By Ryan C. Benton As the classic holiday song goes, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” And I agree. Like many here in Hampton Roads, I kick off the season with the Grand Illumination Parade in downtown Norfolk…
By Ryan C. Benton I know. Those popular “house-hunting” shows on cable make it look easy. Take a look at three houses, pick your favorite and, in less than an hour, you can own your dream home! Easy peasy, right?…
There are lots of perks to being your own boss. Freedom to create your own schedule, finding new challenges and opportunities and, of course, the satisfaction of watching your business grow. In fact, more than 50% of millennials say they…
John C. “Jack” Dawley got an unwelcome surprise recently when he opened an email from the company that supplies the white cedar shingles for the homes in an active-adult development he’s building in New England. The shingles are imported from…
So you’re ready to stop making your landlord rich, and start building your own equity through homeownership. But are you ready for the responsibility of homeownership? Despite what some may think, buying a home isn’t just a financial decision. Buying…
If your credit is down the drain, you might feel desperate to repair it. Credit effects your ability to borrow money. If you have poor credit, it could disqualify you from buying a home. The marketplace is saturated with companies…
You wouldn’t just go to the gym one time and expect to see results. The same is true when it comes to getting in shape to buy your first home. It might seem like a long road ahead, but with…
You might be surprised to find out that your bank statements reveal more about you to mortgage underwriters than you think. The bank statements, which are required during the loan application process, help give the loan officers a detailed financial…
Putting the offer on a home is an exciting and scary part of the real estate process. You’ve been house hunting with your REALTOR® and you think you’ve found the one. Now is the time to write up an offer…
Credit scores reflect your payment patterns over time, and almost all major lenders use them. So why is your credit score important? Your credit indicates to lenders how likely you are to pay back your loan. Your credit score also…