Date Archives: April 2022

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.

1. Use Your Vertical Space
   Take advantage of the space above your refrigerator, the space on top of cabinets, and even space at the top of your living room walls. Look for some easy-mount shelves you can add in these places.
   
   These higher-up shelves are perfect for storing lightweight items and smaller containers. For example, you can keep your extra kitchen towels on a shelf above your fridge.
   
   
2. Store Sheets in Your Pillowcases
   If you're tired of having sheets tumble out every time you open the linen cabinet, shove each set of sheets inside its matching pillowcase. The stuffed pillowcases should then stack neatly in your linen closet.
   
   
3. Replace Your Footstool With an Ottoman
   If you have a basic footstool in your living room, consider donating it and replacing it with an ottoman. An ottoman has a lid that you can lift off, revealing empty storage space inside. 
   
   Ottomans are perfect for storing magazines, books, remote controls, and other living room items. They'll give you a convenient way to clear off your coffee table, and you can also use them as footstools or makeshift seats, as needed.
   
   
4. Purchase Clear, Plastic Storage Bins
   Storage bins are perfect for storing items in your basement, attic, or spare room. However, if you can't see what's inside a storage bin, you're likely to rifle through several of them before you find what you need. This problem is easily solved with clear plastic storage bins.
   
   As you fill your plastic storage bins, position the items so you can see them from the outside of the bin. This saves you from having to label the totes and makes it easier to find what you need.
   
   
5. Hang a Pot Rack in the Kitchen
   Having to go through a drawer overflowing with pots and pans can make cooking an annoyance. You probably end up with pots and pans sitting all over the counter because putting them away is a hassle, too. A pot rack makes storing your pots and pans much easier. 
   
   You can hang the pot rack next to your stove or over the stove, depending on your kitchen design. Hang large, heavy pots on the bottom and smaller, lighter pots near the top.
   
   
6. Use an Over-the-Door Pocket Hanger in the Bathroom
   In the bathroom, there tends to be a lot of items you want within reach. You don't really want to hide these things away in a drawer.
   
   For convenient bathroom storage, purchase an over-the-door pocket hanger. Use this to store your hair products, brushes, razors, and other toiletries, so they're tidy within reach.
   
   
7. Hang Hooks Inside Kitchen Cabinets
   Whether you screw hooks into the cabinet doors or purchase stick-on ones, they give you a convenient place to store items like measuring cups and extra mugs. Put some in your lower cabinets for dish rags and scrubbers, too. This will help highlight the space your cabinets have to offer.

If you work on creating more storage space and simplifying your storage approach, your home will stay tidier. Don't forget to contact us if you're looking for Richmond homes for sale. Our experienced and professional agents can guide you through the process.

Are you ready to enjoy some homemade ice cream in Central Virginia and throughout the RVA? Spring is here, and one of our favorite ways to celebrate the season is with locally made ice cream! Our real estate agents are here to help you find your favorite flavor and ice cream shop in the area.

With a thriving culinary scene that includes plenty of unique local brands, there's something here to indulge anyone's sweet tooth – and many options are within minutes of Richmond homes for sale.

Here are some of the places where you can scoop up your favorite flavors:

• Ruby Scoops – 120 Brookland Park Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23222
  Ruby Scoops burst onto the scene in Richmond as the result of a successful crowdfunding campaign. Now nearing its 10th anniversary, it is the vision of owner Rabia Kamara, who had a dream to increase the quality of local deserts in the RVA. Ingredients come from local farms and showcase splendid flavors like black sesame, butter pecan, and Ruby's own in-house take on cookies and cream.
  
  
• Boppers Malt Shop – 414 North Sycamore Street, Petersburg, VA 23803
  Boppers Malt Shop is the place to go for a good old-fashioned diner experience that also includes plenty of fresh, homemade ice cream. In addition to the milkshakes, malts, and scoops (coming in a dozen lively flavors), you can also enjoy burgers and hotdogs with all the fixings. With the "Straight Eight Meal Deal," you'll get your choice of cone, a soft drink, and a hotdog for $8.88. It's sure to become a favorite stop near Petersburg homes for sale.
  
  
• Scoop RVA – 403 Strawberry Street, Richmond, VA 23220
  Are you looking for small-batch ice cream made right on-site with the freshest local ingredients around? With takeout, curbside, and delivery options, Scoop RVA has you covered. Its delectable ice cream cakes come in sizes of 6" or 10" with six creative flavors. Can't quite get enough? Join the Pint Club for three pints every month – one signature flavor, one seasonal, and one special for members only.
  
  
• Bev's Homemade Ice Cream – 2911 West Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23221
  Bev's Homemade Ice Cream is a Richmond mainstay that's been around since 1998. A friendly, woman-owned local business, it is beloved for its rotating list of seasonal flavors. Bev's has also made a name for itself as a baker of choice for special occasion cakes, whether it's a birthday, wedding, or anniversary. An attached cafe offers all your favorite coffee drinks as well as milkshakes, sundaes, and more.
  
  
• Gelati Celesti – 11805 West Broad Street, Henrico, VA 23233
  Located in The Corner at Short Pump Shopping Center, Gelati Celesti is one of the area's most beloved ice cream chains. Promising "heavenly handmade ice cream" from a variety of locations, including one near Henrico homes for sale, it highlights a rotating assortment of two dozen house flavors you can enjoy as pints, quarts, and ice cream cakes, or even alongside your favorite pie.

Ice cream isn't the only sweet find in the RVA! Contact us to find out more about real estate opportunities in Central Virginia.

What's the best way to see the beautiful city of Richmond? Every year, thousands of potential residents explore Richmond homes for sale by driving or walking through the area. If you prefer something a little more adventurous, our real estate agents may have a suggestion or two!

