Are you looking to buy Berkeley County Real Estate?  Right now is a great time.  Mortgage rates are low and home prices are still low, but on the rise.  In most US markets, buying is cheaper than renting.  Buying Berkeley County Real Estate is becoming very popular right now.  Don't let a bad credit score keep you from making a worthwhile investment.  Here are tips on how to clean your credit score:

Order a free credit report

You have to see your credit report in order to know what needs fixing.  Everyone is allowed one free report from the three major credit reporting agencies (Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union) each year.  Free reports are availabe at AnnualCreditReport.com.  Obtaining your actual credit score, however, costs money.  Depending on your situation, you might want to order both.

Dispute any inaccuracies

Sometimes credit reports contain errors.  If you see anything untrue, such as a credit card late payment or a loan that you never took out, dispute it with the credit reporting agency.  Carefully look at your credit limits on each account and make sure they have been updated recently and are accurate.  Lower credit limits will hurt you.  Also keep in mind that anything over seven years old should not appear on the report.  If something negative but true is present, dispute it if it is also over seven years old.

Fix what you can

If there are debts that have gone to collections, pay them off.  If you cannot afford to pay them in full, call the lenders and inquire about settling.  Often times lenders will accept half of the due amount (or even less) if it means getting some money instead of nothing.  It will still show up on your credit as having been paid late, but removing all items currently in collections will help your score immensely.

Open a line of credit

As backwords as it sounds, opening a credit card can actually increase your credit score.  Credit scores are partially calculated based on one's debt to credit ratio.  Although you might not be able to significantly reduce your debt, you can probably increase your credit limit, thereby increasing the ratio.  (Just make sure you don't rack up more debt on the new card--that defeats the purpose!)

Hopefully these tips help you clean up your credit score and obtain the best mortgage (and home) possible.  Feel free to contact us with any questions as you are shopping around for Berkeley County Real Estate or real estate nearby.  

The Kable Team
RE/MAX 1st Realty
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As your Shepherdstown, WV real estate agents, we like to keep an eye on all of the fun and interesting activities going on in the area.  There are a lot of them!  Shepherdstown, WV is the oldest town in the state and has a unique history and vibrant community.  This year is the 250th "birthday" of Shepherdstown, which means there is even more than usual going on in celebration.  Whether you're moving to Shepherdstown or a long-time resident, we hope you take some time this month to get out there and check out the happenings.

Birthday Party at Canterbury

Tonight there will be an official "bithday party" for the town at the Canterbury Center.  Cake will be served (of course!) and historian Jim Price will talk about the history of Shepherdstown.  Photos taken over the past 250 years will be on display for people to look at and see how the town has changed over time.  This event is free.

When: Tuesday, May 8th, 7 - 9 pm

Where: 80 Maddex Drive, Shepherdstown

The Shepherdstown Farmers Market

The Farmers Market opened for business last month.  Each Sunday local farmers will gather to sell fresh produce, flowers, herbs, honey, local meats and cheeses, baked goods, and more.  There will also be entertainment on hand each week.

When: Every Sunday until 12/16, 9 am - 1 pm

Where: Behind the Sheperdstown Library off of German Street in the town's center

Ruth Ann Dean Memorial Birdathon

May 12th is the 20th annual International Migratory Bird Day.  In celebration, there are many bird-related events happening.  The Birdathon is an event that can be done individually or in teams.  Participants track how many different kinds of birds they can discover within a 24-hour period.  Pledges are made and funds are raised for the Ruth Ann Dean Memorial.  This event is free.  For more information, visit the Potomac Valley Audubon Society's website.

When: May 12th - 13th

Where:  Shepherdstown

We hope the spring time is treating you well, and you are enjoying what Shepherdstown, WV has to offer.  Feel free to contact us with any questions about buying or selling real estate in Jefferson or Berkeley Counties. 

Kable Team Realty
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Home buying can be a stressful process, especially if it's your first time.  As a Berkeley County real estate agent, I have many home buyers tell me that they feel confused or nervous that they are forgetting something, or aren't asking all of the correct questions.  That's why I've put together a few tips to help you out as you buy a Berkeley County home. 

When you find a home you want to make an offer on, be sure to ask about the condition of the house.  Of course you should have it inspected, but in addition to the inspection there will be other things you want to know.  How old is the roof?  Even if it is in good condition, knowing how old it is can help you estimate how soon you'll need to repair it.  Are the walls insulated?  What about in the attic?  How old are the appliances?  What kind of foundation does it have?  These types of questions will help you have a better picture of what sort of maintenance will be involved so there are fewer surprises later on.

