Buy a Home

If you envision yourself owning a home that stands out from other properties or boasts design details that are rare in modern properties, a historic home is a terrific option to consider.

There are a few things our real estate agents want buyers to know when considering historic homes to help them confirm that the property is right for their lifestyle and property needs. Here's what you need to know. 

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A combination of low-interest rates, limited nationwide inventory, and pent-up demand has made this year's real estate market one of the hottest in history. In a competitive seller's market, buyers often lose some negotiating leverage and are forced to enter into bidding wars.  

However, if you're looking for a home in today's real estate market, all hope isn't lost. The key to finding the right home for the right price is a combination of patience, dedication, and working with an experienced real estate agent. 

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Ready to buy a house? Now is a great time to get started!

It's an exciting time to get involved in West Virginia real estate, and our team is here to help you do it. Our real estate agents have been getting calls from an increasing number of eager homebuyers throughout the states we serve.

Many buyers are ready and raring to go when it comes to looking at the best Virginia homes for sale, but they may have other concerns about how they will chart a course to closing day. One of the biggest worries we hear about from buyers has to do with credit.

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Our REALTORS® at Old Dominion Realty are always looking for ways to make the home buying process easier. No matter whether you're looking for homes for sale in Virginia or homes for sale in West Virginia, our team is with you every step of the way.

Buyers have a lot of questions about how to optimize their finances and get the best deal. But you can't ask a question on a topic you haven't heard of yet! One of the most important topics slips through the cracks for many buyers: Earnest money.

Earnest money is a deposit a prospective buyer puts down during a transaction to show they are serious about going forward. Once the home reaches closing, the money is returned. It can also be applied to closing costs or mortgage loans.

It usually equals about 1%-2% of the home's purchase price.

In general, the earnest money isn't part of your financing package. The need to pay this money out of pocket catches many buyers by surprise at a crucial time. It's vital to understand the role of earnest money and how to use it in a way that serves your interests.

Look out for these critical earnest money mistakes:

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Getting denied for a mortgage loan may put a temporary halt to your dream of buying a house, but it doesn't have to be permanent. When you find out why your loan application was denied, you can correct any issues and reapply. Here are five common reasons your loan application can be denied as well as suggestions from our REALTORS® on how to fix them:

1. Check your credit score.
   Your credit score is based on your credit history and is supposed to represent your creditworthiness. If you've failed to make payments or have made them late, you may have a credit score that's too low to qualify for a mortgage loan.
   
   What to do: Check your credit reports to make sure they don't contain any errors, and if they do, work with the credit reporting agency to correct them. If you've been denied a mortgage loan because of accurate information, start making all your bill and loan payments on time, every time. Also, you can check with a different lender.
   
   

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When it comes to buying a home, the process can seem quite overwhelming — especially if you're a first-time home buyer investigating finance options. If you're like many prospective home buyers, you'll be working with a mortgage lender to secure a rate that works well with your budget and lifestyle. Our REALTORS® recommend that most prospective homeowners get pre-approved for a loan before they put an offer in on a home.

Everything You Need to Know About Mortgage Pre-Approvals

When searching for Harrisonburg homes for sale, you should already have an approximate budget in mind. This range can be frugal, sliding only by $10,000 to $20,000, or it can be a little more flexible by stretching between $25,000 to $50,000. Once you've determined this amount, you'll be ready to enlist the help of a mortgage lender through your preferred financial institution.

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Buying a home as a veteran or military member comes with its share of unique challenges, but you also have advantages that aren't available to the average buyer. Whether you're shopping for your first home or looking to upgrade from your current one, there is plenty that you can do to make sure you're getting a deal on a home that you'll truly love. Our REALTORS® are here to help you find a great deal on your next home, with six tips for military and veteran home buyers.

1. Learn the Advantages of VA Loans
   As a military homebuyer, you have the benefit of being able to access VA loans when you purchase a home. VA loans offer a number of unique advantages, including no down payment requirement, and no monthly mortgage insurance payment. However, as with any loan, you need to meet the requirements to qualify for a VA loan. That means you'll want a clean credit report and a steady source of income.

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When is it time to walk away from a house negotiation? Buying a house is a complicated process, and it's easy to get emotional about a home that seems like a perfect fit. Sometimes, however, the fit simply doesn't work out, and knowing when to walk away can save a lot of stress in the long run. Everyone's "walk away" point is a little different, but there are also common signs that can tell you when to walk away from a negotiation. Our REALTORS® understand what it takes to negotiate a home sale, including the signs that it's time to move on to the next option on your list.

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Home is much more than what you get when buying a house — it's your neighbors and neighborhood as well. When those that live in a neighborhood look out for one another, socialize as more than neighbors and sincerely care about their surroundings, everyone wins. If you're eager to cultivate a sense of community in your neighborhood, our REALTORS® want to help. Here are ten effective ways to build strong bonds with your neighbors.

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Buying a historic home can be an exciting, rewarding decision, and it's a dream for many shoppers of all ages. There are certainly many charms to owning a historic home, from unique, timeless designs to the stories that await around every corner of the home. Yet owning a historic home is not for everyone, so it's important to be aware of both the benefits and potential drawbacks. Our REALTORS® are here to help you make an informed decision, with our guide to the pros and cons of owning a historic home.

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