Carlos Cardo RE/MAX REALTOR

07/02/2025

Summertime Vacations and Moving Season!
New Virginia Laws That Affect Buyers and Sellers!
(I don't make them laws, I just follow them... )
Sometimes laws are passed to protect individuals, but at first glance, they can feel like roadblocks.
For instance—did you know that agents cannot legally say whether a neighborhood is “safe” or not? That’s because it could violate Fair Housing Laws. Still, I hear the question all the time:
“Is this a safe area?”
Now let’s talk about what’s new in Virginia real estate especially for buyers:
-Agents working with a buyer must enter into a written agreement before the buyer tours ANY home
-Clearly state the compensation amount, rate, or how it’s determined, must be specific and not open-ended.
-Agents can't receive more than the agreed amount from any source.
-A clear note that fees are negotiable and not set by law.
Another big question I get a lot is "I just want to see a house" or "I only need a list of homes with certain criteria":
-An Agent is deemed to be “working with” a prospective buyer WHEN providing brokerage services, such as identifying potential properties, arranging to tour a property, or performing or facilitating negotiations on behalf of the prospective buyer.
There are other laws; however, this I think has the biggest initial impact on Home buyers!
As customers get upset I have to remind them...
I don't make them laws, I just follow them...
(Due to the latest Settlement with the National Law Suits, most states have enacted similar laws)

08/29/2024

What if you could buy a home today with a 2.25% interest rate?Better yet, what if I can help a veteran use $200k to save over $500k and move into a really nice home at the same time! Not a bad deal!
If you know someone that saved some money or is getting equity for a home sold and wants to move up, then perhaps I can help.
https://cardohomes.com/properties/listing/REIN/10548694/Chesapeake/144-Wisdom-PATH
I am helping a vet buy and close on a home today with a 2.75% fixed interest rate. You could be next!

05/28/2024

In this economy it is important to spend your money wisely. Having said that:
Advertising... Here's what I've learned. The worse the product or service is, the more expensive and intense the advertising is. This is for all products and services. To get the word out is one thing, to utilize special effects, scifi-like effects, for a beer, a mattress, a person, a supplement is a method to manipulate you into a purchase of a product, service, brand, etc. and sometimes cannot be undone. "A child eats ice-cream and says mmm", that is all the advertising you need, everybody buys! No special effects, nothing!

Advertising relies on your FEELINGS like hopes, fears, love, anger to move you towards a sale. When you are buying a car, or mattress, or home, are you buying based on actual knowledge of the product or service? Take a second to look at actual stats. When the car salesman says "most reliable", ask what is it based on & who did that research (the same company)? Is he truly just a salesman with a nice smile or really knowledgeable? Ask many questions. Instant real answers will tell you if he is knowledgeable. Hemming and Hawing, and other non-intelligent sounds like ahhhh, hmmm, or eyes up and to the right change of pitch of voice, change of rate of speech, body movements suddenly changes, looking around, pressure sales are all bad signs. YOU can always settle for the friend with a smile.

Audiophile lovers, look for frequency, noise ratio, balance, realistic sounds, other statistics, that they have researched on their own from various sources especially the sources with opposing views, finally their own ears, then they buy.

If your love for the brand, or your fear for the brand causes you to purchase/support or not purchase/support, that's fine. I just ask you to accept your reasoning. If you see lightning bolts, superhero like characters, heavy hitters in hollywood being used for their special affects, then ask yourself, what did all that have to do with a car, tv or lawncare, or a supplement (product/service).

One last note, it is human nature not to admit to being used, manipulate, taken advantaged of, or making a terrible purchase. That's why many reviews contain not true or easily identifiable person.

I once ate at a taco place that was known as a great place, my whole family got food poisoning. Then I found out it was a different restaurant with one different letter in the name.....

Estate agents have a subtle way of pressuring you into buying or renting a home. Here's one of the more obvious tactics they might employ...Watch full episod...

03/29/2024

The Nine Emotional Stages of a Home Buyer
https://conta.cc/4cASqp6

The Nine Emotional Stages of a Home Buyer   All about you and your home 9 Emotional Stages of a Home Buyer When we purchased our first home we were excited! First Time Home owners - WooHoo! BUT, the j

10/10/2023

"Marry the house, date the rate" is a somewhat common strategy for buyers when interest rates increase, but it isn't for everyone. Learn more:

Higher interest rates don't have to stop you from purchasing a home.

10/07/2023

You always hope that your renovations will go perfectly, but sometimes that's not the case -- as in these stories.

We write about renovations for a living. Still, when it comes to our own remodels, we're far from immune to the hiccups, road bumps, and outright regrets t

10/05/2023

Try lowering your heating bills in the upcoming months with items like these.

It might as well be one of the laws of nature: As outdoor temperatures drop, electricity bills rise. In much of the country, it takes a lot of energy to keep...

10/03/2023

If you like my service or have feedback to share, don't forget to leave a review on my site.

If we’ve worked together in the past and you had a great experience, would you pay it forward with a review? Thanks so much in advance.

10/02/2023

You don't have to pay for a full renovation to give your space a new look. Instead, you can reimagine any room with what you already have.

A low-budget primpover might be just what your home needs this summer. Learn what a primpover is, plus get expert tips for trying a primpover in your space.

09/29/2023

A recent study shows that shopping around for a mortgage could pay off for homebuyers.

We calculated how much borrowers in each of the nation’s 50 largest metros could save if they chose the lowest APR offered instead of the highest.

09/26/2023

If you're applying for a mortgage, you should find a lender that's a good fit for you. This guide offers four steps to help you compare your options.

It can make a significant impact on your homebuying experience.