Past Email Newsletters

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!

Hi there! - As we head into the cooler months, there are always lots of things to get done before the weather changes. Check out the October maintenance list and tick some of those items off! Over the past few days, I've been thinking a lot about the folks in Western North Carolina who've been so severely impacted by Hurricane Helene. If you don't know, my son is a student at Appalachian State University in Boone. While he and his house are thankfully fine, so many in that area are not. Check below for a couple of links to great places to donate if you feel called to do so, but this is also a great reminder (to me, at least) to be a bit more prepared for the unexpected. So, here's a nudge to have some water on hand, some backup power sources or generators, and some cash tucked away just in case. Today we're talking about: ✔️ 📅 What is Happening around RVA in October ✔️ 🛠️ October Home Maintenance ✔️ 🍪 Brown Butter Halloween Candy Cookies 📅  What's Happening around RVA in October Now that it is officially fall, there are a bunch of events coming up for the cozy season. Check out some of this month's events around RVA HERE. In case you missed it, I sent out my fall guide a few weeks ago. For a more complete list of events this month and next, click HERE to get my guide.  🛠️  October Home Maintenance Get your home ready for fall with our October Home Maintenance Checklist! From checking your dyer vents to clearing gutters, these essential tasks will keep your property in top shape as the cooler months roll in. Check out the full list to stay ahead of seasonal upkeep! For the full list of October Maintenance Tips, click HERE. 🍪 Brown Butter Halloween Candy Cookies Okay, these just may be my favorite cookies- in fact, they are now my go to chocolate chip cookie (just sub chips for the candy, obviously). If you have leftover candy (or just too much) this is a great way to use it! They are that perfect crispy, chewy, buttery, with that slight salty sweet vibe. So good. This recipe is not mine, but from Baked by Melissa. Give her a follow if you don't already know her. Click HERE for the recipe. PLACES TO DONATE IF YOU LIKE Samaritan's Purse (Actually based in Boone) World Central Kitchen (Currently feeding people in the Asheville area) Red Cross  (Helping everywhere) App State Disaster Recovery Relief Fund                            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! - I'm starting a new feature this month, a bit of history, origin stories, and other things you may not know about the Richmond area. I find this stuff fascinating, and a great conversation starter, so I hope you do too! If you like it (or don't!), please let me know. I'd love to hear more of what you want to see here. In the meantime, I hope your September is off to a great start. Fall is almost officially here! Today we're talking about: ✔️ ♥️ What I'm Loving This Month ✔️ 📈 Market Update ✔️ 🔍 Did you Know? ❤️ What I'm Loving This Month Life:Organized. I think I've talked about it before, but I finally did it myself, and wow. No one wants to think about not being here any more, but planning is a necessary part of life, and ignoring it won't make it go away. I finally got to sit down with Mary Davis, of In Good Order and Life:Organized, to go through my “stuff," and wow. I thought I had my ducks in a row, but this was so tremendously helpful. Read more about it HERE (and reach out to me if you'd like a coupon for organizing OR Life:Organized! 📈 Beginning of Fall Market Update As I type this, we're a couple of days from the Federal Reserve FOMC, where they are predicted to cut rates. This will be the first cut since 2020, and it remains to be seen how much they cut. What we do know is this- the difficulties many people have had in purchasing a home in the last few years are firmly rooted in the fundamental economic concepts of supply and demand, and most experts think that while these cuts will make money cheaper to borrow, it's also likely to push more purchasers into the marketplace, increasing competition (demand) for what is still quite a limited supply. For a more detailed breakdown of the local market, check out my blog post HERE. 🔍 Did You Know… You may know that Richmond had the first successful trolley system in the world, but you probably also know it's not still in use, and maybe you wondered whatever happened to those cars that helped the city build out suburbs like Westover Hills, the West End, and Ginter Park. Read HERE for the “what happened…” *This is a NEW section in my newsletter. I'm always fascinated by those weird facts, hidden stories, and “why's” of the Richmond Region. Let me know what you think? Is it a keeper or no?                             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! - The weather is (a very little bit) cooler, kids are back to school, and Pumpkin Spice season has begun! With all of that, the real estate market starts to pick up a bit from what is always a bit of a dog days slow down, and people get “back to business,” whether they're buying, selling, or just making plans. It also means some great events around town and end of summer maintenance, so check those things out below so you're ready for the fall! Today we're talking about: ✔️  📅  What is Happening around RVA in September ✔️  🏦  Should You Freeze Your Credit? (Probably) ✔️  🛠️  September Home Maintenance ✔️  🫑  Easy Weeknight Stuffed Zucchini and Peppers 📅  What's Happening around RVA in September We're definitely getting into market season, and there are some great ones coming up, but don't miss out on the area's biggest event, The Richmond Folk Festival! Will you be there? Click HERE for a list of things to do around RVA this month. 