Date Archives: April 2019

The only thing better than celebrating your own birthday is throwing an unforgettable birthday party for your children. Our real estate agents know that planning a child's birthday party can be an overwhelming endeavor which is why we've compiled a list of the six coolest places in Richmond that are perfect for hosting a B-day bash that all of the kids will enjoy!

1. Laser Quest – 889 Research Rd., Richmond, VA 23236
   Birthday parties at Laser Quest are out of this world! For over two decades, Laser Quest has offered Richmond area families the ultimate birthday experience for children and adults of all ages. Their 15,000 square-foot facility features levels upon levels of exciting laser tag action. This hassle-free party, conveniently located near many Richmond homes for sale, will provide hours of fun for boys and girls. With additional video games to play and delicious pizza to eat, hosting a birthday party at Laser Quest will make everyone feel like a kid again!
   
   
2. Fairy Tale Parties & Events Boutique – 10861 West Broad St., Glen Allen, VA 23060
   Every parent dreams of turning their child's birthday party into an amazing memory that their kids will cherish for a lifetime. Located near great Glen Allen homes for sale, Fairy Tale Parties & Events Boutique is here to help you make that dream a reality by throwing your child a party that is straight out of a storybook. Their wonderful party package themes feature princesses, rock stars, painting parties and more. They'll even take care of the treats and goody bags so all you need to do is take pictures and enjoy a fairytale ending to your child's perfect party.
   
   
3. G-Force Karts – 4245 Carolina Ave., Bldg. B, Richmond, VA 23222
   In a hurry to find a fun-filled place to host your child's birthday party? Then race over to G-Force Karts and let them take the wheel. G-Force Karts is the place for action, adrenaline, and awesome entertainment. Their indoor facility offers go-karting, archery tag, laser tag, Bazooka Ball and much more. Every child also receives a free arcade card preloaded with $5 for games. Choose from one of their great packages or customize your own to plan a birthday bash that doesn't burn out.
   
   
4. Peak Experiences – 11421 Polo Circle, Midlothian, VA 23113
   Do you want to take your child's birthday party to a higher level? Then host their celebration at Peak Experiences. This indoor rock climbing center offers children of all skill levels the chance to safely scale rock walls as high as 50 feet. After the climb, the party area on the mezzanine will be set up for ice cream, cake, and presents. While the kids enjoy their treats, perhaps you'll want to ascend the rock wall yourself to see if you can grab a peek at any beautiful Midlothian homes for sale.
   
   
5. Off The Wall Indoor Bounce & Party Place, 721 Hundred Road, Chester, VA 23836
   Celebrate your child's big day by scheduling their party at Off the Wall Indoor Bounce and Party Place located next to some of our finest homes for sale in Chesterfield County.  Off the Wall has three party packages for groups from 8 to 20 guests with Party Planners whose main goal is to make sure your child a birthday party they will remember for years to come. 
   
   
6. Cartwheels & Coffee – 2820 West Cary St., Richmond, VA 23221 
   Looking for a manageable place for your preschooler to enjoy their birthday party with friends? Cartwheels & Coffee, close to quaint RVA homes for sale, is a special spot where young ones and adults can relax and socialize. Their playland can be reserved for birthday parties of up to fifteen children while parents sit and enjoy handcrafted beverages in the café. They'll even structure the party around a theme to give the kids an immersive, memorable playday.

Planning your child's birthday party doesn't have to be a stressful affair. Let our real estate agents help you find the perfect party spot around RVA. For more suggestions or to view Richmond homes for sale, contact Napier ERA today.

Spring is here, and soon all of Virginia will be in bloom! Every year, at the end of April, the Garden Club of Virginia hosts Historic Garden Week, also known as "America's Largest Open House." During this event, visitors are welcome to tour over 250 of the state's most gorgeous gardens and historical homes while they're at the peak of springtime color.

Whether you're a local or a visitor, our real estate agents recommend taking some time out of your day to experience this event. Here are a few of the tours you won't want to miss.

• Petersburg
  With a rich history dating back to 1748, Petersburg was once the second-largest city in Virginia. The Petersburg tour gives guests access to beautifully restored homes from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. It also includes admission to Centre Hill Mansion, a tour of the recently-opened Exchange Building, and a stop at an urban "mini-farm."
  
  This tour will be held on April 30th from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. While you're in the area, keep an eye out for some of the beautiful Petersburg homes for sale.
  
  
• Goochland / Manakin Sabot
  The community of Manakin Sabot, in Goochland County, is located about 30 minutes west of Richmond. Take one look at the area's picturesque countryside, and you'll immediately know why Goochland homes for sale are at the top of so many buyers' wish lists. 
  
