Cooking is so much more enjoyable when you have the right tools for the job. And yet, selecting kitchen gadgets is not always as simple as it may seem. You don't want to purchase tools only for them to sit there unused. Unused kitchen tools can make your kitchen feel cluttered, especially to potential buyers!

Here are some key kitchen gadgets that our real estate agents recommend adding to your collection. Each of these tools simplifies your life and cooking routine in its own unique way.

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Is your home looking a little cluttered? Getting rid of any extras is a good first step, but you'll also want to look at ways you can improve your home's storage space. Creating more and better storage solutions will ensure you have places to stash your items so they don't keep cluttering up your counters and tables. Luckily, our real estate agents have some useful storage tips to help make your space look more open and inviting for potential buyers.

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The year has just started but there's still time to make a New Year's resolution for your household. Perhaps you could resolve to keep your home more organized! A good organizational scheme makes it easier to find what you need and tidy up when you're done for the day. Or if you're getting ready to list your home for sale, a well-organized home will show better, and be easier to get ready for prospective buyers.

So, how do you go about keeping things more organized in 2022? Our real estate agents have a few helpful tips.

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Sometimes a myth is fun to believe, but other times, it has a negative impact on your ability to accomplish your goals. Our real estate agents know that real estate myths are fairly common in our industry. Here are several we've heard over the years that we want to debunk. 

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Home security is a big deal for Virginia homebuyers. Whether showing historic homes with older features or new homes with all the bells and whistles, our real estate agents are always asked about home security.

While some Richmond homes for sale have state-of-the-art security systems, others may need security improvements. If you're a techie, you may know about laser security systems, safe-room doors, and biometric locks, but those aren't the only ways to keep your home safe. Take a look at 7 tech-centered ways to increase home security:

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Has your neighbor recently listed their home? After you spot that for sale sign, this is an opportunity to find out more information about your neighborhood, your competition, and even your own house. Here are five things our real estate agents recommend you check out, especially if you plan on listing your home in the near future.

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Where mere recycling does keep junk from hitting the landfills, upcycling breathes new life into old items and increases their value. The result is one-of-a-kind pieces of furniture that make a statement in your home. As our real estate agents show you some of our beautiful Central Virginia homes for sale, look for ways some homeowners have used upcycling to their advantage. Then let your own imagination soar.

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Owning a home is a great investment, but it's not all fun and games. Any property requires regular maintenance to keep it in good repair, and as the owner, it falls to you. You'll find that there is typically a hierarchy of maintenance: things you can hold off on for a little while versus things that need to be done on time or immediately lest bigger problems develop. Here are five home maintenance tasks our real estate agents say you shouldn't skip and why you should prioritize them.

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With landscaping season finally upon us, it's time to start thinking about how you can boost your home's curb appeal. Your yard and landscaping are the first things guests, and potential buyers see when visiting your home. As a result, good landscaping not only makes your home look nice but can help to boost your home's value. 

Consider incorporating these fun features into your landscaping this spring before listing your home among Central Virginia homes for sale.

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Whether your home needs a few upgrades or you want to complete some overdue repairs to get it ready to put on the market, opting for a DIY project can help you save money and let you complete the project on your terms. Our real estate agents know that an updated, well-maintained property is attractive to potential buyers. Here are some best practices to follow before starting a DIY project. 

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Home renovations can be stressful for the whole family, as you shift furniture out of the way or temporarily lose access to important parts of the home. It can be especially hard on the furry members of your household, who struggle to understand why their favorite spot by the window is suddenly off-limits. But with some careful planning and reassurance, you and your pets can get through the renovation process comfortably. Follow these tips to make the process less stressful for your pets. 

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2019 to 2020 Market Recap

The local housing market took some unexpected turns in 2020, but hey, that's on par with everything else we saw from 2020!

We've unpacked 2019's trends and compared them to 2020's to stay up to date with what may come in 2021. ⁠ ⁠

Looking for advice on how to handle this market? Contact Napier ERA to stay in the know!

Final 2020 Market Update

Central Virginia had a very active December 2020! After an unexpected year, we are happy to see the market staying active and fast-moving!

December had thousands of transactions and we're seeing big jumps in higher home prices as time goes on, month over month, year over year.

Let's see what 2021 will bring for CVA! Contact Napier Realtors ERA for your buying and selling needs and view homes for sale now.

Central Virginia is still buying and selling as we move into the fall!

