My Very Own Picasso...Times Two

My Very Own Picasso...Times Two

Sure, the Picasso Exhibit is still here at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond until May 15th, but who needs to drive into the city when I have My Very Own Picasso...Times Two!

My kids had their very first Art Show this past Thursday night here in Glen Allen and they proudly showed off their works to mom and dad. We are very impressed!

Ready to showcase your masterpiece of a home on the Henrico County Real Estate or Richmond Real Estate market? Then contact me, Shannon Milligan at Home Sweet Henrico with Keller Williams Realty, to get your home SOLD! 

For more information on listing your home, please visit: Selling Richmond.

Is This Richmond Home in a Good School District?

Is This Richmond Home in a Good School District?

Ah. This is a popular question. And a difficult one to answer. This question is very subjective and my standard of what makes a good school may not be the same as your standard by which you measure. Because of this, Realtors tend to shy away from such questions. We wouldn't want you to make one of the biggest investments of your life based on our opinion! BUT, we can help you locate some great resources for which you can evaluate and make your own, informed decision.

Below you will find some links to Richmond Area Schools:

Henrico County Public Schools
Hanover County Public Schools
Chesterfield County Public Schools
Richmond Public Schools
Goochland County Public Schools

In addition to these local, Richmond Area School links, you may also wish to check out Great Schools, a website on school performances.

Still need more information on Richmond Area Schools? Just shoot me an email and I would be happy to send you some articles that I have compiled from local newspapers and magazines rating many of the local schools in Richmond and the surrounding counties.

Need an education 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 me light your way to home sweet home!

To begin your home seach, please click: Richmond Area Homes.

Broadway in Richmond

Broadway in Richmond

When we lived in Philadelpia one of my favorite things to do with my husband was hop the train to New York City and take in a Broadway play. We have been fortunate enough to see several "popular" shows such as Wicked and The Producers and I will NEVER forget the very first show we saw - The Lion King!

I miss those days, but I also would not trade living in Richmond for anything. There is just so much to do here INCLUDING taking in some great shows via Broadway in Richmond! Their line up for this season is FABULOUS and I really hope my husband and I can find a sitter and recreate the magic of the Big Apple!

Below are a few shows that are on the top of my list and I hope you add them to yours:

Wicked, October 5th - 16th, 2011 (yeah, I have seen this one but it is SO WORTH seeing again!)
South Pacific, December 16th - 17th, 2011
The Lion King, February 15th - March 11th, 2012 (may I have seconds please?!)
The Blue Man Group, April 27th - 29th, 2012 (Now I won't have to go to Vegas to see them! Wait. Is that a good thing?!)

There are several other shows on the line-up, so be sure to check out the website: Broadway in Richmond

Thinking about putting your home in the Henrico County Real Estate or Richmond Real Estate market but don't want a production? Contact me, Shannon Milligan at Home Sweet Henrico with Keller Williams Realty, and let me direct you to SOLD!

For more information on selling your home, please visit: Selling Richmond

How to Deal with a Neighbor Dispute

How to Deal with a Neighbor Dispute

We all imagine living in harmony with our fellow neighbor. In a perfect world we would share a drink over the fence every Friday night or break bread on Saturdays with a cookout. But, we all know the reality that we don't live in a perfect world and sometimes we are going to disagree. It's human nature.

So, what do you do if you find yourself in a disagreement with your next door neighbor? Here are a few suggestions from Revolution Health:
Date updated: August 09, 2007
By Dan Seligson
Content provided by Revolution Health Group

• Communicate. Experts universally agree that disputes escalate when sides fail to address each other directly. Knowing your neighbors goes a long way toward avoiding and diffusing disputes. Make an effort to communicate face to face, rather than sending an angry letter or banging on a wall when you're upset.

• Don't assume ill will. Neighbors might not know what effect their actions are having on those around them. Sometimes just letting them know a party is too noisy or a trash can is blocking your driveway in a friendly way can be enough to derail a feud before it starts.

