Suzanne DuBois, RVA Realtor

03/04/2024

While on vacation in Mexico 🇲🇽, my out of state buyers, happened to see the perfect house pop-up online. They wanted to see it remotely 😱 Thanks to my awesome teammates at Small & Associates, we arranged a showing via FaceTime and we were all able to “be” at the showing. 😊Got it under contract on a rainy Friday in Puerto Vallarta! Happy buyers make happy agents! I’m so pleased for my clients who are getting their dream house on the water 🌈 just like they hoped. None of this would be possible without an awesome brokerage like the one I work for.
So happy to be a part of The Chris Small Group at Small & Associates Real Estate, Inc.
Special thanks go to fellow agent Rachel Guglielmo Blackburn and especially our awesome Operations Manager/Associate Broker Andrew Depcrynski whose help, knowledge and generosity know no limits.
Could you accomplish something like this at your brokerage? Maybe you should consider talking to mine?

03/06/2023

🏡4420 Heidi Place in Midlothian, new to the market!
Come check it out! Showings start Thursday the 9th with open houses on Saturday the 11th and Sunday the 12th from 1-4 pm.

Listing agents: Chris Small Property Advisors & Suzanne DuBois
Staging: Jsquared Interior Staging and Design
Photographer: HD BROS.

01/03/2023

Wondering How Much You Need To Save for a Down Payment?

If you’re getting ready to buy your first home, you’re likely focused on saving up for everything that purchase involves. One cost that’s likely top of mind is your down payment. But don't let a common misconception about how much you need to save make the process harder than it could be.

>>Understand 20% Isn’t Always the Typical Down Payment
Unless specified by your loan type or lender, it’s typically not required to put 20% down. This means you could be closer to your homebuying dream than you realize. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the median down payment hasn’t been over 20% since 2005. In fact, the median down payment today is only 14%. And it’s even lower for first-time homebuyers at just 6% (see graph below):

>>Learn About Options That Can Help You Toward Your Goal
If saving for a down payment still feels like a challenge, know that there’s help...

If you’re getting ready to buy your first home, you’re likely focused on saving up for everything that purchase involves. One cost that’s likely top of mind is your down payment. But don't let a common misconception about how much you need to save make the process harder than it could be.

12/31/2022

Planning To Sell Your House? It’s Critical To Hire a Pro.

If you’re thinking of selling your house, the best way to make sure you’re in the know is to work with a trusted housing market expert. Here's why.

>>1. A Real Estate Advisor Is an Expert on Market Trends
An expert real estate advisor has the latest information about national trends and your local area too. More importantly, they’ll know what all of this means for you so they’ll be able to help you make a decision based on trustworthy, data-bound information.

>>2. A Local Professional Knows How To Set the Right Price
If you sell your house on your own, you may be more likely to overshoot your asking price because you’re not as aware of where prices are today. Real estate professionals provide an unbiased eye when they help you price your house.

>>3. A Real Estate Advisor Helps Maximize Your Pool of Buyers
Real estate professionals have a large variety of tools at their disposal, such as...

With higher mortgage rates and moderating buyer demand, conditions in the housing market are different today. And if you’re thinking of selling your house, it’s important to understand how the market has changed and what that means for you. The best way to make sure you’re in the know is to wo...

12/29/2022

Rely on an Expert When You Sell Your House

If you’re thinking about selling your house, don’t go at it alone. Let’s connect today so you have a trusted professional to rely on when you’re ready to sell.

12/27/2022

Confused About What’s Going on in the Housing Market? Lean on a Professional.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home, you probably want to know what’s really happening with home prices, mortgage rates, housing supply and more. That’s not an easy task considering how sensationalized headlines are today.

Unfortunately, when information in the media isn’t clear, it can generate a lot of fear and uncertainty in the market.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. Buying or selling a home is a big decision, and it should be one you feel confident making. To help you separate fact from fiction and get the answers you need, lean on a local real estate advisor.

A trusted expert is your best resource to understand what’s happening at the national and local levels. They’ll be able to debunk the headlines using data you can trust. And using their in-depth knowledge of the industry, they’ll provide context so you know how current trends...

If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home, you probably want to know what’s really happening with home prices, mortgage rates, housing supply, and more. That’s not an easy task considering how sensationalized headlines are today. Jay Thompson, Real Estate Industry Consultant, explains:

12/24/2022

Expert Insights on the 2023 Housing Market

Wondering what housing experts are calling for in 2023 and how it impacts your plans? Let’s connect so you’re prepared for what’s to come in the new year.

12/22/2022

What Makes a House a Home?

There’s no denying the long-term financial benefits of owning a home, but today’s housing market may have you wondering if now’s still the time to buy. While the financial aspects of buying a home are important, the non-financial and emotional reasons are too.

Home means something different to all of us. Whether it’s sharing memories with loved ones at the kitchen table or settling in to read a book in a favorite chair, the emotional connections to our homes can be just as important as the financial ones.

>>1. You Can Be Proud of Your Accomplishment
Buying a home is a major life milestone. The sense of accomplishment you’ll feel at the end of your journey will truly make your home feel like a special place.

>>2. You Have Your Own Designated Happy Place
Owning your own home offers not only safety and security, but also a comfortable place where you can relax and unwind after a long day. Sometimes that’s just what you...

There’s no denying the long-term financial benefits of owning a home, but today’s housing market may have you wondering if now’s still the time to buy. While the financial aspects of buying a home are important, the non-financial and emotional reasons are too.

12/20/2022

Homeowners Still Have Positive Equity Gains over the Past 12 Months

If you’re a homeowner, your net worth got a big boost over the past few years thanks to rapidly rising home prices.

Equity is the current value of your home minus what you owe on the loan.

Because there was a significant imbalance between the number of homes available for sale and the number of buyers looking to make a purchase over the past few years, home prices appreciated substantially.

And while home price appreciation has moderated this year, and even depreciated slightly in some overheated markets, that doesn’t mean you’ve lost all the equity you gained during the pandemic frenzy.

To prove you still have equity you can use, the latest Homeowner Equity Insights from CoreLogic finds the average homeowner equity has actually grown by $34,300 over the past 12 months.

While the gains aren’t as dramatic as they were in the previous quarter due to home price moderation...

If you’re a homeowner, your net worth got a big boost over the past few years thanks to rapidly rising home prices. Here’s how it happened and what it means for you, even as the market moderates.

12/17/2022

2023 Housing Market Forecast [INFOGRAPHIC]

From home sales to prices, the 2023 housing market will be defined by mortgage rates. And where rates go depends on what happens with inflation. If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home this year, DM me so you understand where the housing market is headed in 2023.

Some Highlights From home sales to prices, the 2023 housing market will be defined by mortgage rates. And where rates go depends on what happens with inflation. If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home this year, let’s connect so you understand where the housing market is headed in 2023.