Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Copy Link
Why Harry’s Alehouse in Fredericksburg VA Should Be on Your Must-Visit List
I’ve been a fan of Harry’s Alehouse in Fredericksburg, VA, for years. You will love this place if you love good food, craft beer, and dogs! It’s a great place to go with friends and family.
Harry’s Alehouse in Fredericksburg VA Loves Dogs 🐾
Harry’s Alehouse is a warm and relaxed spot that offers American favorites with a unique twist from their made-from-scratch kitchen. They have a huge menu with something for everyone, from burgers and sandwiches to salads and bowls. They also have a great selection of beers on tap, wine, and cocktails. One thing that makes Harry’s Alehouse unique is its dog-friendly atmosphere. You can bring in your dog photos, and they will put them on the walls of the restaurant, creating a gallery of furry friends. It’s so fun to see all the different breeds and personalities of the dogs and to feel like you are part of a community of dog lovers.
The scratch kitchen menu is amazing!
My favorite meal at Harry’s Alehouse is the Sweet Potato Quinoa Bowl. It’s a hearty and healthy dish that consists of cilantro-jalapeno sweet potatoes, black bean corn salsa, white quinoa, and a tasty arugula chimichurri sauce. You can add chicken or salmon to it, but I prefer the salmon because it’s so tender and flavorful. The bowl is filling but not heavy, and it has a nice balance of sweet and savory. It’s perfect for someone with dietary restrictions as it is gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan if you don’t add meat.
Some other items that I recommend from the menu are:
– The Guac Burger: This is a juicy burger topped with guacamole, bacon, sliced tomato, and pepper jack cheese. It comes with fries, and they are amazing with malt vinegar!. The burger is cooked to order and has a nice flavor from the bacon and guacamole. Also, look for the burger of the week, a new creative take on the burger every week of the year!
– The Chicken & Waffles: This is a classic Southern dish that consists of fried chicken tenders on top of a Belgian waffles, chicken tenders, sweet potatoes, ancho chili syrup. The chicken is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and the waffle is fluffy and soft. The sweet potatoes and ancho chili syrup are such a cool twist, making this a unique version of a classic. This is a great dish for brunch or when you want something indulgent.
– The Carnitas Tacos: seasoned pork shoulder, salsa verde, onion-cilantro mix, and queso fresco. The carnitas are tender and juicy, and the toppings add freshness and creaminess. Definitely check out their shrimp tacos too!
The kid’s menu will make you LOL 🤣
– The Kid’s Menu: Harry’s Alehouse has a hilarious kid’s menu that features dishes named after common phrases that kids say when they don’t want to eat. For example, there is “I Don’t Know,” which is homemade mac & cheese; “I Don’t Care,” which is kids flatbread pizza; “I Don’t Want To Be Here,” which is kids chicken quesadilla; “I’m Not Hungry,” which is kids cheeseburger; and “I Don’t Want This,” which is mini chicken tenders. These dishes are all kid-friendly and tasty, and they come with fries or fruit. I think this is a clever way to make eating fun for kids (and adults).
So if you are ever in Fredericksburg, VA, I highly recommend you check out Harry’s Alehouse. It’s a great place to enjoy good food, good drinks, and good company. Remember to bring a copy of your dog photo the next time you go to Harry’s. Who knows, you might spot it on the wall next time!
Good Eats Virginia: September Edition featuring Locust Grove
This post was first published on coldwellbankerelite.com
Where: Locust Grove, VA
Witch’s Brew Cafe: Breakfast
The Witch’s Brew Cafe has built a reputation for serving fresh and delicious coffee, tea, and food that highlights the region’s best. When you stop by for breakfast you’ll experience the friendliest baristas, unique flavors of drinks, and mouthwatering foods. Plus, who doesn’t like cute designs on their lattes?
Click the image below to see their website!
Mama’s Pizza & Subs: Lunch
Mama’s Pizza & Subs carries on the old-world traditions. They are passionate about food and the recipes their family has passed down through the generations. With 4.6 stars on Google, this place doesn’t disappoint! Stop by and order anything your Italian cravings desire.
Click the image below to see their website!
Guacamole Restaurant: Dinner
Guacamole Restaurant will satisfy your expectation for authentic Mexican food for dinner. They have large portions and fast service, so you can bring your family or friends. With only the freshest ingredients, they can make you something that isn’t on the menu if you just ask!
