New Leaf Team Blog

If your goal for 2025 is to stop renting & buy your own home, you've probably found yourself wondering when to start your home search so you aren't stuck paying rent & a mortgage at the same time.

And the classic answer to this question is exactly what you might expect: it depends.

As a very basic guideline, we recommend that you start your search 4 to 6 months before your lease ends or 2 to 3 months before you need to renew your lease. This should take some pressure off you and make the process a little less stressful. 

But there are other things to consider as well, such as: 

• What do your lease terms say about ending your lease early or staying longer? Do you have the option to renew your lease as a month-to-month renter if you don't close on a house before your lease ends?
  
  
• Are you prequalified with a local lender? It's important to remember that while interest rates may be higher than you would prefer, they are actually i...

Click Here to Read More...

Buying a home is likely to be one of the most expensive purchases you make in your lifetime. And for many people, the idea of buying a house can be quite scary, especially if you're a first-time home buyer. Figuring out what you can afford, how to find the right place, and how to make sure you aren't buying something that's going to end up causing you more stress than peace of mind can be quite an overwhelming experience. That's why we've put together a list of the most common mistakes that we see first-time home buyers make. 

1. Not having a REALTOR® guide you through the real estate transaction. 
   
   There...

Click Here to Read More...

Before your house goes on the market, there are a few things that can be done to help you get the most value for your home. A pre-listing walkthrough is one way your REALTOR® can work with you to make selling your home a successful experience for everyone involved.

What is a pre-listing walkthrough?

The short answer is that a pre-listing walkthrough is a meeting where a REALTOR® comes to your home to talk to you about the home, gather information for pricing the home, and provide you an opportunity to ask questions about their business.

At New Leaf Team, we find the pre-listing walkthrough to be extremely valuable to both our team and our clients. For many clients, it is the first time they will be meeting all 3 of...

Click Here to Read More...

Nothing beats a day out with man's (or woman's) best friend and there are many pet-friendly places to bring your pups in the area.

Whether you're new to the area, have a new furry friend, or are just looking for somewhere new to go, here are a few dog-friendly places that you should know.

Azalea Park has a fenced-in dog park for off-leash play.

Click Here to Read More...

When the heat index tops 100°, but you also need a break from your house, there are some great spots to take the kids for some indoor summer fun. 

Charlottesville has many family-friendly options for places to explore and create while enjoying the AC. Here are a few ideas to help you get started: 

1. The Scrappy Elephant More than just a creative re-use store, The Scrappy Elephant offers art classes and open studio time where you can use their donated materials to make art of your own. 

2. The Virginia Discovery Museum A space where your toddler and big kid can both find things to enjoy, The Virginia Discovery Museum is so much bigger than you realize and has plenty of activities for newborns through age 8. 

3.

Click Here to Read More...