Money Inc recently listed Salt Lake City as #15 on its list of “The 20 Best Places to Live if You’re in Your 20s in The U.S.” The capital of Utah made the list because of the availability of jobs (especially within its burgeoning tech scene) and spectacular attractions. For nature lovers, there are over 20 national parks within a few hours’ drive from Salt Lake City.

If you’ve never been to Utah’s “Ski City,” you may be wondering what makes this area so special. Below, we explore what Salt Lake City has to offer young professionals.

A Vibrant City in a Spectacular Setting

Salt Lake City lies in a high mountain valley nestled between two mountain ranges. The magnificent Wasatch Mountains surround the city to the north and east, while the smaller Oquirrh (‘Oak-er’) Mountain range lies to the west.

Although it’s a relatively small mountain range, the Oquirrh has a giant distinction. It’s home to the largest open-pit mine in the world, the Kennecott copper mine. In fact, this Bingham Canyon mine is so big, it can be seen from outer space! That’s not surprising, since it’s 3/4 of a mile deep and 2-3/4 miles wide—and still growing.

This massive mine is the largest man-made excavation on earth. Since mining began in earnest in 1906, this mine has produced tremendous yields of copper, gold, and silver. In fact, the mineral wealth produced from this mine eclipses that from the California Gold Rush, Comstock Lode, and Klondike Gold Rush combined!

Meanwhile, the Great Salt Lake forms the northwest boundary of Salt Lake City. This is the final remnant of the once flourishing Lake Bonneville, a vast ancient lake that stretched across eastern Nevada, southern Idaho, and most of western Utah. It covered around 20,000 square miles and was 1,000′ deep. The mighty Wasatch peaks were once mere islands in this mammoth lake.

If the name of this long-defunct lake sounds familiar, it’s probably because of the many land speed records set on the Bonneville Salt Flats. 

Enjoy the Great Outdoors All Year-Round

The gorgeous mountains surrounding Salt Lake City provide world-class skiing and snowboarding opportunities in the winter. Is it any wonder then that they were the setting for the 2002 Winter Olympics? In Salt Lake City, the proximity of ski areas allows you to get up early in the morning, ski all day, and still make it home for dinner!

Choose from Sundance Mountain Resort (of Sundance Film Festival fame), Park City Mountain, Snowbasin Resort, or one of the other six fabulous ski resorts located within an hour’s drive of Salt Lake City.

During the off-season, you can enjoy hiking, fishing, mountain biking, horseback riding, rock climbing, or mountaineering throughout the region. 

Hitting the Slopes 

Getting to your ski destination is easy with a Utah Transit Authority (UTA) Ski Bus. This seasonal bus service will take skiers and snowboarders to the Alta, Brighton, Snowbird, and Solitude ski areas. The service generally runs from November or December until March or April. The limited stops on the Ski Bus routes mean that you’ll get there almost as fast as if you drove yourself.

UTA  offers bus, TRAX light rail, and train service throughout the Salt Lake City area. In addition, its entire fleet is ADA-compliant and wheelchair-accessible. There’s even a paratransit service for anyone who can’t use “fixed-route” mass transportation. 

Meanwhile, avid bike riders can rest easy. The UTA system encourages bike riders to take their vehicles along for the ride. The only restriction is that the bikes must be propelled by human power rather than gasoline.

Leave Your Stresses Behind 

Salt Lake City consistently ranks at or near the top of the list for “the least stressed city” in America. Last year, it enjoyed top rankings again, in a study commissioned by a skincare company. The study looked at the following areas in order to rank the fifty U.S. cities.

• Happiness
• Quality of life
• Safety
• Population density
• Hours spent working
• Earnings
• Credit scores
• Divorce rate
• Pollution         

SLC’s “zen” score was almost 6 points ahead of the second-place city, Indianapolis. Significantly, it was nearly thirty points ahead of New York City. Honolulu was the only city where people were happier than in Salt Lake City.  

If you’re wondering about job satisfaction, only Billings, Montana, outranked SLC in that category. Perhaps it has something to do with the proximity of both cities to the mountains and the after-work serenity they offer.

Can Life Get Any Better for Young Professionals in Salt Lake City?

A booming economy, low unemployment, a vibrant tech industry, and a median age of just 30.5 years make SLC the youngest and one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. Add in relatively short commute times, and you’ll begin to see the advantages of making this city your home base. No wonder so many college graduates are drawn to Salt Lake City!

A Food Lover’s Delight

With such a young demographic, you may expect Salt Lake City to have an exciting food and drink scene. If so, you won’t be disappointed! The Daily Meal lists it as one of the 50 Best Foodie Towns in America. The newspaper had especially high praise for the city’s “progressive, farm-forward dining scene,” which features artisan cheese, bean-to-bar chocolate, and specialty coffee by Blue Copper.

According to Gastronomic SLC, here are five of the city’s best places to eat.

Breakfast

Nestled in Emigration Canyon, Ruth’s Diner is synonymous with breakfast in SLC. This local favorite has been slinging hash for 91 years, making it the second-oldest restaurant in the state. 

Every meal starts with complimentary “Mile-High” biscuits. Follow those up with a breakfast classic or an option like pulled pork Benedict. Items from the Favorites list are served with your choice of hash browns, cottage cheese, half a grapefruit, or Spanish rice & pinto beans.

Brunch

At Tradition, brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the weekends. You’ll find everything from a modern take on Utah’s iconic “funeral potatoes” to cauliflower korma at this contemporary American restaurant.

Reservations are a must, and mimosas are only available after 10:30 a.m. (on Saturdays, Sundays, and state/federal holidays) and after 11:30 a.m. (on weekdays) due to SLC’s sometimes quirky liquor laws. And, because of those laws, you can only order that mimosa if it’s served with food. Not a problem with so many delicious options available!

Lunch

Feldman’s Deli offers traditional half-pound sandwiches served on authentic Jewish rye. Each sandwich is served with your choice of French fries, potato salad, coleslaw, or an in-house “health salad.”

