For a printable checklist, click HERE.

For a printable checklist, click HERE.

For a printable checklist, click HERE.

For a printable checklist, click HERE.

This is my recipe, and I'm not Greek. I have, however, been eating these from the Richmond Greek Festival for decades, and love them so much I figured out a reasonable facsimile. In fact, when my son was a toddler, he would not touch a green bean...until these. We went to the Greek Festival and he ate his, mine, and his dad's. We had to get more to take home for later. It's only a long weekend, though, so I had to figure it out, and I cooked beans this way religiously for at least 5 years! Try them, and see what you think! Greek Festival Green Beans Ingredients ⅓ cup olive oil 1 onion chopped 1 clove garlic, chopped 1 pound green beans (fresh or frozen) 15 ounces chopped tomatoes ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley (Or 1 tbs dried) 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano (Or 1 tsp dried) 1 teaspoon chopped fresh mint (optional) 1 teaspoon sugar (optional) ½ teaspoon salt (add more to taste if needed) fresh pepper Directions In a medium pot, heat olive oil at medium to low heat. Sauté onion until soft, then add garlic. Add beans and mix until covered with the olive oil. Add tomatoes, parsley, sugar (if using), salt and pepper. Stir together. Add hot water just enough to half cover the beans Simmer with the lid on for about 40 minutes (do not boil). The beans are ready once there is no water left and the beans are soft.

Your June Homeowner's Maintenance Checklist: Schedule outdoor projects Plant bee-friendly flowers Paint something a pop of color Power wash your deck and patio furniture Service your sprinklers Clean between your windows and screens Clean your grill grates Install screen doors Lighten up decor - ex. breezy curtains Celebrate homeownership For a printable checklist, click HERE.

It's my birthday month, so I'm sharing one of my favorite recipes. I've loved this pasta for years, but it's also the perfect tie in for the zucchini that's coming up in my little chaotic garden. I can't wait to make this with zucchini I've grown myself! Let me know if you try it- it's super simple, with only a few ingredients, but it's absolutely delicious! Pasta with Zucchini and Prosciutto 12 oz pasta (spaghetti, linguine, tagliatelle, or fusilli) 2 medium zucchini, thinly sliced or grated 5–6 slices prosciutto, chopped or torn 1 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano 2–4 tbsp olive oil or 1–2 tbsp butter (or a mix of both) Salt & freshly ground black pepper At least 1 cup of reserved pasta water Instructions: Cook pasta in a large pot of well-salted boiling water until just shy of al dente. Reserve at least 1 cup of pasta water before draining. (crucial!) While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil or butter in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add zucchini and cook until soft and lightly golden, about 8–10 minutes. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Stir in the prosciutto and sauté just until warmed and fragrant, about 1–2 minutes. Add the drained pasta directly to the pan (or use tongs to transfer it in). Add about 1/4–1/2 cup pasta water and toss vigorously. Remove from heat, sprinkle in the Parmigiano-Reggiano, and toss well to create a silky sauce, adding more pasta water as needed to emulsify. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot with extra Parmigiano and a drizzle of good olive oil.  

In this video, we delve into the current state of housing affordability in Richmond, Virginia, providing insights into whether now is the right time for you to buy a home. 🏡 Richmond Housing Market Overview (2025): Median Home Sale Price: As of April 2025, the median home sale price in Richmond (*Regional Average) stands at approximately $410,000, reflecting a 2.5% increase compared to the previous year. Average Home Value: The average home value in Richmond is around $484,000, marking a 1.9% rise over the past year. 💰 Determining What You Can Afford: Understanding what you can afford involves more than just the listing price. Key factors include: Debt-to-Income Ratio: Lenders often use the debt-to-income ratio to assess your ability to manage monthly payments. Typically, a front-end ratio (housing expenses) should not exceed 28% of your gross monthly income, while the back-end ratio (total debt) should be below 43% . Investopedia Additional Costs: Beyond the mortgage, consider property taxes, homeowner's insurance, maintenance, and potential HOA fees. These can significantly impact your monthly budget . Investopedia Down Payment and Closing Costs: A substantial down payment can reduce your monthly payments and may eliminate the need for private mortgage insurance (PMI). Closing costs, typically ranging from 3% to 6% of the home's price, should also be factored into your budget. 🔍 Conclusion: Navigating the Richmond housing market requires a clear understanding of current prices and a thorough assessment of your financial situation. By considering all associated costs and evaluating your debt-to-income ratio, you can make an informed decision about homeownership in today's market. Have questions? Ready to talk real estate? Send me a message via Instagram at CindyBennettRealEstate or via my website www.cindybennett.net.

