Hi there! - It's tax day, and hopefully you're all done with those! (I am, regrettably, not. It's been a crazy couple of months, but I'm working on it!) The “experts," whoever they are, say that this is the best week to sell your home, but here's what I know. The best time to sell (or buy) is when you are ready, and when your home is ready. Rushing to fit some idea that the media (or anyone) says is the best is seldom the best fit for most people. But, if you're wondering about the right time for the market, now(ish) is it, data wise. Curious about your home or where you want to move? Give me a call. I'd love to talk specifics. Today we're talking about: ✔️ 🍕Pizza. What's your favorite RVA slice? Here are mine! ✔️ 📈  Market Update ✔️ 🥘 Hummus Capital of the World? Richmond Claims the Title! 🍕 It's a hectic season, and for me, that means pizza. My RVA faves. There's something about spring that's just…busier. More travel, more getting outdoors, more school events, more sports. Just more everything. Even for those of us that love to cook, it can be a lot. But what works for nearly everyone? Pizza! We finally have some amazing choices here in the Richmond area, and I'm spilling the tea (sauce?) on my favorites HERE. I'd love to know yours! 📈 What's the Market Doing? "Second verse, same as the first?" or we could just say, “ditto” from the last market update, because things haven't changed too terribly much since the last one. The good news? Despite the national news and anecdotes from other markets, our market is still moving, with a relatively low days on market and no dip in prices at all. If you want more data and a bit more info, click HERE. 🥘 Hummus Capital of the World? Richmond Claims the Title! You might know Richmond, Virginia for its historical significance or its vibrant culinary scene. But did you know that Richmond lays claim to a more unexpected title: **Hummus Capital of the World?** It might seem strange, given that hummus isn't exactly a local invention. However, Chesterfield County, part of the greater Richmond area, is home to **the world's largest Thomas' factory**. This 100,000-square-foot facility, owned by the company Sabra, churns out **more hummus than any other place on earth**. While the origins of hummus may lie elsewhere, Richmond has clearly embraced this delicious and healthy dip as its own. With Sabra constantly innovating and releasing new flavors like buffalo, BBQ, and southwest, there's no shortage of reasons for Richmond residents to be proud of their city's unique claim to fame.                           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!

7 large eggs 2 green onions, finely sliced 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 1 small red bell pepper, cored and chopped 1 cup mushrooms, if you (or the kids) like mushrooms, chopped 2 tbsp olive oil Approximately 2 cups spinach (or a few handfuls-measure with your heart) chopped Preheat the oven to 450 degrees, and place a rimmed sheet pan in to heat. In a mixing bowl, toss the tomatoes, bell peppers,  green onion, and mushrooms with a good pinch of kosher salt and black pepper. Add a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil  (2 to 3 tablespoons) and toss to make sure all the vegetables are well-coated. Remove pan carefully, pour and spread vegetables evenly and return to oven. Cook vegetables for 10-15 minutes or until cooked and lightly charred. Remove vegetables and turn oven heat to 400 degrees. In your mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, baking powder, milk, feta, parsley, thyme, and a good pinch of kosher salt and black pepper. Fold in the roasted vegetables and the spinach. Coat the bottom and sides of a 10-inch cast iron or oven-safe pan and warm over medium-high heat until shimmering. Pour the egg and vegetable mixture in the pan and cook for 2 to 3 minutes to allow the bottom of the eggs to settle. Transfer the pan to the heated oven and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until the center of the eggs are cooked through and the center of the frittata is firm and no longer runny). Serve with a garnish of fresh parsley.

