Agent Highlight: Jennifer Stevens

Meet Jennifer!

Jennifer Stevens, originally from Louisiana, has lived in Richmond for 23 years and is a VCU alumnus! Having lived all over the city, she has a vast knowledge of its many neighborhoods and surrounding counties. Her outstanding example of professionalism and natural communication skills have always given her clients confidence in every transaction. Jennifer gets excited when she can walk buyers through one of the biggest financial decisions they will make with as little stress as possible. She believes in service and was in the Army National Guard for 7 years. She loves traveling, especially to the beach, with her husband and twins; Wyatt and Norah.

Help The 2015 VLA Class Make Dreams Come True

War is hot topic in our country and no matter where you stand on the matter, it is important to recognize that the individuals that keep our country safe are people to admire. We sometimes forget what these people sacrifice in order to be in the armed forces. A lot of the time their sacrifices include: being away from their families and homes for long periods of time, being surrounded by the unfamiliar and in some cases, getting badly injured on the job. Calling it a job is not enough though, what they do is something beyond that. Their jobs can not only take an emotional toll on them by it can scar them physically for life. It’s almost strange to think about this because we go on with our everyday lives, most of us being healthy, having a roof over our heads and being surrounded by loved ones. This isn’t always the case for these guys even they when they return home.

Not only is this charity the one that I have picked for this month and will donate directly to in the month of May, but it is also one that I working on with the Virginia Association of Realtors 2015 Leadership Academy. This Academy is held once every two years and they only pick twenty agents from the state of Virginia to be a part of it. I feel very honored to have been chosen to be a part of this group of extraordinary Realtors, honestly I don’t think we could’ve picked a better charity myself.

From their website

"The veterans for whom Homes for Our Troops builds homes are among the nation’s most severely injured, with missing limbs, varying levels of paralysis, and traumatic brain injury. Homes for Our Troops assists these veterans and their families by raising money and by providing building materials and professional labor to coordinate the construction of a home that provides maximum freedom of movement and the ability to live more independently. HFOT provides these homes at no cost to the veterans."

What’s so incredible about HFOT is not only that they provide housing for these veterans but they actually take into consideration some of their newly developed disabilities and implement solutions so they can live their lives with a sense of independence. Upgrades to homes to cater to those with disabilities can be extremely costly, it may be very hard for some of these veterans to afford some of those modifications on their own.

Please share this information with those around you. Our donation page is up and running right now, and we’re looking to raise at least $50k. Make sure to use my name Rhonda Howlett in the comments once you donate, not only will you be helping someone in need but it is a donation that is tax deductible.

Click here to donate now

Thanks!

Charity of the Month - Charles City Panthers

You know, I usually do one charity a month and I typically pick charities that have very heavy subjects attached to them. Whether it is helping to improve the lives of the needy or help find a cure for disease, I want to make sure that my donations go to meaningful causes. However, every once in a while, I like to pick things that are just good for the community. I like the idea of sponsoring a local kids sports team because I know how important health, fitness and sports are for someone to build character. Before I was in Real Estate, I used to run a gym for many years. I was very passionate about it. I think that there is a lot to learn from sports, it's about team building and learning to work with others when you share a common goal. This is especially true when it comes to football. 

For this month’s charity, I have picked the Charles City Panthers. They needed help to cover all the fees involved with getting uniforms and some operating costs. It was surprising to see that these kids sometimes don’t have all the things they need in order to successfully play a sport and this donation just facilitates their ability to do so. I am really happy that I am able to contribute every month to a different charity, if I was able to make a small dent in just one of these kid's lives, then that donation was worth it.

If you'd like to learn a little more about the Panthers, make sure to visit their school website. They are pretty good about keeping track of games going on and past scores. Visit their page by clicking right here. 

