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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 » Page 2

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

Riding the Storm Out: Understanding the Insurance Crisis in California

September 18, 2023 By Ken Guthrie Leave a Comment

Riding the Storm Out - California Insurance Crisis

Take a closer look at the storm that new homeowners in California and Florida are facing as insurance companies deny writing insurance policies. Understand the vulnerabilities caused by this crisis, learn about the reasons driving policy denials, and explore actionable steps to protect yourself in the face of this insurance crisis. Thousands of people in […]

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

How to Become a Homeowner on a First-Time Buyer’s Budget

May 11, 2023 By Libby Guthrie Leave a Comment

How to Become a Homeowner on a First-Time Buyer’s Budget

It’s not easy being a first-time homebuyer right now. At the end of last year, housing affordability hit an all-time low.1 Additionally, mortgage rates have risen significantly since 2021, while inventory remains tight for many property categories, but especially for starter homes. Even lower-priced condos are harder to snag these days, as investors and downsizers […]

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

5 Questions to Ask Before Purchasing Your First Home

October 17, 2022 By Libby Guthrie Leave a Comment

5 Questions to Answer Before Purchasing Your First Home

Buy Now or Rent Longer? Should you buy a home now, or should you continue to rent an apartment or house? Let’s go over some considerations before you decide. Deciding whether to jump into the housing market or rent instead is rarely an easy decision – especially if you’re a first-time homebuyer. But in today’s […]

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

New Build or Existing Home: Which One Is Right for You?

November 15, 2021 By Libby Guthrie Leave a Comment

New Build or Existing Home - Which One Is Right for You

Thinking about buying a new home? You have a choice between a resale home or a new home from a home builder. Homebuyers today are facing a huge dilemma. There simply aren’t enough resale homes for sale.1 Nationwide, there were 1.27 million active listings in September 2021, down 13% from the previous year. According to […]

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

A Competitive Credit Score Saves Big When Actually Buying a Home

October 19, 2021 By Ken Guthrie Leave a Comment

Your Credit Score is incredibly important when you plan to buy a house or refinance a home mortgage. Yet this is one of the most overlooked parts of a home buying plan. The challenge is to start well ahead of the actual purchase of a home so you can position yourself in the best possible […]

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

Where is the Real Estate Market Really Headed? 5 Factors That Reveal All

August 17, 2021 By Libby Guthrie Leave a Comment

Where is the Real Estate Market Really Headed

It’s the old supply-and-demand predicament: Home sales in the U.S. continue at a torrid pace, but the availability of listings remains limited. Buoyed by historically low mortgage rates, buyers keep shopping for homes, reducing the available inventory and sparking a rise in home prices across the country. News website The Atlantic summarized the sizzling home […]

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Filed Under: Real Estate Tagged With: California Real Estate, First-Time Home Buyers, Home Seller Tips, Real Estate Market

Lowest Mortgage Rates in History: What It Means for Homeowners and Buyers

August 18, 2020 By Libby Guthrie Leave a Comment

Lowest Mortgage Rates in History

In July, the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell below 3% for the first time in history.1 And while many Americans have rushed to take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity, others question the hype. Are today’s rates truly a bargain? While average mortgage rates have drifted between 4% and 5% in recent years, they haven’t always […]

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Filed Under: Financing Tagged With: First-Time Home Buyers, Home Buyer Tips, Mortgage, Real Estate Market

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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!

🏡 New Year Resolution: The '1% Rule' for Homeowner 🏡 New Year Resolution: The '1% Rule' for Homeowners⁣
⁣
As we kick off the new year, here's a smart financial resolution that can save you stress and money down the road: the 1% Rule.⁣
⁣
What is it? Financial experts recommend setting aside 1-3% of your home's value each year for maintenance and repairs. This proactive approach helps you avoid being caught off guard by unexpected expenses like a failing HVAC system, roof repairs, or appliance replacements.⁣
⁣
Here's how to make it work:⁣
• For a $300,000 home, that's $3,000–$9,000 per year⁣
• Break it into monthly savings: $250–$750/month⁣
• Keep it in a separate savings account labeled "Home Maintenance Fund"⁣
• Use it only for home-related repairs and upkeep⁣
⁣
Newer homes might lean toward the 1% end, while older homes often need closer to 3%. Either way, you'll have peace of mind knowing you're prepared when something needs attention.⁣
⁣
This simple habit can protect your investment and keep your home in great shape for years to come.⁣
⁣
Let us know in the comments⁣
⁣
#realestate #homeowner #homeownertips #homemaintenance #newyearresolution #homeownership #realestatetips #homecare #financialtips #homeinvestment #realestateadvice #propertycare⁣
⁣
Libby Guthrie, REALTOR® 🏡⁣
Cell: 865-364-0200⁣
Keller Williams 865-966-5005⁣
GGHKnoxville.com⁣
Libby@GuthrieGroupHomes.com
What Do 2026 Housing Forecasts Actually Mean for B What Do 2026 Housing Forecasts Actually Mean for Buyers?
If you've been waiting on the sidelines, here's what you need to know about 2026:
The Good News:
✅ Mortgage rates settling in 6.0–6.4% range (improvement from 2025)
✅ More inventory = more choices and negotiating power
✅ Less competition—bidding wars are becoming rare
✅ Sellers are more open to contingencies and concessions
The Reality Check:
⚠️ Rates won't return to pandemic lows (3% is unrealistic)
⚠️ Prices still expected to rise 0.5–4% (waiting won't mean lower prices)
⚠️ First-time buyers still face steep challenges (median age now 40)
Bottom line: The market is normalizing, not crashing. If you've been holding out for perfect conditions, you might be waiting forever. Instead, focus on what you can control—strengthening credit, building savings, and getting pre-approved.
The question isn't whether the market is perfect. It's whether your personal situation is ready.
Want to discuss what 2026 could look like for your specific goals? Let's talk strategy.
Read the full article: https://gghknoxville.com/2026-us-housing-market-forecast/ Link in bio
Libby Guthrie, REALTOR® 🏡
Cell: 865-364-0200
Keller Williams 865-966-5005
GGHKnoxville.com
Libby@GuthrieGroupHomes.com
#HomeBuying #RealEstate2026 #FirstTimeHomeBuyer #HousingMarket #MortgageRates #BuyerTips #RealEstateAdvice #HousingForecast #HomeBuyers
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