Here is the blog of Shannon and Dan, who purchased a home in historic Church Hill and have worked utter magic on it.  I, along with all of Shannon and Dan’s friends, have been following their Facebook posts in wonder at the transformations as they’ve made them.

Now you get to see, too.  Stay tuned as Shannon creates yet another place of wonder on her very promising start of a blog! Click to view Nest on the Hill…

I feel I need to climb high on my North side rooftop and shout out a recommendation of my real estate agent, Lisa Jones Crowley. I bought my first house about 3 months ago. I sort of lucked into working with Lisa. I met her through an open house she was hosting in the lovely North side, which now I call home. I think the thing that impressed me most was her patience and how much she enjoys doing her job. We looked at over 20 houses before I finally made my decision. It was really nice to get an honest opinion and not feel pressured. I feel comfortable recommending her to anyone, especially if you are looking to make Richmond City and its surrounding neighborhoods your permanent home.

Here’s a list of tools the very thoughtful father of one of my clients put together when his son was buying his first house. And the son was kind enough to share it with me, so that I could share it with you.  I have the best clients…

Garden Tools
Edger, Garden Hose + Spray Gun, Hedge Trimmer, Clippers, Lawn Mower, Leaf Vac & Blower,
Pruner – Hand Held – Extension Pole, Rake – Leaf – Metal, Shovels, – Long Handle – Spade – Snow, Spreader – Fertilizer – Lime. String Trimmer, Wheel Barrow

Hand Tools Axes – Crow Bar – Hatchet – Wood Axe, Drivers Sets – Flat Head – Phillips Head – Nut Driver, Hammer – Claw -Hatchet – Rubber Mallet – Small, Pliers – Angled – Needle Nose – Standard – Vise Grip – Wire Cutters, Putty Knife Set, Saws -Bow- Cross Cut – Hack Saw – Mitre Saw + Mitre Box – Saw Horse, Wrenches – Adjustable Wrench – Pipe Wrench – Standard

PowerTools Chain Saw, Circular Saw, Dust Buster Electric Drill, Extension Cords / 6 ft length / 12 ft length / 24 ft length, Power Strips, Sabre Saw

Misc Items, etc. Bungies, Caulk + Caulk Gun, Drawer Trays, Garbage Pail, Gas Can, Glue – Crazy Glue – Liquid Nails – Wood Glue, Hand Cleaner / Go Jo, Level / Small & Large, Liquid Wrench, Lock Ease, Nails – Common / Asst Sizes – Finish / Asst Sizes
Picture Hangers, Picture Wire, Razor Blades – Single Edge, Rope, Screws – Metal / Asst Sizes – Wood / Asst Sizes, Scissors, Shop Towels, Staple Gun, Tape Measure, Tie Straps, Towel Rack, Twine, Utility Pail, Utility Knife, WD-40

Automotive Car Ramps, Oil, Oil Drain Pan, Oil Filter, Oil Filter Wrench

Electrical Current Tester, Electrical Tape, Spare Circuit Breakers, Wire Caps, Wire Cutters

Garage Shop Vac, Spot Light, Storage Hooks, Storage Shelves, Vise, Work Bench

Ladders Step Stool, 8′ Step Ladder, 12′ Step Ladder, 20′ Extension Ladder

Painting Brushes / Various Sizes, Edging Tool, Paint Can Opener, Paint Can Pour Spout, Rollers, Roller Tray

Top Influences in Selecting a Home
A neighborhood can be every bit as important as the dwelling itself. The 2009 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers reported the results of a survey of consumers and real estate agents regarding top influential characteristics in selecting a home. Considered by 64% of individuals when deciding where to live, quality of neighborhood was one of the most cited factors. Additional attributes that those surveyed deemed important:
• Convenience to jobs: 50%
Commuting costs are a key factor in neighborhood selection. Of buyers who were questioned, 78% said the cost of transportation is at least somewhat important.
• Overall affordability of homes: 43%
Your real estate agent can inform you of price appreciation trends in order to give you an idea of how solid your investment is or will be. Visit the local government planning agency to ask about future developments such as new roadways, commercial construction and housing developments that may affect values.
• Convenience to family and friends: 37%
With limited time and money, people prefer to live near the places they frequent as well as have access to public transportation.
• Quality of the school district: 26%
Local schools that are recognized for their excellence help add value to surrounding neighborhoods and are an important selling point for homes on the market. Details such as test scores, class size, special programs and the percentage of students who go on to college can be provided upon request from the school district.

You Can Make a Difference
As a member of a community, there are plenty of ways to connect with your neighbors and add value to your neighborhood. Below are a few suggestions:
• Tutor or mentor children and teens.
• Lend a helping hand. Consider offering your professional expertise to neighbors; they are likely to reciprocate.
• Help to build or repair homes for families in need.
• Clear brush from canyons and vacant lots.
• Serve as a member of a Community Emergency Response Team.
• Join an environmental improvement project, such as a local park clean-up.
• Deliver meals to elderly or ill residents.
• Assist local non-profit organizations by fund raising, recruiting volunteers, serving on boards or contributing
other skills.

Improve Your Neighborhood
1. Organize community picnics and block parties to get better acquainted with your neighbors.
2. Coordinate neighborhood restoration projects or encourage businesses to adopt a street to maintain.
3. Work with local law enforcement organizations to establish a community policing team.
4. Join a local planning or zoning board to become involved in neighborhood initiatives. If your area is overseen by a homeowners association, take part in the meetings to stay informed and have a degree of influence over decisions governing repairs, grounds maintenance and other issues that affect home values.

Make Your Place Better
In 1972, the National Sheriff’s Association organized the National Neighborhood Watch Program. Since then, it has
become a widely-used tool for fighting crime and improving neighborhood safety. You and your neighbors are the ones most likely to notice suspicious people or situations and witness crime. You are also in the best position to report code violations and unsafe conditions. More information about Neighborhood Watch groups is available at
www.usaonwatch.org.

Involve the Entire Family
Seek out ways to get your children involved in the community. A good way for them to meet others their own age outside of school is through local parks and recreation programs. These programs offer many activities, especially during the summer break. Check the local senior center for various ways older members of your household can become more active in the community.

Here is a summary from the Richmond Association of Realtor’s site:

New Lead Based Paint Rules – Under new EPA regulations, beginning April 22, 2010 contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and follow the lead-safe work practices required by EPA’s Renovation, Repair and Remodeling rule. The regulations address remodeling and renovation projects that disturb more than six square feet of painted surface inside or more than twenty square feet of painted surface outside.  More…