Your Home Selling Questions — Answered by Charlottesville’s Top Real Estate Team

Yes — demand remains strong and well-priced homes are still selling relatively quickly.

Inventory remains historically low in many neighborhoods, especially Crozet, Charlottesville, and Western Albemarle. Many buyers are relocating for UVA, healthcare, tech, and lifestyle reasons, keeping seller activity strong year-round.

Many homes go under contract in the first 1–2 weeks depending on price & location.

Days on market vary by location and condition. Updated homes in popular school districts often sell even faster.

We use local data, recent comparable sales, and property condition to recommend the best price.

Proper pricing is the most important factor in maximizing your sale price and minimizing time on market. Overpricing can cause your home to sit; accurate pricing generates interest immediately.

Location, condition, updates, age of systems, and school district.

Homes in Crozet, Ivy, and Western Albemarle generally command higher values. Kitchens, bathrooms, and exterior improvements also have strong ROI.

Very — it has a significant impact on value and demand.

Western Albemarle County schools (WAHS, Henley, Brownsville, Meriwether Lewis) are top drivers for families moving to the area.

They can influence buyer demand, but homes priced well still sell realtively quickly.

Many buyers move regardless of rates due to life events, relocation, or downsizing needs.

Declutter, deep clean, touch up paint, and complete minor repairs.

We provide a full pre-listing consultation with personalized recommendations, including which updates add value and which can be skipped.

Not always — small updates often go a long way.

Neutral paint, updated lighting, fresh landscaping, and minor repairs can dramatically improve your first impression.

Yes — staged homes typically sell faster and for more money.

Even light staging or rearranging furniture can enhance photos and buyer appeal.

Sometimes — it depends on your home’s age and condition.

Pre-listing inspections can avoid surprises and strengthen your negotiating position, especially in older homes.

Ideally, remove them from the home.

Clean pet areas, remove odors, and hide pet items to ensure a clean first impression.

Extremely — they’re the first showing.

High-quality photos and optional video/3D tours help your listing stand out across Zillow, Realtor.com, and social media.

Typically 3–7 days once preparations begin.

Professional photos, staging, measurements, floor plans and marketing set-up determine the timeline.

Professional photography, staging, targeted online advertising, social media campaigns, email marketing, and open houses.

The Denise Ramey Team uses a comprehensive digital and print marketing strategy designed to reach local, regional, and relocation buyers.

Buyers schedule tours through their agents, and you receive customized settings for availability.

You choose showing times, and we both manage the approvals and feedback process.

They boost exposure and attract buyers who might not schedule private showings.

Weekend open houses are especially effective in Charlottesville and Crozet due to high foot traffic and relocation buyers touring the area.

Yes — most sellers do.

We help you create a “show-ready” system to make the process easier.

We help you compare all terms — price, closing date, financing, and contingencies etc.

The highest offer isn’t always the best; we help you choose the strongest overall package.

Cash offers can be attractive because they close faster and remove financing risk.

But financing offers can sometimes be higher; we compare all options carefully.

Inspections, appraisal, and financing are the most common.

In competitive situations, buyers may reduce or waive contingencies.

It’s a good-faith deposit, usually 1–3 percent of the price.

It’s applied to the buyer’s closing costs or down payment at settlement.

We negotiate on your behalf to maximize your price and protect your interests.

We leverage comps, buyer strength, timeline flexibility, and market conditions to strengthen your position.

It means you do not guarantee repairs, but buyers may still inspect.

“As-is” can be helpful for estate sales or older homes, but may reduce your buyer pool.

No — all repairs are negotiable.

We help you prioritize important items and negotiate fair solutions.

We work with the buyer to renegotiate or appeal.

Solutions may include price adjustments, concessions, or providing additional comparables.

Yes — if the contract allows an inspection contingency.

We explain timelines clearly so you’re never caught off guard.

Most sellers pay 5–7 percent of the sale price, including compensation to agents and standard fees.

We provide a net sheet so you know exactly what to expect.

Typically the same day or the next business day after closing.

Your settlement agent handles transfer of funds.

No — you can sign remotely.

Remote closings are common for relocations and sellers moving out of state.

Usually by closing day, unless you negotiate a rent-back with the buyer.

Rent-backs allow you to stay in the home for a short period after closing.

We help coordinate both transactions so timelines align smoothly.

Options include rent-back agreements, extended closings, or short-term housing.

“Broom clean” is standard — remove belongings, sweep floors, and leave the home tidy.

Deep cleaning is ideal but not required unless stated in the contract.

We are Charlottesville’s top-ranked real estate team with deep local expertise and proven results.

From pricing strategy and marketing to negotiation and closing, our team provides personal service, data-driven insights, and community knowledge that sets your home apart.

We have decades of combined experience and are consistently ranked among the top teams in Virginia.

Our results and client satisfaction speak for themselves.

Yes — we provide guidance and trusted referrals.

We help manage the entire pre-listing process so you feel confident and supported.

Yes — we can expedite preparations and list quickly.

We also help negotiate fast closings or cash-buyer options if needed.