Friends of the Atlee Library Spring Book Sale at Mechanicsville Branch Library

Friends of the Atlee Library Spring Book Sale at Mechanicsville Branch Library

Summer is just around the corner and if you are getting ready for a fabulous vacation, you may want to head on over to the Mechanicsville Branch Library this Friday, March 30th from 12PM-6PM for the Friends of the Atlee Library Spring Book Sale! Find deals and steals such as hard cover books for $1, paperbacks for $.50, or  buy a friends tote bag for $10 and fill it up.

Can't attend Friday? No worries! The Friends of the Atlee Library Spring Book Sale at Mechanicsville Branch Library will also be held Saturday, March 31st from 9AM-3PM where you benefit from the same great savings!

In addition to the book sale, non-perishable food items, toiletries, paper goods, and house cleaning products will also be collected to benefit the Mechanicsville Churches Emergency Functions (MCEF). And, if you bring more than one donated item, you will be entered to win a prize to be drawn on Saturday, March 31st!

As if that were not exciting enough, there will also be two raffles being held, so bring some extra money to purchase your tickets to win some great prizes!

For more information, please visit: Mechanicsville Branch Library. Address: 7461 Sherwood Crossing Place, Mechaniscville, VA 23111.

Thinking of buying or selling in the Mechanicsville real estate market or surrounding Richmond real estate market? Contact me, Shannon Milligan at Home Sweet Henrico with Keller Williams Realty Richmond West, and let's get started on your home journey!

Real Estate Buyer Agency Agreement to be Required by Virginia State Law

Real Estate Buyer Agency Agreement to be Required by Virginia State Law

For many years, it has been standard practice for Virginia brokerage relationships between a Seller and their real estate agent to be clearly defined in writing. As of July 1st, 2012, Virginia State law will extend this practice to Buyers and their agents as well. If a Virginia real estate professional performs licensed activities, such as showing homes, without the buyer agreement in place, they shall be in violation of Virginia law.

What does this mean for you, as a Buyer? It simply means that you and your selected Virginia real estate agent will have an agreement as to what type of services shall be performed on your behalf, the duration of that agreement, and any fees that may be associated. In a nutshell, it is a contract that gives you the same privilege of protection that Virginia Sellers have had for many years!

Thinking about buying in the Henrico County Real Estate or surrounding Richmond Real Estate market? Contact me, Shannon Milligan at Home Sweet Henrico with Keller Williams Realty Richmond West, and let me light your way to home sweet home!

To begin your Richmond Virginia Home Search, please visit: Richmond Homes for Sale

First Time Home Buyer in Richmond?

First Time Home Buyer in Richmond?

As a first time home buyer in Richmond, the thought of buying a home is exhilarating and probably a bit overwhelming. It's fun to look at all the Richmond homes for sale and finding your dream home, but the process can be somewhat confusing. Below you will find the step-by-step process from start to finish:

Select a Richmond real estate agent - I think I know one who would be thrilled to light your way to home sweet home ;)

Obtain financial pre-approval - Knowing how much you can spend will save all involved time and possible heartbreak if you are looking in the wrong price range.

Analyze your Richmond home needs - determine what you need, what you want, and what you can live without. No home will be perfect, so compromise is inevitable.

Select Richmond Properties - Your Richmond Realtor will send you listings. Pour over them, noting the ones you find most special.

Tour Richmond Homes for Sale - Coordinate with your Richmond real estate agent a day and time to explore the homes you found most appealing in the previous step.

Make an offer - Found a house you just can't wait to make home? Discuss with your Richmond Realtor the comparable properties in the area, determine fair market value, and make an offer to the seller.

Negotiate - The seller may accept your contract the way it was presented, however they also may want to negotiate the terms with you such as price, deadlines, and settlement.

Meeting of the Minds - Once both the buyer and seller agree to the terms of the contract, you are now considered RATIFIED!

Remove contingencies - This is the time when you will have the home inspected, appraised, obtain survey, and work on other contingencies, such as obtaining your financing.

Title Search & Insurance - Your title company of choice will conduct a title search, discover & remove any issues, and you will obtain title insurance.

Securing funds for settlement - Make sure all financing and funds are in order for closing.

Pre-Settlement - A day or two before closing you will have a chance to walk through your almost new Richmond home to make sure any repairs have been made and that the home is in the same condition when you first toured it.

