The time-value of an interest free $7500 loan to first-time home buyers
Over the past few weeks I have been explaining to many first time home buyers that if they buy a home before July 1, 2009 they can take advantage of a $7,500 tax credit…
Go For The Gold: How to compete and win as a home buyer
Are all buyers created equal? Certainly not --- especially from a seller's perspective in our current market. Here's how I would rank buyers, from the most exciting to…
Looking for foreclosures opportunities in Harrisonburg & Rockingham County?
Over the past nine months I have posted quite a few foreclosures opportunities on this blog, HarrisonburgHousingToday.com. Yet during this time I have realized that not…
Harrisonburg & Rockingham County July 2008 Real Estate Report
While the pace of home sales continues to be low compared to 2007, home prices continue to increase at a modest rate. Both median and average home sales prices in July…
Our perspective on real estate re-framed
During these hot days of summer, swimming or relaxing at the pool is a delightfully fun treat. But have you been to a water park?? Your fun is certain to be amplified…
"First Time" Home Buyers --- Act Now!
If you haven't owned a home in the last three years, you have a unique opportunity if you buy a home in the next 11 months (before July 1, 2009). The new Housing Bill…
The tables have turned --- SELLERS are now making offers!
Here's an interesting phenomenon --- in most real estate transactions, the buyer makes the first move, by submitting an offer to purchase a house. In stark contrast to…
Introducing . . . HarrisonburgHousingToday.com
You may have noticed a new masthead on my blog --- HarrisonburgHousingToday.com. For those who might wonder, I made this change to more accurately represent the…
$7500 interest-free loans, and other perks of the housing bill
The president is expected to sign a new housing bill today (July 29, 2008) that may have significant implications for current and hopeful homeowners. Here are a few…
Are we in this alone? How is the rest of Virginia doing?
For many sellers, this is a challenging real estate market. For buyers, of course, it can be a wonderful time (lots of selection, lots of negotiating power). But back to…
High gas costs are keeping (some) buyers closer to Harrisonburg.
Back in April 2008, I asked the question of whether high gas costs should affect buyer behavior. I'm back to report that gas costs indeed seem to be affecting where…
Selling Building Lots via Auction
Stone Spring Manor is a newly developed subdivision in the City of Harrisonburg featuring 19 building lots. Prior to July 2008, seven of these building lots had sold…