The Ridge at Hunton Park – Only 2 Lots Left!

The Ridge at Hunton Park – Only 2 Lots Left!

Have you been thinking about building new construction? Now is the time to act! The Ridge at Hunton Park in Glen Allen, VA has only 2 lots left! Lot 3 and Lot 37 are still available with several floor plans to select from.

This quaint community boasts magnificent single family homes built by Ryan Homes and Parker Orleans. The HOA fee is $226 quarterly and includes snow removal, maintenance of common areas, and trash removal.   This community is managed by the Community Group.

Children who live in Hunton Park  may attend one of these Henrico County Public Schools: Glen Allen Elementary, Hungary Creek Middle School, and the newly constructed Glen Allen High School. For more information on these schools, please visit : http://www.greatschools.org/

Hunton Park is a fabulous community developed by Atack Properties and is neatly tucked away in beautiful Glen Allen, Virginia. This neighborhood is a commuters paradise with easy access to I295, I95, and I64 and just 10 minutes from the Short Pump and Innsbrook area. Nearby shopping includes Martins Grocery Store, Rite Aid Pharmacy, Target, McDonalds, and more!

Ready to take a tour? Contact me, Shannon Milligan at Home Sweet Henrico with Keller Williams Realty, today and let me light your way home in the Henrico County Real Estate market!

** As of April 1, the model home in The Ridge at Hunton Park will be closed. Please schedule a visit with me or other selected Realtor or call Ryan Homes Sales Representative Cyndi Fanelli at 804-360-1349**

Get “Uncorked” - Fashion and Jewelry Show at The Wine Loft

Get “Uncorked” - Fashion and Jewelry Show at The Wine Loft

What’s better than RVA Fashion Week? Nothing, except throwing in some fabulous wine! Head on out to The Wine Loft in West Broad Village on Tuesday, April 5^th at 7PM for a fantastic night of live models showcasing local designers, great music supplied by John Reinhold, and, of course, fine wine!

This event is open to the public and is FREE of charge!

Ready to walk the real estate runway and take a sneak peak of the Richmond Real Estate or Henrico County Real Estate market? Then contact me, Shannon Milligan at Home Sweet Henrico with Keller Williams Realty, and let me light your way to home sweet home!

VCU in Final Four

VCU in Final Four

I am not one for basketball. Heck, I am not one for many sports outside of Penn State Football and the Steelers. But, VCU fever has caught me! I am jumping on the bandwagon and am excited to cheer my local team to VICTORY!

I am not the only one with VCU fever. Even my family back in Pennsylvania is getting in on the action.(Yeah, I know they are from PA and “should” be cheering for Butler, but I think they are just covering their bases!) I am now receiving texts and emails with requests for me to mail VCU T-shirts. So, today I dropped everything (okay, not everything as I had some marketing to do for a listing) and headed on out to the Short Pump Town Center in search of the coveted memorabilia.

Did I find this precious memento? Nope! Dick's Sporting Goods in the Short Pump Town Center said they should be receiving a shipment of VCU T-shirts sometime tomorrow but could not offer me a time when they would be in. They did say I could order one online, but I am not so sure it would be here in time for the next game and, forget that, I was on a mission. I then headed to Collector’s Heaven which is next to Dillard's. Nope. They are expecting their shipment on Wednesday or Thursday. Virginia Diner? Nope! They are expecting their shipment mid-week as well. (I did end up with a garden flag post and 3 flags, but that is beside the point!)

So, I came up short. But, tomorrow is another day and I will venture downtown to see what I can find. If I find myself empty handed again, at least I know when all the other shipments will be in! (And, now you do as well!  So be sure to get their early to get YOURS!)

VCU’s next game is Saturday, April 2^nd at 6:09PM and they will be playing the Butler Bulldogs.

Thinking about selling your home in the Henrico County Real Estate or Richmond Real Estate market? Contact me, Shannon Milligan at Home Sweet Henrico with Keller Williams Realty, today so we can begin working on your slam dunk!

How to Hang a Picture

How to Hang a Picture

I am barely 5 feet tall and my husband is just shy of being 6 feet tall. It has never been an issue for us: if we need something in a tight space, I go to retrieve it. If we need something up high on a shelf, hubby goes after it. It works out pretty well! Except, of course, when it comes to hanging pictures!

