Richmond Home Shopper

10 Most Important Questions to Ask Your Home Inspector!

1. What does your inspection cover?

The inspector should ensure that their inspection and inspection report will meet all applicable requirements in your state if applicable and will comply with a well-recognized standard of practice and code of ethics. You should be able to request and see a copy of these items ahead of time and ask any questions you may have. If there are any areas you want to make sure are inspected, be sure to identify them upfront.

2. How long have you been practicing in the home inspection profession and how many inspections have you completed?

The inspector should be able to provide his or her history in the profession and perhaps even a few names as referrals. Newer inspectors can be very qualified, and many work with a partner or have access to more experienced inspectors to assist them in the inspection. Read the rest of this entry »

Home Buying Tip: The Importance of Mortgage Pre-Approval

Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is a great first step in the home buying process, but the amount you get approved for should not always be taken as your perfect spending amount. Often times, the amount you are pre-approved for is based off of monthly payments that might be outside the range that you are prepared to pay. Especially in our current economy it is prudent not to set your budget based on your maximum mortgage approval level. Read the rest of this entry »

Brandermill Developing New Master Plan

Sea Pines Compass on Brandermill Sign

Brandermill should look to its history as it looks to its future!

Chesterfield County’s Brandermill development is holding several public hearings to get input on the creation of a new master plan for the community.  The 4000+ home development along the shores of the Swift Creek Reservoir was developed in the 70’s and was named “The Best Planned Community in America” by Better Homes and Gardens and the National Association of Home Builders in 1977.  Brandermill was the first planned community in Chesterfield County and really the first of its type in the Richmond area.

The design of the original development was influenced heavily by Charles Fraser, the late developer of Sea Pines Plantation on Hilton Head Island South Carolina. His influence is unmistakable from the style of some of the early architecture in Brandermill to those large green mailboxes, even the compass used in the Brandermill logo was the just like the one used for Sea Pines Plantation. Read the rest of this entry »

Midlothian: 100 Best Places To Live

The Village of Midlothian in Chesterfield County made it into Money Magazine’s “100 Best Places To Live”.  The rankings are based on cities with populations of 14,000+, with above average income, population growth, plentiful jobs, excellent schools, affordable housing and real estate appreciation over the past 5 years. Midlothian and 99 other small cities have all that and more. See the top 100 best places to live!

Going Green is Easy!

(ARA) – DIY, Do-It-Yourself is. so last year! Now it’s GIY. As in Green-It-Yourself. And just like DIY projects, there are plenty of easy GIY weekend home improvement projects that will save energy and money and add value to your home. Oh, and we should mention you can help protect the planet while you’re at it.Being green is easy and important. And fall’s a great time to tackle home improvement projects that will have an impact on the environment. People everywhere are taking small steps that make a difference in the fight against global warming. From buying energy-efficient appliances, to reusing grocery bags, to properly inflating tires, millions of Americans are clamoring to do their part for the earth. Read the rest of this entry »

Seven Days, Seven Projects For A Kitchen That Sells!

(ARA) – In today’s market, selling a home involves much more than posting a “for-sale” sign in the yard.  Preparation is key. In fact, experts agree that property appearance and condition play a big role in the home-sale process. In the Richmond Area homes priced right and upgraded are selling remarkably well. “In a Buyer’s Market where within neighborhoods we see sellers competing for buyers, homes with recent upgrades can make all the difference in the world,” says Skye Bruce, the number #1 RE/MAX Agent in Central Virginia. Read the rest of this entry »

Budget Do-It-Yourself Moving Tips

(ARA) – If you’re one of the approximately 50 million Americans moving this year, you probably don’t want to spend a fortune to get from point A to point B. With a little planning ahead, it’s possible to execute a do-it-yourself move without breaking the bank.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 16 percent of all moves are work-related — moving to find a new job or to be closer to a current job. Whatever your reason for moving, you don’t have to pay a company to pack up your belongings and transport them to your new home. Here are some easy ways to move yourself and stay on budget:

• If you need to rent a truck or trailer, especially if you only have a few large items that can’t fit into your vehicle, check out your local big box retail hardware store such as Lowes. They rent trucks and trailers by the hour at a fraction of the cost of renting from a moving company.

