Date Archives: January 2019

Finding just the right way to celebrate the love between you and your Valentine can be a challenge if you're spending the holiday in an unfamiliar place. The good news is that Richmond is an awesome place to be for Valentine's Day, and our real estate agents are here to help you out with the inside information you need to make the most of it. If you'll be in the area shopping our lovely selection of homes for sale in Richmond this February, here are six ways to celebrate Valentine's Day like a local:

1. See the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 N. Boulevard, Richmond
   A tour of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is a wonderful way to start off a romantic day with your Valentine. This top U.S. art museum hosts a collection made up of artistic works spanning 5,000 years of art history and hailing from all around the world. Once you've toured the galleries, be sure to stroll through the museum's Sculpture Garden, then stop in for a glass of wine or a nice cup of premium coffee at the café.

2. Dine on a decadent dessert at Shyndigz, 1903 W Cary St, Richmond
   Instead of going with the standard box of chocolates for your Valentine, take your celebration to the next level by stopping by Shyndigz for a decadent dessert. You can dine on any of a vast selection of decadent treats at the Shyndigz café or get your sweet treats to go next door at the Shyndigz market.

3. Stroll the downtown pedestrian bridge
   The perfect place for a romantic Valentine's Day stroll, the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge offers spectacular views of the Richmond skyline, the river and lots of local landmarks. You'll also get to explore a bit of local history, with historical quotes embedded in the planks along the way.

4. Time Travel at Maymont Estates, 1700 Hampton Street, Richmond
   Take your Valentine's celebration back to one of the most romantic eras in history – the Victorian era – with a tour of the Maymont Estates. The Maymont Mansion is a remarkably complete snapshot of the era, with its romantic 19th-century décor and features elegantly costumed ladies and gentlemen to display and explain the romantic courting customs and love stories of the era in which the mansion was built. You can even arrange to top off your tour with a private horse-drawn carriage ride.

5. Sample your favorite wine at the James River Cellars Winery, 11008 Washington Highway, Glen Allen
   What spells Valentine's Day better than a pairing of local fine wine and sweet treats? This is just what you'll find at the James River Winery during their Wine and Cupcakes event, which runs from February 10^th through the 14^th.

6. Get your motors running at Thunderbolt Indoor Karting, 1365 Carmia Way, Richmond
   Rev things up a bit this Valentine's Day with a visit to Thunderbolt Indoor Karting. You and your Valentine can cater to your need for speed, fun and friendly competition at this great local indoor go-kart racing center.

If you need more advice on ways to celebrate Valentine's Day like a local in Richmond or have any other questions about the area, please feel free to contact Napier ERA. We're always happy to help new residents, visitors or people who are thinking of moving to the area discover the many reasons why Richmond is such a special place to call home.

5 RVA Area Sports Bars to Watch Your Favorite Team

Our real estate agents at Napier ERA don't like to play favorites, but we are looking forward to watching "the Big Game" on Sunday, February 3.  And when it comes to the biggest game of the year, where you see it is just as important as when.

Nobody wants to miss out on watching the action as it unfolds live. It's even better if you have the chance to do it with friends in an atmosphere that offers fun, excitement – and lots of tasty food.

When it comes to an unforgettable game-day experience, Richmond's got you covered. Let's check out five of the best places in and around Richmond to watch your favorite team.

1. Home Team Grill - 1630 W. Main St., Richmond
   At Home Team Grill you'll experience one more fantastic reason why homes for sale in Richmond are so enticing. This neighborhood watering hole has been named one of the 101 best sports bars in the United States by CNN. It's known for its 360-degree visibility of big HD TVs and its enjoyable outdoor seating for warm weather.
   
   
2. Legends Grille - 1601 Willow Lawn Drive, Suite 840, Richmond
   Want to enjoy a fun and relaxing time that's welcoming for the whole family? Legends Grille is the place to be. Open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. most days, it provides $2 Taco Tuesdays and a mouth-watering weekend brunch. The famous spicy wings, Angus burgers, and classic steaks round out a menu that has something for every sports fan.
   
   
3. Pop's Bar and Grill - 210 Giant Drive, Richmond
   Pop's Bar and Grill is a "pop"-ular local gathering spot, and not just because of the delectable menu. It also shows off a number of hot pay per view events every month. It's also renowned as a venue for live music and private parties. Nachos, zesty chicken rolls, crunchy shrimp, and more give its cuisine a versatile flair.
   
   
4. Wood and Iron Game Day - 11400 W. Huguenot Road, Suite 109, Midlothian
   When it's time for that long-awaited coin toss, Wood and Iron Game Day won't disappoint. Midlothian homes for sale are a short drive from this local institution, which features a full menu of burgers, tacos, sandwiches, flatbreads and more – plus a slew of beers, wines, and cocktails. All kinds of specials go on practically every day, hence the motto: "Pre-Game, Post-Game, Every Game!
   
