I think those were the wisest words to a buyer I have ever heard and they were actually spoken by my girlfriend to her buyer clients last year.  I am sorry if I step on some toes here but Roanoke Virginia buyers need to realize that INVESTORS make low ball offers because they DO NOT HAVE TO LIVE THERE!  If you are buying a home in Roanoke VA or the surrounding Counties to live in with your family, "Find a house you like, and pay for it like you like it!" I really don't get a lot of what is going on in the market right now.  I am seeing more and more buyers who have the ability to buy the home of their dreams for themselves and their families, make STUPID low ball offers....and lose the house for their families.  I have seen people make offers on houses before they get foreclosed on that... 04/20/2010

Home Welcome to the Blue Ridge Marathon In celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the inaugural Blue Ridge Marathon will be run on April 24, 2010. The building of the Blue Ridge Parkway was an amazing feat as anyone who completes this marathon will see. Local runners have crafted one of the most challenging and beautiful marathons on the east coast. The full marathon course includes 3,076 feet of total elevation gain and 6,140 feet of total elevation change. The uphill portions will test each runner's strength and endurance while the equally challenging downhill sections are sure to weed out those who are unprepared. The breathtaking views and stunning Blue Ridge Mountain scenery are sure offer some reprieve to runners as they persevere to the finish line! Not o... 04/18/2010

Top 7 reasons to own your home in Roanoke, Virginia.       Homeownership gives many advantages for people living in Roanoke, Va. Below are benefits to take into consideration when thinking of purchasing a home. 1. Tax breaks. The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, your property taxes, as well as some of the costs involved in buying your home.  2. Appreciation. Real estate has long-term, stable growth in value. While year-to-year fluctuations are normal, median existing-home sale prices have increased on average 6.5 percent each year from 1972 through 2005, and increased 88.5 percent over the last 10 years, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. In addition, the number of U.S. households is expected to rise 15 percent over the next decade, c... 04/18/2010

Below are the sales stats for the Roanoke VA area real estate market for March 2010.  Notice all the homes that went under contract, This many will likely go under contract this month too.  This may be the best time to list your home with the Roanoke Home Team. Home Sales Summary Home Sales for March, 2010Active Listing Inventory: 3,794Number of Homes Sold: 287Number of Homes Placed Under Contract: 411Median Price of Listings Sold: $153,950Average Price of Listings Sold: $180,593 04/14/2010

       Real Estate Market Summary for Roanoke, Va. 24017 zip code. The following charts show how the market has trended from April of 2009 through March of 2010.       If you would be interested in having a market analysis of your home please feel free to call. 04/11/2010

Thinking of moving up to a new home in Roanoke, Va.?             Are you thinking of moving up to a new home in Roanoke, Va.? These questions will help you decide whether you're ready for a home that's larger or in a more desirable location. If you answer yes to most of the questions, it's a sign that you may be ready to move.   1. Have you built substantial equity in your current home? Look at your annual mortgage statement or call your lender to find out. Usually, you don't build up much equity in the first few years of your mortgage, as monthly payments are mostly interest, but if you've owned your home for five or more years, you may have significant, unrealized gains.   2. Has your income or financial situation improved? If you're making more money, you may be able to afford higher... 04/11/2010

Great meal tonight at Awful Arthur's at Towers Mall in Roanoke VA!  I don't know how many times a week I eat at Awful Arthurs at Towers Mall, maybe 7-10?  I guess them being my neighbor might have as much to do with it as the great food.  My brother and I stopped in for lunch today and had a long talk with new owner Barry Caldwell (past manager of Awful Arthurs for 8-10 years).  Barry took over the ownership reins sometime around January 1 of this year.  During the conversation it came up that most people think that Awful Arthurs is only a seafood restaurant and I though I would write a short blog and let everyone know that this is just not the case! Today for lunch I had a Chicken BBQ Pizza!  Tonight for dinner I had a Steak with a Crab Bernaise Sauce over it...oh...with the absolute B... 04/09/2010

