Gloucester VA Real Estate Virginia Country Real Estate, Inc
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Know what you want. Before you start looking at houses you need to decide what you want and need for your new home. Has your lifestyle changed? Does Gloucester fit your needs or is Mathews better for your new lifestyle, or do you prefer the schools in Middlesex? The answers to these questions will help you find the perfect home.
Get a realtor. Buying and selling a home is far more complicated then you may think. Jeanne Hockaday can help you get through the process smoothly. You will receive information about the current market condition, and the strategies that need to be applied to negotiations. Information you wouldn’t be privy to if you didn’t have a realtor.
Choose a home. No aspect of the home buying process is more complex, personal or variable than bargaining between buyers and sellers. Deciding on a home is a huge decision, and you want to make the right one. Ask yourself if this is THE home for you. Then figure out if you can really afford the home.
Make an offer. In practice, the offer depends on the basic laws of supply and demand: If many buyers are competing for homes, then sellers will likely get full-price offers and sometimes even more. If demand is weak, then offers below the asking price may be in order. In Virginia its best if the realtor contacts the seller with the offer.
What’s next? Moving in. The sellers leave the house ready to be painted and cleaned for you, not spotless. The house is the single largest asset that most people own so Enjoy your new home in VA!

First time homebuyers can make serious mistakes, however with these tips and Jeanne Hockaday’s help you can get through buying your first home in Gloucester with ease.
Don’t make a frivolous offer on the house you want. The market is definitely a buyers market, but that doesn’t mean that houses in great neighborhoods are getting several offers. Put in some research to figure out what a good offer is, don’t try to shortchange the seller. Houses in Mathews are desirable, so make sure you put in the right offer so you can get the house of your dreams.
Don’t guess at how much you can afford. Ask for help, find a broker or banker, they can help you. Also take into consideration that the cost of buying a house is more than the sticker price. There are costs to owning a home in Virginia.
Not taking the neighborhood into consideration is a major mistake. Make sure to spend time in your new neighborhood before buying the house. Understand the atmosphere, and the good and bad things you will experience while living there.
Finally take the time to find an agent that works for you. Most people in Middlesex don’t think you need one, but having an agent represent you during the home buying process is a surefire way to get it done quickly and correctly.
Following these easy steps can help first time homebuyers in VA get the perfect house without making a serious mistake.

The market still benefits the buyers, but there are a few simple ways to get a better price for your Gloucester Virginia home.
10 ways to boost a home’s sale price in VA
1. Retouch the front shell:
If the exterior of your home isn’t appealing, no one is going to want to go inside and see all the upgrades you’ve made in there. You want your home to project a cozy feeling. The outside front of a house is the most important area for improvement. New paint outside makes the house more inviting.
2. Trim the Trees:
Making sure that the lawn, garden and trees are well maintained helps make your home more alluring to buyers. It doesn’t matter if you hire a professional or do it yourself, also try adding some color to the flower beds.
3. Paint Interior:
New paint inside is a cost effective way to make the home more appealing to buyers. Be sure to stick to neutral colors, like light cream. This will make the house look crisp and fresh.
4. Floors:
Improving floors is a great move. Simple things like buffing hard wood or having the carpets cleaned can help boost sales, and you don’t need to replace the carpet or refinish the wood.
5. Make Major Repairs:
No one has extra money anymore, there is no cash left for the buyers to make major repairs like fixing the leaking roof. This will make your house stand out from the others that need repairs.
6. Get Warranty for appliances:
Put your appliances under warranty to give buyers confidence that they wont break down quickly, and if they do, they are covered.
7. Make your home Energy Efficient:
Energy Efferent homes are more attractive, getting new windows and better insulation are small changes, that make a big difference to potential home buyers.
8. New Light Fixtures:
You can add value to your home simply by replacing old or broken light fixtures. Pay particular attention to the entry way of the home, if it’s inviting, buyers will want to see the rest of the house.
9. New Stove:
Instead of upgrading the entire kitchen, just a new stove helps potential buyers take interest in the kitchen. You get the look of a new kitchen to entice buyers without shelling out too much extra money.
10. Freshen up the Bathrooms:
Mildew stains aren’t attractive, it makes potential buyer think you didn’t take care of your home. Replace the caulk with new mildew-resistant caulk. And replace the sink if it’s cracked.
Making these small, affordable changes can really boost your sale price in Mathews. Simple touches show a potential buyer how much you have cared for your home. If you would like a few more suggestions ask Jeanne Hockaday, who would be happy to give a few pointers. It doesn’t matter if you’re in Gloucester, Mathews or Middlesex small upgrades can help you get the sales price you want.

