Richmond Home Shopper

Get Represented When Buying A New Home From A Builder!

Even in a down real estate market there is no shortage of NEW homes being built and marketed by builders.  Many new home developments in the Richmond area have information or sales centers.  Be cautious when visiting as the builder’s sales agents are paid to represent the builder, regardless of what they may tell you. Due to the high volume nature of new home sales, usually builder’s agents are paid less than a traditional commission; some earn a salary plus incentives, so closing a high volume of deals is important to their livelihood. They are negotiating for the builder, not you and you could lose out on incentives, discounts and upgrades if you go it alone.

Hire a Buyer’s Agent to represent you before you visit an information/sales center.  Sometimes once you visit a development without an agent builders will not let you have representation at a later date.  Your Buyer’s Agent will be paid by the builder a set commission so having representation will not cost you more, you will only save through having your interests represented.

Skye Bruce Properties has new construction experts on staff to help you through the new construction process for any home in the Central Virginia area. Your Skye Bruce Properties REALTOR will represent you, be your fiduciary and will highlight the positives as well as the negatives about the transaction.  Builder’s agents don’t discuss drawbacks. Thinking of buying a new home from a builder?  Contact Skye Bruce Properties first!

Time To Buy A Richmond Area Home?

Is Now the Right Time to Buy a Richmond area home? Given all of the drops in the Richmond area housing market in the last few years, many people are wondering whether now is the right time to buy a new house. Should you snatch up the good deals before prices start to rise or should you wait it out a little bit longer to see if the prices will drop even more? It can be somewhat of a gamble, so it is important to make sure that you know a few facts about the current market so that you can make the best possible decision.

One of the most important facts you should consider when determining whether now is the right time to buy a new house relates not to the market but your own situation. Consider how long you plan to live in the home. While you might not be able to look into a crystal ball and see the future, consider what you know at the moment. If you know for a fact that you plan to upgrade or even move out of the area within the next five years, then now might not be the best time commit to the purchase of a home. On the other hand, if you feel fairly confident with the fact that you will be living in the home for at least five years, then now could be a really good time to purchase a home. Read the rest of this entry »

Homebuyer Tip: Look Past Paint!

When buying a Richmond area home don’t worry about the paint color!  It’s an easy fix and change.  Most experienced homebuyers realize this, but many new or first time homebuyers sometimes get caught up in wall colors and other aesthetic features which can be easily changed.  Check out this clip from HGTV’s Property Virgins.  Good advice!

Looking for more great tips when buying a Richmond area home?  Our Buyer’s Agents at Skye Bruce Properties are Accredited Buyers Agents and are experts at helping people through the home purchase process. They know Richmond and give critical advice and support to get you in a great home at a great price. Contact Skye Bruce Properties!

SUMMER HOME TOUR!

Each summer Skye Bruce Properties has a special event called the SUMMER HOME TOUR!  This week we are kicking off the event featuring 3 great Open Houses on Sunday!  Check out our “listings page” for details by clicking HERE! Be on the lookout for more great Open Houses throughout the summer and look for Skye Bruce Properties at summer events and festivals throughout the Richmond area!  Thinking of buying or selling Richmond area real estate?  Nobody helps people buy and sell homes like Skye Bruce Properties!  Contact us today!

When Buying A Richmond Area Home, Think About Selling It!

Follow These 3 Simple Tips!

So you are shopping for a new home around Richmond.  Guess what?  It likely won’t be the last home you buy. That’s why it pays to go home shopping with the people you will eventually sell the home to in mind. Sound crazy? Maybe, but its smart to shop for a home this way. Make sure you buy a home with these simple but critical features which will make it easier for you to sell in the future! Read the rest of this entry »

Richmond Moving Tips!

If you’re moving into a new Richmond home, your pockets probably feel pretty empty right now. You’ve just paid a down payment, closing costs etc, so the last thing you want is an expensive move. Here are some tips to help you pack up and ship out on a budget no matter if you are moving across the street, across town or across the country!

If you don’t need it, don’t pay to move it. Movers base their prices on what you’re shipping, so cutting down on clutter will simplify your life and lighten up the load in the moving truck. We’re talking to you, the owner of the treadmill-turned-drying-rack. You can sell what you don’t need or donate it to charity.

Get multiple in-home estimates. There are many good movers in the Richmond area.  Make some calls and talk to 3 or 4. If you’re hiring a professional mover to do the heavy lifting and packing, prices can vary widely between companies. Read the rest of this entry »

Homebuying Tax Credits Ending Soon!

Late last year Congress modified the $8,000 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit program, turning it from a “first-time” buyer program into an “Everybody” Home Buyer Tax Credit program.

Under the program’s new terms, first-time buyers are eligible for up to $8,000 in federal tax credits and long-time homeowners get up to $6,500. A “long-time” homeowner, according to the IRS, is someone who has used a home as a primary residence for at least 5 consecutive years dating back to 2002.

This is an important qualifier for existing homeowners.

If you plan to claim the Home Buyer Tax Credit in 2010, here’s what you need to know.

Time is running out!

In order to claim the Home Buyer Tax Credit, you must be under contract for your new home no later than April 30, 2010 and you must be closed on your new home between the dates of November 7, 2009 and June 30, 2010.

More details… Read the rest of this entry »

Real Estate Negotiation in Richmond

Working with clients in Real Estate transactions, we see a variety of negotiation styles and strategies.  Usually you can categorize them one of two ways.  A cooperative approach or a combative approach. Which approach is more effective?

Our experience in the Richmond area shows that the cooperative style is the most effective and efficient way to complete a real estate transaction. Professional negotiators usually try to preserve the relationship between the parties, and work together to resolve problems. The goal is not to draw a line in the sand and reach an impasse, it’s to get you the home you want at the best possible price. Buyers sometimes through their REALTOR position an offer to the seller describing why their house is not worth what they are asking, pointing out deficiencies, etc. This can backfire, and start the negotiation off with a defensive seller. It is best to anchor your price to the Richmond marketplace, while remaining very complimentary of their home in the communication your REALTOR has on your behalf. Read the rest of this entry »

Advice for First Time Richmond Homebuyers

During the height of the Richmond real estate market a few years ago, many first-time buyers were frustrated by high prices and the short supply of affordable homes for sale.  Prices have come down substantially in Central Virginia, there’s plenty of inventory, interest rates are historically low and the federal government’s $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers was extended to April 30 2010.

Even with the drastic change in the market, it’s not always easy for first-timers. Once-liberal lending standards are much tougher and lower priced homes in good locations are selling. There are still great homes available in Richmond and we are currently in a unique window where both prices and interest rates are low. If you’re in good shape financially, with a positive credit score, this is an ideal time for a first-timer to buy in Central Virginia.

Here are important factors first-time buyers should consider: Read the rest of this entry »

New Listing in Kings Charter! $289,000

Absolutely immaculate 4 bedroom, 2,5 bath home in the Manorwood Neighborhood in the planned community of Kings Charter in Hanover County. This home features hardwood floors on the entire 1st floor, spacious rooms, Kitchen with granite counters, large Master with vaulted ceiling and walk in closet, Master Bath with vaulted ceiling, tile floor, glass enclosed shower & garden tub, hall bath with tile, deck, stone patio and wooded backyard with great privacy. Additional upgrades include 2″ blinds, upgraded Carrier Puron HVAC, professionally landscaped yard with landscape lighting, new interior paint, new carpet, irrigation system and Chickahominy/Atlee schools.  Over 2000 square feet! (2048) Contact us today to tour this great home!