BUYER Blogs
Finding the perfect home doesn’t have to be stressful! The experts at Coldwell Banker Elite are here to help you educate yourself about the current market conditions and the home buying process so you feel empowered to make a smart investment!
5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Renovate
Considering a home renovation? It can be thrilling to upgrade your house with updated appliances, new fixtures, or perhaps even a new floor plan. In any case, renovations require budgeting, coordinating designers and contractors, and often a good chunk of planning. It’s a big investment. And with 2022’s supply chain issues, it could be unusually challenging. Here are the 5 key questions to ask yourself before launching a renovation project.
Renting vs. Buying a Home: The Pros and Cons
In this competitive market, many prospective homebuyers are considering alternatives to buying—like renting. Here are some factors to consider when deciding whether to buy or rent your home.
7 Things to Ask Before You Buy Your First House
Even if you’re just beginning to think about searching for a home, something that can ease your mind is knowing what questions to ask before you purchase your first home. Whether you’re looking for a home in which to settle down and raise a family or beginning your real estate journey, utilize these helpful questions to guide you through the home-buying process.
The 6 Steps of Buying a House
Buying a home is a huge accomplishment, not least because it is a process that takes time and care to navigate. If you’re a first-time homebuyer, you may feel especially daunted by the process and what it involves. Fear not—knowing what to expect and how to plan is half the battle!
How to Balance Between Choosing a School District and a House
Maybe you’ve found an ideal home in a not-so-ideal school district. Or you’ve found a great school district, but it’s harder to find a home that ticks all the boxes. Choosing between a school district and a house is a tough decision, but there are work-arounds and questions to ask yourself that can help you navigate the process.
How to Get the Most Out of a Home Inspection
When you’re buying or selling a house you want to be sure that you’re getting your money’s worth. You may have a general idea of your home’s value and any necessary repairs, but you won’t know for certain until you hire a certified home inspector who can thoroughly analyze the property. Read on to find out how you can get the most out of a home inspection.
6 Things to Consider When Buying a House with a Pool
Houses with pools have been in higher demand in the past couple of years, perhaps because people are spending more time at home. Owning a pool provides a fun, relaxing way to cool off during hot summer days, as well as a nice gathering place for parties and events. Owning a pool also means that staycations can feel more like vacations, and who doesn’t want that? With this being said, owning a pool comes with its own set of challenges and responsibilities.
Smart Pricing Strategies for Hot Markets
Guest Blog by Terin Merriman Chances are even if you’ve been living under a rock - which at this point, aren’t we all? - you’ve heard how hot the real estate market is. Like an early 2000s Paris Hilton quote, the real estate market is “so hot.”Record-low interest...
Coldwell Banker Elite Unveils Updated Global Luxury Look
Today, Coldwell Banker Elite debuts the sleek modern update to our prestigious Global Luxury program branding, in alignment with the Coldwell Banker® network’s “Project North Star” visual transformation. Coldwell Banker Elite is deploying all new yard signs, agent and...
Introducing the Home Safe™ Certification
Buying or selling a home is not easy, even in the best of times, but it’s especially difficult during a global pandemic. In order to mitigate the myriad of risks that come with viewing homes, meeting with clients and in-person closings, Coldwell Banker Elite has...
Virtual Property Tours
Staying safe at home but still want to see properties? No problem! Check out our properties with "walkable" virtual tours and listing videos! Virtual Tours Fredericksburg 11315 North Club Drive | 3 beds, 4.5 baths | $850,000 7706 Ashley Farms Drive | 4 beds, 4.5 baths...
Global Luxury Home of the Week: 11315 North Club Drive
Always wanted to live on the Rappahannock River but still be close to the City of Fredericksburg? Our Global Luxury Home of the Week is a traditional brick rambler with a full finished basement, an indoor pool and approximately 7091 SF in the sought-after North Club...
