Date Archives: April 2022

What could be better than spending some time outdoors, enjoying a healthy, fun activity, and supporting great causes in the process? Spring and summer are the busiest times of year for 5K events around Richmond, with plenty of races to train for in the upcoming months. Our real estate agents have the details on six 5Ks that you can start training for in the Richmond area.

• ASK 5K – April 30, 2022 – 3001 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond, VA 23230
  Kick off the 5K season with the ASK 5K, which is held every year at the Diamond near Richmond homes for sale. The 17th annual ASK 5K Run & Fun Walk is held to benefit children with childhood cancer and their families, with flexible fundraising goals to help you raise money for a good cause while you run.
  
  
• Holton Hustle 5K – May 14, 2022 – 1600 W. Laburnum Ave., Richmond, VA 23227
  A community event held to promote health, wellness, and physical activity, the Holton Hustle 5K will take you on a scenic trip through Richmond's historic Bellevue neighborhood. The event regularly attracts more than 500 participants and benefits the students at Holton Elementary School.
  
  
• Belle Isle Blitz – May 20, 2022 – 4021 Forest Hill Ave., Richmond, VA 23225
  Looking for something a little different from your next 5K? The Belle Isle Blitz is a 5K trail run which some challenging climbs and fun downhill sections to keep you on your toes. Enjoy a run through Forest Hill Park, and consider bringing your four-legged friend for the Dog Wave of the race. Participants will receive a specially designed t-shirt and a chip-timed bib so that you can easily track your time.
  
  
• Summer Solstice 5K – June 21, 2022 – 4021 Forest Hills Ave., Richmond, VA 23225
  Celebrate the start of summer with a 5K run or walk on the longest day of the year. Held every year as spring turns to summer, the Summer Solstice 5K also takes place at Forest Hill Park. However, there's no trail running element, and this is a more traditional 5K run on flat, paved trails. A week after the main 5K, there will be another 5K race at the same location for youth participants under 18 years of age.
  
  
• Speak Up 5K – September 10, 2022 – 1001 Blanton Ave., Richmond, VA 23221
  If you're training for a 5K a bit further in the future, consider circling the Speak Up 5K on your calendar. This event was started by the CKG Foundation to raise awareness of teen mental illness in a positive, empowering way. In addition to the usual 5K festivities, this race features unique "fun zones" where you might run past a dance party or get squirted with a water gun along the way.
  
  
• Give a Dog a Job 5K – October 1, 2022 – 1603 Ownby Ln., Richmond, VA 23220
  The 4th annual Give a Dog a Job 5K is the continuation of a popular event held every year by the Canine Companions organization. It raises money that goes toward raising highly trained service dogs for adults, children, and veterans who need them. Of course, you're encouraged to bring your own pup along to add some extra fun to your run!

Ready to buy or sell your next home in Richmond? Let our local real estate team help you accomplish your goals. Contact us to buy and sell homes in the Richmond, VA, area.

Chances are, you've seen a Little Free Library while you were out running errands, going for a jog, or taking your dog for a walk. Since the first Little Free Library was put up in 2009, thousands of them have sprung up across the country and around the world. 

That includes dozens of Little Free Libraries right here in Richmond. With their goal of making books accessible to readers of all ages and backgrounds, Little Free Libraries have become a staple of the local community, and our real estate agents are proud to highlight Richmond's Little Free Libraries. 

What Are Little Free Libraries

Little Free Libraries are public book-sharing boxes where anyone, at any time, may take a book or leave a book. They work on the honor system and are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

Originally founded in Wisconsin, Little Free Library operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and has grown to include more than 90,000 libraries in over 90 countries. The mission of the organization is to build community, inspire readers, and expand book access for all. 

Most Little Free Libraries have a primary caretaker—typically the person who puts up the library—known as a steward, who is responsible for maintaining it. Best of all, anyone can decide to put up their own Little Free Library and become its steward.

Find Little Free Libraries in Richmond

Dozens of Little Free Libraries are located in neighborhoods all over the city of Richmond. Many are associated with local businesses, while others are on residential properties. Each one is within walking distance of Richmond homes for sale. Some of our favorite Little Free Libraries in Richmond include: 

• Brandylane Publishers - 5 S 1st St, Richmond, VA 23219
  This Little Free Library is just a block off Main Street, is a great resource in the Monroe Ward Neighborhood, a historic district in downtown Richmond. Look for the turquoise-painted two-story cabinet packed with books just outside Brandylane Publishers, a Richmond-based independent book publisher since 1985.
  
  
• Friends of Forest Hill Park - 4021 Forest Hill Ave, Richmond, VA 23225
  Keep an eye out for this Little Free Library as you hike, bike, or jog your way through 105-acre Forest Hill Park, south of the James River. 
  
  
• Blue Bee Cider - 1320 Summit Ave, Richmond, VA 23230
  The Little Free Library outside Blue Bee Cider is within walking distance of all the vibrant shops, bars, and eateries in Scott's Addition, a revitalized district that was once an industrial area but has become Richmond's fastest-growing neighborhood. Be sure to stop in for a local craft cider while you read your new book!
  
  
• Remember Fulton - 1812 National St, Richmond, VA 23231
  The colorfully-painted "Remember Fulton" Little Free Library is nestled on National Street in the historic Fulton Hill neighborhood, just a few blocks away from Richmond National Cemetery.  
  
  
• Kiwanis Club of Richmond - 119 W Leigh St, Richmond, VA 23220
  This Little Free Library (one of two neighboring libraries sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Richmond) is located outside Richmond Alternative School.

