If you have your house under contract, this probably means that you have gotten a pre-approval/qualification letter.  Your lender will now make a formal loan application.  This application is based on your finances at that point.  It is vital that you don't make significant changes to you finances until after you close.  Problems can occur if you buy a car, open new lines of credit, change jobs, acquire other significant debt, etc.  It is a good idea to talk to your lender before making significant purchases that would out you into debt.  You also don't want to spend your down payment/ closing costs.

From there, you will have a number of items to complete before closing.  

When going over the contract, my clients often get overwhelmed.  There are a lot of deadlines in the contract that can have serious consequences if missed.  I always assure my clients that they don't need to remember all the dates.  My goal is to make sure you are informed and on top of everything from contract to closing. 

To achieve this, I take all the critical dates and things you should be aware of and put them on a checklist.  I then send you regular updates on what the next action items are.  This way, if you want to get ahead of the game, you have access to all the steps but if you find all the steps overwhelming, I will break them down and give them to you as needed.  

Buying a house is one of the biggest financial decisions the average person makes.  I am here to make that process as smooth and as painless as possible.  

​In my last post on buying and selling a home at the same time, we looked at some scenarios in which it’s best to sell your existing home first and then buy your new home. But there are also scenarios in which it’s advantageous to buy first and then sell.

Let’s look at two examples of scenarios in which it can be better to buy first, and some steps to take to help you plan it all out.

If you have the funds available to buy a new home before selling your old home, you should take advantage of this fortuitous situation. There are several reasons why it’s a good idea to buy first in the event that you can manage it. Buying first can be the least stressful way to move for a few reasons:

1. You can shop at your own pace for the next home without the pressure of lining up closing with your current house. 
2. You don't need to find temporary housing and can move once. 
3. You can stage your vacant house for maximum marketability
   
4. You don't have to have to keep your living spaces clean for constant showings. ​

​Identify and liquidate your assets to be able to make a good offer, also have documentation that you have the funds available

1. Make an offer
2. After you move out of your old home, stage it and put it up for sale
3. Once you sell your old home, put the money from the sale back into the accounts you used to buy

In this scenario it makes sense to buy first because it will be easy to get an offer accepted in the slow market and easy to sell quickly in the hot market.  This can happen in Harrisonburg/Rockingham when moving from houses at the median sales price to more expensive neighborhoods.  Statistically, there are less people competing the further away you get from the median sales price. 

People can shy away from this option because you will be hold two mortgages for a period of time.  Some clients are more comfortable with this than others.  If you are considering this as an option I would be happy to meet and discuss timing this move.  Each situation is unique.  Depending on your desire to move slowly, clean, and stage we can get the property marketed quickly.  Since I do my own marketing, I can typically be flexible to get the house on the market in a timely manner after it is ready.

Pricing plays a larger role in how quickly the property will sell once it hits the market.  However, in a hot market, good marketing and correct pricing can result in a quick contract.  The contract can then likely be negotiated for a 30 day settlement.  So, it is possible for you to only hold the two mortgages for two months.  We of course would want to be prepared for unexpected circumstances and be okay with it potentially taking a little longer. 

For homeowners who don’t want to worry about having two mortgages at the same time, there’s another option, which is making a contingency offer.  This can be a nice safety net if you really do not want to hold two mortgages for any given amount of time.  Some sellers may not be willing to enter into this type of contract but it is not completely uncommon in a sellers market. 

1. Do renovations and repairs on your current home ahead of time so it will be ready to sell
2. Make an offer on the new home, if you need to make a contingency offer, ask for 60 days
3. Put your current home on the market after you’ve purchased the new home and moved in
4. If you do have trouble finding a buyer, you can rely on a bridge loan or a home equity line of credit to help you cover your expenses in the interim. For recommended lenders, email me

Although it can require more cash on hand, for many homeowners there are still some situations in which it’s better to buy first and then sell later. Here is a look at some pros and cons of buying before selling.

