Exploring the Pros and Cons of Purchasing a Vacation Home: Is It Worth the Investment?

September 6, 2023 by Home Sweet RVA

For many, the idea of owning a vacation home is a dream come true. The thought of having a private oasis to retreat to at any time of the year is undeniably appealing. However, like any major financial decision, there are always two sides to consider. In this blog, we’ll delve into the benefits and drawbacks of purchasing a vacation home to help you determine if it’s the right investment for you.

Benefits of Owning a Vacation Home:

1. A Home Away From Home: Having a vacation home provides stability and convenience, as you know exactly where you’ll be staying during your holidays or getaways. No more dealing with unpredictable hotel availability or last-minute bookings.

2. Potential Rental Income: When you’re not occupying the vacation home, you can consider renting it out to others looking for temporary accommodation. This extra income can help offset the costs of maintenance, taxes, and mortgage payments.

3. Personalization and Comfort: Unlike a hotel room or a short-term rental property, a vacation home is an opportunity to create a space that truly reflects your taste and style. Furnish it to your liking, and enjoy the familiarity and sense of comfort that comes with a personalized space.

4. Tax Benefits: Depending on your country’s tax laws, you may be able to deduct mortgage interest, property taxes, and some operating expenses from your overall tax liability. Consulting a tax professional can provide more insights into these potential deductions.

Drawbacks of Owning a Vacation Home:

1. Financial Burden: Purchasing a vacation home is a significant investment. Aside from the upfront costs, ongoing expenses such as property taxes, maintenance, insurance, and utilities can quickly add up. Ensure you have a solid financial plan in place before committing to purchasing a second property.

2. Limited Time of Use: Many people find that they don’t utilize their vacation home as much as they initially thought. Between work commitments, family events, and other commitments, it can be challenging to find enough time to make the most of the property. This can lead to feelings of guilt and the sense that you’re not maximizing your investment.

3. Market Fluctuations: Housing markets can be unpredictable, and the value of your vacation home may not always appreciate as expected. Economic downturns or shifts in the area’s desirability can affect the property’s market value, potentially resulting in financial losses if you decide to sell.

4. Added Responsibilities: Owning a second property means doubling your responsibilities. You have to manage repairs, maintenance, cleaning, and potential emergencies, even when you’re not physically present. This can be time-consuming and potentially stressful, especially if you live far away from the vacation home.

Conclusion:

Buying a vacation home is a personal decision that comes with unique considerations and trade-offs. While it offers the allure of a temporary escape and potential income, it also demands financial and time commitments. Carefully weigh the benefits and drawbacks outlined in this blog to determine if owning a vacation home aligns with your lifestyle, financial stability, and long-term goals. Consulting with a real estate professional and financial advisor can provide valuable guidance specific to your situation.

Experiencing Existential Dread? Consider First Fridays

August 29, 2023 by Home Sweet RVA

Around here at Home Sweet RVA, we’re constantly looking for ways to distract ourselves from the inevitable ennui of being a person during 2023. A great option for you and your loved ones is a first Friday. However, with so many to choose from, which one is right for your particular worldly anxiety? We’ve done some Love Connection-esque dating profiles for each First Friday coming up this weekend to help you temporarily cure your particular brand of ennui.

MANCHESTER MANIFEST: FIRST FRIDAYS SOUTHSIDE

Friday, September 1, 2023
3:00 PM – 12:00 AM

average person working from home in richmond

Here’s the quintessential First Friday for Richmond. This follows suit with the origins of this grassroots tradition – it’s a block party that celebrates the local arts community. This is perfect if you’re feeling isolated. We recommend this first Friday if:

You haven’t talked to anybody outside of your remote job recently
Your screen time has increased by 30% or more since July
You are younger than 30
You want to feel younger than 30

GALLERY5 PRESENTS: SUSTAINABLE RICHMOND 2/SEPTEMBER FIRST FRIDAY

Friday, September 1, 2023
5:00 PM 11:00 PM

Gallery5 since ’05 – they’ve been rocking out First Friday since before it was cool. This month, they’re partnering with Richmond Moon Market to do a sustainability-minded event with lots of local farmers, food trucks, CSAs, and food justice initiatives. Consider this First Friday if:

You’re passionate about food insecurity in the community
The lack of Virginia snow has you fearing climate change
One of your exes has called you ‘crunchy’
House plants are part of your extended family

FIRST FRIDAYS AT VMHC

Friday, September 1, 2023
5:00 PM 8:00 PM

Okay, we get it. If the first two didn’t resonate with you, the next two are for you. The RVA tradition of First Friday is, traditionally, a sensory overload. The First Fridays at the VMHC are a great option for those of us looking for something more tame. You’ll get discounted beer & wine, mocktails for the kids, and free access to the exhibits. Consider dating this eligible bachelor if:

The idea of an actual party has made you sweat for the last few years
You have kids who like to wander off
Air conditioning is a requirement for you to leave the house
Your brand of ennui thinks that history repeats itself

AFTER 5 FRIDAYS AT VMFA

Friday, September 1, 2023
5:30 PM 7:30 PM

Once again, we offer a more tame First Friday offering for you and your family. The VMFA will offer access to their exhibits & galleries, dancing, and refreshments. This would be a great option if:

Dancing won’t throw your back out
Gazing at art exhibits helps you unlock the keys to the universe
You don’t want to keep your kids on a leash
You want to post heavily on Instagram to look cultured

Carytown Watermelon-less Festival?! Local Expert Concerned

August 10, 2023 by Home Sweet RVA

We just received a tip from a local watermelon enthusiast who wishes to remain anonymous about some concerning data points pertaining to the Carytown Watermelon Festival.

carytown watermelon festival graph photo

For those who don’t know, each year, Richmond is flooded with tons of folks from the counties to celebrate watermelons. You can get food, drinks, and more in a watermelon theme. It’s ALWAYS muggy, it’s ALWAYS the hottest day of the year, and it’s ALWAYS paying too much for something you can just buy at the supermarket.

So imagine enduring all of this discomfort just to not even get a slice of watermelon at the end of it all? Well, based on The Carytown Watermelon Festival’s own figures and some conservative estimates, 40,000 could go without watermelon at all this year. 115,000 people and 3,000 watermelons?! That’s only 70,000 slices – a GENEROUS estimate. That’s almost 35% of attendees who won’t get a single slice. And, I don’t know about you, but I’ve never just eaten one… The numbers don’t add up.

Just think about it. You won’t be able to find parking, you’ll overpay for a very cheap and accessible fruit, and you’ll probably just wind up going into your favorite Carytown stationery store, Mongrel, to cool off.

We here at Home Sweet RVA want to protect and advise Richmonders at all corners. Our recommendation is to simply go to the grocery store and buy a watermelon. Just call up some friends and have a potluck at home. You will have a 100% watermelon success rate, and run a more successful watermelon-themed event than the Carytown Watermelon Festival.

Keep Cool – HVAC Tips

July 10, 2023 by Home Sweet RVA

Summer has officially arrived, which in Central Virginia means hot humid days are upon us. The last thing you want is for your overworked HVAC to have issues or worse yet, completely stop working. We’ve listed some maintenance tips below that can help you stay cool this summer.

Filter Replacement

It’s a good idea to replace the filter every 90 days (or as directed by your manufacturer), but try to check for any irregularities once per month. Dirty or damaged filters can cause your system to work harder than necessary. Also, try not to close more than 20% of your home’s registers, as this can strain the system.

Swap Out Your Thermostat

Invest in a bluetooth programmable thermostat, which can be controlled when you’re not at home. Bump up the temperature a few degrees when you’re out of the house, and you should see a decrease in your energy bill.

Schedule an Energy Assessment

Dominion Power offers energy assessments, both in person and virtually, that can help identify ways to save energy in your home. Improvements you make can qualify for rebates. If you own a small business, you may qualify for Dominion’s on-site energy assessment and could receive incentives for improving your business’s energy efficiency.

Upgrade Your System

HVAC technician performing maintenance on air conditioning unit.

Finally, consider replacing an aging system. While it may be a large expense up front, it will save you money in the long run and will also reduce your home’s greenhouse gas emissions. Lower bills for you, better for the environment: it’s a win-win.

Pocket Parks of Richmond

May 15, 2023 by Home Sweet RVA

If you’re looking for a new casual date spot or a place to let the kids run around right here within the city, we’ve compiled a list of Richmond’s pocket parks. These teeny parks are often hidden in alleys between side streets and behind row homes in the Fan and are located near many of our favorite local restaurants and shops.

Scuffletown Park

We have to start with the quintessential RVA pocket park. Snag some brown sugar cookie dough ice cream from Scoop and a pizza from 8 ½ on Strawberry Street and head across the street to the alley between Park and Stuart. There are several picnic tables, and a nice grassy space if you’d prefer to lounge on a picnic blanket. Couples have even been married here surrounded by a rose arbor and colorful native blooms.

Meadow Park

This park at the corner of Meadow and Stuart is a great spot for a lunch break if you need to get out of the office. Feeling romantic? Check out the date night special from Garnett’s – choose any two menu items and a bottle of wine for $33.

Paradise Park

Tucked in the alleyway off of Grove Ave. between Allen and Vine, this park is a great spot to bring your little ones. Also known as Geometry Park, it’s chock full of sculptural triangles, tunnels, and sand boxes perfect for exploring and climbing.

Lombardy Park

This is another great spot for kids, with a cute playground nestled under large shade trees right at the intersection of Lombardy and Park. After burning calories on the swings, check out Kuba Kuba across the street for delicious Cuban food.