Past Email Newsletters

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.

🌸 Happy First (Full) Day of Spring! 🌸 The weather may have fooled us a bit, and it’s back to being chilly, but not for long! It’s definitely got me in spring cleaning mode (check the spring home maintenance list below for some very gratifying spring cleaning projects!) I’m also all about getting my outdoor spaces ready for warmer weather, and I'm focusing on native plants more than ever- if you’re curious about plants native to Central Virginia, and why it’s key to focus on them, check out this free guide for more info from the Plant Virginia Natives Initiative.. Today we're talking about: ✔️ Home 🛠️ Maintenance Tips ✔️ 📰 The Real Estate Headlines You're Seeing EVERYWHERE ✔️ March Events 🗓️ You Don't Want to Miss ✔️ 🙏 I Need Your Help! (And there's a chance for a PRIZE! 🎁) 🛠️ March Home Maintenance Tips FLIP MATTRESSES CLEAN KITCHEN BACKSPLASH CLEAN OUT AND WIPE DOWN CABINETS CLEAN UNDER APPLIANCES ORGANIZE PANTRY, THROW OUT EXPIRED PRODUCTS 📈 All the Things to Know About all the News in the Real Estate Industry And wow. There has been a LOT of news out there lately. You’ve probably seen the headlines over the last few days, about the “seismic” changes coming to the real estate industry. Lots of info out there is clickbait, to say the least, and in most cases, quite confusing. Here’s a little recap of what’s happened, what’s happening, what’s (likely) to come, and most importantly, how it might affect you if you are thinking about buying or selling real estate. Here are the super high level “how it might affect you” facts if you’re in the market, but for a more thorough analysis, click HERE. How this settlement might affect you… (IF it’s approved by the courts, these changes will take place in July of this year) If you’re in the market to buy a home, you’ll need to have a buyer’s agency contract in place with your agent prior to looking at any homes. If you’re selling your home, you should better understand what you’ll pay in commissions and concessions and why. Most important takeaways- Commissions are negotiable, and you always have choices! As always, if you have questions, I'm here to provide answers. Reach out and let's talk! 📅 What's Going on in the Richmond Area for the Rest of March… 🐰 Dominion Energy Family Easter Where: Maymont Park Carriage House Lawn When: March 30 from 9-3 Games, activities, live music, and of course, a visit from the Easter Bunny! More information HERE 👒 Easter on Parade Where: Monument Avenue When: March 31 (Easter Sunday)1-5 pm Started in 1973, this parade of both humans and dogs has been a springtime stable in the Richmond area since 1973. Dress up in your Easter finest, get a bonnet for your furry friend, and head down to the parade for some seriously Richmond fun! 🧑‍🍳 Chesterfield Restaurant Week Chesterfield is having its very own restaurant week this year, and it kicks off on 3/29 (until April 7) Loads of great restaurants are featuring special meals, with every meal providing a donation the Chesterfield Food Bank Outreach Center. Get more information HERE I have a favor to ask! 📦 Can you please help me help people moving here? 📦 I’m working on finishing up my updated 2024 Relocation Guide, and one of the things that I’d LOVE to include is a short quote from “real people” about why they like the county or area that they live in! So, if you love your county (or general area), PLEASE send me your “why” at [email protected]. All you have to do is submit a couple of sentences why you love where you live, and you can win a $100 Gift Card to Casa Italiana, one of my favorite spots in my own neighborhood. If your quote is chosen to represent that area, you'll also get a token of my thanks! 🎟️ Entries due by Friday, March 22, and winners will be drawn at random. You’ll be notified by email of your win by Monday, Mar 25, 2024