• Get in early. If something a neighbor is doing bothers you, it's best to notify him or her of the problem as soon as possible. Early intervention can make a huge difference, says University of Baltimore professor John Windmueller, Ph.D., who teaches conflict resolution.

• Mediate, don't litigate. Calling the police or suing a neighbor might offer a solution to a neighborhood stalemate, but it doesn't solve the problem of how you will live daily near this person in the future. Mediation with a neutral third party leaves options open after the dispute has been resolved, experts say, and that can lead to healthier interactions in the future. Your obnoxious neighbors might seem unable to negotiate, but experienced mediators say there are few people who are truly unreasonable. Mediation is effective more than 70 percent of the time, according to experts, and most importantly, it relies on people (that's you and your neighbor) problem solving — with help.

• Keep a local dispute local. The key to successful resolution is having people from the community solve community disputes, says Robin Seigle of the San Diego-based National Conflict Resolution Center. That makes sense, but oftentimes neighbors choose to call the police or seek action in court"In a court setting, cases often end up with a restraining order. In those cases, it doesn't give people chances to problem solve. It only focuses on why the other person should be punished in some way," Seigle says.
  Chances are your state, county or even neighborhood has some connection to a conflict resolution center. After all, the police, legal system and code enforcement officers are almost always overburdened and would rather you and your neighbor work it out without their help. To find a mediator near you, visit Mediate.com or look up "mediation services" in the Yellow Pages.

• Know when to seek help. Although mediation in neighborhood conflicts has a high success rate, some neighbors might not be approachable using any of the recommended methods. "If there's a fear of safety, then there's a reason to call the police. If you think something violent could happen, don't take the risk," Seigle says. If you're afraid that your neighbor will resort to violence, you can have a conversation in a courthouse — where both sides get checked for weapons — or even over the phone — which, while not ideal, is better than not talking at all.

• Mow the lawn! Scoop that poop! Shovel that snow! If you want good neighbors, it helps to be one. A remarkably high number of neighborhood disputes start with the little things — an unsightly lawn, ice on the sidewalk because someone didn't shovel, etc. Trees and shrubs growing out of control can impede on other property and cause a nuisance or safety hazard. A well-kept house can keep peace in the neighborhood.
  Pets are another common source of feuds. Clean up after your animals and try to keep them on your own property. If your dog barks incessantly, consider keeping him inside at times when the barking might bother neighbors.

I would like to add, if you have an HOA it may be a good idea to consult with your board or community association leader. Usually a complaint can be made anonymously and a quick call or letter from the association to the offending neighbor reminding them of the rules and regulations can do wonders!

I hope you find these tips from Revolution Health helpful if you ever find yourself in this uncomfortable situation!

Thinking about listing your home in 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 get on your way to your new home!

 For more information on listing your home, please visit: Richmond Area Homes.

Happy Easter! We Are Blessed!

Happy Easter! We are Blessed!

What a beautiful day to celebrate Easter here in Richmond, Virginia. The sky is blue, the temperature perfect at 85, and the humidity is low. Can it get any better than spring in the RVA?!

My family started this magnificent day by waking up to a bounty left by the Easter Bunny! Thankfully, the Easter Bunny was smart this year and only brought one chocolate bunny for the kids...everything else in the basket was some sort of small toy or a "healthy" snack such as whole grain breakfast bars and low fat graham crackers. (I think the bunny knew our home had been invaded by too much chocolate as of late!)

After we checked our baskets we looked out the window to see the BIG present the Easter Bunny had left - a brand new, Creative Playthings Swing Set! With two swings, a teeter-totter, scoop slide, rock wall, and a picnic table, I think our family will be spending a lot of time in the great outdoors. (AND, the swing set was a HIT with not only my kids, but the entire neighborhood as well, lol!)

We then ventured to church for some worship and then back home to enjoy the day & break-in the swing!

