Harrisonblog

People, Places, Events, and Issues in Harrisonburg
(with an emphasis on real estate)

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To Rent Or To Buy? That Is The Question.

February 16th, 2010 by Lisa Oates · 1 Comment

Many first time home buyers — and even some folks who have owned in the past and are currently renting — are just unsure about whether or not they should purchase a home. It is important to weigh your options before purchasing because it is likely the largest purchase you will make in your life.
So, [...]

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Tags: Buyers · Tools

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How Much Money Do You Need To Purchase A House?

February 3rd, 2010 by Lisa Oates · No Comments

When first time home buyers begin thinking about purchasing a home, their first thought is usually, “Can I afford it?” or “Do I have enough money?” These are valid questions, and do need to be answered before you begin your home search.
The first step in the process of purchasing a home should be visiting with [...]

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Tags: Buyers

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Rehab That House With The FHA 203(k) Loan Program

January 14th, 2010 by Lisa Oates · 1 Comment

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has a loan program for rehabilitating homes and communities called the 203(k) Loan Program. Better known as a “Rehab Loan.” This program is meant to encourage new home ownership, rehabilitation of neighborhoods, and communities.
One advantage of this program is that “buyers can focus on the location and floorplan instead of [...]

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5 Reasons to Use an Agent When Buying a Home

December 15th, 2009 by Lisa Oates · 1 Comment

Many home buyers — especially first time home buyers — don’t know or don’t understand how using a buyer’s agent works. Buying a home can be a confusing adventure, so it’s important to have an expert on your side, who works with buyers day in and day out, helping them navigate the purchasing process with [...]

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The $8,000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Expires in 2 Months!

September 21st, 2009 by Lisa Oates · No Comments

We’ve been keeping you up to date on the $8,000 first time home buyer tax credit, and wanted to remind you that this credit expires on November 30th — that is just over 2 months away! To clarify, what we mean by “expires” is that first time home buyers — those that have not owned [...]

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Who’s Buying Real Estate… and Who’s Not

December 5th, 2008 by Lisa Oates · No Comments

The National Association of REALTORS (NAR) surveys home buyers and sellers on an annual basis, and they have published their findings for 2008. Here is a glimpse at the type of folks buying:

Married Couples: 61%
Single Women: 20%
Single Men: 10%
Unmarried Couples: 7%
Other: 2%

Compared to the past 5 surveys, first-time home buyers accounted for a larger portion [...]

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Tags: Buyers · Market Trends

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Number of First-Time Home Buyers on The Rise

November 10th, 2008 by Lisa Oates · No Comments

Selling an existing home is what many folks worry about these days, knowing they probably won’t get top dollar for their listing. However, first-time home buyers do not have an existing home to worry about, so the number of sales for this group is on the rise. It only makes sense because now is a [...]

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Tags: Buyers · Market Trends

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