Charlottesville real estate Archives

How Do You Prepare to Buy Your First Home in Charlottesville, VA?

The world of real estate can be daunting, but with enough preparation, anyone can make the dream of purchasing their first home a reality.

To prepare to buy your first home in Charlottesville, VA, research the real estate market trends in the area. After that, you should contact a mortgage professional who will calculate how much you can spend on a down payment, monthly mortgage, and closing costs. Getting pre-approved for a home loan is essential for a smooth home buying process.

Finally, to guide you through the complicated journey of buying your first home, get in touch with an experienced local realtor in Charlottesville.

What Is the First Step You Should Take Before Buying a Home for the First Time?

The first thing you should do is learn about the available programs from the state Virginia Housing (formerly Virginia Housing Development Authority or VHDA). These programs are geared toward first-time homebuyers.

First-time homebuyers in Virginia have access to a wealth of benefits and grants (no pun intended) that make your purchase possible:

Down payment grants
Zero down payment
30-year fixed-rate loans
Federal tax breaks

Eligibility is dependent on these criteria:

No history of homeownership in the past three years
Credit score of at least 620
Compliance with maximum income and loan limits
Property will serve as your primary residence
Completion of homeownership education class

What Are the Steps in the Home Buying Process?

If you’re looking into buying a home in Charlottesville, Virginia, it’s best to know and understand each step in the process first.

1. Calculate What You Can Afford

Before you start shopping for a home, calculate how much you can spend on a house and your monthly mortgage. A mortgage professional is essential to assist you with this.

2. Get Pre-approved for a Mortgage

Getting pre-approved for a mortgage will let you know exactly how much money you can spend on purchasing a home.

3. Come Up With a Wish List for Your Home

Having a wish list with all the features and amenities you want will help narrow down your home options. However, remember that you might need to compromise according to your budget, particularly in the current low inventory real estate market.

4. Find an Experienced, Local Real Estate Agent

You don’t have to go blindly into buying your first home! Working with a local real estate agent will help make the home buying process smooth and efficient.

5. Search for Charlottesville, Virginia Homes for Sale

A real estate agent will introduce you to homes that fit your budget and comply with your wish list.

6. Negotiate an Offer

A critical step in the home buying process is making the offer. Real estate agents specialize in negotiating the sale’s price, terms, and conditions in favor of their client.

Your trusted mortgage professional can give your specific advice for your situation….Learn more at https://t.co/U1NBwT1v5n pic.twitter.com/TIu3UGxjFj
— Pam Dent – REALTOR® (@pamdent) February 24, 2022

7. Get Mortgage Approval

Once you have a home under contract, get back to your lender to proceed with the mortgage.

8. Order a Home Inspection

Ordering a home inspection will help you identify whether any major repairs need to be made to the home and any potential or existing conditions that affect the property’s value.

An inspector should advise you on the necessary maintenance and upkeep.

9. Complete the Closing

Once all the above steps are done, expect to sign a lot of paperwork to complete the transaction.

What Do You Need to Buy a House for the First Time in Virginia?

Here are some things you need to do when buying a home in Virginia for the first time.

1. Do Your Research

To buy a house for the first time in Virginia, you need to do your research.

Before settling in the city of Charlottesville in Central Virginia, make sure that the Charlottesville lifestyle is right for you.

Charlottesville, VA is a thriving community that values arts and culture and innovation grounded in tradition. Residents get a balance of urban and rural living, as just beyond the city lines lie acres of family farms and rolling hills.

Before you hire a real estate agent, visit websites and read newspapers and magazines to get an idea of available real estate listings in Charlottesville. Follow all the homes you’re interested in, and check back to see how long they stay on the market.

This will give you an idea of the current housing market in Charlottesville, VA.

2. Calculate Your Budget and Save Up

Buying a house means that you need cash to make a down payment. You’ll also need to save up for upfront costs such as:

Mortgage applications
Real estate agents
Lawyers
Home inspections
Moving expenses
Insurance
Closing costs (interest, property taxes)
Starting utilities
Emergency funds

Because of these many expenses, you need to figure out exactly how much you can afford, taking into consideration average home prices in Charlottesville, your income, expenses, and goals.

Down payments on homes range between 3.5% to 20% of the total cost of a property. This will depend on a homebuyer’s:

Mortgage interest
Credit score
Income
Current financial situation
Type of loan

To figure out the hypothetical downpayment for a home, find the average price for a home in Charlottesville, VA, and take 20% of that rate. According to Realtor.com, the median listing home price for Charlottesville, VA homes is $437,000. Or better yet reach out to a mortgage professional who can calculate how much you are able to spend and what loan product is best for you.

As for closing costs, they are calculated approximately 2% to 5% of the purchase price.

3. Attending Homeownership Education

Attending free homeownership classes is essential to not only qualifying for a home loan but will also help you understand your personal finances.

As a general rule of thumb, it’s recommended that buyers aim for a property that costs no more than 2.5 times their gross annual salary.

Homeownership education will also help you create a personal spending plan that works for your personal goals.

4. Preparing for a Mortgage

Since buying a home for the first time is a major investment, you will need to prove your financial capacity through your credit score, income, assets, and equity.

The credit score is used by lenders to determine the “creditworthiness” of borrowers or simply their capacity to repay the debt. A high credit score means that a person is financially trustworthy, while a person with a low credit score will have a more challenging time securing a loan.

