

Buyer's Course
market Updates

Buying A Home From A Lender's Perspective

DOWNLOAD TO ACCESS:
The Complete Guide to Buying A Home
market Updates
buying new construction? buyer beware
Local market update
NAR's Commission Settlement:
National Market Update
Buyer Tips
Community Videos
3 best sandwich Shops
Best Burrito in Brentwood
Best Hot Dogs in Brentwood
MJ's Cafe in brentwood
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

Because at the end of the day, what matters most is:
How much money you actually walk away with.
Here’s the good news:
Closing costs are predictable—and with the right plan, there are no surprises.
What Are Closing Costs (For Sellers)?
Closing costs are the expenses you pay when your home sale is finalized.
They come out of your proceeds at closing—not out of pocket upfront in most cases.
Typical Closing Costs for Sellers in Galax, VA
While every situation is a little different, here are the most common costs:
1. Real Estate Commission
This is usually the largest cost.
Typically 5%–6% of the sale price
Split between the listing agent and buyer’s agent
This covers marketing, negotiation, and managing the entire process.
2. Closing / Settlement Fees
Paid to the attorney or settlement company handling the transaction.
Title work
Document preparation
Recording fees
These are usually a few hundred to a couple thousand dollars.
3. Title-Related Costs
You may pay for:
Title search
Title insurance (in some cases)
4. Seller Concessions (Optional)
Sometimes sellers agree to help buyers with:
Closing cost assistance
Repairs or credits
This is negotiable and depends on your situation.
5. Repairs (If Needed)
After inspection, you may:
Make repairs
Offer a credit instead
6. Mortgage Payoff
If you still have a loan:
Your remaining balance gets paid off at closing.
7. Property Taxes (Prorated)
You’ll pay your share of property taxes up to the closing date.
What Percentage Should You Expect?
In general:
Most sellers in Galax can expect total closing costs around 6%–10% of the sale
price
This depends on:
Commission
Repairs
Negotiations
Specific transaction details
What You Actually Walk Away With
This is what most sellers really want to know.
Your net proceeds =
�� Sale price
➖ Closing costs
➖ Mortgage payoff
= What you take home
Real Seller Scenario
I worked with a homeowner who assumed they would walk away with a certain number
based on their sale price.
But once we factored in:
Commission
Taxes
Minor repairs
Payoff amount
The number was different than expected.
The good news?
We adjusted the pricing and strategy early—so there were no surprises at closing.
Biggest Mistakes Sellers Make
1. Not Understanding Net Proceeds
Focusing only on sale price instead of what you keep.
2. Forgetting About Repairs or Credits
These can impact your bottom line.
3. Assuming Online Calculators Are Accurate
They often miss local details.
4. Not Planning Ahead
Knowing your numbers early helps you make better decisions.
How to Estimate Your Closing Costs
The best way is:
A custom net sheet based on your home and situation
This includes:
Estimated sale price
Mortgage payoff
Fees and costs
Realistic bottom line
FAQ
Do I pay closing costs upfront?
No—most costs come out at closing.
Can I negotiate closing costs?
Yes—especially concessions and repairs.
How much are closing costs in Virginia?
Typically 6%–10% of the sale price for sellers.
Will I know my numbers before selling?
Yes—you can get a clear estimate before listing.
Final Thoughts
Closing costs aren’t something to fear—they’re something to understand.
The more clarity you have upfront, the more confident you’ll feel about your sale.
Next Steps
If you’re thinking about selling your home in Galax, VA:
Get a clear estimate of your net proceeds
Understand your costs upfront
Build a strategy that works for your goals
_______________________________________________________________________
Linda S Freeman
Real Estate Broker – Galax, Virginia
Avante Realty Group
276-733-8880
Helping homeowners in Galax, VA understand their numbers and sell with confidence.
"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!
The Mashore Group | Copyright © 2026 | All Rights Reserved