Closing - Attend closing, review all paperwork, and sign on the dotted line.

CONGRATS - You have now bought a Richmond home!

Ready to get started? Contact me, Shannon Milligan at Home Sweet Henrico with Keller Williams Realty Richmond West, today and let me light your way to home sweet home in the Henrico County Real Estate or surrounding Richmond Real Estate market!

To begin your online Richmond home search, please visit: Homes for Sale in Richmond

Richmond Real Estate Tax Rates for 2011

Richmond Real Estate Tax Rates for 2011

If you didn't pick up Richmond Magazine's Sourcebook for 2012, you really missed out on some great Richmond information, such as the Real Estate tax rates for 2011. No worries! I saved the information for you:

Location	Rate
Ashland	$0.09
Amelia County	$0.43
Caroline County	$0.68
Charles City County	$0.68
Chesterfield County	$0.95
Colonial Heights	$1.10
Dinwiddie County	$0.72
Goochland County	$0.53
Hanover County	$0.81
Henrico County	$0.87
Hopewell	$0.99
Louisa County	$0.62
New Kent County	$0.70
Powhatan County	$0.74
Prince George County	$0.80
Richmond	$1.20

* Per $100 assessed value

Thinking about taking advantage of the current low mortgage interest rates? Contact me, Shannon Milligan at Home Sweet Henrico with Keller Williams Realty Richmond West and let me light your way to home sweet home in the Henrico County Real Estate or surrounding Richmond Real Estate market!

To begind your Richmond Area Home Search, please visit: Richmond Virginia Homes for Sale

PS: Be sure to subscribe to Richmond Magazine so you don't miss out on the next edition packed full of fabulous local, Richmond information!

Richmond Home Owner's Guide

Richmond Home Owner's Guide

If you are thinking about getting off the fence and jumping into the Richmond Real Estate market, or just bought a Richmond Home, this awesome Home Owner's Guide by US Inspect is essential to being educated about one of the biggest investments your will ever make!

Interactive Homeowners Guide
Congratulations! You are now—or soon will be—the owner of a new home, maybe even your first home. To help make homeownership easier, this is your free Interactive Home Owner's Guide.
Tip: Be sure to bookmark this page now so you can get back to it whenever you need.

From pre-closing tips and general information and terms to maintenance information and helpful checklists--everything you need to care for your home is now conveniently located in one place.
Homeowners can expect to spend about 1 to 3 percent of the purchase price of their home on continued maintenance (including periodic service and repair) throughout their years owning a home! So browse through the resources provided at the right and learn how to best care for and protect your new investment.
Welcome Home!
Guide provided courtesy of U.S. Inspect.

Ready to explore your Henrico County Real Estate or surrounding Richmond Real Estate options? Contact me, Shannon Milligan at Home Sweet Henrico with Keller Williams Realty Richmond West and let me light your way to home sweet home!

To begin your Richmond Virginia Home Search, please visit: Richmond Virginia Homes for Sale

Fore! Central Virginia Golf Courses!

Fore! Central Virginia Golf Courses!

I don't know about you, but this weather has me dreaming of the beach and sipping fun, fruity drinks! For my husband, he is dreaming about hitting the greens, especially on a day like today! Below is just a few semi-private and public Richmond area golf courses:

Belmont Golf Course

1600 Hilliard Rd
Richmond, VA 23228
Tel. (804)501-4653
e-mail: sta20@co.henrico.va.us

Birkdale Golf Club

8511 Royal Birkdale Drive
Chesterfield, VA 23832
Tel. (804) 739-8800 x100
e-mail: golfshop@birkdalegolf.com

The Crossings

800 Virginia Center Parkway
Glenn Allen, VA 23059
Tel. (804) 261-0000, ext.2
e-mail: cflipowicz@traditionalclubs.com

The Federal Club

13030 Palmers Way
Glen Allen, VA 23059
Tel. (804) 798-4996
e-mail: info@thefederalclub.com

First Tee Chesterfield

6736 Hunting Creek Drive
Richmond, VA 23237
Tel. (804) 275-8050
e-mail: wes@thefirstteerichmondchesterfield.org

Glenwood Golf Club

3100 Creighton Road
Richmond, VA 23223
Tel. (804) 226-1793
e-mail: info@glenwoodgolfclub.com

Hollows Golf Club

14501 Greenwood Church Road
Montpelier, VA 23192
Tel. (804) 883-5381
e-mail: andrewbemis@thehollows.com

Hunting Hawk Golf Club

15201 Ashland Road
Glen Allen, VA 23059
Tel. (804) 749-19002
e-mail: htodd@hhhunt.com

Independence Golf Club

600 Founders Bridge Blvd.
Midlothian, VA 23113
Tel. (897-8641
e-mail: info@independencegolfclub.com

Mattaponi Springs

22490 Penola Road
Ruther Glen, VA 22546
Tel. (804) 633-7888
e-mail: proshop@mattaponisprings.com

Mill Quarter Plantation Golf Club

1525 Mill Quarter Road
Powhatan, VA 23139
Tel. (804) 598-4221
e-mail: golf@millquarter.com

Providence Golf Club

1160 South Providence Road
Richmond, VA 23236
Tel. (804) 276-1865
e-mail: pheonixpga@aol.com

River Bend Golf Club

11700 Hogan's Alley
Chester, VA 23836
Tel. (804) 530-1000
e-mail: ronnie@riversbendgolfclub.com

Sycamore Creek Golf Course

1991 Manakin Rd.
Manakin-Sabot, VA 23103
Tel. (804) 784-3544
e-mail: sycamorecreekgolf@earthlink.net

Windy Hill Golf & Sports Complex

16500 Midlothian Turnpike
Midlothian, VA 23113
Tel. (804) 794-0010
e-mail: janetwindyhill@aol.com

Ready to hit a hole in one in the Richmond Real Estate market? Contact me, Shannon Milligan at Home Sweet Henrico with Keller Williams Realty Richmond West, today and let me be your caddy!

Richmond Business Spotlight: Fandangle Bead Store

Richmond Business Spotlight: Fandangle Bead Store

Recently I stumbled across a cool bead shop in the Old Stony Point Shopping Center in Richmond called Fandangle Bead Store. As one with an inquiring mind, I had to check it out. Although I am not a creative person myself (I cried the entire semester when I had a graphic design class), I have to admit I was smitten with the ambiance of this store!

The entire shop is lined with jewelry, beads, and in the back is a special section where “Bead Empress,”  Melanie Bentley, demonstrates her knowledge and skill for making beautiful jewelry and pieces of art.  There is a wide variety of classes offered, including: wireworking & metal, bead stringing, pearl-knotting and crochet projects, and image transfer, just to name a few!

Even if you are not the creative type, I believe this is THE store that just may expend your creative horizons!

And, be on the look out for the June issue of Bead Design’s “Our Favorite Stores” where Fandangle Bead Store will be featured!

For more information on this fabulous store, please visit: Fandangle Bead Store

Need more space to get your creative juices flowing? Contact me, Shannon Milligan at Home Sweet Henrico with KellerWilliams Realty Richmond West, and let me light your way to home sweet home in the Richmond Real Estate market!

Richmond Home Tip: Buy Carbon Monoxide Detectors!

As your Richmond Realtor, I often find myself in conversations about the home. Last night at a party we were discussing smoke detectors and the issue of carbon monoxide detectors came up. US Inspect has a great video on the subject and I have included it below:

Carbon Monoxide Detectors video provided by U.S. Inspect.

Thinking of buying a home for sale in Richmond or its surrounding areas? Contact me, Shannon Milligan at Home Sweet Henrico with Keller Williams Realty Richmond West and let me light your way to home sweet home on the Richmond Real Estate market!

To begin your Richmond home search, please visit: Richmond Homes for Sale

Richmond Entertainment: Holy Blue Man Group! Amazing Acts Coming to the Richmond Landmark Theater

Richmond Entertainment: Holy Blue Man Group! Amazing Acts Coming to the Richmond Landmark Theater

Looking for a fabulous Richmond night out? Then the Landmark Theater in Richmond has you covered! Upcoming featured performers include:

Steve Harvey's Final Comedy Tour, March 31, 2012

Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, April 15, 2012

Daughtry, April 18th (I really want to go to this one!)

John Mayer, April 24(Another favorite of mine!)

The Blue Man Group, April 27-29

For more information on these great Richmond entertainment options, please visit: Landmark Theater

Entertaining the idea of selling your Richmond home? Contact me, Shannon Milligan at Home Sweet Henrico with Keller Williams Realty Richmond West, and let's get started!