If you’re craving an authentic Reuben sandwich or a pastrami on rye with mustard, Feldman’s is where these classics are made right. You’ll think you’re in NYC from the first bite!

Dinner

If you’re looking for a quiet spot to enjoy a date night, try the Oasis Cafe. It offers everything from a tasting plate to house-made pasta and filet medallions. It also offers a nice selection of fish and seafood dishes, along with a few vegan or gluten-free options. 

Don’t forget dessert while you’re there. There’s a decadent chocolate cake served with fresh raspberry sauce and vanilla ice cream, coconut cheesecake covered in chocolate ganache, lavender-infused panna cotta served with fresh berries, honey ricotta cheese, and pistachio crumble, and more.

Late Night Supper

The Pie serves Utah’s best pizza, along with wings, salads, and pasta. This eatery also offers gluten-free and vegan selections to satisfy everyone’s late-night cravings. Everything is made to order using meats, cheeses, and vegetables that are sliced or shredded fresh every morning. The pizza dough is especially noteworthy — it’s hand-made, hand-rolled, and hand-tossed. 

The University location is open on Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays through Saturdays from 12 p.m. until 10 p.m.

Get Out and Enjoy Yourself

SLC is headquarters for an NBA team you may have heard of before. That’s right, the Utah Jazz calls Vivint Arena (formerly the  Energy Solutions Arena) home. In between basketball games, the Arena hosts a slew of other events. Go to a game one week or attend a world-class concert the next — the choice is yours. 

If you’re in Salt Lake City this fall, catch Alan Jackson on August 7 and Celine Dion on September 17 at the Vivint Arena.

As you may expect for such a vibrant city, there are many event venues around town, and each day is filled with new attractions. One thing’s for certain, you’ll never be bored when you live in SLC!

Welcome Home to Salt Lake City

Not convinced that Salt Lake City is the place for you? If so, we recommend a visit. Once you experience the region’s natural beauty, modern amenities, world-class cuisine, and diverse attractions, you may just decide to stay!

And, it shouldn’t be hard to find your dream job if you do decide to stay. Considering SLC’s flourishing jobs scene and low unemployment rates, the city makes an ideal home base for almost any young professional.

The post Why Salt Lake City Is A Great Place For Young Professionals appeared first on Verblio.

Thinking about buying a new house—or your first house—is an exciting time, but it can be overwhelming when you consider all the moving parts.

If you’re selling your long-time home to downsize or you’re relocating to the Arlington, Virginia area, some time might have passed since you went through the home-buying process. You don’t have to be overwhelmed, though. Your realtor will help you through the process, and doing a little homework yourself will give you a better understanding of the way the process works.

This guide offers a complete overview of the home-buying process from start to finish. Get your questions answered here, so you can rest easy as you plan, search for the perfect home, make an offer, close on your home, and celebrate your purchase!

Plan for Your House Purchase

Once you’ve decided to buy a home, it’s easy to get caught up in researching neighborhoods and thinking about all the features you want in your new home. Money makes the world go round, though, making it imperative that you deal with some preliminary financial aspects before you do anything else.

You need to come up with a budget and plan to make sure you have the funds you need for both a down payment and closing costs, which are most often paid by the buyer. We’ll walk through three important aspects you must consider when planning to purchase a home:

How Much House Can You Afford?

You might have a clear answer to this question if you are relocating, but in any case, you need to spend some time putting together a tentative monthly budget for after you buy a home.

Want a place to start? Standard numbers provided by a host of financial experts and lenders suggest you shouldn’t spend more than 28% of your monthly gross income, whether work or retirement income, on housing. They also say you should spend no more than 36% of your monthly gross income on combined debt, which includes your mortgage in addition to any other loans you may have.  

How Much Will You Need for a Down Payment and Closing Costs?

Down payment costs vary among types of loans, but you can expect that you will need at least 5% down on a conventional mortgage. If you qualify for an FHA loan, you are only required to put down 3.5%, but it’s in your best interest to put down as much as feasibly possible. When you make at least a 20% down payment, you will get a much lower interest rate for your mortgage, you won’t have to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI), and it will help you more easily secure the home you want when the market is crowded.

Although the seller might offer to cover closing costs, in most cases, the buyer pays closing costs for a home purchase. You will need to include anywhere from 2-5% of the total purchase price as you figure how much you need to save to buy a home. Of course, these are only preliminary numbers, but they will help you get started on your goal.

How Will You Save to Prepare for Your Purchase?

If you do not have the savings to cover the down payment and closing costs, you will need to prioritize saving to ensure you have what you need when the time is right.

One of the most effective ways to save money is to pay yourself first. This means you should put away your desired savings amount before you pay any other bills, go shopping, or head out to your favorite restaurant.

Moving is a good time to go through your things and eliminate those you don’t use or need anymore. If you are looking for other ways to add to your income above your salary, consider selling unwanted items online, in a consignment store, or having a yard sale.

Choose a Realtor

Once you have a plan to get your finances in order to purchase a home, it’s time to contact a realtor and set up a consultation. You can expect your consultation to include the following:

• Discussion of market and strategies. Your realtor will inform you about the Arlington, Virginia market, as well as any sub-markets you are interested in. Specifically, he or she will discuss whether you are in a buyers market or a seller’s market, and what the best strategy will be to find your dream home. In popular areas, you might find heavy competition for available properties, and your realtor can advise you on how to better your chances to get the property you want.
• Sign a Representation Agreement. If you like what you hear during your initial consultation, you will need to sign a Representation Agreement which says you will only go through your realtor to look at any available properties.
• Do’s and Don’ts. Your realtor will advise you on actions you should and should not take during the home buying process. For example, you should not make any big purchases on credit if you plan on getting approved for a mortgage, and you shouldn’t attend new construction properties without notifying your realtor.

Choose a Lender

A lender is any financial institution or mortgage bank that underwrites the loan for your home. You can talk to your own bank and shop lenders in general, but you might want to wait until you meet with your realtor. Often times, realtors have established relationships with brokers and lenders; when you use one of their preferred companies, it can make the entire approval process go a bit smoother. In any case, you will want to get a pre-qualification letter or a pre-approval letter to show buyers you are serious when you make an offer.