There are several ways to improve your credit score to avoid any problems with securing a loan:

Paying your balances
Requesting a credit limit increase
Check for errors in your reports

Otherwise, another solution to buying a home with a poor credit score is to save up for a larger down payment. An additional option would be to apply for a Federal Housing Administration loan, which allows homebuyers a minimum credit score of 580 and a credit score of 3.5%.

To avoid any problems in the home buying process, get pre-approved by your lender. Remember that sellers do not tend to work with potential buyers who have not yet secured pre-approval.

Whether selling or buying your dream home, always hire the best real estate agent you can trust. 🏠💯

👩‍💼Pam Dent – REALTOR®
✅Gayle Harvey Real Estate Inc.
📞434-960-0161#PamDent #CentralVirginiaRealtor #QualitiesOfBestRealEstateAgent #TopCentralVirginiaRealtor pic.twitter.com/xSR3UmzMov
— Pam Dent – REALTOR® (@pamdent) February 24, 2022

5. Work With a Real Estate Agent

The best way to prepare for the intense journey of buying your first house is to get the guidance of a professional real estate agent. Working with an agent means that you’ll most likely find a home that suits your budget and needs from the get-go.

Buying a home can be complicated and overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time. A real estate agent will help you deal with legal paperwork, clean up your credit score, and find financing.

Since you’ll be working with an experienced professional, you’ll save hundreds of hours researching properties, the neighborhood, local zoning laws, and even assessing a property’s physical condition.

Final Thoughts

A real estate agent will work in your best interests to secure a deal in line with your price range and future goals. If you’re hoping to buy your first home in Charlottesville, VA, get in touch with me, Pam Dent, at 434-960-0161.

CAAR Home Sales Report – 2021 Q3

Each quarter of the year Virginia Realtors and the Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors (CAAR) compile market data of sold and listed properties during the quarter. HERE IN THIS LINK, and below, are direct links to the full 2021 Q3 Market Report which you can view or download if you prefer.

We are continuing to see strong market activity. Inventory in our area has continued to fall although some parts of the state have seen an increase in listings. An important number to note is 1.5; there is only 1.5 months of inventory in the Central Virginia market. In other words at the current rate of sales it would only take 1.5 months to sell all of the homes that are currently listed for sale. This is down from 2.5 months a year ago.

The median sales price has continued to climb to $365,000

We are also seeing a return of buyers to some of the more urban markets, with an uptick in condos and multi-family in certain areas. There has been a start of cooling in some areas of the state. Last year during the pandemic we lost all of the seasonality in the market, but maybe now we are starting to see a return to seasonality. Going forward we expect to remain in a sellers’ market due to the low inventory. To note, 6 months of inventory is considered a balanced market and anything below 6 months is a sellers’ market.

2nd Quarter Update – Virginia Housing Market

Where is the Housing Market Cooling in Virginia?

Virginia Association of Realtors’ Chief Economist, Lisa Sturtevant, has released the following details about the overall market activity of real estate in the state.

Over the past 12 months, the housing market in Virginia—and really around the country—could only be described as hot. Or maybe frenzied. Perhaps on fire.

And while conditions are still very positive, there are signs that the housing market is cooling a bit in some places across the commonwealth. As conditions change, it is more important than ever to pay attention to local markets and factors that impact local demand and supply.

Why Might the Housing Market Be Cooling?

After a year of the housing market running on all cylinders, it is not surprising to see a downshift in market conditions. There are several reasons why the hyper competitive housing market will ease:

Extremely low inventory and rising home prices have frustrated some would-be homebuyers who have decided to take a pause on their home search.
More homeowners may be listing their homes to try to capitalize on the record home prices in most markets.
With the opening up of the economy, individuals and families may be looking to spend their money on other things—including travel and celebrations—instead of a home purchase.

As housing market conditions ease, we would expect slightly slower sales activity, a bit more inventory, and a lengthening of average days on market. Home prices will continue to rise, though the pace of price growth should moderate slightly.

Where are Markets Cooling?

Markets with lower pending sales activity

Statewide, the number of pending sales dropped 5.5% between May and June. Pending sales are listings that have gone under contract in the month and is a leading indicator of where the closed sales numbers will be a month or two out. In a typical year, there tends to be a slowdown in pending sales between May and June; however, in some local markets, the drop off in new contract activity has been much more pronounced than it has been in the past.

Pending sales have slowed in markets across the state, including in most of Northern Virginia and Central Virginia. For example, in Rappahannock County, there were just eight pending sales in June 2021, down from 20 in May. In Caroline County, the number of pending sales in June 2021 was down by nearly 60% compared to a month earlier.

When the number of new contracts on homes slows, that is an indication of a slowdown in buyer activity, and it means that the number of closed sales will post lower in the months to come.

Markets with rising inventory

At the end of June, there was a total of 19,346 active listings statewide. Inventory is about 18% lower compared to the same time a year ago. However, the pace of inventory being drawn down has slowed and inventory levels have expanded month-to-month for four consecutive months. At the end of June, the number of active listings was up 7.5% compared to the end of May.

Inventory expanded in June in nearly all markets across the commonwealth. The main exceptions are the Northern Neck and Upper Peninsula, where inventory continues to decline month-to-month.

But inventory is up in most places in Virginia. In the City of Lexington, for example, there were 100 active listings on the market at the end of June, which is up 56% compared to May. In Warren County, the number of active listings increased by 52% between May and June.

