Northern Virginia Home Buyers FAQ's

Answering Your Northern Virginia Home Buying Questions

Buying  home in Northern Virginia is both thrilling and a bit unnerving, especially if you're a first-time home buyer or if you are buying for investment purposes. Both experienced home buyers and first-time buyers alike will benefit from the frequently asked questions below. Before you begin your Northern Virginia home search, it is recommended that you prepare yourself for the journey by educating yourself. This will ensure you are a knowledgeable home buyer prepared to make a confident home buying decision.

Once you've found the home you'd like to buy, I will negotiate the best price and terms on that home for you. I've been helping women get the most home for their money for years. Let me help you find the joy in homeownership. For more information on the Offer process, read Making an Offer.

Q - I've never purchased a home before.  Where should I begin?

A - Actually you've already started the process. Fact-finding and reading articles is a great way to become a smart consumer. The highest priorities to focus on before you begin searching for specific areas, neighborhoods, or homes would be to:

• Familiarize yourself with your personal finances.
• Learn about the Northern Virginia real estate market.
• Carefully review your budget and begin to eliminate as much debt as possible.
• Have a down payment and earnest money ready when the time comes to act and make your offer.

Your next step is to contact me . As your home buying specialist, we'll protect your interest and manage the details of the real estate transaction on your behalf to your complete satisfaction.  For more experienced buyers, a little brush up on the real estate process wouldn't be a bad idea. Of course, you'll need a really sharp Northern Virginia realtor to protect your interests too!

Why You Must Get a Home Inspection

A home inspection is imperative in order to protect your investment. We can note items needing repair or replacement as we walk thru the home. However, a professional home inspector will look for repairs needed that are notimmediately visible to the common eye. Many home inspectors will also predict the remaining lifetime of the roof, etc. Even if you do not intend to ask the seller to make the repairs, it would be a great benefit to know what needs to be repaired. Without a home inspection, you might be buying someone else's problems. For your convenience, I've got a list of trusted local home inspectors that will be sure the home you're buying is worth the price. Get my list of resources here.

What are my Financing Options?

Q - With all the bad news about mortgage products and home foreclosures, how do I avoid making a big mistake when deciding which type of loan to select?

A - Once we meet and review your finances along with your home buying needs, you should select a lending consultant. We can recommend several trusted lending professionals or you can choose your own. Having utmost confidence in your lender is important. Be sure you feel completely at ease with them.  They should speak to you in easy to understand terms.  Ask lots of questions and never sign any document until you know what you are signing and feel completely at ease signing it. More and more lending professionals are recommending fixed interest rate loans and interest rates are still very attractive. Of course, the type of loan best for you depends on several factors. Here are just a few:

• How much money do you have for a down payment?
• How long do you plan to live in the home?
• Do you qualify for a FHA or VA loan?

One of the most important aspects of home buying is the financing of your purchase. I've helped make it much easier for you with my many resources, one of which includes a list of trusted lenders in the area that I've worked with for years. Get this list now. It would be wise to start by reading my article entitled, Seven Steps to Getting Your Finances in Order. You'll find lots of great advice to help you prepare for homeownership.

Because more homes are on the market here in Northern Virginia, your choices are plentiful and the time is right for you to buy!

Let's Get Started!

Are you ready to schedule your home buying consultation?  If so, contact me today and together we will review your needs and your budget to help you find the right Northern Virginia home for you!