As a home buyer in South Central Virginia, you should have an active role in the escrow process. You shouldn’t wait for the seller to volunteer information; ask questions and stay on top of things yourself! Take steps with your agent to protect yourself.
For example, when you review the Transfer and Disclosure Statement, TDS, keep an eye out for questions answered “unknown” or left unanswered. Ask about them until you are satisfied with the answers.

Let’s talk about your specific concerns or plans for the property. Concerned about the open parcel behind the house? Ask about it!

You may also wish to investigate the following non-physical conditions, including:

• Governmental zoning, requirements and limitations
• Governmental permits, inspections or certificates
• Limitations, restrictions and requirements affecting use of the property
• Rent and occupancy control
• Schools
• Proximity and adequacy of law enforcement, crime statistics, proximity of registered sex offenders (see section on Megan’s Law) and other criminals
• Proximity to fire, police and other services
• Proximity to commercial, industry or agricultural activities
• Existing and proposed transportation, construction and development, which may affect noise, view or traffic, airport noise, or odor
• Wild and domestic animals, other nuisances, hazards or circumstances

For Further Protection – Home Warranties: Home warranties have become a more popular option on homes for sale. For protection you may wish to have a home warranty that either you or the seller pays for. (It’s negotiable.) Warranties range in price from $300 – $600 and, for a fixed rate, generally cover limited aspects including plumbing, electrical, pest control and a host of other related areas. If you have a problem, generally you’ll pay $35-$50 to have a professional come out inspect and fix problems that are covered. Warranty agents typically are on hand 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to take your calls in emergencies.

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This weekend in Petersburg, The Church of the Sacred Heart is extending a friendly hand to our community in order to celebrate the founding of the parish. Their 105th Annual Parish Festival is taking place this Saturday and Sunday, September 24 & 25, 2011 and everyone is welcome!

It will be a family event with activities including bingo, a bake sale, raffles, children’s games and activities, horseshoes, hayrides, vendors, and more! If you’re looking for a fun way to spend the day with your family in Petersburg, Virginia, then this is where you want to be!

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Some people wishing to purchase a home feel that they don’t need to hire a real estate agent. However, here are ten great reasons why it is good to have an experienced, knowledgeable agent by your side when you are looking to buy your South Central Virginia dream home.

1 — Experience

Purchasing a new home may well be the largest expenditure that you ever make. So it simply makes good business sense to enlist all the help you can get.

A seasoned real estate agent has completed more real estate transactions already this year than you’ll likely make in your lifetime. That adds up to a whole lot of knowledge and experience. This experience can help navigate you safely and securely through every aspect of the buying process.

2 — Knows the Market

A real estate agent will know what’s happening in a particular area, or neighborhood, and help you decide if a home you find is a good value. Once you find a property that interests you, your agent will show you “comps” (comparable properties) of similar homes that have sold recently, as well as those that are currently on the market.

And if your real estate agent works with an established firm, he or she will have instant access to a host of proprietary tools — and property information — that may be difficult, or even impossible, to find on your own. All this information will help you make a well-informed decision.

3 — Saves Time

A good real estate agent is an organizational genius. He or she will manage to get you in to see new properties as soon as they become available — and arrange the most appointments possible within your available time slots, no matter how limited.

But remember, accessibility is a two-way street! Be sure to support your agent by being as flexible as possible — especially when your time is very limited.

4 — Good Listener

If you decide to use a real estate agent, look for someone who asks as many questions as you do. When you mention a price range, does the agent give you a ‘standard’ list of available properties, or is he or she able to make — or adjust — his or her recommendations based on what comes up in your conversations?

How interested is the agent in listening to your point of view? How many questions does he or she ask? After all, your real estate agent’s recommendations should vary substantially based on your personal needs and goals (for example, you may be starting a family, need to configure your new home to accommodate an office, need space for your son’s new car, or be downsizing).

5 — Tells the Truth (even when you don’t want to hear it!)

Expect that a good real estate agent will challenge you once in a while, ask the tough questions, and yes, even disagree with you occasionally. When he or she makes a recommendation that seems off-base, give your agent the opportunity to give you the facts — and share his or her knowledge and experience — before making a decision. Learn to trust your agent’s intuition, insights, and perspectives; they’ll often lead you in the right direction.

