Deborah A. Rutter
As a licensed Virginia broker, I specialize in helping new and veteran buyers and sellers create successful transactions by teaching, showing and killer negotiation.
My clients complete successful transactions not by accident, but through education and insight, meeting their goals and objectives, not mine.
I write for Yahoo! Finance and Associated Content because of the myths, misunderstandings and secrecy surrounding real estate transactions. Our industry has relied on an uninformed public to make money and exploit opportunity. I believe that, like in democracy, informed citizens make better choices. Hopefully my articles reflect the kinds of questions and assumptions you've had, too.
If you live in central Virginia and need help or advice with buying or selling residential real estate, contact me. My approach is honest, open, simple and no-pressure. If you leave me a little smarter, we both win!
Deborah@DeborahRutter.com
Cell: (434) 996-2142 EST
www.DeborahRutter.com
www.NestRealtyGroup.com
Read More »
My clients complete successful transactions not by accident, but through education and insight, meeting their goals and objectives, not mine.
I write for Yahoo! Finance and Associated Content because of the myths, misunderstandings and secrecy surrounding real estate transactions. Our industry has relied on an uninformed public to make money and exploit opportunity. I believe that, like in democracy, informed citizens make better choices. Hopefully my articles reflect the kinds of questions and assumptions you've had, too.
If you live in central Virginia and need help or advice with buying or selling residential real estate, contact me. My approach is honest, open, simple and no-pressure. If you leave me a little smarter, we both win!
Deborah@DeborahRutter.com
Cell: (434) 996-2142 EST
www.DeborahRutter.com
www.NestRealtyGroup.com
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- Contributor since
- 3/3/2009
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Education/Experience
USM, Center for Real Estate Education; Real Estate Broker in Maine and VirginiaInterests
Real Estate, Buying, Selling, Agent Relationships, First-Time Buyers, First-Time Sellers, New Americans, Teaching Home Buyer Classes, Working with Seniors and Retirees, Relocation Buyers and SellersMotto
Hiring someone smarter than you are proves you are smarter than they are!Affiliations
Deborah Rutter, Twitter, LinkedIn, Foursquare, Seniors Real Estate Specialist Council, Real Estate Buyers Agent Council, Council of Residential SpecialistsFavorites
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Displaying Results 1 - 64 (of 64) for Yahoo! Voices
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Cost Considerations when Buying Land to BuildMore considerations when pondering a raw-land purchase. Here are some often-forgotten costs that can really add up! -
First Person: Dealing With a Last Minute Home ShowingIdeally, your home is always show-ready, but that can be tough for busy families. Here's a quick cheat-sheet when you're under the gun and need to get things ready fast. -
What Comes First: Getting an Agent, Finding a Home, or Getting Qualified for a Loan?First-time buyers often wonder which they should first; find a real estate agent, get pre-approved for a loan, or find the right house. Here's what you should consider. -
Selling or Buying a Home? Understand What Does (and Doesn't) Get Included in the SaleWhether you're buying or selling, know what is expected to be left behind as a seller or what you can negotiate as a buyer is good to know! -
Selling Your Home? Why You Should Take a Contingent OfferWhen your house is for sale, you may get an offer from a buyer who has to sell their place first, before buying yours. Here's how that works. -
Four Things to Do When Your Home Is on the Market as the Seasons ChangeWhen your home is on the market through the changes of the seasons, there are some things you'll want to do to lessen the negative perception and impact on potential home-buyers. -
What is a Lock Box?When a property is on the market, an electronic lock box is a way for a potential buyer and their agent to access keys on site, in a protected manner. -
The Difference Between Assisted and Unassisted Residential Real Estate Home ShowingsWhen a home is for sale, buyers can see it with their own buyer agent, but sometimes, the listing agent is at the property, too. That is called an assisted showing. -
Five Reasons Residential Real Estate Agents Should Have a Video RecorderWhen you think about tools to provide the best service to your clients, increase referrals and reduce your workload, consider the small but might camcorder. -
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New Real Estate Agent? How to Handle Buyers and Their Home SearchWhen helping buyers find a property, there are a few key things to keep in mind to be sure you're helping, being profitable and providing a quality service. -
Five Mistake I Made as a New Real Estate AgentIt's a great time to start a career in real estate...really. But no matter when you start, there are pitfalls and problems to be avoided. -
The Top 5 False Assumptions Residential Home Buyers MakeHome buyers often make guesses and assumptions about what they know about a property based on hope, location, hearsay and other factors. -
Understanding Home Heating SystemsBoilers, heaters, furnaces, oil, gas...most people don't think about how a home is heated unless the heat doesn't work or you're shopping for a new home. Here's some key points. -
What is a Sump Pump?I see a lot of basements when I show houses, and many of them have a mysterious hole in floors which inspires the question, 'what is that?' -
