors will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available properties, please visit our website licatagroup.com
Buying a property in Virginia can be a great experience if you are lucky enough to find the professionals who can help you do it. Virginia is a state where rural and urban make a unique scene making sure that you can find whatever you search for. However, bear in mind that there is a long way from having an idea to move to Virginia to actually making the final decision and signing the necessary papers. There are some specific rules you need to be acquainted with, so you will need some help from a realtor. Here are some things that every real estate agent in Virginia needs to know.
Before
hiring a realtor
Here are some things that you
should know about working with a real estate agent in Virginia:
Let’s start with some good news – usually, the seller pays the commission which is divided between a seller’s and a buyer’s agent.
You should always check whether the agent you want to hire is licensed to do the job. Don’t rely on customer reviews on websites only and always ask for personal referrals.
Before you hire a real estate agent, you should try to figure out what you are actually looking for. Make a list of all the characteristics that you expect your new home to have. That will make yours and your realtor’s job much easier. While at it, you should decide what you are going to do with the possessions you are not planning to relocate. This might seem like thinking too far ahead, but it isn’t. Once you find the home that you want to buy or rent you will be too busy dealing with paperwork, credits, and inspections. The solutions for storing furniture in Virginia will probably be the last thing on your mind. A tip: Find and book them in advance!
Buying a property is probably one of the greatest investments you’ll have
Every real estate agent in Virginia
needs to know the statistics
Numbers and figures are something that every real estate agent just has to know
no matter where he/she lives and works. Virginia is a huge real estate
market with a lot of great listings so that everybody can find the property
they are searching for, be that a flat, an urban home, a ranch or a vacation home.
The Commonwealth of Virginia has it all!
At the moment, Virginia real
estate market is very hot. The average time that a home stays on the market
before being sold is 64 days. The hot market also means that over the past
year, the prices of listings have gone up 4.3%. The median home value in
the state at the moment is $264,200. Moreover, the predictions are that,
within the next year, the price will rise as much as 2.8%. The median
value that the sellers in Virginia expect to get for their property is $310,325.
On the other hand, the average amount that people are paying for their home in
the state is $269,900.
The average rent in Virginia is
somewhere around $1,700 per month.
A
good realtor is expected to know the history of listings they are showing
Buyers are curious, especially when they are about to make such an investment
as buying a property. And, who can blame them? Besides the common facts that
the realtor is expected to know about the property he/she is trying to earn on,
here are some of the questions that buyers in Virginia tend to ask:
Was this property the site of a meth lab and if so, was it cleaned properly and in accordance with the regulations?
Are there any defects to the drywall in the house?
Is this place within the area of military air installation? – It might sound silly, but these are the questions that a real estate agent in Virginia just has to be able to answer.
Whatever you are searching for, a good real estate agent in Virginia will help you find it
And,
a lot more
More details about residential
property disclosure can be found within Residential Property Disclosure
made by the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.
Plus, a good real estate agent would have to at least know to point their
clients in the right direction where they can find the answers he/she cannot
give them directly.
One of the qualities of a realtor
that cannot be learned by heart is just being friendly and welcoming to the
newcomers wanting to buy a property and stay in Virginia. They will like to
know more about the neighborhood and the county wherein they are searching for
a place. A good real estate agent has to have some additional info up their
sleeve. For instance, they should be informed about the top things to do in Orange County if that is the area of the buyer’s interest. Or, they
should have some basic data on local schools in the neighborhood.
A
real estate agent in Virginia needs to be familiar with paperwork a buyer needs
to go through
Whether you are a Canadian buying a property in Virginia, or a local citizen moving to another street, you will have a lot of paperwork to handle before becoming an official owner of a Virginia property. What is specific about the real estate market in this state is that a lot is left to the buyer to do. That is where a helping hand from the good realtor is priceless. Other than signing the purchase agreement, you will have to deal with taxes and mortgages. A realtor who always has a good piece of advice when needed is worth their weight in gold.
There are some more things that need to be done in order for a buyer to completely disclose the purchase. They have to provide the inspection report after having a house inspection done. This is done in order to identify the problems with pests, structure, drainage, mold, electrical, plumbing, heating, etc. Ok, how can a real estate agent help me with that? – you might be asking yourselves. Well, after you get the inspection results, a realtor can help you negotiate the price with the seller.