6 — Respects Your Budget

One of the most important things that your real estate agent will do is help you determine how much you can afford to spend. He or she may well ask you to consult with your accountant, financial planner, and/or mortgage broker before you make this important decision.

A good real estate agent will understand the particulars of your market, and help you find a terrific housing solution that you’ll be able to qualify for financially — and that will be possible within your budget.

7 — Team Player

Your real estate agent should be able to recommend a great team of professionals to support your purchase — from mortgage brokers and appraisers, to contractors and designers and real estate attorneys.

8 — Getting to Closing

Remember that finding the right property is only the beginning. Be sure your real estate agent is well prepared to negotiate aggressively on your behalf, and assist you in finding financing, if necessary. Your agent should be ready to follow through with your bank or mortgage broker, any other agents involved in the deal, and with your real estate attorney, until the purchase is complete.

9 — Gives Timely Updates

Throughout the buying process, you should stay in touch with your real estate agent regularly. He or she should give you regular updates on new properties, any changes in the local real estate market, mortgage rate changes, and so on. And you should update your real estate agent right away should any of your priorities change, or if your research turns up a property you may be interested in seeing. What’s the result of working together closely? Finding just the home you’re looking for, more quickly.

10 — The Relationship

Don’t underestimate the importance of personality when you choose your real estate agent. You’ll be spending a lot of time with them — and entrusting them with one of the most important transactions of your life. So be sure to find someone you not only trust and respect, but also look forward to working with.

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The popular Hooray for Hopewell Festival will be here this Saturday, September 17th through Sunday, September 18th in Hopewell, Virginia. This family friendly festival will start at 10:00 am on Saturday and will have live music and other entertainment, food vendors, children’s rides, and arts and crafts galore.

The Zoo to You petting zoo will also be included in the fun. It is sure to be a great time, so come to downtown Hopewell this Saturday, there will be something for everyone to enjoy!

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Home sellers in Colonial Heights want to make sure they are doing everything they can to sell their home quickly and for top dollar. However, many sellers often make mistakes without even knowing it. Below is a list of some common mistakes that sellers make that you can easily avoid!

1. Don’t Over Price Your Home.  Everyone wants to sell their home for the most they can but one of the worst mistakes a seller can make is overpricing their home. If the home is priced too high, buyers won’t look at it, especially in a competitive market. On the other hand, if it is priced too low, sellers worry that they won’t make enough profit. Work with your agent to find the right price based on comparable sales, but other factors to consider include market movement, demand, the home’s location and its condition.

2. Don’t Sell The Home In Poor Condition. To get top dollar for your home you need to make sure you are doing everything you can to make your home in optimal condition.  Doing repairs before putting your home on the market can boost chances of selling quickly. If potential buyers see things that are in need of maintenance, they tend to wonder what else is wrong. In addition to repairs, staging your home is also a great idea. By adding new paint or furniture you can entice buyers into seeing all the positives your home has to offer.

3. Don’t Be Present During Showings. While many homeowners feel that they need to be present for open houses or for showings to answer questions for potential buyer, it will actually do more harm than good.  Buyers tend to feel uncomfortable with the home buyer following them around. You want to make the potential buyer feel at ease and spend time looking at your home’s features and benefits. Let your agent take over in showing the home and answering any questions for you!

4. Act Fast With Offers. When you do get an offer on your home, make sure you act quickly. By not acting on offers you can lose on the sale quickly. Things can change quickly in the mind of a prospective buyer especially in a buyers market. A buyer’s motivation level decreases with time and they might find something they like better so it is best to strongly consider the offer and act in a timely manner.

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Looking for a place to relax after a long work week? You can enjoy FREE Blues music, sponsored by the River City Blues Society, at the Capital Ale House in Midlothian, Virginia every Friday evening from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.!

This restaurant also features 80 drafts and over 250 exceptional beers in the bottle for you to try. The restaurant has many other highlights, including patio and sidewalk dining, a mezzanine level with darts and pool tables that overlooks the bar and indoor and outdoor wood burning fireplaces. It is definitely a place worth checking out in Midlothian for its great food and entertainment!