Ask the home seller, your realtor, and neighbors about the neighborhood the house is in.  Where a house is located is just as important as the house itself.  Is the house near a highway or train?  If you're easily irritated by loud noises, that might bother you and is something you want to know ahead of time  If you have children (or are planning on having them), the school district the house falls within will be of utmost importance.  Visit the neighborhood at different times of day and night to get a feel for it and, again, prevent surprises later.

Ask questions before you name your offering price.  The more information you have, the better.  How much did the seller pay for the home?  This will help you determine if the property values have risen or dropped.  How much have nearby homes sold for recently?  Do the sellers have multiple offers right now?  The answers to these questions, along with consultation from your realtor, will help you determine exactly how much you want to start your offer with and how low you're ultimately willing to go.

Hopefully these tips are helpful.  Buying a home can go very smoothly when you relax, don't rush, and ask every question that comes to mind.  If you are currently looking to buy a home in Berkeley County, feel free to contact me!  I love helping people find wonderful places to live.

Kable Team Realty
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In honor of Earth Day, I thought I'd focus in on a local organization that is protecting the environment in West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle.  The West Virginia Conservation Agency works hard here and throughout the entire state to promote conservation efforts.  Many of their efforts involve protecting and restoring water sources and educating children and teens on issues related to the environment.  Last month the conservation agency partnered with local and federal government agencies to help residents dealing with flood damage after severe storms hit in other parts of the state.

The West Virginia Conservation Agency has a West Virginia Eastern Panhandle district that is active.  They recently hosted an Earth Day 5K run and 1-mile walk in Berkeley County.  The purpose of the event was to bring people together on Earth Day and raise money for high school students wanting to attend the Conservation District's "Envirothon" event.  Environthon workshops are held in each district, and their stated purpose is "to help young people develop the skills, knowledge, and desire necessary to achieve and maintain a balance between quality of life and quality of the environment."

The Conservation Agency offers many educational events and opportunities.  The Eastern Panhandle Conservation District posts updates of local events and opportunities on their page.  Their next board meeting is on Wednesday, May 16th at 7 pm in the Martinsburg USDA Service Center at 151 Aikens Center.  This meeting is open to the public and citizens living in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties are encouraged to attend.  Attending a board meeting is a good way to learn how the District operates and what sort of work they do.

If you decide to get involved in West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle conservation efforts, I would love to hear about it.  Also feel free to contact me with information on any other environmental efforts you know about in the area.  As your West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle real estate agent, I understand how important having a healthy natural environment is to local residents.  Happy Earth Month!

The Kable Team
RE/MAX 1st Realty
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So it's settled.  You're either ready to move or buy your first home, and you've decided on Jefferson County or Berkeley County.  The buying process can be overwhelming.  What should you do first?  How do you make sure you pick the perfect home?  How do you make sure you pay a fair price?  As realtor who is an expert on West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle real estate, I can help.

1. Clean up your credit

Home buying is easier if you're pre-approved for a loan.  It's easiest to get pre-approved when you have good credit.  Better credit also results in better interest rates.  Anyone may order a free credit report from the three major credit reporting agencies (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) once per year from AnnualCreditReport.com.  Look over these reports and make sure there aren't any outstanding bills you forgot you had.  Take care of anything in collections.  Even if you think your credit is great, it's still worth checking.  Even parking tickets can go to collections these days!  It's also good to check for safety's sake--to make sure your identity has never been stolen.

2. Know what you can afford

Sometimes buyers (especially those buying for their first time) think they can afford more than they actually can because they haven't stopped to do the math.  Don't do rough estimations.  Sit down with a pen and paper and calculator and list out each and every monthly expense you currently have.  Don't forget about emergency expenses that arise, such as car repair and medical care costs.  If it's your first time buying a home, remember that there is more to it than just the sticker price.  Factor in property taxes, utilities you might not have been paying as a renter, home repair, and lawn maintenace costs.  You want to know the maximum you can afford before you start shopping, so you know not to look at houses outside of your price range.

3.  Set aside some cash

Hopefully you've already started doing this, but you'll need a fair-sized sum of money to pay for the mortgage down payment and closing costs.  The general rule is that you want to put down 20% of the total mortgage cost.  These days, however, many people are putting down a smaller down payment.  Agencies such as Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae provide low down payment mortgages.

Once you've taken care of these main steps, you're financial prepared to start home shopping.  This is a great time to find a local realtor you trust.  I help buyers find their ideal homes all over West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle, so if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Kable Team Realty
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