The words pre-qualification and pre-approval are typically used interchangeably, but there is a difference between the two. You cannot really know what you are getting until you know how your lender defines each type of letter. In cases where lenders offer both, pre-qualification is often the initial step buyers take to get the ball rolling on the financial side of things, and pre-approval comes later.  Requirements typically included for each include the following:

Pre-qualification

When you seek pre-qualification, you typically provide the lender with an overview of your financial history, including your income, assets, debts, and your credit score. The lender uses this information to give you a broad estimate of the amount of a mortgage you can qualify for. Pre-qualification is a good way to shop lenders because they don’t pull your credit during this phase.

Pre-approval

A pre-approval does not guarantee you will get approved for a mortgage, but it does provide a more solid estimate of how much you will likely be approved for. You provide the same information as you would for a pre-qualification, but the lender needs to verify it all. This means you must provide tax returns, pay stubs, other proof of financial assets, and you must give permission for the lender to run a hard credit check.

You should be very careful about shopping lenders and getting multiple pre-approvals. Each credit check deducts points from your credit score and could cause you problems down the road. 

Types of Mortgages

When you secure funding for your home purchase, you will have several mortgage options based on your credit and the amount you need to borrow. The most common types are fixed-rate mortgages, adjustable-rate mortgages, and government-backed mortgages.

• Fixed-rate mortgages. These are the most popular type of mortgages. Their terms vary from 15 to 30 years, but they have a preset interest rate, which allows for you to have regular monthly payments throughout the length of the term.
• Adjustable-rate mortgages. Although far less popular, adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) provide another option for homebuyers, especially those with borderline credit. ARM mortgages can be beneficial when interest rates decrease because they result in a lower payment. Unfortunately, the reverse is also true, meaning when interest rates increase, so do your payments!
• Government-backed mortgages. Several different government agencies have lending programs for specific groups of people, with FHA loans and VA loans being the most popular. These programs have lower required down payments and are especially advantageous for first-time homebuyers, veterans, and those with poor credit. Your lender can let you know if you qualify for any of these special programs.

Search for Your Dream Home

During your initial consultation with your realtor, you provided him or her with your budget, the type of home you are interested in purchasing, the special features you need, and one or more desired locations. Your realtor will set up searches on their website to provide you with potential houses that fit most or all of your criteria. Your realtor can provide you with a link to these searches, so you can review listings and watch for new listings as they show up.

When you are interested in a property, you need to inform your realtor so he or she can set up a viewing for you to tour the property.  In some cases, you might also find listings for open houses.

Attending Open Houses

It’s in your best interest to attend as many open houses as you can in your desired neighborhood. It will help give you a sense of exactly what you do and don’t want in your dream house. When you arrive, the selling agent, who is sometimes also the listing agent, will typically offer you an informational flyer providing you with all the details of the house. As you proceed through the open house, keep an eye out for a few things:

• Indications of damage or neglect such as smells, stains, and warping
• Black spots in the kitchen and bathrooms, which might indicate a mold problem
• Condensation in the windows, which indicates they might need to be replaced
• Adequate closet space and bedroom sizes for your needs
• Amount of privacy

Viewing Process

Attending a private viewing is similar to attending an open house in that you want to inspect the house for issues and faults, which you might be able to use to justify an offer below asking price.

If you are single, it’s smart to bring a friend or family member with you to the viewing, so you have an extra set of eyes helping out. Also, consider using your phone to take as many pictures as you can. As you are reviewing your options later, it will be helpful to look back at specific things you liked or didn’t like about a particular property.

Sometimes selling agents want to rush you through the house so you don’t have time to notice any negative features. If you arrive at least 15 minutes early to a viewing, you have the opportunity to thoroughly check out the property’s exterior and get a feel for the neighborhood.  

Make an Offer

Once you’ve located your dream home, it’s time to make an offer the seller cannot refuse. If you’re not sure how much to offer, your realtor will have the in-depth market knowledge to help you come to the right number. A purchase offer includes all the terms of the transaction, and, when you and the seller both sign, it becomes a legally binding purchase agreement. A purchase offer/agreement typically includes the following elements:

• Selling price you have agreed upon
• Earnest money to show the seller you are serious about purchasing the home
• Address of the home and description
• Terms of the sale
• A date for a final walk-through
• Closing date
• Homebuyer contingencies, if applicable

Escrow Period

The time from after you sign the purchase contract until you close on the home is referred to as the escrow period. During this time, an appointed escrow officer from the title company will hold the earnest money and signed purchase agreement until they distribute final paperwork, oversee the closing, and file necessary paperwork.

The title company will also run a title search on the property to ensure no liens prohibit or delay the closing. Escrow is also the time when an appraisal and inspection occur; the results of these activities can either make or break the sale.

Appraisal

Homeowners might have an independent home appraisal for many reasons. When buying a house, it’s the lender who hires an appraiser to place a value on the property once you complete your application for financing.

Even though they hire the appraiser, you will pay for the service as part of your closing costs. If you don’t pay your mortgage, and your lender has to foreclose on you and take your house, they want to make sure they can sell it and recoup their loss.

If the house appraises for more than the selling price, the deal will likely go through as planned. However, if it appraises lower than the selling price, you have four options:

• If your purchase contract includes a contingency for appraisal, you can walk away from the sale and keep your earnest money.
• Use additional savings or another source to come up with the difference between the appraisal and the selling price.
• Ask the seller to pay for the difference, or you can split the difference with the seller.
• You can ask for a second opinion and pay for a second appraisal.

Inspection

Inspectors provide much more detailed reports than appraisers, but they are the responsibility of the buyer. Once you sign the purchase agreement, you will want to hire an inspector to evaluate the structural, electrical, and mechanical aspects of the property.

Is it required?

You are not required to get an inspection, but it’s in your best interest to do so soon after signing the purchase agreement. In fact, the inspection should typically come before the appraisal because you may find something that is a dealbreaker.

Do I have to be there?

