Past Email Newsletters

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!

April is flying by! I just wrapped up my neighborhood spring cleaning event, and once again, the dumpster was filled with all that “stuff” that we usually just walk by broken grills, yard debris, you name. Spring is finally here and it's time to get those outdoor spaces looking fantastic again. Time to start planning those outdoor events (be on the lookout for a fun one in May or June!) and getting ready for summer. I can't wait! Oh, and my son turned 21 this week! I'm still wrapping my brain around that one! As always, let me know if you need help finding anyone to do the things you can't around your home- I've got a great list of fantastic people I trust and I'm happy to share! Questions about anything here or anything real estate related? Reach out. I'd love to help! Today we're talking about: ✔️ April Home Maintenance Tips! ✔️ 📈 What Is The Market Doing? ✔️ 🗂️ Do You Know How Things Would Get Done If Something Happened to You? 🛠️ April Home Maintenance Tips Part 2 CLEAN HARD TO REACH PLACES 🧹 🌺 DIFFUSE ESSENTIAL OILS FOR A CLEAN SCENT START A GARDEN AND PLANT FLOWERS 🌸 🛋️ RE-ARRANGE FURNITURE FOR A NEW VIEW Market Update for the Richmond Metro Area One thing I always get asked wherever I go- “How's the market?” The answer is not always the same, because most people have a different idea of the question. The market for buying? The market for selling? What area? What neighborhood? You get the picture. The answer is always a little different. But, if you just want a little snapshot, here you go! 📉 From February to March, the average days on market dropped from 32 to 26. That's definitely a drop, but remember, that's the AVERAGE. The median, more commonly seen, was only 7 in March. (I'd say that's dropped even more for April) 🏷️ What are the prices doing though?? Well, in our market at least, they're still moving up. $398,725 is now the median price in the Richmond metro, a bit less intimidating than the average of $453,128. Whichever number you use, thought, you're about 6% over the same time last year. 📈 Okay, but what about the rates? When are they going down?? Great question. I wish I knew the answer. What I do know at this point is that the Covid era rates of 3% and below are not coming back. We may see a reduction later in the year (3rd quarter?) but it's very unlikely we'll see anything before that. No real groundbreaking news here, unfortunately. (For good or bad). My best advice is that if you're thinking of buying a home, and you can afford it, just do it. The odds of rates going down at some point is pretty good. The odds of prices going down, not so much. So, if you're on the fence and waiting for rates to drop, don't. As rates go down, prices will only go up, and you can always refinance. One thing you can't do? Renegotiate the sales price. 🗂️ Okay, not to be weird, but if something happened to you, would people know where to find all your information and what to do with it?? Check out Life: Organized a new program just launched by my favorite organizer, In Good Order, LLC. If you have ever needed to put together the important information for a family member or friend, you probably know that “having everything in order” goes well beyond a will. What about your online accounts? Banking? Life insurance policies (does someone know where they are?) What will you do with your pets? Mary Davis, the creator or this program not only built this program for you to do yourself (or give as a gift) but she also will literally sit down with you and/or your loved ones and help you put it all together. Click the Life: Organized link about for more information or to get started. What Mary WON'T tell you? She brings a really calming energy to this potentially emotionally charged task, and helps you get done what truly needs to be done without the ick/doom and gloom feelings, OR the “let's do this later,” that can often happen when you're doing it on your own. I can't think of a better person to help get this all done, organized, and really. (This is not an ad. I just really want to share it with you, because it is such a huge need.)

Happy April! This is definitely one of my favorite months of the year, from my son's birthday (a big one this year!), to it really starting to feel like spring, and of course, the always energy-filled spring real estate market. We're already seeing things get busier and busier, and there is definitely more inventory coming on the market every day (finally!) If you have questions about your specific area, neighborhood, or home, reach out. I'd love to help! Today we're talking about: ✔️ Home 🛠️ Maintenance Tips ✔️ 📅 What's going on in RVA this month ✔️ This month's recipe- Baklava Crinkle “Cake” 🛠️ April Home Maintenance Tips RE-PAINT YOUR FRONT DOOR CLEAN, REARRANGE, REFRESH OUTDOOR FURNITURE DISINFECT DOOR KNOBS AND LIGHT SWITCHES WIPE DOWN REMOTE CONTROLS PICK UP A PLANT TO BRING LIFE TO YOUR SPACE WIPE DOWN PATIO FURNITURE 📅 What's Happening Around Town in April This Week! Through Friday, April 5, it’s Chesterfield Restaurant Week! Check out some of the great dining Chesterfield has to offer. Eat well and support the Chesterfield Food Bank! More info HERE. Saturday, April 6 - Pop Up RVA is back at The Diamond! From 10-3, every Saturday starting this week, you'll find 50+ vendors, food, music, and fun. More info HERE Saturday, April 13 - Celebrate National Poetry Month and head to Poe's Enchanted Garden Family Day at the Poe Museum! Fun for the whole family, with garden fun and activities, poetry, and light refreshments. More info HERE Saturday, April 20 - The Pollinator Festival takes over Center of the Universe Brewing in Ashland, with beekeeping demonstrations, interactive exhibits, native plants and animals (including a plant sale,) and don't forget the honey and flower beers! Food, music, and fun for everyone. More info HERE 🍰 This Month's Recipe is a Baklava Crinkle “Cake” April may just be my favorite month, because it's my son's birthday, and this year, he turns the big 21! (Still not sure how that happened). I asked him for help choosing this month's recipe, and this was his pic! Baklava flavors with a creamy, custardy, crispy phyllo pastry. A few steps, but overall, pretty easy, and definitely a wow! Get the recipe HERE.