Springtime is a busy one for most of us. If you've got kids, it's exams and sports and end of school, and if you don't (or if, like me, your kids are grownish) it's still pretty busy, between taxes and yard work, and just getting out and doing things that we couldn't or didn't want to do in the cold of winter. One thing is for sure, and that's if I am busy, I don't have time to cook, and pizza is often the most welcome takeout option. This particular one was sent to me from my son, currently in Japan, but on a busy day he decided pizza was the way to go, so Domino's got the call. Yes, in Japan. He said it was night and day different (in a good way) from any other chain pizza spot in the US, so maybe I'll have to try it while I'm there? Anyway, spring seems like a great time to share some of my favorites, so in no particular order and without further ado... Zorch Pizza: Just may be our new favorite for a true NY style crust. They have a spot in Carytown where you can do whole pies or by the slice in true NY fashion, and a newer pizza parlor where you can eat in and get a whole pie for the table. Really delicious in every way- crust, sauce, cheese, and toppings. They know what they're doing. (Our favorite- The Upside Down- sliced mozzarella first, parmesan, Romano, then vodka sauce, with basil on top.) They don't deliver, so get over it and get over there and pick up or eat in! It's worth it. Check them out HERE Galley Go To: An OG in our house, Galley, in Stratford Hills Shopping Center, is fantastic whether you're eating in or taking out. They have some top notch crispy chewy thin crust which is exactly what I love, and they're pizzas are a bit on the smaller size, so it's not at all unreasonable to order 2 to try something different. (Except I order the same thing every time, because these are both equally amazing. The Sweet Hot, tomato sauce, house mozzarella, fresh basil, pepperoni, parmesan, calabrian peppers, honey and the Grape and Gorgonzola, with rosemary, parmesan, roasted grapes, and honey) Check them out HERE Azzurro: Azzurro at River Road Shopping Center is a great restaurant, with fantastic salads, pastas, and mains (and their zucchini fritte is amazing), but their pizza is also a true standout, thanks to their authentic brick oven. My favorite is the Napoletana Salcice- spicy Italian sausage, marinated sundried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and red sauce, but I've had most of them, and they're all good (of course, for the simpler, pickier, or more complicated palates, they've got a build your own option as well.) Check them out HERE 8 1/2: Really more of a true Italian feel, the carryout only (or mostly- they do have a couple of small tables) 8 1/2 has some really fabulous thin crust pizza as well. Start out with their basic red pie and add your toppings from there. Limited variety and toppings, and you won't find anything like a "meat lovers" situation here, but for that simple, real Italian feeling thin crust, this is the vibe. Check them out HERE    

Despite much of the national news being less than great, the market in the Richmond area is doing just fine. Here are a few highlights. Prices: Our average list to sold percentage is right at 100% now, and that's pretty good, whether you are buying or selling. Last year this time, that number was 104%. While no one is getting a "deal" in this market, we're also not seeing the whole market paying way over list price for homes on the regular. If you're selling, homes are still moving, and we're definitely still seeing the "market ready" homes going for at or above list price. (Saying this with the caveat that there are plenty of homes that don't sell for top dollar, but they are generally not in great condition, or they're not priced well.) Inspections: If you're buying, there is great news, and that's that inspections are fully, completely, BACK! While we are seeing some waivers of smaller items, etc, we're seeing inspections much more as the rule rather than the exception, and that's great for buyers. If you know you're in a competitive situation, think about how you can make that inspection clause more appealing to the seller. (There are a lot of ways to do this while still covering yourself against major issues.) Inventory: Inventory is still rather low. Going back to the old standard of the month's supply, we're at 1.8 months of supply of homes right now (a balanced market is 6 months). That's exactly where we were with inventory this time last year. If you're thinking of buying, the good news there is that the inventory is more or less holding steady. The bad news is that if you have been on the fence about buying, and waiting for rates and/or prices to go down, that's unlikely. The average sale price in our entire listing area (including Richmond and all of the surrounding counties) is just over $450,000, as of March 2025. Last March, that number was $432,000. Not a huge jump, really, but definitely going up. What questions do you have on the market? As always, every home, every neighborhood, every area is somewhat different. If you have questions about your home, or your dream home, reach out! I'd love to break down the market for you and your unique needs and goals.  

Click each event below for more information. For a full calendar of events, click HERE. Friday Cheers (1st of the Season!) Richmond Flower Truck Floral Arrangement Workshop Lewis Ginter Spring Plant Sale 54th Annual Art in the Park Mother's Day Concert at Agecroft Hall 5k Family Fun Day at Crump Park Big Tent: Memorial Day Event Family Night Hike

For a printable checklist, click HERE.

