We have received many requests from folks to write a blog about First Time Home Buying. And while we have written approaching 100 different articles across our network of sites about a myriad of topics, we have never actually written one about being a First Time Buyer.
Why, you ask?
Simple, it is too much to fit into one article.
From selection of an agent to the actual buying process to MLS/Trulia/Zillow to mortgage finance to valuations, far too many topics exist which need to be covered in depth to really condense into one succinct piece.
So in lieu of a First Time Home Buyer blog post, here is an index of articles which cover topics a FTHB would want covered (with a brief overview of each) so you can pick and choose the ones most important to you.
Enjoy!
About Richmond
- The Ultimate Relocation Guide was an attempt to describe Richmond to someone first coming to the Metro area without much of a clue about it. Don’t worry, the rest of the articles are not this long…and it IS loooong…
General Tips on Buying
- If I Were a Buyer is one my personal favorites as it is written in a very forthright manner. It asks the question of ‘knowing what I now know, how would I (personally) buy a home in a market I did not understand?’
- The Evolution of A Buyer discusses the changes the market underwent after the 2008 crash and how those who bought before won’t really recognize the process today.
- Rules of Thumb is a quick and dirty/back of the napkin piece offering some quick ratios to keep in mind when searching.
Selecting an Agent
- What Does a Buyer Agent Do got great reception when written and we send it around a lot to this day. And I LOVE the hat picture.
- Defining Success really questions how agents present themselves. Many of us (Realtors) really miss the boat when it comes to the message we promote.
General Tips on Searching
- A Look Inside discusses access to different sources of information on homes for sale (or sold) and how the general public can access MLS.
- Know Your Data Sources touches on the differences between Zillow, Trulia, IDX and MLS. It is hugely important to understand the differences.
- I’m Afraid I Can’t Value that Home Dave is yet another article in our ongoing favorite topic, how Trulia and Zillow are not what they say they are…
Valuing Property
- Appraisals, Zestimates and Fair Market Value is another hugely important topic to cover as there are so many different terms and meanings behind the different forms of valuations. Don’t be fooled…
- Pricing is Predicting Buyer Behavior discusses the way valuations SHOULD be undertaken but rarely are. It is written from a seller’s perspective but has a great deal of applicability for buyers, too.
- If I Could Pick it Up and Move It discusses the impact of location (land) versus improvement (house) and how pricing is determined.
New Homes
- The Just Don’t Build Them Like They Used To was especially fun to write as I got to interview some really cool people in our industry. Their responses were actually pretty surprising to me…
- How the New Home Industry Actually Works is a small series about our experience with working with the building community.
Condos
- Buy Now, Pay Later discusses condo dues
- Understanding Lending Means Understanding Risk is the single most important article you can read about condo buying…
Mortgage Finance
- Understanding Mortgages requires some math so close to door, turn off all distractions and fill up the mug with a fresh cup of coffee
- Is the 7/23 Dead? discusses the changing marketplace for fixed rate versus adjustable products.
Some Personal Favorites
- Fannie and Freddie say ‘Burbs was written to highlight the differences between the condo and single family mortgage market and its impact on the urban core.
- Being #99 gets you thinking about demographics and the impact of trends. Just a neat little read, especially if you are a longtime Richmonder.
- Golfing in Richmond is about (yep, you guessed it) buying a home on a golf course in Richmond. And yes, I have been known to play golf on occasion.
- Where Are the Cranes? was written when a buddy asked about development and RVA. It got me thinking.
- The Lazy Binary is another favorite which touches on subtlety in valuations and how people often refuse to acknowledge value in anything other than what they seek.