• You have somewhere to move as soon as you want to
• You only have to move once, saving money on moving costs and storage
• You can take as long as you want to buy a home  you really love

​Feeling pressure to sell quickly may cause you to take a lower offer than you would otherwise

• Contingent offers are less competitive
• You may have less cash available to make a competitive offer than you would if you sold first
• If you decide to rent your current home, that brings its own challenges, and it can be more challenging to try to sell your home with tenants living there

Now you have the case for buying before selling, as well as the case for selling first, which we laid out in our previous post. There’s no one right decision, as it depends on your unique situation. So weigh the pros and cons, and go with your gut instinct.

​Sources: https://www.trulia.com/guides/selling-buying-house-same-time; https://www.zillow.com/home-buying-guide/buying-selling-at-the-same-time/

Buying and selling a home at the same time is a complicated process. Here are some practical tips that will help things go more smoothly.

Given the complexity of buying and selling at the same time, you will want the help of an experienced real estate agent. An experienced agent will be able to help you price your home optimally, and will be an expert at timing the sale of your home, negotiating the price, and strategies for buying and selling at the same time. Choosing the listing price is one of the most important functions of a listing agent, and you’ll want someone who really knows the local market.

If you think you are ready to discuss the best strategy for your situation, I'd love to meet up with you.  If you want more information about my experience, see here. 

The steps that you take in selling and buying a home will differ depending on the local market. If you’re moving to a different town, you will be selling your home in a different market than the one you’re buying in. In a buyer’s market, there are more homes up for sale then there are people looking to buy. You may find a new home before you sell your own home. In a seller’s market, there are more people looking to buy then there are homes for sale. You will likely sell your old home before finding a new home.

There is not a one size fits all solution for everyone.  You have to determine what works best for you and your situation.  Here would be some examples of strategies give the market conditions. 

If you’re in a…                     

Buyers market
Make an offer with a kickout clause (in this case the purchase of the new home is contingent on the sale of the old home).

Buyers market
Request an extended closing. This will help give you time to sell your current house. 

Sellers market
Make an offer with an extended closing and trust your house will sell.  This may feel risky but depending on your house and financial situation, it can work out very well.  Pricing your old house will be very important in this option. 

Sellers market
Sell your house first and negotiate a rent back agreement.  This will give you sometime to shop for a new house without having to move into a temporary rental.  

The next step in the process is to take stock of your financial situation. You will want to talk to your mortgage company and your accountant or financial advisor to find out the following information. You’ll want to know how much liquid cash you have on hand, how much equity you have in your home, and what types of loans you qualify for.  Ask me for recommendations. 

A key part of your financial situation is the value of your home. You will want to find out how much your home is likely to sell for. As part of determining the value of your home, you may want to get a pre-inspection to find out how much work will need to be done in order to sell your home. This is also an ingredient in determining how much equity you have in your home. Equity is the amount of money left over after you take the market value of your home and deduct the amount that’s left to pay on your mortgage. In other words, it’s the amount you’ve already paid toward the current value of your home.

Now you have some tips to help you in the process of buying and selling at the same time. But which should you do first, buy your new home or sell your old home? We’ll look at some different scenarios for selling and buying your home in our next posts!

Sources:
https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/111513/home-sale-contingencies-what-buyers-and-sellers-need-know.asp
https://www.zillow.com/home-buying-guide/buying-selling-at-the-same-time/

In our last post we discussed how to figure out how much home you can afford. The next question to answer is, what will your money buy you? That all depends on the market that you’re in. The same amount of money may buy you a mansion in a rural area and a small apartment in an urban center.

In addition to the location you’re looking in, the state of the market at the time you’re buying will also help to determine how far your money will go. Whether you’re in a buyer’s market, a seller’s market, or a neutral market will affect how far each dollar stretches. In a buyer’s market, there’s more inventory on the market than there are people looking to buy homes, pushing prices down. Your money will go further and you’ll have more options to choose from. In a seller’s market, there’s less inventory on the market than there are people who want to buy homes and the homes on the market can demand a higher price, squeezing your budget. In a seller’s market you may have to make a few different offers on homes before you can find the right fit. A buyer’s market is an easier deal.