Whether you’re buying your first VA home or moving to a new home due to size or neighborhood constraints, there are a number of things you’ll want to think about before you even start your search. Location, age, style…these are all important considerations that will impact your home purchase.

However, no matter if you’re searching for condos in Gloucester, luxury homes for sale in Mathews, or more family-oriented real estate in Middlesex, one of the biggest selling points will be size. How much home you buy will impact your ability to accommodate your family, your belongings, and your life, and square footage is often one of the best ways to maintain resale value. Many homebuyers in the Virginia region adhere to the adage that “bigger is better,” and the homes for sale in the market today reflect that.

How Much is Too Much?

Before you rush out and buy the biggest house you can afford, it’s a good idea to evaluate your housing situation and what your needs really are. By being creative with space and changing the way you look at value vs. square footage, you may discover that it is much more convenient – and cost-effective – to consider a smaller living space.

Square footage costs money. Not only are you going to pay more in your initial purchase price for a home that’s twice the size, but a bigger home tends to equal bigger money all around. From utilities, electricity, and regular maintenance to buying enough furniture to fill the space, there is a lot about a big house that requires your time and money. Also, many of these factors increase pretty rapidly the older your home gets (especially upkeep and heating), so that large historic Gloucester house for sale might require your attention for decades to come.

You don’t want the biggest house on the block. If you have the biggest house in your neighborhood, chances are your home value will be affected – and not in a good way. People almost always prefer to live in the nicer Gloucester real estate areas, and are willing to sacrifice things like square footage and luxury amenities to get there. A big or nice house in a less desirable area might not lend itself to better resale later.

You’d be surprised what a little organization can do. One of the best things about buying a new VA home is that you get a fresh start in the place you call home. You are handed a blank slate in which to fit your life, your furnishings, and all the items you’ve accumulated throughout the years. If you buy a smaller house with a better layout, you might be able to fit all your things with room to spare. If your new home doesn’t have that extra bedroom you’d been hoping to convert into a study, you might find that some built-in shelving and a cleverly placed room screen more than makes up for it. Homes in Europe tend to be half the size of their American counterparts, but clever organization and setup makes them seem much, much bigger.

Your new home in Gloucester doesn’t have to be the biggest house in the neighborhood, and it doesn’t have to come with an impressive square footage tag in order to be a good investment. Many individuals have found that a cozy townhouse right in the middle of downtown brings a lot more opportunity than a four-story suburban home could never do, and many families are brought together by a big, open kitchen instead of a kitchen and formal dining area. Talk with Jeanne Hockaday to learn more about finding a space that can be transformed into a home – no matter how big or small it is.

If you’re planning on selling a house in Gloucester, there are several ways to go about it. The most traditional, of course, is to work with a real estate agent like Jeanne Hockaday to prepare, list, and sell your home. Another option that many people consider is for sale by owner, or FSBO, which bypasses the agent and puts you in charge of all the details.

At first glance, selling a house on your own might seem like a good idea. After all, in this tough Virginia real estate market, sidestepping an agent can help you save money or even allow you to reduce the selling price of your home for a faster offer. At the same time, you are in control of the process, and you don’t have to work your schedule around someone else’s.

However, as most professionals in the real estate business will tell you, for sale by owner homes come with some pretty substantial legwork. In fact, you may even find yourself turning to contract lawyers and home inspectors anyway, since few people have a working knowledge of home sales without a real estate background. To sell your own Gloucester, Mathews or Middlesex home, you have to be prepared to:

Sort through potential buyers. Just because someone is looking at your house doesn’t mean they might buy it. Many people “window shop” when it comes to houses on the market, and may not have any intention of buying a house at all. Others might not have been pre-approved or pre-qualified for a home loan, and although they may sincerely want to make you an offer, it might not be something they will be able to get a bank to back them up on. And if they do make an offer, your home could be tied up for weeks while the financiers sort through the details only to fall through at the end.

Negotiate the real estate contract. In almost all cases, the sale of a house requires a contract that goes through the hands of the bank, an attorney, a title or escrow company, and a notary. Real estate agents have the right connections and knowledge to push all the paper through without losing sight of those little details that get you the best deal. Unless you’re familiar with contract law and the process of buying or selling a home, this could be both costly and time-consuming to do on your own.

