Is Hanover County a seller's market or a buyer's market?
Balanced market: homes are selling in 39 days at 98.9% of list price, with 2.4 months of supply.
Market scores and charts by SimpleMarket Reports.
Based on information from CVR MLS for the period January 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. Deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
Ready to make your move?
Let's chat. No pressure. Just real local expertise. Ready now, or still thinking it over, there is a first step that fits.
Selling
I'm looking to sell
Tell me about the home and your timing, and I will call with real numbers.
I'm curious
Look around on your own first.
Buying
I'm looking to buy
Tell me what you are looking for and when, and I will call with what is actually out there.
Tell 804-Michaelabout what you're looking for
I'm curious
Look around on your own first.
Agents
Do you need help?
Sometimes agents need someone experienced to bounce ideas off of or want to brainstorm solutions for a challenging situation. Michael is ready, willing, and able to help.
What is my home worth?
Curious what your home is worth, or considering a move? 804-Michael will create a custom report for your home. Whether you're in the heart of Ashland along the railroad, tucked into a Hanover County neighborhood with award-winning schools, or in the West End of Glen Allen, a stone's throw from Innsbrook and Short Pump, you'll get a precise, no-pressure evaluation of your home's true value.
- ✓Custom report, not an automated value
(which could be wildly inaccurate) - ✓Current and comprehensive market influences on value
- ✓Zero obligation, just real information
Who is 804-Michael?
Decades of Experience Leveraged for Sellers, Buyers, & Agents
804-Michael grew up maintaining family rental properties and earned his real estate license at 19. After graduating from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Architecture, he spent nearly a decade working in marketing and IT before earning a Master's in Rehabilitation Counseling from VCU and practicing as a Licensed Professional Counselor.
In 2012, Michael was licensed again when he returned to real estate and shortly thereafter joined one of Central Virginia's largest brokerages and started training and guiding agents through complex transactions while actively helping clients sell and buy homes. His unique intersection of architecture, marketing, technology, counseling, and contract mastery is his clients' greatest advantage:
- ✓For Sellers: Protecting your equity by marketing your home to the widest buyer pool possible. Once offers arrive, spotting pitfalls early to prevent costly delays.
- ✓For Buyers: Navigating negotiations with counselor-level calm and crafting clean, compelling offers that often win on the first attempt without overpaying.
- ✓For Agents: Consulting on sticky, high-stakes transactions, giving 804-Michael a rare, multifaceted perspective most typical agents don't have. Tap into Michael's experience in different markets to help you succeed.
Local Guides
Every community has a personality. Here's your insider look at where people love to live in the 804.
Ashland
Walkable Main Street, nostalgic trains running through the middle of town, local restaurants, Randolph-Macon College, and real small-town soul. Just 20 minutes north of Richmond.
Explore Ashland ›
Hanover County
Award-winning public schools with a wide variety of living environments from suburban neighborhoods to wide-open horse farms and acres of land. History galore from the founding of the United States to Civil War battlefields.
Explore Hanover County ›
Mechanicsville
Featuring established neighborhoods and easy access to major interstates like I-95 and I-295. This area remains a premier choice for those seeking underrated value and a high quality of life within a thriving growth corridor.
Explore Mechanicsville ›
Glen Allen
Suburban polish with Short Pump shopping, top schools, and newer construction. Newcomers to the 804 can choose anything from dense mixed-use neighborhoods like West Broad Village, where you can live, work, and play, to high-end homes near Nuckols Road.
Explore Glen Allen ›
Local Farm Stands
An interactive map of local farmstands, bakeries, and makers across Hanover County. Find what's near you right now or add a stop from the field.
Open the map ›Frequently Asked Questions
What areas does 804-Michael serve?
804-Michael (Michael Hottman), a broker with Malcolm Real Estate, serves Ashland, Hanover County, Mechanicsville, Glen Allen, Short Pump, Henrico County, and the broader Richmond metropolitan area in Central Virginia, including Chesterfield, Powhatan, Goochland, and Caroline counties.
Why is Ashland, VA called the "Center of the Universe"?
Ashland earned the moniker "Center of the Universe" due to its central geographic location within Hanover County and the state, combined with proud, small-town civic pride. The phrase was popularized by former town mayor Richard "Dick" Gillis during his tenure from 1977 to 1990 and has since become the town's official, celebrated identity.
Do I need a buyer-broker agreement in Virginia?
Yes, Virginia law (Virginia Code § 54.1-2132) requires real estate agents to have a signed written buyer-broker (representation) agreement with a prospective buyer before showing them any property. This agreement clearly defines the brokerage relationship, services provided, agreement duration, and compensation terms. Download a Sample Buyer Broker Agreement here.
Does 804-Michael help both sellers and buyers?
Yes. Michael represents sellers and buyers throughout Ashland, Hanover County, and Greater Central Virginia, and he is often the broker other agents consult when complex contract issues arise. However, 804-Michael does NOT practice dual agency. He will never represent both the seller and the buyer in the same transaction, ensuring your fiduciary interests, confidential leverage, and bottom line receive 100% undivided loyalty and protection.
What disclosures are required when selling a home in Virginia?
Very few disclosures are required from sellers in Virginia, so buyers need to exercise extreme due diligence when buying homes. As of 2026, there are 19 specific items the state has identified that sellers DO NOT need to disclose and 10 very specific disclosures that apply only to certain properties. This list changes on an annual basis, so you need a good agent to help navigate these pitfalls. For more information see the Virginia DPOR disclosure guidance.
How do I choose the best real estate agent in Central Virginia?
Look beyond high transaction volume or low commission fees. Instead, choose a local agent whose communication style and values genuinely fit yours. You need someone who actually lives in and knows the area, not an oversized team or "big agent" that does lots of transactions. A great local agent brings the perspective and care to protect your transaction and prevent costly contract pitfalls.