Keep in mind that these are just a few of the Little Free Libraries you can find in the Richmond area. The best way to discover more Little Free Libraries near you is to use the search function on the official Little Free Library World Map. 

Richmond has always been a community-minded city, and Little Free Libraries are just one of many things that make it special. Contact us today to learn more about life in Richmond and talk to our real estate agents about finding your dream home in Central Virginia. 

For many, laundry rooms are just a simple, functional area for washing clothes, but our real estate agents see them as a room with lots of opportunities.

During the staging process, we always remind our clients not to forget about the laundry room. It's among the most desirable features for buyers. In fact, 91% of home shoppers want a laundry room, and 57% said it's a must-have. Therefore, taking the time to stage this space gives you the opportunity to turn a basic functional area into a true asset.

Adding some beautiful decor or designs to your laundry room is an easy and affordable way to increase the overall appeal of your home. There are many wonderful ways to transform your laundry room into a beautifully designed addition. Here are some of our favorite ideas:

• Add Cabinets
  If there is one thing every laundry room needs, it's storage space. Adding some beautiful wood cabinets can not only provide you with that extra space, but they can also add some aesthetic appeal. Nice cabinets over the washer and dryer make it easy to keep cleaning materials put away. Just be sure to choose cabinets that match your appliances. 
  
  
• Hang Floating Shelves
  New cabinets can be pricey, so if you're looking for a less expensive way to add more storage, consider some nice floating shelves. You can then organize your supplies into baskets and place store them nicely along the wall.
  
  
• Add A Tile Backsplash
  Tile backsplashes aren't just for the kitchen. They make for a great design element in the laundry room too. Backsplashes are so versatile, as you can pick from a wide range of colors and patterns. Add one behind the washer and dryer for some nice contrast. 
  
  
• Add An Island Or Counterspace For Folding
  If you have room for it, a small island or counter that can be used for folding clothes makes for a really nice addition. Buyers can envision themselves doing laundry all in one place as opposed to dragging laundry all over the house. An island or counter space also gives you some extra storage options. 
  
  
• Go With A Bright Color Scheme
  All white laundry rooms are not only brighter, but they also appear larger as well. Try white appliances, walls, and floor tiles for a super clean and bright look. If you have windows in the laundry room, keep them open to maximize light exposure. Lots of natural light plus white colors can make for a great combination.
  
  
• Add Wallpaper 
  Wallpaper is back in style this year, and you can have a lot of fun with it in the laundry room. There are many different styles and patterns on the market, so you can choose one that matches your personality and your decor.

With a little extra work, it's easy to transform a basic laundry room into a major selling point for buyers when they are looking at Richmond homes for sale. Contact us today for more tips on interior design.

With spring just around the corner, trees and plants are showing signs of new growth, green leaves, and early blooms. Our real estate agents think it's the perfect time to get outside and plant your Richmond garden so that you can enjoy all the benefits of National Garden Month in April.

On a beautiful spring day, there's nothing quite like planting new seeds and watching them grow. If you're ready to give it a try, it's time to roll up your sleeves and turn your Richmond garden into something spectacular.

Planting Annuals and Perennials

April is a great month to plant annuals and perennials in your garden, but first, you should know the difference. Annuals have a lifespan of one year, so they must be replanted the following season. Perennials grow back every spring, so you only need to plant them once.

Annuals

Planting annuals in garden beds or pots marks the beginning of a season-long show of eye-catching flowers. Annuals are usually planted during the spring and summer months, unfurling flowers and colorful foliage until frost arrives. Some annuals thrive in the sun, and others prefer shade and cooler temperatures, Before planting annuals, it's best to check planting, growth, and care requirements with a local garden center.

Perennials

Perennials can be planted any time during the growing season until the ground freezes, but for best results, they should be planted during spring or fall. Since perennials come back each year, many are bulbs rather than small plants. Whether you plant spring or fall perennials, they need plenty of room to grow and spread in your garden. Even without visible foliage, perennials will still send out roots underground until they go dormant when the ground freezes.

Planting Vegetable Gardens

If you enjoy cooking, you may want to plant a vegetable garden that fills your yard with color and provide herbs and veggies for the kitchen. Just like flower gardens, vegetable gardens can be planted in the spring and the fall.

Spring Planting

Eggplant, peppers, and tomatoes can be started indoors then transplanted into the garden in late April.

If you like the idea of growing yummy summer vegetables, you should start planting your garden in mid-April. Imagine your endless cooking possibilities with a vegetable garden filled with asparagus, beans, broccoli, cantaloupe, carrots, corn, cucumbers, okra, and squash.

Garden Maintenance

Proper maintenance is essential to keep your flower and vegetable gardens blooming and healthy. Here are some helpful tips:

• Mulch garden beds early in the spring

• Apply a light application of 10-10-10 fertilizer over perennial beds

• Deadhead perennials after flowering to extend bloom times

• Cut back and fertilize spring-flowering shrubs after flowering

• Weed your garden beds every week during the growing seasons

• Keep your gardening tools, hoses, and sprinklers in good condition

All flower and vegetable gardens are subjected to a variety of harmful pests that can destroy plants. You can protect your gardens with organic pest control products and barriers made from fabrics, fencing, or mesh around the planting area. Diatomaceous earth, a non-toxic natural product, hinders the movement of pests in and around fruits, vegetables, and flowers.

For information on Richmond homes for sale, contact us to discuss your lifestyle needs and see available properties.