Winterize Your Home

January 9, 2023 by Home Sweet RVA

A Richmond guide to winterizing your home with Plumbing 360.

Check the gutters.
Prevent ice dams by cleaning out your gutters, installing gutter guards and making
sure your attic floor is properly insulated. The attic itself should be well-ventilated
and about 10 degrees warmer than the temperature outside.

Protect the pipes.
Protect against frozen pipes by insulating those that could be susceptible to
freezing. When the temperature drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, keep a stream
of water running in a few faucets to guard against freezing and bursting. To protect
plumbing under kitchen and bathroom sinks, consider opening the cabinet doors
so warm air can surround the pipes.

Seal the cracks.
Caulk holes and openings around windows, doors, air conditioners and mail chutes
to help prevent cold air from seeping in. You can also install weather stripping and
seals for an additional heat loss protection method.

Stop the slips, trips and falls.
Keep driveways and sidewalks clear of ice and snow and repair any issues with
steps and handrails. You can also be prepared for winter weather safety by keeping
deicing salt handy for sprinkling on steps, sidewalks and your driveway. Be sure to
read the directions for proper distribution and protective gear.

Install an emergency release.
Consider installing an emergency pressure release valve in your plumbing system.
This will protect against increased pressure caused by freezing pipes and can
prevent them from bursting. It’s also a good idea to learn how to shut the water off
and know where your pipes are located.

Keep it cozy.
Set your thermostat to at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit and make sure your house or
apartment is well-insulated. Consider installing an energy efficient or

programmable thermostat to help you keep warm air in the rooms you use the
most without racking up high energy bills.

Have your heating system checked.
Furnaces, boilers and chimneys should be serviced at least once a year to clear any
buildup and to keep them running efficiently.

Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Residential fires are more common in winter, so it is important that all your smoke
detectors work. Check them monthly and replace batteries as needed. You should
also consider installing a carbon monoxide detector to avoid inadvertently trapping
the toxic gas in your home.

Clear the yard.
Keep the trees trimmed and remove dead branches and debris from your yard. Ice,
snow and wind can weaken trees and cause branches to fall and potentially
damage your home, car or even yourself and others.

House the hose.
Remove all garden hoses that are attached to the house, drain them and store
them away. Shut off the valves and insulate the faucet.
If you’re heading south for the winter, you need to take extra precautions. Turn the
water completely off and consider having the plumbing system drained to keep
pipes from freezing. Also, have a friend or neighbor check on your home regularly
to look for any issues. If a problem is detected, act quickly to minimize potential damage to your property.

If you have questions or need a great plumbing company please reach out to our preferred plumbing company Plumbing 360. We have nothing but great things to say about their service and reputation. https://www.360plumbingservice.com

Sizing up your Home in Richmond?

July 18, 2022 by Home Sweet RVA

Sizing Up Your Home: How Much Space is Worth the Price?

BIGGER ISN’T ALWAYS BETTER, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR LIVING SPACE. SO HOW MUCH SPACE IS WORTH THE PRICE, AND WHAT ARE THE TRADEOFFS?

After a recent trip to Houston, I was shocked by the space the average family claims to need in the city. Zero Lot Lines and an average of well over 3000 square feet per home made me question if it is always worth it to get a bigger home when you are looking for a new place to live.

As we know, your “stuff” will continue to expand to fill your space. And the time and money you’ll invest in cleaning, maintenance, heating, and cooling also correspond directly to the square footage of your home. The extra costs of maintaining all that space add up quickly. More things to keep up with, larger yards, and more rooms to fill translate to more money and more effort over the course of the year.

Many reasons exist for seeking out a larger living space in today’s world, especially compared to the historical sizes of homes. If you have a big family, there’s no getting around the need for a house with enough room to give everyone the privacy that they need, and to keep from stepping on each other’s toes. Who among us doesn’t want a play room, a romp room, a den, a music room, a she-cave?

And now that more people are working from home, a comfortable office and flex spaces enter the equation. Some passions like art, music, and outdoor adventure require additional storage space, and saving on square footage might not be worth cramping your style.

But it pays to find some middle ground between too much and too little space. Use these tips on evaluating your needs to weigh the pros and cons of opting for a larger house.

HOW BIG IS THE AVERAGE HOME?

The average home size has increased by about 1,000 square feet over the past 50 years. The average home in the United States right now covers a little more than 2,000 square feet. That number varies depending on geographic location of course–living in the middle of New York City looks starkly different than in rural Mid Atlantic.