Click the image below to see their website!
The Icebox: Dessert
The Icebox Creamery serves the community premium soft serve and hand-dipped ice cream. With some rotating flavors to keep you coming back for me. The Icebox has a high reputation with the locals. This is a nice hidden gem to satisfy your ice cream moods.
Click the image below to see their website!
What’s Actually Happening with Home Prices Today?
One of the biggest questions people are asking right now is: what’s happening with home prices? There are headlines about ongoing price appreciation, but at the same time, some sellers are reducing the price of their homes. That can feel confusing and makes it more difficult to get a clear picture.
Part of the challenge is that it can be hard to understand what experts are saying when the words they use sound similar. Let’s break down the differences among those terms to help clarify what’s actually happening today.
- Appreciation is when home prices increase.
- Depreciation is when home prices decrease.
- Deceleration is when home prices continue to appreciate, but at a slower or more moderate pace.
Experts agree that, nationally, what we’re seeing today is deceleration. That means home prices are appreciating, just not at the record-breaking pace they have over the past year. In 2021, data from CoreLogic tells us home prices appreciated by an average of 15% nationwide. And earlier this year, that appreciation was upward of 20%. This year, experts forecast home prices will appreciate at a decelerated pace of around 10 to 11%, on average.
The graph below uses the latest data from CoreLogic to help tell the story of how home prices are decelerating, but not depreciating so far this year.
As the green bars show, home prices appreciated between 19-20% year-over-year from January to March. But over the last few months, the pace of that appreciation has decelerated to 18%. This means price growth is still climbing compared to last year but at a slower rate.
As the Monthly Mortgage Monitor from Black Knight explains:
“Annual home price growth dropped by nearly two percentage points . . . – the greatest single-month slowdown on record since at least the early 1970s. . . While June’s slowdown was record-breaking, home price growth would need to decelerate at this pace for six more months to drive annual appreciation back to 5%, a rate more in line with long-run averages.”
Basically, this means, while moderating, home prices are still far above the norm, and we’d have to see a lot more deceleration to even fall in line with more typical rates of home price growth. That’s still not home price depreciation.
The big takeaway is home prices haven’t fallen or depreciated nationwide, they’re just decelerating or moderating. While some unique and overheated markets may see declines, nationally, home prices are forecast to appreciate. And when we look at the country as a whole, none of the experts project home prices will net depreciate or fall. They’re all projecting ongoing appreciation.
Bottom Line
If you have questions about what’s happening with home prices in our local area, let’s connect.
11 Questions to Ask When Hiring Your Home Contractor
This post was first published on coldwellbankerelite.com
No matter which type of home renovation you’re tackling, choosing a qualified home contractor is an important piece of the puzzle. You’ll ensure a smoother, simpler home renovation process by asking the right questions before hiring a contractor. Below are 11 questions to ask prospective contractors before you hire a contractor to renovate your home.
1. What does a typical workday look like for you?
This type of question will give you a good idea of your contractor’s working hours. Work hours can vary from company to company, so it’s a great question to ask. In addition to this, also find out where you would keep your pets (if you have any), where the contractor can park, and how you can communicate with them best throughout the day.
2. How long is the job anticipated to take?
The sooner you can find out your project timeline (and share your ideal timeline), the better the contractor can plan under the circumstances. Perhaps you have family coming for the holidays or another strict deadline to meet. Giving your contractor dates far in advance will help you determine if they can realistically meet this goal.
3. What’s your plan in the event of a conflict?
This is a great question to help assess the expertise of your potential contractor. With any major renovation project, delays or misunderstandings can pop up unexpectedly. Your contractor has likely had to tackle both before; however, it doesn’t mean that they know how to effectively mitigate them in a prompt, professional way. By asking them how they would handle a conflict upfront, you’ll see if your contractor has a good plan to tackle potential conflicts and make sure they don’t stand in the way of a job well-done.
4. Do you extend a warranty on your work?
Warranties can save you money and give you peace of mind. Many quality contractors offer a warranty on their work and certain materials/installations—make sure to ask for copies of these warranties.
5. What happens if something runs over budget?
Budgets are great to give you a general idea of how much something will cost. However, sometimes unexpected events or other expenses may arise. You’ll want to know how your contractor will move forward in the event something costs more than the budget. This procedure is important to ensure you don’t have an excessively over-budget renovation bill.