   
5. Hurley's Tavern - 4028 Cox Road, Suite J, Glen Allen
   Glen Allen homes are right within reach of the classic Hurley's Tavern. Prized for its fast and cheerful service, Hurley's has been compared to Cheers: The kind of bar where "everybody knows your name." Every seat in the house is intended to have a clear view of at least one high-def TV. Sports clubs often visit to take advantage of the big private room available for parties.

Score a Touchdown with Richmond Homes from Napier ERA

There's no question about it: Richmond gets excited for game day. But, locals know there's plenty of reasons to be excited about Richmond all year around. Excellent shopping and dining combined with a welcoming community make this a terrific place to put down roots.

Contact Napier ERA to find out more. We look forward to helping you.

2019 is here and the annual Consumer Electronics Show is over, unveiling new technology that allows us to be more automated and updated on what's happening in and around our homes.

Automation is still new and it may be hard to tell which devices may actually improve your life and your new home, so we have put together a list of the top items that will allow you to start making your home "smart" in 2019 and make your life easier.

Regulate Inside Temperatures and Save Money: Nest Learning Thermostat

With proven energy settings and the ability to change the temperature of your home remotely, the Nest Thermostat solution allows you to have more control over the temperature of your home than ever before. You can control the temperatures of different rooms all from their app and with their sensor feature, you can make sure the coldest room of your house is still feeling the love from the heat. Nest also learns your schedule and will turn down the HVAC when you're not home automatically, meaning no more wasted energy or money. This product isn't new, but it is always improving and could help you improve your energy bill, too.

Set the Mood, Save Money, Even Turn on Alerts: Philips Hue Smart Light Bulbs

You can put these light bulbs throughout your home and have full control of your lighting. From the intensity of the lights to the colors, these smart light bulbs are so popular probably because of the effect they can have on mood. Wake up to the color of the sunrise or turn your daughter's room fully pink for princess playtime with the smartphone app. You can also sync the lighting to the sound of your music or have your lights blink a different color when you receive a text message or phone call. These bulbs aren't new but are always getting updates to sync with other smart devices.

Monitor your baby, smartly: Motorola's Halo baby monitor

Baby monitors are hardly new technology, but Motorola has made the baby monitor smart in 2019. The Halo baby monitor attaches to a cot or crib for an overhead view of the baby. The 1080p camera includes night vision and two-way audio that you can use on your smartphone. Above the camera, a ring of soft light glows and changes colors, while a virtual mobile projects scenes onto the ceiling. There's also the option to play lullabies or your own voice recordings through the Halo's speakers.

Clean Up With Little to No Effort: Ecovacs Deebot N79S Vacuum

Most of us know that vacuums can be wildly expensive in price, plus the effort that you take to vacuum your home often can eat into your family time. You can now get the job done quickly with a smart vacuum that's remote controlled and can be automated to run when you're not even home. This vacuum is truly smart -- it can steer itself around your house, picking up grime from all types of surfaces and then drive itself back to its homebase to charge for the next clean sweep.

Caller ID at the Front Door Keeps You Safer: Ring Doorbell and Camera

Ring's approach to the doorbell allows you to view exactly who is at your front door in high resolution. With instant mobile alerts and two-way talk features, Ring can help you recieve mail deliveries, avoid stranger danger, and reduce crime in your neighborhood. Ring's newest feature boasts improving community safety by helping neighbors identify potential delivery thieves among other crime.

Get Smarter at Doing Laundry: Samsung's Bixby-enabled smart washer

Unveiled at CES 2019, Samsung is bringing their voice assistant, Bixby, to your laundry room. Use your Samsung phone to get suggestions on the best laundry cycles for different types of garments, check-in on a cycle, or schedule a wash for later. It also has a SuperSpeed setting that's supposed to wash a regular load of laundry in just 30 minutes.  

Best Speaker and Connector: Amazon Echo

Amazon's Alexa-enabled devices top all the lists of the most useful smart home devices. The device itself looks like a speaker but it can do so much more than turn on the music. It can also take voice commands from users by talking to "Alexa." This device easily connects to many other smart home devices and makes it easy to have all your smart devices work together. On its own, it can give you daily news stories, set alarms and reminders, make calls, help you with your grocery list and so much more.

Take Them With You When You Move

Investing in smart devices is worth it, even if you are planning to move soon. Many devices are easily portable and will fit just as well into your new home! 

For those searching for a home in the heart of Virginia,  homes for sale in Chesterfield County could be the perfect place to start your house hunt.

The name "Chesterfield" refers to both the town of Chesterfield, home to about 3,500 residents, and the county of which it is the seat. Chesterfield is renowned for its courthouse – in fact, on many documents the area itself is referred to by that name – due to its great historic significance.

Chesterfield has been the site of several major events throughout early U.S. history. Famed figures who were critical to the fate of the young nation stopped here for a variety of purposes. In the many years since that time Chesterfield County has grown into a thriving community.

Let's find out more about Chesterfield.

Who Lives in Chesterfield County?