You don't need to go to San Francisco or New York City to get a unique view in a classic way – as a passenger on a trolley.

A trolley tour gives you the opportunity to bring your group or meet new people as you discover everything Richmond has to offer. The tours are led by experienced guides who are glad to answer questions along the way. They'll also give you plenty of chances to snap great pictures.

Why Choose a Trolley Tour?

A trolley tour is a truly unique way to get around. You can enjoy the sumptuous surroundings of a fully restored historic or replica trolley complete with plush seats and intricate interiors. Plus, you have a chance to make new friends and connect in a warm and inviting atmosphere with social seating.

RVA is known for its beautiful weather and its lovely surroundings. The city has a true soft spot for trolleys, as it was the site of the very first trolley system – beginning operations back in 1888. At the time, it was lauded as the most advanced public transportation system in the world.

These days, trolleys are still seen on the streets of Richmond, but most of them operate under private tour guides. They're a fun and exciting way to get a tantalizing taste of the authentic Richmond.

What Kind of Trolley Tours Can You Do in Richmond?

If you decide to go with the classic trolley tours from RVA on Wheels, you have three options:

• RVA Historic Trolley Tour
  Richmond was a key part of the Revolutionary War era and is full of all kinds of historical sites from the colonial period and beyond. With the RVA Historic Trolley Tour, you'll be introduced to four centuries of history in one of America's oldest and most diverse cities. The tour runs for two hours and will take you on a whirlwind excursion to some of the top historical highlights across the ages.
  
  
• Hop On Stand Up Comedy Brewery Tour
  Taking place on the third Friday of each month and running through the evening, the "Hop On Stand Up Comedy Brewery Tour" lets you get on and off whenever you wish. You'll stop by some of the city's top craft breweries in the company of three local comedians. Get their unique observations and insights on the RVA while you discover the ins and outs of the city's unique dining culture.
  
  
• Hollywood Cemetery Tour
  It's the "haunted" Richmond tour you can enjoy any time of the year, not just Halloween! Hear some of the local legends of the RVA, including duels for honor that lasted well into the 1880s, Virginia Governor "Extra Billy" Smith, and much more. The Hollywood Cemetery helped to ignite interest in creating the national holiday of Memorial Day, and now you'll learn all about it on your trolley tour!

Ready to learn more about what the Richmond area has to offer? Contact us to find out more about Richmond today.

Deep dish pizza may have originated in Chicago, but our real estate agents agree that some of the tastiest versions can be found near Richmond homes for sale. On Tuesday, April 5, celebrate National Deep Dish Pizza Day with a delicious pie from one of these local restaurants.

• Mary Angela's Pizzeria - 3345 W. Cary St., Richmond, VA 23221
  Ever ordered a pizza and wondered if they forgot the toppings? You won't have that problem at Mary Angela's Pizzeria, where customers appreciate how the toppings are applied with a generous hand. Customize your Sicilian pan pizza with different ingredients on each half so everyone gets what they want. Choose from 30 toppings ranging from pepperoni and mushrooms to eggplant and artichokes. Hours are 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily except Friday and Saturday, when closing time is 11 p.m.
  
  
• Bottoms Up Pizza - 1700 Dock St., Richmond, VA 23223
  Located in the historic Shockoe Bottom district, Bottoms Up Pizza is in a brick building that evokes the city's past. Inside, the menu has modern touches, including gluten-free, low-carb, and vegan options. The sourdough crust makes a pleasantly chewy base for signature pies such as the Chesapeake, with Old Bay-seasoned crabmeat and sweet onions, and the State Fair, topped with spicy brown mustard, sausage, caramelized onions, and roasted red peppers. Bottoms Up is open 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Sunday.
  
  
• Picciotti's Pizza - 9039 W. Broad St. #3, Henrico, VA 23294
  With New York-style, Chicago-style, and Sicilian-style, Picciotti's Pizza has all the bases covered. Purists love Grandma's Pizza, with mozzarella, ricotta, basil, garlic oil, and red sauce on top. Adventurous types go for the Lasagna Pizza, which doubles down on the Italian technique with lasagna noodles, mozzarella, tomato sauce, and ground beef. Stop by on Thursday after viewing Henrico homes for sale to pick up a large cheese pizza for only $10.99. Hours are 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Sunday.
  
  
• Simona's Pizzeria - 30 Medical Park Blvd., Petersburg, VA 23805
  For nearly 20 years, the Ingargiola family has been serving authentic Sicilian-style Italian cuisine at Simona's Pizzeria, right down the street from Petersburg homes for sale. In addition to traditional pies, Simona's menu includes stromboli and calzones, also known as half-moon pizzas, that are eaten sandwich-style. If you're cutting carbs or have food sensitivities, go with gluten-free or cauliflower crust. Order online for quick pickup from the convenient drive-thru window. Simona's is open from 10:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
  
  
• Chicago's Pizza with a Twist - 3641 Cox Rd., Suite F, Richmond, VA 23233
  While it's been open for only three years, Chicago's Pizza with a Twist has already developed a loyal following. So, what's the "twist?" Indian flavors are used to create inventive specialty pies such as Chicken Tikka Masala, Palak Paneer, and Tandoori Veggie. Halal meat is available, along with cauliflower and gluten-free crusts. Margherita, Hawaiian, and other traditional pies are also on the menu for a full range of choices. Hours are 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily except Friday and Saturday when doors are open until 11 p.m.

The best pizza is the one enjoyed while relaxing in your own Richmond home. Contact us at Napier Realtors ERA for all your real estate needs.