"A huge amount of money, and the rest of your (and your kids') lives." I say this to most of my buyer clients at some point of our working relationship, sometimes at the beginning, and sometimes just before we make an offer to purchase on a house. I'm not kidding Great (hell, or even competent) buyer or seller representation appreciates the gravity of the buying and selling decision-making process. I don't have a real point to this story, other than to say that what we (my clients and I) do together has potentially life-altering … [Read more...] about A Pile of Money, And the Rest of your Life: Buying a Home
Buyers
Client Code of Conduct *or* My Commitment to My Client
Helping my clients make good decisions. That's my simple goal every day. That goal requires the right partnership. One of the most important things I do is to manage my clients' expectations, whether that's what to expect when they make a low offer on a house, or put forth an escalation clause in a multiple offer situation, choose to price the house higher (or lower) than I advise, or what to expect with respect to growth in the Charlottesville/Albemarle area. I've been meaning to do this - this "code of conduct" and this story - for a … [Read more...] about Client Code of Conduct *or* My Commitment to My Client
Buying a Home Timeline
What's the process and timeline for buying a home in Charlottesville? This is a rough guide that incorporates some of the steps. * Meet the Realtor (really, start here. Also, I am one.) Define your criteria (my survey is a good place to start) Prequalify with a good local lender Look at homes Refine your criteria Look at some more houses Make the offer. Negotiate Contract Inspection Negotiate Settle inspection Lender stuff has been ongoing; ramps up now Loan commitment Quiet period … [Read more...] about Buying a Home Timeline
Process of Buying a Home is a Deliberate Process
Choosing the right home, neighborhood, part of Charlottesville or Albemarle area can be hard, time-consuming, and challenging. As I tell my clients, "you're making a decision that will affect the rest of your lives (and your kids' too, if you have them). My advice: take your time. So far this year, I have represented three or four buyers who started the search process between three and five years ago. Time and patience are key. For example I have clients who planned to move to the Charlottesville area from a larger, transient area to be in … [Read more...] about Process of Buying a Home is a Deliberate Process
Reddit Questions about Moving to Charlottesville
Once again, Reddit provides a good writing prompt. I find that if I spend a great deal of time answer one person's questions, others may find the answers and conversation useful as well. I'm going to answer a few of your questions (I'm Jim; I'm a realtor) Would folks recommend renting short term to figure out where my wife, who’s in HR, would land a job then look to buy based on that? Yes, absolutely rent first. Thanks! Tonight I’m going to meet a buddy downtown and will take me about 45 minutes to get there so I’m not too … [Read more...] about Reddit Questions about Moving to Charlottesville
Buying a House that’s “Good Enough”
There comes a time in every home search process (and often the home selling process) where one says "this is good enough." Arriving the point of whatever you want to call it - concession, compromise, acquiescence, acceptance, or, to use a positively-connoted descriptor - satisfied - is hard. The home search process can be hard, even if you're looking at new construction in the Charlottesville area market, as you're seeking a home where you and your family will live for, usually, at least seven to ten years. Coming to the conclusion of, … [Read more...] about Buying a House that’s “Good Enough”
Buyer Questions: New Developments in Charlottesville and Albemarle?
One day, sooner than one might think, Artificial Intelligence is likely to be able to do the following. For now the best thing for buyers new to the Charlottesville area is an agent who actively listens to clients' questions, reads body language, and has a strong and deep knowledge about the Charlottesville - Albemarle area, the Charlottesville real estate market, economic development matters, and everything else that goes into life/moving/real estate. What follows are pieces of emails I have sent to recent buyer clients, after our initial … [Read more...] about Buyer Questions: New Developments in Charlottesville and Albemarle?