Realtors. Everyone seems to have an opinion about them and it largely tends to be negative. For whatever reason, realtors have been branded as bottom-feeders who produce nothing whilst skimming off a nice 3% commission for showing you a house and giving you the papers to sign. It’s because of this gross oversimplification that many homebuyers have come to believe that they should not consult a realtor because their services are not worth the “cost.”

To the homeowners and potential homeowners that fall into this faulty reasoning, may I ask you a simple question: When buying a new home, which party normally pays a realtor’s commission? If you’re unsure or if you believe that the buyer foots the bill, then you have been misinformed. Not surprisingly, many people believe that both the buyer and seller pay separately for a realtor’s services. In most cases however, the selling party pays all of the commission. You as the buyer shouldn’t owe the realtor one penny of the commission.

Whether you’re buying used or new, your first house or your 3rd vacation home, hiring a Realtor is essential for those looking to buy or sell.

Another common myth to avoid is that builder’s will cut you a deal for entering the transaction without representation. This is another farce. A builder and his/her agent are concerned with their profit, not the buyer’s wallet. As I made clear earlier, it is the seller that pays realtors’ commissions and you’re not going to save a penny by striking a deal with a builder without an agent to represent you. What you will accomplish is saving that builder a 3% commission for the buyer’s Realtor that no longer needs to be paid.

* Tip- When buying new construction, be sure your realtor accompanies you to the site from day one; otherwise the builder may not allow you to have a realtor represent you.

So what kind of services are you missing out on by avoiding a Realtor?
For starters, their expert knowledge of the field will help you find the perfect home, in case you haven’t found it yet. Realtors also know how to get you from start to finish with everything from loans to getting your set of keys. With all of that paperwork that accompanies home ownership, special knowledge of the field is a real asset. And most importantly of all, a Realtor is professionally representing you! Why pass up a trained & licensed professional when the cost is already built into your home?

For buyers, using a Realtor just makes sense. Be sure to consult The 20/20 Team before you embark on your next real estate investment!

By Andrew Hill @ http://www.NewHomeSource.com/

5621 Walmsley Blvd

Incredible investment Opportunity! This Estate is sold “AS IS, WHERE IS”  3.83 acres of land in a great location on Walmsley Blvd.  Property includes a craftsmen style home that needs a lot of TLC, but has potential to be a be a beautifully renovated 3 bedroom 1 bath home. Tear down the home and use the land or renovate the property, either way this one makes sense to the right buyer.  There is a detached garage in the rear. Invest in this great property today.

Are you Preapproved for this property? Please visit our site to get preapproved quickly by a local licensed Mortgage Consultant: Get Preapproved Today!

Saving on Homeowners Insurance

With the state of economic affairs, everyone is looking at how to cut costs without cutting the quality of their services. One of the areas that many people overlook is their homeowners insurance. Each state has its own premiums, but most areas like Richmond offer great discounts and savings for different features. Contact your insurance agent about some of these money saving tips.

Raise Your Deductible

Most people have too much insurance for their property. Although it would be nice if every home was insured for $500,000, most homes are not worth half that amount. Decreasing the amount of your coverage and raising your deductible from $250 or $500 to $1000 will significantly decrease your monthly premium. A word of caution though, these savings also are a gamble. You are betting that nothing is going to happen to your home, and you will not need that deductible. A safer bet is to place the amount for the deductible in a savings account and not touch it. Then when you need it, you have it.

Change your Home’s Features

The next easy way to decrease the amount of your homeowner’s insurance is to change out some of your outdated features for newer, longer lasting energy star rated ones. Some of the easy changes are:

• Installing longer lasting roofing like 50 yr. shingles instead of 20 yr. shingles. You’ll save several hundred dollars a year off your premium.
• Installing a tankless water heater on the outside of your home. It’s more energy efficient and less of a fire hazard.
• Installing a heating/cooling system outside of your home. It’s better for efficiency and fire safety.
• Installing energy star rated windows, fixtures, and appliances. These also have some government refunds.
• Spraying insulation into your attic and blowing it into your walls. These types fill the gaps better, and they reduce your utility costs.

Environmentally safe building materials

Depending on your insurance company, some offer discounts or savings for adopting and using environmentally safe building supplies. There are ecofriendly alternatives for every product from plywood, studs, and drywall to paint and sealants. They expose your family to fewer toxins and are better for your health. They cost a little more, but as more alternatives are developed, the prices get lower and lower.

Security

Who is looking after your home when you aren’t there? Most insurance companies want homeowners that are home all the time. It means the property is being taken care of and protected from vandals. If you can’t be home all the time, adding a home security system provides peace of mind for you and your insurance company. Installing one can save you enough to compensate for the services.

Combine policies

On almost every car insurance commercial, you hear the benefits of combining your insurance policies. Many insurance companies offer huge discounts for multiple policy holders. In order to save more, you may try to put your car, home, boat, motorcycle, camper, and life insurance all with one company. Most places give you bigger discounts on each different policy you have.

Shop Around

Even though most agents tell you not to, shop around. Open the phone book and look for insurance agents in Richmond. Then call them and ask questions. Get on the internet and look for quotes. Once you find one you like, call and talk to them. Being better informed about the available possibilities of insurance coverage will help you to make a better, quality decision.

For more money saving tips as well as information on how to buy and sell your home fast look us up at http://www.richmondwebuyuglyhouses.com.

12600 Bradway Ct. Henrico, VA 23233

For a list of all of our featured properties please visit: Click here to see more information, pictures and price

Looking to buy or sell your home in Richmond? Choose The 20/20 Team and Tyler Rackley. Please visit http://www.gorichmondrealestate.com for a free property search tool and for a free pricing evaluation of your home.

A home is a…..

place to raise your family,
place to retire,
tax advantage,
hedge agaist inflation,
long-term appreciating asset,
and a place to call home.

The 20/20 Team is sure to help you find the home that matches all your needs. If you’re looking for a home in Richmond, Glen Allen, Chesterfield, Hanover, Goochland, Henrico, or Powhatan please let me know!

Tyler Rackley