Set Your Clocks Back November is here, and we are officially in the holiday season. Don’t forget to set your clocks back an hour on Sunday, November 5th. The good thing about living in the digital age is that we don’t have to set too many clocks on our own anymore. Our phones and most electronic devices reset on their own, but don’t forget clocks on devices like your microwave, your stove and even your car. The time change is happening at 2 a.m. on Sunday morning, giving you the rest of the weekend to adjust and enjoy an extra hour of sleep on Monday morning. November is the perfect month ..read more

November is here and we are officially in the holiday season! How quickly this year has flown by! Before we dive into the Christmas season and start hanging lights, watching Christmas movies, and indulging in daily Christmas shopping, take some time this month to pause and think about what you are most thankful for. Even if you have encountered some challenges this year, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. Here are some prompts to get you started: Do you have a roof over your head? Check. Do you have a job or a way of earning income? Check. Are you in relatively good health? Chec ..read more

Though fall started at the end of September, the month of October epitomizes the fall season. The weather finally starts to break, and we start to experience those cool, crisp mornings with an autumn breeze. The leaves have started to change color, and if you really want to see a show, take a drive up to the Shenandoah mountains to see a colorful display. Apple picking season has begun. Take an hour drive up 64 to pick apples at Carter Mountain. The kids can enjoy a hayride and pick out their pumpkin too along with apple cider doughnuts. And don’t forget to drop by the wine shop where you can ..read more

June is here and we’ve officially entered vacation season. With national restrictions waning, not only are Americans more free to travel, but we welcome this season with open arms this year as we embrace the old traditions of days at the pool, the beach or for local Richmonders, the James River and excursions to local theme parks like King’s Dominion or Busch Gardens. Below are some local events to check out. 11th Annual Richmond International Film Festival, June 7th – June 12th. The event will be hosted at various venues throughout the city and will include festivities such as inter ..read more

Grab Your Watermelons  A sign that Richmond is getting back to its old self is the announcement that the annual Carytown Watermelon Festival is back on this year. One of Richmond’s signature events, the Watermelon Festival is a free event in Carytown, attracting over 100,000 people each year. Of course, last year, as the country was practicing social distancing and cancelling many events, the Watermelon Festival was unfortunately cancelled. One of the fun things about the Watermelon Festival is multiple stages of live music and entertainment, over 100 different vendors, ranging from food ..read more

Summertime will be here in a few weeks and unlike last year, we can finally start to get out and start enjoying some fun in the sun. Memorial Day is behind us and the pools have finally opened back up; that, in addition to local water parks and theme parks are also open. The widespread administration of the vaccine along with Americans acting responsibly, masking up and social distancing, when necessary, has made it possible for us to get back to some sense of normalcy. We no longer have to shelter in place. Summertime can be what is has always been for us because we can start enjoying things ..read more

After being inundated with snow and ice this winter, Richmond could use a touch of Spring. As we welcome the month of March, we also welcome the first signs of Spring and the start of daylight savings time. Winter is not over just yet, but we remain confident that it has begun its exit.  As we prepare for warmer weather, we can anticipate more time outside as perfect 75-degree Spring days are ahead. Soon we will be planting new grass seeds as we watch the first daffodils of Spring come up. Richmond usually boasts an active schedule of festivals and activities during the warm months of the ..read more

It is the second month of 2021, a month that is typically full of events centered around love and history. How will you celebrate Valentine’s Day this year? It is true that most events remain virtual to preserve the health and safety of everyone, but as we learn to navigate this global pandemic, we are also learning how to coexist outside our homes. This means that we can dine in restaurants with the use of masks and social distancing. This represents progress for us which means you don’t necessarily have to stay in for Valentine’s Day this year. Restaurants won’t be crowded because of limited ..read more

There has been some discussion recently on home prices in relation to mortgage rates. Some believe if there is a rapid rise of mortgage rates, home prices should decrease. Logically it makes the most sense for the price of the house to drop when interest rates are rising, but this is not always the case. This theory of home prices decreasing is typically discussed by future home buyers. As a buyer you would like to think if you are paying higher rates on your mortgage, you should be able to see a decrease in cost somewhere else. Unfortunately, these rates are rising because the economy is in ..read more

It is easy to become overwhelmed when you enter the home buying market. Friends, family, colleagues, and even acquaintances will give you their opinions if you are a first time home buyer. While most of them are looking out for your best interest, they are not fully aware of what is happening in the housing market. It is important for you to be prepared and have your own questions ready. No matter what other opinions you are getting, you are the one buying the home and your comfort level will help make your final decision. Here are three important questions to ask before you purchase a home ..read more