Overcoming the Intimidation of Homeownership
For first-time homebuyers, the process of finding the perfect place to live can be an intimidating one. Whether transitioning from renting to owning or just the pressure of taking on a mortgage, committing to homeownership is a huge step in everyone’s lives. Davie County encourages first-time homebuyers not to be intimidated. From the Davie County Chamber to local realtors, the county offers plentiful resources geared to help you make well-informed decisions to secure your future as a homeowner in Davie County.
Research: The Foundation of Smart Homebuying
A foundational part of deciding where to settle down, as any aspiring homeowner knows, is research. Everyone’s needs when it comes to buying a house are unique, and there are plenty of local resources dedicated to answering all of your questions. A quick online search about Davie County might tell you exactly what you need to know.
Davie Chamber: Your Local Resource Hub
Check out the Davie Chamber, located at 135 S. Salisbury Street in Mocksville, or visit their website, which has a page dedicated to relocation resources that may suit your individual needs. They provide addresses and contact information for resources like childcare and utilities to locations in Davie County to vote in local and national elections.
Questions You Need to Ask When Buying a Home
Buying a home takes time. It takes asking questions. Sometimes, it even takes asking, “What questions do I need to ask?” For many first-time homebuyers, it can be challenging to ask questions at all. Monica Stone-Huggins, owner of Main St. Brokers in Mocksville, acknowledges how intimidating the process can be and deeply encourages you to stick around and ask the hard questions anyway. Planting roots in the ground to grow your first home is just page one of your story. “Whatever the story is,” Stone-Huggins says, “we want to help with [your] story. There is no story if [you] leave. There are no answers to unasked questions.”
Overcoming Apprehension and Building Confidence
Even after much encouragement, you may still think it’s easy for professionals to tell newcomers to research and ask questions. Those feelings are very normal. Remember, purchasing a home is a significant decision and often, for many folks, the first piece in their investment portfolio. Apprehension should be expected.
First-Time Homebuyers Seminar: A Helpful Resource
I attended a first-time home buyers brunch seminar hosted by Main St. Brokers. These recurring sessions are free and last around an hour or longer, depending on how many questions participants ask. After you fill your plate with a warm, buttery croissant, grab some fresh fruit, and pour yourself some coffee or a mimosa, you are invited to sit in a conference room where the realtors walk you through a step-by-step process of buying a home, equipped with an engaging PowerPoint presentation and a take-home packet with all of the covered information for you to reference later.
Understanding Your Unique Needs
“What are you looking for in your house?” REALTOR Meika Imes asked the brunch attendees. “Lots of room outside for chickens!” one of the attendees laughed. Though presented as a joke, the comment, and others like it, allows realtors like Imes to narrow their searches for you. As a first-time home buyer, you may not know what areas are limited when it comes to things like chickens; all you know is that you’ve dreamed of making yourself fresh eggs in the morning. That’s where dialogue with your realtor transforms into uncovering the questions you never knew you wanted to ask.
Crafting Your Own Homebuying Checklist
No matter the stage of the homebuying process you’re in, start compiling questions now. “I have a Pinterest board of my dream house,” someone at the brunch said, “I want a huge porch.” Start like that prospective homebuyer did! What do you dream of when you imagine your first home? Once you get a preliminary vision, reach out to friends or family members who have experience with buying a house to start the next step of your research: practical questions.
Questions to Guide Your Homebuying Process
- How many bedrooms do I need?
- How many bathrooms do I need?
- How close is the nearest grocery store?
- What is the traffic situation in the areas I’m considering?
- Where is the nearest public facility (hospital/school/park/etc.) that I frequently utilize?
- Do I have any connections in the area?
Discovering the Heart of Davie County
There is a reason the motto of Davie County is “You Belong Here.” The area actually lives up to it. Zoom in on the town of Mocksville, for instance. A hub for the iconic small-town experience, downtown Mocksville is lined with local businesses, restaurants, and historical architecture that all fit together to paint the perfect picture of a welcoming home.
Explore Local Gems in Mocksville
A cup of coffee isn’t just a cup of coffee at The Factory Coffee House. From baristas who remember your name and order to friendly patrons who are always willing to say hello, newcomers to Davie County are sure to create lasting connections in places such as this. If you enjoy shopping, you might visit a local business like Lydia Jaynes to pick up some home goods for your new house! While you’re out, you might stop by Elderflour Baking Co. to bring home some baked goods. To get in a nice workout, visit the Black Sheep Yoga studio, which always offers special deals for new visitors to the area.
Local gems thrive in Davie County, with new small businesses opening their doors to the community every day. Gifty Things recently opened five months ago, offering seasonal gifts, decorations, and state-wide sourced merchandise.
These and the many other local businesses in the area unite to create an interconnected community where you will always have a friend nearby.
Field Research: Getting to Know Your New Home
When you exhaust this kind of research, it’s time to start some field research of your own. Take some time to drive around the area you are considering relocating to. This way, you will familiarize yourself with the roads, ascertain the traffic situation of your unique commutes, and you can admire the various architectural styles of available homes that you might be interested in.
Local Dining: A Taste of Davie County
Grab a meal in some local restaurants–there are plenty. Restaurant 101 is a must-visit Mocksville town favorite for lunch and dinner. Or, if you’re looking for a place to start your day of Davie County exploration, check out 801 Southern Kitchen and Pancake House for an iconic breakfast experience you can discuss with just about anybody you run into around town.
Continuing the Journey After You Settle In
When you decide to settle down in Davie County, the fun is far from over. With plenty of local events, from live outdoor music to seasonal festivals, everyone of all ages can find a home in Davie County. In the meantime, Discover Davie County, an online guide to the area, is an excellent resource for exploring your new home until you head out to explore it yourself.