October had thousands of transactions and we're seeing big jumps in higher home prices as time goes on, month over month, year over year.

Contact Napier Realtors ERA for your buying and selling needs. https://www.napierera.com/contact/

No home makeover is complete until you upgrade the lighting. Proper lighting choices can set the ambiance, change the mood, and help highlight a room's design. Plus, why settle for outdated and inefficient lighting when the fun, functional options out there are unlimited? With the right pendants, recessed lights, lamps, task lights, sconces, and flush mounts, you can purposefully give your rooms an entirely new look. Here are our real estate agents' tips for transformative room-by-room lighting upgrades.

1. In the Kitchen
   Cooking, baking, cleaning, and gatherings can benefit from careful consideration of task and ambient lighting. When it comes to your kitchen, lighting should set the mood and help you see properly for all your food preparation. Think in particular of under-cabinet lighting that can illuminate your countertops while you work without relying on an overhead light that casts shadows. Light the dark corners of your kitchen like counters, pantries, shelves, cupboards, and counters. These areas become more beautiful and functional when properly lit. Pendant lamps above kitchen islands, breakfast nooks, and kitchen sinks can be a fun and functional upgrade.
   
   
2. The Bathroom
   With an emphasis on personal grooming, the bathroom requires proper lighting placement. Most bathrooms have a central ceiling-mounted fixture and over-the-mirror strips of lights that cast odd shadows. You can replace those with recessed light in the ceiling and vertical wall sconces on the sides of the mirror. Alternatively, you can install vanity lighting around your mirror to cast the perfect amount of light and create a soft glow. 
   
   
3. Living Rooms
   As an area where people spend a lot of time and engage in a wide range of activities such as watching TV, chilling after work, having conversations, hosting friends, or playing board games, the living room is incredibly versatile. As such, you should consider making your lighting as adaptable as the room. The concept of layering light works great in the living room. Table lamps are great, but adding a big floor lamp, oversized pendant, or large lantern can create a great focal point.
   
   
4. In Hallways and Along Staircases
   Staircases often form the main focal point in a hallway, but dark ones aren't safe. This offers great opportunities for fun, dramatic, and practical lighting. To begin with, the space above a staircase is a perfect place to add sparkle and visual interest with a show-stopping chandelier. You can also layer your lighting and bring a dramatic effect to your hallways and stairs with inset floor-level lights, LED strips, and wall lights. If you want to focus on the stairs, LED strips underneath individual stair treads can bring that noticeable difference you're going for. LED lights are a good choice because they're inexpensive to burn, cool to the touch, and have a lifespan of 10 or more years.

In general, when you are planning to install new lighting fixtures in your space, it's best to:

• Install layered lighting. Go for general lighting (pendant or overhead), ambient lighting (decorative sconces or candles), and specific lighting (table or task).
• Incorporate reflective surfaces such as metallic finishes, glossy floors, and mirrors.
• Choose the right shade for fixtures.
• Install smart lighting, energy-efficient lighting, and dimmers.

Contact us today to learn more about how lighting can bring a noticeable difference to your space while also appealing to buyers looking for Richmond homes for sale.

The temperature is starting to drop, and the sun is setting earlier in the day. Fall might be here, but that doesn't mean it's time to skimp on your lawn maintenance. While raking leaves is most often associated with autumn lawn maintenance, there are actually several things you should do to improve your yard's appearance and ensure it's in great condition when spring arrives. To help, our REALTORS® compiled a shortlist of ways to improve your landscaping this fall:

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Central Virginia Is Still Buying And Selling As We Move Into The Fall – especially in the Tri Cities area!

From Dinwiddie to Colonial Heights, to Fort Lee from Petersburg – we've got the Tri Cities covered!

Contact Napier Realtors ERA for your buying and selling needs. https://www.napierera.com/contact/

The kitchen is one of if not the most important room in the home, so if you're redecorating it, you might be tempted to look for the latest stylish trends. However, it's better to consider timeless looks that are functional, pleasing to the eye, and draw in prospective buyers when you're ready to sell your home. The latest and greatest kitchen design elements may become passe in another few years, so it's better to stick with looks that have stood the test of time.
  
Our real estate agents suggest the following ways to get a timeless look in your kitchen:

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Central Virginia is still buying and selling as we move into the fall!

September had thousands of transactions and we're seeing big jumps in higher home prices as time goes on, month over month, year over year.

