Richmond’s new construction market is thriving. From the city to the suburbs, there is a substantial amount of vacant land, creating opportunities for new homes to be built. Many older communities are also ripe for redevelopment, with custom builders transforming aging properties into dream homes. This is also a great time of the year to find existing spec homes that builders want to sell prior to the end of the year. Many times, you can find homes that are ready to be delivered in 1-2 months rather than waiting for the full construction process.

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Although newly listed single-family properties are down — 11% from last year, creating less inventory — pending sales are only down 4%. Alternatively, newly listed. . .

Generations agree: Downtown Richmond’s diverse neighborhoods are the place to be.

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With James Beard-recognized restaurants, specialty boutiques, impressive museums and a healthy economy, more people are calling the city home.

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“People from all over love the character and community that city living provides,” said Dave Seibert, a real estate agent in Long & Foster’s Church Hill office.

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Jean Longest, a Realtor in Long & Foster’s Strawberry Street office, added that walkability has been key to the city’s growth. “People love the idea that they don’t have to get in. . .

David and Amanda Seibert bought a beat-up cinder-block house last fall for $27,000 off North 26th Street in Church Hill.

Built in 1964, the one-story house with five rooms is described as “very poor for age” by the Richmond assessor’s office.

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The Seiberts gutted the house and hope to have the rebuilt and re-engineered house back on the market for $179,900 in three to four months.

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“In the 10 years I have been here, Richmond has been a great place to flip houses,” said David Seibert, co-owner of Nest Builders Development Co. and a real estate agent with Long and Foster Realtors. . .

Garrett Augustine picked up a small, rundown house on Q Street in Richmond’s Church Hill neighborhood for $16,500 in February at a city-sponsored auction of tax delinquent properties.

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He considered bulldozing it. “Old homes like this have no insulation, no air conditioning and all the systems are out of date. This one had roof leaks and needed major structural work.”

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But it was in the middle of three identical houses, one still occupied and the other empty but recently occupied.

Demolishing this house, built in 1910, and replacing 

it would not have fit with the historic character of the. . .

Four projects ranging from the restoration of a 19th century building in Church Hill to a newly built urban house in Jackson Ward won Golden Hammer Awards on Wednesday night from the Better Housing Coalition, a nonprofit affordable housing developer.

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The ceremony recognized some of 2015’s best neighborhood revitalization projects in the Richmond area. It also recognized leadership in building vibrant communities through Better Housing’s Groundbreaker Awards.

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The event, attended by about 280 people, was held in a tent behind a structure built in Church Hill in 1923 by the Baptist Woman’s Missionary Union. The Colonial Revival building. . .