Lane Midgett

Earnest money shows you’re serious
Typically when an offer to purchase a house is made, you, as the buyer, will also pay an “earnest money” deposit. This deposit shows the seller that you’re serious about the offer to purchase the property.

The amount of earnest money deposit varies based on the type of property being purchased and local market conditions. As your real estate professional, I’ll help you determine the appropriate amount to pay as an earnest money deposit.

The sales contract will dictate who holds the earnest money. Usually the seller’s real estate agent will deposit the earnest money in a trust or escrow account until closing. At closing, the earnest money is applied to the purchase price.

In the event the sale doesn’t close, the sales agreement generally spells out the conditions under which you would forfeit the earnest money. Generally if the seller meets all the terms of the contract, the seller will keep the earnest money. If the seller does not meet the terms of the contract, you, as the buyer, may receive a total or partial refund of the earnest money.

Bellevue Elementary School in Richmond, Virginia is named as one of the US Department of Education's Blue Ribbon Schools. This prestigious award is only given to 9 schools in the entire state of Virginia and 304 schools across the country. The winners were announced Thursday September 9th, 2010.

Out of the 304 schools recognized 50 were private and 254 were public. Representatives of each of the schools will be presented the award at a ceremony on November 15th and 16th in Washington D.C. In the past 28 years since the award's inception, 6,000 schools have been awarded the Blue Ribbon Title. 

"The Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private schools based on one of two criteria:

1. Schools whose students, regardless of backgrounds, are high performing. These are schools ranked among the state's highest performing schools as measured by their performance on state assessments or in the case of private schools, that score at the highest performance level on tests referenced by national norms in at least the most recent year tested; and
2. Schools with at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds that improve student performance to high levels as measured by the school's performance on state assessments or nationally-normed tests."

Bellevue Elemnetary School is located at 2301 East Grace Street Richmond, VA 23223-7151. The phone number for Bellevue Elementary is (804) 780-4417. Bellevue is located in the neighborhood of Historic Church Hill, one of Richmond's most well known areas.

To find more information on Bellevue Elementary click Richmond Public Schools here:

To search for homes in Church Hill and the Bellevue Elementary School District Click here:

To read the full article on the Blue Ribbon Awards from the U.S Department of Education click here:

Get the best price for your home in the Richmond, Virginia Are Real Estate Market.

Effective online marketing is the key to selling your home quickly and getting the best price. Aggressive, online marketing of my seller's homes by every available online outlet, is how I've become a top listing real estate agent in the Richmond, Virginia Area Market. It is my job to secure as many qualified offers as possible, allowing you to obtain the highest fair market value the market will bear.

One of the most important elements of marketing your home effectively is setting the price right. Set the price too high, and you won't get any offers and your home will take too long to sell. Set it too low and you cheat yourself by not getting your home's full, fair value. As an expert in the Richmond, Virginia Area real estate, I analyze the market and set area home prices every single day. I'll work closely with you to assure that everything possible is done to get the highest price, in the time frame you need.

The condition and appearance of your home are also critical factors in getting the best price for your home. I'll personally walk through your home with you and advise you of what you can do to properly stage your home most effectively. Some areas are much more important and more likely to pay off than others! Often, the buyer is motivated by emotional responses as much or more than financial issues. There are usually things I can point out to you that are easy and inexpensive, yet go a long way toward triggering those "buy" emotions.

As your agent, I'll negotiate furiously on your behalf throughout the entire process to ensure that your best interests are protected. Real estate negotiations and contracts can be intimidating in their complexity. Most people have almost no experience in these negotiations. After all, how often do you buy or sell a new house? As a top real estate professional, getting you the best terms and prices in all negotiations is simply part of my job.

As a working Dad, with child care duties off and on throughout the week, anything that allows me some Wi Fi time, when I have the "monkey" with me, is something worth noting. Cartwheels and Coffee brings a new fresh idea to Richmond, Virginia. The idea is to provide a place were children under 6 can play, safely and securely while parents can get some work done or mingle with other folks. It's like a Starbucks but with a play pen!

Located in Carytown, Richmond Virginia, this neat little shop is tastefully decorated with a modern day feel and can accommodate just about any family. Another thing worth mentioning is the menu, not only can you get a fresh cup of local coffee but a range of various cakes, brownies and even a kids menu. The kids menu has all the goodies for any child's needs including: string cheese, animal crackers, gold fish, applesauce and more.

I am thrilled to take my munchkin by for some playtime and down time with a coffee break for me! WIN/WIN

Thanks Cartwheels and Coffee!!

REAL ESTATE SANDSTON VIRGINIA

Market synopsis of Sandston, Virginia

The following information was obtained on September 7th 2010 from the Central Virginia Regional Multiple Listing Service:

There are currently 84 active properties on the market in Sandston, Virginia. Of those listed 14 homes or 16% are either short sales or foreclosures. To obtain a list of these foreclosed/short sale properties click here.

Please view this map of active homes for sale in Sandston, Virginia here:

The list prices for those homes currently for sale in Sandston, Virginia range from $75,000 to $795,000. The average listing price is $196,979.

For a list of homes under contract or to find out which homes have sold in Sandston over the last 6 months click here.

What does this mean for your pockett? For buyers, it is a great time to invest in real estate in and around Sandston, Virignia. For sellers, pay close attention to the price per square foot and adjust it accordinly for your neighborhood in Sandston, Virginia.

Please see the following properties in Sandston, Virginia listed by 1776 Real Estate Group. We are Virginia.

1196 Red Coach Lane $159,000

4955 Scandia Rd $184,500

4923 Thicket Place $239,000

5221 Windsor Rd $329,000