The Story House Difference

story house THE DIFFERENCE

storyHERE IS OUR

OUR MISSION

To our prospective client and friend,

Thank you for the opportunity to discuss your home purchase with you.

Our team’s mission is to CARE FOR YOU and your family, SERVE at the highest level possible, and GIVE to this community. Once you have reviewed this information and witnessed how successful our approach is for our clients, we trust that you will want to partner with us for the purchase of your home.

Thank you for your consideration - we truly look forward to serving you and your family very soon!

Owner, Story House Real Estate

Owner, Story House Real Estate

story house THE FAMILY

The Story House team works together to ensure that every buyer has immediate access to an

SASHA TRIPP

Principal Broker & Owner

2024 Chair, Charlottesville Area Chamber of Commerce

2010-2023 Best Realtor® or Runner Up | Best of C-Ville

2016 CAAR REALTOR® of the Year | 2012 Sales Associate of the Year

ERRIN SEARCY

Associate Broker, LEAD BUYER AGENT

2022 Best Realtor® | Best of C-Ville

2019 CAAR Sales Associate of the Year

JOSH WHITE

Associate Broker, SALES MANAGER

2025 CAAR President

2023 CAAR President-Elect

2021 CAAR Sales Associate of the Year

BRENTNEY KOZUCH

Associate Broker

2023 Best Realtor® | Best of C-Ville

2022 & 2023 Best Realtor® | Charlottesville’s Finest

9 FULL-TIME BUYER REPRESENTATIVES

Working SOLELY with Buyers as Specialized Buyer Experts

175+ YEARS OF COMBINED EXPERIENCE

We Have Seen Everything, and Have the Knowledge to Figure it Out

91 SALES WON OR SOLIDIFIED THROUGH BIDDING WARS IN 2023

We Know How to Win in This Low-Inventory Market

20+ OFF-MARKET PROPERTIES FOUND FOR BUYERS IN 2023

We Don’t Just Wait for Homes to Pop Up on the MLS, We Actively Find Options for You

34 AVERAGE HOMES SOLD PER FULL-TIME AGENT IN 2023

Experience in Our Current Market Matters

5/5 STARS CLIENT SATISFACTION FROM OVER 350 REVIEWS ONLINE

We Don’t Just Sell Homes, We Meet and Exceed Expectations

OWN IT

PUT PEOPLE OVER PROFIT

OUR CORE VALUES

LOVE WHAT YOU DO STAY HUNGRY

E G I V E

H E R E W E L I V E YOUR CHOICE!

your closing,

Something that we are passionate about is making sure that Charlottesville continues to be a wonderful place to live, work, and play. Beginning in 2015, Story House Real Estate decided to make a donation on behalf of each closed client to a charity of their choice. We are so thankful for our amazing clients and the incredible opportunity to improve and support the community we call home. Additionally, every quarter, our team takes a day to give back to our community through charities that are close to our hearts. We partner with our trusted service providers, our friends and family, and our clients to leave a life-changing impact on the community we call home.

OUR COMMUNITY IMPACT IN 2023

VOLUNTEER HOURS 250+ DONATED LOCALLY

25+

$45,000 EVENTS HOSTED & SPONSORED

Each of these charities benefited from Story House Real Estate in 2023. They were either recipients of our “Give Where You Live” campaign or recipients of our volunteer time.

top reasons story house

THE YOU ARE HIRING FOR BUYER BROKER REPRESENTATION

“Jess was absolutely amazing. She went out of her way to show us houses knowing how competitive the market is and knowing every minute matters, and we truly believe that is the biggest reason we were able to get our home. She was very communicative and knowledgeable and if there was something she didn't 100% know, she would reach out to others to make sure we had the best information possible. We appreciated the check-in’s by Sasha and the constant communication and organization by Cole. It really seems like you all have a healthy and tightly knit group of individuals who are extremely motivated to give the best service to their clients.”

