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!

Maybe It’s Time to Buy That First House

If you are a first time home buyer, this may be the perfect time to take advantage of the current market. While housing prices in Hampton Roads have not seen as big of a drop as the rest of the country, there are still lots of great deals you can find. Ron Lieber wrote this interesting article explaining why it’s a great time to buy your first house, along with a strategies on how to find the best deal for you.

Maybe It’s Time to Buy That First House