“Equal access is paramount,” declares Richmond Realtor Bruce S. Richardson Sr. of providing access to homeownership to all people.

His mission, he says, is “assisting my clients to own a piece of the American dream. Homeownership (can be) a reality for anyone who wants to purchase a home.”

To help people achieve their dream of homeownership, Mr. Richardson has hosted courses for first-time homebuyers since 2009.

For his efforts, Mr. Richardson was honored with the Virginia Housing Development Authority’s Service to Virginia Award. He was selected by a committee of the Virginia Association of Realtors based on nominations made by association members. He received the award at the association’s Real Estate Awards Program in Williamsburg in October.

The award recognizes a Realtor who “has made a significant difference in the cause of minority homeownership during the year, or whose life work merits recognition and celebration for dedication to this issue.”

Mr. Richardson calls winning the award a “humbling experience.” He said he hosted the courses with assistance from the City of Petersburg, the City of Hopewell, Virginia State University and the VHDA.

“The award indicates that each of the efforts and support from our team of real estate professionals, lenders, attorneys and home inspectors have been of vital assistance to each of those communities that we served,” he says.

Mr. Richardson notes that he always advises his clients to attend homebuyers’ education courses “as a first step.” There, buyers are encouraged to become pre-approved for a loan by a lender before they begin a home search, he explains. The lender’s pre-approval gives a homebuyer and the Realtor a “solid picture of the amount that buyers can afford.”

Mr. Richardson, who became a licensed real estate agent in 2008, says his latest goals “are to encourage my clients to consider the energy efficiency possibilities in their purchase of residential and commercial properties.”

Here’s an award-winning Realtor and this week’s Personality, Bruce S. Richardson Sr.:

Date and place of birth: February 1967 in Petersburg.  

Current residence: Clarendon Farms in Henrico County.

Education: John Tyler Community College.

I work for: Virginia Capital Realty.

What I do: Represent individuals and families who wish to sell or purchase residential or commercial real estate properties and land.

What Realtors do: Adhere to the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) Code of Ethics and belong to a local professional trade association that promotes and encourages Realtors to adhere to fair housing compliance and professional standards in the selling and marketing of real estate improvements and land for sale.

How I felt when I sold my first property: Very excited!           

Impact of Great Recession on the real estate industry and me: The most recent downturn in the market was very bad. I worked in local and state government during periods of the downturn until the market began to show signs of life. The downturn has made sweeping changes in lending requirements for both lenders and buyers that recently became effective.   

Strength of housing market in Richmond Metropolitan area: Richmond and surrounding areas offer many strengths to interested sellers and buyers. The Richmond Metro area is a central area for access to Washington, to the beach and to the mountains, and many clients love the seasonal weather changes. This area also offers great architectural features in the existing stock of homes as well. The most recent data from the Virginia Association of Realtors’ Home Sales Report (November 2015) indicates that Virginia’s residential real estate market continues to improve.

My advice for buyers: People interested in pursuing homeownership should seek to work with a Realtor who explains the entire real estate process. Buyers who receive homebuyer education can and will get a greater sense of what is required by the lender, the Realtor and the attorney representing their interest during the entire home-buying process.

Status of affordable housing in Richmond area: Affordable housing is of great concern with current earned wages in markets where our team has offered some of the homebuyer education courses. To offset this challenge for many, the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the National Association of Realtors, local nonprofits and housing authorities and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta have programs and assistance via grant programs to assist buyers. Eligibility requirements must be met by each individual who elects to apply. The NAR also offers Employer Assisted Housing for an employer — private or public — that’s interested in assisting their current workforce to pursue homeownership. As Realtors, we can assist in providing the training and education to your staff. Each and every year, many of these programs are not fully tapped into to offset affordability for buyers.

In state: The Virginia Association of Realtors works with Housing Virginia on affordable housing initiatives.         

Some of my certifications include: The National Association of Realtors has certified me as a green designee and an accredited buyer’s representative. EarthCraft Virginia has given me the title of Real Estate Professional.

Benefits of homeownership versus renting: Homeownership equals owning a piece of the “American Dream” and creating an opportunity for your family.  Renting does not.

Why owning a home continues to be out of reach for many: I believe that the lack of homeownership education in our communities, as well as past and current credit challenges, make homeownership difficult for many. The No. 1 reason that owning a home continues to be out of reach simply can be fear. When individuals and families have not been informed of the home-buying process, it often will seem too difficult to become a homeowner.  However, the courses allow this concern to be eliminated and interested buyers can gain insight into what steps are required.

Principles I always follow when I give advice: I really like to talk, but it is very important that I listen with the two big ears that I have. I attempt to ask enough questions so I can get a clear understanding of my clients’ goals for homeownership.

Advice to aspiring Realtors: Get involved in your community, local government and schools and wear your name badge all the time.

How I start the day: I pray a lot throughout the day. I will cheat on this answer … I need to start my day off by going to the gym in the morning to get my juices going.  However, I will typically start the day by answering emails or looking up property information for clients.     

How I unwind: I still shoot basketball at the gym. I still have a real nice game. I still talk trash on the court.      

I place top value on: My family! And making sure that I received feedback from my clients.

What drives me: I would love to leave a legacy for my son. I would love for my son to know that I established something that he can build on.

Best late-night snack: Krispy Kreme strawberry glazed donut or a lemon chess tart.

Prized possession: Scrubs from Henrico Doctors’ Hospital I was wearing when my son was born.

The one thing I can’t stand: How the Philadelphia 76ers pro basketball team is being managed right now.

When people first meet me they think:  I have big ears and why do you talk so much?

No one knows that: I am a certified Virginia Department of Transportation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers construction inspector and I have worked on several large highway construction projects (I-295, I-895 and the Woodrow Wilson Bridge) in Virginia. But, I have a fear of heights.         

Person who influenced me the most: My mother, a strong-willed woman.    

The best thing my parents ever taught me was: My mother instilled in us to help each other.

If I had more time, I would: Like to travel more.      

Book that influenced me the most: “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” with Alex Haley.  

What I’m reading now: “Uncommon: Finding Your Path to Significance” by Tony Dungy with Nathan Whitaker.

My next goal: To publish my blog on the Advantages of Energy Efficient / “GREEN” Housing for your family.