Cheddar Cheese Shortbread Crackers  8 oz. extra-sharp yellow Cheddar cheese, finely shredded (about 2 cups) 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup fine plain white cornmeal 1 Tbsp. cornstarch 1/2 tsp. kosher salt 1/2 tsp. dry mustard 1/4 tsp. black pepper 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces 3 Tbsp. water 1/4 cup diced, well drained pimientos 1/4 cup finely chopped chives Directions: Make dough: Process cheese, flour, cornmeal, cornstarch, salt, dry mustard, and pepper in a food processor until combined, about 5 seconds. Add butter, and process until mixture resembles wet sand, about 20 seconds. With processor running, add water through food chute; process until dough forms a ball, 10 to 15 seconds. Add chives and pimientos: Knead into the dough until well combined. Roll and chill dough: Divide dough in half, and shape each half into a 6-inch log, about 1 3/4 inches in diameter. Wrap logs individually in plastic wrap; chill at least 1 hour or up to 2 days. Slice crackers: Preheat oven to 350°F with oven racks in upper and lower thirds. Unwrap logs, and slice into 1/8-inch-thick rounds. Place dough rounds, 1/2 inch apart, on 2 parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Bake crackers: Bake in preheated oven until edges are golden brown, about 14 minutes, rotating baking sheets top to bottom halfway through bake time. Cool crackers on baking sheets 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, about 20 minutes. *Southern Living

Welp, I know you may have thought things will be slowing down a bit more than they seem to be. That may be good, and it may be bad, depending which side of things you are on. But let's break it down by the actual numbers. Current Market Overview: As of November 2024, the real estate market in the Richmond, VA metro area—including the City of Richmond, Chesterfield County, Hanover County, and Henrico County—is still experiencing robust activity characterized by rising home prices and fairly swift sales, despite the time of year being one that is historically quite slow. Current Market Overview: Median Home Prices: As October 2024, the median listing price for homes in the Richmond metro area was $395,000, reflecting an 8.2% increase compared to the previous year. That has leveled out just a bit as we near the holidays, but our market is still showing good appreciation as we near Thanksgiving. Average Days on Market: Homes are selling fairly quickly, with an average of 37 days on the market as of October 2024 and only a slight increase now that we are in November. Market Competitiveness: The market remained quite competitive, with many properties receiving multiple offers and selling at or above the listing price. It is important to remember that that this data shows as the percentage of sales price to list price. (Therefore, it does not include data on price reductions, which often happen prior to a successful sale when a home has been on the market for a bit.) Market Trends: Inventory Levels: The number of homes available for sale is still limited, contributing to the competitive environment. Zillow notes that as of September 30, 2024, there were 2,917 homes listed for sale in the Richmond metro area. For some perspective, at the height of the pandemic, in 2022, we were all the way down to 910 homes for sale. Crazy! In fact, you may have heard me talk of the absorption rate, otherwise known as the "months supply of homes." That means that if no other homes came on the market, it would take __ months to sell through the homes out there now, based on buyer demand. In a balanced market, the months supply should be somewhere in the neighborhood of 6. While we have been as low as .60 in the last few years, we are now firmly parked right around 2. Not balanced, but much better than it has been. Price Appreciation: Home values have appreciated steadily. Zillow reports a 4.2% increase in average home values over the past year, bringing the typical home value to $366,897. Sale-to-List Price Ratio: Homes are selling close to their listing prices, with a median sale-to-list price ratio of 100% in October 2024, indicating that properties are generally selling for their asking prices. (Again, this does not included the homes that dropped their prices before selling.)   What are the Predictions for 2025?: Home Prices: The upward trend in home prices is expected to continue into 2025, albeit at a potentially slower pace due to factors such as rising mortgage rates and economic conditions. Market Activity: The market is likely to remain competitive, with demand still outpacing supply. However, if new construction increases or more homeowners decide to sell, inventory levels could rise, potentially easing competition, which will obviously stabilize/keep prices a bit lower. Days on Market: Homes are expected to continue selling quickly, though the average days on market will lightly increase slightly if inventory grows or buyer demand moderates. Conclusion: I truly am starting to feel like a broken record, but it's all based on the data. If you're thinking of buying, you should be prepared for a fast paced market, and sellers should expect favorable conditions to sell, if their property is priced properly for the condition, location, and market. Are you thinking of buying or selling and want more detailed, customized information? I'm always happy to help. Just reach out!

