Keep Your Home Safe This Holiday Season
With all of the fervor of the holiday season, it’s easy to push safety to the sidelines. Besides, rules and precaution aren’t nearly as fun as twinkle lights and Christmas cookies. Don’t let the extra stress of the holidays distract you from keeping your loved ones safe. Here are a few tips to help you […]
Getting Pre-Approve
If buying a new home is on your holiday wish list, then adding a mortgage pre-approval is a must. A mortgage pre-approval, also known as a credit approval, is a loan that has been approved by the financial institution (bank, mortgage lender, or credit union, for example.) This means that all of the criteria that […]
How Are Credit Scores Determined?
Having a good credit score lets banks and mortgage lenders know that you’re a low-risk investment. Making sure that your credit is in tip-top shape is a must for house hunters. Even though there’s no published algorithm that explains exactly how your score is determined, we do know that certain factors play a definitive role […]
Smith Mountain Lake Market Report
Market Report for SML from January-September 2017 vs. 2018 The market at Smith Mountain Lake continues to show improvement in waterfront home sales, just slightly ahead of last year, which was the best year since the recession. But, inventory staying high has continued the pressure on pricing and the average selling price of these homes […]
What Reality Real Estate Shows Don’t Tell You
Finding yourself falling headfirst into an HGTV marathon isn’t that uncommon. It’s entertaining, easily consumed, and predictable (there’s never a plot twist that involves house hunters choosing to live off the grid in an RV over the three homes that their agent has presented to them.) Still, overexposure can lead to the perception that scripted […]
Smith Mountain Lake Fall Chili and Craft Festival
The 16th annual SML Fall Chili and Craft Festival is scheduled for Saturday, November 3rd at Bridgewater Plaza. Local chefs compete for one of three top honors: Best Chili, People’s Choice, and Showmanship. Music and craft vendors will also be on hand. Gates open at 11am and tasting begins at noon. Admission is $7. Parking […]
Should I Have an Open House?
If you’ve recently listed your home with an agent, you may be wondering if having an open house will help sell your home faster. Reality real estate shows are forever following couples as they tour open houses in hopes of finding their dream home. In truth, you should rely on your Realtor® to help determine […]
What is Escrow?
If you’re new to the home-buying process, you may not know what “escrow” is. Escrow refers to something of value (such as an earnest money check or deed) that is being held by an impartial third party. It is used as a measure of protection for both the buyer and the seller to ensure that […]
Ask These Questions Before You Hire a Real Estate Agent
Some decisions do not require an abundant amount of research. Where should we go for dinner? Which movies are playing? Does the dog need a bath? The answers lie within common sense or a quick Google search at best. Having a laissez-faire approach to everyday occurrences is suitable, but when it comes to hiring a […]
Myths About Real Estate Agents
If you’re thinking about buying or selling your Smith Mountain Lake home, then you’ve probably started researching real estate agents and the relationships therein. You might reach out to friends and family members for advice on what to expect when buying or selling a home, and you’ll certainly receive a lot of tips worth considering. […]