Outlook

Housing market conditions across Virginia are still strong, though there are signs of an easing of the housing market for many local markets. A cooling housing market is good for buyers, who will have more options and more time to make decisions. Even with a shifting market, inventory will remain relatively low and prices will continue to grow, albeit a bit more slowly. Over the next few months, pay close attention to local market conditions and trends, rather than national figures. All housing markets are local, and this is particularly true during a period of market transition.

How Much Money Should I Save To Buy A Charlottesville VA House?

As a prospective homeowner, it is likely that you already have a dream home in mind. You may already have a checklist of all the features that you need the house to have. The more elaborate your checklist, the more expensive your dream home will be.

If you want to buy a home in Charlottesville, VA, you might be wondering how much you’ll need to save up. It all depends on you, and the type of home that you’re looking at buying. There are quite a few things that could make the house you want to buy expensive. The more expensive it is, the more you will need to save.

This article will explain the cost of the average home in Charlottesville, VA and how much you might need to save to buy one.

What Are Property Values Like in Charlottesville, VA?

For those looking to buy a home in this city, they have to know how much they’d be likely to spend. The median price for a home is about $355,000. Of course, there will also be plenty of homes below and above this price.

For instance, over 50% of homes available in Charlottesville cost between $250,000 and $500,000. As prices go higher or lower than that range, the number of available homes decreases. But even if you are looking for seven figure homes, you will find a good selection in Charlottesville.

Top Real Estate Agents in Charlottesville, VA

You’ll also find many three-bedroom homes here, followed by two-bedroom houses. If you need even more space, then four-bedroom houses make up 16% of homes in the city.

Since the year 2000, homes in this city have appreciated 134.5%. This is about 4% every year, on average. This is something to consider for those who are planning to buy a home for investment purposes. Over the last ten years alone, the appreciation rate has been about 40%. This is in the top 30% in the nation.

Speaking of investments, you may want to buy a home as a rental property. Charlottesville, VA, is a great location to consider if that is the case. The average rent goes for about $1,700 every month, and about 60% of residents are renters.

How Much Money Should I Save to Buy a Home in Charlottesville, VA?

If you have the cash to buy a home, it is always best to do it outright. This is not an option for most people, which is why they turn to their banks to finance the sale. By getting a mortgage, most people can become homeowners.

You will always need to pay a down payment on the house, even with a mortgage. The percentage of the total house price for the down payment varies. Many people use 20% as a rule of thumb. It can be lower than this, but it is unlikely to be higher. This makes it a good benchmark to use. If the house you decide to buy costs $500,000, you will have to have $100,000 saved up.

To always be on the safe side, ensure you have 20% of the total put aside. If you manage to get a smaller percentage on your down payment, that’s a definite bonus. You can put this extra cash to use if needed, especially if you might need to make some repairs.

What Factors Can Make a Home More Expensive in Charlottesville, VA?

When looking for a home in Charlottesville, VA, some things can make a house more expensive. You should have these in mind and keep your wallet at the ready. Especially if you want a five-bedroom estate or something like that!

Just because you can afford a house that large doesn’t mean that it is a good idea. Look at your monthly income and make sure that the mortgage won’t take too much of a hit on that. You are going to be paying it off for decades. You should go for a mortgage that is comfortable and won’t leave a serious dent each month.

Here are the factors which increase the value of a home:

The size. This might be the most important consideration when looking for a home. The square footage of the property has a large effect on how much it will cost. This doesn’t refer to the house alone, but the entire lot. There are homes in Charlottesville, VA, that belong to golf communities or have farm space. All that extra land is sure to drive up the listing price. If this is what you want, make sure that you prepare for it. Homes like these are beautiful!
The neighborhood. Charlottesville, VA, is a city and there are many neighborhoods within it. These areas can differ quite a bit and this can show on the average price for homes. Ivy is one of the more expensive neighborhoods in Charlottesville. In fact, it is one of the more expensive neighborhoods in the country. The median price for a home here is $790,000. This shows how important it is to select a neighborhood wisely.
The year of construction. Simply put, the newer a home, the more expensive it is likely to be. The reason for this is rather straightforward. A lot of things in the house will be less likely to break down! Some of the most important parts of a home are the most expensive to fix. This includes the plumbing, wiring, and roof. If any of these get damaged, it will cost a lot of money to fix. A newer house is a sort of guarantee that these parts of the structure will last longer. Buying an older house for cheaper saves you some money you might need for fixes.

A higher down payment can help a buyer avoid the cost of mortgage insurance but it is usually necessary to put 20% down. pic.twitter.com/OaHgS7tOOR
— Pam Dent – REALTOR® (@pamdent) January 14, 2021

To summarize everything, you should aim for a house which you can afford comfortably. The amount of usable space, the area, and how old the house is, affect the price.

Whatever the price might be, have 20% of it on the ready. This will help avoid any disappointments you might encounter. Nobody wants to miss out on the house of their dreams.

Before you make any of these steps, you need to find the house of your dreams. If Charlottesville, VA, is your destination, Pam Dent, Realtor®, is the one. She’ll find you the best options to fit your needs. Call her at 434-960-0161 to get started now!

Pool Popularity Soars During Covid

When your children are small, pools become a magnet for not only your children but their friends as well. It can also be a great place for the summer holidays, Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day. Any warm day, especially on the weekends, can be an opportunity to enjoy the pool, cook outside or bask in the sun…. and in Virginia our warm weather often extends well into the fall.

During the first major stay-at-home event that most of us have experienced in this country, pools have given families an enjoyable recreation without leaving the home. For those without a pool, the NPD group reports that the Covid-19 pandemic has increased pool building by 161% this year.

