As a homebuyer, one of the most significant decisions you'll have to make is whether to purchase a new construction home or an older home. Take a look below at just a few of the reasons people decide to choose NEW with Shurm Homes: Customization One of the biggest advantages of buying a new construction home is the ability to customize the home to your liking. This means you can pick the flooring, countertops, cabinets, paint colors, and more. In contrast, existing homes often require extensive remodeling to make it look and feel like your own. This is not only time-consuming but can also be costly. Energy Efficiency New construction homes often come with energy-efficient building materials and appliances, resulting in a lower carbon footprint and reduced utility bills. These homes are constructed using the latest technology, making them much more energy-efficient than old homes. Insulated windows, high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, and better insulation can make a huge difference. No Repairs Buying a new construction home means getting a house with everything brand new, so there shouldn't be any worries about repairs in the near future. This could include everything from a new roof to plumbing or electrical. This can save money and time for the homeowner in the long run. Home Warranty Our homes come with a 1-2-10 year warranty through Shurm Homes and QBW, backed by Liberty Mutual, which covers defects and other issues that may arise in the first few years of homeownership. This means you won't have to pay for expensive repairs out of pocket. Home warranties can give peace of mind to the homeowner. Modern Amenities New construction homes often offer modern amenities like built-in appliances, smart home technology, and large, open floor plans. This can provide a more comfortable and functional home compared to older homes. The latest designs and features enable a better lifestyle for the homeowner. Buying a new construction home can offer many benefits, including customization, energy efficiency, no major repairs, a warranty, and modern amenities. While the price tag may be higher than an older home, the long-term savings, and peace of mind that come with a new construction home can be well worth it.

Ashland, Virginia, is a charming town located 15 miles north of Richmond, Virginia. This town has a rich history, and the residents take pride in preserving the town's historical landmarks. If you're considering a move to Riva Ridge, you'll enjoy an array of things to do in this adorable town. Here are a few things to add to your initial list: Visit the Ashland Museum – The Ashland Museum is a hub for learning about the town's history. It exhibits artifacts that tell the town's story and provides visitors with information about its rich heritage. Hop on Board the Train – The train station in Ashland, Virginia is known as the Ashland station was built in 1923 by the Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac Railroad and currently serves Amtrak's Northeast Regional and Carolinian trains. The station is an example of Spanish Revival architecture and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Enjoy a ride to DC, NYC and more from this great station! Explore Randolph Macon College – This college is located in the heart of Ashland, and it boasts a beautiful campus. It's worth exploring the college grounds and enjoying its architecture. Dine at Ashland's Restaurants – Ashland has some fantastic restaurants that offer American and international cuisine. You'll find everything from sushi to pizza, from seafood to burgers. Enjoy the Arts Highlights – Ashland has a vibrant arts scene, with highlights like the Ashland Theatre and Gallery Flux. You can catch plays, musicals, concerts, and more. When considering a move to Ashland, it's also essential to note that the town is conveniently located between two major cities; Washington, DC, and Richmond. Richmond is just a 20-minute drive south of Ashland, and you'll find an endless list of activities to enjoy. Some highlights include visiting the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts or taking a paddleboat tour of the James River. You may wish to visit Maymont Park, which has vast gardens and a historic mansion, or take a stroll along Canal Walk. Washington, DC is about a two-hour drive north of Ashland. You'll have the opportunity to visit iconic landmarks like the National Mall, the Smithsonian Museums, and the White House. Exploring Washington, DC could make a for a fantastic day trip from Ashland. Overall, Ashland, Virginia is a beautiful place to live, and it offers a variety of activities to explore. It's location between Washington, DC, and Richmond adds to its appeal, making it an ideal spot to visit for locals and tourists alike. With only 2 buildable homesites remaining, you won't want to miss the charm and appeal of both Riva Ridge and Ashland, alike.