What's Better? An Attached or Unattached House?There are lots of reasons that people want attached or unattached homes. If you're not sure what the difference is, or why it matters, here's some help. -
HOA's, Deeds, Rights of Way, CCR's, Easements and Other Restrictions on Your PropertyWhen you own a piece of land, chances are there are a lot of other interests in your property, too! -
Five Things to Know About Living in Charlottesville, VaIf you're moving to Charlottesville, or coming back after an extended absence, here are a few tips about living in Jefferson's Virginia! -
Selling a Home? Five Reasons Why Offering a Home Warranty to Potential Buyers is a No-BrainerReal estate competition is fierce...a lot of inventory, nervous buyers with less money or willingness to part with it. As a seller, you have to stand out, and offering a Home Warranty to buyers is a great place to start. -
Buying a Home? Five Reasons Why You Should Insist on a Home Warranty Before ClosingHome Warranties are not widely understood by most potential homeowners, but they can be a real asset after you've moved in, for a lot reasons. Insist on one before you move in or as part of buyer/seller negotiations. -
First Person: Five Home Improvements that Almost Never Pay OffA lot more folks are choosing to expand, upgrade, improve and renovate instead of moving. But there are a lot mistake real estate agents see all the time that won't get the pay-offs owners think they might.Also published on: -
Buying a Home? How TV, Cell Phone and Internet Service Can Make or Break Your PurchaseCell phone service, television option and internet connections and their speed and cost are directly related to where you live. Choose wisely if cost, quality and speed are critical. -
First Person: 10 Questions You Can Ask Real Estate Agents -- but We Can't AnswerBuyers and sellers ask a lot of questions of their agents during the buying and selling process because that's what most people assume the role of an agent is. But you'd be surprised about the things we cannot talk about. -
Understanding Fees of a Listing Agent in Real Estate Sales when Selling Your HomeMost sellers are dismayed by fees charged to sell homes, but few realize the out-of-pocket expenses borne by agents, or understand that those fees are not just for selling their home but for running a business. -
Moving with Pets? Five Things You MUST Do Before Leaving Your Home for GoodLosing a pet during the moving process is one of the most common times when owners and pets get separated. Take a few precautions to lessen the likelihood of loss and to speed up getting back together if that happens. -
Understanding Why Appraisals Are One of the Most Important Parts of a Home SaleWhen buyers get mortgage loans, the lender wants to be sure they are getting their monies worth...appraisers decide what a property is worth, not buyers and sellers when there is a loan involved. -
New to Charlottesville and Central Virginia? How to Pronounce Words and Use Phrases to Sound like a Local!Charlottesville and the central Virginia area has a unique approach to spelling and pronouncing as well as having particular colloquialisms about surrounding attractions. -
Understanding Functional Obsolescence in Residential Real EstateHomes are built for the time, place and people buying them at the time they are constructed. As notions of modernity, desired amenities and must-haves change over time; not all homes keep up with trends. -
Local Real Estate Norms and Customs Are Not the Same Everywhere!Getting a real estate license in more than one state can lead to a false sense of understanding what really goes on in day-to-day business. -
Creating Better Residential Real Estate Contracts by Including ContingenciesIf you are writing a residential contract for purchase, chances are not everything in your interest will be covered. Contingencies create additional options in case something does (or doesn't) happen. -
How to Write Contingencies for Contracts and NegotiationsUnderstanding the difference between a tight, well-conceived and well-written contingency and a sloppy, ambiguous one can mean the difference between deals closing smoothly or additional headaches including the loss of a sale. -
Getting a Mortgage Loan? Expect These Questions and Have Your Documentation ReadyLong gone are the days of a few quick questions and a little paperwork to get a mortgage loan. These days, you need to be armed with data, documents and a lot of follow-up tenacity to maximize your opportunities. -
Five Real Estate Rules-of-Thumb to Live ByLike most industries, real estate has a few tried-and-tried rules or laws that the market and agents live by. Use them to your advantage!Also published on: -
Understanding Days on Market in Residential Real EstateAgents use DOM (days on market) to market themselves or their firms and to help buyers make an initial offer based on DOM assumptions. -
Modular Homes vs Manufactured Homes: What's the Difference?Many buyers interchange the terms, "mobile home," "manufactured home," and "modular home." In the past these terms often meant poorly-built structures with little resale value, but understanding the differences is key to misconceptions. -
Property Assessed Value vs Appraised Value...What's The Difference?Assessed value is what the local municipality uses for taxation purposes; the appraised valued is what a lender uses to evaluate a property for lending purposes. -
Understanding Residential Real Estate Contract DatesReal estate contracts are filled with dates and deadlines. There are lots of them and every contract is different, so it's important to understand the framework around dates and what they mean in terms of action.
