The First-Time Seller's Guide To Selling Your Richmond VA Home (2026)

Selling your home for the first time can feel like stepping into the unknown.  If you're in Richmond, the good news is that you're in a market with steady demand, diverse neighborhoods, and a mix of buyers - from first timers to relocators!  Still, a successful sale takes more than just putting a sign in the yard.  Here's how to approach it with clarity and confidence.

1.  Understand the Richmond Market First

Before you list, take a step back and understand what's happening locally.  Different parts of...

How Much House Can I Really Afford?

One of the first—and most important—questions I get from home buyers is: “How much house can I actually afford?”

It’s a great question, and the answer goes beyond just what a lender says you qualify for.

What Lenders Look At

When you get pre-approved for a mortgage, lenders focus on a few key factors:

• Your income
• Your credit score
• Your existing debt
• Your down payment

They use this information to determine your borrowing limit. But here’s the catch: that number is often the maximum you can borrow—not necessarily what you...

The Richmond metro real estate market—including Henrico, Hanover, Chesterfield, and the City of Richmond—showed a dynamic mix of trends in March 2026 compared to March 2025. While home prices across the region generally remained strong or continued to rise, inventory levels tightened in several areas, and buyer activity stayed active despite some shifts in pace. We’re seeing a market that is still competitive, with steady demand and evolving conditions depending on the locality. Some areas experienced quicker sales and increased contracts, while others showed slightly longer days on...

Your attorney will have reviewed the settlement statement as well as the other documents prior to the closing day - and you, the seller, attend the closing on your behalf and make sure everything goes smoothly.  Once the buyer's side has closed, the buyer's attorney will record the deed at the courthouse (normally the next business day) and then will disburse funds. However, the buyer will have possession of the property once they have signed all documents and prior to the deed being recorded at the courthouse.

The buyer's attorney will arrange for the mortgages to be paid off and...

A few days before the closing date, the buyer should get the Clear to Close from his or her mortgage lender.  This means the buyer’s mortgage has been approved and the attorneys can schedule the closing date.

Once a closing date, time and location have been scheduled by the attorneys, the buyer’s Realtor will schedule the final walk through of the property.  This usually takes place the day before closing and is a chance to make sure the property is still in the same condition it was  during the inspection and that we have fixed any agreed upon repairs.  In addition, all attached...