You should make sure you are present for the home inspection, so the inspector can point out any issues to you directly and you can make more informed decisions about whether or not to go forward with the purchase. If the inspector finds no major issues, and the house appraises well, you will complete your financing and do a final walkthrough before closing.

What happens if the inspection reveals major issues?

If the inspection reveals major issues, you have to decide whether you want to walk away from the house or proceed. Completely walking away from the deal can carry negative consequences if you don’t have a contingency for a home inspection in the purchase agreement.

In some cases, the seller might be selling the home “as is,” which means an inspection will tell you what you are dealing with but won’t give you any leverage with the seller. 

If you still want to purchase the property after you find out about major issues and you included a contingency for a home inspection in your purchase contract, you have the following options:

• You can ask the seller to make repairs, especially those which pose safety risks.
• You can insist on a new purchase agreement with a lower sales price to compensate for the repairs you will have to make.

Keep in mind that you don’t have much recourse in a seller’s market. In these cases, the seller might deny your request for repairs or refuse to renegotiate the purchase agreement, which is why it is so important to make your purchase offer contingent on inspection. This allows you to walk away if you really don’t want to deal with repairs.

Final Steps Before Closing

Once the house has been appraised and the lender approves financing, you can complete any final steps you need with the lender, including providing documents and signatures where necessary.

About one week prior to closing, your real estate agent will arrange a final walkthrough of your soon-to-be home, so you can make sure nothing has changed since you signed the purchase contract and ensure any agreed-upon repairs have been completed. 

Attend the Closing

When you attend the closing, you will need to bring a certified check or a wire transfer receipt, as well as your photo ID, and proof of insurance as required by your lender. You, the seller, and other relevant parties will sign all the necessary paperwork. You will leave the closing with a copy of the loan estimate, the closing disclosure, the escrow statement, the mortgage agreement, and your keys!

Your lender holds the deed until you pay off your mortgage, but they typically send a copy to you after closing.

Celebrate Your Purchase!

You’ve spent weeks and months planning and searching for the perfect home. Now that you’ve closed, you get to move in and celebrate!

The post The Complete Guide to Buying a Home appeared first on Verblio.

Adjusting my content to different word counts required being mindful of being thorough while adhering to the target blog length. There’s a right word count for every topic, so having the right subscription is key to obtaining outstanding content.

To help you out, I’ve prepared a snapshot of my experiences with each word count in regards to real estate writing.

250+ words:

• These shorter blog posts are better suited to cover narrow topics like a brief introductory seller’s guide or a neighborhood overview. This is why I chose a snapshot of Virginia Beach’s springtime activities and did not attempt anything more in-depth that would have been stretched too thin.

Read on: 3 Ways To Enjoy Springtime In Virginia Beach

600+ words:

• This is my favorite word count range for real estate. 600-899 words hits a sweet spot in blog lengths that enables me to cover most topics satisfactorily without running on for too long. Agents need to gear their blogs toward the standard home searcher who is often a novice to real estate transactions. 600 words helps me give just enough informative material to engage and entertain the standard reader without losing their attention.

Read on: 4 Reasons You Need A Property Manager For Your Oceanfront Investments

900+ words:

• If you use this word count, keep your posts scannable with clear headers. For this reason, blogs this length make the perfect top 10 listicles! Home searchers want to know the best neighborhoods, schools, and restaurants in their area of interest, so providing content like this will appeal to your target audience.

Read on: 10 Luxury Virginia Beach Communities You Need To See To Believe

1200+ words:

• 1200 words are the perfect length for an in-depth blog post or a short white paper. I decided to make my post a whitepaper that could be offered in a call-to-action in exchange for some contact information. New buyers often have a lot of questions about the home buying process, therefore I tailored this post to them, offering a “first-time home buyers’ guide”.

Read on: The Comprehensive First-Time Home Buyers’ Guide

Hope This Helps With Your Word Counts!

I hope this helps you decide on which word counts to sign up for. Remember, you can always alter your subscription after you start receiving posts if your topics are more geared toward to shorter/longer word counts. Keep in mind that more specific you are with your needs, the better our team of writers can deliver you knockout content.

The post How I Tailor Real Estate Content To Different Word Counts appeared first on Verblio.

What does it take to become a homeowner?

Since you have downloaded this guide, you must want to know what it takes in order to get to the closing table and have the keys to your dream home placed in your hand. Though the prospect of owning a home is exciting, you probably have a lot of questions and concerns. It’s natural to be nervous as a first-time home buyer. You may be wondering how you get started and how you can be sure that you are getting the best deal.

To assist you as you explore home ownership, we will list the most common questions first-time home buyers ask, and respond to them in kind.

Question #1: “Where do I start?”

First and foremost, you need to make sure you qualify financially. After all, without money, you can’t buy a house. There are plenty of lenders out there to choose from that range from independent companies to your bank or credit union. Go with the lender that offers the best customer service and most competitive interest rates. Don’t be afraid to shop around until you find the best deal.

One of the first things your agent will ask is if you are pre-qualified for a loan, so you should have this step covered before seeing houses. When your lender examines your credit score and financial situation, he will decide if you qualify for a loan. If you receive a lender’s pre-qualification letter, you are then ready to move on to the next step, which is finding an agent.

Question #2: “What should I look for in an agent?”

Pick an agent who is knowledgeable about the area you want to live in and who you get along with. You can search for highly rated agents in your area online or you can simply walk into any local brokerage and ask to be matched with someone. You will then have an initial consultation with your agent where you discuss what you want in a home. Your agent will then align what you want with the price you are qualified for and populate a list of homes that fit the bill.

Truth be told, every real estate transaction is unique, and even experienced real estate agents encounter unique challenges from time to time. However, real estate agents are licensed professionals who have endured rigorous training in order to be fully prepared for the many scenarios they may face. As a first-time home buyer, you would not want to go through a challenging situation alone.

Question #3: “What does a real estate agent do?”

A real estate agent represents a buyer or seller through every step of the real estate transaction in order to successfully close on a sale. In the case of first-time home buyers, your agent will be your #1 advocate during the offer, counter offer, inspection, and closing phases of the purchase. He or she will also be the one showing you all the homes you are interested in and send your offer to the seller when you find a house you love.