You will have to sign a lot of papers to disclose the purchase
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Orange, Locust Grove, Norther Virginia or even Maryland or DC, we are your Real Estate team committed to finding the perfect home for you! Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by homeowners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar, and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, one of our area expert advisors will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
Buying a house out of state can be a big bite for many of us. Some are even scared to try, and rightfully so. There are many things that can go wrong even when you are buying a house in your neighborhood, let alone somewhere far away. But, don’t be discouraged. If your mind is set on buying a property out of state, this guide will help you ensure the deal goes smoothly.
Do a thorough research
It goes without saying that you should do thorough research before buying a home wherever you decide it should be. Don’t rely entirely on your real estate agent. Of course, he or she is there to help you find the best place for your relocation, but there are some things that should be doublechecked. Furthermore, there are some details about the neighborhood that not even your agent is familiar with. Google can lend a helping hand, you just have to know where to search. Arm yourself with patience and start browsing. There are many neighborhood guides that can be very helpful for getting to know a community of your interest. These guides are great because they tell you a lot about local crime rates, employment potential, weather, and economic stability.
Always do thorough research before making any big decisions
Start early to avoid stress
Searching for a home to buy is stressful under the best of
circumstances, but buying out of state can be incredibly stressful. A house is
usually the most expensive thing that people buy, so the process should be
performed with the utmost care. You can
help yourself a lot by starting the search as early as possible. If you
have decided to move, the ideal time to start searching for your new home is six months before the due date of your
relocation. Three months is also a doable period, but don’t let yourself start
a search later than that.
Be careful when choosing an agent for buying a house out of
state
When
you decide to relocate out of state, you need to find a real estate agent who
will do most of the work for you. And, there is a lot of work to be done. An
international move often means a lot of paperwork, so some people are not sure
whether they should hire a real estate agent or a lawyer when buying
a property.
The best decision you can make is to hire a buyer’s agent in the state you are relocating to. Do not ask a listing agent to represent you since he or she will probably represent the seller. In that case, their job is to sell a certain property for the biggest amount of money and they only have the seller’s best interest in mind, not yours. So, you should choose a buyer’s agent.
A good buyer’s agent is your biggest help
How do I choose a buyer’s agent for buying a house out of
state?
The
buyer’s agent is definitely a better option than a listing agent, but still, you shouldn’t pick one randomly.
Instead, you can discuss it with a real estate agent in your present community.
Find one that you trust and ask him/her
to refer a colleague from the area you’ll be moving to. If the real estate
agent is a member of the National
Association of Realtors, he/she will have access to various databases. They
can even see their colleagues’ success rates. By getting a referral, you can
ensure that you do not become a victim of various realty scams.
Hire a relocation specialist
Have
you heard of relocation specialists?
No, that is not the term used for professional movers such as Gibraltar
Van Lines who can help you relocate wherever
and whenever you feel like. A relocation specialist is a person who can help
you with many aspects of your move. The only thing that they do not do is
negotiate your home purchase. However, they can:
help you find a real
estate agent to start home-hunting;
connect you to moving
companies;
give you the necessary details about the education and employment system in your
future home town;
help you sell and close on your current home which is an important part of
the procedure you have to go through when buying a house out of state.
It
is a common practice for companies that are relocating to hire relocation
specialists. That is why many people do not know they are available to
individuals as well.
Take a trip and get an inspection of your potential home if
you can
If
you are buying a house out of state you will probably not be able to go to
every showing in person. What you can do is ask your agent to give you a virtual tour of the houses that you have
shortlisted. Speaking of such tours, don’t fall for online virtual tours
because they are usually a part of a moving scam.
When the time comes for you to make an offer on the house, you should really make an effort and see everything in person. There are many things that even the best real estate agents will not notice. You will be able to feel the space, and that is something no virtual tour or agent’s descriptions can replace. And you wouldn’t want to make a mistake when making such a crucial decision as buying a house out of state, would you?
Try to go and see the property you are interested in buying in person
Many
sellers would work on some features that make their home sell faster while neglecting some major issues about their property.
That is where a home inspection comes in handy. It might be a burden to your
budget, but at least you will know what you are dealing with.
Close on your current home first
If the out-of-state closing is scheduled on the same day as the closing on your current home, you might have a problem. The lender for your new house must receive a closing statement from the old one. The best thing you can do is schedule the closing on the new house a few days after the closing on your current one.
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Orange, Locust Grove, Norther Virginia or even Maryland or DC, we are your Real Estate team committed to finding the perfect home for you! Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by homeowners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar, and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, one of our area expert advisors will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