Take a look here to find detailed analysis of the local market, and enter your email below to subscribe to monthly market reports. 

No matter the market conditions, there are always opportunities.  Sometimes opportunities require the house to be renovated.  There are loans to help with those costs.  This can require a significant down payment but not always.  

There are also areas where your dollar can stretch a little further. It just depends on what you are looking for.  Some of these areas include Broadway/Timberville, Grottoes, Weyers Cave (Augusta), Massanutten, and Elkton.  


Sources: 
https://www.zillow.com/home-buying-guide/can-i-afford-a-house/, https://www.redfin.com/guides/buyers-market-vs-sellers-market
​

A home is, for most of us, the biggest expenditure we will ever make. How do you figure out how much home you can afford? 

New websites for homebuyers make it easy to make these calculations, once you know the key numbers to plug in. The biggest number is your gross annual income. Once you have that figured out, you will need to figure your monthly debt. Be sure to include all forms of debt like credit cards, car payments, school loans, etc. The third number you will need is the amount you can make on a down payment. If you have these three numbers, you can just plug them into a calculator, like this one from Zillow. There are quite a few such calculators available on the web. For a slightly more complex formula that includes your credit score and the zip code you’re interested in, go to Nerd Wallet. ​

The main thing that you want to find out from these calculators is your DTI, or debt to income ratio. If you used Zillow’s calculator to figure out how much you can afford to spend on a home, you can then go to their DTI calculator and figure your overall debt to income ratio. A good DTI is considered to be 36% or lower. According to the 36% Rule, you should never let your DTI exceed 36%. In order to be considered for a Qualified Mortgage, 43% is the highest DTI that you can have. It’s important to have a Qualified Mortgage because they have better protections for borrowers, such as a limit on fees.

Another nifty tool you can play with on the Zillow site, Nerd Wallet, or other sites is a mortgage calculator. This tool can show you different interest rates for different time periods, like a 15 year mortgage versus a 30 year mortgage. Playing around with different numbers will give you a sense of how you would need to budget and what the overall cost would be for different mortgages.

Once you have a sense of how much you can spend on a home, then you will need to consider what the housing market is like in the area you want to buy. More on that to come . . .

Sources: https://www.zillow.com/home-buying-guide/can-i-afford-a-house/,  https://smartasset.com/credit-cards/what-is-a-good-debt-to-income-ratio
https://www.zillow.com/mortgage-calculator/house-affordability/, 
https://www.nerdwallet.com/mortgages/how-much-house-can-i-afford/calculate-affordability,
​https://www.zillow.com/mortgage-calculator/debt-to-income-calculator/, https://www.zillow.com/mortgage-calculator/
https://www.nerdwallet.com/mortgages/mortgage-calculator/calculate-mortgage-payment?trk=nw_gn1_4.0

In our last post we explored some of the pros of buying new construction. In this post we’ll look at the downside of buying new construction, and the pros of buying existing construction.

The Cons
Location
Buying new construction usually limits you in terms of location. New construction typically takes the form of sprawling suburban neighborhoods or urban high-rises. Suburban neighborhoods may be spacious, but they’re also typically farther from a town center, adding to a daily commute. High-rises are in the middle of the action, but offer little outdoor space.

Landscaping
Existing construction often has better landscaping surrounding the home, including large trees that provide shade in the summer, block the winter wind, and also muffle the sounds of traffic. It’s possible to transplant trees onto a new lot, but it takes years for the landscaping to mature.

Exterior
New constructions often have cookie-cutter exteriors in order to appeal to the largest number of people possible. Expect to pay extra to customize a new construction to stand out on the block.
​
Wait Time
This isn’t an issue if you are purchasing a pre-existing new construction, but if you’re building a new home, the wait time is significant. On average, building a new home takes five or six months.