This morning we attempted to hang some of our artwork in our new home. I have been after my husband, John, to do it for some time and something lit a fire under him today! He called me over to see where I would like one of the pictures and thus the bickering began. Every time he would hang something, I would view it as too high. Every time he would move it to accommodate me, he saw it as too low.  We went round and round until we finally searched for a solution.

Have a similar problem? Well, here are some “rules” I found by researching the topic on the Internet:

Tip 1: From Apartment Therapy – “always hang your art at 57” on center. “On center” means that the middle of the picture is at 57”...the 57” standard represents the average human eye-height and is regularly uses as a standard in many galleries.” Who knew? Problem solved!

Tip 2: From DIYNetwork -  “If hanging a picture over a sofa, don’t leave a lot of wall space between sofa and picture. Try for three to six inches. If you go any higher, the viewers eye will just go to the wall, not the picture.” Good to know!

Tip 3: From HGTV – “Interior designers avoid picture hanging mistakes by tracing around pictures and making templates. Draw a vertical arrow on each template to show which end should be up and put a small piece of poster tape on the back of each (don’t use masking tape; it will pull the paint off of your walls). You can work out your arrangement without making unnecessary holes in the wall.” Wish we would have thought of this before making 7 holes for one nail!

Our differences are what make us so special, but are often what can cause friction. I hope some of these tips will help you avoid unnecessary holes in your wall and will help keep the peace in your home!

Ready to pack-up your art and get moving to your next home? Then contact me, Shannon Milligan at Home Sweet Henrico with Keller Williams Realty, and let me light your way to home sweet home in the Henrico County Real Estate or Richmond Real Estate market!

Innsbrook After Hours Announces Summer Line Up

Innsbrook After Hours Announces Summer Line Up

I am so thrilled that summer is just around the corner! And a good sign of that is Innsbrook After Hours announcing some of their concerts for the 2011 Summer Season! So, who is on tap so far?

·         Lynyrd Skynyrd, April 28

·         Stone Temple Pilots, May 4

·         Kansas and .38 Special, May 11

·         The Wailers, May 18

·         Travis Tritt, June 1

·         The Monkees, June 8

·         Elvis Costello and The Imposters, July 20

For ticket price, show times, and more information, please visit: Innsbrook After Hours.

Innsbrook After Hours is off to a great start with their schedule and I can not wait to see what other artisits they add for the 2011 season! Who do you want to see from their line-up so far?

Want to make some music of your own in the Henrico County Real Estate or Richmond Real Estate market? Contact me, Shannon Milligan at Home Sweet Henrico with Keller Williams Realty, and let me light your way to home sweet home!

Richmond Area Kindergarten Registration

Richmond Area Kindergarten Registration

It’s that time again! I know – hard to believe it is not even summer yet and it is already time to register your new school-er for kindergarten! This year, 10 Central Virginia School Districts banded together and decided to hold registration on the same day. Thursday, April 7^th, the following counties/areas will be holding their kindergarten registration for the 2011-2012 school year:

Charles City, Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent, Powhatan, Colonial Heights, Petersburg, and Richmond.

To be eligible for this upcoming school year, children must be 5 years of age by September 30^th, 2011.

For more information, please visit: readychildren.net

Have the kids squared away and now ready to find your dream home in the Henrico County Real Estate or Richmond Real Estate market? Contact me, Shannon Milligan at Home Sweet Henrico with Keller Williams Realty, and let me light your way to home sweet home!

Return on Investment for Renovations

Return on Investment for Renovations

Spring has sprung and everywhere you look construction trucks and landscapers are pulling into driveways ready to spruce up a home. My husband and I are currently getting in on the action by receiving quotes on a irrigation system, play structure, and even gathering information on what it will take to turn our unfinished basement into a recreational heaven!  

Have you been thinking about taking on some renovation projects? Below you will find some stats I recently read in USAA Magazine detailing national average cost vs. recouped amount of cost on several popular renovation projects:

Project	National Average Cost	Recouped Amount of Cost
Minor Kitchen Remodel	$21,695	72.8%
Bathroom Remodel	$16,634	64.1%
Master Suite Addition	$108,090	63%
Sunroom Addition	$75,224	48.6%
Home Office Remodel	$28,888	45.8%

*Source: Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report 2010-2011, Remodeling Magazine

Done all you can to your existing home and ready to list it in the Henrico County Real Estate or Richmond Real Estate market? Contact me, Shannon Milligan at Home Sweet Henrico with Keller Williams Realty, and let me light your way to home sweet home!