🏦  Should You Freeze Your Credit? You may or may not have heard, but there was recently a social security breach. In light of this, it is more important than ever to keep an eye on your credit. This is especially important if you are planning on buying a home or making another big purchase soon. You may even want to freeze your credit. Click HERE to read my full blog post on why you might want to. 🛠️  September Home Maintenance As we transition from summer to fall, there are lots of things to do- from packing up pool and vacation gear to making sure your doors and windows are sealed well. Luckily here in RVA we still have plenty of warm weather left to enjoy outside. For the full list of September Maintenance Tips, click HERE. 🫑  Easy Weeknight Stuffed Zucchini and Peppers This is a super easy weeknight meal that really can be great on its own, with crusty bread, rice, or of course, pasta. It is a bit of a variation on a Giada recipe from years ago. Adding the zucchini into the turkey keeps it from being dry, so don't skip that step. This one is easy to make ahead and just put in the oven when you're ready! Click HERE for the full 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! - It's been a busy/confusing/slightly crazy couple of weeks in the world of real estate. If you don't know, or haven't watched the news, all of our forms (and many of our “way of doing things” has changed, and it's definitely keeping things interesting. Curious about the changes and how they'll affect you? Click HERE to check out my last newsletter, that breaks all of the changes down. For everything else, scroll down! Do you have market questions or find yourself wondering what's going on with sales in your neighborhood? Reach out- I'd love to help! Stay cool out there! Today we're talking about: ✔️🍜 What I've Been Loving Lately - How do YOU hot pot? ✔️📈  Market Update ✔️ 🗓️ What's Going On in RVA? 🍜 What I've Been Loving Lately - Hot Pot in RVA! Have you gotten on the HotPot/Korean Barbecue train? It's one of our faves (and great for a group) since it's fun and interactive, and everyone can do their own thing. Now, there's a new one in town! QPot is located right in the heart of Short Pump, by the mall, and you can really customize your meal here. Instead of bringing things to your table, you get to peruse loads of buffet style options for meats, fish, vegetables, noodles, and more for your broth or barbecue. Check out my recent visit HERE. 📈 What's the Market Doing? There's definitely some good news on the horizon if you're thinking of buying a home! Interest rates last week hit their lowest point in the past year, with 30 year conventional fixed mortgages dipping below 6.5%. In more good news, the Fed has given indications that they're likely to cut rates when they meet again in September. Finally! But what does that mean if you're selling? Well, while a lot of the frenetic multiple offer situations have cooled, homes are still selling at a good clip. If you're familiar with the concept of “absorption rate” or months' supply, that states that we are “balanced” in our market with 6 months of inventory. We are still at between 1.5 and 2 months of inventory (which means our inventory is still low- in other words, it's still a good time to sell. The important thing is pricing reasonably for the market, rather than trying to “shoot the moon” for the price. Obviously every market, area, neighborhood, and yes, house, is different. If you have questions, I have answers. Just reach out! 🗓️ What's Happening Around RVA? If you're getting a little tired of the heat and humidity of the Richmond summer, you're not alone! There are still lots of things to do, thought, and plenty of ways to take advantage of the last few weeks of no school, late sunsets, and warm weather. Check out the next few weeks of August RVA “must do's” HERE. Which ones are getting on your calendar??                           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! - Hope you're enjoying the last few weeks of summer! The biggest thing on my mind this week is the changes coming to the real estate industry in August. You may have heard some mention of it on the news, and wondered if, or how, it might affect you if you're buying or selling. I'm breaking that all down for you, but if you have questions, let me know. I'm always here to help! Today we're talking about: ✔️ 📑 More on the Changes Coming to Real Estate ✔️ 🍒 Cherry and Biscoff Semifreddo ✔️ 🛠️ August Home Maintenance 📑 The Big Changes Coming to Real Estate and You You may have heard something about all of the changes coming to real estate, and depending on how close you are to the process you are, you may have wondered if it will affect you, and how. If you're buying or selling, it likely will, and HERE, I break down how. 🍒 August's Recipe to Help You Beat the Heat With the heat the way it's been, who doesn't love a sweet treat that's cool, refreshing, and doesn't require any baking? Semifreddo is kind of like ice cream that doesn't need churning, and can be adjusted to whatever fruit and flavors you are in the mood for. This one features delicious cherries and the ever popular Biscoff cookie. Let me know if you try it! Recipe HERE 🛠️ August Home Maintenance For me, August is just too dang hot to do outside home tasks, unless they're absolutely necessary. But, it's a great time to start organizing closets to prep for fall. That's my home focus this month. For the full list of August Maintenance Tips, click 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!