Our houses also dwarf those in other parts of the world: homes throughout the United Kingdom, for instance, come out to a mere 800 square feet on average.

With the modern American tendency to supersize anything we can get our hands on, it’s easy to equate size with value, so a bigger home seems like a better investment—at first. The added costs of maintaining a large home, though, easily eat away at that perceived value.

WHAT CONTRIBUTES TO HOUSING COSTS?

The monthly mortgage on a bigger home sits naturally higher than that of a smaller one. A larger home also means more rooms to fill, more walls to decorate, more messes to clean up, more vacuuming, cleaning supplies, more air to heat or cool, more yard to tend, more appliances to maintain, and more square footage subject to tax. The average property tax in the U.S. costs about 1.5% of the total home value.

Heating and cooling costs increase disproportionately with size. One study found that it costs upwards of 70% more to cool a 4,000 square foot home over the summer than a house just 2,500 square feet.

Personal finance experts at the Balance suggest that annual maintenance costs add up to at least 1% of your home’s value, or $1 per square foot, for everything from lawn care and potential plumbing problems, to roofing repairs and painting.

Not only does the money add up, but so does the time. That sweeping landscape out back won’t mow, weed, or maintain itself. Nor will those deep kitchen counters and spare bedrooms care for themselves. If you’re working hard to keep up with a higher mortgage, your time might already feel stretched thin.

HOW MUCH SPACE DO I REALLY NEED?

To figure out the right balance between space and cost for your individual situation, consider these questions:

How big is your current family? How much space does each person need to feel comfortable? Will you need room to grow for each family member’s activities?

Do you plan on increasing the size of your family during your time living in the home? This includes kids, pets, or elderly parents moving in for extra support.

How much space do your home activities require? Do you need a home office or a craft room?

How much storage do your activities outside of the home require? Do you need extra garage, basement, or closet space to keep everything safely stored when not in use?

Do you prefer to relax at home or be out and about? How and where do you spend your time at home?

Do you enjoy sharing your space with others? How often do you have people come visit, for the evening, or for days at a time?

What do you like or dislike about your current living space? What feels like too much, too little, or just enough room throughout your home?

Every home is as different as the people that live in them. But understanding the costs that accompany homes of varying sizes can help you make a more informed decision about how much space is worth the price for you.

We help our clients with these questions during the home buying process and typically have to remind them of a few things that we wish everyone remembered:

The average time in a home is less than 8 years. So when you are going to buy, does it make sense to buy for 15 years from now? Or do you make sure you are happy with the next few years first?
Is it worth buying a slightly smaller house, knowing you can spend less and build onto the house later? After all, remember, you can move the house, but you can’t move the dirt under it.
Is the location you are choosing to live going to help you with your needs? If you live next to a ymca for example do you really need that in-home gym or pool?

Home Sweet RVA loves to help you answer these questions so please feel free to reach out when it is time to start upsizing or downsizing for your next home.

How to make your Yard Environmentally Friendly in Richmond.

July 16, 2022 by Home Sweet RVA

A guide to making your yard environmentally Friendly in Richmond, Virginia.

Make Your Yard a Place for Good with Environmentally Friendly Landscaping

A few weeks ago I attended my local civic association meeting at Maymont. One of the speakers is a local wildlife expert who taught us about the benefits of planting native species in our yards. The days of perfectly manicured green grass should be a thing of the past left in the museums with microwaved dinners and I Love Lucy. Today we should be more thoughtful than ever about what we plant in our yards as every little bit can help foster a better relationship between us and our local wildlife and even provide some self-sustenance by growing fruits and vegetables.

HOW CAN YOU EMPLOY ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY LANDSCAPING PRACTICES TO SAVE TIME, MONEY, AND RESOURCES?

Environmentally friendly landscaping, also known as “green” or “sustainable” landscaping, is a way of creating and maintaining your land, no matter the size, to save time, money, and valuable natural resources, while simultaneously being kind to the earth.

Traditional landscaping methods require substantial upkeep and the use of precious resources (water, energy, fossil fuels). In contrast, sustainable landscapes are designed to exist in beautiful harmony with the local landscape and nurture indigenous wildlife. Completely omitting the use of synthetic and toxic chemicals helps to reduce the amount of harmful chemicals entering the atmosphere, groundwater, and food chain. By using hand held tools, it reduces air pollution caused by gas-powered tools.