April Fools Wine Festival Glen Allen, VA

April Fools Wine Festival Glen Allen, VA

The April Fools Wine Festival will be held April 2^nd and 3^rd at the James River Cellars in Richmond from 12PM until 5PM, rain or shine. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 on the day of the event.

Gather your friends and family for a picnic and come on out for a day of fine wine from 4 different wineries, great food,live music, and fantastic vendors! No joke -  it will be an awesome two days in Glen Allen, VA!

For more information, please email: winecellars@jrgm.com

Thinking about buying or selling in the Henrico County Real Estate or Richmond Real Estate market? Contact me, Shannon Milligan at Home Sweet Henrico with Keller Williams Realty, and let me light your way to home sweet home!

Things To Do In Richmond: Follow The Yellow Brick Road

Things To Do In Richmond: Follow The Yellow Brick Road

When I was a kid, one of my favorite movies was the Wizard of Oz. I was mesmerized by the red slippers, enamored with the bravery (or lack thereof!) of the Lion, and, truth be told, a little scared of the flying monkeys!

As an adult I was  fortunate enough to see the Broadway smash Wicked in New York City. I loved every minute of it and would love to go back to see another show, but going to NY is just a little too far for me for just a quick trip. Fortunately, I don’t need New York as I have Richmond and the Landmark Theatre!

On March 25-26, the Landmark Theatre  will be home to the Wizard of Oz presented by Broadway in Richmond! Tickets are $40 - $62.50 and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster. Show times are:

March 25 – 8PM-10:30PM, doors open at 7PM

March 26 – 2PM-4:30PM, doors open at 1PM

March 26 – 8PM-10:30PM, doors open at 7PM

So get your tickets and be prepared to be Follow The Yellow Brick Road. No, this isn’t Kansas, this is RICHMOND - a place I am proud to call home!

Ready to find a show stopper in the Henrico County Real Estate or Richmond Real Estate market? Contact me, Shannon Milligan at Home Sweet Henrico with Keller Williams Realty, and let me light your way to home sweet home!

Things to do in Richmond - A Little Of Everything!

Things to do in Richmond - A Little Of Everything!

Today was a beautiful day in the RVA - that's Richmond to those not familiar with the local lingo ;)  It was so nice that my family decided to take a day off from all or our responsibilities and just enjoy our town and being together.

We started off by checking out a summer program for my children here in Glen Allen. We met with the teacher, explored the classrooms, and checked out the all important playground!

Then we parted ways. My daughter and I headed off to Nails4U on Staples Mill Road. I enjoyed my first pedicure of the season while watching the look of pure JOY on Caitlyn's face as she had her finger and toe nails painted by a professional for the very first time. It really was fun to see the look on her face and spend some quality time with her. While we were doing "girl things," my son and husband had headed off to Bass Pro Shops in Ashland to purchase a gift card for my Father-In-Laws birthday and to check out "guy stuff" such as four wheelers, fishing gear, and everything in between. Although I didn't get to see Luke and John during their bonding time, Daddy did take a picture of his happy camper!

Next we reunited and met up with my in-laws for a fantastic lunch at Galaxy Diner in Carytown. There we enjoyed everything from hot dogs to fabulous sandwiches while watching the cooks deep fry anything they could get their hands on - Twinkies, Oreos, and bacon! The manager said "if you can think of it, then I will probably deep fry it!"

After a filling lunch, we headed to SweetFrog Frozen Yogurt where I literally was like a kid in a candy store! I chose my size container and happily hurried down the machine line and filled my cup with 5 different flavors of low-fat HEAVEN: cookies n' cream, peanut butter, chocolate, cake batter, and coconut... and then topped it off with some rainbow sprinkles. Seriously, some of THE BEST frozen yogurt I have ever had. Almost made me want to quit being a Realtor and open up one of these gems...ALMOST!

Think we were done yet? No Way! Too nice out and too rare that we get to spend this kind of time together! We were off to the Children's Museum of Richmond. There we pretended to be bankers, teachers, emergency workers, auto mechanics, and even news anchors! We ended our day at the museum by playing outside with several musical instruments, riding bikes (okay, the KIDS rode the bikes), and even swinging our hips with the hula-hoops!

After the fun downtown, we headed to Short Pump for several small errands at Lowes, Home Depot, and Target. We finally headed home and played outside for awhile before enjoying a fantastic Chinese meal from Chen's Chinese on Nuckols Road. And, no meal would be complete without a little dessert - wonderful chocolate covered pretzels that I purchased from our favorite candy store the Sweet Spot!

