Date Archives: December 2020

As we move into the waning days of 2020, Richmond homes for sale are still getting plenty of attention from buyers. For all kinds of reasons, people from around the country are learning what our real estate agents already knew: Richmond is the place to be in 2021!

Let's look at seven of the biggest reasons why:

1. The James River
   Richmond got its name from the river, as the breathtaking views from Libby Park's Church Hill reminded early residents of Richmond, England. There's plenty of space along the James to go hiking or bicycling – and yes, boating is popular, too! Plenty of picturesque neighborhoods sit right by the water.
   
   
2. A Promising Future
   Richmond has one of the best post-COVID unemployment rates for large cities in the United States and is gaining ground in its employment outlook. There's a highly active downtown area with plenty of new development. Plus, RVA boasts an active startup scene and colorful small businesses.
   
   
3. The Perfect Location
   With its central location – literally – Richmond is a convenient home base no matter where in the state you wish to journey. Sitting at the intersection of Interstate 95 and Interstate 64, it's two hours to the astonishing Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville, or even Washington, DC.
   
   
4. Vibrant Arts and Culture
   A truly creative city, Richmond has an array of museums, galleries, and musical venues to suit any taste. The Carpenter Theater is home to the Richmond Ballet. The Altria Theater brings Broadway right to your door, and both the Virginia Opera and Richmond Symphony are world-class.
   
   
5. Family-Friendly Fun All Year Around
   Dotted with parks and playgrounds, Richmond is ideal for keeping the kids entertained. The Children's Museum of Richmond is an award-winning interactive experience, and the Science Museum of Virginia enthralls older kids. Local botanical gardens hold family days, and there are three amusement parks too.
   
   
6. Unbeatable Culinary Scene
   Richmond is known for its culinary delights. Famous chefs flock here, and some of the top names in the industry got their start in the area. James Beard Award Winner Sally Bell has been offering classic boxed lunches since 1924, and Alton Brown of Good Eats called Proper Pie the best pumpkin pie he's ever had.
   
   
7. A "Festive" Atmosphere
   There's always something going on in Richmond, with a social calendar packed with unique local events. Some favorites include the Irish Festival in Church Hill, the Easter Parade on Monument Avenue, Arts in the Park, Broadappetit, the Carytown Watermelon Festival, Hogtoberfest, and much more.

In 2021, Richmond is set to continue growing. It's a thriving city that will always pleasantly surprise you. There's plenty more to see, and your next home could be waiting!

Contact us at Joyner Fine Properties to learn more about the area or get started.

The holidays are right around the corner — have you put in your cookie order yet? Though our real estate agents love baking cookies, this is one of those years where we could all use one less to-do on our plates. Instead of baking yourself into a frenzy, order holiday cookies from these Richmond area bakeries.

1. Red Eye Cookie Co. — 935 W. Grace St., Richmond, VA 23220
   Get a true taste of Virginia with the cookies at Red Eye Cookie Co. This locally owned bakery locally sources all of its ingredients so that their cookies are a true representation of the Richmond culinary scene. With cream-line milk from Burnt Chimney and whole-wheat grain flour from Ashland, you'll taste a little bit of Virginia in every bite.
   
   
2. Buttermilk Bake Shop — 257 E. Bank St., Petersburg, VA 23803
   Should you choose to purchase one of our cozy Petersburg homes for sale, you'll be pleased to know that a classic American bakeshop is right around the corner. Located in Old Town, Buttermilk Bake Shop makes all of their pastries from scratch. Call in an order of holiday cookies so you can check it off of your to-do list. When you swing by to pick them up, help yourself to a fresh sticky bun or cupcake…and don't forget to grab your dog a treat, too!
   
   
3. Westhampton Pastry Shop — 5728 Patterson Ave., Richmond, VA 23226
   If you've lived in Richmond long enough, chances are high that you have fond memories of holiday cookies from Westhampton Pastry Shop. Since 1952, they've provided dazzling desserts to thousands of families over the holiday season. Ordering holiday cookies from Westhampton Pastry Shop is one Richmond tradition that you dare not break.
   
   
4. Morsels — 4040 MacArthur Ave., Richmond, VA 23227
   Don't leave even the tiniest crumb up to chance this holiday season; order your cookies from Morsels to ensure that every bite is the best. This Bellevue bakery cooks up everything from snickerdoodles and macaroons to Italian pignoli cookies and cookie sandwiches. Prefer bars over traditional cookies? Morsels will gladly bake a tray full of one of two-dozen different bar styles like a Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bar, Kitchen Sink Cookie Bar, and Bourbon Apple Pie Bar.
   
   
5. That Much Sweeter — 1640 Featherstone Dr., Midlothian, VA 23113
   How do you make sure your holiday cookies are as sweet as can be? You let That Much Sweeter take care of the baking. They believe that cookies possess superpowers, and while you may not gain superstrength after munching on some morsels, you will be flying high after one bite. Order up a few boxes of chocolate chip cookies and make your whole family proud. Thankfully, you don't need to hope that these cookies give you x-ray vision to peer into our Midlothian homes for sale — you just need to schedule an appointment.

Are you searching for a sweet home in the RVA? Let us help you find it. Contact us today to browse our best Richmond homes for sale.

With the end of the year approaching, prospective homebuyers have holiday cheer on their minds as they tour Richmond homes for sale. This doesn't mean you should make your home into a replica of the North Pole though! Successfully staging your home for the holidays takes subtlety and class. Here are a few tips for tastefully staging your home for the holidays.

1. Decorate the front door. 
   The front door is your best place to make a good first impression. Hanging a cheery holiday wreath on the door can set the stage for your prospective buyers to imagine themselves in your home for the holidays from the moment they step over that threshold. Don't clutter up the yard with a lot of decorations, though, as it doesn't take much to cross over the line into the realm of tacky. Instead, focus on improving your curb appeal.
   
   
2. Match your decorations to your decor. 
   The best way to achieve subtlety and class is to make sure your holiday decorations blend seamlessly with the existing decor. Opt for holiday colors and styles that complement your themes and furnishings. If you've done your job with staging, these should be fairly neutral, setting the stage for a subtle holiday display.
   
   
3. Remember that less is more. 
   The rule of thumb for staging isn't any different around the holidays. As always, you should minimize the decor as much as possible. Instead of adding holiday decor, replace what you had used for staging before, as you don't want it to appear too cluttered by trying to squeeze everything in. And don't break out your entire collection of holiday ornaments! Just a few tasteful touches, such as a bowl of pinecones on the coffee table or a holiday greenery arrangement, will be just enough to encourage your buyer to envision themselves in your home.
   
   
4. Keep the decor impersonal. 
   Staging your home needs to be impersonal at any time of the year, but perhaps most of all around the holidays, when people are thinking about entertaining and celebrating with their families. This means that not only should you remove family pictures from the walls, but you also should make sure not to hang any holiday decorations that are too personal. We all have our own ways of celebrating the holidays, so keeping your holiday decor subtle and impersonal will allow them to picture themselves and their own traditions in your home.
   
   
5. Highlight your home's best features. 
   Finally, don't forget that the main purpose of staging is to show your home to its best advantage. You can use your holiday decor to highlight your home's best features, just as you would with any other decor. A strategically placed decoration can draw attention to a feature of your home that you want to highlight. Use your decorations sparingly, but use them to help your home shine.

No matter the season, staging a home for sale is an art form. If you feel overwhelmed or are unsure of how to proceed, one of our real estate agents can walk you through it. Contact us today to start the process!