Lauryn Haynie

We’ve all been there – the first time home buyer anxiously waiting to feel the rush of emotion, of absolute certainty that we have found our new home. But is it always that simple? The simple answer, no. Does it get any easier? Maybe. I have had the privilege to work with several first time home buyers in addition to first time investors and for each and every individual, their story and their initial reaction to the home varies. 

When I bought my first home it took me nearly 18 months (eighteen real months) to find the right home. My realtor (shout out to Patrick Sullivan) was patient as he was all knowing that eventually I would find the right home. With three dogs (nothing has changed there) and one cat (okay, that has definitely changed) my search was dependent on green space and a walkable neighborhood to keep up with these creatures.  It is important to know what you are looking for and how it relates to your goals as a homeowner or investor. Are you looking for space for yourself or for you and your pack of wild animals? 

As easy as it is to date online, it is just as simple to shop online for homes. The photographs, descriptions and sense of “this could be it” can be intoxicating when there are hundreds of choices available. My advice? Don’t fall for it. If you see a home you like, call your agent and ask for a showing before you have too much time to think where your couch or new loveseat might go. What might look good on paper might not stack up when you see it in person so it is always best to be as objective as possible when viewing a home for the first time.

It can be easy to fall in love with the right home but for some, it might take a bit of creativity to see just what can be with the right amount of work. Ugly wallpaper, an outdated kitchen, and a pink bathroom are all things you can change down the line. Depending on your budget and ability, it might be easier than you think. For some, painting might be easy but for folks like myself – it was daunting and terrible and I hated it. But I got it done and the home went from all shades of beige to 50 shades of grey. It made a world of difference when finished. 

It is an exciting adventure to be shopping for the first time. My favorite thing to tell my clients as we embark on the journey is that ‘this is the fun part!’ Once an offer is accepted, we are off to the races so I always try to enjoy the initial showings and open houses. But my advice to every first time home buyer remains the same – don’t fall for the gimmicks, the gorgeous photos or the idea of something. Home is where you want to be so make sure that it works for your goals and what you are looking for in your first home. 

The endless heat wave that has been this year’s summer in Richmond might be nearing the end of its reign as we slowly creep into the fall months. With the cooler months, the city comes alive with the endless festivals and events that cater to families and family pets alike. For pet owners, here is a list of fantastic events happening in the city that welcome you and your pup. 

We all love our incredible city shelter and one way to show them how much we appreciate all of their life saving efforts is to support their incredible events. Grab your swimmies because on September 15th, RACC is hosting their Paddle for the Pups event at the Huguenot Flat Water Park. There is a $30 entry fee (but it gets you a super sweet t-shirt) and you must bring your own kayak, SUP, or set of floaties. 

The Richmond Dog Festival is returning for 2019 at a new location at Chimborazo Park on September 21st. The event is hosted by Enrichmond and while there is no entry fee or ticket sale, there is a suggested donation of $1. If you haven’t heard of Enrichmond, they are a 501(c)(3) public charity and their mission is to enhance our amazing city parks. Go out and support the festival as all funds raised will go to Friends of Chimborazo Park for cleaning and maintenance of the Chimborazo Dog Park. In addition to dog and pet ownership centered vendors, there will be live music, craft beer and food trucks.

If you are booked for September and are one of those that enjoy planning ahead, there are several events on the calendar for October. If you have not already been tracking Manchester’s newest brewery, Dogtown, then you will want to make sure to put Dogtoberfest on your radar. On October 12-13, the Dogtown Brewery and The Dogtown Dish has a big Oktoberfest style party planned. There will be an oyster roast, beer and music. Does a Richmonder need anything more?

Interested in something that is a bit more consistent? Check out my Paws on the Patio event on Facebook! We try out a different brewery every third Thursday of the month and I would love to meet you and your pup.Dog snacks are provided (the fancy, all organic, super healthy ones) but people snacks are dependent on the food truck or brewery situation. 

It’s the age old question for all equestrians: do we board or do we just buy ourselves a few acres and try this at home? We’ve all wondered if the tallyho at home is reasonable, affordable and most importantly – worth it. I’ve tried both, I love both (especially when it is time for vacation or I just don’t feel like bundling up to feed and bring in the horses at 4:30 and it’s dumping snow). As an amateur owner and rider, I wanted to put together a quick list of things to consider before you haul them to the homestead.

We all know the noble horse is the most beautiful, magnificent and – really? Did you just spook at your own shadow? We all know the truth – horses are truly something special. When considering your horses at home, think safety first. There are a number of options whether it is the classic four board fencing or more technical with the electric tape it all boils down to what will keep them in.

When looking to board – it is critical that their fencing and barn are set up securely to keep your beast in. It was always very important to me to walk the fence line when bringing my horse home or to a new farm. Pastures need to be clean, free of debris and offer access to water. Think year round obstacles when considering bringing your horses home – can you haul water to the pasture when there is no running water or the hose is frozen? There are summer obstacles as well and as all Virginians know, mud can be a real issue. Is your land going to dry out or will you need to build a second home for your farrier to keep shoes on and dig out abscesses?

Currently all of my horses (yes, I have multiple. Yes, it was an accident) are at boarding barns. My goals as a rider require me to keep them with my trainer as I intend on competing and riding regularly. One of my biggest challenges with keeping the horses at home was transportation and staying in a routine. If you haven’t experienced this yet, caring for horses and riding horses are two very different hobbies. If you opt to move your horses home, will you have access to a ring or somewhere to ride? Will you be able to haul to shows, trails, etc. as it suits you? Determine your goals first and the other parts will fall into place.