Your real estate agent will have access to the most updated list of homes on the market, giving you an exclusive “backstage pass” to the newest listings that have not yet made it to Zillow and Trulia. This can make all the difference in you scheduling the first showing and getting your offer in before other buyers do.

Your agent is capable of getting the contract ratified with terms that benefit you. Unrepresented buyers are often unaware of what financial advantages and perks they can include in the contract, like having their closing costs paid for or having certain items in the house convey after the sale is complete.

If this is not enough, your agent will also be your advocate during the home inspection period. As a buyer, you should have your prospective home thoroughly inspected in order to be sure the home is a wise purchase.

If there are repairs to be made, your agent will communicate with the seller’s agent. More often than not, sellers will make concessions to the buyers in order to sweeten the deal in the event of necessary repairs. For example, they can lower the contracted home price or offer to pay your closing costs. These are just a few of the many ways having an agent pays off.

Question #4: “What should I look for in a home?”

The answer depends entirely on what you want—with some basic guidelines. A starter home isn’t likely to be your final home, as your needs can change over the years. Therefore, buy with the aim to sell in the future. It is common for young professionals to move out of their home after a few years to pursue a lucrative career states away. Or, a new baby can make it necessary to seek a larger home in a kid-friendly neighborhood.

Your agent will be able to point you in the right direction if you explain you are buying with the aim to sell within 5-10 years. This may result in you seeing homes only in neighborhoods that have had proven increases in home value over the years.

Certain styles of homes may be more popular than others in your area, so your agent will advise you toward types of homes that are timeless and appealing to many home buyers. Agents are keen on what kinds of houses fly off the market in days and which ones take aggressive marketing to sell. Ask your agent what’s the best course of action—you will be glad you did when it’s time to relocate.

Question #5: “How much money should I save before buying a home?”

The general rule is that the higher your home’s price is, the more you are likely to pay. Down payments range from 5-20% of the sales price. Closing costs are on average 2-7% of the contracted home price. Therefore, unless you are using a VA or USDA Rural Development loan that doesn’t require down payments, you will need to have some substantial money in the bank.

Buyers are typically held responsible for the costs of the home inspection, down payment, document fees, and closing costs. There are ways to save money by rolling the closing costs into your loan or have the sellers pay them, so ask your agent to find any way to keep things affordable for you. Motivated sellers are often keen to make concessions in order to not lose a qualified buyer, so it never hurts to ask for a bit of assistance.

Your journey starts here.

We hope that this guide has given you a picture of what the home buying process is like. If you feel you are ready to find out more about home ownership or how else you can be prepared for it, contact us anytime. Our office is conveniently located to receive walk-in consultations. You can also find us online. Whenever you are ready to take the next step, our agents will be ready to assist you.

The post The Comprehensive First-Time Home Buyer’s Guide appeared first on Verblio.

1. Oceanfront Homes

Lined up along the Virginia Beach coast with private beaches as their backyard, these mammoths cost a pretty penny but are worth every cent. Though these homes do not exist under the banner of one community, they all grace the furthermost street of the sea, Ocean Front Avenue. Living in these homes can make your life feel like an endless beach vacation. Imagine peaceful sunrooms, spacious kitchens, and massive floor plans that make entertaining easy.

Open the windows to smell the sea breeze on a cool summer morning, and spend your weekends watching the waves on your private beach. As icing on the cake, many of these homes are equipped with a staircase that leads all the way to an open-roofed view of the sky. Oceanfront villas like these are in high demand and only grow in value, so owning one is very likely to give you good returns.

2. Cape Story by the Sea

If you want exclusive access to the Chesapeake Bay and to bask on the sands of peaceful beaches, then Cape Story by the Sea is your ideal community. Residents of Cape Story tout it as the best place to live in Virginia Beach for its awesome amenities, quiet living, and high-end homes. When you are not lounging on the beach, you can enjoy the neighborhood’s exclusive bike trails and annual events like the 4th of July parade.

3. Broad Bay Estates

Homes in the Great Neck area are newer constructions that are both modern and luxurious. There are plenty of highly-rated schools in this district like Virginia Beach Elementary, Middle, and High schools. Broad Bay Estates is located on the cove of the Lynnhaven River, offering great waterfront views and water access.

There are still plots of land that are waiting for you to break ground and build your dream home. The community’s builders offer customized floor plans to make the home 100% yours when you move in. If you live here, you will be just fifteen minutes from the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, incredible restaurants, and premium shopping at Hilltop.

4. Sandbridge

Everyone knows about Virginia Beach’s main oceanfront, but if you take some lesser-known roads down that same coastline, you will discover a peaceful and elite community on a 5-mile stretch of sand called Sandbridge Beach. Here you will find incredible oceanfront homes located in an area that is often nicknamed “Virginia’s Outer Banks” because of its low-key ambiance.

If you want a getaway that is not too far away from civilization, Sandbridge has a home for you. Many properties here are hooked up with all the bells and whistles like a cabana bar, sundeck, pool, hot tub, and ample space for all your guests, with some as massive as 6,000 square feet and beyond!

5. Lynnhaven Shores Condominiums

If you are the kind of person who wants to downsize but not skimp on luxury, then Lynnhaven Shores Condominiums may have just what you need. This private community offers condos with views of Chesapeake Bay, huge kitchens, and modern open floor plans—all without the landscaping responsibilities.

The whole complex is just a short walk to restaurants and the bay, making life convenient and enjoyable.

6. Thalia Island

Located at the fork of Thalia Creek and Buchanan Creek, Thalia Island is actually an islet that contains a neighborhood of just six homes. This hidden area grants residents access to docks and out-of-this-world waterfront views of the Lynnhaven River. Homes here are large and equipped with all the desirable features one would expect from a high-end getaway like hot tubs, porches, huge game rooms, modern kitchens, and plenty of bathrooms for everyone.