Source: https://www.zillow.com/home-buying-guide/buying-a-new-home/
​

​One of the decisions you will need to make in choosing a new home is whether you want to look at pre-owned homes or new construction, either custom-built or pre-existing new construction.

It’s a matter of personal taste. Some people prefer a shiny new home that hasn’t been lived in before, while others prefer a home touched by the patina of time. There are pros and cons to purchasing a newly constructed home. Let’s explore some of the pros.  For a list of the con's click here.

The Pros

Modern Floor Plan
If you opt for custom construction, you can build your dream home with the floor plan tailored to your wants and needs. Even if you buy a pre-made new construction, you will benefit from a modern floor plan. Most new constructions feature kitchens that open up to a living room so you can cook and still be part of the action happening elsewhere in the house. In addition, new constructions typically have larger rooms and more sunlight than older houses.

Custom Features
Even if the house isn’t custom built, there can still be an opportunity to add custom finishes. You will just need to be in communication with the builder prior to the completion of the house. This will add on to the cost of the house, but can also be a good compromise between the expense of a custom built home and the cookie cutter quality of a non-custom build.

Energy Efficiency
Newer homes feature appliances, insulation, and windows that are more energy efficient. Lower heating and cooling expenses mean a lower utility bill for owners.

“Smart” Technology
New homes include “smart” technology that can allow you to automate different systems and features of the home, including alarm systems, speakers, cable, and internet.

Healthier Indoor Air
New constructions are typically made from materials that are low or zero VOC (volatile organic compound), meaning they output fewer toxic chemicals into the air.

Maintenance
A new home costs less to maintain, and makes monthly payments more predictable because repairs will likely be unnecessary. Warranties can provide protection for your new home for years, eliminating any up front repair costs.

Amenities
Whether a new construction is an urban condo or a sprawling suburban mansion, many new constructions come with attractive amenities. Urban amenities can include parking, a pool, and security staff, while suburban locations may come with parks, pools, and other community spaces.

​Timing
Buying new construction can give you more time to work on the move. For a single family home, new construction typically takes about 5 months, while condos take about 6 months. This means you don’t have to rush into buying your new home.

Reach out to me if you would like examples of new construction communities in the area, building lots, and/or builders I recommend. 

When it comes to choosing a new home, it’s important to define your must-haves. These are items on your wishlist that are non-negotiable. It’s important to separate your list of must-haves from the things that you want, but which may be negotiable. There are a number of different aspects of a home to consider when coming up with your list of must-haves. Here are the most important.

First you need to determine what price range you can afford. Then you will be able to be realistic when looking at potential homes. The size of your down payment, your monthly payment, and your annual income will all affect how affordable your mortgage is.

Homes come in a variety of types and it’s important to consider what type is right for you. Detached, single-family homes generally offer the most privacy and freedom. However, you will be solely responsible for all repairs and up-keep. Townhomes, and condominiums are other options in housing. They offer less privacy but can be more affordable. In a townhome, you will be sharing walls with other people. In the case of a condominium, you will own the unit you live in and have a stake in the whole building as well. There are pros and cons with each option.  

Sometimes, your first house is a great stepping stone to build equity or to build your investment portfolio.  If you have questions about what type of home you can afford in today's market, contact me here.

The neighborhood that surrounds your home is just as important as the home itself. It will become your community. Getting to know the neighborhood that a potential home is located in is an important step. The state of the neighborhood and how it may change in the future will affect the future value of your home. Spend some time hanging out in the neighborhood and consider how important the following aspects of a neighborhood are:

• Proximity to public transportation
• Walking distance to shops and restaurants
• Safety of the neighborhood
• Number of houses being remodeled in the neighborhood 

For those who have or are planning to have children, the local schools are an important part of the equation. Even if you do not have or plan to have children, good schools can be a sign of a thriving neighborhood and can make it easier to sell your house in the future.
Some aspects of a school to research and consider are:

• Test scores
• Extracurricular activities
• Statistics on the student population
• Reviews by community members

Some other aspects of a home to consider in determining what you really want are:

• Size of the house
• Size of the rooms
• Number of rooms
• Size of the yard or lot
• View from the home
• Configuration of rooms
• Parking situation
• New construction or fixer upper

Determining your must-haves for a home in the following areas will help you narrow down your search and ensure that your dream home is also a practical home that meets your needs.