6. Do you have worker’s compensation and liability insurance?
Proper insurance is important when contractors are working inside your home. Without proper insurance, you may be liable if anyone is injured. Always ask to see a copy of their insurance certificates before hiring a home contractor.
7. What if I want to change something?
So you’re halfway through your renovation but you decide that you want a different fixture for a room. This is a normal part of renovating, but it can delay your renovation if you don’t handle it swiftly since the contractor will have to order the new materials. Different contractors have different processes for submitting change orders, so it’s good to find out their process for submitting change orders at the outset.
8. What similar renovation projects have you completed?
Asking about expertise and experience is always a great idea. Ask your contractor if they’ve done similar jobs to the job you’re requesting, and ask to see photos if possible.
9. How many people are involved in your team?
Asking this question lets you know who will be coming and going from your property. You’ll know how many people to expect and know if they’ve been properly vetted by your contractor.
10. What licenses or certifications do you hold?
The state licenses many contractors, so asking to see this in advance of hiring is a good way to determine their legitimacy. You may also be able to look up this info online; however, asking your contractor directly is a great way to assess their reliability.
11. How will we communicate throughout the project?
As the homeowner, you’re likely to want to stay up-to-date and informed on the status of your home project. If you are away from home all day, texting or calling may be your preferred method of communicating with your contractor. Your contractor should accommodate your needs. No matter what, it’s important to keep the lines of communication open so that if problems or questions arise, they are addressed.
Ask these 11 questions to your prospective home contractor today to help prepare and choose a quality and reliable contractor!
Why I Love Fredericksburg, VA?
I think I found the perfect place to live! I know what you’re thinking, “You live in Fredericksburg, there’s nothing perfect about Fredericksburg.” I know, I know, I grew up in Fairfax and used to think the same thing. When I decided to go to Mary Washington College, I really thought I was heading to the “country”, and there wasn’t going to be anything to do.
That brings me to the first great thing about Fredericksburg (FXBG): the University of Mary Washington is outstanding and right in our backyard. Have you walked down the main campus walk? If not, you need to! It is beautiful with amazing architecture, and it is just refreshing to see all of the optimistic students with their bright futures ahead of them. Mary Wash provided me with an excellent education, and I met my amazing wife. I definitely won the college lottery with her!
FXBG is also truly the perfect location. We are sandwiched in between our state capital, Richmond, and our nation’s capital, Washington, DC. You are only an hour or so from both (depending on traffic!). They each provide endless amounts of entertainment. We are two and half hours from Virginia Beach and just a couple of hours from the mountains. I feel you can take a day trip (or weekend if you’re lucky) to do just about anything you want.
I’m not really a history buff, but if you are then you already know that FXBG is one of the most historic locations in our country. I am actually really excited about relearning all of Virginia’s history through the eyes of my daughters as we take them on “field trips” to all of the places they are learning about in school. Here is a quick guide to FXBG’s history.
While you are on your “field trips” with your kids or future kids, you should take advantage of some of the great local parks and farms in FXBG area. A few musts are Alum Spring Park, Loriella Park, Pratt Park, Miller Farms, and Braehead Farm. The list goes on and on and you can check out some of my other favorites here.
FXBG is also becoming a great stop for anyone looking for craft beers. Here is a list of some of the best breweries for you to check out. I would also check out the Fredericksburg Brew Exchange to fill up your growler with your favorite beer or cider. There are also a bunch of great wineries in the area. My favorite right now is Wilderness Run Vineyards, they have great free events with a variety of live music.
After all the beer and wine you are for sure going to be hungry! FXBG has a bunch of great places to eat. You will definitely be satisfied with anything you get from Foode, owned by Top Chef’s Joy Crump. If you are looking for some variety, check out our favorite Downtown restaurant, Bangkok Cafe. El Pino is your go-to stop for Mexican, great prices and great food. You also can’t leave FXBG without trying the up and coming Sprelly, providing you with gourmet peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. No matter where you choose to eat, you have to end the night at the famous Carl’s for amazing old-fashioned frozen custard.
These are just a few of the reasons why I love living in Fredericksburg and I think you will love it too! What are some of your favorite things about FXBG?