7. Bay Colony

Bay Colony combines the best of quiet neighborhood living with the proximity to the beach. Here, you will typically see homes averaging around 5,000 square feet in living space, making ample room for every detail like sunrooms, dens, multiple living rooms. Many of these homes have the waters of Linkhorn Bay in their backyard, making an incredible sunset view a part of every evening.

8. Kings Grant Waterfront Homes

Have you ever wanted a gorgeous estate with waterfront views, complete with a balcony retreat attached to the master bedroom? How about a massive kitchen and heated saltwater pool to top it off? That’s the kind of home you will find at the waterfront areas of Kings Grant, a district in Virginia Beach located near the banks of the magnificent Lynnhaven River.

9. Birdneck Point

Another marvelous neighborhood at the Lynnhaven River that allows you to buy your dream home on the waterfront. Homes in Birdneck Point are modern, with open floor plans, complete with all the bells and whistles. Enjoy the proximity to outdoor recreational activities like golf and tennis at the Cavalier Golf & Yacht Club. You can also have access to boating on Linkhorn bay whenever leisure calls you.

10. Croatan Beach Oceanfront

After just a short detour down Pacific Avenue and a left on Croatan Road, you’ll reach this peaceful beach that not many tourists know about. Homes here have spectacular ocean views and are massive, containing luxurious amenities like a wine room, chef’s kitchen, gym, fire pit, and heated saltwater pool. These homes are also built to be tough against the sea wind with thick concrete walls and steel framing. When you pay top dollar, you only get the best.

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Read on to find out the 4 reasons why you need a property manager for your oceanfront investments.

Reason #1: Property managers take care of all the details.When you manage your own property, everything—from the processing rental applications to moving out the tenants—is your responsibility. This means that anything from service calls to complaints will come to your cell phone anytime, wherever you are. You are also responsible for responding to those needs in a timely manner.

It is easy to get lost in the details when you are juggling various responsibilities like work and family along with your properties. This is why a property manager, who is a trained and experienced real estate professional, can take the weight of these responsibilities off your shoulders. For example, property managers are adept at processing paperwork, receiving rent checks, responding to phone calls, and conducting the initial walk-through and moving out process.

Reason #2: Property managers cover your legal bases.

The Fair Housing Act states that no tenant should be withheld housing based on discrimination. As a landlord, it is your responsibility to handle applications as they come and treat all applicants fairly. Since oceanfront properties are in high demand, you can easily get multiple applications for an upcoming vacancy, which requires you to handle the situation with utmost care.

Because you are likely not a licensed real estate professional, is possible to say or do something during the application process that unknowingly qualifies as discrimination, as harmless as you may think your actions are.

A property manager, on the other hand, is a real estate professional who can take care of every detail of your applicant screening process. He or she will make sure that everything is done by the book so you will stay in compliance with all upstanding laws—protecting you and the rights of all your future tenants.

Reason #3: A property manager keep things professional.

Having an intermediary between yourself and the tenant places every transaction in a professional context. As a landlord, you are emotionally as well as financially invested into your property, whereas a property manager will be able to have neutral interactions with the tenants in the case of unexpected situations. When tenants submit rent checks or have a need, they are aware that the property manager is the point of contact who will help them in a timely manner.

This system helps everything operate like a well-oiled machine, keeping everyone happy.

Reason #4: Property managers are there when you aren’t.

If you want to go on vacation or not have to face the possibility of a late night service call, then you need a property manager. If you move out-of-state as well but want to keep on benefiting from your passive income, then your property manager can keep things running wherever you go. He or she will be your local advocate as well as act as your eyes and ears, updating you on the condition of your property. In addition, tenants are likely to be on their best behavior when they know the property manager is local and can check up on them during the scheduled inspection dates and times.

As you can see, a property manager is well worth the commission he or she receives. Not only do you save time and stress, but you also gain the freedom to travel and peace of mind.

To find out more about our property management services or have any other real estate needs, contact us.

The post 4 Reasons Why You Need a Property Manager for Your Oceanfront Investments appeared first on Verblio.

To give you a picture of what this city has to offer, here are three ways to enjoy springtime in Virginia Beach.

1. Outdoor concerts

Spring beckons warmer days and cool nights, making it the perfect season for an outdoor concert. The Virginia Beach’s Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater has a hot lineup of talented musicians this spring that are sure to bring you out of your house and enjoy some great music.

Here’s a list of their spring concerts just to whet your appetite:

• Fm99’s star-studded Lunatic Luau
• Chris Stapleton
• Jimmy Buffett
• Kings of Leon
• Maxwell

This is just the beginning of an incredible outdoor concert season that lasts until fall.

2. Live entertainment at the Virginia Beach Town Center

Want to get your dance on? How about enjoying a cup of gelato in a picturesque piazza sitting next to a running fountain? The newly developed Town Center has been growing every year, providing high-end dining options as well as live music and events in their central square. This place combines the excitement of urban life within one walkable district, making it ideal for families, friends, or a romantic date night. Stop on by the central square to see what’s happening—you may encounter an impromptu salsa dance party or craft beer festival!

3. The Pungo Strawberry Festival

Sometimes you just want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the concrete jungle and spend some time in the open fields. Pungo, a rural borough to the south of Virginia Beach, has much to offer for those in need of a country getaway. A notable example is the Pungo Strawberry Festival, occurring every Memorial Day weekend, heralding the end of spring and the beginning of beach season. Picking fresh strawberries by the pound is a family-friendly activity and a relaxing way to spend part of your weekend.

Virginia Beach offers its residents so many options for enjoying outdoor events in the spring. As a Virginia Beach local, I can match you with the perfect home that can get you near all the excitement the city has to offer.

The post 3 Ways to Enjoy Springtime in Virginia Beach appeared first on Verblio.

This is particularly true of the trendy Southtown section of San Antonio, which actually consists of several overlapping neighborhoods that are surprisingly walkable (with a walkability score of 74!). Keep in mind that, while walkability scores were mainly created to cater to people without cars, they’re relevant to anyone.

Even if you do drive, it’s nice to leave your car at home whenever you want and walk to stores, nearby restaurants, movies, nightclubs, and other destinations. Walkability really means more freedom and less stress.

