Roanoke Real Estate

11/13/2026

Even if you have used your VA benefits to buy a home in the past, you may still be eligible. Contact me today to learn more about the process of using a VA home loan to purchase your dream home.

Learn more at https://BetterHomeowners.com/EricGilliard/2026/11/13/VA-A-Key-to-Homeownership

Helping homeowners when they buy, sell and all the years in between.
(540) 793-5727 [email protected]

11/12/2026

Your 30-year mortgage doesn't necessarily have to last 30 years. Extra payments applied directly to principal can help you pay it off years earlier and reduce the interest you pay.At the beginning of a 30-year loan, 1 extra payment a year can shorten the term by 7 years. Two extra payments can shorten it by 14 years.The strategy is sound and the CFPB confirms that extra principal payments can shorten the loan and reduce interest.Before starting, check your loan terms and servicer's procedures, then make sure extra money is applied to principal.Want to see what extra payments could do to your mortgage? Contact me and let's explore the possibilities.

Learn more at https://BetterHomeowners.com/EricGilliard/2026/11/12/A-30-Year-Mortgage-Doesn-t-Have-to-Last-30-Years

Helping homeowners when they buy, sell and all the years in between.
(540) 793-5727 [email protected]

11/11/2026

Retirement planning isn't just about investments and income—it's also about where and how you'll live. Whether you're considering aging in place, downsizing, moving closer to family, or reducing housing expenses, planning ahead can make a significant difference. The best time to evaluate your housing options is before you need to make a decision. If you'd like to discuss how your home's value and equity fit into your long-term plans, I'd be happy to help.

Helping homeowners when they buy, sell and all the years in between.
(540) 793-5727 [email protected]

Planning for retirement housing needs before they're urgent can provide more choices, greater financial flexibility, and a more comfortable retirement lifestyle.

11/10/2026

The kids have moved out. Is it time to downsize? The answer depends less on the number of empty bedrooms and more on whether your home still fits your life.Think about upkeep, monthly costs, accessibility, and how often family comes to visit. You may love the space you have, or you may be ready for a home that gives you more freedom.If you're weighing the possibilities, I'd be happy to help you compare your options, even if a move is still years away. What would you want your next home to make easier?

Learn more at https://BetterHomeowners.com/EricGilliard/2026/11/10/Kids-Moved-Out-Should-You-Downsize

11/09/2026

More sellers are offering concessions to get homes sold, and that can create meaningful opportunities for buyers. Nationally, 44.7% of home sales included a seller concession in August, up from a year earlier.Concessions can take many forms, including help with closing costs, repair credits, or money toward a mortgage-rate buydown. In some cases, buyers are even getting both a price reduction and a concession.The opportunity varies by market and property, so the key is knowing what to ask for and how to structure the offer without weakening your position.If you're thinking about buying, let's talk about where sellers may be more negotiable and how concessions could improve the numbers for you.

Learn more at https://BetterHomeowners.com/EricGilliard/2026/11/09/Concessions

Helping homeowners when they buy, sell and all the years in between.
(540) 793-5727 [email protected]

11/06/2026

Parents can often help adult children buy a home through gift funds, co-signing, shared ownership, or other options. The key is understanding what works financially and what everyone expects before moving forward.Gift money may help with a down payment or closing costs. In other cases, parents may co-sign, co-borrow, lend money, or purchase the home jointly. Each approach can affect financing, taxes, credit, ownership, and future responsibilities.Before looking at homes, talk through how much help is realistic, whether the money is a gift or loan, whose names will be on the mortgage and title, and what happens if circumstances change.Let's get together to review the options, discuss the market, and connect you with a trusted mortgage professional. You can make a better decision when you're fully informed.

Learn more at https://BetterHomeowners.com/EricGilliard/2026/11/06/Can-Parents-Help-You-Buy-a-Home

Helping homeowners when they buy, sell and all the years in between.
(540) 793-5727 [email protected]

11/05/2026

What if you could buy the home you want today and save hundreds of dollars on your monthly mortgage payment during the first two years? A 2/1 buydown could make that possible.Here's how it works:Year 1: Your interest rate is reduced by 2 percentage points.Year 2: Your rate is reduced by 1 percentage point.Year 3 onward: You pay the original note rate.For example, with a 6.5% mortgage rate, your payments would initially be calculated at 4.5%, then 5.5%, before returning to 6.5%.The temporary savings are funded upfront, sometimes through a seller or builder concession. You must still qualify at the full note rate.Contact me and I'll give you the details for the price of the home you want, including estimated monthly savings and how a 2/1 buydown might work for you.

Learn more at https://BetterHomeowners.com/EricGilliard/2026/11/05/Save-Hundreds-on-Your-Payment

Helping homeowners when they buy, sell and all the years in between.
(540) 793-5727 [email protected]

11/04/2026

Buyers may have more negotiating power today than they realize. The opportunity isn't limited to offering less than the asking price; closing cost assistance, rate buydowns, repairs, credits, and favorable terms can sometimes be worth even more. The key is knowing the seller's motivation and deciding what matters most to you before making an offer. If you're thinking about buying, contact me and let's develop a negotiating strategy before you find the home you want.

Helping homeowners when they buy, sell and all the years in between.
(540) 793-5727 [email protected]

Today's changing market is giving many buyers more negotiating power, but getting the best deal requires knowing what to ask for and which terms may provide the greatest benefit.

11/03/2026

Retirement often changes more than your work schedule; it can change what you need from your home. Should you move before retiring while employment income may make financing easier, or wait until you better understand your retirement lifestyle? The answer depends on your equity, expenses, future income, location, and long-term housing needs. If retirement is approaching, this is a good time to explore your options before you have to make a decision. I'd be happy to help you evaluate what your current home is worth and discuss the housing choices that could fit your next chapter.

Learn more at https://BetterHomeowners.com/EricGilliard/2026/11/03/I-m-Retiring-Soon-Should-I-Move-Before-or-After-Retirement

11/02/2026

A price reduction isn't always the best way to make your home more attractive. Offering a buyer closing-cost assistance may provide a bigger immediate benefit because it reduces the cash they need at closing. Depending on the loan and transaction, those funds might also be used for an interest-rate buydown, making the monthly payment more affordable. Meanwhile, a modest price reduction may only lower the payment by a relatively small amount.The best strategy depends on your price, market conditions, buyer demand, and financing rules. Before automatically reducing your price, let's compare the alternatives. I can help you evaluate which incentive could attract buyers while protecting as much of your proceeds as possible.

Learn more at https://BetterHomeowners.com/EricGilliard/2026/11/02/Which-Incentive-Helps-Buyers-More

Helping homeowners when they buy, sell and all the years in between.
(540) 793-5727 [email protected]