Hi there! - It's Gratitude month, and I'm so ready for it! Thanksgiving just may be my favorite holiday, in fact. Wonderful food, family, friends, get togethers, gratitude, and not as much pressure as Christmas for me. Just being thankful, enjoying time with the ones I care about, and yes, eating. What's not to like? I'm getting ready for my epic Pie Pickup party, and I'll be making all my pies again this year. If you're stumped on what to make, try my Holiday Honeycrisp Salad below. It's delicious, and unlikely to be duplicated at the table. Thank you for all of your business, referrals, kind reviews, nice words, and support throughout the year. I'm definitely thankful for you! Today we're talking about: ✔️ 📅 What is Happening around RVA in November ✔️ 🛠️ November Home Maintenance ✔️ 🥗 Holiday Honeycrisp Salad 📅  What's Happening around RVA in November 'Tis the season for holiday markets. Are you ready?? Click HERE for a list of things to do around RVA this month. 🛠️ November Home Maintenance It's finally starting to feel like fall (Some days, at least!) and that means “battening down” the proverbial hatches before winter. Two of the most important things to do before winter are checking all your weatherstripping and make sure there are no drafts getting in, and make sure your hoses and exterior faucets are drained, covered, and off, to make sure nothing bursts when we get that first freeze. For the full list of November Maintenance Tips, click HERE. 🥗 Holiday Honeycrisp Salad Yes, I'm the person that always likes to have a nice salad on the Thanksgiving table, and this is a fantastic one that fits the holiday so well. All the colors and flavors of the season, but a little fresher than most of the table tends to be. Give it a try (and let me know if you do!) Recipe HERE.                           Do you have home questions, need contractor referrals, or are you (or someone you know)                                   thinking of buying or selling a home in the Richmond area? Reach out! I'd love to help. In the meantime, follow me on social! Instagram | Facebook | TikTok ............. Did you miss last month's newsletter? Click HERE to see what you missed!

If you are looking to buy a home, you are probably going to see quite a few homes. What a lot of people don't know is what to pay attention to in each house to give you a clue(s) about the condition of the home before putting an offer in. Here are 10 things I think you should pay attention to when touring every home. The Ceilings The Roof The Heating and Cooling System(s) HVAC Return(s) The Floors The Gutters (or Water Dispersal System) Trees Around the House The Electrical Cracks Around Windows and Doors Weird Smells Have questions? Ready to talk real estate? Send me a message via Instagram at CindyBennettRealEstate or via my website!

  One thing about the holidays, potlucks, and festive foods generally, is that they're usually not very healthy. So yes, I am the person that always brings the salads at the holidays, but I'll tell you what- they are always appreciated in the midst of all the heavier, richer, items. This one bridges the gap between fresh and festive beautifully and is a great way to cut through all the chocolate, cheese, and other party foods. Just give it a try! Ingredients ½ cup light extra-virgin olive oil (or light vegetable oil) ¼ cup apple cider vinegar ¼ cup unsweetened apple juice OR apple cider 2 to 3 tablespoons honey 1 tablespoon lemon juice ½ teaspoon salt Freshly ground black pepper, to taste 3 medium Honeycrisp apples (about 1 pound), thinly sliced Juice of ½ lemon 12 ounces salad greens, spring mix, arugula, baby spinach baby romaine, OR a combo of your favorites 1 cup pecan halves, toasted or candied ¾ cup dried cranberries 4 ounces crumbled blue cheese Directions To prepare Apple Cider Vinaigrette, measure oil, apple cider vinegar, apple juice/cider, honey, lemon juice, salt, and pepper into a mason jar. Tightly screw on lid and shake vigorously until everything is thoroughly combined. Alternatively, you may briskly whisk the ingredients together in a medium bowl, or blend them in a blender or mini food processor. Place apple slices in a large plastic baggie and squeeze the fresh lemon juice (from the lemon half) over them. Close bag and shake to coat. In a large salad bowl, layer salad greens, apple slices, pecans, dried cranberries, and blue cheese. Just before serving, dress with desired amount of Apple Cider Vinaigrette and toss until salad ingredients are evenly coated.

Things to Do in RVA this November Sips and Style Holiday Event Where: LaDiff (1011 Commerce Rd) When: November 6th @ 6-7:30pm Hosted by: LaDiff and Virago Spirits What: Learn how to prepare your home for the holidays and enjoy tastings of festive cocktails and mocktails. Diwali Celebration at the VMFA When: November 10th @ 6-10pm Where: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts What: An evening of traditional music, dance, and culinary delights. Richmond Marathon When: November 16th Gardenfest of Lights When: November 18th - January 5th Member Preview Weekend: November 15th - 17th Where: Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens RVA Turkey Trot 5k When: November 28th Where: Dogwood Dell Amphitheater Cirque Dreams Holidaze When: November 29th and 30th Where: The Altria Theater Christmas at the Inn Arts and Craft Show When: November 29th - December 3rd Where: Virginia Cliffe Inn (2900 Mountain Rd) What: A showcase of local crafters' handmade items, festive decor, and seasonal treats.

Let's talk about my top 10 questions to ask a potential buyer's agent when choosing someone to represent you when buying a home. Ask any general questions you might have about the buying process. How many houses will you or should you be looking at? Are they familiar / what do they know about the area where you are looking to buy? What is their communication style? How are they at negotiating? What is their experience negotiating? Do they have an area or distance they won't show houses in? Are they familiar/up to date on all the forms and legalities of real estate? What will you have to pay for their services and what do you get for that commission? Are they a full-time agent? Are you a solo agent or do you have a team? Have questions? Ready to talk real estate? Send me a message via Instagram at CindyBennettRealEstate or via my website.