It really was a terrific day here in the RVA and I am so proud to call Richmond home! Now, back to reality and getting back to work!

Thinking about making Richmond or its surrounding areas YOUR home? Contact me, Shannon Milligan at Home Sweet Henrico with Keller Williams Realty, today and let me light your way to home sweet home in the Henrico County Real Estate or Richmond Real Estate market!

In Case of Emergency

In Case of Emergency

With all that has been happening in Japan this last week, it really has me thinking about my family and our safety. If an emergency should arise, would we be prepared? I hate to admit it, but we would not. Below are a few things we should ALL do to be ready in case of the unthinkable:

·         Evacuation plan. Have a way out of your home and know your destination once you get out. Make sure each family member is familiar and understands the plan.

·         Designate. Assign tasks to each person in your home such as instructing the first person out to call 911 or knowing who is to help the pets to safety. This will keep calm and reduce confusion.

·         Practice. Practice the plan you have in place several times with different scenarios such as if your main route is blocked.

·         Emergency kit. Pack a book bag (for each member of your family!) with essentials for survival such as a flashlight, portable radio, new batteries, bandages/gauze/tape, water, and food s that have a long shelf life such as crackers, tuna, and granola bars. Make sure to check your packaged bags periodically to update anything that may have reached its expiration date.

We hope by following some  of these simple steps, you will be prepared to handle an emergency should it arise. Have some tips not listed here? Please share them in the comment section - you may help save a life!

We here at Home Sweet Henrico send our thoughts and prayers to those suffering in Japan and those who are risking their lives to help in this dire situation.

An Irish Blessing

An Irish Blessing

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind always be at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

and rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

That is my favorite Irish blessing! Wishing you all a Happy, and SAFE, St. Patrick's Day!

Ready to find your pot of gold in the Henrico County Real Estate or Richmond Real Estate market? Contact me, Shannon Milligan at Home Sweet Henrico with Keller Williams Realty, and let me light your way to home sweet home!

I Hate My House

I Hate My House

I have been having the same conversation time and time again with all sorts of  people – they hate their house (they no longer refer to it as their HOME) and they feel stuck as they bought at the height of the market and owe more than what they could sell for. It’s a difficult situation to be in and one so many face.

If you find yourself in the situation where you want to move but just can not at the moment,  there are a few things you can try to feel good about your house. You may never fall in love again with your house, but you may be able to enjoy your time while you are there:

·    Remember what you loved about your home in the first place. Think back to that exciting time when you were out with your real estate agent and stumbled upon the house you wanted to call home. Remember that feeling? Now, what was it that made that home so special? Was it the wood burning fireplace that you never use? Was it the large backyard you found perfect for parties but never threw? If so, capitalize on those things. Go out, stock up on firewood, and start a cozy fire and have a family night reading books with the tv off. Or, get your green thumb working, invite your friends and neighbors, and fire up that BBQ for a party you will never forget. By doing these things, you will be creating more POSITIVE memories that just may get you through this rough period.

·    Attempt some small remodeling projects. When you bought your home, you most likely noticed a few things that you wanted to change and then life got in the way and you never got around to it. Now would be the time to to make those changes! Have some dated light fixtures? Take a trip to Lowes and pick out new ones that tickle your fancy. Dislike your kitchen cabinets but don’t have the cash flow to change them? Consider replacing the pulls/handles...you would be amazed at the difference a small change like this can make. Bathroom looking a little tired? Have your tile re-grouted or paint the room with a fresh color. Small updates can make you feel better about your space and will help sell your home when it is time for you to put your home on the real estate market.

·    Get organized. Clutter can be very overwhelming and make your home feel even smaller. Create more space by throwing away papers you no longer need, donating items you no longer use, and storing keepsakes in uniformed containers. Don’t know where to start? Consider hiring a professional organizer. The Pro can make suggestions, help you buy the right kind of containers, and even be the ring leader on where to start. Having a little breathing room and more space can give a new lease on life to your home!

I hope some of these tips can help you rekindle some of the magic you first felt when you initially bought your home. If you simply can not tolerate your house any longer and can afford to take a loss, that is also an option to consider but it can be a difficult pill to swallow – I know from personal experience!

Thinking of selling in the Henrico County Real Estate or Richmond Real Estate market and do not know the value of your home? Contact me, Shannon Milligan at Home Sweet Henrico with Keller Williams Realty, for a free analysis today!