Simply put, eco-friendly landscaping is a healthier way of maintaining your yard. For a glossary of commonly used sustainable landscaping terminology, click here!

Environmentally Friendly Yard Richmond VA

WHY DOES ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY LANDSCAPING MATTER?

The exterior of our homes are an extension of the interior — and in many regards an extension of ourselves and our sensibilities.

It is the first thing that friends see when they visit, and the last space you see as you drive away. It’s a place of pride for many. The hours spent carefully mowing the lawn, whacking weeds, and planting the most vibrant flowers. But what if that effort could be done in harmony with the planet, instead of fighting against it? What if we used only hand tools, refrained from any chemicals, and planted only native seeds and flowers? Would our piece of land thrive and in return produce healthy, nourishing food and flowers? Yes. It’s really that simple. A slower, simpler, more natural approach can yield healthier results. A place where you will want to spend time, invite others to convene, and share the knowledge you’re gaining.

Whether your acreage is vast or small, our yards are a place where we can connect with nature. We can take off our shoes, plant our feet directly on the earth, and for a moment, be still. Go ahead, get your hands dirty. Make friends with the creepy crawly critters, quiet your pace long enough for a butterfly to land nearby.

If you live in a condo, you don’t have to miss out on the meditative aspects of gardening. Seek out a community garden and plant herbs in pots on your balcony or window sill. Basil, rosemary, and thyme are easy to grow, and the aroma wafting from your window sill is hard to beat.

WHAT CAN I DO RIGHT NOW?

We know this can feel overwhelming. Don’t try to take on too much at first. Consider the items that will work well for you right now. Start this season with three to four items from this list, then incorporate a handful more each season. Soon you’ll be on your way to an environmentally conscious yard that nourishes your body and soul.

Reduce your grass/lawn size: Whether it’s 10%, 20%, or 50%, the impact is measurable. Turn a portion of your yard into a garden, add pathways, groundcover, drought-resistant grasses, plant trees, or replace with artificial grass (flip to page 32 for more info on lawn alternatives).

Leave the clippings: For the portion of grass that you do keep, leave the grass clippings after you mow in the spring and summer. They will release up to 30% of the lawn’s needed nutrients. Remove in the early spring and fall when decomposition is slower.

Let your garden sleep in: In the spring, wait to tidy up your garden until the temperatures have reached above 50 degrees. Pollinators are still sleeping in your plants’ stems and leaves until then.

Avoid chemicals: Refrain from using any pesticides, synthetic chemicals, toxic fertilizers, sprays, or genetically engineered seeds.

Introduce ladybugs: These natural, noninvasive predators will devour huge quantities of pesky aphids. You can order a legion (group) of ladybugs through the mail. Dusk is the best time to release them into your garden.

Begin with organic seeds: To grow the healthiest food you can, it’s vital to start with organic seeds sourced ethically. Look for an organic certification, avoid hybrid seeds, and look for a local seed swap.

Create shade: Configure your landscaping and plant fruit trees that are appropriate for your zone. Not only will they nourish you, they provide needed shade and shelter for wildlife.

Compost: Turn your kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich food for your soil. There are many visually appealing container options now available.

Capture rainwater: Use a rain barrel to capture rainwater to water your flower and vegetable gardens. While larger cistern systems may need to adhere to certain local requirements, rain barrels (up to 55 gallons) are typically approved and unregulated (except for in Colorado, where they are regulated).

Water wisely: For your grass areas, install a sprinkler system that has rain sensors (or better yet, don’t water and let nature take its course). For your garden and flower beds, install a drip irrigation system.

Incorporate rain scaping features: Set up rain gardens, bioswales, and rock dams to manage stormwater.

Skip the hose: To clean your driveway, deck, or walkways, use a broom or electric blower.

Opt for electric: Use electric powered tools (blowers, mowers as needed) instead of gas-powered appliances that produce more pollutants. Or even better, just use hand tools!

Pull weeds by hand: It’s less damaging to the soil, and saves on fossil fuel consumption.

Add a beehive: It’s not as scary as it may seem. Click through here for our Spring feature on bee keeping!

Add pollinator plants: If bees simply aren’t an option, planting pollen and nectar yielding plants will help save the bees. Which plants produce the most nectar? Spring vegetation, including: hazel, snowdrops, primroses, saffron, willow, helleborine, heather, wild cherry, and dandelion.