Happy March! Spring is nearly here, can you feel it? For me, that means all things spring cleaning, fresh spring energy, longer days, warmer weather, and spending more time outside. (Oh, and a busy real estate market! That’s already started!) Today we're talking about: ✔️ Home 🛠️ Maintenance Tips ✔️ “Beyond the House” Refresh ✔️ Spring Market Update ✔️ Old School Southern Peach Cobbler 🛠️ March Home Maintenance Tips Wash linens Wash windows and put on screens Spot clean furniture Swap out your front door mat for spring 🧹🏠 “Beyond the House” Refresh As we head into spring, it’s a great time for not only spring cleaning but also for a bit of a deeper “home” refresh. 📈 Did you know that home insurance rates went up 21% from May 22- May 23, and they’re on track to be up another 12% this year. (Money Magazine) Even if your insurance rates are paid as part of your mortgage, you can still shop around. If you have an agent who deals with multiple providers, they can shop it for you, or you can do your own legwork. Just make sure you keep your mortgage lender in the loop! 📑 If you’re like me, you’re neck deep in pulling together tax info, receipts, etc. While you’re at it, pull together any receipts, instruction manuals, etc, that you’ve put into your home over the past year. Collect all of these things in a binder, with maintenance records. Here’s a great one but you can also use a regular old binder! It’s a great way to stay organized or transfer info when you sell. Future you will thank you, and so will buyers. 🌸📈 Spring Market Update While the spring weather is still working its way to us, the spring market appears to be already here. In the Richmond Metro area MLS (Richmond, Henrico, Hanover, and Chesterfield), median home prices are up 5.3% year over year, and 8.3% over the last month. Things are definitely picking up, too, as the number of closings jumped from 655 in January to nearly 900 in February! Basically, the market in the Richmond area continues to be busy, tilted to favor the seller (as inventory is still low), and is likely to grow as we get further into spring. If you’re thinking about selling this spring or summer, give me a call now- making a plan to hit the market at the right time can make a HUGE difference! And if you’re thinking of buying but waiting for rates to drop, let’s talk- remember, you can always renegotiate your rate, but you can’t renegotiate the price! So, getting out there now (BEFORE rates drop and things become more competitive) is a great way to get a jump on that spring competition. Happy Spring! 🍴Old School Southern Peach Cobbler March is my late father's birthday month, and while he would eat cake, his favorite was always cobbler, and peach cobbler, more specifically. While March is just on the cusp of the start of peach season, this recipe is great with canned or frozen peaches as well, and incredibly easy. So, whatever you're celebrating, there's no excuse for not making this one! Click HERE for the recipe.

Hello February! This month may be a short one, but there’s a lot going on, and between the weather and the market heating up, it is starting to feel like spring really is right around the corner! (Even the groundhog said so!) I’m switching up things a bit next month- we’ll be hitting your inbox twice monthly in slightly shorter “bites” with more restaurant reviews, events, and RVA fun. I’d love it if you share what you think! Please let me know! Today we're talking about: ✔️ Home 🛠️ Maintenance Tips ✔️ The Best Places to Watch the 🏈 Superbowl in Richmond ✔️ Looking Ahead to the 🌸 Spring Market ✔️ 2 Ingredient 🍫 Chocolate Mousse 🛠️ February Home Maintenance Tips Wipe Down the Baseboards Dust Blinds Wash Shower Curtains Deep Clean Floors Fix any Clogged Drains Deep Clean Showers and Tubs Check for Lint Build Up in the Dryer Refresh and Organize the Laundry Room Organize the Spice Cabinet Make a List of Maintenance Supplies You Need Make a List of What You Love About Your Home 🏈 Where Are You Watching the Big Game? Whether you’re a die-hard football fan, just love the snacks and the energy, or you’re only watching for the ads and the glimpses of Taylor, the Super Bowl is definitely an event not to be missed. If you want to take the party out of the house to share in the fun, HERE is a list of the best places to watch the Super Bowl in RVA. 🌸📈 The Spring Market is Nearly Here! It may still be winter outside (well, most days, at least- it is Virginia, after all!), but the spring market appears to be starting early this year. With rates dropping and inventory still tight, we’re poised to have a very busy spring market. If you’re thinking of selling this spring, now is the time to start the conversation and get things in place to maximize your equity. And if you’re thinking of buying, things are getting busy, but getting out there and getting focused on what you want early can really give you a jump on the competition. 🍴2 Ingredient Chocolate Mousse What says romance more than chocolate? Valentine’s Day is almost here, and if you’re looking for a completely delicious, and shockingly simple, dessert to celebrate, look no further than my two-ingredient chocolate mousse. Find the recipe HERE.