Global Luxury Home of the Week: 12904 Eastmont Drive
Welcome home to this magnificent 8000+ SF home on over 4 acres of beautiful woods located in the prestigious Riverbend high school district! This luxurious Toll Brothers home offers quality, design, and style that will satisfy even the most sophisticated tastes. As...
Global Luxury Home of the Week: 7016 Bloomsbury Lane
How stunning is this one-of-a-kind colonial in the sought after Bloomsbury neighborhood? Built by the renowned Tom Sagun in 1989, 7016 Bloomsbury Lane features gorgeous pine ceilings with skylights, hardwood floors throughout the entire home, four fireplaces, coffered...
Coldwell Banker Elite Wins Cartus Broker Network Platinum Award
Coldwell Banker Elite has been named a Platinum Award Winner by Cartus Broker Services for their outstanding performance during the past year. Platinum is the highest level of the Excellence Awards presented to principal brokers by Cartus Corporation, a worldwide...
Customize Your Dream Home: Luxury New Construction
The allure of being able to customize your dream home is undeniable. Just like sliding into a jacket tailored to your exact measurements or receiving a gift with your initials monogrammed on it–being able to truly put your own finishing touches on a luxury home is a dream come true. We have three luxury new construction listings that are ready and waiting for their new owner to customize and create!
What Are Closing Costs?
Closing costs are one of the main things we hear buyers are confused about during the offer-writing process. Here's some general info on what closing costs include so that you'll be ready when the time comes!What Are Closing Costs?Closing costs are fees paid when you...
How Much Money Do I Need To Save To Buy A House?
Exactly how much cash do you need to have on hand when buying a home? We’re going to dive into how much money you really need to save up to afford a house, the hidden expenses you may not have planned for and some tips for how to find your perfect house budget!
6 Luxury Waterfront Listings We’re Loving This Summer
Owning a waterfront luxury home is a dream for many buyers and we’re excited to show off SIX of our waterfront Global Luxury homes!
Home How-To: Housewarming Parties
The origin of the housewarming party is unclear–some say it’s rooted in the medieval tradition of literally warming the house with the community bringing gifts of firewood, while others say it stems from the idea of lighting a candle on the first night to ward off evil spirits.
Avoiding Common Moving Day Mishaps
Moving is undoubtedly stressful, but the right preparations can make it easier. When picking your moving day, take some time off for the family in the months before or after summer when rates are low. Have some extra buffer time to make sure the adjustment goes smoothly for everyone. When it comes to organization, a good cleanout can make all the difference before it is time to pack. Communicate with your movers about how to handle delicate and valuable items, and make sure everything is clearly labeled to make unpacking the house easier for all.
Is It Time to Take the Next Step? Buying a Home With a Partner
First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes...a nice home with room for a carriage? In terms of relationship milestones, buying a home with a partner can be an exciting and life-changing step! How do you know whether buying a home with another person (married or...
Local Love: What Made You Fall In Love with Your Neighborhood?
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what it is about your hometown or favorite neighborhood that really made you fall in love with the place… Was it the charming Main Street or the easy access to awesome shopping? What about the local playground or the incredible library?...
We Know What It Means To Serve
The greater Fredericksburg region is a hotspot for military families and defense contractors! Just a short trip away from the Nation's Capital and only minutes from Quantico MCB, Fort AP Hill and NSF Dahlgren, we are in the perfect spot for those looking to live close...
Home Buying 101: The Appraisal
You’ve spent months looking and finally settled on the house of your dreams. The seller even accepted your offer! Congrats! It’s not *quite* time to break out the bubbly yet, though! So many home buyers and sellers have questions about the appraisal process, we wanted...
Home of the Brave: 2018 Veterans & Active Military Home Buyers Profile
We're lucky to be located near several military bases and government contractors so serving veterans and active duty military members is one of our top priorities. We've taken a closer look at the 2018 Veterans & Active Military Home Buyers Profile report to...