Dinner is now in the oven (turkey, cornbread stuffing, mashed potato's, etc.) and the family is taking a much needed time-out to watch a movie. (I think we all got a little too much sun today!)

As we head into the evening we are looking forward to a little more time outside and then turning in early for the night so that we will be prepared for any new adventures the morning may bring. All good things must come to an end!

I hope this Easter is providing you with some precious time with YOUR family and that you take a moment to remember what this holiday is truly about.

Home Sweet Henrico with Keller Williams Realty wishes you a BLESSED Easter!

My Good Deed Has Gone

My Good Deed Has Gone

A few months ago a friend of ours here in the Richmond area asked if we could watch their dog while they went away on vacation. I JUMPED at the chance as I really want to add a second dog to our family, but my husband is not so sure. I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to show my husband that two dogs are not much more work than one dog.

So, last week Otis came to stay with us. This big, beautiful dog came bouncing into my home and fit in like a glove. He is fantastic. He is sweet, listens, and just melts your heart. During his stay with us he often would put his paw on my shoulder to show his friendship. He would also steal kisses as he has a very LARGE tongue and would grab you so you didn't know what hit you. He also has himself confused with a lap dog, making several circles and then settling on my lap like it is his home. Can you tell I am in love?

Otis's family is back from vacation now and we had to say our goodbye's. I knew my kids would be a little confused and upset, but I had no idea that I would feel that way. This big horse-dog made his way into our hearts and we will always welcome him with open arms. (He was THRILLED to see his family again so that made saying goodbye a little easier!)

My husband asked me this afternoon if we are going to get a second dog. To my surprise, he is open to it now and to my SHOCK...I am not so sure! And, I am not sure why I am not sure! Maybe because I miss Otis a bit. Or, maybe because the idea of another long term commitment is scary to me. But, I do know that having a dog in my life has been a blessing and somewhere in the near future we will add another fur ball to our family!

Finding you need more space for your fur baby to run? Contact me, Shannon Milligan at Home Sweet Henrico with Keller Williams Realty, and let me light your way to home sweet home! To begin your home search, click here: Richmond Area Homes.

I am buying a new construction home but don't know which options to choose

I am buying new construction but don't know which options to choose

So you have decided to take the plunge and build a new construction home...CONGRATS! You are about to enter a very fun, and sometimes stressful, journey! If you chose to have a Realtor represent you and your interests, then you have a FABULOUS consultant who can help you navigate not only the sometimes confusing paper process (signing of contracts, inspections, etc.) but you also have an educated team mate who can help you select those finishes that will have the most appeal and bang for your buck!

Now, if you didn't select a Realtor to help you through this transaction, here are a few tips I give my clients:

*Think LOT. Location, location, location. Be sure to check out all of the available lots and weigh the pros and cons to each. What size in the lot? Will it be flat or have a steep slope? Are there any easements you need to be aware of? You can not move your home once it is built, so be sure you evaluate all possible scenarios when selecting where your home will sit!

*Think STRUCTURAL. The next place to spend your money is on things that you can not change down the road. Want a basement? Want a three car garage? Want an attic? Now is the time to be thinking long term and how you will want to utilize your place for years to come.

*Think KITCHEN and MASTER BATHROOM. Have some money left over in the budget after adding in your structural options? Then think about putting that into the kitchen and master bathroom. These are the most popular rooms in a home and will bring a good return on your investment. Go with an upgraded cabinet, a quality counter top such as granite or quartz, and upgrade your tile in the bathroom. There are lots of colors and styles to pick from, so have fun with it!

I hope you find these tips helpful and that you have smooth sailing on your new construction home buying journey!

Thinking about buying a new construction 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! To begin your home buying process, click here: Richmond Area Homes.

And, don't forget to take a Realtor with you on the FIRST VISIT to a new construction sales office. If you visit and register without a Realtor, you may not be able to have one!