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Buying a Home with The Bridges Team
The Bridges Team believes that every family deserves to have a home they can call their own, especially a home that meets their unique needs and budget. This is why we take each home buyer seriously and make the search for each buyer’s perfect property our top priority. No matter the price range of the home you need, what really matters to us is assisting you in owning your own home in the Virginia community of your choice. We look forward to developing a relationship with you so we can become your real estate professionals for life!
Whether you've spent years saving and preparing to buy a home in Virginia or are unsure if you can afford it, the questions surrounding a house purchase can feel endless.
You can find the answers - and peace of mind - by working with ERA Blue Diamond Realty, an industry leader in real estate experience and service. We know the Northern Virginia area better than anyone including the counties of:
- Prince William
- Stafford
- Spotsylvania
- Fairfax
- Fauquier
- Loudon
- Arlington
- Orange
- Culpeper
One advantage of enlisting the help of The Bridges Team is simply that you don't have to go through it alone.
The Bridges Team has the background and skills to help you through each step of the process and make the experience of finding, buying, and moving into your new home as smooth, quick, and enjoyable as possible Another advantage is that as a team, we represent a valuable source of information about market trends; communities and neighborhoods; and especially homes for sale throughout the areas of Manassas, Manassas Park, Fredericksburg, Fairfax, Alexandria.
Remember, not every home seller runs an ad in the local paper or puts a sign up in the yard. In fact, many homes actually sell before there is ever a need to advertise them. The market expertise we offer you is augmented by access to complete, regularly updated information about every home listed by area sales professionals through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). As you'll see in the following steps, such professional expertise and services can be of considerable help throughout the buying process.
Buying Process
Hire a real estate professional.
The first step is to select a Virginia real estate professional to help you find your dream home and fine-tune your financial expectations. Working with a buyer agent is worth consideration since he or she is legally responsible for representing the buyer's interest in a real estate transaction. Before making a decision, however, have a Realtor explain the pros and cons of using a buyer agent versus a sales or dual agent. Your Bridges Team Associate can guide you through every step to buying a home.
Shop mortgage rates and terms.
A difference of even half a percentage point can make a huge difference in how much you pay over the life of a loan. For example, the difference in the monthly payment on a $100,000 mortgage at 8 percent vs. 7.5 percent is about $35 per month. Over 30 years, that's $12,600. Visit our mortgage resource page to learn more.
Pre-qualify for a loan.
Your third step should be to get pre-qualified, which determines how much you can afford. It allows you to move swiftly when you find the right home, especially when there are other interested buyers. It also indicates to the seller that you are serious and really can afford to buy the property. Visit our mortgage resource page to learn how to pre-qualify.
Define what you want.
The next step is to create a realistic idea of the property you'd like to buy. What features are most important to you? Make two lists: one of the items you can't live without and one of the features you would enjoy. Refine the lists as you house hunt. It is also helpful to search online to see what is currently available on the market. Your real estate professional can then show you houses that meet your expectations. With our Bridges Team Home Finder locating the home of your dreams is only a few clicks away. Simply fill out the form with the details of your ideal home in the community of your choice and we will keep you updated with the latest listings that match your search criteria. Visit our Brdges Team Home Finder page to learn more.
Visit properties.
Now you're ready to visit houses. Ask your Bridges Team professional to arrange showings and keep track of the properties you've seen.
Know the features that help or hurt resale.
In some areas, a swimming pool actually detracts from a home's value and makes it harder to sell. In neighborhoods with two-car, attached garages, a single-car or detached garage may impact the home sale and future value. Your Bridges Team professional can point out features that hurt and those that help resale value.
Rate the houses you tour.
After touring each home, write down what you liked and didn't like. You will love many of the homes that you encounter in our service area. Develop a rating system that will help narrow the field down. For example, pick the house you like best on day one and compare all other houses to it. When you find a better one, use the new favorite as the standard.
Make an offer.
Once you've pinpointed your dream house, it's time to get serious about the financial and contractual side of the purchase. Your Bridges Team Associate will be a strong advocate since you and the seller have different goals.
Arrange for a home inspection.
After your offer is accepted, set up a home inspection. It is common to find problems, including leaky roofs, cracked walls, insect infestations, and foundation problems. Your real estate professional can help find a reputable inspector and will negotiate to get you the most for your money once the inspector's report is final. If you negotiate repairs as part of the purchase, ask for a "walk through" before finalizing the paperwork. Ask your real estate expert about home protection plans, which may save you money in the near future.
Close
Before your closing date, make sure you've made all necessary deposits and completed the paperwork - including mortgage, title, homeowners insurance, and any other paperwork required by local or state governments.
Prepare for life in your new home.
Before rolling out the welcome mat, consider some moving basics: arranging for an alarm company, turning on electricity, water and gas, cleaning or replacing the carpet, and notifying your local post office of your new address. The best time for renovations are often before you move in.
The Bridges Team will help you with the entire process of buying! Contact us anytime for more information!
Selling a Home with ERA Blue Diamond Realty
Selling property is a multifaceted and complex task. As desirable as Virginia Real Estate currently is, there's no question that you want to get the most out of your property. Let The Bridges Team manage all the details of selling your valuable asset. Our agents are genuine ERA Realtors with a unique combination of expertise, advanced technology, and dedication. There's no better choice in Virginia, so trust the experts at The Bridges Team. As your #1 North Virginia home selling team:
- We analyze and determine home values in our market every day. As a top real estate agency in this market, we can help you determine exactly what your home is worth in the current market. Then, as experienced professionals, we'll market your home and negotiate on your behalf to sell your home at the best price possible. Visit our Home Value Estimator page to learn how you can receive a FREE Comparative Market Analysis report. Ever wondered how much your home is really worth? Fill out the simple form and a qualified ERA specialist will contact you with detailed results.
- We will aggressively market your home not just locally, but on a national basis. Through our professional contacts and affiliations, as well as our advanced technology tools, we can instantly put your home listing in all of the places qualified buyers are looking. Within minutes, we can alert every Realtor in our market area, as well as national firms that specialize in helping people relocate to new areas.
- We will come to your home and personally advise you of how to best prepare your home to get the highest price in the shortest amount of time.
- We will protect your best interests throughout the entire process. You can leverage our years of experience as top real estate professionals to answer all of your questions about every aspect of the selling and closing process. You will be informed and in control every step of the way. It's our job to make sure your home selling experience is as comfortable and painless as possible!
Selling Process
The ERA® Commitment to Service is our promise to sellers, in writing, to make every effort to sell your house. As part of the Commitment to Service The Bridges Team agrees to:
- Prepare a good-faith estimate of your home
- Conduct a preliminary qualification of prospective buyers
- Assist in arranging affordable financing
- Make a comparative study of your home
- Offer application assistance to qualified buyers
- Contact you regularly to report the selling progress of your home
- Review your competitive selling position every 30 days
- Where available, offer a one-year Home Protection Plan for ERA to the buyer of your home
- Provide information on Seller Protection Plan coverage
- Supply information regarding our Seller's Security Plan
- Photograph your home for marketing and promotional use
- Submit a photo of your home for Internet listing
- Provide you with a national referral service to assist you in finding a home in another community while your home is being sold
The Commitment to Service is a complete guarantee that we will make every effort to sell your house. It is a real demonstration of our statement that The Bridges Team is "Always There For You." Contact our office today and learn more about our Commitment to Service and many other reasons for listing your home with us.
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