Monday, January 22, 2024 / by Brian Armstrong
Buying a home is a complex process, so as we start out the year, we built this FAQ guide with the top 10 most common questions we heard in 2024!
What is Pre-Qualification?
Pre-qualification is one of the first steps you should take when looking for a home! Your mortgage lender will help you through the pre-approval process and show you what type of home you can afford! Pre-approval also lets sellers know you are ready to make a purchase, leaving you in a strong position to negotiate!
Do I Need a REALTOR® To Buy a Home?
While it is not required to use a REALTOR®, you may be missing out if you elect not to use one. A Realtor is there to help you and will walk you through every part of the home-buying process, so no stone is left unturned! You will not only benefit from having a knowledgeable resource you can reach out to, but they also do the heavy lifting to find you the perfect match!
Where Are Vermont Home Prices Headed?
If only w; ...
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strong will real estate, real estate, vermont, chittenden county, keller williams, northwest vermont, burlington, first time buyer, buyers process, homebuying, investment properties, home inspection, lending
Wednesday, February 1, 2023 / by Brian Armstrong
Gearing up for an upcoming home purchase? If so, you are in the right place! While no two real estate deals are the same, in our decade of experience, we have seen many recurring themes across transactions. To help you master your purchase, we asked our team of experts to share five stellar negotiation tactics that have proven successful!
Cash or Pre-Approval
If you want to walk the walk and talk the talk, you need to be a cash buyer or have a pre-approval letter from the bank. Each scenario shows the home seller you are motivated and ready to purchase, which goes a long way! Most sellers do not want to negotiate with a buyer to find out they cannot get the finances to make the purchase. So, make sure to prioritize your finances before bargaining with sellers!
Know Your Comps
If you fall in love with a home yet are challenged by the list price, local comparables can be a huge help! Knowing what a home is worth is not as simple as finding out what price the neighbors as ! ...
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strong will real estate, real estate, vermont, chittenden county, northwest vermont, burlington, first time buyer, buyers process, homebuying, interest rates, home inspection, lending
Thursday, August 4, 2022 / by Brian Armstrong
If you have been looking for a home, considering buying property, or just watching the news over the past two years, you have probably heard about the wild and wacky real estate market. Home prices skyrocketed, homes sold moments after listing, and bidding wars dominated the market nationwide. Where does that leave us today? Is now a good time to buy? Please note we are not financial experts, so please consult with a financial institute before making a home purchase. However, we want to help you understand what is happening in the Vermont real estate market so you can make educated decisions!
The Economic Slowdown
As you may well know, the US economy has experienced significant volatility in 2022. This volatility penetrated the Real estate market as indicators showed recessionary activity. Inflation rose quickly to over 9%, thus driving the Federal Reserve to increase the rates for borrowing. These actions caused consumers to borrow less money and ultimately spend less overall.. ...
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real estate, strong will real estate, vermont, chittenden county, keller williams, northwest vermont, burlington, first time buyer, home tips, buyers process, homebuying, interest rates, investment properties, lending
Thursday, July 21, 2022 / by Brian Armstrong
Buying and owning a home has been a quintessential part of the American Dream for decades! The American Dream, which first came about during the Great Recession, idolized that anyone in the U.S with a hard work ethic should be able to achieve success through employment, homeownership, family, etc. However, the U.S. economy continues to evolve, paving a new path for the 21st Century American Dream. Take a journey with us as we travel back 50 years to see what buying a home looked like compared to today!
Buying a Home in the 1970s
In the 1970s, Vermont was a rapidly growing state! Ben & Jerry's started its first ice cream shop, the counterculture was a growing phenomenon, and Vermont was a great place to own a home! So much so, that 69.1% of housing units in the '70s were Owner-Occupied dwellings! Sounds like a high percentage, right? 50 years ago, the median value of an owner-occupied single-family home was only $16,500! So, what about wages? Duringn ...
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real estate, strong will real estate, vermont, chittenden county, keller williams, northwest vermont, burlington, first time buyer, buyers process, homebuying, interest rates, lending
Thursday, May 26, 2022 / by Brian Armstrong
If you have been watching the news over the past several weeks, you have likely seen analysts discussing inflation and interest rates. Both mechanisms have a strong pull on the U.S. economy, and if you are looking to buy or sell real estate, understanding what the numbers are indicating is key. Read on as we dive into what is happening with our current economy and what impacts Vermonters (or future Vermonters) will face! Please keep in mind we are not financial advisors, and you should always speak to a finance professional before making any decisions to understand the appropriate solution(s) specific to you.
The Inflating Economy
Over the last year, we have seen a tremendous rise in inflation. Inflation, in simple terms, is a year-over-year calculation of everyday goods like food, gas, electricity, etc. In the past 12 months, we have seen a huge jump coming to a whopping 8.3% increase. With the cost of living rising across the U.S., homebuyers feel the effects in their pockets. In; ...
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real estate, strong will real estate, vermont, chittenden county, keller williams, northwest vermont, burlington, home tips, buyers process, homebuying, home selling process, interest rates, lending
