Matt Payes RVA Real Estate

Happy Fourth of July!

COMING SOON : 2210 Cool Brook Drive in the . Stay tuned for professional photography and details, but you aren’t going to want to miss this Rancher, which is listed at $250,000. Showings start on Saturday, July 9th. Contact Matt Payes to book a private appointment. MLS # 2217936

Thank you to the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

There are many details buyers notice, when they're looking at homes, but natural lighting is important for most buyers. Today's is about maximizing the lighting in your home so that it can really shine.

Having windows that let in the most sunlight are obviously the easiest way to lighten up a space, but even rooms with great glasswork can feel darker when not properly staged. Make sure to keep curtains and blinds open and remove heavy weight curtains if you can. Light sheer fabrics are best for letting light in.

Reflecting light also helps increase natural light. Using light colored fabrics and having light colored walls encourages light to flow throughout the room. And if you have hardwood floors or tiles, make sure they're cleaned and polished- shiny floors help reflect light and keep the room feeling bright. Another tip is mirrors, they not only encourage light to move throughout the room, but they can make the space feel bigger.

One last thing is to check furniture placement. If the room is cluttered with too many things, it can block light. Also make sure to rearrange some things if there is furniture that is blocking a source of light. Our Realtors have great advice as well as connections with local, experienced stagers, so if you feel like you need a professional eye, they'll be able to help!

Do you have any recommendations for brightening up a room? Share with us in the comments!

Let me know if you need help navigating this market. There's a lot of information to take in and I'm happy to help! I'll work with you to make sure you make the best decision for you.

Spring typically sees the inventory on the housing market kick up- and we've definitely seen that to be true- but it's still a very competitive market. On average homes are still selling for over listing and they still don't last long on the market with a low supply. It may seem a bit cut and dry, but there are a lot of factors to consider when navigating this market. Contact one of our Realtors today about learning how they can be your guide on your home journey.

Are you hoping to move soon? Give me a call and we can discuss how to get you ready for your home journey.

Whether your selling or buying, moving is probably on your mind. While there are lots of ways to organize how you pack your belongings, and everyone has a favorite, not everyone remembers to plan for the big day itself. This is about getting your moving day all ready to go.

Getting all of your belongings into room ready boxes is great, but when your ready to eat, it may be hard to get your hands on some snacks. Have a cooler full of ready to go snacks and drinks so that you can grab things as you go. For dinner after the day is done (and you're exhausted) plan to pre-order delivery in advance, so without having to think about it, by the time you're ready to eat, food is there. Make sure you have some disposable flatware with your cooler set up so you don't have to go digging for dishes, too.

With kids there can be lots of excitement, but they don't always have the energy to make it through the day. Encourage your kids to have a backpack of games and toys that they can easily play with while you set up the electronics. Number boxes for their rooms so when they're unpacking, they know where to start first, (like their sheets), so they can get comfortable quickly.

If you have pets, ask if they can hang out at your friend's or family's place for the day, so you don't have to worry about them getting loose as people are coming and going.

Do you have any tips for moving day?

Head on over to the Rashkind Saunders & Co. Real Estate blog and learn about how to get set up with a homeowner's binder. Want to start a new one with a new home? Give me a call and I can get you started on your home journey.

Getting things organized as part of spring cleaning? Tidying up all of your important homeowner information in one place can be a great resource (and an easy chore to know off your to-do list). We wrote up a little guide and provided a FREE printable table of contents and label pages to get you started. Read about how you can set up a homeowner's binder and why they are SUPER helpful in the blog post here https://bit.ly/RScoHomeBinder !

Do you have any homeowner advice you want us to start covering in our blog? Sound off in the comments below!

Whether you're thinking of buying or selling a home soon, you're probably hoping for a bit of luck. But at Rashkind Saunders & Co. Real Estate, we know that it's not just about four-leaf clovers and horseshoes, it's about reading the market and knowing what's coming.

If you're looking to buy, the housing market traditionally has a lot more to offer in the spring and summer- and if current trends persist, there should be more homes on the market soon. So if you feel like the inventory has been low (and it has), you should have more to choose from soon, but you still need someone to help you move quickly, because homes are still moving fast.

When it comes to selling your home, even though the market favors sellers right now, it's a lot more than just putting a sign in the yard. It's important to know how to put your home to market so that you can make sure your home sells for what it's worth.

In either case, you need someone that can help you navigate this market. Contact a Rashkind Saunders & Co. Realtor to find your pot of gold in this market.

Getting your closet organized is also a great project to tackle before showing your home. Interested in other tips for getting your house ready for market? Make sure to give me a call, I'd love to help you out!

Daylight Savings kicked off over the weekend and this week's encourages you to lighten up!

Biannual chores can be tricky to remember, but it's helpful to tie them to things like the time change or season changes. Before the spring really kicks off and you can't wait to spend all your time outside, tackle a few indoor chores. Your closet and pantry are a good place to start and you can do it for a few minutes every day for the rest of the week, to break up the time. In your pantry, get rid of any food that's past the expiration and food that you don't eat much of, donate before it gets expired next go around.

