- Hi !
-
•
My Trulia
- Create an account (FREE!)
- • Help
- • Log out
- • Log in
Home > Trulia Voices Home > Virginia > Alexandria County > Alexandria > 22301 > Home Buying > Question
Trulia Voices—22301
Ask a question
Browse
- Trulia Voices Home
- Q&A
- Agent2Agent
- Using Trulia
Search
Email me when:
RSS
close [x]
Share this:
In what order should we prepare to buy the
My husband and I have our eye on a very specific neighborhood in which to buy our dream home. We don't just want to move at all costs (our current home is great for now) but when we see the right house on the market. However, given the sluggish home sales, houses have stayed on sale in our current neighborhood (22309) for a while and we're concerned that the dream house that comes along will be sold by the time we ready our house for sale and actually get a buyer. Our idea now is to fix/update the things in our current home to keep it close to ready to sell and to pay extra payments on our current mortgage to build up more equity but is there anything else that could help? Are there any clever ways to approach existing homeowners of potential dream homes to say, "If you ever think of selling, please contact us?" We'd hate to sell our perfectly-fine current home and then find that no home on the market fits the bill.
Sat Jan 26 2008, 16:45 - 22301 - Home Buying - 5 answers
|
|
||||||||
| Answers (5) | ||
| Show me: Recent Answers Oldest Answers Highest Rated |
|
|
| Richard Rose… was FIRST TO ANSWER | ||
|
BEST ANSWER
Also Erb, if you are content staying on the sidelines for now and are not ready to talk to an agent, you can use an automated service that will send you email alerts whenever a home sells in a particular subdivision or zip code. I offer these services {no hassle} on my website, and all of my past clients benefit from these services, as well as buyers who will not be in the active market until a few months down the road. It's a great way to stay informed, but not have to 'bug' anyone for information.
Mon Apr 21 2008, 17:44 Web Reference: http://www.MovingToNova.com
|
|
||||||
|
BEST ANSWER
Just to add to the great advice here, you may also want to delve more into the details of your current loan, is it assumable with an attractive rate? This could in turn make your home very attractive to buyers. I'd certainly talk to any friends you know in your ideal neighborhood letting them know of your interest. The hand written sincere note works, too. I'd also talk with a Realtor who specializes in this area as they can email you properties as they come on the market, and let you know what will be coming up in the near future. Good luck on your dream home!
Sat Jan 26 2008, 18:30 Web Reference: http://www.condocontessa.wordpress.com
|
|
||||||
|
BEST ANSWER
You have sound advice already. Absolutly you should have everything fixed and in "sell-ready" condition. I would also advice in banking some of that extra money - to have as cash on hand for your next home. Depending on your Interest rate; it may serve you more good - sitting in an ING savings account; and in turn using the mortgage interest as a tax deduction.
Having cash on hand; often looks better to your next lender and may get you a better rate. Also as Cindy points out - Interest rates are at a 4-year low. This may not only be a great time to buy; but will help many sellers sell their home. Another point - have you looked at homes that may "fit the bill" or a dream home? It may a good time to contact a Buyers Agent and just take a look to see what IS out there and at what price. Sat Jan 26 2008, 17:35 Web Reference: http://www.dcrealestatenews.com
|
|
||||||
|
BEST ANSWER
If you see a home that is your dream home then send the current owner a handwritten note. Let them know that should they ever be interesting in selling that you would love the chance to talk with them. You may be surprised to find someone that will be making a move in a year and would like to talk with you in more detail.
I'm not sure how much equity you have in your home now but instead of trying to build more save that money towards getting a better deal on your next mortgage. Depending on your circumstances you may want to have more of a downpayment for your next home to make it affordable or you may want to buy down your loan to a lower interest rate. Though loans are at a 4 year loan rate now if your dream home isn't available for another year or so the rates may be higher. Good luck! Sat Jan 26 2008, 17:22 Web Reference: http://www.cindyjoneshomes.com
|
|
||||||
|
BEST ANSWER
FIRST ANSWER
Erb,
So far your plan sounds good. Some buyer agents, such as myself are very active in scouting out and approaching current owners on our buyers behalf. Another thing you could do - save those extra mortgage payments in preperation for a posssible bridge loan. That way you can buy the dream home and then sell the current property. I'd be glad to answer any other questions you may have! Richard Sat Jan 26 2008, 16:56 Web Reference: http://theSavvyRealtor1.blogspot.com
|
|
||||||
[+] Save this question
Send this question to a friend
| Company Info: | About Us | News Room | Blog | We're hiring | Help Center | Customer Service |
| Partners: | Real Estate Professionals | Submit Your Listings | Advertise | Tools for Your Site | Trulia API | Publishers | Trulia Ad Network |
| Legal: | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Community Guidelines | Contact Us |
|
Residential Real Estate: |
San Francisco real estate
|
New York real estate
|
Los Angeles real estate
|
Orlando real estate
|
Miami real estate
|
Philadelphia real estate
|
Phoenix real estate
|
San Diego real estate
|
San Jose real estate
|
Chicago real estate
|
Arizona real estate
|
California real estate
|
Florida real estate
|
Illinois real estate
|
Massachusetts real estate
|
New Jersey real estate
|
Pennsylvania real estate
|
Texas real estate
Other local real estate | Home price maps | Real estate guides | Real estate community | Homes for sale |
Copyright © 2008 Trulia, Inc. All rights reserved.
Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
|