"Good Deals" on Investment Properties in Harrisonburg
I met with a client earlier this week who has funds available to purchase an investment property, and we were contemplating what might make the most sense in the…
Short-term home ownership doesn't always work well
In days gone by (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005) you could buy a home in Harrisonburg or Rockingham County and sell it two years later for a tidy profit. Home values were…
The Importance of Knowing Thy Area of Expertise
My main area of real estate expertise is in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. I spend a lot of time assisting buyers and sellers in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County…
Why are fewer homes selling in Harrisonburg?
As referenced in yesterday's "My hope for the 2009 local housing market" post, the quantity of home sales has fallen 44% over the past 4 years (between 2005 and 2008). At…
An $8,000 opportunity for first time home buyers!
Just a few hours ago, the long-awaited (by some) stimulus package made its way through Congress, and it will likely be signed by President Obama by the end of the…
Rent vs Own in Harrisonburg
A common question I am asked is how costs compare in buying versus renting a "starter townhouse" in Harrisonburg. This changes over time, but here's how the costs compare…
How to "Build Green" - lots to learn!
I recently attended an EarthCraft certification course to learn about the EarthCraft program --- a green building certification program that has been endorsed by our…
However unreasonable, I expect perfection from lenders!
Buying a home is a big deal, and a huge part of the process is finding and securing financing for that purchase. Thus, it is essential that your lender does their job…
How to build a green home in Harrisonburg
I spent the day today at an EarthCraft certification course learning about how to build higher quality homes, that are healthier, more comfortable, and have lower utility…
Buying and selling in this real estate market
As featured in the December Shenandoah Valley Business Journal... Absent hard data on the local real estate market, we could make erroneous assumptions by listening to…
Got Lead? Here's what you need to know!
If you're buying a home built before 1978, you must know that your new home may very well have paint that contains lead (lead-based paint). This type of paint can be…
National average rates at 5.17%, local rates at 4.875%
As I mentioned a few days ago, low interest rates are helping people in this area cut down their monthly housing costs. And yet interest rates keep falling further…