  The Goochland tour offers a look into the Sabot Hill mansion with its 100-year-old gardens and recently renovated horse stables. There will also be a tour of Ben Dover Farms and stops at Tuckahoe Plantation (Thomas Jefferson's childhood home), the Executive Mansion, and the  Kent-Valentine House. 
  
  The Goochland tour is scheduled for May 3rd from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. 
  
  
• Richmond - Park Avenue Above the Fan
  Park Avenue is one of the prime spots for Richmond real estate and is also the location of the Park Avenue Above the Fan tour. This walking tour features five architecturally-significant private residences and tours of Congregation Beth Ahabah.  It will be held on May 1st from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
  
  
• Richmond-Westhampton
  The thriving Westhampton area is home to plenty of restaurants, retail stores, great schools, a history that dates back to the 1800s. The Richmond-Westhampton tour celebrates this history with stops at several private homes, a Cary Street Road cottage, York Road townhouse, and a country estate from the early 1920s. 
  
  This tour is scheduled for May 2nd from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. 

Find Your Dream Home in Virginia

Once you've experienced the splendor of Virginia in springtime, you'll understand why so many people love calling this area home. When you're ready to start looking for a home of your own, we can help! Contact us today to get started. 

Multigenerational housing has become a more prevalent housing trend in the past several years. Research states that one in five homes is a multigenerational household. With grandparents and children living under the same roof, homeowners are often looking for houses that can accommodate the growing needs of such a diverse family. 

Our REALTORS® understand that you would love to purchase a new home that you, your parents and your children will love. Though each member of the family may have a different wish-list, finding the perfect home that suits your entire family is possible with an experienced REALTOR® by your side.

Finding a Home That Your Entire Family Will Love

Although imagining your family growing in one of the beautiful homes you tour is one of the most exciting parts of the home buying process, you'll need to consider a few important questions before you start the house search. The needs of a multigenerational family will evolve as the years go by which means that it is wise to narrow your search to houses that can accommodate these growing requirements. To determine your family's unique needs, consider the following questions:

• Will the older adults be living with you permanently or temporarily?
• Will any members of the home need special accommodations such as ramps or assistive equipment in bathrooms?
• Will all family members share communal and bathroom spaces or are separate rooms needed?
• Will extra space be needed as the children grow?

Be as honest as possible with your REALTOR® so that they can help you find a home that fits your needs. Our REALTORS® understand that the layout and functionality of your home needs to suit your family's lifestyle. Here are a few tips that we believe will help you during your home search:

1. Prepare for tomorrow, today.
   As your parents or in-laws age, there's a chance that they may need accommodations that not all homes have. To prepare for these possibilities, we suggest purchasing a home that already meets these requirements. For example, seek out homes that have a bedroom and full bathroom on the main floor so that stairs won't be an issue.
    
2. Prioritize privacy.
   A home can feel quite cozy at times when children and grandparents share your space. To cut down on some inconvenience and secure a little space for yourself, consider looking for homes that have a master suite or those which have bedrooms and full bathrooms on the side of the house opposite of the master bedroom.
    
3. Get creative with customization.
   Look for homes that have spaces that you can utilize in a variety of different ways. Lofts can become a great play or lounging area. An office with windows and closets can be converted into a bedroom. You can even turn a den, garage or sunroom into a room that specifically gives certain members of the family their own relaxing space apart from the communal areas.
   
   
4. Let all members of the family state their needs.
   Even if your heart is in the right place, you may not be aware of certain desires the rest of your family has. Make sure everyone living in the home has an equal voice in the home search.

The increase in multigenerational housing is a trend that our REALTORS® absolutely love. We cherish the time spent with our own families and want to help yours find the perfect home that you can fill with memories you'll treasure. For more help in your home search, contact us today.

We need your help again to nominate Napier ERA, our agents and our teams for RTD's annual competition to select "The Best" Real Estate Firm, Agent and Team. For multiple years we have competed for The Best titles and would love your help to keep the streak going!

Have a favorite Napier agent or team? Had a great experience buying, selling, or relocating with Napier ERA? This is one of the best ways to show some love.

There's a limited time to vote, and you're able to vote once daily, so we encourage you to vote early, and vote often!

Thank you for supporting Napier ERA Realtors – we love being a part of the Central Virginia community. 

VOTE NOW by going to the Home and Garden section and nominate Napier ERA as The Best Real Estate Firm! 

National Lost Dog Awareness Day is on April 23rd, and our real estate agents want to find homes for you and the four-legged friends that need a loving family. As we show you around beautiful Richmond homes for sale, we encourage you to pay a visit to one of these local animal shelters if you're hoping to welcome a furry family member into your new home.

