Real Life in Richmond Virginia

Take time to thank someone you might know who has served for our Country in the past and current.  Without their service we would not be the Country we are today.  We can all live the American dream and buy real estate, live in fancy homes and eat cheeseburgers today. 

THANK YOU !!!!

Buying your home in Richmond, VA can be exciting and forgettable at the same time.  Remember your home is an investment and you need to take care of it.  Unlike your pet, or plants that cry feed me or take care of me, your home doesn’t. 

Now that you have moved into your Richmond Virginia home you need to keep in mind several things for the future of your real estate investment.  In the Richmond and Central Virginia market, the soil can be active with termites.  The silent but costly mistake is that you don’t maintain a Termite Warranty on your home.  At least once a year, have your home inspected by a licensed termite contractor.  The cost is minimal but you can save thousands on your Richmond, Virginia home in the future. 

The second thing to consider is having a home warranty on a yearly basis that covers the mechanical, plumbing and electrical items in your home. In a nut shell, it is a health insurance policy on your home.  If the furnace or hot water heater breaks, you call the warranty company and they will recommend several contractors to come out and take a look.  You pay a deductible and the warranty company pays the rest.  Simple, easy and peace of mind for your valuable investment. 

Homes in Richmond Virginia have basements or crawl spaces.  Either one, make sure that they are dry during the raining season and well protected in the cold seasons.  Less moisture, means less chance of mold. 

Homeownership made easy. 

Does your home have color? Does it have too much color? Well if it is on the out side of the house and in the garden, then you should be alright. Of-course if it looks like this at your home, you need to start charging admission for viewers because you have created something FANTASTIC!. This picture is from the Butchart Gardens in Victoria, BC.

Having too much color inside your home could be an issue. Most folks in todays market are looking for neutral colors or at the worst earth tone colors. Colors that go with a lot of different things and colors that make people feel good when they walk into the room. Now that doesn’t mean dark colors are out or shouldn’t be used for your personal enjoyment. however be careful not to go to dark where it might be hard to paint over.
A wise person once told me that she paints her home walls white (or the off whites) and she decorates with color. Now that is real simple. Less time painting and more time shopping!!!

Just when you thought that stone bunny wasn’t worth anything. Well at least someone loves it.
Prepare your home for the best of times and the worst of times. If folks don’t like the outside they certainly are not going to take the time to see the inside.

How should you determine the value and comparables in your area.  Say you live in a particular style home, then you should look at other homes in your neighborhood that area the same style.  example:  ranch = ranch, 2-story Colonial = 2-story Colonial, then a Cape Cod, Cape Cod = Cape cod, then 2-story Colonial.  Try to get at least 3 similar comparables in style and similar in construction and close in square footage.  Teh SF Price is the SP/SF.    Remember don’t include basement space in this calculations.  Only the SF that is above grade and finished.  Basement SF is usually figured at a lesser value then above grade values and that is determined by similar features of other homes in the neighborhood. 

If you are unsure what your square footage is or the value consult a REALTOR or call a local appraiser. 

“The right price sells a home fast than any other factor.  When the listing price is more than 5% over market, price alone discourages buyers.  Overpriced home –especially in a sluggish market–scares away potential buyers, who think they can’t afford to look. Buyers who look know they can get more home for their money elsewhere. ”   monthly real estate newsletter, the Gooder Group.

If you have homes in your area ont he market for long periods of time, then don’t fall into that trap.  thinking that, Hey if I start my list price high,  I have room for negociations.  I can always go down but I can’t go up.  WRONG approach.  If no one looks at your home how are you going to negociate in the first place. 

A savvy seller strategy in today’s market is to give your home a “price haircut” with a price up to 10% below the competition.  with a price like that it will prime the pump and attracts buyers with offers.  And the end result is to get your house SOLD. 

And look what can happen now, you can buy your next home……….