Contact Napier Realtors ERA for your buying and selling needs. https://www.napierera.com/contact/

If you're planning to sell your home, you'll want to make it stand out positively from other houses that are on the market. This often requires making some upgrades. When making your decision on what you'd like to upgrade, you'll obviously want to concentrate on those improvements that will help you recoup your investment.

Our real estate agents suggest the following home improvement projects that can help your home stand out from other Richmond homes for sale.

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Central Virginia is still buying and selling in Summer 2020!

August had thousands of transactions and we're seeing higher home prices as time goes on, month over month, year over year.

Contact Napier Realtors ERA for your buying and selling needs. https://www.napierera.com/contact/

When it's time to clean your home, it's easy to overlook areas that aren't easily within reach. Some of these areas might require special equipment, while others may be tricky to access. Our REALTORS® know that a clean, fresh-smelling property is more attractive to prospective buyers. Ban dust bunnies from your house, wherever they might be hiding, and follow our tips to help you clean those hard-to-reach places in your home. 

1. Invest in Extendable Cleaning Tools
   Extendable cleaning tools make it easier and quicker to clean high-up areas without having to drag out a ladder. An added benefit is that many extendable cleaning tools work well for everyday cleaning. When adding your home to the inventory of Richmond homes for sale, it's essential to ensure that every portion of your home is clean. Extendable tools ensure that you don't miss any dust on your ceiling fan or on the tops of your cabinets. 

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May & June are going strong in Richmond's Real Estate Market

It's a GREAT time to list your home in Central Virginia because home inventory is low and prices are rising.

The real estate market in our area continues to be extremely active and in the month of May alone, 2,513 homes were listed, and 1,952 homes were successfully sold!The average sales price in our area was $300,826 in May 2020 compared to $288,203 last May – more than a 4% increase!

If you've been putting off listing your home, this could be the perfect opportunity to contact a Napier ERA sales professional, who can give you an accurate assessment of what you can expect in your market.

Contact Napier ERA today to get started!

Break out the sunscreen and dig out the flipflops – summer will be here before we know it! While we all want to hit the beach, relax by the pool, and enjoy hours in the great outdoors, the warm weather also presents an excellent opportunity to tackle a few home improvement projects. Our real estate agents are here to help you create a summer to-do list that includes a handful of projects that will breathe new life into your home. 

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Central Virginia is still buying and selling in Spring 2020! April brought us over 4000 transactions – and May is going strong! 

Keep up with all the latest Richmond housing news when you Subscribe to our YouTube Channel and Like Us on Facebook

Whether you're preparing to list your home for sale or to make it high-end looking, you don't have to spend an extravagant amount of money to get big results. Instead of running up your credit card or depleting your savings account to renovate your home and get that high-end look you dream of, consider small and inexpensive changes that can transform your space.

Our real estate agents share these simple and inexpensive ways to make your home look elegant.

• Cut the Clutter
  One of the easiest ways to make your home look elegant is actually free. All you have to do is declutter and clean your home. Regular cleaning helps you to avoid clutter, allows other elements to really stand out, and makes your home welcoming. So, dust and vacuum every room on a weekly basis, take care of stains on area rugs and furniture, and clean your windows. Another great way to make your space neat is to hide the unsightly wires and cables that may be sticking out of your internet router or television.
  
  

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Spring is here, and in between listing Richmond homes for sale, you'll also find our REALTORS® working diligently on their spring cleaning for the year.

There are plenty of cleaning and tidying tasks that can easily end up at the bottom of the priority list. 

Stainless steel is one area where homeowners often find themselves scratching their heads about the best way to proceed. After all, it is called "stainless" – but discoloration can and does happen. The question is, what to do about it?

How Does Stainless Steel Work and Why Does It Sometimes Get Rusted?

Stainless steel is designed to be highly resistant to rust and other forms of corrosion.

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If you're getting ready to install new flooring, you'll be faced with a choice between laminate and hardwood. Though they may look similar, each of these two flooring options has its pros and cons. Our real estate agents have summarized a few key factors to help you decide which is best for your home.

• Appearance and Aesthetics
  When it comes to aesthetics, the difference between laminate and hardwood flooring is glaringly obvious. Hardwood has a timeless appeal and tremendous texture variation of the wood grain. No two planks of hardwood flooring appear exactly alike. They can also take on different finishes and stains.
  
  When copying real wood, laminate flooring cannot look as genuine due to repeated patterns in the photographic layer. While the quality of synthetic materials continues to improve, repetition is unavoidable because it's impossible to replicate the uniqueness of authentic wood grains. 
  