Irish Potato Candy

Irish Potato Candy

When I was in college, in Philadelphia, I took a interpersonal communication class and one day we had to give a "how to" speech. I think I did mine on how to make a trifle. Anyway, there was this red-headed boy who did his on "how to make Irish potato candy." I thought, "what the heck is that? Who wants to eat potatoes as candy?" I watched as he gave his speech,crafted these silly candies, and learned that they really weren't potatoes at all...It really was candy! When he was finished, he passed them around for everyone to taste. Oh- My- Goodness. I was in heaven and I was hooked! Below you will find the simple recipe for these yummy little treasures:

1/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 (8 ozs) packaged cream cheese
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups confectioners sugar
2 1/2 cups flaked coconut
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

In medium bowl, beat the butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Add vanilla and confectioners sugar. Beat until smooth. Using your hands (yes, it gets messy!) mix in the coconut. Roll into balls/potato shapes and roll in the cinnamon. Place on a cookie sheet and chill to set. ENJOY!

If you don't have time to make them this year but still want to try this yummy treat, check out the Sweet Spot candy shop! They had some pre-packaged in their store and I will be heading over for my box!

Ready to explore your housing options on the Henrico County Real Estate or Richmond Real Estate market? Then contact me, Shannon Milligan at Home Sweet Henrico with Keller Williams Realty, and let this red head light your way to home sweet home!

Things to do in Richmond: Picasso Exhibit

Things to do in Richmond: Picasso Exhibit

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is currently holding a “Picasso: Masterpieces from the Musee National Picasso , Paris”, exhibit running until May 15^th. Come explore over 170 works by this famous, intriguing artist brought to you by featured sponsor Altria. This is the only East Coast venue so be sure not to miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit: www.VMFA.museum or call 804-340-1405

Ready to find your own masterpiece on the Henrico County Real Estate or Richmond Real Estate market? Then contact me, Shannon Milligan at Home Sweet Henrico with Keller Williams Realty, today and let me light your way to home sweet home!

Kids and Working and in Between

Kids and Working and in Between

This post really has nothing to do with real estate. But real estate isn't the end all, be all of me. So, from time to time I will be writing on what is going on with my life. Besides, when you work with someone - a real estate agent, a mechanic, a physician -  you want to get a sense of the person you are trusting with certain aspects of your life.

Anyway, this week was a trying one. I was busy writing blogs, viewing properties, planning for an open house, etc. My kids happened to be home with me the other day and for a change they were playing so well together! I should have known better. Consumed with my work, I wasn't paying as much attention as I should have been. When my daughter entered the room, I looked up to see a very sad face. I asked her what was wrong and she said, fighting back tears, "Lukey cut my hair!" Sure enough, there was a nice section missing from her head!

My first reaction was laughter. I don't know why! I just couldn't stop laughing. I think it was the shock of the situation. Of all the scenarios I have run in my head of what these two could get into, this one just never crossed my mind. Turns out - it should have been in my thoughts seeing just about every parent I know has had the hair cutting experience. But, I am a new mother and am still learning all the pitfalls that take place. And, having twins...well, it truly is DOUBLE TROUBLE!

So, off we went to the beautician. She surveyed the damage and it was worse than I thought...I hadn't noticed how far back my son had cut it. The only way to "fix it" was to go short...NO! I had JUST gotten Caitlyn's hair to where I could put in cute accessories and such. Now we had to start over.

As for punishing my son...I had a talk with him. He explained to me that GOD said that Cailtyn needed a haircut. (Not really sure what they are teaching him in Sunday School, but I think I need to sit in on a class!) Another reason he gave was so that when his sister spit out her toothpaste, it wouldn't get in her hair. Couldn't really argue with that logic. The scissors (they were KIDS scissors too!) are now locked up and they will be monitored when using them...yes, something I probably should have done in the first place.

Now, in the scheme of things...this is NOTHING. It is only hair. It will grow back. There are a lot more important things to worry about and my energy now needs to go to those places and no longer be focused on my daughters new Dorothy Hamill haircut. So, here is to a little perspective!

Raising children and nurturing a career can be a delicate balancing act...and everyday we walk the tightrope of life!

BEFORE

AFTER

Still pretty as a picture!

Ready to focus on your new home search on the Henrico County Real Estate or Richmond Real Estate market? Then contact me, Shannon Milligan at Home Sweet Henrico with Keller Williams Realty, today and let me light your way to home sweet home!