Some may have even made the transition from children enjoying the pool to the grandchildren. If this happened to you, there is an interim where you may have wished that your home didn’t have a pool so you would not have the maintenance and required upkeep. Then, as the new generation of family starts using it regularly and again, you are glad you have a pool and can see the grandchildren more.

For those people who don’t have a pool but are considering one, there are some things that you need to think about.

If you’ve watched some of the TV shows like Pool Kings, most of those look like resorts or water parks and the price tag that comes with them can be staggering. Even a modest gunite, in-ground pool with a limited amount of decking can be as expensive as a luxury car, especially after including the cost of landscaping and pool furniture.

If you finance the pool as a home improvement, the term will probably be between seven to fifteen years. If you refinance your current mortgage and wrap the cost of the pool together, you could get a 30-year term.

Pool cleaning and chemicals depend on the size of the pool but will generally start at about $175 a month through a service. Your utilities will see an increase because you’re going to use more electricity and water than you did before you had a pool.

Then, of course, there may be increases in food and refreshments to consider for not only your family but your guests. There are also pool toys, floats, sunscreen, and towels. Minor things can add up!

People going through the pros and cons of building a pool usually tell themselves that the house will go up in value. It is true but not nearly as much as the cost of the pool. Long time pool owners will tell you that they have had lots of great memories and it has been a good investment in their family. It just may not be good as a financial investment.

Once you’ve made the decision to build a pool, find a reputable pool builder, ask for references and check them out. Ask friends who have pools, who built them and would they use the company again. Most pool companies hire and coordinate with subcontractors to do the work. It is important to know that the builder will be around if something goes wrong and how they’ll solve the issue.

The Better Business Bureau has some suggestions about hiring a pool contractor and they warn about scammers who are eager to take advantage of the increased demand for pools.

What Adds Value to a Charlottesville VA Country Home?

You can add value to your country home in Charlottesville by emphasizing the advantages of rural life. The peace of rural areas is important to many people, however having good roads for access to urban areas is a boost. Adequate space for horses and other animals adds value too. The quality of the home and improvements should be optimal. While many appreciate a rustic appearance, modern amenities hold value indoors.

Selling homes in an urban area may be easier than in rural areas. This boils down to more people living in urban areas, thus a larger buyer pool. Modernity appeals to many people. For some folks, though, they want to be among nature, with peace and quiet. For these people, homes in the country are their first choice.

Over half of Virginia’s landmass is rural. There are also over 1 million people living in rural areas in the state. So while urban areas are more populated, rural living is very much in demand. And as a result of the pandemic, an increasing number of people are moving out of the city and into the country. If you’d like to sell your country home in Charlottesville, VA, this is the optimum time to put it on the market.

Before you sell your country house, you want to get as much value as you can. There are things you can do to increase the selling price of your home.

What Can Increase the Value of my Country Home?

Many home improvements can increase the home’s value beyond the price it costs to get them done. Knowing the appropriate ones can turn a good profit. These range from minor renovations to more considerable additions.

Make all repairs: Ensure that all necessary repairs are complete before selling. You may be able to sell a house with a leaky roof, but it’ll take money out of the asking price. If you fix these deficiencies yourself, you won’t leave money on the table. Be sure electricity and water are in perfect working order. All light switches and power outlets should be functional. Don’t forget to make sure all windows and doors open without any issues. Proper repairs enable you to show the house without any worries. You will know there’s nothing you need to be concerned about! You may even want to have a pre-listing home inspection so that you will know what will be found in a buyer’s inspection and you can take care of those items before your home goes on the market.

Ensure easy access: Even if you don’t like the bustle of cities, being able to get to town easily is important. As much as you stay within rural confines, you will have causes to go to the city occasionally. Buyers coming for house showings will likely arrive from the city too. Private roads leading to your property should be free of any obstacles, well maintained and easy to navigate. Have your mailbox somewhere prominent and well-labeled. Buyers want to know packages can get to them without stress.

Get the property looking good: For taking pictures or having a showing, you want the property to look its best. Rural houses can take a lot to maintain, and most buyers know this, but if it looks shabby, they will reconsider whether they should take it on. Don’t add to the work they have to do if they buy. Ensure any grass is freshly mowed, and bushes and trees are presentable. Clean the windows, scrub floorboards, and make the house look pristine. The rustic charm of a country home is one of the major attractions. Take advantage of that, and make it look good before buyers show up. It’s sure to bring more value.

Market in the strongest season: You can sell a country home in any season, but you need to know which is optimal. A home in Charlottesville with abundant green is best marketed in spring or summer and don’t forget the display of fall color in the background. That way, the trees and shrubbery are as beautiful as can be! The value of a property is higher when its beauty is evident.

Renovate where necessary: If your country home is relatively aged, it may need some renovations. These can bring modern amenities to the home, in both functionality and appearance. Renovating bathrooms and kitchen space is one of the easiest ways to add value. Most buyers won’t want to do that themselves.

What Are Home Improvements That Don’t Add Value?

Adding renovations may seem like a sure way to increase your country home’s value. Unfortunately, that’s not true for the most part. Some home improvements will not do much to improve value. It’s essential to know which ones do, and which don’t. This will prevent you from spending money on non-profitable upgrades.

These improvements may not increase value, but they can seal the deal from prospects.

