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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
How Many Homes will Come on the Market in Charlottesville that Fit You?
Q: When should a buyer start the "I'm serious about buying a home in Charlottesville next year" conversation? A: As early as possible. (same advice goes for Charlottesville area sellers) Walk through this homebuying scenario with me In 2016 442 homes sold in the City of Charlottesville via the Charlottesville MLS 371 with at least 3 bedrooms 313 with at least 2 bathrooms 244 with at least 1,700 finished square feet 149 with at least 1,700 finished square feet above grade (as in, not including finished basement … [Read more...]
Homebuyer Seminars in Charlottesville
I don't often post email forwards, but knowledge is a good thing; I've had client take these classes who have found them useful and fruitful. Piedmont Housing Alliance will be hosting a VHDA Homebuyer Class in February at Carver Rec Center at the Jefferson School in Downtown Charlottesville. Class details are below and the link to register is as well. If anyone you know needs the VHDA Certificate of Completion for their loan product or would benefit from education on the homebuying process please forward this along to them. It is FREE but they … [Read more...]
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 30
- Next Page »