My husband Sean and I are building a Modular Home on our Lot in Powhatan Virginia. One of the most exciting parts of building our house so far has been the day they started to clear our lot. The project finally feels real as the first tree is pushed over. It is critical that you work with your real estate agent and builder to ensure that the lot is cleared in just the way you want it to be. If you don't work out the specifics, you could show up at your lot after the clearing is completed and find that every tree has been taken down. If you want to keep your lot treed and private, you must walk the lot with your agent and builder and specify exactly which trees are staying and which can be removed. My husband and I met with our builder at our lot and walked off the placement of the house... 10/13/2010

Richmond, Va is a town filled with history. From gorgeous Church Hill, where Patrick Henry made his famous "Give my liberty or give me death! " speech to Hollywood Cemetery where many political dignitaries have been laid to rest, Richmond overflows with homage to the past. But, when it comes to selling houses following what has been done in the past is not necessarily the way to advertise and sell houses today. First I changed my signs. No need for brochures with the information on the sign for all to see! Each listing gets their own sign and dedicated webpage which is clearly printed on the bottom of the sign.  Buyer's with phones that access the web, stop and enter the webpage. Photos and  interactive floor plan , Virtual tours are all viewed while sitting out front! Go to  my website... 10/11/2010

Move Your Money We as real estate professionals should make sure that big banks and wall street investment firms never make the same mistake again, I recently moved my money from my bank into a financial institution with a solid track record. Please watch this incredible video below and visit http://moveyourmoney.info.    Over the next few weeks protesters will take to the streets to show their outrage at the way the big banks have been behaving. From Wall Street to K Street in Washington, D.C., people like you will voice their opposition to the way that the big banks have ravaged our economy, given themselves huge bonuses and then paid to lobby the government to allow the cycle to continue. Go to showdowninamerica.org to learn about upcoming actions and how to get involved. No rallies... 10/09/2010

RE/MAX BRAVO | REMAX BRAVO | (540) 891-8888 111 YANCEY ST, Richmond, VA 2BR/1BA Single Family House offered at $19,900 Year Built 1923 Sq Footage 1,380 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 1 full, 0 partial Floors 2 Parking Unspecified Lot Size 6,547 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES - Family room - Dining room - Yard ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Photo 1 Contact info: RE/MAX BRAVO REMAX BRAVO (540) 891-8888 For sale by agent/broker Equal Opportunity Housing Posted: Oct 8, 2010, 3:29am PDT 10/08/2010

I have been working with a buyer for a while his wife was out of the country visiting her family.  The husband had been looking for houses by himself while she was gone.  He found the perfect house in a great neighborhood, with wonderful schools (Grange Hall, Bailey Bridge and Cosby) and at a deal of the century price, and he put an offer on it. The first time I met his wife, was at the inspection of the home and his wife mentioned that he had really focused his search by school districts.  This had really surprised her because in her country, Portugal, most families send their children to private schools so the school district doesn't fit into the search for a home at all. It was very interesting to me that this aspect of buying a home was so different in another country.  One of the f... 10/01/2010

Mortgage rates were flat last  week with the 30 year fixed rate loan averaging 4.37%.   Here are example rates for purchase loans on single-family homes greater than $150,000 with 20% down and 740+ credit scores:     Conf 30 year fixed to $417,000 : 4.125%  Conf 30 year fixed ($417,000-$535,900):  4.25%  FHA 30 year fixed: 4.25%  FHA 5/1 ARM:  2.75%  Jumbo 30 year fixed ($528,750+):  4.75% You can't beat rates like these!  This is an amazing time to purchase a new home.  There are so many reasons to buy a new home, you get married, have a baby, your children leave the nest, a new job.  Interest rates are probably not going to be the reason you decide out of the blue to buy a new home.  But, if you have been sitting on the fence, thinking that you need more space, or less, or wish you we... 10/01/2010

My family and our friends the Elliots, went to Johnny Rockets for dinner recently and had a great time.  Three members of our party are celiac and needed special arrangements to eat there.  The staff handled it all nicely and no one got sick from eating here.  Anyone with food allergies or intolerances will appreciate how rare that is. This restaurant is not a place for a romantic dinner for two but is a lot of fun for families.  We have gone a couple of time with our kids and the waiter did something fun for them each time.  Once they took plates and put smiley faces made out of ketchup on them for dunking and this time they gave the kids paper soda jerk hats.  The kids had a blast and looked adorable. The wait staff does a group dance when ever a certain song comes on the juke box.  I... 09/29/2010