NIKKI & ZEKE HAMNER

“As you know, buying a house is a stressful experience. At literally every step, Errin, Abby, and Cole were there to answer questions and anticipate next steps. They were extremely professional and calmly reassured me when I had questions. It is also clear to me that they are well connected to the community. They have go-to professional relationships with loan officers, inspectors and title companies who are equally as professional and make the whole process work together so well.”

MARY BETH MCHUGH

data-driven DECISIONS

We provide a thorough analysis of past comparable sales, pending homes, and active listings, ensuring our clients make informed offers based on solid data. We use market stats, regional and national reports, and custom-made tools that we have created to help our clients make decisions based on facts and not feelings. We will also provide a full pricing analysis and negotiation strategy for your target home.

“Of all the agents I have worked with, Josh White is by far the best, on all fronts. He worked relentlessly despite a picky client and difficult seller's agent. Josh communicated exceptionally well about all the issues with the land search, sellers, sellers agents, and supporting roles of the closing attorney, surveyors and builder. His involvement in all these, and solving a lot of emergent problems, despite one false start, was amazing.”

CHRISTIAN HALLER

dedicated LISTENING

We never dismiss your needs or budget constraints. Instead, we actively listen and strive to find exactly what you’re seeking. We won’t push you into a higher price point, and we will be candid with you about whether or not your search is realistic.

Zoya went above and beyond by videoing all the potential houses for us. We were purchasing out of town in a competitive market so we weren't often available to view the homes. This flexibility from our agent was a huge asset during a stressful time.

MICHELLE SMITH

client-centric CONSULTATION

Our priority is your best interest, not just a sale. We’re here to find the right fit for you, even if it means advising against certain properties. Our client is the #1 priority from start to finish. It is YOUR search, and we are the facilitators. You get to decide what it looks like. Engage directly in the search process with our comprehensive platform, enabling you to actively participate and provide feedback on potential homes, and for us to thoroughly learn your style to be able to search the market for your home.

“The Story House points of difference we noticed? Early notifications of properties coming on the market, scheduling showings during power outages, during snow storms, and at night so we could be the first in the door, walking lots with us in all weather, and always being available, upbeat, and optimistic.”

ROBBIE & DAVE BURROUGHS

we know about homes BEFORE THEY HIT THE MARKET

With her sole focus on listings, Sasha always has an inventory of 20-30 upcoming listings that Story House clients learn about first. This exclusive and early access to an extensive database of listings may help you identify your dream home, and get a head start on the competition. Additionally, if we can identify the neighborhoods you like but haven’t been able to identify your dream home, we will do targeted marketing and mailing campaigns to seek out listings that will suit your needs. Our team’s exclusive focus on buyers makes us specialists in the local market, providing you with unmatched expertise.

“Your guidance and attention to detail were top notch. The whole home selling process can be very stressful and overwhelming but knowing that the process was in your hands gave us peace of mind. We especially appreciated the late night (after 10:00PM) phone call with Sasha when we had to make a quick decision on an offer that we had received.”

FRANCES HUGHES

we are available

AROUND THE CLOCK

Due to our team approach, our office email and company phone line are staffed and checked 7 days a week, around the clock. If an emergency (or your dream home!) arises, you will always have someone available to help. Our team approach means that you will always be able to see a new listing immediately, which is paramount in your ability to successfully secure the home of your choice during a hot market. Between that and our full-time, in-house transaction coordinator who tracks all purchases from start-to-finish, you always have someone at your service to help throughout the process. We also have a team of reputable attorneys, inspectors, lenders, and appraisers in town who offer service that meets our high standards and will round out your home buying experience.

“I can't think of anything that Story House could have done to improve the experience - we were blown away by the generosity, communication, and clear and well-explained advice each step of the way. Personally, I really loved that every piece of advice came along with an explanation for why the advice was being given. That really helped us feel so confident and willing to put in any effort required on our part to follow the advice given. And the extra gifts and thoughtful touches - that was such a nice surprise!”

