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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

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3 Home Buying Mistakes You Might Be Making

August 13, 2018 By Libby Guthrie Leave a Comment

3 Home Buying Mistakes You Might Be Making

After taking the time and effort to get your finances in order, it’s now time to go home shopping! These are some common home buying mistakes that we have seen people make. Here are three of the top mistakes you could be making, with some helpful advice on how to avoid them! Home Buying Mistakes: […]

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Explaining the Home Buying Timeline

August 8, 2018 By Libby Guthrie Leave a Comment

Are you wondering how long it takes to buy a house? In short: it varies. The home buying timeline varies on a few different factors but let’s take a look at the typical timeline. Home Buying Timeline Before you begin Time Estimate: Varies (months to years) We’ve talked a bit about this in other posts. […]

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3 Questions to Ask Before Starting the Home Buying Process

August 6, 2018 By Libby Guthrie Leave a Comment

Buying a home is one of the most important purchases you’ll ever make. We’re here to help you understand the home buying process so you know what to expect. Today, we’re talking about what you need to do before you even begin. What to Ask Yourself Before Starting the Home Buying Process What can I afford? […]

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Home Buyers Beware! The Walls May Be Listening

February 20, 2018 By Ken Guthrie Leave a Comment

Warning to Home Buyers and Real Estate Agents – Smart Devices May Be Listening   Be careful what you say when you’re viewing a home or on a real estate tour of homes. You might be being recorded. Yep, between smart homes, home security, Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant, you’re probably being eavesdropped on. Maybe […]

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23 Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Home

March 21, 2017 By Ken Guthrie 1 Comment

23 Insider Tips – How to Avoid Costly Mistakes When Buying a Home During our 23-years as real estate professionals, we at Guthrie Group Homes have observed many costly mistakes when buying a home that are commonly made by new home buyers. Here, we have compiled a list of 23 tips that will help you […]

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Home Buyers Guide – How to Avoid Costly Mistakes When Buying a Home

FREE Home Buyer’s Guide How to Avoid Costly Mistakes When Buying a Home Ready to discover our BEST tips on the worst mistakes to avoid when buying a home? “Home Buyer’s Guide – How to Avoid Costly Mistakes When Buying a Home” Simply enter your name and email address in the form below and get […]

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Real Estate Contingencies – How We Protect You!

June 27, 2014 By Ken Guthrie Leave a Comment

Contingencies in real estate can be confusing to people. The dictionary defines a contingency as “an event that may occur but that is not likely or intended; a possibility.” That’s what most people think when they hear the term. In real estate though, the term has a quite different meaning. In a real estate contract, […]

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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!

Loving Your Home vs. Outgrowing It: 5 Questions to Loving Your Home vs. Outgrowing It: 5 Questions to Ask Yourself
Sometimes the hardest part about homeownership isn't the mortgage—it's knowing when to stay and when to move on.
You might love your home, but that doesn't mean it still fits your life. Here are 5 honest questions to help you decide if it's time for a change:
1.  Do you have enough space for your current lifestyle? Whether it's a growing family, a home office, or just needing room to breathe—space matters.
2.  Are you staying for the right reasons or just avoiding change? Sometimes we hold on out of comfort, not because it's the best choice.
3.  Does your home support your 5-year goals? Think about where you want to be. Does this home help you get there?
4.  Are you compromising daily comfort? If you're constantly working around your home's limitations, that adds up over time.
5.  Would a move improve your quality of life? Be honest—what would change if you found a home that truly fits?
There's no wrong answer here. Some homes are worth staying in forever. Others are meant to be stepping stones.
Let us know in the comments—are you team 'love it' or 'list it'?
Libby Guthrie, REALTOR® 🏡
Cell: 865-364-0200
Keller Williams 865-966-5005
GGHKnoxville.com
Libby@GuthrieGroupHomes.com
#RealEstateAdvice #HomeownerTips #LoveItOrListIt #RealEstateTips #HomeBuying #HomeSelling #RealEstateAgent #Realtor #RealEstateLife #HomeownershipJourney #MovingTips #RealEstateEducation
Maintenance Cost Reality Check Here's a question Maintenance Cost Reality Check
Here's a question most buyers don't ask until it's too late: What happens when the HVAC fails during a heat wave or the roof needs replacing? 🔥
Home maintenance now averages around $8,800 annually, with first-year homeowners often facing even higher costs. But here's where buyers get caught off guard—major repairs aren't possibilities, they're certainties with varying timelines:
-  HVAC replacement: $5,000-$10,000
-  Roof replacement: $8,000-$15,000
-  Water heater: $1,200-$2,500
-  Foundation repairs: $4,000-$12,000
The traditional 1% rule is outdated. On a $350,000 home, that's only $3,500 annually—barely enough to cover one major system failure. Experts now recommend planning for 2-3% of your home's value annually.
Without liquid reserves, a single emergency can derail your finances entirely. That 15-year-old water heater or aging roof isn't a deal-breaker—it's a budget roadmap. Buyers who understand these timelines plan strategically instead of scrambling when systems fail.
💡 Create a dedicated House Repair Fund separate from emergency savings. Treat it like a non-negotiable monthly bill so your wealth-building asset doesn't become a source of financial strain.
Read the full article: https://gghknoxville.com/the-true-cost-of-homeownership-what-you-pay-beyond-the-mortgage/Libby Guthrie, REALTOR® 🏡
Cell: 865-364-0200
Keller Williams 865-966-5005
GGHKnoxville.com
Libby@GuthrieGroupHomes.com#RealEstate #HomeMaintenance #HomeRepairs #Homeownership #RealEstateTips #HomeownerTips #HVACRepair #RoofReplacement
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