With this in mind, let’s find out: what does a walkability score mean in San Antonio?

A Vibrant Arts Scene 

If you’re a fan of the arts, Southtown has lots to offer. In just the last few years, the Southtown arts scene has really exploded with new art galleries, art walks, museums, and artist’s studios. The King William Cultural Arts District is the center of the action, but you’ll also find a lot to see in neighboring areas as well.

One of Southtown’s most innovative arts spaces is Blue Star Arts Complex, which features a variety of contemporary art galleries, studios, and shops. There’s also the “First Friday” art walks, when you’ll be able to see some of the latest showcases by local artists.

Dining & Nightlife

There are lots of exciting restaurants to explore in Southtown, both old and new. Explore your favorite culinary traditions, including Tex-Mex, Italian, Thai, sushi, and lots more. The area has also attracted quite a few fusion restaurants in recent years that blend various savory flavors in original ways. Some of the most popular Southtown eateries include Southtown Pizzeria, Bite, Feast, and La Tuna Grill. If you enjoy great street food, San Antonio even has Alamo Street Eat Bar, an entire collection of gourmet food trucks.

Walkability also means that you’re free to wander to your favorite bar or club on a Friday or Saturday night (or whenever there’s music, which is almost all the time in San Antonio!) and not have to worry about driving. Southtown has lots of friendly and diverse places to enjoy a glass of wine, locally crafted beer, or cocktail. Azuca, Rosario’s, La Tuna, and The Friendly Spot are just some of the more popular choices for nightlife.

Museums & Cultural Attractions 

A high walkability score means when you feel like taking an outing to a museum or cultural attraction, you simply step outside your door and walk there. San Antonio hosts plenty of choices.

• Alamo Plaza Historic District: It’s easy to dismiss The Alamo as merely a tourist attraction, but it’s actually part of a diverse neighborhood with lots of places to walk, shop, and dine. The Rivercenter Mall, theater district, La Villita Historic Arts Village, and lots more are all nearby.

• San Antonio Museum of Art: One of the most interesting and comprehensive art museums in the Southwest, SAMA has art collections in American, Asian, Latin American, European, and other types of art. The museum offers free admission at selected hours every week.

• Majestic Theatre: San Antonio’s oldest theater is an ornate and historic place to see plays, concerts and other live performances. Some of the world’s leading bands and comics perform here.

Shopping

One of the biggest advantages of living in a walkable San Antonio neighborhood such as Southtown are the many diverse and fashionable shopping areas within walking distance to downtown and in Southtown itself.

Historic Market Square, with over 100 stalls and shops, is a traditional Mexican market with food, crafts, clothing, jewelry and gifts of all kinds. Other shopping choices include Alamo Quarry Market and The Shops at La Cantera.

Natural Beauty in San Antonio

Simply walking in San Antonio gives you access to lots of natural beauty, in addition to cultural attractions. One of the most scenic features of the city is the San Antonio River. The River Walk is a large area of connected paths that let people enjoy serene walks along the river or access to many of the city’s most popular attractions. River Walk connects several beautiful Spanish missions, the San Antonio Museum of Art, Shops at Rivercenter and many other destinations.

The San Antonio Botanical Garden is another beautiful destination that’s ideal for a walking excursion. In addition to 33 acres of paths and gardens of all kinds, there’s the Lucile Halsell Conservatory, a futuristic glass tower that houses even more plants.

The Southtown area is full of charming local parks such as Milam Park, Roosevelt Park, Columbus Park, and others. There’s never a shortage of places to bring your kids, walk your dog, or enjoy a romantic stroll.

The Benefits of Walkability in San Antonio

There are several benefits to living in a walkable neighborhood. For one thing, walking is the form of transportation with the lowest environmental impact. The choice to walk rather than drive is appealing to anyone who strives to live a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle.

Walking is also a healthy activity that keeps your body in motion. Many people find it more pleasant and relaxing to walk places rather than dealing with the hassles of driving and parking. If you ever need wheels, it’s easy to find a taxi or Uber/Lyft.

If the possibility of living in a part of San Antonio that’s eminently walkable sounds exciting to you, schedule a tour of Southtown Flats today and find out for yourself why so many people are moving here.

The post What Does A Walkability Score Mean In San Antonio? appeared first on Verblio.

Southtown Flats residents are jazzed about the one New Year’s resolution they’re sure to keep. Why? Because it’s fun!

Their resolution: incorporate more arts and culture into their evening entertainment repertoire. How do they do it? They’re making Tuesdays “jazzdays,” and they’re loving every minute of it.

Just minutes from San Antonio’s thriving music scene, our residents enjoy easy access to the best jazz the Lone Star State has to offer. And the icing on the cake? Holiday visitors will love it, too. Every Tuesday, the Blue Star Brewery serves up tasty licks from San Antonio’s best jazz groups.

Are your loved ones in town to celebrate the winter holidays? Introduce them to your Jazzday Tuesdays resolution. Treat them to a classy, affordable evening out—perhaps one punctuated by an adult beverage. Sound good? For Southtown Flats residents, a complete menu of tasty jazz is just a stone’s throw away.

This December’s live, oh-so-local holiday jazz offerings include the stylings of the Crimson Jazz Orchestra, the San Antonio Jazz Orchestra, River City Big Band, and the Primetime Jazz Orchestra. Imagine all of the city’s best music, right in your own backyard.

Keep on top of that resolution by setting your calendar to cue up George Briscoe’s Crimson Jazz Orchestra on first Tuesdays of every month. What a great launch for 2017! Their next performance will be Tuesday, January 3rd. You’ll find George and the band at Blue Star Brewing Company in the Blue Star Complex. And do yourself a favor, try their Flying Pig Extra Pale Ale. Don’t let the name throw you off—we highly recommend it!

And, since you’ve got that calendar open, why not add in a recurring event for the second Tuesday of the month, as well. On second Tuesdays, also at Blue Star, treat yourself to a taste of big band jazz served up by River City Big Band. But consider yourself warned: you’re going to fall in love with Murph Davis on baritone sax. We think River City also pairs nicely with Flying Pig Extra Pale Ale, but you may be a more adventurous lager-head. For you adventurous sorts, may we suggest the Apache Amber Lager?

