Richmond Home Shopper

First Time Homebuying 101

So, you’re thinking about buying your first home in Richmond, Virginia! Congratulations! It is a very exciting decision and has the potential of being a great financial investment. Richmond has outperformed real estate markets in many other parts of the country and most national averages.

Many people hold off on purchasing because they feel they don’t have an adequate down payment. This is often not the case, and finding a loan with very little money down loan is possible even in today’s 2008 mortgage industry. Read the rest of this entry »

How to Avoid Losing Your Home to Foreclosure

(ARA) – Over the past year, we’ve been inundated with daily headlines about the growing foreclosure crisis. While the Richmond area has not experienced a Foreclosure crisis, local homeowners have lost their homes to foreclosure, with speculation among housing industry experts that things may get worse.

Herculean efforts are being made on the part of federal and state governments, mortgage lenders and nonprofit organizations to prevent foreclosures, culminating in the bailout package recently passed by Congress. Read the rest of this entry »

Skye Bruce Reports Positive Real Estate News for Richmond Virginia

The following is a quick market update from Skye Bruce, the #1 REMAX Agent in Central Virginia:

Finally some positive news in the press about homes sales in the Richmond area!  We have seen improvement in home sales in the third quarter of 2008 compared to the third quarter of 2007.  More good news? Yes! Many of our less expensive homes are selling.  What does this mean?  First Time Homebuyers are back!  If this trend continues this will lead to an increase in home buyers as people selling less expensive homes trade up to more expensive homes. Read the rest of this entry »

12 Ways to Lower Your Homeowners Insurance Costs

When buying a home in the Richmond, Virginia Area there are many things to consider. Neighborhoods, schools, shopping, style of home, price per square foot by area etc. etc. While Richmond, Virginia is not prone to natural disasters like Florida and California it is important to have the right Homeowners Policy. You want to make sure you are completely covered while at the same time you do not want to over pay. The price you pay for your homeowners insurance can vary by hundreds of dollars, depending on the insurance company you buy your policy from. We found a great list of 12 ways to lower your homeowners insurance costs courtesy of the Insurance Information Institute. Here are some things to consider when buying homeowners insurance: Read the rest of this entry »

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 »