Source:https://www.zillow.com/home-buying-guide/what-you-want-and-need/
https://www.moneyunder30.com/home-buying-checklist-wants-vs-needs

If you are looking for a new home, there are many real estate professionals out there who will want to work with you. How do you select the right real estate agent to be on your team?

First, let’s clarify some of the terminology around real estate professionals, which can be confusing. A real estate agent is someone who acts as a guide or counselor in the process of buying or selling property. Real estate agents are required to have a license in the U.S. and are trained to handle the legal aspect of buying and selling property, including homes. Some agents specialize in either buying or selling, while other agents assist with both transactions.

A broker is also licensed and must have been a real estate agent prior to becoming a broker.
Legally, a real estate agent must be managed by a broker, who takes legal responsibility for the agent’s actions. A broker may manage a firm of real estate agents, work as a sole proprietor,  or work under another broker.

A Realtor is a real estate agent or broker who is part of the National Association of Realtors, or NAR. NAR members pay dues and are held to a certain standard of ethics.

Although all real estate agents must be licensed to ensure a certain level of expertise, that doesn’t mean all agents are right for you. It’s important to find an agent who is the right fit for your situation.

A real estate agent will be guiding you through what may be the most significant financial transaction of your life. Some important qualities to look for in an agent are responsiveness,
knowledge of the local area and market, expertise and negotiation skills.

Referrals are a good source of information on whether a potential real estate agent has these qualities. It’s a good idea to ask people you know about real estate agents they’ve worked with in the past. Another resource is the Better Business Bureau ratings.

Looking at a potential agent’s listings is also a valuable way to see if they are a good fit for you. If most of their listings are different in location or type from what you are looking for, the chances are they aren’t the right agent for you.

It’s very important to meet an agent in person before you decide on whether you want to work with them. You can get a better sense of your compatibility with an agent in person.
The National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents has compiled a list of questions to ask a potential real estate agent.

• How long have you been licensed? Do you work in real estate full time?
• What percentage of your business is working with buyers?
• How familiar are you with the area where I want to purchase?
• Do you have references from other buyers who have used your services? Do you have an association membership that has a published code of ethics or standards of practice?
• Do you think foreclosures, bank-owned properties or for-sale-by-owner properties would be appropriate for my home search?
• How often will you supply me with properties that meet my criteria? How will you get them to me? Will you point out all the negative aspects of each property as well as all the positive aspects?
• Please tell me how you represent buyers to help them get the best price and terms.
• Do you have a list of lenders, home inspectors, insurance agents and other professionals to recommend?
• How do you get paid?
• Do you have a written agreement? What is the duration of that agreement? What if I see a for-sale-by-owner house on my own?
• How would you represent me as a buyer client for properties listed with your firm? How might that affect your ability to negotiate on my behalf for those properties?​

I'm happy to answer these questions or any others you may have.  Let's grab coffee or meet up at my office.   Feel free to email me here or call or text me at 540 246-9067.

Source: https://www.zillow.com/home-buying-guide/what-is-a-real-estate-broker/

Buying a new home doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are 10 Simple Steps to follow to buy your first home.
​

Find out your credit score before you start talking to lenders, find out your credit score and get a free report from 
Annualcreditreport.com. Credit scores range from 350 to 850. The higher your credit rating is, the lower the interest rate on your mortgage will be. Several factors determine your credit score:

• Payments- Did you pay your bills on time?
• Debt- How much do you owe?
• Credit history- How much credit history do you have?
• New credit- Have you applied for credit recently?
• Types of credit- It’s best to have multiple types of credit.

