Richmond Home Shopper

Neighborhood Profile: Wyndham Forest

Wyndham Forest is a community of approximately 376 single family homes located in Western Henrico County north of Nuckols Road between Cauthorne and Shady Grove Roads. The Chickahominy River and an environmental protected area lie behind portions of the neighborhood ensuring no additional development in those areas. This HHHunt community was built in the late 1990’s to early 2000’s and is divided into three areas-Wyndham Forest consisting of 216 homes, Chappell Ridge consisting of 122 homes, and Rivers Edge consisting of 38 homes. Read the rest of this entry »

Recovery Signs in Housing Market Stir Some Hope

New York Times Article….

Recovery Signs in Housing Market Stir Some Hope

DAVID STREITFELD, NEW YORK TIMES-  After a plunge lasting three years, houses have finally become cheap enough to lure buyers. That, in turn, is stabilizing prices, generating hope that the real estate market is beginning to recover.

Eight cities, including Chicago, Cleveland, Denver and San Francisco, showed price increases in May, up from four in April and one in March, according to data released Tuesday. Two other cities, Charlotte, N.C., and New York, were flat. Read the rest of this entry »

Home Inspection Tips for Homebuyers

You have made an offer on a Richmond area home and it has been accepted.  Congratulations!!!  Included in your offer was a provision for a home inspection.  Smart!!!  Here are some tips for that all important home inspection.

Make sure that there will be proper access to the home and that all areas can be viewed and inspected. Make sure that all of the utilities have been turned on including water, electric, gas and oil supplies if there is oil fired equipment in the home. There have been many times recently that I did not have complete access to the home. Have the sellers remove storage away from foundation walls and garage walls so that they can be inspected. If the home inspector can not view the area he or she must indicate that in the report and that becomes an area of open risk because its not visible. Read the rest of this entry »

The Cows Are Happy In Varina!

Cows and Crops win out over Homes in Eastern Henrico County.

Looks like dense suburban development won’t be coming to Varina in Eastern Henrico County. Supervisors unanimously voted yesterday to adopt the 2026 Comprehensive Plan, with amendments to ease concerns of Varina area residents who want to keep their part of Henrico County rural.

Varina Farm, a very attractive tract of land along the James River at the i-295 bridge will remain a farm instead of a Suburban Mixed Use development, according to the final version of the plan.  Henrico County will also retain separate, distinct designations for rural residential and prime agricultural land.

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Richmond Real Estate Negotiation 101

Real Estate is one of the few places in American life where some form of negotiation is the rule rather than the exception. Just because it is the norm does not mean that most people are good at it.  Many people feel that they are the best negotiators in the world, but in reality, it is a learned art. It takes a keen understanding of the process in order to be a good negotiator.

When it comes to Real Estate matters, the 3 most important aspects of an effective negotiation are:

1) Information 2) Preparation 3) Realism

Recognizing that being a good negotiator does not come naturally to most people is the first step in becoming one! Read the rest of this entry »

More Tax Breaks in 2009 and Beyond

Homeownership and green improvements will be more affordable for more Americans in 2009, thanks to several provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The changes will put more money in taxpayers’ pockets and allow homeowners to save thousands of dollars over the next several years.

The First-time Homebuyer Credit has been extended and increased to qualifying individuals who purchase a home in 2009 before Dec. 1. First-time homebuyers are defined as those who have never owned a principal residence or who have not owned a principal residence at any time during the three years prior to the date of purchase.

For 2008 and 2009 tax returns, the credit is equal to 10 percent of the home purchase price, up to $8,000. It phases out when modified adjusted gross income is $75,000 for an individual or $150,000 for joint filers. Married taxpayers must both qualify as “first-time homebuyers” in order to receive the full credit. Read the rest of this entry »