Somehow we're already heading into the final stretch of summer in Richmond.
Between Labor Day weekend plans and the start of fall right around the corner, now is a great time to enjoy a few more summer favorites and start thinking ahead if a move is on your radar.
Today I'm covering:
Labor Day Weekend Plans in Richmond.
What I'd Do Now If I Wanted to Buy Before the Holidays
Neighborhood Spotlight: Carillon
Labor Day weekend always feels like the unofficial last hurrah of summer, so if you're staying around Richmond, here are a few ways I'd spend the long weekend:
→ Grab brunch at The Continental Westhampton
→ Spend the afternoon at Maymont, walking the grounds, gardens, and trails before summer officially starts winding down.
→ Check out the Americana exhibition at The Branch Museum of Architecture and Design, on view through September 10. If you want something for Friday night, Southern Gothic is happening there on Friday, September 4 from 7–11 PM.
→ Take a day trip to Upper Shirley Vineyards, grab lunch overlooking the James River, and enjoy one last summer afternoon in Virginia wine country.
→ End the weekend with dinner and drinks outside at Blue Atlas, with one of the best patio views in Richmond.
Have plans already? Tell me what I should add to my list!
If your goal is to be celebrating the holidays in a new home, I wouldn't wait until October or November to start looking.
I'd use the next few weeks to get clear on my budget, talk to a lender, narrow down the neighborhoods I'm interested in, and start watching what's actually hitting the market.
That doesn't mean you need to buy something tomorrow. It means that when the right home does show up, you're ready to act instead of spending those first few weeks getting your ducks in a row.
Remember, even after you find the home, you still have the offer, inspection, appraisal, financing, and closing process ahead of you.
If being in a new home before the end of the year is the goal, now is when I'd start putting the pieces in place.
If green space, architectural character, and being close to everything without feeling like you're in the middle of everything are high on your wish list, Carillon deserves a spot on your radar.
A few reasons I love it:
→ You're essentially wrapped by some of Richmond's best outdoor spaces, with Byrd Park immediately next door and the James River just to the south.
→ Carytown is right around the corner, giving you easy access to restaurants, coffee shops, shopping, and everyday necessities without living directly in the middle of the activity.
→ The architecture is all over the map in the best way — you'll find Colonial Revival, Dutch Colonial, Cape Cod and other early-to-mid-20th-century homes, along with a handful of much larger historic properties.
→ It's less than three miles from downtown Richmond, with quick access to the Downtown Expressway and Powhite Parkway, but the neighborhood itself feels surprisingly tucked away.
→ The neighborhood literally takes its name from Richmond's Carillon, the 1932 World War I memorial bell tower overlooking Byrd Park, and Carillon is also home to Dogwood Dell and just minutes from Maymont.
Homes here don't hit the market nearly as often as you might expect — the neighborhood has only about 427 residences — making it especially worth considering if you want historic Richmond character with a little more breathing room and immediate access to parks.
My favorite thing about Carillon? It feels like one of Richmond's best-kept secrets. You can be minutes from Carytown, the Fan and the Museum District, yet turn onto one of these streets and suddenly feel completely removed from the city.
As always, if you have any real estate questions or needs, my inbox is always open. I'd be happy to set up a time to talk.
Sincerely,
Gary Martin
