realtor: Understanding Real Estate Representation in Roanoke Virginia - 02/28/11 03:34 AM
Understanding Real Estate Representation in Roanoke Virginia
By: G. M. Filisko
Published: March 29, 2010
Whether you're buying or selling a home in Roanoke Virginia, it's important to choose representation that meets your needs in the transaction.
 
1. Buyer's agency
When you're buying a home, you can hire an agent who represents only you, called an exclusive buyer's representative or agent. A buyer's agent works in your best interest and owes you a fiduciary duty. You can pay your buyer's agent yourself, or ask the seller, or the seller's agent, to pay your agent a share of their sales commission.
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realtor: 10 Questions to Ask Home Inspectors when buying a home in Roanoke VA. - 02/26/11 02:14 AM
10 Questions to Ask Home Inspectors when buying a home in Roanoke VA.
Before you make your final buying or selling decision, you should have the home inspected by a professional. An inspection can alert you to potential problems with a property and allow you to make an informed decision. Ask these questions to prospective home inspectors when buying a home in Roanoke VA:
1. Will your inspection meet recognized standards? Ask whether the inspection and the inspection report will meet all state requirements and comply with a well-recognized standard of practice and code of ethics, such as the one adopted … (1 comments)

realtor: 5 Feng Shui Concepts to Help a Home Sell in Roanoke VA. - 02/26/11 02:06 AM
5 Feng Shui Concepts to Help a Home Sell in Roanoke VA.
To put the best face on a listing and appeal to buyers who follow feng shui principles, keep these tips in mind.1. Pay special attention to the front door, which is considered the "mouth of chi" (chi is the "life force" of all things) and one of the most powerful aspects of the entire property. Abundance, blessings, opportunities, and good fortune enter through the front door. It's also the first impression buyers have of how well the sellers have taken care of the rest of the property. Make sure … (2 comments)

realtor: Want to get rid of clutter & make some money? How to Hold a Successful Garage Sale. - 02/23/11 01:45 AM
Want to get rid of clutter & make some money? How to Hold a Successful Garage Sale.

Garage sales can be a great way to get rid of clutter - and earn a little extra cash - before you sell your home in Roanoke Virginia. But make sure the timing is right. Garage sales can take on a life of their own, and it might not be the best use of your energy right before putting your home on the market. Follow these tips for a successful sale.1. Don't wait until the last minute. You don't want to be scrambling … (1 comments)

realtor: Price Reduced in Vinton VA! 3 finished levels, upper level laundry, tons of storage. - 02/21/11 02:24 AM
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realtor: 2011 Roanoke Virginia Home Buyer Survey. - 02/18/11 06:06 AM
Please take a moment to fill out the survey of Roanoke area citizens who are thinking of purchasing a home in 2011.
 Online Surveys
Thank you for your input.
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realtor: Roanoke VA. homeowners, want to get the most back on your 2010 tax return? Energy Tax Credit Info. - 02/16/11 06:18 AM

2011 Energy Tax Credits: What You Need to Know to Collect
By: Donna Fuscaldo
Published: January 26, 2011
Washington is giving you less green for going green, as the feds reel back the 2011 energy tax credits from a lavish $1,500 to a paltry $500.
 
Other limits on energy tax credits besides $500 max
Credit only extends to 10% of the cost (not the 30% of yesteryear), so you have to spend $5,000 to get $500. $500 is a lifetime limit. If you pocketed $500 or more in 2009 and 2010 combined, you're not entitled to any more money … (0 comments)

realtor: Market Minute Report-Roanoke County , courtesy of Long & Foster Roanoke North. - 12/16/10 03:01 AM
 Market Minute Report-Roanoke County , courtesy of Long & Foster Roanoke North.
 If you have interest in the Roanoke Virigina real estate market than here is the Market Minute Report for Roanoke County, Virginia.
 
 
 

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realtor: If you're selling a home in Roanoke Virginia you need to read this article! - 12/02/10 02:28 AM
(Courtesy of HouseLogic)
If you're selling a home in Roanoke Virginia you need to read this article!
Make Your House FHA-Loan Friendly
By: Terry Sheridan
Published: June 2, 2010
Know the basics of FHA loan rules and you stand a better chance of selling your house or condo.
 
If your house passes the FHA rules, it will appeal to buyers who plan to use an FHA-insured mortgage. If your house doesn't qualify for an FHA loan, you're cutting out 30% of potential buyers.
FHA is especially important to first-time homebuyers and those with small downpayments because it allows borrowers with … (1 comments)

realtor: Want to know which Roanoke VA. zip code had a 13.4% price increase based on 4th quater 2009 vs. 4th quater 2008? - 01/31/10 02:14 AM
      Want to know which Roanoke VA. zip code had a 13.4% price increase based on 4th quater 2009 vs. 4th quater 2008?
      It was the 24017 zip code, which is primarily made up of the northwest section of Roanoke City.  The average sales price for this area(RVAR MLS Area 5) of the city is $89,100 with an average days on market of 87.
      The second largest 4th quarter year over year increase was the 24019 zip code with a 10.6% increase in sales price. 24019 is primarily made up of North Roanoke County(RVAR MLS Area6) and had an average sales … (0 comments)

