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Articles about Home Buying Tips

Home Buying Tips
Home Buying Tips

Below you will find all of our articles with Home Buying Tips.

Feel free to browse through our posts, or give us a call if you have specific questions.

Call Libby at (925) 628-2436

You may also like Articles for Home Buyers

Tips for Buying a Home Even When Your Credit Profile Isn’t Ideal

March 23, 2021 By Guest Leave a Comment

Tips for Buying a Home Even When Your Credit Profile Isn’t Ideal

Guest Post by Bob Shannon Photo from Pixabay When making large purchases that require a loan, building a good credit score is critical. Despite your best efforts, you may find that your credit profile isn’t ideal when it comes time to purchase a house. Many people find themselves in this situation, but there are things […]

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Filed Under: Financing Tagged With: Credit, Credit Score, Home Buyer Tips, Home Buying Tips

Should You Move Up or Buy a Second Home?

September 15, 2020 By Libby Guthrie Leave a Comment

Should You Move Up or Buy a Second Home?

Which Move Is Right For You? The pandemic has changed the way many of us live, work, and attend school—and those changes have impacted our priorities when it comes to choosing a home. According to a recent survey by The Harris Poll, 75% of respondents who have begun working remotely would like to continue doing […]

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Filed Under: Homeowners Tagged With: Home Buyer Tips, Home Buying Tips, Homeowner Tips

Top 10 Myths that Trip up First-Time Home Buyers

Thank you for requesting your free report “Top 10 Myths that Trip up First-Time Home Buyers“. (Click or tap on the link or image to open in your browser, or right-click and “Save link as…” to save to your desktop.               Follow Us on Facebook | Follow Us on […]

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How to Avoid the Top 8 Home Inspection Mistakes

October 15, 2019 By Libby Guthrie Leave a Comment

It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of buying a home. Once you’ve had an offer accepted on your dream house, you’ll probably be anxious to move in. However, before you make a significant financial commitment, it’s best to know exactly what you’re buying. When you hire a home inspector, you get a […]

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

What a Half Million Dollar House in Hayward CA Looks Like 🤯

August 21, 2018 By Libby Guthrie Leave a Comment

What kind of house will $500,000 buy in Hayward, CA compared to Brentwood, CA? Welcome to our second article comparing housing prices in the San Francisco Bay Area to East Contra Costa County. And just FYI, even though we are on the edge of what you might think is the Bay Area, we still consider […]

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Filed Under: Real Estate Tagged With: Brentwood CA, Hayward CA, Home Buying Tips

Frequently Asked Questions of Home Buyers

Frequently Asked Questions of Home Buyers What is the Difference Between Getting Pre-Qualified and Getting Pre-Approved for a Mortgage Loan? Mortgage Loans: Pre-Qualified vs Pre-Approved One of the first steps in purchasing a home is getting either pre-approved or pre-qualified for a mortgage. Unless of course, you’re buying with all cash. 😉 It’s very easy […]

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Do’s and Don’ts of Home Viewing

August 15, 2018 By Libby Guthrie Leave a Comment

Going to view homes for sale is the part most house hunters look forward to. We’ve compiled a few do’s and don’ts about home viewing. DO ask questions! Here is our most important piece of advice for when you’re home viewing with your agent: If you have questions, be sure to ask your agent! Your […]

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

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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!

Your mortgage payment is only part of the story. 🏡 Your mortgage payment is only part of the story. 🏡⁣
⁣
Most homebuyers focus exclusively on their monthly mortgage payment when calculating affordability. But here's the reality: that payment typically represents only 70-80% of what homeownership actually costs each month.⁣
⁣
The average cost of owning and maintaining a single-family home in the U.S., excluding the mortgage, is estimated at around $21,400 in 2025—roughly $1,800 per month. When you factor in these costs, a $2,500 monthly mortgage can grow to over $4,000 in total housing costs.⁣
⁣
💡 Key takeaways:⁣
⁣
-	Nearly 45% of homeowners report post-purchase regrets, most commonly due to higher-than-expected maintenance and hidden costs⁣
-	Insurance and property taxes continue rising annually—sometimes jumping $200-300/month in a single year⁣
-	Home maintenance now averages around $8,800 annually, with first-year owners often facing higher costs⁣
-	The solution? Budget for mortgage PLUS approximately $1,800 monthly in carrying costs⁣
⁣
True affordability isn't what a lender approves—it's what lets you sleep well at night when the water heater fails or insurance premiums spike.⁣
⁣
Link in bio⁣
⁣
Libby Guthrie, REALTOR® 🏡⁣
Cell: 865-364-0200⁣
Keller Williams 865-966-5005⁣
GGHKnoxville.com⁣
Libby@GuthrieGroupHomes.com⁣
⁣
⁣
#RealEstate #Homeownership #HomeBuying #FirstTimeHomeBuyer #RealEstateTips #HomeownershipCosts #RealEstateAdvice #HousingMarket
New Year, New Home Goals: 3 Housing Resolutions Th New Year, New Home Goals: 3 Housing Resolutions That Actually WorkNew year, new home goals! 🏡
If homeownership is on your radar for 2026, skip the vague resolutions and focus on these three actionable steps that actually move the needle:
1. Improve Your Credit Score
Even a small boost can save you thousands over the life of your loan. Pay down credit card balances, dispute errors on your report, and avoid opening new accounts. Recent data shows that buyers with scores above 740 secure the best rates.
2. Get Pre-Approved Early
Pre-approval isn't just a formality—it's your competitive edge. Sellers take serious buyers seriously, and knowing your budget helps you move quickly when the right home appears. Many buyers are getting pre-approved months before they start touring homes.
3. Track Listings Weekly
The market moves fast. Set up alerts and consistently check new listings to understand pricing trends in your target neighborhoods. Knowledge is power when it comes to making confident offers.
These aren't just resolutions—they're your roadmap to homeownership this year.
Let us know in the comments which resolution you're committing to first!
#realestate #homebuying #newyearnewhome #homebuyingtips #firsttimehomebuyer #realestatetips #realestateagent #homeownership #2024goals #buyersagent #realestategoals #househunting #creditscore #preapproval #newyearnewgoals
Libby Guthrie, REALTOR® 🏡
Cell: 865-364-0200
Keller Williams 865-966-5005
GGHKnoxville.com
Libby@GuthrieGroupHomes.com
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