Showcase your home properly. One area in which Jeanne Hockaday has an advantage is in staging, preparing, and listing your house for sale. Few homeowners have the emotional detachment necessary to make the right changes or to list the home at a price that is reasonable for the market according to home valuation estimates.

Work with other real estate agents. Over 90 percent of people work with a Gloucester real estate agent when buying or selling a home. This means that the people coming to look at your house might be working with an agent of their own. However, both brokers and agents are less likely to show their clients homes that are FSBO. This can drastically reduce your pool of applicants.

Any chance to save money during the home selling process might seem like a good idea, but as is the case with most things, taking a shortcut isn’t likely to yield the best results over the long-term. Selling a Gloucester, Mathews, or Middlesex house isn’t always easy, and it isn’t always fun, but when you choose to put your trust in Jeanne Hockaday, you can see for yourself just how much better the entire process can be.

Buying a new home in Gloucester can be an incredible experience – especially if you’re a first-time buyer or if you’ve finally found the house of your dreams after a long search. You may have spent months finding the perfect home, weighing your options and working with a real estate agent to find the best match. It could be the result of a last-minute decision that was too good to pass up. Either way, it’s not uncommon to have feelings of regret soon after the house purchase is finalized. Known as “buyer’s remorse,” it’s that sensation many people get when they realize they’ve just made a major commitment to a new home.

If you do find that you’re second-guessing your Mathews home purchase or Middlesex condo long after the papers have been signed, it’s important to take a step back and evaluate the situation. In almost all cases, buyer’s remorse is a temporary feeling that can be overcome in a few easy steps.

• Weigh the pros and cons of the house. This should be done both before and after you make your VA real estate purchase. Every house, no matter how old it is or where it is located, is going to have its benefits and drawbacks. The important thing is not to concentrate too heavily on either one. The balance of the good and bad in the house is what is going to turn it into a home.

• Personalize the space as soon as possible. Many times, the reasons behind buyer’s remorse have very little to do with the house itself and more to do with your feelings about it. It is an unfamiliar place, with few of the associations you’re used to. Start with just one room and make it yours, whether you do it with paint, decorations, or a bookshelf full of all your favorite knickknacks. Having at least one place where you feel completely at ease will help you feel better about the house as a whole.

• Address the flaws, one at a time. Perhaps you didn’t realize that the hot water tank only offered five minutes of hot water. Maybe you didn’t accurately measure the living room, and your beloved leather couch set won’t fit in the space. It’s possible you even failed to notice that the dark patch on the ceiling is actually a plumbing problem. Getting a house inspection prior to the sale will go a long way in helping you avoid these problems, but even the best inspection won’t find every single little flaw in the house. The best thing to is to try not to focus on the “what-ifs” of the home purchase and put your mind to the tasks at hand. With a clear head, figure out the costs associated with repairs or figure out how you might adjust your “perfect” setup to make the space livable. Many of these types of problems will arise over time anyway – no house is perfect, and even the newest models will inevitably get hit by wear and tear.

• Stop searching for other Gloucester homes for sale. When you’re buying a home, you’re most likely pouring over magazines, constantly checking Internet real estate listings, or even hitting the streets themselves in order to find the perfect residence. This can be a hard habit to break, especially if you’re afraid you didn’t make the right choice. However, avoid the temptation to keep looking. Chances are, those houses aren’t as perfect as you think they are, and they’re just holding you back from loving your new home.

• Take time to relax and enjoy. Buying a home is a big step, and it can also be a stressful one. Take a brief vacation. Spend a weekend not doing home improvements or moving your belongings. Remember why you fell in love with the house in the first place.

By the time you settle into your new home and your regular routine, any feelings of buyer’s remorse are going to be long gone. As long as you do your homework ahead of time and work with a Gloucester real estate agent you trust, you can rest assured that your home will be the right one for you, and in time, you’ll wonder how you were ever able to consider living anywhere else.

Choosing a real estate agent in Gloucester is a lot like shopping for the new home of your dreams – you have to find that right blend of personality and professional experience to get the fit that’s right for you. And just like shopping for a new house, finding this perfect fit isn’t as easy as flipping open the phone book and choosing the agent with the biggest ad or best picture.