• Collect free boxes from friends, family and from local grocery and liquor stores. Save old newspapers to wrap valuables in instead of purchasing expensive rolls of bubble wrap.

• Plug in the refrigerator at your new place a day or two ahead of time. Pack frozen and perishable foods in a cooler with ice packs and unpack that food into your new fridge first. Having your food melt or go bad means an additional, and expensive, trip to the grocery store.

• Pick up change of address forms, free of charge, from the post office. Request a free “welcome kit” from the local chamber of commerce in your new community. These kits contain valuable information and often include money saving coupons for local businesses.

• Pack wisely and avoid filling boxes so much that they’re too heavy for you to lift without help. You’ll get more done with each person carrying their own box.

• Clear a path. Before you lift a load, make sure you’ve got a clear path to your destination. You won’t be able to see well or move obstacles out of your way once the load is in your arms.

• Use the right tools for the job. Hand trucks can be rented inexpensively and should be used to transport multiple boxes at once or smaller items of furniture. Remember that hand trucks are not good for moving items up or down stairs and are difficult to maneuver around tight turns. For large pieces of furniture, appliances, stairs and tight spaces, try the Shoulder Dolly, an ergonomically designed, patented harness system that allows users to lift with their legs and safely pick up virtually any heavy or bulky item in the home (www.shoulderdolly.com) This is a great product!  Check out this short video:

• Working in two-person teams, users simply strap into the Shoulder Dolly, slip the carrying strap under the item to be lifted, and then use their leg muscles to lift the weight. By using your legs (your strongest muscles), the Shoulder Dolly significantly decreases the strain and risk of injury to your lower back, hands, biceps and forearms. This is an awesome product!

• Don’t end up in the hospital. When lifting a load, keep your back straight and bend your knees. Keep your head up and look straight ahead to ensure your back remains perpendicular to the ground. Hold the object securely and use the large, powerful leg muscles to lift the weight. Avoid twisting or turning at the waist when lifting. Turn your entire body by moving your hips first, which will force your shoulders to stay in line.

Good luck with your move!

Agent Spotlight: Laura Williams

Laura Williams has been working in the real estate industry since 2004 and has been a Buyer’s Agent for Skye Bruce Properties since 2005. Her extensive experience working with buyers is demonstrated by her obtaining a Distinguished Achiever Award from the Richmond Association of Realtors in 2006.

Laura is a graduate from the University of Indiana and holds her Accredited Buyer Representative designation from the National Association of Realtors – a testament to her strong commitment to professionally representing buyers.

Beacuse of her strong dedication and service to her clients, Laura is a top choice of buyer’s all over the Richmond area. Even in the tough 2008 real estate market, Laura is the #5 REMAX Agent in Central Virginia and in the Top 20 statewide!

First Time Homebuyer Mortgage Myths

As first-time home buyer’s grow curious about the home-buying process, they often turn to friends and family for advice about purchasing a home. While these sources can provide useful tips and information, they also may perpetuate some common home-buying myths.

While family and friends may have the best intentions when sharing their purchase experiences, it is important to make sure that first-time homebuyers have accurate information.

There are many resources first-time buyers can use for learning about the home-financing process, including attending local mortgage seminars or researching online. Well-known mortgage lenders often have educational resources and mortgage tools on their Web sites.

So what are some common home-buying myths? Read the rest of this entry »

Richmond Strikers Youth Soccer

The Richmond Strikers Soccer Club is a non-profit corporation and has been providing soccer programs in Richmond for 26 years. Over the years, Strikers has grown to be the area’s largest non-profit club offering a variety of soccer programs for all ages. In March 2006, the Richmond Strikers merged with VA CASL creating one of the largest clubs in Virginia and the nation, and an organization that serves a broad geographic range covering the western and eastern parts of Richmond . Striker Park , located in the heart of Short Pump, is one of the country’s top youth soccer facilities and home to a state-of-the-art Nike turf field. Plans are underway to develop another soccer complex in the eastern part of Richmond on land that was donated to the Strikers. Strikers host several large annual tournaments including the prestigious Jefferson Cup which brings in over $8 million to the Richmond area. For all its accomplishments, the Richmond Strikers has been named one of 45 Nike Premier Clubs in America. For more information visit the Richmond Strikers website!