You’re halfway through the month and still going strong on keeping that Jazzday Tuesday resolution. Guess what happens on the third Tuesday of the month at Blue Star? Are you sensing a pattern here (we love it, too!)? On third Tuesdays, the San Antonio Jazz Orchestra will caress your ears with everything from Count Basie to Duke Ellington to Glen Miller. Tempted yet? You will be when you discover that Blue Star’s Southtown Sour has just become your go-to aperitif.

Sticking to that resolution is a piece of cake. Round out your calendar of Jazzday Tuesdays by adding The Prime Time Jazz Orchestra to your fourth Tuesdays calendar slot. How does a Blue Star Raspberry Geyser sound to go along with that smooth jazz? Go on, you deserve it.

And just like that, you’ve got an entire month of keeping your New Year’s resolution. Couldn’t be better. Jazzday Tuesdays for Southtown Flats’ residents—the one New Year’s resolution you’re sure to keep.

Want to join us and live near the action? The music scene is just one activity our residents love. Southtown Flats is just minutes from great shopping, all the best parks, unparalleled nightlife, and the famous San Antonio River Walk. Shoot us an email, and we’ll show you how you can live right in the heart of it all.

The post Upcoming Events Near Southtown Flats appeared first on Verblio.

A house or an apartment becomes a home when it fulfills the needs of your entire family.  Everyone has to feel good about the home if they want to live together and create memories that will last a lifetime.  So choose your home with care.  Here are a few things that you should look out for in a home.

Size

It’s true that there are many ways to create space in a home.  Even if you don’t have that much floor space, you can make room for a family.  However, it’s always better to buy a home that your entire family will be able to fit into.

Nowadays, more and more single people are becoming financially responsible enough to buy a home, as per this article from Huffington Post.  But as the author points out, you’re not always going to be single.  You might, at some point, decide to get married and start a family.  So you need to consider this when you’re deciding upon the size of your home.

The same goes for couples.  If you don’t have any kids, think about whether you plan to have them in the future.  If you have kids already, think about whether you plan to have more.  If you have elderly parents, consider their future needs.  Will they be getting home health aides, joining a retirement community, or coming to stay with you?

Location

The location of a home is important to everyone who lives in it.  You and your spouse will probably want to live close to where you both work.  And chances are that you’re not going to work in exactly the same area.  So you need to find a house or apartment in an area which is conveniently located for both of you.  As far as your kids are concerned, location is important because you want there to be good schools in the area.

According to this article from Forbes, location is also important when it comes to the resale value of a home.  Homes that are located closer to the downtown area of a town or city are naturally going to sell better than homes that are located further away.  However, this is not a hard-and-fast rule because there are many suburban areas that are considered upscale even though they’re far away from downtown.  Consider the neighborhood’s reputation in real-estate circles before you buy.

Amenities

Man cannot live on bread alone.  However, most of us would agree that bread is a pretty important thing!  You need to be located in an area where you can easily get food and other necessities needed for a daily existence.  So you should find out if there’s a grocery store in the neighborhood where you’re thinking of buying.  If you think of yourself as a chef, you might even need an artisanal grocery store which stocks more than just the usual produce.

If you love going out to restaurants, you might want to walk around and see if there are any good ones in your neighborhood.  If you often take your laptop to coffee shops and work there, you might want to check if there are any coffee shops in your neighborhood.  The presence of a pharmacy, clothing stores, and a movie theater might also be important to you.

Safety

Safety is important whether you’re single or the head of a large family.  Everyone wants to live in a safe neighborhood.  You can figure out whether a neighborhood is safe by looking up the crime stats online.  There are many websites which enable you to look up this information such as Neighborhood Scout and Crime Reports.

You can also ask people in the neighborhood where you’re thinking about buying.  Go to the local diner and speak to the waitress.  If you’re buying a condo, speak to other people in the building.  Most people are happy to share the information they have.  It gives people a sense of importance to be consulted by someone who’s making an important decision, so don’t hesitate or feel self-conscious about doing this.

Also remember to trust your gut.  If you’re walking around the neighborhood and it just feels dull, desolate, littered and uncared for, chances are the crime rate is also higher than usual.

House or Apartment?

If you’re single or a couple with no kids, you might opt to buy a condo rather than a house.  Most people with large families opt for houses so that they can have more space inside the house as well as outside.

However, the main difference between buying a house or an apartment lies in the maintenance factor.  When you buy a house, all your maintenance is up to you.  If something goes wrong with the roof, the boiler, the plumbing, the heating or the electrical wiring, you’re going to have to take care of the repairs.  This can become pretty expensive in the long run.  So unless you’re good at taking care of little things yourself, a house might not be the right choice for you.

In an apartment, you are generally responsible for repairs within the apartment.  Your monthly maintenance payments will cover anything that goes wrong outside the apartment (but within the apartment building).  So maintaining an apartment is relatively easier.

Financial Considerations

You need to buy a home you can afford.  Sometimes, people assume that just because a bank is willing to lend them the money necessary to buy a home, they can afford it.  However, a bank may not know about all your added expenses, just the ones that are visible on paper.  So it’s up to you to make sure that you can really afford a home and that it’s not going to be a financial drain on you.

Consider the mortgage payments as well as the tax payments that you’re going to have to make.  You and your spouse might have a pretty high joint income, but if one of you is planning to leave your job, your income might go down in the future.

Additionally, think about how much money you have put away in the form of savings.  As per this article from Huffington Post, you should have enough to put down 20 percent of the cost of the home as your down payment.  A larger down payment also increases your chances of getting approved for a mortgage.

It’s also best to factor in any repairs you might have to make to the home.  Is it a fixer-upper?  If so, do you really have the budget necessary to fix it up?  Sometimes, it might be a better idea to go for a smaller, cozier home that you will easily be able to afford, rather than opting for a spacious mansion, the payments of which will require you to work day and night!

The post Tips For Choosing The Right Home Like A Pro appeared first on Verblio.