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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 » First-Time Home Buyers

Real Estate Advice for First-Time Homebuyers

A First-Time Homebuyer is by definition someone or several people who purchase a home for the first time.

These articles can help guide you through the process and provide crucial information to those who are inexperienced in the home buying experience.

Be sure to read our featured article First-Time Home Buyer Tips

Buying a Home With Family: How Multigenerational Living Works (and What to Get Right)

April 13, 2026 By Libby Guthrie Leave a Comment

Is Buying a Home Together Right for Your Family

For a long time, multigenerational living had a reputation problem. It was the option families turned to when something had gone wrong — a job loss, a divorce, a health crisis. Moving back in with your parents, or having your parents move in with you, meant something hadn’t worked out. That story has changed pretty […]

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

The True Cost of Homeownership: What You Pay Beyond the Mortgage

February 9, 2026 By Libby Guthrie Leave a Comment

The True Cost of Homeownership - What You Pay Beyond the Mortgage

When most homebuyers calculate whether they can afford a new home, they focus almost exclusively on one number: the monthly mortgage payment. It’s the figure lenders qualify them for, the number discussed during showings, and the benchmark used to determine budgets. The average annual cost of owning and maintaining a single-family home in the U.S., […]

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

Planning Your 2026 Real Estate Moves: A Guide to the Best Buying and Selling Seasons

December 8, 2025 By Libby Guthrie Leave a Comment

Planning Your 2026 Real Estate Moves

Timing isn’t everything in real estate, but it can mean the difference between saving $20,000 or paying a premium, selling in 30 days or waiting three months, and negotiating from a position of strength or uncertainty. As we look toward 2026, understanding seasonal patterns has become more critical than ever. With inventory levels normalizing and […]

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Filed Under: Real Estate Tagged With: First-Time Home Buyers, Home Buying Tips, Home Seller Tips, Homeowner Tips

How to Spot Real Estate Scams (and Protect Your Investment)

October 13, 2025 By Libby Guthrie Leave a Comment

How to Spot Real Estate Scams

Real estate scams are targeting more victims than ever before, and they’re becoming increasingly sophisticated. Nearly 10,000 Americans fell victim to real estate fraud in 2024, losing over $173 million according to FBI reports.1 Even more concerning, about one in four home buyers or sellers encounter suspicious activity during the closing process, and one in […]

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Filed Under: Real Estate Tagged With: First-Time Home Buyers, Home Buyer Tips, Home Seller Tips, Homeowner Tips

5 Roadblocks to Affordable Homeownership (and Ways to Move Past Them)

April 7, 2025 By Libby Guthrie Leave a Comment

5 Roadblocks to Affordable Homeownership

Dreaming of a new home but feeling priced out? You’re not alone! According to a recent survey by Bankrate, 78% of aspiring homebuyers cite affordability issues as their primary deterrent.1 According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, home prices have risen around 32% since the pandemic, and elevated mortgage rates have caused monthly payments […]

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

The 2025 Real Estate Report

January 13, 2025 By Libby Guthrie Leave a Comment

Home Values are going up in 2025

Experts Predict Home Values to Increase 1.5% to 3.6% in 2025. Top housing experts and economists give a glimpse of what mortgage rates, home values and the national real estate market will do in 2025. Key Takeaways Mortgages are forecasted to remain higher for longer; but there are things you can do to lower your […]

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Filed Under: Real Estate Tagged With: Credit Score, First-Time Home Buyers, Home Buying Tips, Home Sale Prices, Home Seller Tips, Market Report, Real Estate Market

Top 4 Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Mortgage

August 12, 2024 By Libby Guthrie Leave a Comment

Top 4 Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Mortgage

With home prices and rates still relatively high, securing a mortgage can feel daunting––even to the most experienced borrowers. But don’t let that deter you: If other homebuyers’ experiences are any indication, odds are you’ll eventually find a home loan that works well for you. In fact, most U.S. homeowners say they’re satisfied with the […]

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Filed Under: Financing Tagged With: Credit, Credit Score, First-Time Home Buyers, Mortgage

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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!

𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 = 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐬?Spring is offic 𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 = 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐬?Spring is officially here, and if you're thinking about listing your home this April, now's the time to prepare for peak buyer activity.
Here's the truth: buyers are out in full force during spring, but they're also comparing more homes. The difference between a good offer and a great one often comes down to how your home presents.
Three simple steps can make a big impact:
1. Declutter ruthlessly – Remove personal items, excess furniture, and anything that makes spaces feel smaller. Buyers need to envision their life in your home, not yours.2. Deep clean everything – Don't just tidy up. Clean baseboards, windows, grout, and carpets. A sparkling home signals that it's been well-maintained.3. Add light staging touches – Fresh flowers, neutral throw pillows, and good lighting can transform a room without a big investment.
These aren't just cosmetic changes. They help buyers emotionally connect with your space, which directly impacts offer strength.
Spring sellers who take these steps seriously tend to see faster sales and higher offers. It's not about perfection—it's about presentation.
Call/text/email us if you have questions
Libby Guthrie, REALTOR® 🏡
Cell: 865-364-0200
Keller Williams 865-966-5005
GGHKnoxville.com
Libby@GuthrieGroupHomes.com
Knoxville, Tennesseehttps://gghknoxville.com/contact-guthrie-group-homes-knoxville/
#realestate #realestateagent #homeselling #sellingtips #springrealestate
Most don't realize what's negotiable when you buy Most don't realize what's negotiable when you buy a home in⁣
Knoxville Tennessee 👀⁣
⁣
Everyone focuses on the purchase price - and yes, that⁣
matters. ⁣
⁣
But a good agent is thinking about your monthly payment,⁣
what you're bringing to closing, what happens after the inspection report comes⁣
back, and whether the timeline actually lines up with your life.⁣
⁣
I've had clients walk away from the table with mortgage⁣
lender incentives/credits, Sellers paying for buyers closing costs, repair⁣
credits, and a move-in date that worked around their lease. ⁣
⁣
If you're buying a home in Knoxville let's talk. There's⁣
usually more room on the table than meets the eye.⁣
⁣
If we haven't met, I'm Libby Guthrie local real estate⁣
advisor in Knoxville.
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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

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Keller Williams East County

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