Your closet is probably filled with your winter wear, so switch out the seasonal favorites and make sure to donate the sweaters that never made it out of the closet this year. Also consider donating any clothes for spring that you didn't wear the year before. Have trouble remembering? An easy trick is to switch which direction the clothes are stored. If they're hanging, have the hanger point backwards, until you wear it; if they're folded in drawers, face the tag towards you, until you wear it. Anything that doesn't get reversed by the time the season is over may be up for the donation box in the fall!

Do you have any spring chores you like to tackle before the weather really gets good?

The spring season is when the housing market is really in bloom! Are you interested in getting your house ready for market (including sprucing up the curb appeal)? Give me a call! Let's work together to help you make your next big move.

There's a new season just around the corner- spring! And as the weather gets warmer and the landscape gets greener, it's time to start preparing things for gardening. Today's is a reminder for your yardwork prep.

Even if you've been dreaming of greener pastures all winter long, you may not have been hands on with your garden tools. Before you get digging, check your supplies for rust or weather damage. It's also important to make sure you safely remove any old gas that may have been left in your lawn mower. Start fresh for the new season to make sure you have what you need to get your garden growing.

And don't forget to check for pests. It's not fun to think about, but spiders and mice can make cozy homes in gloves and boots if you haven't checked on them recently. Shake them out well and if you have any seeds in your shed, make sure they haven't been eaten into.

Are you excited for the spring weather to come and for flexing your green thumb?

Call me today to talk about how the numbers in our area can affect your options.

The start of the new month means a fresh set of numbers to look over for the housing market. There's been some talk of the market slowing down, but as you can see, last month homes sold for 104.3% over the listing price. The Richmond area is still a fast-moving market and it helps to make sure you have a guide that can give you the best support to make the right decision. Call one of our Real Estate agents to talk about your options, today.

If you'd like help buying a home, so that you can start your homeowner journey, give me a call! We can work together to find your home.

Today's is actually a Tip, in honor of 22-2-22! With warm weather on the horizon and Spring Cleaning right around the corner, we wanted to remind you of the Twice Yearly chores you should add to your To-Dos!

Some of your appliances, should get regular clean outs and inspections for any unusual wear and tear, at least two times a year. Make sure you're checking your refrigerator's components (like the coil) and be sure to switch out the water filter. Your dryer lint should be cleaned out regularly after every use (clogged dryer vents are one of the leading causes of house fires), but at least twice a year, check the hoses to make sure there aren't clogs further down or breakage. You can even have your vents professionally cleaned. Check on the other appliances in your kitchen for potential damage spots and make sure the vent over your stove is in working order.

Always check your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors at least twice a year. And make sure to inspect plumbing and electrical components twice a year as well. Major wear and tear spots like the bathroom toilet, high use electrical outlets and the kitchen sink should be checked to make sure there aren't any big issues on the horizons.

And lastly: make sure your kitchen knives are sharpened. A dull knife can actually be more dangerous than a properly sharpened one. Making sure you sharpen them (or check them) twice a year can keep them fresh for your fresh produce.

Do you have any chores you always do Two Times a year? Or are there chores you always take on in pairs? Let us know in the comments what's on your Two-Dos!

Let me know if you need helping buying or selling your home. I check the market and focus on each neighborhood to make sure you have the best information to make the right decision. Give me a call today.

Let's take a look at the Bon Air neighborhood. There is only about One Tenth of a Month housing supply and naturally, time on the market is low: on average 7 days. If you're thinking of selling and you live in that area, now is definitely a time to talk to one of our Realtors. And if you're hoping to move to that neighborhood, you should definitely use one of our agents as a guide- they'll be able to help you find your home.

Brrrrr 🥶 If you think the only thing colder than the weather this time of year, is the chill you get when opening your heating and electric bill, you may want to consider a smart thermostat for your home. Technology is key in today's

Tracking your spending is a great way to stay on top of your budget- and the same is true for tracking your heating and air conditioning needs. While most modern thermostats allow you to set schedules, a smart thermostat will let you set schedules, but also send recommendations and adjust automatically to match your home's regular heating & cooling needs.

There are several smart thermostats on the market and most should be able to fit the average homeowner's needs. Things to consider: ease of use, will it work with your existing HVAC system, do you have other Smart Home devices you'd like to pair it with, etc.

Do you have a smart thermostat that you like to use & recommend or do you stick with the classics?

If you're curious about how to make sense of these numbers so that you can make a great home buying decision, let me know, I'd be happy to help.

It's the beginning of the month and so it's a great time to look at last month's market figures for RVA! The housing supply is still low and now is a great time to sell your home if you're considering it. Nervous about buying in this market? Don't be, we have expert agents at Rashkind Saunders & Co. Real Estate that can help you navigate this market and find your new home.

If you're thinking about becoming a homeowner yourself, let me know. I'd be happy to help you have the most successful home buying journey.

When you buy a home you get the keys- and the paperwork. It's easy to stick the folder in a drawer and hope the papers stay put, but this recommends that you consider a "Homeowner's Binder." A regular binder and a few tabbed folders can make all the difference when keeping your home information organized.

