Buying a home in Virginia is a big decision, and good decisions are built on good data. This guide is a single place to start your research on disclosures, schools, crime and safety resources, and local real estate tax rates around the Richmond metro area.
Important note: This post shares third-party resources so you can do your own due diligence. Nothing here is legal advice, and tax rates and public-safety data can change. Always verify details directly with the source agencies.
Virginia buyer precautions: what the Residential Property Disclosure Act is really telling you
Virginia is a “buyer beware” state in many residential transactions. The Virginia Residential Property Disclosure Act requires sellers to provide a disclosure statement that, in plain English, reminds buyers to exercise necessary due diligence and not assume the seller is making warranties about the property. In other words, the burden is on the buyer to investigate what matters to them before closing.
Practical takeaways for buyers in Virginia:
- Get professional inspections (home, termite, roof, HVAC, chimney, structural when needed) and read the full reports.
- Investigate water, septic, and well systems where applicable, including permits and service history.
- Verify material facts independently: flood zones, easements, HOA documents, boundary questions, and permit history.
- Use written contingencies and deadlines so your due diligence is protected contractually.
Official Virginia consumer resource (DPOR): Residential Property Disclosures (DPOR)
Schools: why the “district” isn’t the whole story
If you have children (or expect resale buyers who do), school research matters. Two homes a few streets apart can feed to different schools. And inside the same district, individual schools can perform differently based on programs offered, staffing stability, class size, course availability, and the specific needs of your student.
A simple way to use school data without getting overwhelmed:
- Start broad: look at district-level trends, graduation rates, and program offerings.
- Go specific: review the exact elementary, middle, and high school assigned to the address.
- Look for fit: AP/IB options, specialty centers, career and technical programs, support services, and extracurriculars.
- Confirm boundaries: attendance zones can shift, so verify with the district.
Helpful resources to begin your research:
Fair housing note: It is always your choice which schools matter to your family and why. The best approach is to review objective sources and decide what fits your needs.
Crime and safety: what the data is showing in the Richmond metro
Across the Richmond region, several widely tracked indicators have moved in a positive direction in recent years. For example, the Richmond Police Department reported a 7% reduction in violent crime in 2023 (1,095 in 2022 down to 1,018 in 2023).
More recently, Richmond Police reported that major crime dropped 12% in 2025 vs. 2024, and non-fatal shootings decreased 15%.
In Henrico, the Police Division’s published statistics show an 18% decrease in violent Part I offenses in 2024 compared to 2023.
At the statewide level, the Virginia State Police “Crime in Virginia 2024” report shows a 7.0% decrease in violent crime offenses in 2024 compared to 2023 (16,853 vs. 18,116).
How to use this responsibly: Look at trends over time, compare multiple sources, and if a neighborhood is important to you, drive it at different times and days. Statistics are helpful, but your comfort level and lifestyle matter too.
Two tools buyers commonly use to check local incidents and safety information:
Real estate tax rates and payment portals (within ~30 miles of Richmond)
Real estate taxes vary by locality and are generally calculated by multiplying the assessed value by the locality’s tax rate (often expressed “per $100 of assessed value”). Rates can change each budget year, and some areas have special districts that add charges. Always verify on the locality’s official site.
Core Richmond metro
- City of Richmond – Rate: $1.20 per $100 assessed value
- Henrico County – Rate: $0.83 per $100 assessed value
- Chesterfield County – Rate: $0.89 per $100 assessed value (2025 rate shown)
- Hanover County – Rate: $0.81 per $100 assessed value
- Goochland County – Rate: $0.53 per $100 assessed value
- Powhatan County – Rate: $0.75 per $100 assessed value
- New Kent County – Rate: $0.60 per $100 assessed value
- Town of Ashland – Rate: $0.10 per $100 assessed value
Nearby cities often considered in Richmond-area searches
- City of Petersburg – Rate: $1.27 per $100 assessed value
- City of Colonial Heights – Rate: $1.20 per $100 assessed value
- City of Hopewell – Rate shown: $1.17 per $100 assessed value (TY 2024 page)
If you’re looking outside the localities above, the Virginia Department of Taxation publishes a statewide table of local tax rates you can use as a starting point: Virginia local tax rates (TY 2024 PDF)
Want help interpreting what you find?
Data is powerful, but it’s even better when it’s applied to the specific home you’re considering. If you want a second set of eyes on disclosures, school assignments, neighborhood considerations, or tax impacts, I’m happy to help you frame the right questions and verify the right sources.
Next step: Visit rva4sale.com and send me the address you’re researching.
