Posts in category 'Buyers'

If you're looking for a home — or even if you just like to keep your eye on homes for sale in your neighborhood — I've got a great new tool to share with you just in time for the busy spring market.

Just visit http://app.mkbrealtors.com/MKBRPAYNE/ to download our new home search app, and search properties from the entire Roanoke Valley MLS.

The app, which is available for iPhone or Android, has a ton of great search features that make home shopping a breeze:

• Location-based search: Tap "Closest Homes" or "Closest Rentals" to get a list of properties close to your GPS location. You can also enter an address to search for properties close to that location. This makes shopping by neighborhoods so easy, whether you're looking at prope...

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It's been a busy year in the Roanoke Valley real estate market. While inventory has been historically low, data from the Roanoke Valley Association of Realtors shows that 2017 has already surpassed 2016 in volume sold — that's how much has been sold in dollars. Likewise, we're on pace to top 2016's number of residential units sold.

For me, personally, 2017 has been my best year since I started working in real estate, and that's what prompted me to write this post.

You know, I've been in business in the Roanoke region for a long time — first, in my family's business, now in real estate — and I've learned some really critical lessons. The one that stands out as I look back over this year is that relationships are so impo...

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With fall settling in all around the Roanoke Valley and winter just on the horizon, many potential buyers are asking themselves whether they should buy now or wait until the new year. After all, the next couple of months are a busy time for everyone. Adding a home purchase on top of it all might be more than you want to take on.

Even so, there are good reasons to stay in the market and buy a house before the end of the year. So before you hang up your house-hunting hat, consider these advantages to buying now.

Mortgage rates are still low

After a surge in mortgage rates in late 2016/early 2017, rates on 30-year fixed mortgages largely trended downward until September. Now, they've started to inch upward again, as this graphic from lender FreddieMac shows....

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Gutters and downspouts are the type of home infrastructure that you don't think about until you've got a problem. When there is a problem, it can be expensive and complicated.

Let's give gutters and downspouts their due, after all, because they've got an important job: To handle all the water runoff from our roofs and route it to proper drainage away from the house. Gutters that are in good working order protect your home from costly water damage. Without high-quality, properly installed gutters and downspouts, you could be funneling water right to your foundation, which is no good.

When it comes time to replace your gutters and downspouts, you've got to choose the shape and material that will work best for your situation. To help you decide, I'm sharing this Buyer's Guide to Gutters & Downspouts created by Aerotech Gutter Service.

Oh, and when you do decide tackle your gutt...

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You've decided to buy a house and are working with a Realtor to find your next dream home. You're in the zone: You've separated your must-haves from your nice-to-haves, you've been prequalified, you've found lots of homes within your budget.

Now, put all that on pause for just a second.

In all the excitement and activity around buying a new home, let's stop for just a minute and think like a seller. When it's time to put this home on the market, what sort of return will you see on your investment? Will you get your money back? Better yet, will you be able to realize enough profit to make your next housing decision?

The potential resale value of your home won't be THE deciding factor...

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