Most people in the VA real estate market rely on referrals to <a href=”Http://www.virginiacountryrealestate.com”>find Gloucester or Mathews real estate agents</a> they can rely on. And while this is a great place to start, you should be prepared to sit down and ask your potential new real estate agent a few questions before you rely solely on the recommendation of a friend or co-worker.

How much experience does the agent have with the Gloucester real estate market? An intricate knowledge of the local cities and their neighborhoods is important in a VA real estate agent. After all, knowing what to expect from housing prices, local schools, crime rates, and other features (such as where a new high-rise commercial district or freeway is going to be built) is key in making a smart home purchase. Look for both longevity and a great track record in terms of sales made and placed.

What kind of skills make up the agent’s resume? Buying or selling a Gloucester home isn’t just about matching your vision with an appropriately-priced home. In fact, being a real estate agent has a lot more to do with paperwork and legal/financial steps than anything else. Make sure your agent is experienced in everything from negotiation to the latest home technology, and ensure that he or she has great contacts for home inspections, appraisals, and other contractual issues.

How does the agent communicate? Real estate agents in Middlesex and the surrounding areas tend to be great at offering flexible business hours and working around your schedule to find the right home, but you’ll also want to consider how approachable the agent is – both in person and online. A real estate agent who has a strong online platform, including things like home search options and housing cost estimates, is often more valuable than one who requires all questions and house options to go directly through him or her.

What other considerations are important to you? Because buying a home is such a personal experience, it’s vital that you have real estate agent you trust to help you make the important decisions. Issues like honesty and personality, the ability to network with bankers and other professionals, and attention to detail might crop up and play a role in your VA home buying experience. 

No matter who you choose to help you find a new home, remember that you aren’t required to stay with an agent if you’re not comfortable with the relationship. While professional courtesy is always appreciated, you can always switch to a new Gloucester real estate agent if you feel that you aren’t getting as much out of the experience as you want.

The decision of whether or not to buy a new Gloucester home versus an older Gloucester home is one that doesn’t always come easy. The VA real estate landscape is one that offers a wide range of home types, including everything from centuries-old historic homes with completely renovated interiors to brand new houses in family-friendly communities.

Depending on what you want out of your home, finding the right style for you can be a lot of work – fortunately, it can also be quite a bit of fun.

Costs of New vs. Older Virginia Homes

In the past, deciding which type of home you wanted was largely a matter of price, since most older homes came in at a considerably lower price tag than new developments. In today’s market, however, there are new and historic homes that fall into the entire spectrum of housing costs – as long as you know where to look.

Older homes with renovated interiors have the double advantage of supplying old world charm and the latest in kitchen and bathroom amenities. However, older homes that haven’t been updated with modern heating, cooling, pipes, or electricity can become a financial drain when it comes to dealing with the VA weather. In this same way, newer homes with jetted tubs and a pool out back might provide everything you need to live comfortably, but there might be a trade-off when it comes to lot size and unique architectural features.

Of course, location matters, too. Gloucester and Mathews homes for sale that have a little bit of historic charm tend to be found within small, unique neighborhoods closer to the downtown center. New development homes and those in gated communities tend to be found further out, especially in more suburban regions where there is more room for growth. These differences in location can have an impact on housing prices, since you may have to pay more for proximity to the city.

Benefits of an Older Home

Although all older homes vary – especially when it comes to things like updates, renovations, and location – most of them provide great benefits from an aesthetic point-of-view, including:

·  Craftsmanship and architectural details

·  Unique layouts

·  Larger lot sizes

·  Centuries-old features

·  Mature landscaping

Benefits of a Newer Home

New homes tend to come with a much lower level of hassle, which can be a great boon to those buying a house for the first time or for young families who may not want to put a lot of time into their residence. Some of the features of a new Gloucester home include:

·  Less maintenance overall

·  New pipes, roofs, appliances, electricity, etc.

·  Larger storage spaces/More square footage

·  Often closer to family-friendly features like schools and parks

·  Energy efficient updates

Which Home is Right for You?

If you have been considering buying a Gloucester home for awhile, you might already have a good idea of what you want out of your house, and what types of architecture appeal to you the most. However, many of the benefits of old homes (or new homes) can’t really be appreciated until you see them first-hand.

Ask your Gloucester, Mathews, Middlesex Realtor to show you the best of both worlds, and you might be surprised by what really draws you in. Just remember that every house – even the new ones – will require a little bit of work before they really start to feel like home.

