Yesterday, I attended a forum on grant programs that are available in the area. It was a very interesting forum, because it made me aware of some of the grant programs that are available for first time homebuyers. Although I have worked with a number of homebuyers who have utilized the grant funds over the years to get into their first home and I have advised many of my homesellers whose ho ...

With the $8,000 tax credit (and the $6,500 tax credit) as well as the continued low interest rates, I find myself working with more and more buyers, especially first time homebuyers who have never gone through this process before. Most of them are very overwhelmed by not only the vast amount of paperwork they have to sign & fill out, but also by the process itself. My philosophy has always ...

I just finished uploading this Duplex for sale, 3111 Forest Hill Ave., Richmond, Va

LOCATION! LOCATION! LOCATION! Great Woodland Heights location! This Victorian is set up as a duplex, but could be turned back to a single family home (please - check with City of Richmond to ensure that you would be in compliance with whichever use you choose for this home!). This home was renovated only a fe ...

Today I came across an article on Frontdoor.com (see http://tinyurl.com/yapxejk) that talked about the 12 kinds of neighborhoods to fit any kind of lifestyle! So it started me thinking about whether Richmond has all of these 12 kinds of neighborhoods. So here is my take on "Richmond's 12 Kinds of Neighborhoods"-

(1) Urban Core (Downtown): this is described as the downtown areas an ...

The other day I was talking to someone and they told me that they were thinking of moving. Of course, they own a home and the first thing they wanted to know was - should they sell their home before even beginning the search for a new home! This is kind of like asking which comes first - the chicken or the egg; the horse or the cart! A few years ago, my advice would have (perhaps) been to ...

In today's market, there are lots and lots of homes for buyers to choose from - everyone is pretty much aware of that - buyers are delighted to have so many homes to choose from; sellers may not be so happy about it because it means their homes are competing against lots of other homes! And many of these homes the buyers have to choose from are homes being sold "as is". So, of course, the ...

In today's real estate markets, buyers are looking at more and more homes - that is because there are so many homes on the market for the buyers to choose from! Of course, many of the homes my buyers may end up looking at will be estate sales, short sales or foreclosures - and these will be "as is" sales and may or may not be in the best show condition! But not all houses are these type of ...

I am working with many buyers who are looking at either foreclosure homes, or homes that need to be updated. Invariably the discussion always turn to how they should choose a contractor to do the work! So to help my clients, as well as other homeowners & future homeowners, not get ripped off by contractors, here is my top 10 list of ways to make sure you get a good, competent contractor ...