Hi there! - Hope you're keeping cool! We're definitely in the dog days of summer. I'm currently in the phase of summer where I still love it, but more in the morning and evening than the middle of the day! Is that slowing down the market? Not much, it seems. Check out the market update I've included below, and let me know if you have questions I can answer for you or someone you know! Today we're talking about: ✔️ ♥️ What I'm loving this month! Txtur in Manchester ✔️ 📈 Market Update ✔️ Behind the Scenes with Cindy ♥️ What I'm loving this month! If you know me, you know I love checking out new places - whether it's a new restaurant, a fun shop, something to do, or anything like that, I'm always down to check it out, so be on the lookout for more of those here! This week, I finally got down to Txtur in Manchester. Based in Roanoke, Txtur is not only a furniture store and showroom but a manufacturer as well, with all of their pieces being made right here in Virginia. I love this concept of more sustainability, quality craftsmanship, and USA made. Oh, and did I mention you can customize so many things when you order? Also important - their pieces are gorgeous! If you go to their showroom, you'll also be able to check out Stock Bistro, open for lunch and dinner, right there in the showroom. Nordic fare, great cocktails, and a really unique vibe. We took a little “field trip” the other day, and it was fun and delicious! ( I had the wedge salad and the Swedish meatball sub, and both were 10/10.) Check out my reel HERE on Instagram, or visit the Txtur website HERE. 📈 Market Update The idea of the slow slow slow market of summer has changed over the past few years. Those cycles we could always count on like clockwork had already changed a bit, but the pandemic really wiped them off the map. That means that even though July is historically slow, now it's definitely less so, and there are fewer extreme peaks and dips seasonally. Soooo… that being said, here's what's going on in Metro Richmond real estate this summer. Despite the fact that rates have been bouncing around 7% for months (!), we're still seeing lots of sales and lots of activity. You may have heard me say that a balanced market is when we have 6 months of inventory, and it's been a while since we've been there. As of June, we were at 1.6 months. With the exception of a few months last fall, this is the most inventory we've had since before the pandemic - that's good news, especially if you're buying. More inventory means more choice and less demand. In many cases, we're still seeing multiple offer situations, but generally, that is on homes that are “DONE." (That means there are opportunities out there for buyers who don't have to have that perfect, brand-new renovation!) What else does it mean? If you're selling, the closer you can get your home to "DONE", the more money you're likely to net, and that's good too. Read more on the blog HERE. Want more customized information to your neighborhood, home, or where you want to call home? Let me know, and I can give you a personalized market report with projections.                           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!

I hope this finds you keeping cool and enjoying the summer! I’m freshly back from an amazing (seriously ah-may-zing!) trip to Kenya (if you noticed the absence of a June newsletter, that’s why!) and that’s likely all the travel I’ll see this summer, but it was SO worth it. From the magnificent animals and countryside, to the wonderful people and culture, I’ll be thinking about it for the rest of the summer and beyond for sure. If you’re staying around Richmond this summer, check out my RVA Summer Bucket List and see what may be new to you and your family! I bet you can find something that you’ve never done before… Today we're talking about: ✔️ 📅 Summer's Here, and so is my RVA Summer Bucket List (what's on your list?) ✔️ 🍅 Summer without Gazpacho? Wouldn't hear of it. ✔️ 🛠️ July Home Maintenance (Check that security if you're traveling) 🌞 My RVA (and surroundings) Summer Bucket List! Summer is officially here, and let's face it- for us “grown-ups” summer can sometimes be just like the same old thing, only hotter. Every season, I try to make myself a list of “must-dos” that remind me of all the wonderful things right here close to home, that are unique to the season. My summer list includes everything from tomato sandwiches to shaved ice from Sno Shack (but I promise they're not all food!) You'll find my list HERE. Go check it out, and see what you'd add. I promise you, you won't regret making one of your own. It really makes each season just a bit more fun! 🍅 It Isn't Summer Without GAZPACHO Speaking of summer, and things that make it feel more fabulous, making a big batch of gazpacho is something I always have on my list. A million years ago, I owned a little cafe/catering spot in Carytown, and I had this on the soup rotation every day from the moment it started getting warm, and we sold through it nearly every day. Cold, refreshing, flavorful, and it's actually healthy? Sign me up! Get the recipe HERE. 🛠️ July Home Maintenance July is definitely the month lots of folks head out of town- river, beach, mountains, or further afield, but before you go, it's a perfect time to give your home a little security check. Assess your window and door locks (everything working?), check or change batteries in cameras or motion detectors, etc! For the full list of July Maintenance Tips, click 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?