One of the first things homebuyers look for when shopping for Virginia real estate is the layout of the house. Like the location of the house and its overall size, layout is one of the things about a home that cannot be changed without a very large time and money investment.

In the current Gloucester real estate market, many of the things that make a house unique – its paint color, flooring, the kitchen counters, and even the size or type of the windows – are being upgraded to entice buyers. But if your home has a restricting layout, which makes the house look smaller, darker, or inaccessible, you might have a difficult time making a “quick fix” to increase your chances of a fast sale.

Fortunately, there are things you can do to make your VA home for sale more appealing. If you do have a layout that might be sending out the wrong signals, you can try the following.

Remove the clutter. Staging your house is an important part of any home selling process, but never more so than when your layout might be confining or restrictive. Extra furniture, shelves, tables, and even the rack where you hang your coats all add to the inaccessibility of the house as a whole. By displaying your space as open and clearly as possible, you are allowing homebuyers to see the house through fresh eyes.

Add room dividers. A very long (or even a tiny) living room or a bathroom that is taken up almost entirely by a washer and dryer can be a difficult sell, because buyers might not see how the space is livable. Room dividers, or screens set up in strategic locations, are one of the tricks that decorators often rely on to maximize space, since they add clean lines and more storage opportunities.

Open up the entryway. Although this task might require a little bit of construction work on your part, opening up the home’s foyer to make it more appealing and inviting is often all you need to do to allow your home to shine. Most homebuyers make a decision about a house within the first 6 seconds, so you have to make those seconds really count.

Adjust your bedrooms. If your Mathews house has adjoining bedrooms, or if your Middlesex condo has a bedroom right off the kitchen, you might want to re-market the space. Few people want to sleep in a room that offers reduced privacy, but if you stage it and/or list it as an office, a library, a playroom, or even an add-on, homebuyers might be more tempted.

The VA real estate market is on its way up, but selling a home can still be a challenge – especially if you own a challenging home. By taking a little extra time to adjust the way you see your house, as well as the way it is presented to others, it is possible sell that house faster and with a higher price point.

Rental properties and homes for sale in Gloucester provide a great opportunity for those who want to live in this wonderful, vibrant city, and many area residents take advantage of both housing options. However, one of the most common questions that arise regarding the Gloucester and Virginia real estate landscape is just how beneficial it is to buy a home rather than rent one.

The question is a good one in today’s real estate market. While buying a house was once lauded as the best choice for people of all backgrounds, the truth is that buying a home is a big investment that takes time, preparation, and careful planning.

Reasons to Buy a House in the Current Market

It doesn’t matter whether you’re considering a Gloucester house or a Mathews condo – the reasons for buying a house are good ones regardless of what type of real estate you’re after. Why?

• Interest rates are low right now. With so many foreclosed homes on the market and more sellers than there are buyers, banks and mortgage companies are offering added incentives for homebuyers. If you plan on taking out a 15- or 30-year mortgage, this can translate to savings in the tens of thousands of dollars.

• Foreclosed properties offer great deals. Although the VA real estate market is doing fairly well these days, there are still more foreclosed and discounted homes on the market than there were five or even ten years ago. If you are in a financial position to buy, you may be able to get more home for your dollar than in another economy.

• You can make an investment in the future. Given the state of the current economy, most house values are set to rise over the next few years. If you do purchase a Middlesex home or a house in any of the outlying areas, you’re likely to see an increase in your home’s resell price within five to ten years.

Reasons to Rent a House in the Current Market

While we always encourage individuals interested in potentially buying a home to contact us to discuss their options, there are some key triggers that might indicate you’re better served as a renter. These reasons include:

• Little to no down payment saved up. Although there are zero-down programs available (particularly for first-time State homebuyers), it’s always a better financial decision to put some money into your home purchase.

• The possibility of moving or relocating soon. Gloucester homes for sale provide a great bargain right now – but they may not increase in value enough to immediately resell it. Buying a home and then needing to sell it right away can be a strain, since it’s likely to remain a buyer’s market for at least a few more years.

Contact Jeanne Hockaday For More Information

If you’re ready to start looking at Gloucester or Mathews homes for sale, or if you’d like more information on the benefits of buying a home versus renting one, call us today. Sometimes, it’s impossible to know if buying a home is right for you until you sit down with one of our trusted professionals and get all your questions answered.