Most importantly, will the place that you call home (or are looking to call home) allow horses? If the property does not already have an established barn or fencing on site, are you prepared to clear fields and build as needed? As a Virginian, I rely heavily on Virginia Equestrian to find vendors and local farms. There are some fantastic local and nonlocal builders and developers who can fence, frame and put it all together for you. Whether it is as simple as fencing and three sided run in or as complex as a multiple horse barn with an attached indoor, we are the lucky ones to live in horse country. Richmond and the surrounding counties are full of phenomenal farms and properties. If you are looking for something in particular, give me a shout. Tallyho!

For the love of the bed, a dog bed was bought. For the love of the dog bed, an unrealistically expensive fabric was required to prevent stains, stink and other such messes. But for the love of our interior space? Let’s be honest, it has gone to the dogs. As pet owners and pet lovers, there is always a creative alternative. Trust me, I live it every day.

My all time favorite solution for couches or furniture that requires a cover? Painters cloth. It could not be any more simple or affordable. I was first turned on to this trick when my mother was at her wit’s end with our furry black family dog who is a notorious couch hog. We’ve all tried the store bought fitted covers and while they can hold on for a little while, eventually the elastic gives and you are left with an oversized and awkward bed sheet. The versatility of the painters cloth is that you are able to pull, pin and arrange as you see fit (get it?). Their durability is fantastic and the cost is tremendously less than the average slip cover. You can pick them up locally at your nearest Lowes or Home Depot for less than $20.

Whether it is the hair or the funk, it is always a fine balance when maintaining a pet friendly household. Concerned about the smell? Me too. I live for my diffuser and it has been the most refreshing addition to my home and pack in years. Please keep in mind that not all essential oils are made equally and that some can cause side effects with pets. Make sure to read up on which oils are safe and which oils you need to avoid. I recommend this website: https://www.essentialoilhaven.com/essential-oils-for-dogs/.

If hair is an issue (it is, it is always an issue) a wet rubber glove can go a long way. I had to try this out myself because it seemed too good to be true. Good news – it works. Not all dog (or cat) hair is created equal but this was a surprisingly easy fix in a pinch. Dryer sheets as well as packing tape are also recommended and can be used on carpet as well.

I could go on for days about what has worked and even more so about what flunked but I hope these few simple tricks can be helpful to you. As someone who has dogs, cats and also horses I know that the struggle is real. There is a plethora of knowledge online but often times going to a local source can give you a new perspective. If you are ever in the neighborhood, I highly recommend Dog Krazy in Carytown. I popped in one afternoon and their staff was so helpful with questions regarding cleaning supplies and other pet friendly hacks. If you have any questions or any tricks of your own that have worked, please let me know!

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably accepted that a life with pets equates to a life without “nice things.” We often substitute the fancy for the practical: dog friendly fabrics, an excessive collection of candles to hide the ‘pet smell’ and ultimately a living space that caters to the small, furry creatures we share our lives with. As someone who lives with a pack seemingly large enough to start training for the iditarod, I can completely relate to the stress and anxiety that comes with having people over.

I’ve asked local Richmond resident and home owner, Carmen Sullo, what her tips and tricks are for coexisting and thriving with an upcoming instagram star, Mousse. Dark like chocolate and big as a moose, this valedictorian of puppy school is everything you could ask for in a companion. As a poodle, he is naturally fluffy, intelligent and per Carmen, has always been a good boy. Interestingly enough, poodles do shed (as do all dogs) and release dander but are not as likely to trigger allergies as compared to other breeds. For Carmen, the minor amount of shedding from Mousse is the least of her concerns. “I have two kittens (they turn one next month), Mousse, three kids and exactly zero nice things.”

So what do you do with all of these creatures when trying to sell a home? For Carmen and her crew, “number one with pets has always been getting the pets out of the house before a showing. This is quickly followed by making a home seem like pets never lived there. Especially cats – I find that even the perception of cat smell is a deterrent to buyers. For the puppy (who is still potty training) I use an enzymatic cleaner – Nature’s Miracle spray or carpet foam. And anything else I use vinegar and water soaks.”

Each and every pet owner sacrifices something. I often toy with the idea of throw pillows but who am I kidding – they never last more than a few days. For Carmen and her pack, “…it’s sight lines and ‘grown up living space’ which is basically a broad term for everything even remotely Pinteresting. Looking out into my living room and seeing a giant kitty condo and a dog crate and animal toys strewn about (commingling with kid toys and my own mess…), scratched leather and a gouge in the hardwood from a vase the cat knocked over… tends to generate some stress for me.” I’m sure all of us can admit that when we visit the homes of friends or family without pets, or even furniture stores (hello beautiful clean furniture), the thought of ‘oh, so this is life without pets’ crosses all of our minds.

The return for rolling with the furry punches? “Joy. Mousse in particular has an extremely calming effect. I  notice my heart rate lower when my hand touches his cloud-like fluff. The kittens are comic geniuses. They play and bounce and entertain. And they teach my children and me about responsibility, unconditional love and, of course, we get many a science lesson in enzymatic cleansers. I could go on and on. Honestly, the rewards just build on themselves.” With every tail wag, meow or other charming and adorable/heart melting/’squeeeee’ of a moment – this is the life we have accepted.

Pet friendly is just the realty for some of us. I look forward to sharing some helpful tips and tricks in addition to featuring other Richmond pets and their packs.