Kihalani Payton

Hello Dan -

There are a lot of great agents in the industry, in this area. - our industry has gotten a "bad rap" based on a small percentage of folks who may not have their client's best interest at heart. Every industry has this concern.

Congratulations on your assignment to the Hampton Roads Area - I have a very strict rule to ensure that I understand every one of your family needs, desires, "affordability" and most of all budget. I encourage each customer to have an initial interview/counseling session with me prior to scheduling showing any property. This meeting serves to purposes - 1) Meet and get to know you and your family's needs/wants, secure financing, schedule showing appts, and a timeline w/ a target date to find your home and close on it - all based on the specific criteria "you" provide me. 2) Discuss the list of services you will receive from me if you decide to enter into a "buyer's representative agreement" with me.

I would be happy to discuss with you via telephone my "detailed" list of steps that I take to find the right home, at the "right price" for you and an estimated "snap shot" of the future appreciation, etc., and answer any questions that you may have. I am very direct and to the point.

An example of a recent closing: I was able to find, negotiate, and have my clients close on a home w/ 15K in instant equity, with all of his closing costs paid by the seller, and walking away from the closing table w/ $800. All they had to do is sign their closing docs.

You are invited to visit my Real Estate resource center at http://www.KihalaniPayton.com.

Have a great evening and please contact me if you have any questions.

Kihalani Payton, ABR, SRS, ASP
GSH REAL ESTATE
11844 Rock Landing Dr
Newport News VA 23606
Direct: 757-926-5830 - Sat Oct 4 2008, 21:37

Dan -

I'm glad you and your wife take hiring a REALTOR seriously - Some advice I would like to give you and your family when hiring a REALTOR.

1) Make sure they are a member of the National Association of REALTORs, as well as the state and local associations. Each level requires REALTORs to follow strict standard of practices as well as Code of Ethics.

2) Make sure they have at least the Accredited Buyers Representative designation commonly known as the "ABR" designation. These REALTORs have been through strict training to ensure they are equipped w/ the tools to deliver the best services to the buyer/consumer, and ensure they have your best interest at heart.

3) A good REALTOR will also provide you a Comparative Market Analysis - to let you know what the market looks like for example Active listings, Pending listings, and Sold homes - to help you make an informed decision when it comes to preparing your purchase offer.

4) There is no getting around the fact--this is your market - A "buyers" market - Everything is negotiable (in any market; buyer or seller), but also a good REALTOR will let you know if the asking price is also a "fair asking" price.

5) Make sure you not only interview REALTORs, but also credible LENDERS - get pre-approved w/ a credible lender, watch out for those junk fees, select a local lender when you arrive in the area (stay away from internet lenders), demand a Good Faith Estimate before you even start interviewing REALTORs. As you know this will give you how much home you can afford.

6) A good REALTOR will also be realistic, honest, and truthful with you.

7) I would recommend you correspond via email or telphone with your prospective REALTORs to discuss more in detail your expectations as well as your request of closed transactions versus using this venue.

I hope this information was beneficial and valuable.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact any of the REALTORs who have posted a response or myself.

Thank you and have a safe trip to the Hampton Roads Area

Kihalani Payton, ABR, SRS, ASP
USAF Ret
GSH REAL Estate
Licensed in Virginia
Direct 757-926-5830
Toll Free - (800) 235-2745 ext 5830 - Wed Oct 1 2008, 15:50

Hello there -

Bellgrade is a very nice neighborhood w/ a good re-sale value. Due to the current market - sellers are reducing their sales price to sell their homes now days - homes, two years ago, sold in the high 300Ks - homes are now going for the high 200Ks to mid 300Ks - As you may know the housing market is cyclic - and you are in a terrific position to purhcase a nice home in this neighborhood.

Currently - there are approximately 11 homes on the market ranging from the high 200Ks to Mid 300Ks -

Sellers are willing to negotiate even more now - due to the current market conditions.

Feel free to contact me direct at 757-886-4084 - for more specific information on homes in this neighborhood or similar surrounding neighborhoods - You also have Baker's Farm - which is the subdivision across Semple Farm road to consider.

Take care and best wishes

Kihalani Payton, ABR, SRS, ASP
REALTOR
GSH Real Estate
757-886-4084 - Thu Jun 19 2008, 20:26

Hi Erin

You have a couple of places to consider - w/ no more than 20-25min commute to Langley AFB - If you patron the commissary - Ft Eustis is also available if you elect to live in the Denbigh North area.

York County - Yorkshire Downs, Coventry - Pretty limited to townhomes if you would like to stay under 200K -
Newport News Denbigh North - Lees Mill, Beechwood ( a mix of both townhomes, single detached homes)
Newport News Denbigh South - Kiln Creek, Daybreak Condos
Hampton - Westview Lakes

These neighborhoods also have good re-sale stats.

If you would like to receive home searches for these areas - I'll be glad to assist you - feel free to contact me direct at 886-4084

Take care and be blessed - Thu Jun 19 2008, 19:08

Ma'am

There are a lot of factors to consider when it comes to the buyer population. First, the banks and lending institutions have buckled down with stringent guidelines to get a prospect pre-approved for a home loan. An individual has to have a great credit score (it varies from bank to bank) 680 is a good start, debt to income ratio has to be pretty low; 100% financing is no longer - so those individuals who don't have funds for a down payment for an FHA loan or even a conventional - no longer have that option, in turn decreasing the number of qualified buyers; an increase of rentals are also your competition - there are buyers who have expressed the fear of not having any equity when its their time to sell (some military buyers) - but the reality is that there are more homes than "qualified buyers". Good Luck with the sale of your home and God Bless

Kihalani Payton
GSH Real Estate
(757)886-4084 - Wed May 14 2008, 20:15