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NEW TO RICHMOND

Thinking about moving to Richmond?

Richmond sits on the James River, about two hours south of Washington, D.C. and under two hours west of Virginia Beach. The metro area covers the city plus Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico counties.  

The median single-family home sold for $450,000 in August 2026 and went under contract in 22 days, per Central Virginia Regional MLS. I'm Steve Davis, a Richmond native and REALTOR® with River Fox Realty — let's get you oriented before you ever tour a home.

Image by Stephanie Rhee

NO GUESSWORK

How your move works.

Get to know you

A relaxed call about where you're headed and what you're looking for.

Line up financing

I'll connect you with a lender so you know your numbers up front.

Tour from anywhere

Live video walkthroughs so you can shop before you arrive.

Visit in person

We plan a focused trip around your real shortlist.

Offer to keys

I'll guide the offer, inspection, and closing start to finish.

START HERE

Local guides to explore first

Short, honest reads to help you get the lay of the land before you start house hunting.

Richmond neighborhoods at a glance

From the Fan's tree-lined blocks to riverfront Manchester and the suburbs beyond — how the areas differ and what each is known for.

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How Richmond's neighborhoods differ →

What your budget actually buys in RVA

A plain-English look at Richmond home prices, what your money stretches to, and the down-payment help you may qualify for.

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What your budget buys in RVA →

Your first 30 days in Richmond

The newcomer checklist — DMV, utilities, where locals eat, and how to feel at home faster than you'd expect.

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The newcomer's first-30-days checklist→

Getting around town

Commutes, walkable pockets, bike trails, and how far you really are from D.C. and the coast.

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Commutes, transit and drive times →

Life in Richmond

The river, the food, the history, the arts — a warm tour of what makes daily life here so easy to love.​

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Food, river and arts — life here →

Pet-friendly Richmond

Richmond has quietly become one of the most dog-forward cities on the East Coast. 

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Pet-friendly parks and neighborhoods →

These guides describe amenities, attractions, and destinations in the Richmond region and are offered for informational purposes only. They are not real estate advice or a solicitation.

Steve Davis, River Fox Realty — Licensed Real Estate Agent in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

LGBTQ+ Richmond

There's a whole page on it — the culture, local resources, your rights as a buyer in Virginia, and what it's really like to call RVA home.

WHAT IT COSTS TO LIVE HERE

Your budget can go further.

Compared to Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia, Richmond offers more attainable housing while still delivering the restaurants, culture, and community people are looking for.​

Making the move? Ask for my RVA Relocation Supplement — neighborhoods, cost of living, and getting settled, with an LGBTQ+ edition available too. Free with either handbook, or on its own.

$450,000

Median Single-family home

$379,370

Median Condo

Metro Richmond median sale prices · AUG 2026 MLS

Frequently asked questions

How much does a home cost in Richmond, Virginia? As of August 2026, the median sale price for a single-family home in the Richmond area was $450,000, and $379,370 for a condominium or townhome, according to Central Virginia Regional MLS data. Prices vary substantially by location, age and condition of the home, so treat those as a starting reference point rather than a budget.

Can I buy a home in Richmond before I move there? Yes, and a lot of my clients do. A typical out-of-state purchase runs on video tours for the first pass, one focused in-person trip to see the short list, and remote signing for everything after that. What makes it work is getting fully underwritten with a lender before the trip, so that when you find the house you can write an offer the same day rather than losing it to a local buyer.

How long does it take to buy a home in Richmond if I am relocating? Plan on 60 to 90 days from first conversation to keys. That usually breaks down as two to four weeks getting pre-approved and narrowing the search, a week or two to find the house and get an offer accepted, and 30 to 45 days from ratified contract to closing for a financed purchase. Cash purchases can close in about two weeks.

What areas surround Richmond? The city of Richmond is bordered by Chesterfield County to the south and west, Henrico County to the north and east, and Hanover County to the north. Powhatan, Goochland, New Kent and Charles City counties sit further out. Commutes into downtown Richmond from most of these areas typically run 15 to 40 minutes. Each locality sets its own real estate tax rate, which is worth comparing before you narrow your search.

What do I need to change over when I move to Virginia? New Virginia residents generally need to title and register a vehicle within 30 days and obtain a Virginia driver's license within 60 days of establishing residency; confirm current requirements at dmv.virginia.gov. You will also register for local vehicle personal property tax with your city or county, update voter registration, and set up utilities, which vary by locality. Dominion Energy provides electric service across most of the region.

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