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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
Norfolk is a cornucopia of various restaurants, shops, and museums. While most of these things can be enjoyed in the day time, many new residents and visitors want to know about the night life or evening social events to enjoy after the work week is over. Here is some insight into some interesting places that can be enjoyed after dark in Norfolk.
Time Lounge
Located on Granby Street as part of the “Granby Street” nightlife, Time Lounge in Norfolk offers drinks, dancing, and revelry. With famous live DJs playing the hottest new songs, Time Lounge offers a party experience like no other. With frequent celebrity sightings, Time Lounge in Norfolk makes every guest feel as though they are in a sophisticated big city nightclub.
BAR Norfolk
Catered to college students, BAR Norfolk offers a dress down party experience with no dress code and a bar to dance on. Live DJs play all of your top 40 hits, and there is a pool table for those who aren’t into dancing. Bar food munchies are available to those who want a little more substance than an alcoholic beverage. Ladies are admitted free all night on Thursdays, and it is open from 4PM-2AM daily. BAR Norfolk is really where the party never stops.
Have a Nice Day Café
With the only lighted dance floor in the area, Have a Nice Day Café in Norfolk plays tunes ranging from disco to rock. Claiming that Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday nights are the most popular times to come out to Have a Nice Day Café, they offer a variety of drink specials and a college night on Thursdays where they play music from the 90’s to the present. Cover charge for Have a Nice Day Café starts at 7PM weekdays and at 9PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
The NorVa
The NorVa offers live music, a broad drinking selection, and a good time. Enjoy live music while sipping on your favorite brew. Decorated with collected music memorabilia, The NorVa is also connected to Kelly’s Tavern and Backstage Café, a popular local restaurant chain known for its extra large burgers and a casual, inviting atmosphere. Housing up to 1,200 guests, the NorVa has hosted such popular musical artists as Ashlee Simpson, Justin Timberlake, Ringo Starr and James Brown.
This is merely a handful of hot spots available in Norfolk. The nightlife is really something to experience for yourself, as it is unmatched by other Tidewater cities. Do yourself a favor and head out to Norfolk tonight for a fabulous night out.
If you are interested in moving to Norfolk, Nancy Chandler Associates would be happy to help.
When selecting your perfect real estate agent, there are many factors to consider. Are they experienced? Do they have my best interest in mind? Those are just a couple of questions to ask your self when selecting your dream agent.
There is more to selecting a real estate agent than just viewing his or her track record. You want to ensure that you two mesh well together as well, as selling or buying a house can take an indeterminable amount of time. You want to make sure that you can speak openly with him about your wants and needs as a buyer or seller. Here are a couple of attributes of a perfect real estate agent beyond being licensed.
Real estate agents are expected to be personable; it’s a part of their job. If you find yourself growing anxious over calling your agent because he is abrasive toward you, you probably don’t want to work with him. The process of selling or buying a home can take up to a month, if not longer, so you want to ensure that you can communicate often with your agent. See if you can view any testimonials of his previous service. Most clients will say whether or not the agent was friendly and/or easy to work with.
Experience is beyond just acquiring a real estate license. Getting a real estate license is fairly simple after completing the required education which only takes a few months. Check his track record and see how many transactions he has completed. Feel free to inquire as to whether or not they furthered his education in the field. The more experience the better. A more experienced agent may provide a quicker sale or a better deal on a home.
One of the most important steps when readying your home for sale is home staging. Making simple changes to your home in preparation for potential buyers is essential to not only make your house more charming, but to also allow potential buyers to view your house as their house. Here are some simple tips on how to stage your home before selling.
Home staging can be simple and affordable. Re-lighting your house with brighter bulbs can add character and charm to a usually dark home. Light bulbs are cheap and readily available and can be purchased in bulk at wholesale stores if you plan on relighting your whole home. Potential buyers want to enter a well lit room, so consider their needs to view everything in the home by making this simple change.
Removing personal items such as pictures, diplomas, and other decorations can help neutralize your home at no cost to you. You want your potential buyers to imagine themselves in your home, so removing these personal items can help them visualize a life in their new home, not your former home. Neutrality is very important when selecting decor, so remember that your home isn’t about your likes and dislikes anymore, it’s about remaining neutral for your buyers.
Simple staging techniques can help you transform your home into a potential buyer’s home a little to no cost. A real estate agent can offer additional tips on home staging while catering to your budget. A neutral home can be inviting to buyers, so don’t allow your home to be over-personalized, because that could drive buyers away.