  

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We are very proud to announce that Napier ERA has achieved Platinum Status in the Cartus Broker Network for 2019!

Cartus is the industry leader in corporate relocation services. We have been working with the Cartus Broker Network for many years and are proud to have the Platinum status for 11 years in a row. 

Napier ERA Realtors congratulates and thanks the Relocation Team and our agents for their outstanding service to our Cartus clients! 

If you are thinking of home improvement projects to help increase your home's value and comfort level, replacing your windows is an excellent option. Of course, this project comes with a big investment, so it's important to do your research to ensure you get a good deal and the right windows for your home. There are few things to consider before making that final choice. Our REALTORS® share some tips on what you should take into consideration when deciding on new windows.

1. The Architecture and Design of Your Home
   Whether you plan on listing your Richmond home for sale or you're staying in your home for many years to come, it's important to make sure your new windows aesthetically pleasing in addition to being functional. If you're thinking of replacing drafty old wood-frame windows in a beautiful Victorian home, you don't want to replace them with white vinyl windows that won't match the architecture. 

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When you're selling a home, every detail matters. From the smallest closet wall to the largest exterior wall, you need to showcase your property as well as possible. Upgrading appliances, repairing fixtures, and renovating rooms can increase your home's value. But don't overlook completing painting projects that can transform your house into a buyer's dream. Our REALTORS® have identified these four simple painting projects that you can easily accomplish before you list your home.

1. Consider Painting Exterior Features
   While you can certainly paint your full exterior, you can make the outside of your home look fresh and new without such a large project. Consider washing your exterior walls to let the color shine. Then apply a new, complementary color of paint to the front door, the railings of your porch banister, your window shutters, or other notable features.

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Buying and selling a home at the same time is essentially doing two jobs at once. Coupled with other life obligations, you will have a lot on your plate. While our real estate agents know it seems like a daunting challenge, the following tips can help you sell your home, buy a new home, and stay balanced.

1. Study the Market
   Timing is critical, and you should have a solid understanding of prevailing market trends where your home is located and where the home you want to buy is located. This can help you position your home to sell so you won't have to wait to buy a home where you want.
   
   
2. Secure Funds for a Down Payment
   Apply for a home equity line of credit (HELOC) before you list your home. This will give you access to funds you can use as a down payment. Alternatively, build up your savings, or speak with your bank about a bridge loan.
   
   
3. Be Ready to Make a Contingent Offer
   If you find the home you want before you selling, then you may want to broach the subject of a sales and settlement contingency with the seller. This allows you to put an offer on a home with a first-right-of-refusal if the seller accepts your offer. Ideally, you will want to wait until you have an offer on your own home and then discuss a settlement contingency that allows you to buy the home when your home is sold.  

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It might feel like winter is never going to end, but spring will be here before you know it.

If you're planning to list your Tri-Cities home for sale on the spring real estate market, now is the time to prepare. Getting your home ready now will minimize your stress later and allow you to get a jump on your listing before other spring home sales come on the market.

Not sure where to start? No problem! Our REALTORS® are here to share their list of the top seven things you can do now to help make your house stand out this spring.

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Richmond homes for sale are among our specialties here at Napier ERA. Our real estate agents work hard to stay up on the latest information clients need to know about our thriving real estate market. 

Richmond is a fantastic place to live for all kinds of reasons. As you begin your house hunt, you're sure to notice not only the natural beauty of the local area but how vibrant the community is. It shines through in so many aspects of life in Richmond.

One of those is the amount of public art.

And the Richmond Mural Project demonstrates that like nothing else.

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If you're the kind of person who likes to do things on your own, you might find the idea of an FSBO sale – for sale by owner – intriguing. Unfortunately, the benefits that people expect often fail to materialize ... and the final sale turns out to be much less profitable than planned.

Homeowners who are going into their first sale often believe they can save money and even speed up the process by going it alone. When things go poorly at first, it's easy for inexperienced sellers to double down and feel like they just need to "tough it out."  By the time they decide to work with a qualified real estate agent, they may have done more harm than good selling their home.

By the time someone is there to get the sale on track, trends in the housing market could be shifting. Sometimes, the changes are positive ones. In many cases, though, sellers find themselves running after the initial conditions that persuaded them to sell in the first place.

That can be a disaster – it could even sabotage the prospects for selling at all.

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