RAAM Property Evaluation

2736 Royal Crest Dr, Midlothian, VA 23113 ยท Queen's Grant at Riverdowns, Section 5
Framework v4.1 Assessment
TIER 2 โ€” STRONG CONTENDER ยท RAAM 49.5 / 65
RAAM Score
49.5
List Price
$865K
Price/RAAM Pt
$17,475
$/SF
$223
Lot Size
0.94 ac
Days on Mkt
1

01 Executive Summary

Bottom Line

2736 Royal Crest Dr is a 2011-built Craftsman/Transitional on 0.94 acres in Queen's Grant at Riverdowns โ€” a quality Robious Corridor subdivision with strong fundamentals. The property delivers excellent lot size (near the 1-acre mark), 3,883 SF with 5 bedrooms and 5.5 baths, a 3-car garage, and HardiPlank construction. The school stack (Bettie Weaver 7 โ†’ Robious Middle 7 โ†’ James River High 6) clears the v4.1 threshold with all schools โ‰ฅ6/10. However, the list price of $865K is aggressively positioned โ€” 18.6% above the $729,500 county assessment and sitting at the far edge of the ATTOM AVM's $884,378 midpoint estimate. The Price-to-RAAM ratio of $17,475/point is well above the Tier 1 benchmark of $8Kโ€“$10K/point, indicating the asking price does not align with the RAAM score. This is a strong house on a strong lot that's priced for the neighborhood premium rather than its individual fundamentals.

Key trade-off: Outstanding lot size and privacy vs. aggressive pricing and a sewer/septic data discrepancy that needs pre-offer verification. The RAAM score of 49.5/65 reflects genuine house quality dragged down significantly by poor price efficiency at the listed asking price.

02 Property Snapshot

AttributeValueRAAM Relevance
Square Footage3,883 SF (finished above grade)Strong for price point; competitive vs. Tier 1 benchmarks
Lot Size0.94 acres (40,859 SF per ATTOM)โœ“ Excellent โ€” near 1-acre threshold; 22/25 points
Beds / Baths5 BD / 5 Full + 1 HalfStrong configuration; 3rd-floor teen suite adds flexibility
Year Built2011 (15 years old)Modern systems; approaching first major maintenance cycle
List Price$865,000โœ• 18.6% above county assessment; weak price efficiency
$/SF$223/SFIn range for Queens Grant but above comp median of ~$196โ€“$212
School StackBettie Weaver (7) โ†’ Robious Mid (7) โ†’ James River HS (6)โœ“ All โ‰ฅ6/10 โ€” threshold PASS
Commute to RIC~28 min (off-peak via I-64/I-295)25โ€“35 min band = 2/6 pts
Walk Score~8 (Car-Dependent)Confirms Suburban Track โ€” standard for Robious Corridor
County Assessment (2025)$729,500List price is $135,500 above assessment
ATTOM AVM$884,378 (90% confidence)List price slightly below AVM midpoint
HOA$700/year (Riverdowns HOA)Minimal; common areas only
Flood ZoneZone X โ€” Minimal Flood Hazardโœ“ PASS
Garage3-car attached, rear-facingOversized; premium configuration
StyleCraftsman / TransitionalQuality designed subdivision character

03 Tier 0 Screening & Exclusion Check

Hard FilterStatusDetail
Tier A Values Exclusionโœ“ PASSChesterfield County โ€” exemplary. 1 book removal (JLARC). Stable governance under Dr. Murray.
Tier B Situational Holdโœ“ PASSNot in Moseley area. Robious Corridor is fully approved.
School Threshold (all โ‰ฅ6/10)โœ“ PASSBWE 7 + Robious 7 + James River 6 โ€” all clear
Budget Ceiling (โ‰ค$1.2M)โœ“ PASS$865K list is within ceiling
Structural Repair (<$75K)โœ“ PASS2011 build; no evident structural issues; cosmetic updates only
FEMA Flood Zoneโœ“ PASSZone X โ€” minimal hazard. Panel 51041C0020E (2024-05-08)
Lot Size โ‰ฅ0.25 acresโœ“ PASS0.94 acres โ€” well above threshold
Tier 0 Result: ALL FILTERS PASSED

Property qualifies for full RAAM scoring under the Suburban Track.