As we hit mid May, where is the real estate market? Is there light at the end of the... Well, I'm not going to be the one to jinx it! Let's just say that while prices are not going down generally, the good news is that inventory has gone up in the Metro Richmond Region, and that is always good news if you're thinking of buying. More inventory always means more choice, and that's never a bad thing when you're shopping for anything, but perhaps especially a home. The overall number of homes for sale has actually gone up by nearly 20% from March to April, and based on the numbers so far for May, inventory definitely seems on track to be a bit higher this month. In fact, in April, there were just under 1400 pending sales, and this month, we're already at almost 2000. Now, don't get too excited, and think that means there's a deal to be had, but it is a little less crazy out there. As I'm pretty sure I've said before, we're still seeing plenty of multiple offer situations, but for the most part, we're seeing more 2-5 offers and fewer homes with 15+ offers. We're also seeing more and more home inspections, which is fantastic for buyers. Good news for buyers is seldom good news for sellers, but in this case, it's really not bad. For the most part, homes are still selling for 100% of the list price, and the median days on market is 7. (The average is 25, but keep in mind that that includes everything, so not always the best true representation of the market as it is at the moment.) There are lots of stories in the news about real estate slowing down, and I know that is happening in many markets. Always remember, though, that real estate is local, so just because the national news is saying something, or you talked to someone who lives elsewhere, that does not always apply to the market you're in. Here in Central Virginia, and the Richmond Metro in particular, our market is still moving quite quickly. What that means for you if you're thinking of buying: You need to be ready to move when you find something, because it's probably not going to hang around. That means getting connected with a lender, and having your financial ducks in a row before you start. You may well be able to get an inspection, but know your options if you fall in love with a home that's going to be competitive. You may have a little more choices out there, so have a good idea what your deal breakers and "must haves" are, but try to be patient. It's (usually) not House Hunters- you don't look at three and have to pick one of those! What that means for you if you're thinking of selling: If you want to get the most for your home, have it "show ready" before you go on the market. Clean, declutter, paint, and do a little sprucing up of your curb appeal. Even if you don't think you need to! It always helps! Price matters! It can be the difference between no offers, one offer, or 5 offers, and while you only need one offer, obviously, when you have competing offers, the terms are generally better for you. Price it well for what your goals are, and that's not always the same for everyone. Plan for an inspection, as it's definitely more likely now. That means make sure you repair the things that you are aware of, and know what is likely to arise on an inspection so you're prepared.  

Hi there - Hope your spring is off to a great start! It's time to power wash the deck, get all of that spring/summer prep done, and be ready to enjoy consistent warmer days. I've planted loads of vegetables, and I've probably done more yard work in the past month than I've done in the last two years. (Fingers crossed that it pays off!) I can't wait to share my fantastic frittata recipe with you- just in time for Mother's Day. It's great for brunch anytime, and leftovers for sure make for a great on the go breakfast. As always, if you're thinking of buying or selling, things are really moving this May, so give me a call if you have any questions at all. I'd love to help! Today we're talking about: ✔️ 🛠️ May Home Maintenance ✔️ 🌸 Festivals, Flowers, and Family Fun ✔️ 🍳 Mother's Day Frittata and Mimosa Bar 🛠️ May Home Maintenance May is the perfect month to freshen up your home inside and out! From cleaning HVAC filters and gutters to planting flowers in the garden and checking for window drafts, this checklist covers all the key maintenance tasks to keep your home in top shape as summer approaches. Click HERE for your monthly maintenance list. 🌸 Festivals, Flowers, and Family Fun My favorite RVA event in May? The yearly return of Friday Cheers on Brown's Island. What's more Richmond than live music, on the river, with food trucks, fun, and of course, beer? You just cannot beat it! For a full list of May events and some of my top picks click HERE. 🍳 Mother's Day Frittata (and a Mom-osa Bar) Always a delicious option, a frittata is beautifully flexible, so if you're missing one of the ingredients, switch it up! It's nearly impossible to mess up, and it is an easy way to celebrate Mom, but also a great way to make her life a little easier all week, as it reheats beautifully and makes a great meal prep breakfast option that can even be a little on the healthy side if you watch your add ins! Click HERE for the recipe.                           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!