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Creating a Seller's Notebook for Potential Buyers: 20 Ideas to Help Buyers See Your House is the One!When buyers preview your home, having a compendium of details, info, users guides, receipts and area info can give potential purchasers a boost of confidence and help them go from tire-kickers to contract-writers.Also published on: -
Understanding the Effects of Price Reductions on Real EstatePrice reductions in residential real estate are common, but timing and making sure your price reduction sends the right signal is critical to keeping potential buyers interested and taking a first or second look. -
Getting a Second (or Third) Real Estate License in Another StateIf you're considering an additional real estate license in another state, keep in mind that knowing the rules and regs BEFORE applying for a license can save months of time and a lot of money. -
New Real Estate Agent? Be Sure You Choose an Email Address Wisely!Being a real estate agent means being able to be found...new agents should think about how they can best leverage life-long relationships over the by making sure their email addresses are professional and stand the test of time. -
Selling Your House? Make the Most of Buyer's Senses in a Crowded Real Estate MarketIn a crowded real estate market, you can make your property stand out and get remembered by recognizing that buyer's evaluate opportunities with ALL their senses, not just sight. -
House-Hunting? Make Sure You Know Who is (or Isn't) Working for You!When you're ready to start serious house-shopping, calling the agent who has listed a property is what most buyers do, unaware of the implications. Don't ruin your chances to be well-represented by not understanding the facts. -
Hidden Costs of Home OwnershipLike cars, maintaining a home is a constant, on-going series of repairs, upgrades, updates and maintenance. But buying smart up front can help ease some of those expenses of both time and money. -
Buying a Home with a Well? Get the Water Tested During Your InspectionGetting well water tested as part of a buyer inspection process is critical. Not having potable water is more than an inconvenience...it's expensive to fix and can endanger the health of your family. -
Why the For SALE Sign in the Front of Your House is One of Your Most Powerful Marketing ToolsThe For Sale sign in your yard is more than just a simple notice to passers-by. It tells about about who you are, and how serious you are when it comes to selling. -
Using the Extension Service to Solve Yard, Landscape and Gardening ProblemsFrom online pictures, to drive-by visits to neighbors talking about your home, the exterior is everything. But if your outside is struggling, here's all the free help you need. -
Current Trends in Home Features - What's Hot!Just like in fashion and food, there are home trends that buyers seek out when they start searching. Keep these tips in mind when you do work on your own home so you're ready when it comes time to sell. -
Seeing Houses with Your Buyer Agent...An Inside Look at What HappensAgents who work with buyers show houses...lots of them. But most buyers have no idea about the level of pre-planning that goes into a successful showing(s), allowing you to concentrate on shopping. -
How Your Neighbors Can Make or Break Your SaleThe ability to sell your home quickly at the best market price depends in part on the first impressions, right or wrong, good or bad, that your surroundings impart as potential buyers. -
Selling Your Home: Garages Are the New Focal PointFor savvy buyers, garages means extra storage and better resale values. Be sure your garage measures up when it's time to put your house on the market. -
The Big Spring Clean: Tackle Your GarageGarages have gotten bigger and the amount of stuff crammed in them has gotten bigger, too. When it gets overwhelming and the door won't open (or close), it's time to get a handle on the excess and get back your garage space.
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Selling Your Home: 5 Secret Tips that Get Buyers' AttentionBuyers are looking for hints and clues beyond the obvious that give them insight into your home AND you, and confidence that they're making a wise buying choice.
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House-Hunting Strategies: Making the Most of a Lot of Inventory!Searching for homes when there is a lot of inventory can be tough, especially if you're under a deadline. But there are great approaches anyone can implement with a little planning and foresight to help you hone in quickly on the right property. -
What I Tell My Buyers About Your Poorly Priced Home!When your home is on the market, the price you pick to start with, the price reductions, timing and a host of other clues can be gleaned from the MLS and create havoc for your intended sales goals! -
10 Ways to Be Sure Your Real Estate Buyer's Agent is Taking Care of You!Hiring a real estate agent often means a short, one-time relationship, but sometime over a long period of time. There are tell-tale signs and clues that agents provide that let you know if they know their stuff. -
You're Moving! 10 Tips to Make it Go SmoothlyMoving, across town or across the country is tough enough. Things to remember, people to coordinate, kids and pets to manage. Keep these things in mind to take some of the stress away. -
Things to Consider when Evaluating Properties in Rural AreaWhether for better schools, a quieter lifestyle, growing your own food or raising animals, many families consider leaving their urban and suburban lives to take up the challenges of rural living. It all starts with finding the right place.
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Selling Your Home when You Have PetsSelling a home in most economic climates is a price war and a beauty contest. What your agent and friends don't tell you can ruin your chances for a quicker sale and a higher price. -
Five Pricing Tips to Help Your Home Sell, Not SitIn every culture and country, there are natural pricing breaks, tendencies and underlying principals that help buyers narrow their decisions. Take advantage of these principals when you price your home.
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How to Calculate the Real Estate Transfer Tax on Maine Real Estate TransactionsMaine requires the buyer and seller of real estate to each pay one-half of a tax at closing.
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Fences Are Not Always Property Lines and Other MythsThere are a number of myths surrounding property lines. As more people take the first-time owner plunge, understanding where your property begins and ends is key to good neighbor relations and being compliant with local laws.
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Making Sure You Hire the Right Inspector for Your New HomeHiring an inspector is a huge burden for most home buyers. Choosing an inspector can mean the difference between a lifetime of fixing problems, or a leg-up in the price negotiations resulting in long-term happiness.
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Your Real Estate Agent's License: Does it Matter?Licensing requirements vary widely by state, but understanding the levels of achievement and asking the right questions can ensure that your needs are met by an agent with the kind of experience you need.