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Award Winning Real Estate Team

Dr. Shep Praises The Choose A Home Team With 25+ Smooth Transactions.

Several years ago, I traveled to Virginia Beach to visit the area for a second time. The purpose of my visit was to see what might be available in my quest for the perfect retirement house to purchase.

Gerry Goodman, a friend of mine who is a realtor in Orange County, California, recommended a realtor named Don Maclary and The Choose A Home Team to assist with my house purchase. Then with William E Wood and Associates that has since merged with Howard Hanna Real Estate Services.

Before traveling to Virginia Beach from Sacramento, California, I contacted Don, told him my goal, and arranged to meet with him. Every morning at 8 a.m., Don showed up at the timeshare at the beach where I was staying and took me out for the day. Sometimes even in the evening, to get an idea of the community and the neighborhoods, as well as the homes.

I wanted to have a place with a water view.

We looked at homes on the Atlantic Ocean, on Chesapeake Bay, on the Wolfsnare River, on local lakes, on creeks, on flood run-off streams, and on water holes on golf courses. This amazing realtor “gets inside your head” and figures out what you want, then finds it for you.

Although my original intent had been to just look around for the four days I was in Virginia Beach.

Three days went by and Don had found two of exactly what I wanted! The homes were in different neighborhoods, so I picked the more traditional area, with lots of trees. Now I have a ranch house on a lake, with a dock, as well as a Jacuzzi outdoors. It’s almost like being in a bird sanctuary! It is in a cul de sac, so I feel that my grandchildren will be safe from traffic when they visit.

A few times a year, I travel from my work in Sacramento to my retirement home in Virginia Beach. Where I am happy to be joined by my family for holidays and family celebrations. Most of the year, the lake house is rented out, so this investment literally pays for itself. When I am ready to retire and make it my permanent home, it will be waiting for me.

Don Maclary is the most thorough, competent, knowledgeable realtor I have ever encountered. This is true whether you are looking for a vacation home or a weekly rental, as well as your forever house to purchase in Coastal Virginia. He answers his phone! If not immediately available, he lets you know he will be right with you. He takes the time to talk with people, and you feel as if you are the only client he has. Meanwhile, he and his team are winning awards for their achievements and their many satisfied customers. If a realtor does not provide quality service he or she is not on Don’s team.

Don is seldom out of town.

However, when he does leave town he always has a back-up team member who will effectively service the needs of a client in his absence. After all, he does leave the area to go on the reward trips provided for high achievers in his company, the largest in the area, Howard Hanna! When you complete a deal with Don Maclary that is not the end of the relationship. If you ever need assistance with which repair person or handy man to use, or which restaurant to enjoy, or what sights to see, the best beaches, etc., you can always call on Don. He is a man of many talents. With his creative, divergent thinking, he can imagine different ways people can adapt various homes to their needs, ultimately providing them with their perfect place to own. On a rating scale of 1 to 5, Don Maclary scores a 10!

Mortgages Made Easy! Use Local Lenders.

Why use a local lender for your house purchase?

You would not use a real estate agent who lived in another state would you? So why would you work with an out of lender to do a loan on your house purchase.
Getting a mortgage with non local lenders and large banks can be a task that is frustrating and time consuming. Not to mention wrought with communicating papers back and forth, to make sure your lender has the correct, up to date, and accurate facts. No doubt you have bee tempted to use those companies that promise, no closing costs, no fees, answers in one hour. Just like everything else, buyer beware. Most of these companies can promise you anything, but can they deliver when you need quick service, answers fast or even to meet deadlines that are the same day, the solution to these problems is simple, use a trusted local lender.

Local lenders know the real estate market, they are familiar with local prices, what homes sell for, and they are available quickly. Most lenders live where they are trying to lend, they have children who go to the local school, and they can discuss various other market differences. Why would you call a lender across the country who has no idea where you are, what the local market is doing. Some lenders are in a different time zone and shut down at five. Most local lenders are more competitive in the interest rate, closing costs and other fees associated with getting a mortgage. Our Choose A Home Team Members are happy to recommend the following trusted lenders to use when you purchase a house.

Local Lenders

Nick Russo Nick consistently goes over and above helping our clients fix problems with credit, working with underwriters, and making use closings go smoothly. He takes pride in a personal touch and works with all types of mortgage loans. VA, Conventional, FHA and Virginia Housing Loans. Ask Nick about a $100 gift card just for getting a second opinion from him.

Bobby Ashburner Bobby partners with us and teaches the lending portion of our free first time homeowners class. The class is approved by Virginia Housing. His area of expertise includes fixing lower credit scores and working with first time buyers to navigate the paperwork. Many times, after hours he has answered his phone and helped the client with the questions they may have had. Bobby takes pride in all of his transactions. He works with first time buyers to a million dollar beach homes and investors buying multiple properties.

In conclusion, avoid using out of state or big box and online lenders, it makes sense to use local lenders. You will be surprised at the high level of service and savings both in time and money you will have.

Remember Interest rates and home prices are slowly starting to climb so consider getting started!