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Call Guthrie Group Homes, Real Estate at (925) 628-2436 | DRE #01117537Guthrie Group Homes, Real Estate - Keller Williams East County
Real Estate - Home » Home Buyers » Page 2

Articles for Home Buyers

Are you thinking about buying a home?

These articles are here to provide essential information to Home Buyers in Northern California.

* Discover if you should Own or Rent.
* 15 Tips for First-Time Home Buyers.
* Home Buyer Myths, and more.

Want to talk to a real person instead? Call Libby at (925) 628-2436

Buy vs Rent a House: How to Decide What’s Right for You

April 15, 2021 By Ken Guthrie Leave a Comment

Buy vs Rent a House: How to Decide What’s Right for You

To Rent or to Buy, that is the question. – William Shakespeare OK, Bill Shakespeare never said that, but if he were alive today, he might. 😉 Since there is no one answer to the question, “Should I buy a house, or continue to rent a house (or apartment)”, we will try and give you […]

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Filed Under: Home Buyers Tagged With: Home Buyer Tips, Real Estate Market

Should I Change the Locks on My New Home? [VIDEO]

June 19, 2020 By Libby Guthrie Leave a Comment

Question: Libby, should I change the locks on my new home? Answered by Libby Guthrie Video Transcript Hi, I’m Libby Guthrie with Keller Williams Realty in Northern California. And I’m going to talk today about whether or not you should get your locks changed when you obtain your new home, whether it be a brand new […]

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Filed Under: Home Buyers Tagged With: Home Buyer Tips, Video

3 OTHER Frequently Asked Questions From Home Buyers

June 16, 2020 By Ken Guthrie Leave a Comment

A lot of questions come up when it’s time to buy a home. Whether it’s your first time, or you’re buying your second or third home, there is a lot to know and plenty to learn. Sure, we get lots of questions like; “Is this a good time to buy real estate?“, “How much home […]

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Filed Under: Home Buyers Tagged With: First-Time Home Buyers, Home Buyer Tips

Questions to Ask Your Mortgage Lender [VIDEO]

April 20, 2020 By Libby Guthrie Leave a Comment

Question: Libby, what kind of questions should I ask my mortgage lender when buying a house? Answered by Libby Guthrie Video Transcript Hi, I’m Libby Guthrie with Keller Williams Realty in Northern California, and I’m going to give you some tips today about choosing your mortgage lender and questions to ask that mortgage lender and things […]

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Buying a Brand New Construction Home [VIDEO]

March 13, 2020 By Libby Guthrie Leave a Comment

 Question: Libby, we’re thinking of buying a new home from a builder rather than buying a resale home. Do you have any advice about that? Answered by Libby Guthrie Video Transcript Hi, I’m Libby Guthrie with Keller Williams Realty in Northern California. Today we’re going to talk about things to consider when you’re buying brand […]

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What NOT to Say When Buying a Home 🏡 [VIDEO]

February 14, 2020 By Libby Guthrie Leave a Comment

 Question: Are there any things I shouldn’t say when buying a home? Answered by Libby Guthrie Video Transcript Hi, I’m Libby Guthrie with Keller Williams Realty in Northern California, and I’m going to talk today about what NOT to say when you’re buying a home. At the end of this video, you can request our […]

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Things That Could Go Wrong When Buying a House [VIDEO]

December 20, 2019 By Libby Guthrie Leave a Comment

 Question: What can go wrong when buying a house? Answered by Libby Guthrie Video Transcript Hi, I’m Libby Guthrie with Keller Williams Realty in Northern California. Today I’m going to talk about what can go wrong when you’re buying a home and how to avoid those problems. At the end of this video, please be […]

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guthriegrouphomes

Libby Guthrie, Realtor
@ Keller Williams 865-966-5005
🏡 Helping You Make the Move to Knoxville
📱 Cell: 865-364-0200
🏡 Good People, Great Homes!

Thinking about selling this year? You're not alone Thinking about selling this year? You're not alone. The 2026 real estate market is presenting some great opportunities for homeowners who are ready to make a move.
Here are 3 clear signs it might be time to sell:
1. You've Outgrown Your Space
Whether you need an extra bedroom, a home office, or just more room to breathe, feeling cramped in your current home is a valid reason to explore what's next.
1. You've Built Significant Equity
If you've owned your home for several years, there's a good chance you've built up substantial equity. This can give you serious buying power for your next chapter.
1. Your Lifestyle Has Changed
Retirement, job relocation, or an empty nest can all signal that your current home no longer fits your needs. When your lifestyle shifts, sometimes your home should too.
The key is recognizing when your home is no longer serving you the way it once did. If any of these resonate with where you are right now, it may be worth having a conversation about your options.
Let us know in the comments if any of these resonate with you!
#realestate #homeselling #sellyourhome #realestatetips #homeequity #realestateagent #realtor #homesellers #realestate2026 #lifestylechange #emptynesters #relocation #homeseller #realestateadvice
Libby Guthrie, REALTOR® 🏡
Cell: 865-364-0200
Keller Williams 865-966-5005
GGHKnoxville.com
Libby@GuthrieGroupHomes.com
𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝘅 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀 😱⁣ ⁣ Think yo 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝘅 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀 😱⁣
⁣
Think your mortgage payment is locked in? Think again. 🔒⁣
⁣
While your fixed-rate mortgage provides payment stability, the escrowed components—taxes and insurance—aren't so stable. As of December 2025, the average insurance premium for a new policy rose 8.5% year-over-year. Climate disasters, higher rebuilding costs, and insurer risk recalibration continue driving these increases with no signs of reversing.⁣
⁣
Property taxes aren't truly fixed either. The average reached $4,271 in 2024, with many homeowners seeing increases of 16% or more. Even where tax rates stay flat, rising home values keep actual bills climbing—creating the irony that your home's appreciation increases your annual expenses.⁣
⁣
The reality: A homeowner can receive a letter from their mortgage servicer saying their payment is increasing $200-300 because insurance premiums rose and the property was reassessed—without moving, refinancing, or renovating. No action taken, yet annual housing costs just jumped $2,400+.⁣
⁣
💡 Takeaway: When budgeting for homeownership, expect these "fixed" costs to rise. True stability requires planning for volatility.⁣
⁣
Link in Bio⁣
⁣
Libby Guthrie, REALTOR® 🏡⁣
Cell: 865-364-0200⁣
Keller Williams 865-966-5005⁣
GGHKnoxville.com⁣
Libby@GuthrieGroupHomes.com⁣
⁣
⁣
#RealEstate #Homeownership #PropertyTaxes #HomeInsurance #RealEstateTips #HomeBuying  #HousingCosts #knoxvilletn
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Hours & Info – Guthrie Group Homes, Real Estate

Location
191 Sand Creek Rd #100,
Brentwood, CA 94513

Contact Us
info@guthriegrouphomes.com
Office: (925) 628-2436

Broker:
Keller Williams East County

Real Estate License
Lic #01117537

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Wednesday - 9AM–5PM
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