Hi there - Warmer weather, blooms and buds galore, spring break, and possibilities are in the air! Spring is here, and with it, more opportunities to get outside, plant a garden, entertain, and so much more. I'm definitely not a lover of winter, so spring is really a time when I start to feel alive again. Whether you're like me and can't wait to get out and do more fun stuff, or you just want to tackle some more outdoorsy home projects, we've got you covered here. If you want a sweet treat for Easter that's festive, delicious (and basically, a vegetable!) I've got you covered there too! Today we're talking about: ✔️🛠️ April Home Maintenance ✔️ 🌸 RVA Spring Markets, Festivals, and More! ✔️ 🥕🍰 Gourmet Delights Carrot Cake 🛠️ April Home Maintenance As we head into spring, there are lots of things to do to prep for warmer weather at your home, but one of my favorites is definitely getting the outside space ready for use and entertaining. Powerwash that patio or deck, give it a fresh coat of sealer or stain, pick up those stray leaves leftover from fall, and get ready for springtime sunsets and summer cookouts! Click HERE for your monthly maintenance list.  🗓️ What's Happening Around RVA This Month? When I work with clients relocating to the Richmond area, one of the things I always mention is that we love a festival. I mean LOVE. March seems to kick of the festival season with both Shamrock the Block and the Irish Festival. For fun, food, music, and of course, beer- these are two that can't be beat, but there are plenty of other options for getting out this month- no luck needed! Click HERE for a list of events this month. 🥕🍰 Gourmet Delights Carrot Cake This is without a doubt one of the best carrot cakes I've ever had, if I do say so myself. When I had Gourmet Delights, and my food rep came in one day with a delicious, but criminally expensive, carrot cake, I had to come up with something that was close so I didn't have to sell it for $5 per slice. (Hilarious that that in the ‘90’s that seemed outrageous.) This is what I came up with. 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!

Hi there! - If you've talked to me recently, you have probably heard me talk about the fact that my son is getting geared up for his study abroad in Japan. (!) So, as the spring market is really, truly, getting started, I'm also trying to get him successfully ready, packed, and launched, so needless to say, things are busy. With only a couple of weeks to go, we're hitting all the RVA favorites so he'll have his fill of American-ish food before he leaves. Check out our go to list below! Don't forget, though, that I'm always here if you have questions about the market, your home, need a contractor referral, or have a referral, I'm only a call, email, text, or IG message away, so don't hesitate to reach out. I'm probably too busy to be doing a lot of relaxing, but I'm definitely working every day! Today we're talking about: ✔️ 🍱 Where are YOUR “must go” spots if you had 2 weeks in RVA? ✔️ 📈  Market Update ✔️ 🌊 Richmond’s Unique Urban Rapids 🍱 Sharing Some of Our Favorite RVA Dining Spots This Month If you have talked to me recently, you probably know that at the end of this month, my son is headed to Japan to study for just over four months (and yes, I'm freaking out just a little bit, thanks.) He's home in Richmond for the next two weeks, and we're loading up on his local favorites before he can't get them for a while. Click HERE to see what's on the list, and follow us on IG as we check them out! 📈 What's the Market Doing? This week marks the first day of Spring (hooray!), but the market has already been springing, especially as the weather gets warmer. If you want my take, based on data, observation, participation, and anecdote, click HERE. 🌊 Richmond’s Unique Urban Rapids Did you know that the James River flowing through Richmond, Virginia, boasts a unique feature? Class 4 rapids right in the heart of the city. This makes it the only river in the United States to offer such an intense whitewater experience within a major urban center. Richmond locals may take this natural wonder for granted, but it's a significant attraction for outdoor enthusiasts and contributes to the city's reputation as a great place to live.                           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!

This is without a doubt one of the best carrot cakes I've ever had, if I do say so myself. When I had Gourmet Delights, and my food rep came in one day with a delicious, but criminally expensive, carrot cake, I had to come up with something that was close so I didn't have to sell it for $5 per slice. (Hilarious that that seemed outrageous at the time.) This is what I came up with. Servings: 12 | Prep time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour Ingredients 2 cups sugar 1 cup vegetable oil 4 large eggs 3 cups grated carrot 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ginger 2 1/2 cups flour 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup chopped pecans 1/2 cup raisins Frosting: 8 ounces cream cheese 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature 2 teaspoons vanilla 2 cups powdered sugar Directions Heat oven to 350. Combine sugar and oil in a bowl and beat until well combined. Add eggs, carrots, cinnamon, ginger, and vanilla. Beat until well mixed. Stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Add dry mixture to liquids gradually, beating after each addition to ensure they are well combined. Stir in nuts and raisins. Pour mixture into 2 greased and floured (preferably also lined with parchment too) 8" round cake pans. Bake until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. 35-40 minutes. Frost with cream cheese frosting. In medium bowl, beat together cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until just blended. Add powdered sugar, a bit at a time, until well blended. Taking care not to overbeat. Frost when cake is cooled.

Click each event below for more information, for a full calendar of events click HERE. Hardywood's Spring Artisan Market Spring Bloom Bar with Freckled Flower RVA Burlesque Festival The Big Bloom The Bizarre Bazaar 33rd Annual Spring Market  Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k April Fools Festival Scotchtown's 4th Annual Fiber Festival Dominion Energy Family Easter SCAN Totally 90s Bash