HAFA Short Sale Program will not be the saving grace for Roanoke VA Foreclosure prospects after all.  Unfortunately it appears that HAFA is another government smoke and mirror, band aid approach, that will not help 90% of the Roanoke Virginia Pre Foreclosure Home Owners.  It is not the end of the world but it is a sign that Congress has no clue how to get us out of this mess. It is imperative for anyone who has missed a mortgage payment or knows that they will be missing their next mortgage payment get in contact with someone asap!  Don't wait till the foreclosure process begins to start working on a short sale.  It is almost as important that you READ the mail from your bank.  I understand how heart breaking it is to face losing your home....but lose it on your terms, not the banks.  T... 04/09/2010

Roanoke Va Home Buyers on the Move!  I think that this week has been the busiest week in Roanoke Real Estate for the past couple of years.  Houses are being listed and sold at a rapid pace.  Many buyers are trying to sneak in the last month of the $8,000 tax credit but it seems that most buyers are just regular spring season buyers.  There are a lot of good deals out there right now.  Foreclosures and Short sales make up a significant part or our market but they are definitely not the majority of our inventory.  If you are thinking of buying or selling, be sure and let us know....we are here to help!Damon 04/09/2010

It's amazing how bombarded we have become over the last few months with prospective home buyers wanting to contact us in regards to purchasing homes in the Roanoke area. We all know that the Home Buyers Credit is due to expire very soon, and due to this a lot of people are scrambling to get in contact with an aggressive buyers agent. A good amount of these people need assistance now, to be able to buy their homes as soon as possible. These people truly need an agent whom has the time and experience to respond to these inquiries. We have learned that persistence has proven to pay dividends with these inquiring families and individuals. If you are serious about having the ability to increase the amount of prospective home buyers you contact each month, we would love the chance to talk to ... 04/08/2010

Raleigh Court Roanoke VA homes for sale and things to do!  I know many of you must be wondering by know what my fascination is with Raleigh Court and why I have been writing about it so much.  You see, when I first opened my RE/MAX office, I opened my office on Brandon Ave on the west side of Raleigh Court.  I had listed and sold homes in the area before but I had never really spent a whole lot of time there.   Upon opening the office on Brandon I started spending more time in and around Raleigh Court and Grandin Village.  I was amazed at the sense of community there.  The residents of Raleigh Court have family yard sales, block parties, everyone on the street knows everyone else.  There is always something little to do in Grandin Village and unless you are disabled it isn't that far of... 04/06/2010

Roanoke VA 1st time home buyer tax credit update!  It seems that more and more buyers are realizing that there will be NO extension of the 1st time home buyer tax credit this go around.  The Roanoke VA real estate market is really moving all of a sudden.  A lot of the inventory between $130 and 190K is starting to dry up.  If you or someone you know is thinking of buying a home and DO WANT to take advantage of the tax credit, I would highly advise they get qualified by a lender quickly (call Joel Balsley at 540-27-1430, he is with Atlantic Bay Mortgage) and start looking at houses as soon as possible. Good luck and happy house hunting! Damon 04/06/2010

Sad day with a Roanoke VA Pre Foreclosure Resident.  I had a very disturbing counseling with a pre foreclosure client today.  "Bob" had lost his job a year ago.  It took "Bob" six months to get another job, in that time frame he became several months behind in his payments.  Upon getting another job he worked on a loan modification and was approved.  He made his first payment on schedule and before he could make his second payment, GMAC notified him that his loan had been sold to a REO company.  The first contact  he had with the REO Company was when a local REALTOR knocked on his door in January during dinner time.  The REALTOR asked my client's son if his dad was home.  When 'Bob" came to the door the REALTOR told him (in front of his son) that his house was going to foreclosure and t... 04/05/2010

