Mechanicsville and Glen Allen 2007 best Places to live!

Mechanicsville, VATop 100 rank: 54
Population: 36,400Median home price (2006): $267,969Average property taxes (2006): $1,624Mechanicsville, a suburb of Richmond, is a portrait of small town living, hosting local events like the yearly Tomato Festival. It is within driving distance to Washington, D.C., as well as historic Williamsburg, which are about 100 miles and 50 miles away, respectively. Mechanicsville also has a rich history of its own as the site of key Civil War battles.
See complete data and interactive map for Mechanicsville

Glen Allen, VATop 100 rank: 66
Population: 14,000Median home price (2006): $235,885Average property taxes (2006): $2,055Pint-sized Glen Allen couldn't hide in the shadows of Richmond if it tried, with world-class facilities such as The Glen Allen Stadium (which opened last April and is slated to host this summer's Babe Ruth League World Series) and The Dominion Club (where Virginia's only PGA Tour-sanctioned event is played). Glen Allen also scores major points in economic growth: The 25-year-old Innsbrook office park spans across over 850 acres, and is home to several Fortune 1000 companies.
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(Source: CNNMoney.com)

Six Reasons To Avoid Private Mortgage Insurance!

If you're thinking of buying a home, remember you're going to need to save up enough money for a 20% down payment. If you can't, it's a safe bet that your lender will force you to secure private mortgage insurance (PMI) prior to signing off on the loan. The purpose of the insurance is to protect the mortgage company if you default on the note. Some lender they over come (PMI) by offering two loans (80% and 20%).
(Source: Forbes.com) Full Story . . .

Richmond VA number 7 in the nation with 6.2 percent appreciation!

Forbes Magazine ranked Richmond, VA number 7 in the nation with 6.2 percent appreciation for the first quarter of 2007. Our median home price was $223,200. As per Forbes "What we're seeing now are the areas which still have a strong economy, but didn't have the overheated prices [during the housing boom], are the ones holding on strong now," says Kermit Baker, a senior research fellow at Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies. Read more ...

Richmond the History and the Future!

The capital of Virginia, in the east-central part of the state on the James River north of Petersburg. Settled in the 17th century, it became the capital of Virginia in 1779 and was strategically important in the American Revolution and the Civil War, during which it was the capital of the Confederacy. The evacuation of Richmond by Confederate troops on April 3, 1865, led to Gen. Robert E. Lee's surrender to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant on April 9. Population: 194,000.
Metropolitan Area Population 2000: 1,096,957
(Source: answers.com) Full Story . . .

The Greater Richmond Region is a wonderful place to live, work and play!

The Greater Richmond Region is a wonderful place to live, work and play. While we all have our reasons as to why we call the Greater Richmond Region home, we want to make sure and spread the word about accolades that you may not be aware of. Each month a new list of accolades will be sent it out in an effort to help further celebrate all things great about the Greater Richmond Region.

*14TH BEST PLACE FOR BUSINESS AND CAREERS among the 200 largest metro areasForbes, April 5, 2007

* One of North America's TOP FIVE LARGE CITIES for BEST QUALITY OF LIFE, human resources, and development and investment promotionForeign Direct Investment (FDI) Magazine's "North American Cities of the Future 2007/08" competition, April/May 2007 issue

* A FIVE-STAR METRO AREA for knowledge workersExpansion Management, April 12, 2007

* One of the South's TOP TEN PLACES FOR THE CREATIVE CLASS Southern Business & Development, Winter 2007

>> Access the Competitive Analysis Report to learn how the Greater Richmond Region compares to cities like Nashville, TN and Jacksonville, FL.

(Source: Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce)

Mortgage rates rise a small amount!

The benchmark 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose 4 basis points, to 6.78%, according to a national survey of large lenders. The mortgages in this week's survey had an average total of 0.29 discount and origination points. (Source: Bankrate.com) Full Story . . .

Foreclosures dip, but that wont last!

Home foreclosures fell in June after jumping to a 30-month peak in May, but default rates will escalate as a horde of mortgages reset at higher loan rates, according to real estate data firm RealtyTrac. (Source: CNNMoney.com) Full Story . . .

Home Prices Expected to Recover in 2008!

Home prices are expected to recover in 2008 with existing-home sales picking up late this year and new-home sales rising early next year, according to the latest forecast by the National Association of Realtors®.
(Source: NAR) Read more ...

Increasing the Value of Your Home!

1- Spruce up the yard, Get rid of trash and yard waste. Landscaping is very important for the Curb appeal. The potential buyer’s first impression is the most important one, it determines whether they want to even view the home.

2- Eliminate clutter inside the home, get the house organized and get rid of clutter or put it in storage.

3- Give your house a quick coat of paint, both inside and outside.Paint interior walls with a neutral color, such as white.

4- Clean up the carpet, get a professional to do the carpets for you.

5- Bathroom Remodeling,Bathrooms sell homes, so make them shine.

6- Refinish kitchen cabinets, Minor Kitchen Remodeling.

7- Install modern light switches and outlets, Change your fixtures.