Improving infrastructure: There are many vital parts of a home hidden from sight. This includes water and sewage pipes, as well as electrical wiring. An old house can have older infrastructure in this regard, but upgrading won’t put much money in your pocket. It improves the description of the home, but putting a premium on account of these won’t yield much. However, if these essential features are not up to date, it could deter a potential buyer from making an offer.

Bedroom renovations: A bedroom is a personal space. Putting your own touches on a bedroom to improve the home’s value can prove far from successful. Most buyers will want to design their bedrooms themselves. So doing it for them won’t add more to your asking price.

Re-purposing rooms: Changing a spare room into a gym or a theater may seem like a good idea. This is only if the buyer wants exactly that. More often than not, these additions will only frustrate buyers. Sometimes, this means a room that they cannot use. They can re-purpose rooms on their own, if you leave the space for them to decide. In today’s market, rooms become offices or school rooms. Buyers will want flexibility. And with the prevalence of netflicks and streaming, home theaters are no longer popular.

Swimming pools: Pools can be fun to have, that’s a fact. Unfortunately, installing one is costly, and so is maintaining one. A home with a pre-existing pool can be a tough sell due to maintenance costs, and many buyers consider a pool to be a lot of extra work. There are also safety issues, particularly for families with children. Don’t expect a pool to add value for every buyer.

In the end, these are a few of the elements that can add value to your home. Some are quick to put in place, and others may take some time to complete. Don’t forget decluttering and staging which are both inexpensive ways to add value to your home. It’s important to be practical and consider all the factors when planning to sell. Getting a fantastic agent makes selling a breeze. Pricing, location, and the house itself can determine which improvements you should consider.

In Charlottesville, VA, you’ll want to get an agent familiar with the area and with country homes. This way, you’ll get the greatest value, and a sale before you know it.

Don’t hesitate if you have a country home that you want to sell. Call up Pam Dent, Realtor, at 434-960-0161. Not only will she help you maximize value and get the most profit. She’ll make sure you have your country house sold before you can imagine.

Autumn 2020 Real Estate Forecast

It continues to be an interesting year, and today’s real estate market is no different. In Central Virginia, we are seeing the spring market in the fall, with strong sales continuing due to pent up demand. At the current purchase rate, there is about a 3 month’s supply of inventory in the Charlottesville area. A 6 months supply is considered a Balanced market and below that number is a Seller’s market. As you can see, we are in a strong seller’s market.

LOCAL HOUSING TRENDS

The move to the suburbs is real and in our Charlottesville area the counties of Nelson, Louisa and Buckingham saw an increased number of sales in July of 2020 as compared to July 2019. As a result of the pandemic, we saw a shift of more people moving out of cities across the country. Many people are working from home and even as we recover, many will continue to work from home. This shift also has changed how we live in our homes. New home sizes had been falling for the past 4-5 years, but we are now seeing an increase in home size.

NATIONAL HOUSING TRENDS

I had the opportunity to listen to Dr Robert Dietz, economist for The National Association of Home Builders, speak last week. According to Dr Dietz, the latest prediction is calling for a 2-year period for economic recovery, and housing is leading this recovery with 16% of GDP.

FINANCING AND PRICING

We are also seeing gains for mortgage purchase applications. However, increased Refinance activity due to the low interest rates helps keep inventory low as more people are staying in their homes and remodeling instead of selling. Due to the low inventory and high demand, we are seeing prices up by about 3%.

NEW CONSTRUCTION IMPACT

Since there is a shortage of resale homes coming onto the market, it will be necessary to have a strong new construction industry. However, there are several headwinds for new construction. Until there is a vaccine or treatment, there is the risk of renewed lockdowns. There continues to be a shortage of skilled construction workers, and although we are seeing an increase in trade schools, training takes time. There has been a 170% increase in lumber prices since April. This adds about $16,000-$20,000 to a new build.

GLOBAL IMPACT ON NEW CONSTRUCTION

New home prices and the cost of remodeling will gradually go up as builders go through the current stock of lumber. Since we get about 1/3 of our lumber from Canada, we will want to watch what happens with the tariff. Another impact on new construction, is the fact that the global supply chain has been disrupted because of Covid and the natural disasters. For new construction, you can expect higher prices and delays.

As you can see, there is cause for optimism, but one thing that we have learned this year is that things can change quickly.

😁How to Make Buying a Home a Less Stressful Experience

From saving a down payment to applying for a mortgage to competing with other home buyers, buying a home can turn you into a ball of stress without you even knowing. Since buying a home involves a series of small steps that eventually lead to homeownership, it can be very stressful and challenging.

The good news, however, is that you can make the process go much more smoothly if you understand each step and prepare for the process before you jump into the boat. Before we talk about beating the stress of buying a new Charlottesville VA home, let’s talk about the hardest parts of buying a home so you can prepare yourself for them.

Golf Course Homes for Sale in Charlottesville

Saving for the down payment

Most homebuyers cite this as the single biggest obstacle to owning a home in the U.S. The savings rate in the country is so dismal that majority of Americans find it hard to save enough to make a down payment on their dream home.

While saving money is not easy especially if we are talking about thousands of dollars, it is possible. To prepare for this part, set up a budget that includes a regular line item for your expected down payment, and give yourself as many months or years as you believe it will take. By the time you’ve saved enough, you are finally ready to purchase your dream home.

Finding a buyer for your current home

While this only applies to homebuyers who are living in their current homes, this is also one of the hardest parts of buying a new home. This is primarily because it requires you to be involved in two real estate transactions at the same time. Imagine how hard it already is to purchase a home, and then adding a second—and sometimes an even tougher—transaction into the mix.

