Date Archives: June 2021

As the weather grows warmer, you may find yourself looking for a way to cool off. Stopping by a local pool or splash pad is a great option. Most of these places are kid-friendly and welcoming to families, so people of all ages can splash around and enjoy a break from the heat. 

• Bellemeade Indoor Pool: 1800 Lynhaven Ave., Richmond, VA 23224
  This indoor pool is located inside the Bellemeade Community Center near Richmond homes for sale. It's open daily in the afternoon for independent swimming. There are also swimming lessons and lifeguard certification courses offered through the American Red Cross.
  
  There's no fee to swim at the Bellemeade Indoor Pool. There is plenty of seating around the pool, so you can easily sit and watch your kids swim if you don't want to get in the water yourself.
  
  
• SwimRVA: 5050 Ridgedale Parkway, Richmond, VA 23234
  SwimRVA is a 54,000 square foot aquatics center with several pools open to the public. They have a 25-yard instructional pool where you can take swimming lessons, participate in aquatic Zumba classes, or even take a beginner scuba course. There's also a therapy pool, which features sideboards, water treadmills, and other features ideal for rehabilitation.
  
  SwimRVA does charge for the use of their facilities, but day passes are just $10 for adults and $8 for kids. You can buy 10-visit passes or monthly passes at a discounted rate.
  
  
• Anirav Swim Club: 1500 Midview Rd., Henrico, VA 23231
  Visit Anirav Swim Club for some fun in the water. This park has a huge pool with diving boards, along with a separate kiddie pool for the little ones.
  
  Alongside the pool, you'll find a snack bar, ping pong tables, and shade umbrellas — everything you need for a fun afternoon. If you buy an individual or family membership, you can visit repeatedly throughout the summer, all for one price.
  
  
• Battery Park Pool: 2719 Dupont Circle, Richmond, VA 23222
  Battery Park Pool is a large outdoor pool with a shallow end and a deep end. There is also a sprinkler and splash pad area that's ideal for little ones. A water umbrella sends tumbling sheets of water down onto your heads — this makes for quite a wet experience!
  
  Battery Park Pool is well overseen by lifeguards. It's very clean and well-maintained. After you swim, you can spend some time in the surrounding park, enjoying a picnic with your family or playing horseshoes at the horseshoe pit.
  
  
• Short Pump Park: 3329 Pump Rd., Henrico, VA 23233
  Short Pump Park boasts one of the most-visited splash parks near Henrico homes for sale. The spray pads are kept clean, and they're very kid-friendly. After you splash around in the spray park, you can spend time kicking a ball around in the soccer fields or letting the kids play on the playground. Short Pump Park also has its own dog park, although dogs are not allowed in the splash pad area. The park is open daily from dawn to dusk. 
  
  

Summers in the Richmond area can be hot, and our real estate agents highly recommend staying cool by visiting one of these top-notch pools or splash pads. When you're done splashing around, make sure you spend some time looking at homes for sale. Contact us if you're looking for an agent to represent you.

If you're tired of your yard turning brown during the stifling dog days of summer or want to cut down on the time you spend watering your garden, it's time to install a sprinkler system. Not only will a sprinkler system make it easier for you to care for your landscaping, but our real estate agents know that it appeals to potential homebuyers when it's time to sell your home. Here are a few tips to follow when installing a sprinkler system. 

1. Decide If You Should Hire a Pro
   A DIY project is an excellent way to save money when you're on a tight budget. Opting to purchase and install your sprinkler components yourself can cut the cost of the project in half. However, you have to spend time installing the system, and adding a sprinkler system can be a fairly labor-intensive project. You may also have to rent or purchase tools to complete the job. It can also be tricky to properly place the sprinklers so that every area of your landscaping receives ample moisture. While it costs more to hire a pro to install your new sprinkler system, you'll maximize the amount of time in your schedule by letting someone else handle the job. Most professionally installed sprinkler systems also come with a warranty on the parts and labor, giving you a little peace of mind in your investment.

2. Have Underground Lines and Cables Marked
   Regardless of which installation method you choose, you'll need to have your local utility companies come and mark any underground lines that are located on your property. When installing a sprinkler system, you'll need to avoid these lines. Otherwise, you risk cutting power, cable, or TV to your home. You'll also have to pay for any damage caused to these lines or cables. 

3. Determine What Features You Want
   Your sprinkler system should incorporate elements that make it a good fit for your home. After considering what the sprinkler will water (such as grass, vegetables, flowers, or trees), you can decide what kind of water pressure the system should have and how quickly the water needs to flow. These features will also factor into what kind of service lines you purchase for the system. When you add your home to the inventory of Richmond homes for sale, buyers will appreciate a sprinkler system that's adapted to the property's unique vegetation. 

4. Select Your Sprinkler Heads
   The sprinkler heads are one of the most important components of your sprinkler system. Different heads will add moisture to your landscaping in distinct ways. For example, fixed spray heads produce a consistent span of water that travels 5 to 15 feet, while bubbler sprinkler heads add moisture at the base of vegetation. Bubbler sprinkler heads are ideal for plants that easily mold due to excessive moisture, like hydrangeas. Pop-up sprinkler heads are popular with families who enjoy using their yard for exercise and recreation; when they aren't in use, these sprinkler heads disappear into the ground. You can mix and match sprinkler heads to have the best alternative for each section of your yard. 

Ready to put your home on the market? Contact us today to get started!

Each year, June 15 is designated National Nature Photography Day by the North American Nature Photography Association. It's a great opportunity to grab your camera and head into the great outdoors. 