—
Jay Parrish | REALTOR®
Coldwell Banker Elite
Cell: (540) 735-5564 | www.movetofred.com | jay.parrish@movetofred.com
Renovating Your Home in 2022: 5 Things to Know
This post was first published on coldwellbankerelite.com
New year, new home improvement projects! As we kick off the new year, you may be hoping to boost your home’s value before you put it on the market—or maybe you’re just ready for an upgrade!
In 2022, a few key industry trends will shape the way we renovate our homes. Keep reading to learn how you can prepare for your home renovation projects this year.
1. The supply chain issues may extend project timelines & budgets
You may have noticed that your favorite products are often out of stock at the store and that prices have gone up. Gas prices have risen as well. This trend is exacerbated by the global supply chain issues stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, it takes more time and money to produce, distribute, and ship products than in previous years.
Unfortunately, construction materials like lumber are in especially short demand. It is often impossible to pick up additional materials on demand. Shipping times are delayed and costs have risen significantly.
- What does this mean for you? If you’re working with a contractor on your home renovation, you should ensure that they have all the required materials and appliances onsite before the renovation begins. Otherwise, you could face significant delays or mismatched materials.
- For now, also expect the cost of lumber to be higher than usual and budget accordingly. Hopefully, 2022 will see a return to normal pricing, but it may take a while for supply chain issues to be fully resolved.
2. Product shortages may occur
Even after ordering ahead, many homeowners have noticed longer shipping times. Sometimes, items are out of stock with no indication of when they’ll be available next.
- In short, expect your renovation project to potentially cost more and take longer to complete. Maintain some wiggle room for shipping delays and unexpected costs.
3. Labor shortages may impact costs
In addition to supply shortages, 2022 will likely see a continuation of the labor shortage—especially in the construction industry. Skilled professionals such as carpenters, electricians, and plumbers were already in limited supply before COVID-19.
Renovation projects have been more popular in previous years since people have spent more time at home. At the same time, prospective homebuyers are looking for properties with modern features. The result is that many people are performing renovations before putting their houses on the market or just in their spare time.
Because of this, contractors can be heavily booked (sometimes months ahead) and many are charging higher rates. The Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University reported that home improvement spending will rise by 9 percent in 2022. This increased demand plus the worker shortages are driving up the cost of skilled labor.
- Moral of the story? Plan and budget your home renovation project(s) way ahead of time. It’s never too early to start planning for a home remodel or upgrade, especially if it will require a lot of time and energy to undergo.
4. These renovation projects will be in high demand
The labor and material shortages, plus the supply-chain disruption, are complicating home renovations. Some projects face even longer timeframes and higher costs—these are the ones that will see increased demand in 2022:
Appliance Upgrades
Today’s appliances are more energy-efficient, safer and easier to use, and often equipped with smart technology. For all those reasons, homeowners are eager to buy them. But shortages of key materials, especially semiconductor chips for kitchen appliances, have made them harder to find. Builders are waiting months for the right products to become available.
New Doors and Windows
Homeowners are replacing and upgrading their doors and windows for aesthetic and safety reasons. Specialty designs, such as stained-glass windows and intricate woodwork, are in high demand. However, these products are also subject to long shipping times. And with a shortage of skilled tradespeople to install them, it can take up to 7 months to replace doors and windows.
Specialty Rooms
As people have spent more time at home, they’ve become more interested in home gyms, studios, theaters, and so on. There is high demand for specialty rooms, such as converting a garage into a gym or workshop. These projects often involve lighting upgrades, running new cables, and adding doors or windows—all of which require skilled labor and special materials.
Home Extensions
Homeowners wanting to add another bedroom, specialty room, or bathroom may face longer project timelines and steep costs in 2022. Last year saw the price of lumber skyrocket, fall, and then rise again at the end of the year. Whereas lumber used to cost around $350 per 1,000 feet in previous years, it now costs $1600 or more in some areas. For any project requiring building materials like lumber, it’s especially important to get all materials on-site before workers begin construction.
5. Expect the unexpected
If you’re considering a major home renovation project, plan ahead as much as possible. Gather estimates of when all your materials and appliances will arrive and aim to have them in place before builders begin work. As your contractors have limited availability, make sure their schedules align with yours. Most importantly, maintain some wiggle room in your budget, as you’re likely to experience some unexpected fluctuation in costs.