As National Gardening Day approaches, many people are excited to get out in their gardens and start planting some new seeds. For those who enjoy gardening, having a larger lot to work with can be especially rewarding – and if you're lucky enough to have a 6 to 8-acre homesite in Riva Ridge, you have all the space you need to cultivate an incredible garden. Here are some tips for enjoying gardening on a larger homesite: Plan ahead: With so much space to work with, you'll want to take some time to plan out your garden before you start digging. Think about what types of plants and flowers you want to grow, how much sun and shade each area of your lot gets, and how much time and effort you're willing to put into your garden. Divide into zones: One way to make the most of a larger lot is to divide it into smaller zones. You can create different areas for flowers, vegetables, fruit trees, and even a seating area where you can relax and enjoy your surroundings. Experiment with different plants: With so much space to work with, you can experiment with different types of plants and flowers to see which ones thrive in your particular environment. Try growing everything from herbs and vegetables to exotic flowers and trees. Add some visual interest: To make your garden truly stand out, consider adding some visual interest with features like a water feature, a pergola, or even some decorative fencing. These additions can help to add some character and personality to your garden and make it a more enjoyable space to spend time in. Get some help: Finally, don't be afraid to get some help with your garden. Whether you hire a professional landscaper or enlist the help of friends and family, having some extra hands can make all the difference when it comes to maintaining a beautiful garden on a larger lot. So, as National Gardening Day approaches, take some time to enjoy your larger homesite in Riva Ridge and start planning out the garden of your dreams. With a little effort and some creativity, you can create a beautiful and rewarding space that you'll enjoy for years to come.

There are many advantages to building your new home, but the one that usually comes to mind for most people, is the ability to make your vision come to life! When you buy a resale, there is often a laundry list of projects you would like to do, or things you would like to change about your new home. This does beg the question— How “turnkey” is your “turnkey” house? When you go through the design process for a new build, you have the ability to make it TRULY move-in-ready. Nothing is worse than realizing that after weeks of packing, and then unpacking, moving around, and organizing, that your place still doesn’t feel complete. You hate the wall color, you are still annoyed that there is no backsplash, there is already a stain on the carpet that you promised yourself you would replace. What happens in most cases? These projects get pushed to the wayside, until you realize 8 months (or 8 years) later that you never made that house feel like the home you wanted. You will look up and see the pain samples still taped to the wall, the photos of your favorite backsplash options became nothing more than saved photos on your Pinterest board, and the rug that you chose to match your new LVP flooring is sitting in the closet—still in its original wrapping. The excitement of looking at new homes can give us a sense of confidence that we can make all of the little things we don’t like about a home, work. We suddenly imagine ourselves putting on a hardhat, and making someone else’s old home, feel like our new home. BUT, this is NOT an HGTV special, it’s your HOME. So why turn something old into something new, when you can turn something new into something that’s yours?! This is where Shurm Homes puts on our superhero cape and shows you a new way to imagine your space: from the ground up (LITERALLY!) The magic really takes shape in our design studio! At your design appointment, you will choose all of the details of your home, from your siding color to your door-style. We will make sure that when you close, moving in your belongings is the only project you need to do! The best part is… our design studio is IN HOUSE! You may be wondering what the advantages are of having an in-house design studio. Being able to have a private design appointment, where you get to see, touch, and compare all of the available selections makes all of the difference in the world. Everything from siding, faucets, foundation, granite, cabinets and more are available to view in person before you commit to your specific selections. Want to see our design studio in person? We would love to have you come out and view our design studio and get excited about the prospect of designing your new home! We have design studio open for preview appointments every few weeks on a rotating schedule! This means that if you are wanting to know what Shurm Homes has to offer, you can come by and see for yourself! Because it is open only by appointment, make sure you reach out to our Online Sales Consultant to find out the dates and get on the schedule! You can reach her at dmorton@shurmhomes.com We look forward to having you visit us in the design studio!