04 School Threshold Verification

LevelSchoolGreatSchools RatingKey Data
Elementary (Kโ€“5)Bettie Weaver Elementary7 / 10Top 5% in VA; 91% math proficiency, 91% reading; Niche A-; ranked #3 in CCPS elementary
Middle (6โ€“8)Robious Middle School7 / 104-star SchoolDigger; B+ Niche; 73% math/reading proficiency; above average vs. state
High (9โ€“12)James River High School6 / 10A- Niche; 92% graduation rate; 1200 avg SAT; Leadership specialty center; National Blue Ribbon school
Schools meet threshold. No additional RAAM points awarded. Stack is 7/7/6 โ€” all schools โ‰ฅ6/10. Under v4.1, diminishing returns above 6/10 mean this stack is scored identically to any other passing stack. The search optimizes for the best house, not the best school zone.
James River HS Context โ€” The 6/10 Floor

James River's 6/10 GreatSchools rating is the threshold minimum. Parent reviews consistently describe it as better than the number suggests โ€” the rating is suppressed by a diverse student body (the school includes ESL populations) which affects aggregate test scores. It holds National Blue Ribbon designation and has the Leadership specialty center. The 92% graduation rate and 1200 SAT average indicate a school performing well above what a 6/10 surface rating implies. For v4.1 purposes, it clears the binary filter.

05 RAAM Scoring Table โ€” Suburban Track (v4.1)

ComponentWeightScoreWeightedRationale
Lot Size & Privacy 25 pts 22/25 22.0 0.94 acres โ€” just under the 1.0-acre full-credit mark. Lot 32 per subdivision plat sits on the interior of Royal Crest Drive with RPA/conservation buffer to rear. Mature trees (30' preservation strip per plat). No adjacent commercial or road noise. Invisible fencing noted. Strong privacy with wooded setback. Deducted 3 points only for being fractionally under 1 acre and master-planned lot uniformity.
Condition & Systems 12 pts 9/12 9.0 2011 build (15 years) โ€” approaching first major system cycle. Heat pump HVAC (zoned) is appropriate for VA climate. HardiPlank + frame construction is durable. Granite counters, hardwood floors, gas fireplace. Kitchen appears original (2011 vintage โ€” pre-current trends). Composition shingle roof (~15 years, approaching replacement window). No evidence of distress, but listing description mentions "custom" features that suggest original owner finishes rather than recent updates. Septic vs. sewer discrepancy must be resolved. Deducted for age-related systems approaching replacement and kitchen dated-ness.
Price Efficiency 12 pts 4/12 4.0 List $865K vs. county assessment $729,500 = 18.6% premium. ATTOM AVM $884,378 suggests list is near automated fair market. But $/SF of $223 exceeds nearby comp median of $183โ€“$212/SF. Price-to-RAAM ratio of $17,475/pt is well above Tier 1 ($8โ€“10K/pt) and Tier 2 ($9โ€“11K/pt) benchmarks. Day 1 listing โ€” no negotiation leverage yet. Aggressive pricing for the individual property's fundamentals, even if neighborhood supports the ask. 4/12 reflects the current ask; improves significantly at negotiated price.
Architectural Character 7 pts 4/7 4.0 Craftsman/Transitional style with quality execution โ€” wainscoting, crown molding, transoms, built-ins, river stone shower. Not cookie-cutter but is a designed master-planned community (Queen's Grant Section 5, platted 2006, built out ~2008โ€“2014). Proffered conditions require 3,000 SF minimum and brick/stone/drivit foundations. Quality builder spec but lacks the organic character of a Salisbury-type neighborhood. Scored as "Quality Designed" per v4.1 scale.
Commute to RIC 6 pts 2/6 2.0 Estimated 28 minutes off-peak via Robious Rd โ†’ I-64 โ†’ Airport Dr, or via Rt 288 โ†’ I-64. The Robious Corridor location near the Powhatan line puts this on the longer end of the commute range. 25โ€“35 min band = 2/6 points.
Neighborhood Stability 3 pts 2.5/3 2.5 Riverdowns community (~450 homes across Lenox Forest, Queen's Grant, King's Farm) is well-established. HOA at $700/year is minimal. Adjacent to Robious Landing Park and James River. Median home values trending upward. Chesterfield governance is stable. Slight deduction for high-growth area potential boundary shifts (not currently flagged but Robious Corridor is absorbing development).
School Quality 0 pts PASS 0.0 Binary threshold only. All schools โ‰ฅ6/10 โ€” requirement satisfied. No points awarded per v4.1.
TOTAL 65 pts 49.5 / 65 76.2% of maximum โ€” Tier 2 (Strong)
RAAM v4.1 Suburban Track Score Calculation
==========================================
Lot Size & Privacy:      22.0 / 25  (0.94 ac, conservation buffer, mature trees)
Condition & Systems:      9.0 / 12  (2011 build, heat pump, HardiPlank, aging roof)
Price Efficiency:         4.0 / 12  ($865K list, 18.6% over assessment, $223/SF)
Architectural Character:  4.0 /  7  (Craftsman/Transitional, quality designed sub)
Commute to RIC:           2.0 /  6  (~28 min off-peak)
Neighborhood Stability:   2.5 /  3  (stable, well-established community)
School Quality:           PASS / 0  (7/7/6 โ€” binary threshold met)
โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€
TOTAL:                   49.5 / 65  (76.2%)