Open House Weekend – May 19 & 20, 2018
Sign in for a chance to win! This coming weekend, we're excited to announce we have 28 homes being held open! Every visitor that signs in to one of our open houses on May 19th or 20th will have a chance to win one of three Amazon smart voice assistants: the Amazon...
Why You Really Need A Home Inspection
Thinking about skipping the home inspection in order to save a little money? You could end up costing yourself WAY more in the long run! Here's why we always recommend buyers get a very thorough home inspection done: Protect Your Investment Buying a house is probably...
Fredericksburg Area Market Update for March 2018
Fredericksburg-Stafford-Spotsylvania The Fredericksburg area’s real estate market remains strong this February with year-over-year increases in total sold dollar volume, median price, and units sold as well as a decrease in average days on market. Inventory is still...
5 Things To Do Before You Buy A Home
So you’re finally ready to buy your own home, congrats! It’s a big decision that can really impact your life and your finances. Here are our top five things to do before you take the leap to make sure you’re completely prepared! Strengthen your credit score Don’t know...
3 Signs You’re Not Ready to Buy A Home
Scrolling through your Facebook timeline in your twenties and thirties can feel like a never-ending slideshow of #adulting milestones. Why is everyone engaged all of a sudden? When did so-and-so have a baby? Chances are, you’ve seen quite a few “We just bought a...
Top 5 Best Apps and Sites for Moving
1. ThredUp/ Letgo Moving, while stressful, is actually one of the best times to evaluate your wardrobe and all your possessions—if you’re dreading moving it to your new home, it’s probably time to let it go. ThredUp and Letgo are both awesome for paring down your...
What To Look For In Your First Home
Good Layout With the exception of location, the floor plan of a home is one of the most expensive things to change. A livable layout that makes sense for your lifestyle is going to be one of the most important aspects of your home search, but it’s often overlooked in...
Fixer-Upper Homes: What to Look For
Fixer-uppers appeal to a wide variety of homebuyers—investors looking to cash in, first-timers hoping to score a bargain, and ambitious DIY-ers looking for their next project. The hunt is half the fun when buying your next home, but there a few key things to...
You’ve Served Our Country, Now Coldwell Banker Elite’s Ready to Serve You
The National Association of Realtors released their first ever “Veterans & Active Military Home Buyers and Sellers Profile” in May, which shed some light on military members’ real estate habits and trends. The study showed that 95% of active-duty members and 88%...
Open House Tips for Buyers
If you’re thinking about buying a home in the next year or so, visiting an open house can be a great way to find out what you do and don’t like, how much house you can afford and really need, and what neighborhood or general area you’d like to live in. If you’re...
Lake of the Woods: Neighborhood Guide
Imagine the leaves crunching under your feet, a family of swans swimming past your living room window, and access to tons of amenities like a gorgeous clubhouse and golf course…now imagine this community was full of affordable and well-kept houses. At the Lake of the...
2016 Parade of Homes: Behind the Scenes
Congratulations to the Fredericksburg Area Builders’ Association Parade of Homes Winners for 2016! This year, I was lucky enough to be one of the judges for the Single Family Home $275,000–$325,000 division. Realtors from all different brokerages from around the...
Should You Buy a New Construction Home?
There’s nothing like walking into a brand spanking new home: everything’s shiny and clean, the fixtures are upgraded…it even smells new! Then again, that old Victorian house with squeaky floorboards and original trim has character that money can’t buy. How do you...
Smart Home Staging Kit Launch
Coldwell Banker Launches Smart Home Staging Kit Coldwell Banker’s launch of the Smart Home Staging Kit today is a huge benefit to our sellers and just another way Coldwell Banker continues to lead the industry with cutting-edge real estate marketing and services for...
What Legally Defines A Bedroom In Virginia?
What Is Required For A Bedroom in My Virginia Home? I've been a Realtor for a long time and I recall that even in my licensing class that there was confusion as to what constituted a bedroom. I remember that the common opinion was a room with a window and a closet....
