Getting Ready to Buy a New Home: 3 Tips
Getting Ready to Buy a New Home: 3 Tips Buying a new home can be a bit overwhelming, but with some planning and preparation, you can make the process smooth and enjoyable. Here are some friendly tips to help you get ready for this exciting journey. Plan What You’re Looking for in a Home Before you start house hunting, take some time to figure out exactly what you want in a home. Grab a piece of paper or open a document on your computer and jot down your must-haves. Keep the list short and focus on the essentials. Remember, you can always repaint walls or make other minor changes later. Here are a few things to consider: Location: Think about the type of neighborhood you want to live in. Do you prefer the suburbs or the countryside? Location is something you can’t change after buying, so choose wisely. Size: Make sure the home has enough space for your family and maybe a bit extra for guests. It’s easier to buy a home with the right amount of space than to add on later. Set a Budget Setting a budget is crucial. Let's face it no matter who you are we all have to find that balance. You don’t want to put unnecessary financial strain on your family. Here’s how to do it: Add Up Your Income: Start by calculating your total household income. List Your Expenses: Include everything from groceries to pest control. Don’t leave anything out. Adjust Accordingly: Make sure your budget is realistic and comfortable. You shouldn’t be stretching your finances to the limit. Contact a Real Estate Agent Early Getting in touch with a real estate agent early on can make a huge difference. Instead of waiting until a few months before your move, give yourself plenty of time. Here’s why: Reduce Stress: Starting early means less pressure on both you and the agent. Getting out and looking at homes is crucial to see if your plan lines up with reality. Detailed Planning: Share your plan, budget, and must-haves with your agent. This gives them time to find the perfect home for you without rushing. Final Thoughts With the right preparation, buying a house can be a smooth and enjoyable process. Plan what you want, set a realistic budget, and start working with a real estate agent early. These steps will help you stay organized and reduce stress, making your home-buying experience much more pleasant. Our team is here to help you make the best possible choice with as much information as possible. Happy house hunting! Related Blogs Get Ahead Of These Potential Home Buying Pitfalls How Mortgage Rates Effect Home Prices
Real Estate Market Snapshot: Trends and Insight for 24018
South Roanoke County Understanding Home Value Trends The real estate market is always changing, and keeping up with these changes is crucial whether you're buying, selling, or just curious about property values. Here’s a quick look at the latest trends in home values, list prices, and sales prices based on recent data. Estimated Home Values As of June 30, 2024, the median estimated home value is $363K. Here's how it has changed over the past three years: These numbers show a steady rise in home values, meaning homeowners are seeing a nice appreciation in their property values over time. It's great news for long-term investments! List Prices The median list price as of June 30, 2024, is $427K. However, list prices have been a bit all over the place lately: While there was a little bump up in the last month, the overall trend over the past year and two years shows a drop in list prices. This might mean we’re moving towards a buyer's market, where sellers are adjusting their prices to attract more buyers. Sales Prices The median sales price as of June 30, 2024, is $390K. Here’s the breakdown of its changes: Sales prices have seen a big jump over the last three months, suggesting a recent surge in buyer activity or demand. Despite a small dip in the last month, the overall trend points to homes selling at higher prices than before. What Does This Mean for You? For Homeowners: The increasing home values are a positive sign, showing that your property investment is growing. If you're thinking about selling, the recent uptick in sales prices could mean it’s a good time to list your home. For Buyers: While list prices have dropped over the last year, the recent rise in sales prices suggests competition among buyers. It's important to act quickly and be ready for potential bidding wars. For Investors: The steady rise in home values over the past three years indicates a healthy market. Investing in property could continue to be a smart and profitable move. To sum it all up, the real estate market is always shifting, so staying informed about these changes helps you make better decisions whether you're buying, selling, or investing. Keep an eye on these trends and contact our team if you have questions about your unique real estate needs. Feel free to share your thoughts or experiences in the comments below. How are these trends impacting your real estate decisions?
5 tips to Remove the Emotion of Decluttering
So, you're a "stuff" person. That’s okay—many of us get emotionally attached to our things (myself included!). It can be tough to let go of items that hold any meaning. But we all know that keeping things we don’t need or use can lead to a lot of clutter, especially if you’re in a small space or short on storage. You know you need to clear out some things to make room in your home, but that doesn’t make it any easier to get started. You need a decluttering game plan that considers your feelings too. Here are some techniques to help you declutter without letting your emotions get in the way—and without losing everything that has sentimental value. Create a Checklist Before you start decluttering, make a checklist of criteria your possessions need to meet for you to keep them. Ask yourself questions like, "Have I used this in the last year?" or "Is there something better I can replace this with?" As you go through your items, refer to your checklist—if something doesn’t meet your criteria, it goes. Also, make a list of ways to get rid of your clutter that doesn’t feel wasteful, like donating items, giving them to friends, or recycling. Having these tools handy—criteria to stick to and a plan for follow-through—might help you make more concrete decisions as you work through your things. Take Photos If what you really want to keep is the memory related to an item, there's a solution. Capture the sentimental value by taking photos of the items before you get rid of them. Store the photos in a file on your computer (and back them up!), or get creative and make a scrapbook. The photos will take up much less space than the actual objects, and you can still look at them and remember the good times whenever you like. Get a Friend to Help You If you think you'll have a hard time parting with your things, having someone there who doesn’t have the same emotional attachment can help. An unbiased friend can keep you in check and ensure you don’t keep anything you really don’t need. This works especially well if you’ve made that checklist—they can help you look at things more objectively and stick to your criteria. Sell Things of Value Sometimes letting go of possessions is more about the money spent on them than their sentimental value. If you’re worried about getting rid of expensive items, sell them—you might not make back all the money, but you won’t lose out entirely. Use apps specifically for selling your stuff, post ads on Craigslist, or take items to consignment shops. Knowing you’ll get some value back might make it easier to say goodbye. Check out our free reports Whether you're moving to a cozier place or just a new home, downsizing can make everything a lot smoother. With fewer things, you'll have less to pack and organize when you arrive, plus it gives you a chance to start fresh. Keep reading to discover how to make your life simpler by downsizing. We have 3 free reports that you can receive directly to your email. Save money on utilities, learn home maintenance, and get decluttering tips for empty nesters in Roanoke Virginia. Click to get your Free Reports Related BLOGS Plan Your Next Move Downsize Now!
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