Price-to-RAAM Ratio: $865,000 รท 49.5 = $17,475/point
Tier 1 Benchmark: $8,000โ€“$10,000/point
Tier 2 Benchmark: $9,000โ€“$11,000/point
Assessment: ABOVE BENCHMARK โ€” Price negotiation required

At $775K negotiated: $775,000 รท 49.5 = $15,657/pt (improved but still elevated)
At $730K negotiated: $730,000 รท 49.5 = $14,747/pt (approaching reasonable)
  

06 Valuation & Market Analysis

Multi-Source Valuation Matrix

SourceValueฮ” from ListNotes
Zillow List Price$865,000โ€”Day 1 listing (04/28/2026)
Chesterfield Assessment (2025)$729,500-15.7%Land $225K + Improvements $504.5K. Down 2.39% from 2024.
Zillow Tax Assessed (per listing)$791,500-8.5%Likely reflects 2026 reassessment cycle
ATTOM AVM (Dec 2025)$884,378+2.2%90% confidence; range $795,940โ€“$972,815
ATTOM Rental AVM$5,091/moโ€”Range $4,252โ€“$6,540

Sales History

DateEventPriceBuyer/Seller
04/28/2026Listed for sale$865,000Owner: William & Lidsey Stork
03/05/2019Sold$550,000Stork โ† Margioukla
03/04/2011Original sale$502,950Margioukla โ† WV McClure Inc (builder)
06/28/2010Lot sale to builder$260,000WV McClure โ† RE1 LLC
04/02/2008Lot acquisition$839,900Builder Resource โ† River Downs LC
Price Trajectory Analysis

Current owners purchased in March 2019 for $550,000. Listing at $865,000 represents a 57.3% gain over 7 years โ€” roughly 6.7% annualized appreciation. This is aggressive but not unreasonable given the post-COVID Richmond market. However, the $550K purchase price in 2019 was already below the $573,600 assessment at the time, suggesting the Stork purchase was at a relative discount. The $865K ask attempts to capture both organic appreciation and the 2021โ€“2023 Richmond boom premium.

Hold period: 03/2019 to 04/2026 = 85 months (7 years, 1 month).