Happy almost officially summer! It's hard for me to believe that we're only days away from Memorial Day, and the real official kick-off of the summer season. CRAZY. The market is still moving quickly, and with inventory still low, we are still seeing many instances of multiple offers out there. The tricky thing? If you're a seller, make sure you're as ready for market as you can be, and price accordingly. Buyers are still bidding up homes, but before they take out their proverbial wallets, they are definitely choosier when it comes to deciding which is “the one." If you're thinking of selling, definitely don't wait to call- identifying and addressing those things that could deter a buyer can sometimes take a little time. I'm always happy to help you figure those things out, and have a large roster of great contractors, etc- so let me know how I can help! Today we're talking about: ✔️ 🛠️ May Home Maintenance Tips! ✔️ 😍 What I am Loving Right Now ✔️ 📈 NAR Settlement Update (Yes, it's constantly news!) 🛠️ May Home Maintenance Tips TIDY YOUR FLOWER AND/OR GARDEN BEDS CHANGE OUT LINENS TO LIGHTER COLORS AND WEIGHT CLEAN GUTTERS TO MAKE FOR BETTER DRAINAGE CLEAN AIR VENTS AND REPLACE FILTER CLEAN INSIDE DRAWERS AND CABINETS ♥️ Right Now I'm Loving… If you know me, you probably know that when I discover something I love, I want to share it. Like, “tell literally everyone about it” share. So here I go. Check them out! And if you do, let me know! ☠️ 🦪 Dining…The Oyster Society in Petersburg- I visited a couple of weeks ago with a group of great women, and wow. I just can’t say enough. Really cool vibes and décor- think “fun, artsy, well traveled aunt,” with loads of taxidermy, antiques, and so much to see. But the food was out of this world, in both presentation and taste. Yes, they have lots of oysters, but so much more. The night we went, they had an amazing vegan dish, a local pork chop, and riff on steak frites, as well as many small plates. Just a complete knockout, and totally worth the drive for something totally different! (The skull and crossbones is their logo, by the way- not a commentary!) 🍋 Shopping… If you’re sick and tired of grocery prices but still want good quality food, check out Misfits Market. I recently signed up and have been really happy with everything I’ve received- from produce, to meat, to chia fruit spread, kombucha, and more. They really have nearly everything, and at great prices- there items are often just not quite pretty enough for grocery stores, or otherwise just “misfits,” and as such, they’re priced accordingly. Win win! You keep perfectly good food out of the landfill, and pay less for it. 💵 Get $10 to check it out by using my referral link HERE! 💵 📈 Update on the NAR Settlement and Upcoming Changes If you pay any attention to real estate news, you have probably seen all the talk about major changes due to the National Association of Realtors ® settlement. There is so much information and viewpoints out there right now it can be hard to really know what is changing and how it really impacts you as the consumer, whether you are buying or selling. I will be doing a whole series on Youtube going into detail what all of it means. Check out the first video HERE. (Take a few seconds while you are over there and subscribe to my channel so you don't miss any updates!)

Well, suddenly, it's May! I'm so ready for the warm weather, the smells of fresh cut grass, ripe strawberries, and tomatoes just starting out. Even if everything in bloom means that I feel like I need to wear a diving helmet to protect against the pollen! Worth it, though! Don't forget to check the home maintenance tips this month- it's a great time to do these things (I'm trying no shoes in the house again!) I'm also giving all my outdoor spaces a little refresh, and prepping the grill for lots of summer use! What are you looking forward to this late spring/pre-summer? Today we're talking about: ✔️ 🛠️ May Home Maintenance Tips! ✔️ 📅 Events Happening in the Richmond Area ✔️ 🍓 My Favorite Summer Dessert- Berry Pavlova! 🛠️ May Home Maintenance Tips DEEP CLEAN FLOORS MAKE A "NO SHOES INDOORS" RULE AND STICK TO IT BUY PLANTS TO USE AS NATURAL DETOXIFIERS REPLACE WATER FILTERS BUY A COTTON SHOWER LINER WIPE DOWN LIGHT BULBS AND LIGHT FIXTURES 📅 Top Things to Do in May May 3rd - Friday Cheers kicks off at Brown’s Island at 6pm! May 4th - Run Wild Race at the Metro Richmond Zoo May 11th - Church Hill Spring Fest and Market May 11th - Richmond Ivy plays the Virginia Marauders at City Stadium May 14th - 6pm-7pm Richmond Toolbox Electrical 101 (Check their schedule for other workshops as well) May 17 - Lebanese Food Festival- St Anthony’s Maronite Church May 17th-19th - Dominion Energy Riverrock May 23 - Fidos after 5 (Dogs in the Garden) May 30th - June 1st - Richmond Greek Festival 🍓 My Favorite Summer Dessert- Berry Pavlova! If you don't know, a Pavlova is basically a giant meringue, with all of its crispy, crunchy, marshmallowy textures, piled with whipped cream and topped with berries, or whatever fruit you love! What is lighter, fresher, and better for summertime than this? (Okay, ice cream is maybe a tie, but this is more of a wow for sure.) Click HERE for the full recipe, and if you make it, let me know what you think!