We are two weeks into the new year, and we already have a “National ________ Day!” on the horizon. January 14th is “National Organize-Your-Home Day,” and I am here to help you get in the festive mood! We mentioned the mental health benefits of having a clean living space in our last blog, but I would like to take it a step further and give some tips and tricks to help you declutter! Living in clutter makes your mind feel cluttered. So, it is time to start taking those steps you have been putting off! The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to get into the organizing mood. Sometimes it is hard to know where to start, so let this be your guide! We are going to help you get and STAY organized! STEP 1: Walk Through Your Home With Fresh Eyes: Have you ever looked in the mirror one day and thought suddenly, “Oh my gosh, I need a haircut! When did my hair get this long?” This phenomenon happens when something you encounter or look at everyday goes through small changes. Because the changes are so small, they do not alert you the same way that you would be alerted by someone dying your hair in your sleep. This can happen with the clutter in your home too. It may start with just a coat getting thrown over the banister instead of being put in a closet after a hard day, or letting your shoes pile up by the door instead of putting them away. These small instances of clutter can add up quick, and soon, you will feel like you are drowning in disorder. A great way to see just how cluttered your home may, or may not be, is to look at your home through a fresh set of eyes. Start at your front door, and walk through the home as if you were a guest visiting your home for the first time. What are some things that stick out to you? Maybe even keep a list on a pad of paper. This will allow you to tailor your tidying, not just to your own personal preferences, but to what your guests see as well! You may even find a project or two that you didn’t even realize you needed to do. To maintain your organization and cleanliness, try to do this process once a month and after holiday décor cleanup! STEP 2: Gut the Place! It is hard to think about tidying up without thinking about Marie Kondo. In her best-selling book “The Life-Changing Art of Tidying Up,” Marie coins her world-famous line “Sparks Joy.” The sentiment described in the book is the way that you decide what needs to be kept, and what needs to go. This is an excellent method to use at the start of your cleaning. What things in your home are taking up useful space? Go through your home with a trashbag, or 5, and determine what your home does, and doesn’t, need. Clear out the clutter! This is the best place to start, since you don’t want to waste time moving around things that don’t need to take up space. To keep up with your tidying, I recommend doing this every 6months, to a year! STEP 3: Everything in Its Place Everything must have a place. If it is going to stay, you should have a designated space for it to stay when you are not in use. The “Junk Drawer” mindset is easy to fall into, but organization at its core, requires knowing where items are at any given time. According to a study that IKEA reported on, 48% of all humans lose an item once a week. Those hours add up! The same study showed that the average amount of time we spend in a lifetime looking for missing items is almost 5,000 hours—that’s 6.5 months of our lives! It's time to differentiate yourself from the “Average” human. Something that may be missing, are containers. Drawer organizers, clothing shelves, kitchen cabinets organizers, containers for your dry goods or vanity items may help you allocate places for all of your belongings. Taking the guess work out of locating items will save you stress, energy, and the most important currency that you own—TIME. Evaluate areas that may need some extra TLC. Come up with a gameplan—this should highlight organization AND functionality. You may need to get some containers, dividers, or organizers to get the job done! To stay organized, use this in tandem with step 4! Step 4: Create and USE Systems The BIGGEST key to staying organized is using systems. You want to make all of your organization functional and easy, so that you are more likely to use the new systems. A system is a designated action, or set of actions, that you will use to ensure that you waste no time on looking for your things, or creating unnecessary clutter. This can be as something as simple as putting a key bowl next to your door, that everyone puts their keys in when they come home. They can also be more involved, like having a space designated for coffee items—such as coffee pods, creamers, and syrups, so you can restock stock them easily and have them all located near eachother for a quicker coffee-making experience in the morning. My favorite system that I have personally implemented in my own everyday life is holding myself to a “closing shift” at the end of each day. I get into the same mindset I had when I was working in a restaurant—reset the entire area, and make sure that you set yourself up to have an easy morning. Put the blankets away, run the dishwasher, wipe the countertops, put the coats on the rack; reset everything as if someone else will come behind you in the morning for an opening shift. Having systems will make your life so much easier, and can even have other effects such as boosting your mood, improvement in your punctuality, and more ease in your ability to relax! To stay organized, make sure to use your systems daily. Don’t limit your organization to one day a year—make it a lifestyle! It will take practice and discipline, but it will most assuredly be worth it. I challenge you to add a new resolution to your list this year if you have not already—rid yourself of the burden of clutter!