ATTOM Comparable Sales

AddressDist.SFSale DatePrice$/SF
14337 Riverdowns South Dr0.11 mi4,75407/2025$940,000$198
2940 Queenswood Rd0.29 mi4,72008/2025$1,000,000$212
13951 Whitechapel Rd0.31 mi4,16010/2025$720,000$173
14402 Crossings Way Ter0.34 mi3,41305/2025$625,000$183
3001 Winterfield Rd0.39 mi3,68005/2025$720,000$196
3510 Crossings Way0.44 mi3,28306/2025$771,050$235
Comp Analysis

The closest comp by size is 14402 Crossings Way Ter (3,413 SF at $625K = $183/SF) and 3001 Winterfield Rd (3,680 SF at $720K = $196/SF). The subject at 3,883 SF listed at $223/SF is pricing at a premium to most nearby sales. The two comps above $900K (Riverdowns South Dr and Queenswood Rd) are significantly larger homes (4,700+ SF). Applying the comp-derived $/SF range of $183โ€“$212 to 3,883 SF yields a value range of $710Kโ€“$823K. The $865K list sits above this range.

07 Condition & Systems Assessment

SystemStatusEstimated Remaining LifeRisk
HVAC (Heat Pump, Zoned)Original 20115โ€“10 yearsโš  Approaching replacement (15 yr age)
Roof (Composition Shingle)Original 20115โ€“15 yearsโš  Standard 20โ€“30yr shingle; inspect condition
Water HeaterUnknown โ€” verify ageTBDโš  If original, due for replacement
Foundation (Masonry)Crawl space per ATTOMN/Aโœ“ Standard; inspect for moisture
Exterior (HardiPlank Type)Good โ€” durable material25+ years remainingโœ“ Low maintenance
KitchenOriginal 2011 โ€” functionalN/Aโš  Dated finishes; budget $25โ€“40K for modern update
Flooring (Hardwood/Ceramic/Carpet)Good per listingN/Aโœ“ Hardwood on main; some carpet to replace
Fireplace (Gas Insert)FunctionalN/Aโœ“
Garage (3-car attached)Oversized (689 SF)N/Aโœ“ Premium feature; rear-facing
CRITICAL: Sewer vs. Septic Data Conflict. The ATTOM report lists "Sewer: Septic." The Zillow listing states "Sewer: Public Sewer." The original subdivision plat (2006) states "Sewer: County system." Multiple 16' sewer easements are recorded on the plat. Per the RAAM sewer/septic verification hierarchy, the subdivision plat (Tier 2โ€“3 evidence) and listing data both point to public sewer. ATTOM data is Tier 5 (indicator only) and is likely stale. Recommendation: Before offer, email Chesterfield Utilities (SWAvailability@chesterfield.gov) to confirm active sewer account at GPIN 723-72-16-40-500-000. If the property is on septic despite the plat notes, the new 2025 Virginia septic law (HB 2671) requires a licensed inspection including tank pumping, and MLS bedroom count must match VDH permit.
Estimated Deferred Maintenance Budget

HVAC replacement (zoned system): $15,000โ€“$25,000. Roof (if near end of life): $15,000โ€“$25,000. Kitchen update (if desired): $25,000โ€“$40,000. Water heater: $2,000โ€“$4,000. Carpet replacement (2nd/3rd floors): $5,000โ€“$8,000. Total potential 5-year capital budget: $40,000โ€“$75,000. This is within the v4.1 exclusion threshold but should factor into offer pricing.

08 Community & HOA Analysis

Queen's Grant at Riverdowns โ€” Robious Corridor

Community Character: Quality Designed / Master-Planned. Queen's Grant Section 5 was platted November 2006 by Balzer and Associates, with 36 lots across 53.8 total acres (including roads and open space). Average lot size exceeds 1 acre per C.B.P.A. calculations. Proffered conditions mandate 3,000 SF minimums for multi-story homes and brick/stone/drivit foundation coverings. The subdivision includes 30' tree preservation strips, conservation areas, and Resource Protection Area (RPA) buffers along Roberts Branch.

Larger community: Riverdowns encompasses ~450 homes across Lenox Forest, Queen's Grant, and King's Farm. Adjacent to Robious Landing Park and the James River. The Robious Rd corridor location provides easy access to Rt 288 and I-64.

Demographics (Royal Crest Dr area): 83.5% White, 6.8% Black, 5.3% Asian, 3.2% Hispanic. Median household income ~$148K. 61% hold bachelor's degree or higher. Established professional community.