LACEY BAUMAN

trusted network OF PROFESSIONALS

Our commitment to excellence extends to a dedicated team of reputable builders, vendors, contractors, affiliates, and lenders, ensuring that you're connected with trustworthy professionals throughout your entire home buying journey. We pride ourselves on transparency, providing candid insights about individuals who align with your needs and preferences during the search for your dream home.

Together with this comprehensive network of professionals, we can help you navigate the home buying process with confidence and peace of mind. Your satisfaction is our priority every step of the way.

“The process of home buying is seamless with Story House. Very professional approach! The team is simply amazing! l loved the weekly updates, that clearly provided me a quick status about where we are in the home buying process. Our agent suggested great home improvements, and also introduced me to several local contractors who gave me several quotes. The team paid attention to every minor little detail and patiently answered all my questions.”

KRISHNAN SESHADRI

people

OVER PROFIT

Our commitment is to you, our client, not to our profit margin or income. It will never feel like a win for us if you aren’t completely thrilled with the process.

“Being upfront with me about the actual costs of homeownership was what stuck out to me the most. If we visited a lovely house that needed a new roof or heating system soon, Virgil was quick to disclose that, which made decisions a lot simpler.”

LUCAS BEANE

integrity IN ACTION

We adhere to the highest ethical standards, ensuring that every decision is made with integrity and transparency. Known for our downto-earth, non-salesy demeanor, we focus on genuine connections rather than transactions.

“My wife and I have purchased two homes using the Story House team, and have loved every experience. We cannot wait to recommend Josh and Virgil to our friends, and Story House Real Estate genuinely feels like a company that's built their success on doing right by their clients and being community-oriented people. Their annual events, regular breakfasts, and intentionality in every interaction keep us coming back. Don't bother looking elsewhere if you're ready to buy or sell a home in Central Virginia!”

HUNTER SHELDON

long-term RELATIONSHIP BUILDING

We’re not just about the sale; we’re about building lasting relationships and being your trusted advisor for any future real estate needs.

“Professional, prompt and pleasant. Story House knows realty, marketing, this area, and how to work as a team. We have used them for both buying and selling and recommend them without reservation. My advice is to use them and don’t second-guess them. They are true experts. Follow their advice and you will greatly increase the odds of a very successful outcome.”

ADRIENNE KELLER

unparalleled CLIENT EXPERIENCE

From gifts, to parties, to client events, to giveaways, to our family atmosphere; we consistently work to ensure we make every client experience fun. At the end of every closing, we make a donation to a non-profit of the client’s choice - part of our mission and something that makes us unique. We are not just here for a transaction, but for a friendship that we hope to continue for many years.

Expert advocate and negotiator

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HAVE BUYER AGENCY REPRESENTATION?

We have fiduciary duties to you and no other parties to the transaction

We are only paid upon your successful sale

We help you negotiate and facilitate a successful sale

WHAT DOES IT COST TO HAVE BUYER AGENCY REPRESENTATION?

The Story House full-service fee for buyer representation is 3% of the sales price of the home

FULL-TIME BUYERS AGENTS

Our entire team is knowledgeable and experienced, having undergone training in many facets of the real estate sales process. We are all at your service to make the process as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

did you know?

OUR BUYERS AGENTS ARE 100% DEDICATED TO WORKING WITH BUYERS.

DID WE COVER EVERYTHING?

SELECTING AN AGENT TO REPRESENT YOU

Story House Points of Difference

Buyer Agency Representation

Our Mission Statement

Referral-Based Business

Survey at the End of the Process

FINANCING YOUR PURCHASE

Recommended Lenders

Closing Costs and Cost to Purchase

BEGINNING YOUR HOME BUYING JOURNEY

Steps in the Process

Where to Search

Customizing Your Search Criteria

SPECIFIC PURCHASE CIRCUMSTANCES

New Construction

Off Market Listings

For Sale By Owners

Land

WHAT’S NEXT?

Our Buyer Agency Agreement

THANK

you!

We hope that we have shared some points of difference that will help solidify your decision to select us to help you with your home purchase. We are grateful for the opportunity, and look forward to hearing from you and working together soon.