Charlene Vandaele, Realtor

06/17/2026

Sometimes my job is actually to question whether the house is the right fit for them.

I know that sounds strange coming from a Realtor.

But not every beautiful house is the right house.

Sometimes the floor plan doesn't work.

Sometimes the commute creates stress.

Sometimes the house simply doesn't support the life the buyer wants to build.

My goal isn't simply to help people buy houses.

My goal is to help people find the home that fits their life.

Brokered by Fathom Realty

06/17/2026

Most people think I'm going to ask about bedrooms, bathrooms, and square footage.

And yes, those things matter.

But I also want to know what your life looks like.

Do you work from home?

Do you have children?

Do you love to cook?

Do you have pets?

Because eventually the excitement of buying a home fades, and real life moves in.

That's why I focus on helping buyers find the home that fits their life—not just a house that looks good on paper.

Brokered by Fathom Realty

06/16/2026

Most people think a Realtor's job is to help you find a house.

I see my role a little differently.

When buyers walk into a home, it's easy to get distracted by beautiful kitchens, pretty finishes, and all the things that make a house look great.

My job is to ask questions.

Do you have kids?

Do you entertain?

Do you cook often?

Do you have pets?

Because at the end of the day, my goal isn't simply to help you buy a house.

My goal is to help you find the home that fits your life.

06/16/2026

A buyer recently asked me if they needed 20% down to buy a home.

The answer? Not always.

One of the biggest mistakes I see people make is assuming they can't buy a home without ever exploring their options. There are different loan programs, different down payment requirements, and different paths to homeownership.

I know because I waited longer than I should have when we bought our first home.

Don't let assumptions make decisions for you.

If you're curious about buying a home in Greenville or the surrounding areas, start by asking questions.

06/16/2026

One thing I see buyers forget to think about when building or buying a new construction home?

Their pets.

When my husband and I built our home, we knew our dogs were part of the equation. We decided to remove the carpet and install luxury vinyl plank flooring because it fit our lifestyle better. We also planned for a fence, which meant considering both our budget and how we wanted to use our outdoor space.

The point isn't that everyone should make the same choices we did.

The point is that your pets live there too.

When you're evaluating a home, think beyond the finishes and ask yourself how the home will support everyone who lives there—including the four-legged family members.

06/15/2026

When my husband and I bought our first home, we waited much longer than we needed to.

Not because we had all the information and decided to wait.

Because we assumed we couldn't buy a home.

We assumed we needed more money.
We assumed we weren't ready.
We assumed homeownership was further away than it actually was.

Looking back, I wish we had simply asked questions sooner.

One of the biggest reasons I'm passionate about educating first-time buyers is because I never want assumptions to keep someone from exploring their options.

I'm not saying everyone is ready to buy today.

I'm saying it never hurts to learn what's possible.

Sometimes confidence starts with a conversation.

If you've been wondering whether homeownership might be possible for you, ask questions. Information is free. Assumptions can be expensive.

06/15/2026

One of the biggest misconceptions I hear from first-time buyers is:

"I don't think I'm ready yet."

Sometimes that's true.

But sometimes buyers decide they aren't ready before they've actually explored their options.

I know this firsthand.

When my husband and I were thinking about buying our first home, we assumed we couldn't afford it. Instead of talking to a lender, we waited. We put it off for years because we thought we already knew the answer.

When we finally had the conversation, we were surprised by what was actually possible.

A lender can help you understand:
What price range may be realistic
How debt impacts qualification
What down payment options exist
What steps could improve your buying power

The goal is to replace assumptions with information.

You may be further along than you think.

Read the full article series on my website (link in comments).

Charlene Vandaele
Brokered by Fathom Realty

06/12/2026

06/12/2026

When my husband and I were first-time buyers, we honestly didn't think we could afford a home.

We knew we wanted one.

We just assumed we weren't ready.

So we waited.

And waited.

For a couple of years, actually.

The funny thing is that we never talked to a lender. We just made assumptions about what we thought was required.

We thought all debt had to be paid off first.

We thought we needed everything perfectly in place.

We thought homeownership was farther away than it really was.

When we finally sat down and talked with a lender, we were shocked by what we learned.

That's one reason I encourage buyers to ask questions early.

Not because you're committing to anything.

Not because you have to buy right now.

But because information creates options.

You might be exactly where you think you are.

Or you might be a lot closer to homeownership than you realize.

Have questions about buying your first home? I'd be happy to connect you with a trusted lender and help you understand your options.

Brokered by Fathom Realty

06/11/2026

June Greenville Snapshot is here.

This month features local life at Bridgeway Station, a community spotlight, Greenville County new construction numbers, buyer clarity, and a real-life reminder about new construction ownership.

My goal is to help buyers feel more informed, more confident, and more connected to the communities they’re exploring.

Brokered by Fathom Realty