The dates and deadlines can be bewildering. By Deborah Rutter I am not an attorney (and don’t even play one on TV), and this isn’t a lesson in contract law by any stretch. But as a buyer or seller, sooner or later, you’ll have a contract to either buy or sell in front of you.…
Eight Ways to Make Your Buyer Agent Love You By Deborah Rutter If you’ve enlisted the help of a Buyer Agent to help you search, narrow, negotiate and close on a property, first, congratulate yourself. Hiring an independent buyer agent whose sole focus is on you and your goals, not selling a specific property, is…
Your Neighborhood, Street and Neighbors Have a Huge Impact on What Buyers Believe About Your House By: Deborah Rutter Most of us know that all real estate is local…national trends rarely completely reflect the activity going on in your town, your neighborhood, your street. When you put a home on the market, impressions are local, too,…
The Importance of Well Water Testing During Your Inspection By Deborah Rutter If you’re buying a home that’s not connect to a central water supply, congratulations! You are now the new “Water Safety, Treatment, and Prevention Manager,” of your household. The EPA says that about 15% of U.S. homes are on a private water system of some…
This is the second half of our article discussing the transition from urban to rural living. Click here to view Part I. Urban to Rural – 10 Things to Consider When Making the Transition -Part 2 By Deborah Rutter We’ve covered your driveway, neighbors, kids, pets, and bugs. Now let’s move onto the next five…
Urban to Rural – 10 Things to Consider When Making the Transition By Deborah Rutter If you’re like many families, you may be considering a move toward a more rural lifestyle. Living closer to nature with better access to local foods, shopping with independent merchants, and a more attentive school systems are just some of…
By Deborah Rutter In our connected, always-on world, it’s easy to assume that there is internet everywhere and cell phone service is always available. This is especially true if you’re coming from a larger metropolitan area. But staying connected here in central Virginia might not be as easy as you think. Dropped calls, poor or…
I spend a lot of time at the city and county offices, for all sorts of reasons for both buyers and sellers. It’s part of the process as a residential agent. If you’re a seller, you should be getting permits for any work you do that requires permitting. Most municipalities have permitting requirements online, easily…
Written by: Deborah Rutter Amy Webb and I are thrilled to announce that Glenn Robertson, co-founder of Nest Partner Builder Smith & Robertson, has earned the Master Certified Green Professional (Master CGP) designation! A recognition from the National Association of Homebuilders, the Master CGP signifies that a builder is an expert in the field of…
By Deborah Rutter Garage doors are on my mind a lot lately. A lot of this year’s transactions with my buyers and sellers have had issues with garage doors and their operation (or lack thereof). If the devil is in the details, garage doors have more details than you might think. Pictured below is a…