Should You Buy in a Gated Community? We have already looked at the pros and cons of buying a home in a neighborhood that has a Homeowner’s Association. Let’s now look at homes that go one step further – those that are located in a gated community. A gated community is a collection of homes […]
Here is a Strong Suggestion from Charles I just closed with clients on a Charlottesville Home and one of the first things that I discuss at closing is the locks. You see a person who buys a home is always excited to get the keys to their new home but they come with a warning…. […]
Owning a home comes with many benefits, as well as responsibilities. From housework to decorations and even renovating, we all need to make constant upgrades to add value to our home and make it more comfortable. There are a number of things, however, that might not yet be on your radar, but these will help […]
Should I buy? Should I rent? How do I get Financing? Who can I trust? What is Dual Agency? Questions, Questions, Questions…. there are a lot of questions and you have just found a resource for all the answers. Working with First Time Buyers is very rewarding for me as I get to help you […]
We’ve seen this trend building momentum in the past year or two, but now there is irrefutable proof that millennials are taking over the homeowner leaderboard. They’re getting older and finding stable careers, their household income has increased to $88,200, and they’re looking to buy their first homes. This works out perfectly for them as […]
With the lack of resale housing inventory in our area for the past few years, many Buyers are turning to the idea of purchasing some land and building their own home. But, what are some of the things you may need to look out for, and the right questions to ask (known as “due diligence”), […]
Many Home Buyers believe the physical characteristics of a house will lead to increased property value. But, in reality, a property’s physical structure tends to depreciate over time, while the land it sits on typically appreciates in value. Although this distinction may not appear to be much, understanding how prospective land values influence property returns […]
As we saw in 2018 in the Charlottesville area, the spring market seemed to begin in early January, when it usually starts heating up in mid-February. Sales seemed to slow down a bit in mid-summer as there still wasn’t enough actual inventory – either resale or new construction – to supply the increasing demand. Many […]
It’s difficult to imagine buying a house in the years before the Internet, but it did happen and there are plenty of anecdotes to prove it. Back in the late 1940s and early 1950s, the GI Bill was instrumental in helping former soldiers and their families go back to school and also thereafter purchase a […]
We are often asked at Solutions whether it makes more sense to go with a local lender in the Charlottesville area that knows the local market and is available to answer calls beyond regular office hours, or go with an online mortgage lender. We see the commercials all the time about being approved in eight […]
Here at Solutions, we often let our Buyer’s clients know that when they are going to open houses and a listing agent approaches them to let that agent know they are working with a Buyer’s agent. This is to protect the potential Buyer as the listing agent is loyal to their Sellers FIRST and might […]
Generation Z and Home Buying Most members of Gen Z – born between 1994 and 2005 and now 23 and younger – expect to own their first home by age 28 – three years younger than the median age of first-time homeowners; and another nearly 100,000 already own a home. By contrast Gen Y – […]
Are Mortgage Points a Good Idea? When it comes to deciding on what type of loan you will need to purchase a house, it’s a good idea to arm yourself with as much information as possible. One topic that comes up time and again is buying mortgage points and whether they can save you in […]
For a first time home buyer, choosing and then buying a new home can be a confusing and somewhat daunting task. Here at Solutions, we’ll help you understand the process and find the home that’s the perfect fit. Know your needs. First, examine your lifestyle. Do you want to be in the country? Would you […]
What Does a Builder’s Warranty Cover? With the boom in new building construction taking place all over Charlottesville – from Crozet to in town and all along the 29 North corridor – many people considering building new might also want to think about what the builder’s warranty will cover after the home is built. Or, […]
Home Buying Tips for Charlottesville VA Springtime typically means warmer temps and blooming flowers in the Charlottesville area, although the start to this year’s spring has been anything but typical with snow showers on the first official day of spring, and interspersed with sunnier days ever since. The market is indeed different from year to […]
Last week, we talked about what Millennials are looking for in a home, but now it’s time to look at Baby Boomers and see if their needs are changing. This group spans two decades, from 1946 to 1964, with the oldest nearing 70, and the youngest just passing AARP’s 50-year threshold. More than one-third are […]
How to Sell Your Home to Millennials Much has been made about the different generations of Buyers and how they approach purchasing a home. Baby Boomers have ceded space to Generation X, and now the Millennials are jockeying for their place in the real estate market. Numbering around 80 million, Millennials now represent the fastest-growing […]
Best House Hunting Strategies Searching for your dream house can be a daunting task, and most of the homes you see won’t be what you’re looking for. Below are some great strategies to use to help you weed out the houses that are just not right for you and help you avoid common house hunting […]
Tips for a Smooth House Closing When it comes to finding your dream home, there are many steps along the way to a smooth closing. After you’ve identified your perfect house – negotiated the contract, applied and approved for a loan, inspected and agreed to repairs and/or credits – the last step is the most […]