Another reason why this is can be very challenging is that most of the time, even a strong market is not enough to sell a home. Many prospective buyers do not always qualify for financing and as a home seller, you will encounter one or more false starts on offers before you get your home sold.

There is also the challenge of having one of these two transactions dependent on another. More often than not, the sale of a previous home is required for the mortgage of a new home. If there is any detail on the sale of your current home that looks a bit odd or uncertain, then that will most likely cause your home buying transaction to fail.

If you want to overcome this obstacle, come up with an effective strategy that will help you sell your current home first before you buy a new one. While that may not be easy, that will increase the chances of your home buying process turning out successful.

Improving your credit

Even though the conditions in the housing market continue to improve, mortgage lenders are still cautious about borrower credit. If you are planning to buy a home and want to make sure that you are able to participate in the widest number of mortgage programs, then the first thing you need to do is to get your credit score up to at least the 700 level.

If you have recently had an impaired credit, improving your credit may be a challenge. This also rings true if you are carrying too much debt.

To prepare for this part of the home buying process, take time to give your credit a boost. Bring it where it needs to be so you can easily apply for a mortgage when it’s time to buy a home. You may want to get a free copy of your credit report as soon as now so you can take a look at the negative information it may reveal. As soon as you see it, take the necessary action.

Choosing the right home in the right neighborhood

This is also one of the biggest challenges when buying a home. Often, prospective homebuyers find the home of their dreams in a neighborhood that goes beyond their price range. Most of the time, what they do is compromise.

Charlottesville Horse Farms

If you do not want to compromise, then find a home that suits your needs and taste and is located in the right neighborhood at the same time. For instance, having school-aged children may push you to sacrifice finding a dream home in favor of moving into an area where there are good schools. On the other hand, having no children at all may push you to prioritize the house more than the neighborhood.

Preventing yourself from overbuying

In every real estate transaction, emotion always has a way of taking over you when you begin your search for your dream home. As a homebuyer, you have the tendency to fall in love with the property and end up paying too much for it in the process.

You may also tend to buy a house just because you like the way the furniture is arranged in it, even when it is not really the type of home that you need. Once you develop an emotional attachment to a home, it’s a short walk to paying more for that home than it’s actually worth. To keep that from happening, make sure that your emotions are always at bay when purchasing the right home for you and your family.

Before you begin your shopping decide on the amount of house you can afford and stick to that. Make sure that you also make decisions based on available facts, not because of your emotions.

Purchasing a home is just plain stressful.

Buying a home is a complicated process that involves strong emotion. In fact, experts agree that moving to a new home is among the top three most stressful events in life- next to death and divorce.

Whether it’s your first time or not, some aspects of buying a home are simply beyond your control.

However, there are some things that can help make your experience less stressful. In this article, I’ve included three of the best ways in which you can beat the stress of buying a new Charlottesville VA home and enjoy the experience.

Home for Sale in Charlottesville VA

1. Get your finances in order

Before you even think about hitting open houses, the first thing you need to do is to get your finances in order. A few months before you start your home search, order your free credit report from the three big credit bureaus at annualcreditreport.com.

Examine your credit report carefully because lenders will use them to determine whether they’ll lend to you and at what rate. If you see any mistakes, have it corrected as soon as possible. You’ll need a score of a least 620 to get a mortgage while the best rates require a score of 740 or higher.

With a financial investment this big, the earlier you start getting your financial ducks in a row, the better.

2. Understand the home buying process

In the home buying process, knowledge is power. Don’t be afraid to ask questions until you understand. It’s essential that you keep yourself informed on the different steps involved in purchasing a home in Charlottesville VA. Doing so will help you manage your expectations.

There’s’ always a measure of anxiety when buying a new home. That’s perfectly normal, but you must not forget that it is also supposed to an exciting time. To make it a less stressful experience you have to prepare. Take time to educate yourself and do some legwork.

Having an experienced and reliable real estate agent can also be an invaluable resource for you at a time like this. Your agent will keep you in the loop and let you know what’s happening at all time.

3. Partner with Pam Dent

Any real estate agent can help you browse home listings and set up showings for you. However, you will benefit more from working with an experienced real estate professional who has built connections and know-how over the years.

That would be me. I’ve been through the house buying process with many clients many times and I will help you through this one. As your agent, I will point out the pros and cons of homes, making sure you have noticed any red flags and generally making the home buying a positive, successful experience for you. I am familiar with the tools of the trade—from online listing sites to all the paperwork it takes to simply make an offer on a home.

Call me, Pam Dent, at 434-960-0161. My ultimate goal is to make your home buying experience as easy and stress-free as possible. With me on your side, you can take a step back and enjoy the process responsibly.

🏠What to Consider When Creating a Home Wish List

What does your future home look like?

Before you start searching for your new home, you need to have an idea of what it’s going to look like. House hunting can be a time-consuming process so it’s important to have a picture of what you desire and what your budget allows. Knowing your priorities will save you endless time and frustration as you take a look at the homes for sale in Charlottesville VA.

Creating a home buying wish list can help organize your thoughts. A wish list can also help you narrow down your options.

So how do you create a wish list?

You need to start by identifying your needs and wants. Needs are features that are must-haves, while wants refer to the home features that make a home special but you can live without. Be sure to make a realistic wish list.

