Deciding to buy a house is one of the biggest decisions you'll make in your life. There's a lot that has to be done before you receive the keys to your new house and move in. To better ensure you do everything right the first time and run into as few real estate roadblocks as possible, here are my top 10 tips for buying a home. 

1. Take Care of Debt

There's no question that owning a home is a financial undertaking. That's why it's best that you pay off as much of your existing debt as possible, so you'll have more money to funnel into your home and be better qualified for a mortgage. Tips for quickly paying off debt include:

• Create (and stick to) a budget
• Focus on one strategy: Either focus on high interest rates first or focus on smaller balances first. There are advantages to both and your financial adviser can tell you more.
• Pay more than the minimum balance on all your debts.

2. Know How Much Home You Can Afford 

Before you explore your options for a home, get a solid idea of how much home you can afford. Consider that number along with mortgage interest rates, home insurance, home maintenance, property taxes and any other costs that go along with owning a home in the Roanoke Valley. 

3. Hire a Realtor 

With the help of a Roanoke real estate professional, you have a well-informed idea of the selection of homes in your area that suit your desires. Realtors also help speed up the buying process. [Read more about the services I provide to buyers and sellers.]

4. Build a Sizable Down Payment 

If you plan on getting a mortgage, put together as large a down payment as you can afford. It's best to aim for at least 20% of the cost of the home, because you can avoid private mortgage insurance. But don't worry. If that's out of reach right now, I can point you to a lender who can talk with you about low- or no-down payment mortgages. 

5. Get Loan Preapproval 

Sellers love nothing more than potential buyers who are fully prepared to follow through on an offer. Help them by seeking loan preapproval. Once you have a preapproval letter, be sure to take it with you to show home sellers. 

6. Prepare for Closing Costs 

As you're budgeting for buying a home, calculate closing costs, including inspections, title insurance and a number of other expenses. [I've got a good blog post about closing costs.]

7. Get inside Your Top Picks

A house has to do more than look good on paper and photograph well for the listing. Let's schedule a showing, or you can attend an open house to get a true feel for a property. 

8. Consider the Neighborhood

You should love the neighborhood your house is in just as much as you love the house itself. Research the area your dream home is in to ensure you find an ideal match for your family's lifestyle. Take a couple of drives around the neighborhood at different times a day to get a sense of the pace.  

9. Get Competitive With Your Offer 

Work with your Realtor to decide what would be the most competitive offer, which could involve negotiations over price, repairs, items that convey, closing costs … you name it. This increases your chances of also remaining within your personal price range. 

10. Get Proactive About Closing 

After you celebrate your offer being accepted, go ahead and shift your focus to the closing process. Keep the process moving by submitting required paperwork on time, getting your inspections scheduled and attending a walkthrough. 

When you buy a home, you're not just investing in real estate — you're investing in your future. Your decisions about purchasing a house can affect your financial and living situations for years to come. You don't want to make a mistake that can end up costing you in the long run.

As a Realtor, I can help you avoid potential pitfalls while searching for your dream residence. Together, we can find a house that's more than a good investment on paper — it has all the makings of a real home for your family.

Your Real Estate Resource

Choosing a neighborhood that checks all the boxes can be difficult, especially if you're new to the area. My expertise includes keeping on top of the advantages, disadvantages and new developments of Roanoke locales. I even have access to listings that may not be posted on the MLS, giving you a wider range of options than if you tried to go it alone.

Understanding an area's history, current state and future opportunities is essential if you intend to put down roots. My role is to represent you and your best interests, which means I make sure you're informed of all the facts. 

Top-Notch Negotiator

If you try to purchase a home without the assistance of a Realtor, you risk paying more than the real estate is worth. Recognizing a residence's value requires familiarity with the local market. That's a lot to ask of buyers who are trying to juggle work and life responsibilities on top of the buying process. On the other hand, having my finger on the market's pulse is my livelihood. My years of experience in negotiating can ensure you're getting a fair deal.

Objective Advisor

There are a lot of choices to make when purchasing a house, and sometimes compromises have to be made to satisfy your needs. This can be an understandably difficult and emotional time for buyers. As a third party, I can offer an objective perspective on potential problems and trade-offs. My experience also allows me to suggest solutions that aren't obvious to people outside the industry.

This may have advantages when it comes to bidding as well. You may love a place and fear losing it, which can result in overpaying. However, there may be negotiating strategies I can employ to make sure we seal the deal without it becoming too expensive.

Instant Network

When you've been in the business as long as I have, you meet a few people. Over the years, I've built up a network of real estate professionals, including folks in the following fields:

• Title companies
• Home inspectors
• Contractors

In an industry where scammers can leave you with shoddy work and an empty wallet, I only recommend people I know and trust. This can also speed up the closing process since you don't have to spend time researching professionals.

If you're in the market for Roanoke real estate, you don't have to do everything yourself. A great Realtor in your corner can save you time, money and stress. Contact me today to get started.

Learn more about buying a new home on my blog:

Do I really need a Realtor to buy a home? 

9 tips for downsizing into your dream home

Rehabbing an investment property: What buyers need to know

Getting ready to buy a home? Think like a seller

6 keys to buying a second home

If you've been procrastinating about getting your home ready for fall, now's the time! We've already had our first winter storm watch, the temperatures are dropping fast, and we've got a holiday weekend right around the corner.

In the Roanoke region, getting your home ready for fall largely means winterizing, so it's important to knock out some of these tasks to enhance your energy efficiency and protect your home during our coldest months.

So, when I got a link to this graphic in my inbox, I thought it would a helpful thing to share on the blog. I hope you do, too!

Good luck on your to-do list, and have a great r...

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If you've been searching for homes in the Roanoke region for any length of time, you might have encountered listings for properties that are being sold "as is." This means exactly what it sounds like, too. The owner is selling the property in its acurrent condition and doesn't intend to do any repairs.

For some folks, "as is" means "stay away," but I think that for the right buyer, an as-is property can be an excellent opportunity. If you're curious about an as-is property, here are some things to consider:

What is the condition of the property?

"As is" can mean anything from a home that needs some TLC to a home that needs a complete rehab. Because the seller is not making any guarantees about the condition or quality of the house, it can be difficult to know exactly what you are buying.

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