Information for Buyers

Congratulations! What a fantastic decision to buy a new home and Virginia Halter is the real estate agent to keep you informed of your options. Do you want a beautiful home in an established neighborhood? Are you looking to build your dream home? Are you an investor looking for a great deal? I can put you on my VIP list to make you aware of the listings you are interested in just as they are put on the market.

Of course my mother always told me, "Even good stress is stress." And she is right. THAT is why you want to hire a real estate agent that keeps your best interest at heart. Following are just a few things to consider when purchasing your new home:

Buying vs. Renting

The advantages of buying a home when compared to renting a home are many:

Owning a house compared to renting offers you some financial advantages like tax savings and appreciation and provides a place you can truly call home. When you own a home you maintain the property and as the owner you are free to do with it as you please!

In most cases, the money a renter spends on rent can be about the same or less than the amount a homeowner spends on a mortgage. However when you consider the tax deductions and the many benefits you get when owning your own home, the real savings often are considerable.

A monthly mortgage payment in many cases is fixed for the life of the loan, while your monthly rent may increase at your landlords will or at minimum along with inflation.

New home buyers should also consider appreciation (the dollar value increase in your home value over time). Over the life of your home ownership your new home may appreciate tens of thousands of dollars which will be yours when you eventually sell!

Landlords take part of your monthly rent payment to pay their mortgage along with all of the other expenses they incur in maintaining your rental. Don't forget they rent in order to make a profit including eventual property appreciation they will gain when the resell the home or apartment.

If you purchase a home you pay the expenses incurred to maintain your home. You also gain in tax savings and property appreciation.

To rent or to buy a home is a difficult question. If you.re ready to own your home the benefits will be rewarding.

The Internal Revenue Service allows home owners to deduct mortgage interest, property taxes and some of the other expenses incurred in owning your home when filling their annual tax returns. Home owners also have a tax benefit when they sell their homes: the current tax law, allows, in certain cases the exclusion from taxable income of up to $250,000/person in capital gain realized from the sale or exchange of property used as a primary residence.

With the tame climate in this area, you definitely will want to surround your home with greenery and whatever satisfies your personal taste, as most do. Not to mention, with all of the opportunities and excitement our area has to offer (as described in the Community Info page), this is surely a place you won't want to be leaving anytime soon.

Relocating to the Charlotte Area?

Relocating can be a stressful time in anyone's life. This can be made easier when you have an agent in your new city that knows the area you want to move to. Virginia Halter knows the Charlotte-metro region inside and out. As a native North Carolinian, I have lived in the Charlotte area for the last thirty six years. I have a thorough working knowledge of the real estate I sell. If you are considering a move to North Carolina, call or email me, and I will be happy to send a relocation package full of useful information at no charge to you. My website has some good Charlotte area community information for you. If you have special needs or concerns let me know and I can find out what our region has to offer to address your specific needs. If you are interested in the new construction options in and around the Charlotte area, please read on!


New Construction

Thinking of building a new home In Charlotte? Cabarrus County? Union County? Iredell County?

What can a real estate agent offer you when building a new home? When you hire Virginia Halter to represent you as your real estate agent you get full representation. I will assist in your transaction from finding the right location through negotiations to the closing. Remember, the builders have people representing them and you should too.

I will assist in:

  1. Find the right neighborhood for your new real estate construction.
  2. Help select the house plan that works for your families needs.
  3. Advise you on kitchen and bathroom designs that will fit your lifestyle.
  4. Help select a quality builder for your home.
  5. Attend builder meetings during construction with you or in your stead.
  6. Assist you with home inspections.
  7. Assist with the financing of your new home!

Buyer Agency Agreement
The Agency Agreement Protects Your Rights Under The Law When Purchasing a Home!

A buyer agent works solely on behalf of the buyer and owes duties to the buyer which includes the utmost good faith, loyalty and fidelity. The agent will negotiate on behalf of and act as an advocate for the buyer. A separate written Buyer Agency Agreement is required which sets forth the duties and obligations of the parties. *And remember, the seller compensates both agents through the sale of the home. As a buyer, you pay nothing for my services.

Using an Agent to Purchase a New Home
Why should I use an agent to purchase a new home?

The advantages of having Virginia Halter help you purchase a new home are the same as those for purchasing a resale home. I can provide you with valuable insight into the market. I will help you find the perfect home quickly, and I provide you with expertise in contract writing, negotiation, and closing assistance.

The builder has a professional real estate representative watching out for their interests and you need and deserve the same expert representation watching out for your interests. Buying a new home is a little more difficult and time- consuming than buying a resale. I can professionally guide you through this process. I have a database of information about subdivisions, floor plans, etc. I am also very familiar with new home warranties and builder's purchase contracts.

It is very important that your interests be professionally represented when you are entering into a contract for a semi-custom or a build-to-suit home. These transactions are complex and the contract details must be exactly in order to protect you and to ensure you get exactly the home you want!

Is there any advantage to not using an Agent to purchase a new home?

No. There is no financial advantage for you to buy directly from the builder. Builders have a "single-price" policy, meaning you will be charged the same price whether your interests are represented by an Agent or not. Just as in any resale, the Seller pays your Agent's fee. Please indicate your affiliation with Virginia Halter when you stop by any new home communities.



Why not let Virginia Halter serve your real estate needs?