We don't need any excuse to gush about our favorite parks and green spaces in the Richmond area. Even so, National Nature Photography Day offers a unique opportunity for our real estate agents to highlight these great wild places in and around Richmond.

1. Belle Isle Park - James R. at US 1/301, Richmond, Virginia
   One of the numerous sites around the city that are managed as part of the James River Park System, Belle Isle is one of Richmond's most uniquely beautiful spots. The park encompasses a 54-acre island in the middle of the James River and offers splendid views of the river, several miles of wooded trails, and great opportunities for photography as well as kayaking and mountain biking. It's just across the bridge from many Richmond homes for sale.
   
   
2. James Bryan Park - 4308 Hermitage Rd, Richmond, VA 23227
   A great off-the-beaten-path park in Richmond's Northside, James Bryan Park offers 262 acres of rolling hills, wooded areas, open meadows, streams, and ponds. Photographers have a lot of great scenery to capture here. But the greatest attraction is Bryan Park's azalea garden. The garden contains more than 450,000 azalea plants, which bloom most years in mid-April. 
   
   
3. Libby Hill Park - 2801 E Franklin St, Richmond, VA 23223
   Perched atop a hill offering an expansive view of the Richmond Skyline, Libby Hill Park is a relatively small green space at just 7 acres, but it packs in a lot of great scenery. This hilltop park includes meandering cobblestone paths, towering mature trees, and grassy lawns. It's also one of Richmond's oldest parks, dating all the way back to 1851.
   
   
4. The Wetlands - 3395 Landria Dr, Richmond, VA 23225
   Part of the James River Park System, The Wetlands are a haven for wildlife photographers and anyone looking for an opportunity to reconnect with nature. It's a wooded, swampy parcel of land with elevated hiking trails (one follows the berm of an old railroad line) that traverse one of the city's wildest habitats. Wildlife watching blinds are located along some of the trails, and white-tailed deer are a common sight.
   
   
5. Maymont - 1700 Hampton St, Richmond, VA 23220
   A historic 100-acre estate turned public park, Maymont is one of the most beautiful and unique parks in Richmond. In addition to the stunning Maymont Mansion—sure to delight any photographer with an eye for architecture—the park includes an arboretum, formal gardens, and a nature center with native wildlife exhibits. There's a good reason why Maymont Park is one of the most popular spots in Richmond for bird watching and nature photography. 

Contact us today. If you have a love for the outdoors, it's a great place to call home, and our team can't wait to help you find your dream home in Richmond!

Bubble tea, also known as boba, is a delicious indulgence any time of year, but especially in the spring and summer months. Between the sweet, milky tea and the chewy tapioca pearls, you're in for a treat. Whether you're already a fan of this trendy beverage or you want to try it for the first time, you're in luck! Richmond has some awesome bubble tea cafes. Here are a few that our real estate agents recommend. 

1. TT Lounge: 705 W. Cary St. Richmond VA, 23220
   If you're in the area looking at Richmond homes for sale, then definitely stop by TT Lounge for a refreshing bubble tea. This colorful little cafe has comfortable couches you can relax on, plus a few small tables.
   
   One of the favorites at TT Lounge is the taro milk tea. The Thai milk tea is also a good choice if you like your drinks a little sweeter. And if you're in the mood for a fruity drink, you can't go wrong with the kiwi slush. They'll make most of their tea drinks into slushes upon request. 
   
   
2. Chum Chum Onigiri: 2820 W Cary St. Ste. C, Richmond VA, 23221
   Chum Chum Onigiri is the perfect place to stop if you want some snacks or a fresh meal alongside your bubble tea. They offer a full menu of onigiri options, chicken katsu, miso soup, and bento boxes. 
   
   The brown sugar boba is a top choice at Chum Chum. The tapioca bubbles are soaked in a rich brown sugar syrup. Another great option is the mango crystal pearls, which are delightfully sweet with a natural mango flavor. Chum Chum is a small shop with adorable decor that will make you smile.
   
   
3. GiGi Tea Time: 1355 W. Broad Street, Richmond VA, 23220
   GiGi Tea Time serves Taiwanese-style bubble tea, and they source their tea leaves directly from Taiwan. They offer a great selection of more traditional tea beverages, including matcha milk tea, Ceylon black milk tea, and honey oolong milk tea. 
   
   Make sure you order some sweets to pair with your tea. GiGi has delicious French crepes stuffed with bananas and strawberries. The macaroons are lovely, too. 
   
   
4. Zen Cafe: 6312 Rigsby Rd. Richmond VA, 23226
   Zen Cafe is a popular lunch spot in Richmond, but they also serve wonderful bubble tea. Visitors especially love the lychee green tea and the rose milk tea. You can have various jellies and pearls added to your tea upon request. In addition to bubble tea, Zen Cafe offers shaved snow, which is incredible on a hot day. 
   
   If you are in the mood for some food alongside your boba, try Zen Cafe's Bahn mi with garlic pork or seasoned chicken. You can dine at the little bar table by the window or in one of the comfortable, padded chairs.
   
   
5. Catina Bakery: 6215 Broad St. Richmond VA, 23230
   This popular Vietnamese sandwich shop is the perfect place to grab lunch and boba on a busy day in Richmond. Catina Bakery only accepts cash, but the prices are very reasonable. The pork Bahn mi practically has its own fan club.
   
   Of course, the star of the show is the bubble tea.  The mango boba has a lovely, tropical appeal, and the pineapple boba will make you feel like you're in Hawaii.

Bubble tea is delicious at any time of day and with almost any meal. Check out any of these shops the next time you're in the Richmond area, and don't hesitate to contact us if you're looking for a real estate agent to guide you in your house search.