Home Buying Tips for Smooth Sale-ing

Thinking about buying a home in Hampton Roads? Congratulations! You’ve chosen very well. To make that transition as smooth as possible, we’ve got some helpful hints and tips.

1. Buy the house you love when you love it. If you’re waiting for the “best time” to buy, you’ll miss out on a great house in Norfolk, a great neighborhood in Virginia Beach, a great school district in Chesapeake. The real estate market is cyclical, but not in any way that makes buying a house in August any better than buying one in December. If you see a house, you like, make it your home before someone else does.
2. Get Pre-approved for your home loan. The biggest mistake new home buyers make is confusing pre-qualified with pre-approved. Being pre-approved means you’ve shared your financial information with your bank or lending institution and you’re clear on what you can afford. This also means that if you can afford to live near the Oceanfront, your Realtor can seek out homes that fit all of your sand-between-the-toes needs.
3. Don’t play with credit cards. If you’re getting ready to buy a house, the worst thing you can do is start opening credit cards and filling rooms you don’t own yet. As a home buyer, you’re going to have people evaluating your financial stability so keep your money in your pocket until after the sale.
4. Work with a professional realtor. You may think you’re saving money by going it alone, and if you have a ton of free time on your hands you may be correct. But consider this: a professional realtor does more than facilitate the sale once you’ve found your dream home. The biggest value they offer is unearthing any hidden issues with your home before you’re committed to it. A professional realtor knows everything about your home, your neighborhood, your school district, your tax assessments, any fees, any liens, property disputes and more. By working with a professional you get your own personal advocate.

Follow these tips and you’ll set yourself up for smooth sale-ing!

Hampton Roads, Virginia is for (Fall) Lovers

Here in Hampton Roads, the air is cooling down and the nights are shorter. Yet even though we’re well into October you can still walk the sandy shores of the Chesapeake Bay in your bare feet and enjoy a leisurely or brisk walk around Mt. Trashmore Park. The autumn season displays Southeastern Virginia at its best, and provides the perfect time to shop around for a home if you are new to the area.

Highlights of the Fall Season in Virginia

Whether looking for a place to live in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, or in the Upper Peninsula in Newport News and Williamsburg, you’ll find autumn brings a mix of color and tradition to the region. Living close to the Historic Triangle gives you access to holiday events in Colonial Williamsburg, and a month-long Hall-o-Scream celebration at Busch Gardens.

As October is designated Virginia Wine Month to accommodate the release of new vintages, new residents to Hampton Roads will want to visit the Williamsburg Winery for a guided tour and tasting and take in regularly scheduled musical and dinner events on the property. October also marks the annual Town Point Wine Festival, held in downtown Norfolk. Dozens of wineries from around the state offer samples of their latest red, whites, and dessert wines, all of which pair very well with the beautiful view along the Elizabeth River.

One good thing to remember as the weather cools in Virginia Beach, too, is that traffic in the Oceanfront lets up significantly. While the beach remains a strong tourist destination year round, there aren’t as many visitors in Fall and Winter, so you are able to enjoy the shops and cafes along Atlantic Avenue and take in various holiday and themed events at the small parks near the water. The Holiday Lights at the Beach celebration, which kicks off in the later part of the season, is certainly a sight to see!

For house hunting in Hampton Roads, fall is an excellent time to see the area in full color. Come visit us and experience this exhiliarating season.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on homes for sale in Chesapeake.

What’s going on in your neighborhood?

Relocating to Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth or the surrounding area can be tricky, especially if you are new to the area. Each city has their own special characteristics that people grow to love about them. WalkScore.com is a new site that allows people to see how active there possible new neighborhood is.

See what your score is!

Nancy Chandler Associates has an excellent Relocation Department ready to help your next move an easy one! Whether you are a military family relocating with new orders or just looking for a fresh start, our team can help! To get more information about us and the Hampton Roads area request a free Relocation Package!

Nancy Chandler Associates is a Equal Housing Opportunity company, we do business in accordance with the Federal Fair Housing Law.