More than 300,000 people live in the greater Chesterfield area. It also attracts thousands of guests from all over the United States every year. Nature-lovers and history buffs alike enjoy Chesterfield County for its combination of natural beauty and historic sites.

Where is Chesterfield County Located?

Chesterfield County has an ideal location. It's situated between the beautiful James and Potomac Rivers and sits less than 20 miles from the state capital. Residents get to enjoy the robust local economy of Richmond without the hustle and bustle of living right in the city.

What Attractions Are Popular in Chesterfield County?

You'll find plenty to see and do when you decide to make Chesterfield your home:

• Outdoor Adventures
  A variety of large and small public parks make it easy for you to enjoy the great outdoors. You'll be able to participate in hiking, camping, and water sports to suit any interest. Pocahontas State Park is famous for its mountain biking and also hosts the Civilian Conservation Corps Museum.
• Outstanding History
  You'll rub shoulders with history scholars here in Chesterfield, as there are many organizations dedicated to local preservation. In addition to the restored structures in Chesterfield proper, you can see the Chesterfield Museum and the Magnolia Grange Plantation House.
• Shopping and Dining
  A fast-moving economy is the dynamic engine of modern Chesterfield. Chesterfield Towne Center offers amenities worthy of a major city without the rush. Dozens of shops run the gamut from treasured local finds to national chains. Holiday and community events happen regularly.

What's the Housing Market Look Like in Chesterfield?

Chesterfield contains a wide range of housing options from which you can choose. You'll find it all from historic houses to new suburban developments. Ranch, colonial, and split-level designs are some of the most popular. No matter the size of your family, there's something for you.

What Should I Know About Neighboring Richmond, VA?

As a Chesterfield resident, a quick trip to Richmond is a great way to enjoy local excitement on your terms. Richmond is a magnet for the top employers in the state. Proximity to the city is enticing for growing families, too: Richmond has some of the country's leading public schools.

Richmond is also shaped by the presence of Virginia Commonwealth University. With more than 40,000 total students – including graduate and medical students – it presents unique opportunities for homeowners in the local area to expand their skills through continuing education.

What's the First Step in Buying a Chesterfield, VA Home?

If you want to buy a home in Chesterfield, Virginia, you need an expert real estate agent.

Napier ERA is here to make the process simpler from start to finish. Our experienced team supports you with attentive customer service and insightful advice.

Contact Napier ERA to find out more.

Doing it differently is what the team at ZZQ enjoys doing every day: doing it best is what makes them better than everyone else. It's the perfect place to spend a lunch or dinner for those who love Texas barbecue and want to enjoy it without having to catch a flight to Dallas. It's a favorite of our real estate agents, and it's one of the first places our clients go to celebrate after they buy one of the many homes for sale in Richmond.

Built brick by brick by Texas native Chris Fultz and his wife Alex Graf in 2013, ZZQ has risen through the ranks to become Virginia's top BBQ restaurant. This rising star is collecting stars and accolades galore with each national competition they complete, and each award they receive. At the rate they're flying, it won't be long before they are named the best barbecue establishment in the country.  

A Menu that Melts in Your Mouth

ZZQ, located at 3201 West Moore Street in Richmond's Scott's Addition neighborhood, prides itself in producing some of the most tender barbecue this side of the islands where the craft originated. Their brisket falls apart on the fork. The shredded pork can be cut with a spoon. Molasses collard greens are so fresh and crisp that your mouth will crave every bite. This makes it a perfect meal for everyone in the family, including the cowboy with a soft heart and the tenderfoot with the temperate stomach.

The pitmasters are famous for their mastery of smoke and flame. These trained artists of the fire know how to craft beef brisket, pulled pork, spare ribs, turkey breasts, and sausages, unlike anything you have ever sampled. Give 'em a try, and you'll see why they are the talk of the town. 

Sides to Boot

There's more to ZZQ than just the main menu. As with any barbecue, it's the sides that complete the dish. To that end, you just might fall in love with their Jalapeno Mac and Cheese, and their Buttermilk Potato Salad is so good you are going to ask for seconds. That's not even going into the fantastic flavors you'll find in every spoonful of Daisy's Butter Beans and their close cousins Mama Singh's Black-Eyed Peas.

Each of these side-dishes is hand-crafted to culinary perfection. Each is the brainchild of Russell Cook, the Culinary Director for ZZQ. His recipes are designed to build and layer flavors within the dish. This creates complexity and depth that most restaurants overlook. It's this ability to build and create a flavor that has propelled ZZQ to the number one spot in the state so quickly.

Catering Your Richmond Celebrations

What's the best way to celebrate a new home purchase in Richmond? If you ask us, there's no better way than by hosting a ZZQ-catered barbecue where your family, your old friends, and your new neighbors can get together and enjoy some delicious food as you get to know one another. 

We encourage you to contact Napier ERA for more information about homes for sale in Richmond right now. Our agents would be happy to sit down with you and discuss the listings they recommend. When you're ready to buy, we can sit down in the office or over at ZZQ to sign the papers and help you celebrate.