David Bruce

November 10th, 2009

$8,000 First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit at a Glance

New Tax Credits Provide Outstanding Opportunities for First Time Homebuyers!

The Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 has extended the tax credit of up to $8,000 for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence.  Here are the details for the $8,000 First-time Home Buyer Tax Credit at a Glance… Read the rest of this entry »

November 7th, 2009

Homebuyer Tax Credit Extended!

President and Congress Also Expand Tax Credit!

Congress and the President wants more people to buy homes, so it’s extending and expanding a tax credit program set to expire in just a few weeks. Missed out on Cash for Clunkers? Congress has another deal for you: buy a home before May 1 and cut your tax bill. It’s all part of the government effort to help the struggling housing industry. Since January, first-time home buyers have been getting tax credits of up to $8,000 as part of the economic stimulus package.

The tax credit did help boost sales, just like Cash for Clunkers got people to buy new cars. The industry estimates 350,000 buyers would not have purchased their homes without the credit. But that credit was due to expire at the end of November. Congress agreed to extend it into the spring and to expand it to many people who already own homes. Read the rest of this entry »

November 4th, 2009

Is It Time To Buy Richmond Real Estate?

If you’re looking at homes for sale in the Richmond area and are waiting around for “the deal of a lifetime”, you might want to rethink your strategy.  If you’re a Richmond real estate market watcher and trying to digest all the information through the news media and websites, you’re probably overwhelmed with confusion by now wondering where is the bottom of the market. Is the Richmond real estate market improving or still going down? Read the rest of this entry »

October 24th, 2009

Existing Home Sales Surge

There were few major surprises in the economic news this week, and little change in the stock market. While there was a great deal of daily volatility, mortgage rates ended the week nearly unchanged.

A flood of housing market data was released during the week, and most of it reflected improvement in the sector. The biggest unexpected news came from the September Existing Home Sales report, which jumped 9% from August to the highest level since July 2007. Inventories of unsold existing homes dropped sharply to a 7.8-month supply from a 9.3-month supply in August. 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!

October 12th, 2009

Buying A Richmond Condo or Townhouse

The easiest way to understand the concept of a Richmond area condominium or townhouse ownership is to see it as an apartment you own. Your ownership extends inward from your interior walls, floors and ceilings. In addition, you are a partner, with all of the other owners in the complex, of the exterior structure (the foundation, exterior walls and roof) as well as any common areas and amenities (for example, swimming pools, clubhouses, tennis courts, play areas, etc.) Read the rest of this entry »

October 4th, 2009

Richmond Parade of Homes Information

The 2009 Richmond Parade of Homes kicked off yesterday and runs through October 18th. You may tour 71 new homes throughout the Greater Richmond and Tri-City areas priced from $170,000 to over $1.5 million. The event is put on by the Home Builder Association of Richmond.  Here is a link to the Association’s helpful website which you can use as a tool for selecting homes to tour and planning your route.

If you are considering buying a new home in the Richmond area make sure you have Buyer representation in the process it can save you thousands!  Read the rest of this entry »

October 1st, 2009

Why Richmond is a Great Place to Live!

Found this video on YOU TUBE.  The City of Richmond, Chamber of Commerce or any other area organization could spend a million and not come up with something as good as this.  An instant classic!  Looking for a home in the Richmond area?  Skye Bruce Properties has a team of professionals to help you with your search.  From the Fan to Southside, From Ginter Park to Short Pump, from Goochland to Varina; Skye Bruce Properties can find you a great home at a great price!  Contact Skye Bruce Properties today!

October 1st, 2009

Richmond Area Short Sales

What is a short sale and should I consider buying one?

Short sales occur when someone owes more on their house than the house will currently sell for. The lender will consider it because it saves them the time and effort of a foreclosure. The foreclosure process can take a very long time and be very expensive for the lender.

An example would be a situation where the homeowner owes the mortgage company $250,000 on a house that is now worth only $200,000. The homeowner will be unable to sell their house because they do not have the $50,000 difference to make up to the lender. The lender can choose to accept a short sale on the property or they may choose to foreclose on the property. With so many properties currently in foreclosure the lender will more than likely entertain short sale offers. Read the rest of this entry »

September 29th, 2009

A Richmond Homebuyer’s Experience

We love it when we here from our clients!  Below is a note we recently received from a couple we helped buy and sell a Richmond area home. A home purchase can be a complicated process, but at Skye Bruce Properties we try to make the process a fun and low stress experience!

Catena Armstrong with Skye Bruce Properties was wonderful to work with. Her vast experience and inviting personality make her an excellent REALTOR and an easy, comfortable fit for us. Looking back sometimes it seemed as if she knew what we were looking for more than we did. It was obvious that she wanted us to find the perfect fit and would look with us as long as it took. She arranged last minute showings, drove out to look at houses in the middle of nowhere, entertained our son so we could look around, showed up early at appointments to check out the houses in advance. We learned a lot from Catena about the types of questions to ask, things to consider long-term that we would not have thought of otherwise, and how to write a solid contract. We valued her perspective and input. We are now in our new home and loving every minute of it. I will think of Catena every time I walk across my welcome mat. BILL & KELLIE L.

Want to learn more about the home buying process? Check out our page on Understanding The Home Buying Process! Looking to buy or sell a home and want a low stress experience? Contact Skye Bruce Properties today!