1. Henrico Humane Society – 11331 W. Broad St., Glen Allen, VA 23060
   The many cats and dogs throughout Central Virginia deserve a loving home, and the caring volunteers at Henrico Humane Society are ready to help these animals find their forever home in the greater Richmond area. This rescue center has cuddly critters ready to adopt or foster. Keep in mind that this organization does not have a public housing area where you can visit the animals. Instead, you can find them every Saturday at Petco in Short Pump. If you find a particular pet on their website that you'd love to meet in person, they can bring the animal to the adoption stand near great Glen Allen homes for sale.
   
   
2. Henrico County Police Animal Shelter – 10421 Woodman Road, Glen Allen, VA 23060
   No pet deserves to be abandoned. Thankfully, the Henrico County Police Animal Protection Police Unit works hard to find a loving home for every abandoned dog, puppy, cat, and kitten. Visit the Henrico County Police Animal Shelter to give one of their pets a home in Henrico with you.
   
   
3. Richmond Animal League – 11401 International Drive, Richmond, VA 23236
   If you think the pet adoption process is complicated, think again! The Richmond Animal League can help you expand your furry family in three easy steps. RAL only wants to place their dogs with loving, responsible families which is why they interview each potential owner and require them to fill out a questionnaire. To match pets with the right owners, their adoption counselors will help you find the dog that is the right fit for your home. If you're moving into the area, let our real estate agents at Napier ERA show you Richmond homes for sale.
    
4. SPCA of Petersburg-Colonial Heights - 301 Charles H Dimmock Pkwy, Colonial Heights, VA 23834
   Pick out the perfect pooch for you and your family at the Colonial Heights Animal Shelter.  Given the responsibility for the care and protection of animals in our Colonial Heights community, the SPCA has a long and successful history of providing housing and care to pets in need. Save a life while enriching your own when you adopt a four-legged friend and welcome them to your home in Colonial Heights.
   
   
5. Hopewell Animal Services - 507 Station St, Hopewell, VA 23860
   Each week, the kind folks at the Hopewell Animal Services find homes for precious animals that need loving intervention. They accept pets that families are no longer able to care for. What better way to share your love and home than by adopting a dog that was sadly separated from their original owner and bringing them to your Hopewell home?

Contact Napier ERA for assistance in finding Richmond homes for sale for you and your new furry friends.

Spring is here, and our real estate agents at Napier ERA are ready to help you get a fresh start with the top Richmond homes for sale. If you haven't had the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Richmond in spring, you're in for a treat this season.

There are plenty of gorgeous green spaces distributed all along the Richmond area. Nature and the striking architectural achievements of Richmond work together to create a place where you can feel at home: Everything you want from a city provided to human scale.

Not surprisingly, the Richmond region is also home to top nature preserves of various kinds. In addition to parks and zoos that draw visitors from miles around, you'll also find some of the leading botanical gardens anywhere in Virginia.

One of the stand-out examples of these is the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.

The Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Will Give You a True Taste of Spring

Found at 1800 Lakeside Avenue right in Richmond, the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden holds a wide range of awards. In recent years, it has received write-ups from USA Today, Conde Nast Traveler, TripAdvisor, and the Canadian Garden Tourism Council.

In 2011, it earned the highest honor in the United States for museum and library service: The Institute of Museum and Library Services National Medal. It has since lived up to that great moment by expanding its programs and reaching out to share nature with all Richmond.

"A Million Blooms" is one of the linchpin events of the year at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.

Taking place between April 1 and June 1, A Million Blooms is the best way to see all that the garden has to offer as a new season of glorious growth settles in. Every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., visitors will have the opportunity to see a parade of blooms unfurl up close.

There's Something to See and Do All Throughout Spring at Lewis Ginter

A whole spectrum of events will also be going on throughout the season. Lewis Ginter is known for some of the best children's programming focusing around the natural world. There is even a special Children's Garden set aside from young people to appreciate.

Butterfly fans will have good reason to rejoice, too. Between mid-April and mid-October, kids and parents alike can enjoy the vibrancy of tropical butterflies. These butterflies live in the North Wing of the Conservatory and include hundreds of specimens.

Thanks to the nature of these fascinating creatures, the experience is always changing. No matter when you come, however, you'll be treated to several fun options for family-friendly activities. It's a thrill to see butterflies take flight right here in Richmond!

It Could Be the "Spring" of Your Life Here in Wonderful Richmond

Are you wondering if Richmond is the right place for you?

Napier ERA will make it easy for you to explore your real estate opportunities here. Our team consists of the area's leading experts in choosing and buying the right home for you.

Not only do we understand the local market inside and out, but we also pride ourselves on outstanding service. You'll feel the confidence that comes from complete support every step of the way.

Don't settle for a real estate agent who'll leave you feeling like you are "on your own." We'll equip you with the insights to make informed decisions. Soon, you will become a Richmond local.

To find out more or get started, contact Napier ERA today. We are always here to help you reach your goals.