Consider the following questions:

1. Features

Do you want historic properties or newer ones?
What particular home style do you prefer?
How many bedrooms do you need?
How many bathrooms do you need?
Do you prefer updated bathrooms?
What type of living and dining areas do you prefer? Traditional? Formal layout? Contemporary plan?
How many stories do you want in a home?
How much space do you need?
How high should the ceilings be?
What kind of kitchen do you prefer?
Do you prefer a garage or a carport?
Do you need a basement and/or an attic?

2. Amenities

Do you need a home office?
Do you want a home with a play or exercise room?
What kind of security system do you prefer?
Do you need a workshop or a studio?
Do you need a home with an in-law suite?
Do you want a fireplace?
Do you want a hot tub?
Do you want a pool?
Do you prefer a home with a deck or porch?
Do you want a laundry room?

3. Location

Remember that your choice of location will affect the home’s current and future value. It will also have an impact on your lifestyle.

It’s also good to keep in mind that you can always add amenities, but you can never change a bad location.

Do you want urban? Suburban? Or rural?
Which school district do you prefer?
Is the neighborhood close to the airport?
Is the neighborhood close to restaurants and retails?
Does the neighborhood have easy access to major highways and thoroughfares?
Are there nearby healthcare facilities?
Are there nearby parks and recreation areas?

4. Length of time you plan to live in the home

When looking for a home, you should also consider your future needs, around 7 to 10 years from now. If your requirements might change within that period, be sure the home you’re going to choose will still be able to accommodate your needs.

Are you ready to look for your home in Charlottesville VA?

Call me, Pam Dent, at 434-960-0161. I am committed to helping you find the home that suits you best. I make it a goal to provide excellent service to all my clients. With my help, your home purchase process will be seamless!

👎What Are the Risks of Buying a Charlottesville VA Home without an Agent

Buying a home is a big deal.

It may be the most significant transaction you ever deal with. If you’ve been thinking of purchasing a home, chances are you have asked yourself whether you need a real estate agent or not.

Most people would not consider going through the home buying process without a real estate professional. In fact, in any given year, only a small fraction of the home buying sales are transactions completed without the services of a real estate agent.

Trying to buy a Charlottesville VA home without an agent can carry risks and lead to costly mistakes. Here are some disadvantages and risks of buying a home by yourself.

1. Limited knowledge of the neighborhood

Without an agent, you will not have a neighborhood specialist to help you with your decisions.

When buying a home, knowing how to pick the right neighborhood is crucial. The neighborhood you choose will have an impact on the quality of life and resale value of your home.

One of the biggest advantages of working with a Charlottesville real estate agent like me is my knowledge of the neighborhoods in the area you are buying. I can provide you with information regarding school districts, property taxes, HOA rules, commutes, property values, and more.

2. Inspection problems

Without the guidance of a real estate agent, you’ll be on your own to determine the types of inspections that should be done. If you miss the necessary inspection, you may wind up with a home with real issues.

A home inspection is an examination of the overall condition of the home. It is important to conduct one to avoid costly mistakes by purchasing a home that is in need of major repairs. However, a home inspection report can be difficult to understand. It will contain every potential problem and may include 20-50 points of concern.

As the top real estate agent in Charlottesville VA, I can help you understand which inspection reports are necessary and which ones are unreasonable. I look at these reports all the time, so I know how to pick out the important stuff.

3. Negotiation and paperwork

Without an agent, you’ have to do your own negotiation. Negotiating a home purchase is quite challenging. Sellers want the highest price and buyers want the best possible deal.

As a qualified and experienced real estate agent, I can help you negotiate the tricky process of buying a home. I negotiate for my clients and I know every factor that influences home values, and every pressure point that is likely to deliver a response.

In addition, real estate law is complex. You also need to complete all necessary paperwork correctly and accurately, submitting them by deadlines.

Having an agent helps you understand what you need to sign. The odds of making mistakes can drop substantially when you’re working with someone who knows the paperwork inside and out.

The Benefits of Hiring a Professional Agent

With so much information readily available online, many homebuyers think that hiring a real estate agent is no longer essential. Homebuyers, including you, may wonder if you can actually buy a home through the Internet or marketing your property yourself through different advertising channels without representation.

While some homebuyers do fine on their own, like I said, it’s risky. Here are the reasons why you need to consider hiring a professional real estate agent when buying a home in Charlottesville VA.

We are experienced

If you are buying a home and you do not know a thing about home buying, you are taking a huge risk. But if you hire a real estate professional, you do not need to know everything about buying and selling real estate.

Once, Henry Ford said that when you hire people who are smarter than you are, you are only proving that you are actually smarter than they are. For a successful home purchase, the trick is always to find the right person to help you with the transaction process. For the most part, they all cost roughly the same, so what’s wrong with hiring someone who is more educated and experienced in real estate than you are?

Buying a home takes time, especially if you do not have a representation. Since you are looking for more precious time your life, hiring a pro gives you that time.

We offer buffering help

Through the help of a real estate agent, you can tak the spam out of your property showings and visits. Especially if you are buying a new home, your agent will help keep the agents of builders at bay and prevent them from taking advantage of you and your lack of experience.

On the other hand, if you are a seller, your real estate agent will help filter all the phone calls that lead to nowhere to make sure that only serious buyers who are ready to write offers immediately can reach you.

We are knowledgeable about your neighborhood

Real estate agents like us usually possess intimate knowledge when it comes to the neighborhood. You can depend on us to know where to find the industry buzz about your area and identify comparable sales and hand these facts to you.