Real Estate is heating up in Roanoke VA this month!  Over the past month we have had 377 properties go under contract!  This is considerable when you consider that in the thirty day period preceding this only 117 properties when under contract!  It looks like a lot of it has to do with the pending expiration of the $8,000 tax credit.  If you are thinking about buying, now is the time to start looking.  You must have a house under contract by April 30, 2010 and close by June 30, 2010.  There are a few other restrictions...call today for information. 04/05/2010

REALTOR Designations, what are they and what do they mean?  Many home buyers and sellers will notice that some REALTORS have designations and most do not. REALTORS who have made the commitment to their trade take the time to be educated in their profession and this takes time, money and dedication.  The different designations mean different things obviously but in the current market the CDPE and SFR are important designations to look for.  These tell a prospective short sale home owner that this agent has taken the time to try to learn the short sale process.  ABR and ABRM will show that agent is trained to work with buyers.  ePRO is a designation that basically says the agent has the ability to check email (horrible course that teaches nothing).  AHWD shows that the agent has taken a c... 04/05/2010

Raleigh Court Roanoke VA Homes for Sale and things to do.  Raleigh Court VA has been one of Roanoke's two most desirable neighborhoods for the past few decades.  Even for those who are not yet able to become a home owner, Raleigh Court is a place many want to call home.  Rentals in Raleigh Court are not only highly desirable but readily found.  Most rentals in Raleigh Court, Roanoke VA are old single family homes that have been modified into duplex or triplex homes.  These homes are not only highly desirable but they are also in keeping with the aesthetics of the community.  Whether buying or selling, call today for more information on Raleigh Court Roanoke VA or any other Roanoke Community. 04/05/2010

      Time is running out for buyers and sellers in Roanoke, VA. If you are a first time buyer or a repeat buyer who meets the criteria to receive a tax credit you have only 26 days left to take advantage of this historic benefit.      Buying a home is a big step. Fortunately,trained professionals like your Realtor® are willing and able to help you through the process. In addition to the many benefits of homeownership, the homebuyer tax credit and more affordable prices make now an especially opportune time to purchase.Still, the commitment is a substantial one, and I encourage you to ask questions and be informed about the decision you are making so that the home you buy is a home you can enjoy for years to come.     04/04/2010

There will be more help for Roanoke VA Homeowners who are facing foreclosure or short sales.  There are many of you who have questions and don't know where to go for answers.  I highly encourage any of you who are facing an upcoming foreclosure to call now so that you don't have to uproot your family in the middle of the night.  Please don't!  We are here to help.  Now that it April is here I am proud to announce a partnership that is forming.  We have met with and partnered with a CPA, a Real Estate Attorney and Lenders to help you with any of your questions.  Don't face foreclosure alone....don't face foreclosure at all.  I don't want to see another Roanoke VA homeowner lose their home.  Please, lets work this out so you can exit your home on your terms, not the banks.  04/02/2010

Raleigh Court Roanoke VA homes for sale and things to do.  Spring and fall are my favorite times in Raleigh Court!  Since it is spring....There are many neighborhoods in Roanoke.  In Roanoke County most communities in the $150,000 to $250,00 range feature ranches, split foyers, lower entries and contemporaries.  In Raleigh Court not only do we have incredible architecture but we also have mature tree lined streets.  The trees are budding and flowering, the grass is green, the streets are alive with children playing in the yards and on the sidewalks, people are walking their dogs. The only thing better than spring in Raleigh Court might be Fall! 04/02/2010

Guaranteed Way to Not Sell Your Roanoke VA Listing! If a seller in Roanoke VA wants a guaranteed way to not sell their house here it is- Make it difficult for a buyer to view your house.  There it is!  The single best way to not sell your house is to prevent an agent and the buyer from viewing your house.  I don't know what is difficult about the concept of, "if your house is on the market...people will be calling to view your house".  If you don't want people to view your house....take it off the market.  Make arrangements for you dogs, cats, home based business, kids, etc..... You need to think these things through, even if it is a huge inconvienience to you.  You need to let people view the house. We have five times (yes that is 5X) the normal inventory of houses on the market.  If y... 04/01/2010