Posts with tag 'Buying a house'

In a crowded marketplace, homebuyers are doing anything they can to stand apart from the crowd. And while making a smart bid is important, it's not always the highest bidder who wins. Often, it's a personal touch that wins sellers over. 

Our real estate agents have found that writing a personalized offer letter is one of the best ways to make yourself stand out. Here's why it works – and how you can write a great message that puts you at the head of the pack. 

Why Personalized Offer Letters Work

Buying a home is a financial decision, but it's also a personal one. Selling a home is the same way. There are a lot of emotions tied up in the process of selling a house, especially if the seller has lived there for a long time, made a lot of memories, or maybe even raised a family there. In many cases, the seller doesn't just want to sell the house; they want to make sure it's in good hands.

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7 Steps to a Better Credit Score

So, you're ready to make the leap from renting to owning your own home, but you're worried that your credit score might hold you back. If that's the case, you're far from alone. Our real estate agents get a lot of questions about how prospective homeowners can improve their credit score before buying a house, and we're here to provide some answers. 

1. Get Started Early
   As much as we'd all like to improve our credit scores overnight, bear in mind that working on your credit is a marathon, not a sprint. There are plenty of actions you can take that will boost your credit and make you look better to lenders, but they take time. The earlier you can start working on your credit, the better off you'll be.

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Our real estate agents know buying your first home can seem complicated – really complicated. 

We've designed a home-buying tool just for you! You enter a few pieces of information, and we'll return a list of homes we think are affordable for you based upon those entries. It couldn't be easier!

Still, the more you understand going into the process, the easier it is to be prepared.

Let's consider these things all first-time home buyers should know:

1. There Are Mortgages "Just for You"
   Yes, there are plenty of mortgage programs out there just for first-time buyers. Many of them offer favorable terms and let you go forward without a down payment. However, some homes may not be eligible, or there may be other requirements (like attending "buyer education.")

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Multigenerational housing has become a more prevalent housing trend in the past several years. Research states that one in five homes is a multigenerational household. With grandparents and children living under the same roof, homeowners are often looking for houses that can accommodate the growing needs of such a diverse family. 

Our REALTORS® understand that you would love to purchase a new home that you, your parents and your children will love. Though each member of the family may have a different wish-list, finding the perfect home that suits your entire family is possible with an experienced REALTOR® by your side.

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No doubt preparing for a move is a big deal, whether you're moving across town or the country. Are you moving from your current home, and feeling a little overwhelmed with all of the stuff that you'll have to take with you?

One of the best ways to simplify your move is to follow a straightforward rule: Purge before you pack. By getting rid of unnecessary items in your home--and we all have them--you can lighten your load, speed up the packing process, and maybe even save a bit of money in the process. Our real estate agents know what it takes to make a seamless move, and we've got some tips to help you prepare when moving to a new home in Henrico County.

Clearing the Clutter Before You Move

Let's say you've been shopping for homes in Henrico County, have found the right match, and now all that's left is to plan so that you're ready to make your move. Just one problem... where do you start, when there's just so much? If you've lived in your current home for a long time, then there's a good chance you've accumulated plenty of clutter, and there may be items stored away that you haven't even thought about in years.

If you want to make life easier, then it's time to purge before you pack, and decide what's worth taking with you to your new home:

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