REMAX TODAY, HOME FOR RENT - 7913 Penniman Place Richmond, VA 23228 Richmond, Virginia home for rent, first time home rent/ buyers may be eligible for lease with the option to buy, certain conditions apply . This 4 bedroom 2.5 bath home is availible for rent at $1,900 per month. Call the Marcus & Tonya Rice Team today for a showing at 804-545-6412   Rent: $1,900 --- Visit http://www.richmondvahome.com for more info or call the Marcus & Tonya Rice Team at 804-545-6412. Great hidden subdivision - close to West End shopping & area interstates. This home features a wonderful two-tier deck leading to landscaped backyard with natural stone walking path to gazebo,aggregate driveway, and electric pet fence. Interior has hardwood floors upstairs and down, formal LR & DR w/ crown molding, large ... 09/25/2010

                 REMAX TODAY, HOME FOR SALE - 709 REX AVE RICHMOND VA 23220  Richmond, Virginia home for sale, first time home buyers may be eligible for a $7,500 grant, certain conditions apply . This 3 bedroom 2 bath home is listed for $135,000. Call the Marcus & Tonya Rice Team today for a showing at 804-545-6412 Visit http://www.richmondvahome.com for more info or call the Marcus & Tonya Rice Team at 804-545-6412. Brand new rancher built in 2010. Move-in ready! Quiet street. Close to neighborhood schools and recreational facilities. Near RIR, colleges, and short drive to major arteries and downtown. Grant money available for downpayment assistance - you can possibly move in with no money down! Please contact us to double-check the availability of this property, to schedule a showin... 09/25/2010

This is what is now becoming a common statement during a listing presentation. It can also be followed by: I paid this amount for this home and I won't accept less!! My friend, who watches houses all the time, looked up my home on Zillow* and they said it was worth much more than that! *You can change that from Zillow to Trulia, or facebook, or any other social media sites out there I don't care what the market says, I won't sell for less than I think it is worth !!! I am waiting for the value of my house to go back to where it was before I sell. Before you get angry with your Realtor, remember the price at which your house will sell  is driven by what a buyer will pay. So here are some thoughts to consider : Why are you selling in the first place? Do you have to move to a new location ... 09/23/2010

I am a Relator® and a Home Stager, and as a Home Stager I am sometimes called upon to pack a client's belongings so that we can stage the remaining items in a pleasing way.  I recently packed up a majority of a client's glassware to show off the glass front cabinets that were part of a $70,000 kitchen redo.  The cabinets were crowded with glasses and ended up looking cluttered.  If you are interested in seeing before and afters of the staging of these cabinets please read my blog on the subject here: http://activerain.com/blogsview/1849806/less-is-more My client was out of town when I did the packing of her glassware. She was putting some into storage and taking some to her new home and some to her beach home.  I wanted her to be able to quickly and easily find the glasses that she want... 09/22/2010

This Saturday, September 25, 2010 at 10am, there is a Build and Grow Workshop at Lowe's.  I am taking my sons, Zachary age 8 and Nathaniel age 3 1/2.  We went to a recent workshop at Lowe's where we built a school bus. http://activerain.com/blogsview/1824953/lowe-s-build-and-grow-workshop-for-kids-in-chesterfield-virginia  The boys had a blast and have been excited about going back ever since. This time we are building a Fire Truck with a working siren! Each child also receives a free apron, goggles, a project themed patch, and a certification of merit upon completion of their project.  My boys loved their aprons and had a really good time with the bus. If you want to sign up for to attend the clinic go to https://www.lowesbuildandgrow.com/Home.aspx  Once you are registered, you will ge... 09/21/2010

   HAFA - Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternative Program Home Affordable Foreclosure AlternativeThe HAFA Program became effective April 5th 2010, servicers may participate immediately, or as soon as is practical. The primary options available through HAFA include Short Sale and Deed-in-Lieu of Foreclosure.HAFA Program to Homeowners:How HAFA Can Help You. . .The Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives (HAFA) Program was designed in addition to the the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) Most homeowners were unable to take advantage of the HAMP program to modify their loans and the foreclosures kept coming and coming. . .The government stepped in and created the HAFA ProgramWhen a borrower applies for a loan modification and they simply can not afford the payments. .HAFA is for... 09/18/2010

Henrico County Short Sale Specialists/Realtors offer FREE solutions to homeowners - SHORT SALE SPECIALIST - SHORT SALE REALTOR  - Richmond, Virginia - Henrico County VA - Chesterfield County VA Does the current economy have you caught between a rock and a hard place? We may have a FREE solution for you! ReMax Homes and Estates Short Sale division offers free counseling and short sale real estate services to home owners in financial Hardship. If you owe more than the value of your home we will work with your lender to negotiate a lower payoff amount on your home loans in order to get your home to a price range where it will sell in this depressed market. •·         Our services are completely free to all home owners •·         Your lender pays our fees, as well as ALL traditional seller... 09/18/2010

