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Former RN, Galax Trailer Store owner, and cancer survivor, Linda delivers heart-centered care with deep local roots. This farmgirl grew up milking cows, making hay, and canning veggies – learning money's true value from her dad, Wade Smythers. She raised her own cattle herd to fund nursing school, plus sheep, cows, horses, and goats on her farm.
A lifelong learner who thrives on challenges, Linda mastered buying and transforming properties into dream homes. Her powerhouse work ethic made her a consistent top 20% producer at Keller Williams – all while working full-time as an RN. She sharpened negotiation and case-management skills to serve clients with unmatched care.
Now embracing her next chapter with Avante Realty Group – "forward-thinking and progressive" across languages. Avante channels entrepreneurial energy and cutting-edge marketing to dominate Galax's multicultural market. Ready to move forward? Let's connect!

Linda S. Freeman| Realtor & Broker
Brokered by Avante Realty Group
WELCOME TO THE VIRTUAL HOME BUYER SEMINAR LIBRARY
Enjoy the latest & most up-to-date marketing & sales tactics to help you purchase a NEW home.
Thinking About Buying?
Are you thinking about buying a home but you don't know where to start?
Learn to take advantage of Tax Saving opportunities instead of throwing your money away
Walk through the important aspects of purchasing a home
What to Expect When Buying a Home
Purchasing a home is most likely going to be one of the largest investments you will make in your lifetime.
We have helped hundreds of clients in the past and we can help you too
My team and I are free! The seller pays for our fees and they have an agent who has their best interest at heart. We are here to have yours
Home Buying Process -
First Step
The first step when looking to buy a home is getting qualified for a loan.
Before doing anything else you need to know what you can afford by getting qualified for a loan
Don’t go house hunting before going mortgage shopping
Pre-Approval vs
Pre-Qualification
Why you need an approval rather than just a pre-qualification.
Pre-Qualification is not a true approval but the initial step in a home loan process where you discuss your financial situation with a loan officer - nothing is verified
Pre- Approval is where the buyer provides the lender with the necessary documents to tell them what they are approved for, which loan option is the best for them and what the interest rate will be
10 Must Not’s When Buying a Home
Once you find your dream home, we need to make sure you get to move into it.
Don’t change jobs; becoming self employed or quit current job
Don’t buy a vehicles
Don’t use any charged cards or let your accounts fall behind
Don’t spend money you saved for closing
Don’t omit any debt or liabilities from your loan application
What are the Pros and Cons of Purchasing a Home?
Whether you’ve never owned a home before or it’s been a while since you’ve purchased, let's talk about the pros and cons.
Pro: Your wealth can increase as you build equity in your home through 2023 averaging about 3%
Con: Maintenance costs; work and money to keep a home in good condition
How Much Money Do I Need To Purchase a New Home?
Most people are afraid that it will cost them thousands and thousands of dollars to purchase a home in Brentwood.
There are various loans and grants to qualify to purchase a home
3 Tips To Get Your Offer Accepted
Are you competing with other buyers on your dream home or do you want to make sure you’ve got the best chance of getting your offer accepted?
Make sure you offered a competitive price on a home
Put down a larger earnest money deposit
Let the seller know that you have not written offers on any other properties
Offer Has Been Accepted, What’s Next?
Once your offer has been accepted, it's time to open up escrow.
It's time to get inspections done on the home, review disclosures, secure the loan, and get the appraisal done
WANT TO GET A FREE CUSTOM MARKET PROPOSAL?
Go to the next page to request a custom market proposal for your specific home
Community Videos

The short answer is:
Yes—you absolutely can sell your home as-is.
But there are a few important things to understand before you decide if it’s the right
move.
What Does “Selling As-Is” Actually Mean?
Selling as-is means:
You’re not making repairs before selling
You’re selling the home in its current condition
Buyers understand upfront that what they see is what they get
It doesn’t mean you can hide issues—it just means you’re not fixing them.
Why Sellers Choose to Sell As-Is
In Galax, many homeowners choose this option because:
They don’t want to invest money into repairs
The home needs updates or work
They’re dealing with a life change (inheritance, relocation, downsizing)
They want a simpler, faster process
Sometimes, convenience matters more than maximizing price.
What to Expect When Selling As-Is
There are tradeoffs—this is where clarity matters.
1. Price Will Reflect Condition
Buyers will factor in:
Repairs needed
Updates required
Overall condition
As-is homes are typically priced lower than move-in ready homes.
2. Buyer Type May Be Different
You may attract:
Investors
Cash buyers
Buyers looking for fixer-uppers
Buyers wanting land or opportunity
3. Inspections Still Happen
Even in as-is sales:
Buyers may still do inspections
They may request price adjustments or credits
“As-is” doesn’t always mean zero negotiation.
What I’m Seeing in the Galax Market
In Galax, as-is homes can sell—especially if:
They’re priced correctly
The property has land or location value
Expectations are realistic
Buyers are out there—but they’re looking for value.
Real Seller Scenario
I worked with a homeowner who had a property that needed updates.
They didn’t want to:
Renovate
Spend money upfront
Delay selling
We chose to sell as-is.
Here’s what we focused on:
Pricing based on condition
Being upfront about the home
Targeting the right buyers
Result:
The home attracted interest and sold without the need for major repairs.
The key was aligning expectations with strategy.
Biggest Mistakes Sellers Make
1. Expecting Full Market Value
As-is homes are priced differently.
2. Not Being Upfront About Condition
Transparency builds trust with buyers.
3. Overpricing
This slows everything down—especially for as-is properties.
4. Not Exploring Options First
Sometimes small improvements can significantly increase value.
Should You Sell As-Is or Make Repairs?
This depends on:
Your timeline
Your budget
Your goals
Your home’s condition
Sometimes:
A few small fixes = higher price
Other times:
Selling as-is = less stress and faster process
FAQ
Can I legally sell my home as-is in Virginia?
Yes, as long as you disclose known issues.
Will I get less money selling as-is?
Typically yes—but you may save time and upfront costs.
Do buyers still do inspections?
Yes, in many cases.
Is selling as-is faster?
It can be—especially if priced correctly.
Final Thoughts
Selling as-is is a valid option.
It’s not about right or wrong—it’s about what works best for your situation.
Next Steps
If you’re thinking about selling your home in Galax, VA:
Look at your home’s condition
Understand your options
Decide what makes the most sense for you
_______________________________________________________________________
Linda S Freeman
Real Estate Broker – Galax, Virginia
Avante Realty Group
276-733-8880
Helping homeowners in Galax, VA sell their homes based on their goals, timeline, and
situation.
"Our first ever home sale. Krista and her team made the experience so smooth. From our first meeting to the last it was all about us and how they made it an enjoyable experience. They were all unbelievably attentive and responsive to our needs.
"My father in law passed and we needed to sell his house. We met with three different agents and we quickly decided to go with Krista. Krista and her team are very knowledgeable, energetic and at the top of their game. Everything was spot on."
"Krista and her team were excellent. We bought a home while on vacation. We relied on her staff to not only view the house but she positioned us so well, that we followed her advice and we got the house for the price we wanted. Thank you!
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