If you are not yet familiar with your target neighborhood, you can expect us to point you in the direction where you can find more data on schools, crime or demographics. For instance, if you are interested to buy a home down the street, your agent may know if it had upgrades and can give you an estimate of its value.

We can give you price guidance

Contrary to popular belief, real estate agents like us do not choose prices for our clients. However, we help guide our clients to make the right choices for themselves. Your agent will devise a negotiation strategy that will work best for you.

We will tell you the current conditions of the market

If you choose me as your agent, you can count on me to disclose the true conditions of the market to you so it can help you govern your buying or selling process. There are several factors that usually determine the success of a home sale of purchase, and most of these factors have to do with the market.

Data such as the average per square foot cost of similar homes, median and average sales prices, average days on market and ratios of list-to-sold prices are the most common market factors that have the hugest bearing on what homebuyers or sellers like you ultimately decide to do.

We have a network of professionals

As a real estate agent, I network with other professionals in the industry. Many of these professionals provide the services that you will need throughout your home buying or selling transaction. While some agents hesitate to recommend an individual or company due to legal liability, I know which vendors have a reputation for efficiency, competency, and competitive pricing and I will not hesitate recommending them to you.

I can also give you a list of references with whom I have previously worked, as well as give you some background information to help you make the right choice.

We are expert negotiators

As top producing agents, we are able to negotiate well because we are able to remove ourselves from the emotional aspects of the transaction. Not to mention the fact that we have good negotiation skills. Unlike buyers and sellers, we make decisions not based on emotions but on actual factors.

If you hire me as your agent, expect me to be more than just a messenger who delivers your offer to the seller and vice versa. As a professional, I am trained to present your case in the best light and agree to hold your information confidential from competing interests.

We can handle volumes of paperwork

When you buy a home, you will find that purchase agreements usually run at least 10 pages, excluding the federal and state-mandated disclosures and non-disclosures dictated by local custom. If you hire an agent, you will not have to deal with all those paperwork and run the risk of losing some important documents and landing in court.

We will answer questions after closing

There are instances when even the smoothest transactions that close without complications come back to haunt the buyer. It’s possible that after closing, taxing authorities will come knocking on your door to collect property tax assessments, doc stamps or transfer tax. Especially if you are a new homebuyer, you may not be able to deal with these things.

One major benefit of having a professional agent is that you have someone to call to straighten out such confusions and complications. Several questions may pop up after closing, so it’s good to have an agent on stand-by to assist you. Remember that worthy and honest agents do not leave you right away.

We can develop relationships for future business

Most of the time, the basis for an agent’s success and sustained career in the business is referrals. Only a few agents survive if their livelihood solely depends on consistently drumming up a new business. This fact keeps us more motivated to make our clients happy and keep them satisfied.

Qualities to Look for In Your Real Estate Agent

There are many different players in the residential real estate industry, but the workhorses of every real estate transaction are the people who coordinate the process—the real estate agents.

By nature, a real estate agent is similar to a conductor of symphony who coordinates the different players for a successful transaction. She becomes a salesperson, a buyer’s advocate, an analyst, a business manager, a negotiator, and a marketer.

Here are the qualities and traits to look for in a successful real estate professional:

She’s a problem solver

Find someone who enjoys coming up with creative solutions to problems. A house for sale may not have the features that attract buyers, but if a real estate agent knows how to properly showcase a property to make it more marketable, she can attract the right buyers.

She is self-motivated

A successful real estate professional has a desire to control her own professional destiny and be her own boss. Only successful real estate agents have such a high degree of self-motivation and drive.

She is honest

Find an agent who considers her professional reputation as crucial in her real estate career. You will know that she applies only the best practices and high ethical standards in her profession is if she’s a member of the National Association of REALTORS. Agents who are members of this association pledge to a strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

She is tenacious

Top-producing agents do not only have a great work ethic but also the tenacity to pursue every lead. They have the hustle to market your properties to achieve success and they work smart in doing whatever is necessary to close a deal.

She’s interested in houses

A true real estate agent is passionate about houses and architecture. If you are looking for an agent, find someone who can give you that advantage. The best thing about having an agent who has interest in houses is that you know she really cares about the industry and she can give you the advice that you need as you go along the home buying or selling process.

She has an engaging personality

Remember that a good real estate agent does not only sell properties—they sell themselves. Find someone who has a great attitude, is personable and honest, and has confidence in her abilities to help you.

She has attention to detail

The ability to pay close attention to detail is crucial to become a successful agent. Hence, look for someone who is attentive to your needs and is organized enough to follow up with leads, communicate well with you and is willing to go the extra mile to attend to your needs.

She understands the local housing market

Make sure that your agent also utilizes the nuances that make your housing community’s housing market and pricing strategy unique. She must also be able to identify and develop a niche in your local market.

She has connections

You know a real estate agent is experienced enough to assist you if she has a vast network of contacts within the market she serves. These connections include other real estate agents, potential buyers and sellers, appraisers, home inspectors, and mortgage loan officers.

She is knowledgeable

Your agent must also be up-to-date with the latest topics in real estate and in the local market, so she can service you more effectively. You may also choose someone who considers continuing education and professional development as doors to opportunity which she can utilize to stay at the forefront of the industry.

Let me help you find your dream home in Charlottesville VA!

Call me, Pam Dent, at 434-960-0161. With my extensive knowledge of the Charlottesville area and the real estate market, I can help you find the best home that suits your lifestyle! Let’s get started today!