David Bruce

Selling Your Home Category

September 6th, 2011

Home Improvements That Help You Sell (for more $$$)

If you’re planning to sell your Richmond area home any time soon, home improvements that build property value should be considered. It’s still a buyer’s market in Central Virginia, and Richmond home shoppers want homes that are move-in ready and free of the need for improvement projects that will add to their out of pocket expense of moving. The key is making sure that the home improvements you make pay you back.  Check out these suggestions!

Front  doors: Curb appeal is the first step in a successful home sale, and installing a beautiful, high-quality entry door is a simple home improvement that delivers a high impact for a small investment. A new entry door will also help lower home energy costs and stand up to weather extremes.

Attic Rooms: Converting an attic into useful living space is a smart way to add value and attract those shopping for extra living space and bedrooms.

Decks: Building a deck is one of the least-expensive ways to extend your living space. Composite decking is a great low-maintenance option, and even building a deck from pressure-treated wood can bring a return on investment of up to 80 percent at the time of sale. Read the rest of this entry »

December 7th, 2010

Selling your Richmond area home over the holidays!

We are asked by clients all the time: Should we leave our Richmond area home on the market over the holidays? Yes, the holidays can present challenges with guests, decorations, parties, etc; however there are some some real positives to having your home on the market over the holidays.  Here are a few reasons to list or keep your home on the market over the holidays…. Read the rest of this entry »

November 18th, 2010

Ideas For Winter Curb Appeal in Richmond

The weather is getting colder here in Richmond.  Days are shorter, leaves are falling and browns are starting to get that dormant brown color of winter.  So if you are trying to sell your home in the colder months of the year, how do you keep the curb appeal up to attract potential buyers?  Came across this great article on the member site for REALTORS (REALTOR.org).  Good advice as we head into the 3 coldest months of the year!

CRAFTY IDEAS FOR WINTER CURB APPEAL

Yes, it’s still possible to create great curb appeal when it’s cold and gray outside.

During summer months when gardens are in bloom and the sun is shining bright, curb appeal comes naturally to many homes. But when the autumn chill turns to winter cold and the sun sets earlier in the day, it becomes more difficult to create that inviting exterior look that grabs buyers from the curb.

Fortunately, it is possible to create striking winter curb appeal without expensive or complicated exterior changes, says Charlene Storozuk, a home stager and designer with Dezigner Digz in Burlington, Ontario—a city that averages 51 inches of snow per year. It just requires a little creativity.

She and other home-design experts offer these eight tips: Read the rest of this entry »

June 12th, 2010

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!

May 4th, 2010

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 »

March 1st, 2010

Staging Your Richmond Home To Sell

If you are trying to sell your Richmond area home, staging your home can make all the difference. You always hear about LOCATION in real estate, but no matter where your house is located in Richmond, if it’s messy, cluttered or over furnished it can hurt your chances of selling. Staging is a critical part of selling a home. Furniture that makes the home look spacious and comfortable can make the difference when selling. A room crammed with furniture can make even a large room look small and cramped.

Skye Bruce Properties has an Accredited Home Staging Specialist on staff to help our clients stage their homes correctly from the start of the home selling process.  “In today’s buyer’s market, a home staged correctly can give you an edge over other homes on the market” says Skye Bruce.   “First impressions are so important in today’s real estate environment and many times a few simple changes can make a big difference. We have even invested in an inventory of stylish staging items to give homes a special look from the start.” added Skye.

Thinking of putting your home on the market? Contact Skye Bruce Properties with questions about home staging and the home selling process!

Skye Bruce Properties, 12000-B Wyndham Lake Dr., Glen Allen, VA 23059, 804-539-8571

January 20th, 2010

Remodeling To Sell Your Richmond Home

No doubt about it, remodeling is expensive. A bathroom remodel can quickly reach $10,000 and that’s about where the most basic kitchen remodels start. In short, remodeling is an investment and you want to make sure you get the best return on your dollars. Ever wonder if it’s worth it when it come to re-selling your Richmond area home?  If you spend the money will you get it back?  Check out this link to the 2010 COST versus VALUE calculator.   It’s a great resource as you make important decisions.

What are the most effective areas to remodel when getting ready to sell your Richmond area home?  Contact Skye Bruce Properties for great advice when preparing your home for sale.  Skye Bruce Properties has a team of listing experts to help you make those important decisions to get your home sold as fast as possible at an optimum price.

November 22nd, 2009

Trading Up To A Larger Richmond Home

How in the world are we going to do this, you’re asking. It’s time to move up, finding a bigger home in the Richmond area is something that’s a necessity now and you’re not quite sure where to start. Your home, when you bought it was the right place and had all that you needed at the time. It was economical, was in a great location, had good schools and carried a low cost, all of which you needed as a new family just starting out.

Your needs, like your family, have undergone a many changes. The family is larger now, the business has grown and you need more space to grow and evolve. Your feeling of cozy has gone to the need for more space, a room for that home office and probably a larger space for entertaining, along with more room for the children to spread out and have their own work space in their rooms. There just is not enough room to go around and you absolutely all agree that its time to move up. Finding a bigger home isn’t always an easy task and certainly moving isn’t any picnic, but you have decided it’s time to do it and take advantage of the current buyer’s market. Read the rest of this entry »

October 14th, 2009

Paint Can Help Sell Your Home Faster

The best dollar for dollar investment for selling your Richmond home fast is fresh paint.  Neutral colors are best as they will rarely clash with potential buyer’s furniture and accessories. Prospective buyers want move in ready homes especially in the current market and they don’t want to paint before moving in.  For a reasonable cost you can differentiate your house with a few coats of paint.

Next to fresh paint, new carpeting makes a huge difference.  Again stick with neutral colors and conservative textures to make your home attractive to the masses.  At Skye Bruce Properties this is simple advice we give our clients, but it goes a long way in selling their homes as fast as possible. 

Thinking of buying or selling a home in the Richmond area?  Contact Skye Bruce, the #1 RE/MAX Agent in Central Virginia. Like what you are reading?  Subscribe today to our BLOG!

July 2nd, 2009

Strategies to Increase Home Sale Profits

The proposition of selling a home is getting better with each passing day according to a recently released report from the National Association of Realtors. If you need to sell your home, a few smart strategies can help you increase your profits.

A number of real estate pundits are pointing to the recent decline in home inventory and the fact that interest rates have increased on the 30-year fixed mortgage as a positive endorsement of a healthier housing market.

Joanne Sebby, a licensed real estate broker in Chicago, and operator of a local Two Men and a Truck moving franchise, believes she’s benefitting from what could be the start of a real estate “bloom,” if not a full “boom.” Read the rest of this entry »