Build raised beds: If the soil in your zone is less than ideal, raised beds are a great idea for growing veggies. The soil stays warmer in the cooler months, you can start with a nutrient dense soil, and drainage is better with proper setup. It’s also physically easier to tend to your garden instead of bending down, and it helps to keep pets out! Surround the perimeter with pea gravel or dirt instead of grass. It will keep the weeds down, give you a place to walk and work on your veggies, and requires no watering.

Grow native species: Grow plants, veggies, flowers, and trees that are native to your area and will thrive in your zone. Your local garden center can help you choose which varieties will work best for your sun positioning, shade, elevation, and climate.

Add mulch: Beyond looking lovely, mulch helps improve soil moisture, prevents plants from drying out too quickly, and creates a barrier from the heat and cold. It also helps reduce soil erosion and soil compaction.

Use natural materials: When possible, use natural rocks for landscaping. They are durable, reusable, and look beautiful. You can choose sizes and colors that fit the aesthetic of your home.

Plant marigolds as companion plants: Marigolds not only add vibrant color to your landscape, they can also provide a natural pest deterrent, and enhance the growth of basil, broccoli, cabbage, cucumbers, eggplant, gourds, kale, potatoes, squash, and tomatoes.

Subscribe to a CSA: Enroll in a seasonal subscription to a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program. You pay ahead for a season’s worth of produce, picked up weekly or bi-weekly. Supporting local farms is a way to have a direct positive financial impact on your community, allowing farms to plan, employ, and invest in the longevity of their farms.

Make friends with your neighbors: Walk around your neighborhood, taking note of what your fellow gardening-enthusiasts are planting. What is thriving? Strike up a conversation and ask for advice. Food can be a beautiful place of common ground.

Termites in Richmond

July 14, 2022 by Home Sweet RVA

Termites in Richmond

Termites in Richmond, Virginia are uniquely terrible when it comes to our homes. Their natural inclination is to stay underground or in dark areas. You will likely never see them until it is too late.

Typical Subterranean Termites found in Richmond

In the wild, termites will burrow into fallen logs and feed on the wood as they go causing natural decomposition that the forests need to stay healthy. Preferring to stay in warm, moist, and dark areas termites are rarely seen above ground.

Primarily, they consume cellulose, which just so happens to be what the structure of most of our homes are made of. Unfortunately for us, the crawl spaces below our homes are typically warm, moist, and dark; the perfect environment for these critters want and need to emerge above ground.

Surprisingly enough, termites are prone to dehydrating even in our extremely humid environment. When they come into our crawl spaces they build tubes made of mud up the walls of the crawl space to the wooden joists that hold the rest of our homes up. Once they are in, they enjoy a 24-hour-a-day buffet, breaking down the structural supports of our homes.

Termites in Richmond — The termite buffet of a 100-year-old 2 x 4.

Okay, but don’t I have insurance to cover this? The most common answer is, “No.” Obviously read through your insurance clauses for your home, but we have found that the vast majority of policies for our clients do not cover termite damage found in the home. Structural damage is one of the largest expenses we face as Real Estate Agents. Replacing a joist can be thousands of dollars per joist and can crack drywall and cause leaks later on within the house.

Fortunately for us they take a very long time to build these tubes and do any real damage. However, when was the last time you went into your crawl space and looked around? I know for most of us, this is a very rare occurrence. This is where termite companies come in to help us out. We have been working with Pest Now for a number of years, and we suggest to our clients that they get them to come out and take a look at their property every year or every other year depending on the condition of their crawl space.

It is a very inexpensive step to keep your crawl space happy and healthy. If a pest company does find termites in your crawl space and catches it before they do any damage, the process to treat the termites only takes a couple of hours. The company will spray and set underground traps to keep the termites away from your property and typically includes a one-year warranty. These companies also have yearly contracts that you can sign up for to eliminate the need to worry. We have found that these are great ways to ensure nothing happens to your property.

3 Improvements for the Best ROI

November 25, 2020 by Home Sweet RVA

Before you tackle a home improvement project, be sure it’s adding value to your home. Here are three updates that may give your home value a measurable boost:

1. Insulate your attic. Energy efficiency remains a top draw for buyers, and blow-in fiberglass insulation is an inexpensive way to make your home warmer in the winters and cooler in the summers.

2. Replace your garage door. New garage doors come equipped with better insulation and higher-strength steel, making for fewer dings and dents.

3. Upgrade your front door. Steel entry doors offer enhanced security and eliminate the hassle of flaking paint jobs down the road.