HOA Four-Point Framework

FactorAssessment
Costs$700/year โ€” minimal. Common areas only. No pool, clubhouse, or major amenity overhead.
ReservesUnknown โ€” request reserve study. Low annual dues suggest minimal common infrastructure to maintain.
CovenantsProffered conditions (county-level) include SF minimums and exterior material requirements. Standard CC&Rs per Deed Book 3932, Page 558. No evident lifestyle restrictions beyond standard residential use.
GovernanceRiverdowns HOA โ€” community website active. No evidence of governance disputes or special assessments.

09 Offer Strategy

Context: This property listed on 04/28/2026 (Day 1). There is no negotiation leverage yet โ€” the sellers have priced aggressively and will test the market. The optimal approach is to monitor for 14โ€“30 days before engaging, unless inspection of the sewer status reveals a leverage point or the property fails to generate competitive interest.
Tier 1: Aggressive / Competitive โ€” $810,000โ€“$840,000

When to deploy: Multiple offers emerge; seller signals firm pricing; sewer status confirmed as public.

Terms: 5% earnest money. Standard contingencies (inspection, appraisal, financing). 30-day close. Seller-paid closing assistance $5K. Escalation clause to $840K if competing offers present.

Leverage: Property has been listed at the high end of AVM range. The ATTOM AVM midpoint of $884K supports a price in this range. Frame as strong but disciplined offer.

Risk: Still paying above assessment. Price-to-RAAM ratio remains elevated at $16,363โ€“$16,970/pt.

Tier 2: Balanced / Market-Fair โ€” $760,000โ€“$800,000

When to deploy: 14โ€“30 days on market with no price reduction; sewer status confirmed; inspection reveals aging systems requiring capital investment.

Terms: 3% earnest money. Standard contingencies. 45-day close. Offer letter citing ATTOM comp analysis showing $183โ€“$212/SF range and 15-year maintenance cycle.

Leverage: Comp-derived value range of $710โ€“$823K supports this tier. County assessment of $729,500 anchors the floor. Buyers in this range can demonstrate lender appraisals will challenge the $865K ask.

Target rationale: $780K = $201/SF and $15,757/RAAM pt โ€” still elevated but materially improved.

Tier 3: Opportunistic / Below-Market โ€” $710,000โ€“$750,000

When to deploy: 45+ days on market with price reduction history; if septic (not sewer) is confirmed; if inspection reveals $50K+ in deferred maintenance; if appraisal gap emerges for other buyers.

Terms: 2% earnest money. All standard contingencies. Seller concession of $10K for closing costs. Include inspection addendum specifying sewer verification and HVAC/roof inspection.

Leverage: County assessment of $729,500, 2019 purchase price of $550K, and comp-derived floor of ~$710K. If on septic, the 2025 HB 2671 law creates additional compliance burden and potential bedroom count limitation (MLS must match VDH permit). Septic status would reduce buyer pool and justify significant pricing adjustment.

Target rationale: $730K = $188/SF and $14,747/RAAM pt โ€” approaching reasonable value.

Key Diligence Items

ItemPriorityMethod
Sewer vs. Septic verificationCRITICALEmail SWAvailability@chesterfield.gov with GPIN 723-72-16-40-500-000
HVAC age & conditionHIGHInspection; request service records from seller
Roof condition & remaining lifeHIGHProfessional roof inspection
Crawl space moisture / encapsulationHIGHHome inspection; VA clay soil creates moisture risk
Termite inspectionSTANDARDVirginia requirement
Radon testSTANDARDCrawl space configuration warrants testing
HOA reserve studySTANDARDRequest from Riverdowns HOA
Flood zone verification (plat shows nearby 100-yr zone)STANDARDLot 32 is in Zone X, but adjacent lots have 100-yr flood plain per plat

10 Strengths, Risks & Trade-Offs

๐ŸŸข Strengths

Lot size: 0.94 acres is exceptional for the price tier โ€” close to 1-acre full-credit mark. Conservation buffer and RPA provide permanent privacy protection on rear boundary.

House size: 3,883 SF with 5 bedrooms and 5.5 baths provides abundant space. 3rd-floor teen suite with full bath adds multi-generational flexibility.