One of the questions people ask when they're buying a home, is, when can I get a warranty? How much do warranties cost? Should I get a warranty when I'm buying a house? So interestingly enough, I feel like home warranties were much more prevalent on listings, homes that you were going to buy earlier in my career, 15 or 20 years ago. Interestingly, also, there are more warranty companies now than there were then. But should you get one? And when can you buy it? Do you have to do it when you're writing the offer on your house? So let's break that down a little bit. There are all types of different home warranty companies and they are not all the same. For the most part, a warranty is going to cost you between $500 and $1,000 or they're going to cost the seller that. There is a space on our contract here in central Virginia that says, I would like to buy a warranty, the seller is going to pay or the buyer is going to pay. So it gives you that opportunity when you're writing the purchase contract. But should you, or should you get the seller to pay? If you can get the seller to pay for it, why not? It's not even coming out of your pocket. If it covers any little thing, it makes a difference. Things that most home warranties will cover are things like your garbage disposal, HVAC system, your major electrical systems, some parts of plumbing, usually the water heater, and any sort of major systems in your house. Things that it won't cover are usually the things that happen all the time. The little water leaks. Your toilet overflowed and it rains down into your kitchen. Won't cover that. That is homeowners insurance or just out of your good old trusty pocket. I would always just investigate the warranty that you want to use and know that it's probably not going to cover every instance. Remember, you can buy it when you put the offer on the house, or the seller can buy it before. So sometimes you might see a listing that already has a home warranty attached, but also you can usually purchase the warranty within 30 days of closing for the same price that you would have gotten it for at closing. Now, you can buy them at almost any time. You could be living in the house for five years, and then just call up the warranty company on your old-timey phone and order one, and they're happy to do it. It's just going to be a matter of what it covers on the house and how much it costs you on a monthly or yearly basis. Whether or not it's worth it is really up to you. If you have any other questions about buying a home in the Richmond area, I'd love to talk to you. My name is Cindy Bennett. I am a Realtor with Maison Real Estate Boutique. I've been full-time in this industry for 21 years, and I would love to help you make your home dreams come true.

Let's discuss my top 10 questions to ask a potential listing agent when choosing someone to list your home. What is their experience and/or familiarity with the area where your home is located? What is their listing experience? What is their level of understanding of the forms and legalities? Are they personable? What is their marketing strategy? How well can they negotiate? How will they handle everything from contract to closing? What do you as the seller need to do? How do they communicate? Do they "play well" with others (agents, buyers, etc.)? Have questions? Ready to talk real estate? Send me a message via Instagram at CindyBennettRealEstate or here on my website.

Hi there! - It's been a busy month so far! At Maison, we've had our 6th Party on the Avenues (if you didn't come out this year, come out next year!), we completed an amazingly successful supplies drive for the folks in Western NC impacted by Hurricane Helene, and I've been doing loads of RVA tours and showings! It's hard to believe October is starting to wind down, and not too long from now, we'll have our annual Pie Pickup! If you're a client, past client, or referral partner, be on the lookout for your invitation! Yes, I'm making the pies again this year! (Yes, I may be a little crazy!) Today we're talking about: ✔️ ♥️ What I'm Loving This Month - Everyone who donated to our supplies drive! WOW! ✔️ 📈 Market Update - What's the market doing in Central VA now?? ✔️ 📖 Did you know this about RVA? ❤️ What I'm Loving This Month If you saw and responded to my previous email about raising funds and supplies for Western NC, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! We raised nearly $1000, and we were able to FILL a huge trailer with supplies that we delivered to West Jefferson, NC to be distributed to those impacted by Helene. It was truly amazing to see how so many stepped up and helped, and I know what a difference we all made by working together. Every little bit helps, and those donations, large and small, were tremendously impactful. HERE's my thank you, with photos of our trailer pre-delivery! 📈 What's the Market Doing? As we head into the colder months, the market is keeping pace with the thermometer a bit. Not cold, but definitely cooler. With more inventory, demand is a bit down as supply has gone up, and if you're buying, there's just a bit less competition than there has been, and more opportunity as a result. If you're wondering if it's finally a buyers' agent, sorry to disappoint you, but still no. Just a bit more balanced, and that's more or less good for everyone! For more details on the market, click HERE for the breakdown! 📖 A Richmond Landmark: St. John's Church St. John's Church is a historic landmark in Richmond, Virginia, known for its significant role in American history. The church gained fame as the site where Patrick Henry delivered his powerful "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" speech. This iconic speech, delivered on March 23, 1775, during the Second Virginia Convention, helped ignite the flames of the American Revolution. But did you know that St. John's Church also holds the distinction of being the first commercial cemetery in the Richmond area? This makes the church grounds not only a place of historical significance but also a final resting place for some of Richmond's earliest residents. However, by the 1850's, the population had moved further west, more churches had opened, and there were cattle grazing in the graveyard as the neglect began to overtake it. Thank goodness for preservation, as it's back to a thriving, working church, and open for all of us to learn a bit more about our history here in Richmond, and the US!                           Do you have home questions, need contractor referrals, or are you (or someone you know)                                   thinking of buying or selling a home in the Richmond area? Reach out! I'd love to help. In the meantime, follow me on social! Instagram | Facebook | TikTok ............. Did you miss last month's newsletter? Click HERE to see what you missed!