A good credit score is considered to be 720 or higher, but you can usually get an FHA loan if your credit is at least 580.

​Calculate what you can afford to spend.  Try online tools like Nerd Wallet.    You also need to consider how much you want to spend. You may not want to make a large monthly payment, even if you are approved for a large mortgage. To get a sense of what you can afford in your area, start attending open houses and doing research online for houses that are on the market.

Find the right real estate agent.  Your real estate agent will be your guide, counselor, and confidant through this sometimes challenging process.  It's important to choose a REALTOR® who will look out for your best interest and has high ethical standards.  Researching the agent's firm, reading their reviews, and interviewing agents are all good steps before agreeing to work with someone long term. 

​Get pre-approved for a loan before you fall in love with a home, you want to know that you’ll actually be able to buy it. Find a lender first and get pre-approved for a loan before you start house-shopping.  I highly recommend you use a local lender because they have more accountability than online lenders you can't see face to face.  

In pre-approval, a lender obtains your credit information and then decides how much money they would be willing to lend you. They will give you an official letter stating this. It’s smart to do this because if you end up in a bidding war, this may give you an advantage because the seller will see you’ve already been approved for a loan.

Getting pre-approved does not mean you have to ultimately get a loan from the lender who approves you. You are still free to look at different lenders and compare them.

Contact me for recommended lenders:

​Start the shopping process. Talk to your agent and identify your must-haves and your wants. Also nail down your price range and the neighborhoods you want to look in. Your realtor will assist you with finding houses online and touring them. You may be surprised by the opportunities that you find!

To get custom alerts of houses that meet your criteria, fill out this simple form!

​Make an offer on the home.  This is often the part that makes people nervous. Don’t worry! Working with a great agent will ensure that you make the best possible offer on your dream home. Your agent will be able to advise you whether your offer should be at the asking price or perhaps above or below, depending on the local market. Your agent will also help you with details such as whether there are any contingencies to your offer, or if you will want a home inspection. Once you make an offer, you may get a “yes”, a “no”, or a counter offer. Rely on your agent to guide you through this process.

Do a home inspection.  If you decided you want a home inspection as part of your offer, this is the next step.   I recommend you be present for the inspection if at all possible. A home inspector will thoroughly examine the home and provide a report about the house.   The report can be useful as it will often have more information about your house than you need for the negotiation process. 

When negotiating repairs, the contract calls us to focus on material defects and not updates or maintenance items.  This often comes up when exploring heating and cooling systems (HVAC).  If the HVAC is older than it's statistical life but working properly, replacing it would be an upgrade/update as it is not a material defect (not working properly).

The home inspection is also an opportunity for you to spend time in your new home envisioning what you want it to look like. Enjoy this exciting time!

Contact me for my recommended inspectors:

Unless you are already a homeowner, you will need to find an insurance agent and purchase homeowner’s insurance. This will be required by your lender. If you owned a home to begin with, just tell your insurance agent you’re buying a new home and they will make a new policy for you. Homeownership is necessary to protect your investment even if you don’t have a mortgage.

It’s also important that you contact your utility companies to set up services so they begin the day of settlement. You’ll want to move into a new home with climate control and running water!

Closing day is a very exciting day! There will be a lot of paper signing, but don’t let it wear you out. You’re almost done!

You will need to bring a photo ID to settlement and the funds you need to close on the house.  If you plan on wiring money, beware of Wire Fraud.  More information here...

Yay! You’re finally done! Get the keys from the former owner and move in. The move in day will vary based on your contract, so it may be on the same day that you sign the closing papers, or it may be a few days later. Either way,  you are now officially a homeowner and can start this exciting new chapter in your life. Congratulations!

Source: https://www.zillow.com/home-buying-guide/10-steps-to-buying-a-home/