Free Short Sale Help For Homeowners - SHORT SALE SPECIALIST - SHORT SALE REALTOR  - HENRICO COUNTY, VA CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, VA RICHMOND VA For all the homeowners who are upside down and can no longer make their mortgage payment (because of either a job loss, divorce, or an option ARM that's adjusting higher), up to now the only option was, letting the bank foreclose. That's not a good option, a foreclosure sticks on your credit report for at least 7 years. If you want to: •·         End the stress •·         Take control of your financial situation •·         Eliminate the burden of an unpayable mortgage •·         Avoid foreclosure •·         Protect your credit •·         Wipe the slate clean and get a fresh start •·         Delay your foreclosure sale date Please contact Marcus for ... 09/18/2010

Short Sale your home at NO COST - SHORT SALE SPECIALIST - SHORT SALE REALTOR  - HENRICO COUNTY, VA CHESTERFIELD, VA RICHMOND VA See if You Qualify for a Short Sale •·         Do you have a hardship? (Things have happened where you find yourself struggling to make your mortgage payment or can't make it at all.) •·         Do you want to save your credit from a bankruptcy and/or foreclosure? (Bankruptcy and/or foreclosure will damage your credit for 7 - 10 years) •·         Have you missed any mortgage payments? (Banks may approve a short sale if missed mortgage payments are inevitable) •·         Do you need to relocate? My Short sale services are free to homeowners!!!! Call to see if you qualify!!! Please contact Marcus for a free consultation and we will work with you to either help y... 09/18/2010

Field Day of the Past is this weekend! My husband couldn't sleep last night he was so excited. This is his favorite event of the year. This year he is driving a 1985 GMC Caballero that he bought a couple of months ago. He rebuilt the transmission and did some other repairs and it is now ready for a new home. He is taking it to the car show this morning and then leaving it there for the weekend. A Caballero is a GMC version of an El Camino. He has been pretty amazed at how much attention this car has gotten as he has been driving it this week to work. Sean loves to bring an addition to the show. In the past he's brought Bolens Tractors and his Dad's International Harvestor Truck, nicknamed Bruno! It kind of floors me that a 1985 anything is considered an antique! How did that happen? But... 09/17/2010

DO YOU QUALIFY FOR A SHORT SALE - RICHMOND, VA SHORT SALE SPECIALIST •·         Do you owe more on your property than its current Fair Market Value? •·         Is there little equity and it is not enough to cover the agent commission costs and closing costs? •·         Does the property need rehabilitation work on it before it will sell? •·         Do you have a current or upcoming hardship that will force you to default? •·         Are you behind on your mortgage? •·         Are the banks calling you several times a day to collect on their loans? •·         Do you want to stay in your home but aren't sure if you can? •·         Do you want to avoid foreclosure? If the answer is Yes to any of the above, then ReMax short sale division can help you.. Please contact Marcus for a free cons... 09/15/2010

SHORT SALE Q & A - SHORT SALE SPECIALIST - SHORT SALE REALTOR  - HENRICO COUNTY, VA CHESTERFIELD, VA RICHMOND VA Missed some mortgage payments?  Want to keep your home?  Is the bank about to put you into foreclosure? WE CAN HELP YOU! We will advise you of your options and may be able to help you stop the foreclosure and may even save your credit. Default situations are time sensitive, trying to avoid dealing with the situation is simply unwise. Let us try to provide you with the quality of life both you and your family should have. For a FREE CONSULTATION call (804) 545-6412 FAQ's What is a mortgage default?A mortgage is considered to be in default when one or more monthly payments have been missed. What solutions are available if I am in default on my mortgage payments?You may qualify... 09/15/2010

When you decide to build your dream home, it is usually because you have an idea of what type of house you want to live in and a vision of how you want to live and can't find a home that fits your criteria.  You may be looking for a specific location or for an architectural style or a house plan that fits your family's needs.  When you decide to build a home that does fit your needs, you should keep in mind that if you need, or want, to sell it down the road, it will have to fit the needs of future buyers. My husband and I are building a modular home on our lot in Powhatan, Virginia.  The Realtor and the Decorator in me are having a major battle of the wills.  The Realtor knows that if I customize our home with too many quirky things like the cast iron footed tub that Sean and I dragged... 09/14/2010