All things considered, renovating your home is a great investment in your property’s value and comfort. Regardless of what 2022 has in store, it’s worth it to improve your home—especially if you know what to expect!
Happy new year, and happy renovating!
First Day at Chancellorsville Battlefield Hike
We love taking hikes around various parks and battlefields throughout Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania. Today’s specific location is the First Day at Chancellorsville Battlefield and it is located right next to the new location of the Spotsylvania Museum (https://www.spotsylvania.va.us/898/Museum) at 6159 Plank Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22407. It is a really easy 3.4 mile loop trail that is great for walking, biking, or even jogging. The sunsets are really amazing here! There is always a good chance to see some wildlife and it is an enjoyable hike for the whole family. The trail is dog friendly but they must be kept on a lease. Make sure after you finish that you stop at The Battlefield Country for some refreshing ice cream or an awesome sandwich. Let me know what you think of this trail!
-Jay Parrish
Decorating Your First Home as a Couple: Budget-Friendly Tips
I vividly remember the first time I bought a smartphone. See, I love technology and how quickly it changes. I get excited, like a kid on Christmas Eve, on my way to Best Buy to get that next new gadget. When I showed my Dad my first smartphone, he said “why would anyone need that?
Fredericksburg Restaurant Week – Ristorante Renato
Restaurant Week continues on in Fredericksburg, and I’m loving it! Yesterday I went to Ristorante Renato just down the street from my office. I was little hesitant at first, as my whole family is gluten free and this is usually a challenge at an Italian restaurant. So I called ahead and discussed their gluten free options (if any), and they were very accommodating!
Their lunch menu for $10.18 included two courses, either an appetizer and an entree or an entree and a dessert. I chose the minestrone for my appetizer. This was my first time trying minestrone, and it was savory and filling. There weren’t any specific entrees that were gluten free, so they completely changed one of their menu items to accommodate with no extra charge. They took their breaded pollo milano and changed it to a delicious chicken piccata with a side of gluten free pasta topped with a red sauce. It was excellent! After the soup and chicken, I was completely full and ready to walk it off on the way back to work. The ambiance of the restaurant will make for a great date night in the future!
I have one more restaurant left in the challenge. I’m starting to wish that it was restaurant week every week! So far I’ve been on a world tour: Mexico, France, and Italy. Where in the world should I head next? Remember you can print out your passport here and join me in the challenge! You have until Sunday, so don’t wait!
—
Jay Parrish | REALTOR®
Coldwell Banker Elite
Cell: (540) 735-5564 | www.movetofred.com | jay.parrish@movetofred.com
Fredericksburg Restaurant Week – La Petite Auberge
Sounds of Fredericksburg residents discussing the Restaurant Week Passport filled La Petite Auberge this afternoon for lunch. It was reminiscent of kids on a scavenger hunt so excited to find the next treasure. They were discussing how wonderful their meal was and where they planned to go tomorrow. One lady at a table near mine boasted to her friends that she was going to win the $250 worth of Downtown Fredericksburg gift cards. During Restaurant Week people get pretty excited about the opportunity to sample different restaurants at a great price.
Today I headed to one of my favorite local restaurants, La Petite Auberge, to sample their incredibly priced lunch for $10.18. I wasn’t sure what to expect at this special price point. All of the meals started off with a house side salad with their homemade dressing, and it was a great starter. I was excited to find a variety of entree options and had trouble deciding between the trout with almonds and capers or the flank steak bearnaise. The waiter recommended the trout and said it was one of his favorite items on their menu. I was impressed throughout the meal that every time I said “thank you”, it was followed by a “my pleasure” from the waiter. It was a nice touch, and the service from beginning to end was superb. Now, back to the trout! It was great, just like the waiter had described. It included delicious scalloped potatoes and a side of coleslaw. They really went above and beyond with what they included for the $10.18, and I highly recommend you make La Petite Auberge one of your stops this week.
My challenge continues on tomorrow, and I’m still not sure where to go. I’ve been to Soup and Taco II and Don Moncho on the first two days. What two restaurants should be my last two stops before Jan 21? Let me know! Remember you can print out your passport here and join me in the challenge! I hope to see you out!
—
Jay Parrish | REALTOR®
Coldwell Banker Elite
Cell: (540) 735-5564 | www.movetofred.com | jay.parrish@movetofred.com
