John VanderSyde, Associate Broker-Richmond VA

You may be contemplating whether it's better to sell and "move up", or simply add-on in order to upgrade your existing home. Circumstances can vary making this a difficult decision. This question comes up in all markets, so it's not just a sign of the times. No matter what the motivation is there are a few critical questions one can ask before moving forward.

Richmond is blessed with a wealth of excellent neighborhoods, providing a variety of life styles from which to choose. So, the first question to ask is "can I duplicate what I love most about my neighborhood living somewhere else?" This consideration may make the decision easy if you are attached to your area, or if you are driven to move for specific needs not available where you are now.

Next, "what will it take to make my current house meet or exceed what I can find in another location?" Why else would we consider moving? This may be influenced by our finances, space considerations, modern amenities, schools, work, and undetermined gains vs. losses. It's sometimes best to make a list in order to evaluate this question properly.

Finally, "am I willing to live through renovations and additions in order to get what I can purchase somewhere else?" Be realistic and honest about how this effects you as well as everyone living in the house. Give the greatest consideration to this question, as it has the most significant impact on family and relationships.

The rest will fall into place with the assistance of qualified professionals like contractors, designers, architects and Realtors®. The source depends on your decision, so choose wisely while consulting a trusted advisor.

For more insight, information and any questions on this and other important issues, please contact your most valued real estate professional, we are here to serve you!

Sources: John VanderSyde is an Associate Broker with Virginia Properties, A Long & Foster Company, and a Licensed Architect. He and his wife Ann are in business together in Richmond, Virginia.

Ask five people and get five different answers, but this is the first thing I attempt to determine when my clients are considering a move.

I enjoy living in Richmond, Virginia in general, but I love my Richmond neighborhood. I've been in and out of this city all my life, but never really thought I'd call it home. I moved in with a friend when knew I would be working in the area, before my wife and son would join me. I tried to think about where we'd like to be rooted, certainly my friends had opinions, but it's in the end, it's one of those things you just need to figure out for yourself. Like finding the right home; sometimes it's just a feeling that calls to you.

We came from a relatively big city and thought we'd like to stay in a mostly urban environment. Fortunately, my wife and I agreed on this point. On the other hand, we were having children and a yard was appealing. But the energy and movement of city living kept calling to us. The convenience and proximity to the happenings of daily life was very important. We found the perfect compromise in a near west-end city neighborhood between Grove and Cary Streets, better known as Elderslie Place. Fortunately it seemed to have all of our preferences, well most of them anyway.

I don't know what it was that seemed to keep calling us back to these two modest streets that make up Elderslie. Something was drawing us to a tiny little house, desperately in need of love, in an area that was otherwise above our means. Now please don't misunderstand me, we look at a lot of property, God-bless my poor Realtor's patience. And in those days, we had the luxury of taking our time. In the end, however, we just had a feeling this was the place for us to call home, and everything fortunately fell into place for us to do it.

I suppose that's it. The thing I like best about my neighborhood is that, to me, I am comfortable calling it "home". My best advice; find a real estate professional that is able to properly assist you in finding the home of your dreams in the neighborhood that you can call home!

For more insight, information and any questions on this and other important issues, please contact your most valued real estate professional, we are here to serve you!

Sources: John VanderSyde is an Associate Broker with Virginia Properties, A Long & Foster Company, and a Licensed Architect. He and his wife Ann are in business together in Richmond, Virginia.

Real estate seems to have been a fickle friend to some of us recently. At one time it was something you could rely on to increase your bottom line and secure your future. Then, suddenly, it wasn't! Well guess what - NOW is the time to reconsider how you feel about real property as an investment opportunity or as a new home.

You have already heard the advice of real estate professionals, the media and market prognosticators outlining all the signs of the "positive housing market". Some will feel it is a desperate push to revitalize home sales and get you in before it really bottoms out. Others will realize we don't know where the bottom is until it's passed. The signs are here, and the market is moving again. Stand on the side line or get into the game, it's your choice; but if you are considering a move, what are you waiting for?

You can take advantage of affordable prices resulting from a down market, or use unprecedented incentives being offered in new construction to get the deal of a lifetime. Creative ideas such as buyer-protection warranties provide additional confidence to act now. Besides, historically low interest rates, government programs and first time buyer tax credits will end before you know it. Just remember, as someone once said, "Opportunities are never lost; someone will always take the one you miss!" Ask your qualified real estate professional for more information.

John VanderSyde is an Associate Broker with Virginia Properties, A Long & Foster Company, and is also a Licensed Architect. You can learn more about John and Ann by visiting www.InSydeHomes.com or by calling (804) 282-7300

In real estate, like most things in life, you never get a second chance to make a good first impression. Remember that first date in high school? Or perhaps like me you'd just as soon forget about it! Well, trust me; a lot of folks out there feel the same way about YOUR house the moment they drive up to it. Unlike that first date, however, they will simply turn around and get the heck out of there as quickly as possible. If that happens, there will be NO second date!

It may be true if you put lipstick on a pig, it's still just a pig. But I believe a house is a little different - for the most part anyway. It seems to me (as my managing broker likes to say) that "for every doghouse there is a dog", but some lipstick goes a long way toward getting them to sniff around it, especially if you want to sell quickly for the highest and best price.

I constantly tell sellers that, according to statistics, the greatest "bang for your buck" is in landscaping and the yard. Every year, house trends show the money you put into your yard has the greatest dollar for dollar return on your investment. The first thing you need to do is get the purchaser inside. If they see a manicured yard and a well maintained exterior, they have a tendency to be more forgiving with the interior space that may not meet all their needs.

So, start by getting someone involved in sprucing up the yard. There are a ton of eager landscapers and yard-upkeep companies that can come in and bang out some improvements in no time at all. Have a plan and commit to making it shine; really make a difference. Get a couple of bids, and you'll be surprised how reasonable it is. Not to mention the fact that you don't have to lift a finger.

I know men & women who like to putter in the yard, but this in not the time. Get professional assistance that will make a quick and immediate difference in your home's curb appeal. You won't regret coming home after a day at the office to find a finished product. Your house will look markedly different, and will appeal more to purchasers looking at other homes that haven't been touched.

You've heard it a million times, but this is the first step to making a strong "first impression" about your property. Otherwise, forget about a second date!

For more insight, information and any questions on this and other important issues, please contact your most valued real estate professional, we are here to serve you!

Sources: John VanderSyde, Architect & Associate Broker, Virginia Properties, A Long & Foster Company

The following came from a real estate agent friend of mine. I'm not sure of the actual source, but I like it enough to want to share it.

Often called the Colonial symbol of hospitality, the pineapple was once considered the most exotic of all tropical fruits that a seafaring captain could bring back home from his voyage to the islands of the West Indies. It is said that in New England a returning mariner would spear a pineapple on his front gate, thus announcing to friends and neighbors his return from the sea, and that all were welcomed to visit. Often friends would be invited over to sample a pineapple treat, which was seen as the warmest of welcomes. As a result, the pineapple has been an enduring symbol of hospitality ever since this tradition was established.

Why not share this friendly tale the next time you visit a neighbor with a brass pineapple door-knocker and see what results!

For more insight, information and any questions on this and other important issues, please contact your most valued real estate professional, we are here to serve you!

Sources: John VanderSyde is an Associate Broker with Virginia Properties, A Long & Foster Company, and a Licensed Architect. He and his wife Ann are in business together in Richmond, Virginia.