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Many people wishing to sell their Carson homes want to know which home remodeling project will pay off the most. The last thing a homeowner wants to do is invest money into their property that won’t pay off in the end. So which home improvements really pay off–and which don’t?

Each year, Remodeling magazine and REALTOR magazine produce one of the real estate industry’s top tools: “The Cost vs. Value Report.” The 2008 edition ranks home improvements around the nation. The clear winners overall for resale value v. job cost: exterior replacements like windows, siding and decks. Inside, midrange kitchen and bath remodels and attic-to-bedroom conversions led the pack. Buyers love kitchen, bathroom and bedroom upgrades!

To make the most of your remodel, Carl Vogel of This Old House magazine recommends the following:

* Invest in the right projects. Kitchens and baths get the job done; swimming pools and home offices don’t. And minor projects may fare better than more expensive remodels.

* Choose the right styles. Think “classic” and “neutral” for interior finishes–and don’t over-personalize. Adding on? Make sure the addition blends with the rest of the house.

* Match your renovations to the neighborhood and the region. Make sure your remodel matches the value of your house and the value of other houses in the area. And make sure you’re not investing in an improvement that buyers may not consider much of an improvement. (For example, you wouldn’t want to put a fireplace into a home in a warm climate like Arizona.)

* Keep real estate demand in mind. Buyers will pay more for remodels in a pricey, active market than they will for those in a softer market. Don’t “over-renovate.”

The bottom line is that remodeling can add value when selling your South Central Virginia home–if you know what buyers want and you’re willing to play by industry rules.

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Looking for something fun and family-friendly to do this Labor Day weekend? Come to the Chesterfield County Fair in Midlothian, Virginia for its last day on Saturday, September 3! This event offers fun for everyone, from chainsaw art to camel rides or racing pigs to a heritage village. The grandstand will also feature a variety of acts from a Beatles Tribute Band to the Fort Lee Army Rock Band and many others.

What better way to close out the summer than a visit to the fair? This will definitely be something you want to do for Labor Day weekend, so make sure you take the time out to come. Have a safe and fun holiday weekend!

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It is extremely important to understand how to negotiate when buying a new Petersburg  home. Here are some factors that will help you bargain successfully for your South Central Virginia dream home.

You’re in a strong bargaining position if:

• You’re an all-cash buyer
• You’re already preapproved for a mortgage
• You don’t have a home that needs to be sold before you can buy

These circumstances give you a little more power while you are negotiating. However, even if you are in a strong position, in a “hot” market, you may want to make your offer more desirable by offering more than asking price. When the market is “soft,” homes tend to sell more slowly, creating a larger pool of homes from which to choose. On the other hand, when the market is “hot,” there may be a limited number of homes to visit and the demand for them may be high.

Overall, here are some suggestions:

• Enter into negotiations with the maximum amount you are willing to spend firmly in mind.
• Keep in mind (and add to the contract) some terms you can live without – then you can make concessions without compromising the items that are important to you.
• Always have a few alternative homes in mind – knowing you have other options will help you stay objective during bargaining and may encourage the seller to be more reasonable.
• Try to determine what the seller wants and needs. If, for example, the seller’s new home is not ready by the closing date, you might consider allowing the seller to rent back the home for a short time as long as your own schedule allows it.

You may be able to negotiate the terms as well as the price. These changes can help you financially in the long run.

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Fort Lee’s summer concert series “Friday Live at Five” has been rockin’ since June every Friday night from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at The HideAway, but it sadly came to its close on Friday, August 26. (Or so you thought!)

Things aren’t truly over yet because the series is going out with a bang on Wednesday, August 31, with a finale of fireworks! This exciting FREE event will take place at Williams Stadium on Lee Avenue in Fort Lee, Virginia. It will be open to the public starting at 3:00 p.m. and will feature a concert and other attractions. The fireworks are set to start around 9:30 p.m. No personal pyrotechnics, pets, coolers, backpacks or like items permitted. For details, visit http://www.leemwr.com/ or call (804) 765-3076.

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