Happy New Year! Yes, I'm a little behind on sending this out, because last week I was flooded with emails from every store I've ever been to (or never been to!). As we kick off this new year, I'm breaking down where the market was, where we are headed, and a few tips to get started for 2024! Keeping it short and sweet this month! Today we're talking about: ✔️ My Market Predictions for 2024 ✔️ January is Get Organized Month ✔️ Sheet Pan Roast Chicken and Veggies with Pan Sauce 📈 The Richmond Area Market - A Look Back and A Look Forward Over the past few years, it seems every season in real estate has been heralded as “unprecedented," and that seems to still be the case. After last year's low inventory and high rates, we seem to be leveling out to a more “normal” market (whatever normal is anymore!) as we head into spring this year. More on my breakdown HERE. 📅 Did you know January is Get Organized Month? Do you feel that pull to the “New Year, New Organized Me?" like I do? Whether you're thinking of selling or not, this is a great time to tackle even just ONE space. My favorite hack to get this done? Set a timer for 45 minutes and focus on one thing- I just did my pantry and it was an eye-opener. I feel better and my kitchen is cleaner, though the amount I threw out was shocking. Have you done this lately?? 🍴Sheet Pan Roast Chicken and Veggies with Pan Sauce If you're like me, maybe you feel like you're still detoxing from holiday overindulgence, AND trying to get back in the swing of meal planning and prepping. If you are, then this is the perfect recipe! Easy to throw together on a week night, good enough for a weekend, and healthyish too. Get it HERE.

Happy December! How did we get here so fast? Hopefully you're able to slow down a bit this month and enjoy some community and family time, good food, fun, and maybe a little quiet time too. Check out all the events and holiday tips in the Holiday Guide, and catch the wrap up of the Richmond real estate market- always a topic to discuss at holiday functions (feel free to drop my name if they're in the market, too! 😉) We're also testing out a new newsletter format. Do you love it? Hate it? Couldn't care less? Please let me know!" Today we're talking about: ✔️ My Holiday Guide ✔️ Top 3 Home Maintenance Tips to Remember this Month ✔️ Things I'm Loving Right Now ✔️ Make Ahead French Toast Casserole ✔️ Richmond 2023 Market Year in Review 📅 December Events 🍿 Dec 3rd - 25th is Christmas Movie Season at the Byrd Theater The Byrd Theater is the perfect place to watch your favorite, classic holiday movies, like A Christmas Story, Home Alone, Elf, and more. Check out their holiday lineup HERE. 🩰 Dec 8th - 24th is Richmond Ballet's The Nutcracker Enjoy a night out in downtown Richmond and support the Richmond Ballet by going to see The Nutcracker at the Dominion Energy Center. This year's performance will feature brand-new scenery, costumes, and choreography for you to enjoy. Click HERE for tickets and more information. 🎄 Dec 9th is Hardywood Brewery's Holiday Pop-Up Artisan market Join Hardywood Park Craft Brewery for their Christmas Market Pop-Up on December 9th. Check out some amazing local artisans and makers selling their handmade items. Not to mention great food provided by local food trucks! Click HERE for more info. Check out my Holiday Guide HERE for the best events this month! 🏠 🛠️ Top 3 Home Maintenance Tips to Remember This Month Remember to take some time for yourself. Check up on your doorbell camera or security system. Tis the season for porch pirates. Test the batteries in your smoke and CO2 detectors. 💗 Top 3 Things I am Loving at the Moment 🎉 My Holiday Guide (Have you checked it out?) 🛍️ Shopping Local - My holiday guide has great recs and exclusive offers! 🎄 Advent Calendars - I treated myself to a skincare advent calendar this year, and I'm going to do an advent calendar every year! I love it like I did when I was a kid. 10/10 fun! 📈 2023 Market Year in Review Click HERE to read my year in review of the Richmond Metro real estate market, including some predictions for 2024. If you're thinking of buying or selling now or in the new year (or you know someone who is) reach out! 🍴Make Ahead French Toast Casserole The holidays are one of the busiest times of the year and having meals that you can make ahead of time can be a lifesaver. It's even better when it's delicious. Check out my recipe for make ahead french toast casserole HERE.