Place copies of your documentation from the home sale into one handy spot and make sure to add to it. Warranties for appliances, receipts for home repairs, manuals for the stereo, copies of your insurance policy and a list of contractors and repair services you have worked with. By having everything in one spot, you'll be able to get the information much quicker in an emergency or even just tax time. And by having the documentation readily available, you'll be able to better recall when repairs were made or when things were replaced.

While you're organizing your documents, look into a fire and water proof document box. It will protect your documents from the elements and keep them in a safe location.

Do you have any paperwork organization tips for other homeowners?

Let's work together to get a plan in place to show your home. Whether it's pets or anything else, I'm happy to help you get the information you need to help sell your home.

Many people feel like their house isn't a home without a four-legged friend, but when selling a home, buyers would prefer the home be pet-free. Today's reminds you to have a plan for your pets when showing a home!

For an open house, take your pet with you on an outing, board them at day care or make sure they are safely crated. While your pet may be the cutest (and we're pretty sure they are!), buyers are there on a mission- to find the right home for them; pets in this situation, would be an unwelcome distraction and potential safety hazard.

If it's a showing, make sure you talk with your Realtor about timing so you can make the right plan for your pooch or kitty. If you cannot get your pet out of the house for some reason, communicate that with your Realtor as soon as possible, so they can let the buying agent know and everyone can make the best decision.

Let us know in the comments if you have any other pet-friendly suggestions for showing a home!

If you need to buy or sell a home soon, I can help you make the best decision. Let me know if you or anyone you know needs help with navigating the Richmond market.

Time for a market check-in!

Last month the housing market in Richmond Metro was still trending high for sellers, but there is definitely a way to navigate the market for buyers. Making sure you've got a great guide on your home journey makes all the difference. Want to know more? Contact a Rashkind Saunders & Co. Real Estate Agent today!

Great recommendations for showing a home this time of year. Let me know if you want to sell a home or schedule a home showing to buy!

Curb appeal often conjures images of manicured boxwoods and colorful flower beds, the exact opposite of the chilly season we're in now, it's important no matter what time of year it is! The is about making sure your home is ready to make a warm first impression for potential buyers.

Firstly, it's important to make sure any snow or ice is cleared away from driveways, walkways or stairs. It's not just about showing off the home's assets, it's important for safety, too.

Snow is not a major issue in the area, but wet weather (snow or rain) can still make a mess of your yard. Make sure your yard is cleared of debris and leaves regularly to keep it looking fresh and not soggy.

And remember it's getting dark out there sooner, so keep outdoor lights on so that buyer's can find their way.

Do you have any more winter ready home showing tips or suggestions?

I'm keeping an eye on the market as it changes every day to make sure I can help you make an informed decision. Let me know how I can help you buy or sell your next home.

At this point, it's common knowledge that it's a Seller's Market. But what does that mean for Richmond? And for you? Here's a breakdown of some of the numbers from just this past month. Houses in the area are selling for, on average, 102.6% over listing and there is currently less than a month's housing supply. Our Real Estate Agents at Rashkind Saunders & Co. are knowledgeable about what's going on in the market and use up-to-date knowledge about your area to help you make the best decisions.

Contact a REALTOR at Rashkind Saunders & Co. to get connected with a qualified guide for your home journey.

It's Power Hour time! Right now, between 4-5pm, your donation will be matched by Rashkind Saunders & Co. Real Estate. The 36 Hours for Kids supporting Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU is still going strong. Keep listening to Mix981Richmond to find out more information about the Wonder Tower and how it will help patients and their families receive care in an amazing new facility.

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope your day is filled with gratitude and great memories.

To the brave people who have served our country and continue to serve, thank you.

If you're thinking about selling soon, making sure to get your home ready to show, is probably on your to-do list. This post on Rashkind Saunders & Co. Real Estate blog has some useful tips that you should check out.

Need more guidance on selling your home? Contact me at [email protected] or 804-874-2206 and I'll be happy to help guide you on your home journey.

Trying to Sell? Sometimes that means letting go of more than just your home. - Rashkind Saunders & Co A specialized Real Estate brokerage serving the Richmond area and offering complete residential services including sales, leasing & property management.

Great listings available at Rashkind Saunders & Co. Real Estate. Make sure to check them out!

Keeping your home in peak condition will make it easier to sell in the future and nicer for you to enjoy now. Don’t forget about these easy, inexpensive ways to keep your home at its best.

Here are 9 home maintenance tasks for your October to-do list Mow your leaves, winterize your outdoor faucets and other home maintenance tasks you should take care of before the weather turns colder.

Proud to now hold the SRES designation! Special thanks to Lisa Robertori Hollier of Choice Connections of Virginia for helping to simplify the complex world of RVA's senior care communities. Give me a call if you have any questions about the challenges, and opportunities in the 50+ real estate market.

Open today, 1-3pm, come see this amazing condo in person!

2801 W GRACE STREET #U3, RICHMOND, VA 23221 | Rashkind Saunders & Co. Photos and Property Details for 2801 W GRACE STREET , RICHMOND, VA 23221. Get complete property information, maps, street view, schools, walk score and more. Request additional information, schedule a showing, save to your property organizer.