realtor: A sad trend in Real Estate - 12/20/09 12:36 AM
Recently I called a past client to check in with her about two investment properties she had tried to sell in the past. She had been renting these properties for the past two years and I was calling to see if she had interest in placing them on the market again. Much to my dismay she told me that she had had to declare bankruptcy and both of the rental properties were in the process of being foreclosed on. When I first met this woman she had an extraordinary 840 credit score and was planning on retiring early. Since she has … (9 comments)

realtor: Appalachian Power is at it again, tips that will save on the electric bill in Roanoke,VA. - 12/13/09 12:46 AM
             As I watched the late local news broadcast last night I learned that our friends at Appalachian Power were asking for a new rate increase.  Beginning Saturday, Appalachian Power Co. will charge an average residential customer a total of about 15.5 percent more per month for electricity -- a calculation based on a residential customer who consumes 1,000 kilowatt hours a month.
              The first thought I had was, I'm going to the home improvement store and buying compact fluorescent bulbs for every fixture in my home. My typical knee jerk reaction to things. When I woke up this morning … (2 comments)

realtor: Which is better? Renting vs. Buying in Roanoke VA. - 12/06/09 01:55 AM
I recently used the Renting vs Buying calculator on The New York Times website.
(http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/10/business/2007_BUYRENT_GRAPHIC.html#)
Using a moderately priced rent of $650.00 a month versus a home priced at $150,000, with 3.5% ($5,250) down payment, at 5.25% interest, over 30 years and the $1.09 per hundred tax rate of Roanoke County, a 2% a year increase in rent and a 5% a year home appreciation, the calculator returned these results.
Owning is better than renting after 4 years saving a total of $614.00, with an annual savings of $153.00.
After 5 years the total savings jumps to $5,069, annual savings of $1014.
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realtor: Are you a frustrated Home Seller in Roanoke, VA? - 12/05/09 01:39 AM
Who is at fault when a home doesn't sell?

          If your home has just come off the market and hasn't sold don't be discouraged. In reality, it may have more to do with the lack of a comprehensive marketing plan and less to do with your home than you think.
         The homeowners commitment to having their home in move in condition, keeping it clean and clutter free at all times goes a long way towards inspiring buyers to make an offer on a home. As long as a "Showcase Quality" home is presented to every potential buyer the … (0 comments)

realtor: Beautiful Cape Cod in Grandin Court. 2453 Lofton RD SW, Roanoke, VA - 03/14/09 07:12 AM
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realtor: Questions to ask a Realtor before listing your home, part 2. - 03/01/09 10:54 AM
This is the second of three blogs regarding things you should discuss with a potential Realtor, before listing your home with them. In the first installment I related information you need to know regarding the marketing plan, company reputation and volume of sales. In this installment we will talk about days on market and listing price to selling price ratio.
The fourth question you should ask: On average, how long does it take your listings to sell?
This information is easily available to any Realtor through their local Real Estate Board. Does this agent tend to sell faster or slower than … (2 comments)

realtor: What should I ask before I list my home with a Realtor, part 2. - 02/04/09 02:18 PM
This is the second of three blogs regarding things you should discuss with a potential Realtor, before listing your home with them. In the first installment I related information you need to know regarding the marketing plan, company reputation and volume of sales. In this installment we will talk about days on market and listing price to selling price ratio.
The fourth question you should ask: On average, how long does it take your listings to sell?
This information is easily available to any Realtor through their local Real Estate Board. Does this agent tend to sell faster or slower than … (0 comments)

realtor: What should I ask before I list my home with a Realtor, part 1. - 02/01/09 06:39 AM
It is critical that you make the right decision about who will handle what is probably the single largest financial investment you will ever make. Picking the right agent is one of those critical decisions that can cost or save you thousands of dollars. There are very specific questions you should be asking to ensure that you get the best representation for your needs. Some agents actually prefer that you dont ask them these questions, because the information that gain for their answers will give you a very good idea of their commitment to you and your goals.
The first question … (0 comments)

realtor: Should I buy a home in this economy? - 01/27/09 10:17 AM
In the last week our local newspaper has run two articles about the state of Real Estate in the Roanoke Valley. The first related how some businesses are flourishing due to the downturn in the market, the second detailed the jump in foreclosures in the Roanoke Valley. It is unfortunate that the area is experiencing such problems and that families are losing their homes due to plant closures, lay offs and the inability to refinance homes with adjustable rate mortgages, that now adjusted they can no longer afford the payments.
The flip side of this coin is that there are many excellent … (0 comments)

realtor: How a $12.00 pin found a $300,000 buyer. - 01/23/09 02:33 AM
My partner and I were out one day previewing homes for one of her investor clients and stopped by our local Real Estate Association office. While we were there we each bought a Realtor logo lapel pin.

It is the kind that has a little magnet on the back to hold it in place. I put it on one of the flaps on the front of my winter coat and have worn it unconsciously everyday since.
Last night I was buying a cup of coffee in a local coffee shop and ran into a friend and sat down to chat … (31 comments)

 
Walter Grewe III, Realtor, SFR, A-REO, Roanoke Homes and Real Estate (Long and Foster Realtors)

Walter Grewe III

Realtor, SFR, A-REO, Roanoke Homes and Real Estate

Roanoke, VA

More about me…

Long and Foster Realtors

Address: 1638 Roanoke Rd., Daleville, VA, 24083

Office: (540) 966-6234

Mobile: (540) 537-9281

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