TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY!

by Tommy Helm

I have been helping people find houses for seventeen years and I have seen good times and slow times but I have never seen a time when people should not try to buy a home.

Every family must have a place to live. You can buy a house for your family or you can buy a house for your landlord. It’s your choice.

I recommend to all young families talk to a qualified realtor and have him or her take you to a loan officer to see where you stand in the house buying process.

Many young families find to their surprise that purchasing a home of their own is just as easy as paying rent.

Buy a house that you can afford without being house poor. Start small and over the years you will build up equity and find that you can move up and easily afford a bigger house.

The security and pride of home ownership is a great gift for our family – ask any homeowner!!

THIS TOO SHALL PASS

by Tommy Helm

We read and hear about all the doom and gloom in the world today, but there is one thing about living a few years that gives you a larger view of the world.

I am told frequently how someone purchased a great lot on beautiful Smith Mountain Lake for $20,000 or $30,000 and now they are selling for ten times that amount or that they may have been offered fifty or a hundred acres of land at the lake for $20,000 and now the owner is getting $500,000.

Well, that’s how smart people get wealthy, and others are too afraid to take a chance and stay poor. Investing in real estate is a great way to gain wealth. If you buy a small house or investment property, you stand a good chance of getting a great return.

There are forward looking people just like you buying property with an eye to the future. Most likely these people will be the ones to have a good retirement later, able to travel and enjoy the fruits of their labors.

Many years ago my Dad would invest in real estate and I saw how it was done and the good return he received over the years. Start looking now. Just give me a call and I will be glad to help.

Tommy Helm, Realtor
Long and Foster Realtors
Roanoke North Office
1638 Roanoke Rd.
Daleville, VA 24083
540-966-5700
Licensed in Virginia

Is Real Estate as Bad as the News Tell Us?

Every night it is more bad news about the Real Estate Market. They are just scaring people. The Roanoke Valley doesn't have a lot of highs and lows. Yes, we have a lot of homes on the market. Yes, some are overpriced. But, there are some really nice homes and at a good price. There are buyers EVEN in December. Companies relocate employees during the winter months. They are some of the best buyers for they are qualified and ready to buy. They also are selling their homes and don't overprice them for they want to move on. There are great DEALS out there! Interest rates are great. So, what are you waiting for???

Linda Trail, Realtor, CRS
Long & Foster Realtors
540-651-2061 or 977-1256
www.Realtor.com/Roanoke/LindaTrail
LTrail@aol.comLicensed in Virginia

Long and Foster offices will serve as collection points for the United States Marine Corps' Toys for Tots program again this year. Members of the community are invited to drop new, unwrapped toys in collection boxes located in any Long and Foster office. Coordinators pick up these toys and store them in central warehouses where the toys are sorted by age and gender.

At Christmas, coordinators, with the assistance of local social welfare agencies, church groups and other local community agencies, distribute the toys to the needy children of the community. Over the years, Marines have established close working relationships with social welfare agencies, churches and other local community agencies which are well qualified to identify the needy children in the community and play important roles in the distribution of the toys.

Please take a moment to stop by Long and Foster with a toy....a child will smile on Christmas morning...thanks to YOU!

It's a great time to buy!

Look at this chart of mortgage rates over the past 30 years. With rates predicted to rise, and plenty of inventory on the market, this is a wonderful time to buy a home! A rare combination of a teriffic selection of homes and low rates is available right NOW. Call 540-966-5700 and speak to a professional at Long & Foster in Roanoke.

Home Staging 101
by Becky Barber
"Staging" is one of those words that suddenly appeared in the vocabulary of real estate professionals and home owners several years ago and there are a lot of misconceptions related to the term. Home staging involves the same commonsense advice that real estate agents have been giving sellers for decades -- paint, clean, and de-clutter -- but true staging goes a step further in preparing the seller's home in a way that showcases it so that home buyers can visualize themselves living there. True staging is target marketing that tailors each house individually to look "irresistible" to the maximum number of buyers. There is no tried and true formula that works for every house.

In most markets, home stagers are paid professionals hired by either the listing agent or the home seller. Many are paid $100 or more per hour for their services but a well-staged house can bump up asking prices 2% - 10% in a moderate market.

As a former professional interior designer, I can create an environment in your home that will guarantee you top dollar for your home and as your listing agent, my services are offered at no cost! I can use things you already own in a new and fresh way or we can decide together on a few well-chosen purchases which will enhance your present home and can be taken with you to your new home. Either way, you will end up with an updated look and the potential for a quick and profitable sale.

Call me for an appointment and let's talk about your specific situation. You'll be amazed at how a fresh eye can turn your home into a showplace that buyers will be fighting over!

Becky Barber
Long and Foster REALTORS
Roanoke/Botetourt Office
1638 Roanoke Road
Daleville, VA
(540) 529-1028
becky.barber@longandfoster.com
Licensed in Virginia
Equal Housing Opportunity

100 Newest Home Listings

Want to see the 100 newest home listings in the Roanoke Valley at any given time? Use this link! Questions? E-mail me, I'd be happy to help.