Construction quality: HardiPlank exterior, hardwood floors, built-ins, wainscoting, crown molding. Proffered 3,000 SF minimum ensures quality neighbors.

Garage: 3-car attached, rear-facing, oversized (689 SF) โ€” premium configuration.

School threshold met: 7/7/6 stack clears the โ‰ฅ6/10 binary filter.

FEMA Zone X: Minimal flood risk.

Low HOA: $700/year with no pool/clubhouse overhead.

๐ŸŸก Risks & Trade-Offs

Aggressive pricing: $865K is 18.6% above $729,500 assessment and $223/SF exceeds comp-derived range. Price-to-RAAM of $17,475/pt is significantly above benchmarks.

Sewer/septic conflict: ATTOM says septic; listing says public sewer; plat says county system. Must be resolved before offer. If septic, HB 2671 compliance and bedroom count limitations apply.

15-year systems age: HVAC, roof, and water heater approaching first major replacement cycle. Budget $40Kโ€“$75K over 5 years.

RIC commute: ~28 min off-peak is in the 25โ€“35 min penalty band. Not disqualifying but not competitive vs. Henrico properties at 15โ€“20 min.

Master-planned character: Quality designed but not organic/authentic. Uniform lot sizes, similar build dates (2008โ€“2014), and HOA covenants reduce the Salisbury-type character premium.

Kitchen vintage: 2011 kitchen finishes (maple island, granite) are functional but dated vs. current buyer expectations. Update budget of $25โ€“40K should factor into total cost.

11 Comparative Positioning

BenchmarkTypical PriceTypical SFTypical Lot$/SFvs. Subject
Established Midlothian Tier 1 (Salisbury)$650โ€“$850K2,800โ€“4,0000.5โ€“1.5 ac$180โ€“$220Subject priced at high end; lot competitive; house size competitive; character lower
Western Henrico Tier 1 (Gayton)$600โ€“$800K2,500โ€“3,8000.2โ€“0.5 ac$200โ€“$260Subject has 2โ€“4ร— the lot size; comparable SF; worse commute but better privacy
Robious Corridor Tier 1$625โ€“$950K3,200โ€“4,8000.5โ€“1.2 ac$183โ€“$235Subject is mid-range for corridor; priced near top of comparable sales
Hanover Atlee Tier 1$500โ€“$700K2,800โ€“3,6000.25โ€“0.75 ac$170โ€“$210Now approved under v4.1 โ€” offers better price efficiency but less lot size
New Kent / Eastern Henrico Tier 2$400โ€“$600K2,200โ€“3,2000.5โ€“2.0 ac$150โ€“$200Significantly cheaper; school threshold may be marginal; boundary shift risk

12 Final Assessment

FINAL VERDICT
MONITOR & ENGAGE โ€” Tier 2 Contender at Negotiated Price

2736 Royal Crest Dr is a strong house on an excellent lot with a school stack that clears the v4.1 threshold. The property's core fundamentals โ€” 0.94 acres, 3,883 SF, 5/5.5, 3-car garage, HardiPlank construction, conservation-buffered rear lot line โ€” are competitive with Tier 1 benchmarks across the Richmond metro. The weakness is pricing: at $865K, the Price-to-RAAM ratio is nearly double the Tier 1 benchmark, and the $/SF exceeds the comp-derived range.

Recommended action: (1) Immediately verify sewer status via Chesterfield Utilities. (2) Monitor for 14โ€“30 days. (3) If no price reduction, engage at the Balanced tier ($760Kโ€“$800K) citing comp analysis, assessment gap, and 15-year maintenance cycle. (4) The ideal engagement price is $760Kโ€“$780K, which would bring the Price-to-RAAM ratio to ~$15,350โ€“$15,757/pt โ€” still above benchmarks but within range for the lot quality. At $730K (assessment-aligned), this becomes a compelling Tier 2 purchase.

Is this the best house available within minimally viable school zoning at this price point? At $865K, no โ€” there are likely better price-efficiency options in the Robious Corridor and Western Henrico. At $760K, it becomes competitive. At $730K, the lot size advantage makes this one of the strongest value propositions in the search geography.