I am always looking for new and creative ways in making a difference, so if you think of a charity that I think I should donate to, please make sure to shoot me an email rhonda@rhondahowlett.com

About Last Night... #OutstandingProductionAwards

My career in Real Estate has not been a long one, but I have set goals every day, month and even year for myself. I won't say that it is easy or that I did it alone because i'd be lying. Real Estate is hard work, you have to be everywhere at once and you have to do some unexpected things - I wear multiple hats, including: relationship counselor, contractor, and financial advisor. I work around the clock, at all times of the day and night - but honestly I couldn't imagine myself doing anything else. 

2014 was especially great. I reached Emerald status with the Richmond Association of Realtors ®. In order to qualify someone has to sell a "Net Volume of 6.0-7.99 Millions Dollars - 53.99 units." The categories are as follow: Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Emerald and Ruby. I can't wait to see what this year has in store for me and I am making it my personal goal to reach Ruby status by the end of it. So wish me luck every body, it already has been a heck of a year! 

Donating Is Not Just Money But Also Time

Sometimes we want to do something good for our community but when we're busy and we have a business that is thriving, it may be hard to find the time. The easiest thing you can do, if you are able to, is write a check to a charity. It takes no time to do that and it can also serve as a tax write off. Sometimes, that's just not enough or what's needed. I have said it before but I will say it again, I believe that if I can improve the community that I live in, then i'd be more fulfilled both in my career and in my personal life. Does it feel good? Absolutely, but by helping some of these causes, we're improving the community as a whole - something that we can all benefit from.

As a Realtor, I know that buying a home is an exhilarating feeling for most. There's people who save their whole lives just to be able to buy a house, but for some, it may be a dream that they may never achieve. This is where Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity comes in, they make affordable housing for those individuals that fall in the low income category and don't have the means.

From their website:

"Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1976 as a non-profit, non-proselytizing Christian housing ministry. Since its inception, Habitat has helped build over 400,000 homes for more than 2 million people around the world.

The Richmond Habitat chapter joined the affordable housing effort in 1986. Since then, we’ve built more than 300 homes for deserving families. Along with our partner families, generous volunteers and donors, we have restored the hope and dignity that poverty housing often strips away."

They not only rely on charitable donations but also in people's time. This is a cause that speaks directly to my industry and therefore felt it was important for me to help them out. Matt and I we're fortunate enough to volunteer at the "Restore" location. This is another source of income for them, in which building and home improvement supplies are donated and they resell them for a discounted price. The donated items sometimes need organizing, cleaning or just stocking. The day that we volunteered there was a lot of other people there offering their time which was very uplifting.

To learn more about this organization and all the good things that they do for Richmond, visit their site by clicking here.

So Much Good From One Single Non-Profit

When I first got involved with the Good Samaritan Ministries I thought it was just another organization that helped those who were down on their luck and just needed a little boost. Maybe a place to eat and sleep for a few months while they got their lives together. I had heard about them but didn’t know much. I met Pastor Mike, who oversees the operations of the facilities, and he was kind enough to give me a walk through of what their program actually entails. 

Recovery

Their program begins with help for those individuals who may not have a place to go to due to drugs or alcohol abuse. Some of these individuals may have gotten out of jail and have no loved ones or friends who can help them out, getting a second opportunity can be very challenging for some of them. So they have a shared living space where they are placed and monitored, they are given a place to sleep, hang out and are properly fed. This doesn’t all come for free though, they are required to do tasks like help with cooking, do laundry and clean the quarters. They take turns doing this because the Ministries' mission is not just to help them but to teach them to help themselves. Which brings us to our next point. 

Training

The Ministries believe that just housing someone who is going through a rough patch is not enough, because this is a temporary fix. Instead they believe in providing a trade skill that they may not already have so that way when they leave the program they can be on their own and be a productive member of society. They have an onsite car repair shop, they get lots of cars donated to them so they can fix them, turn them around and sell them for an affordable price. This teaches them a skill and in the process they make a small profit so they can house more individuals. A lot of the times these cars are sold back to the individuals that are housed there so they can build their credit back, allowing them to get apartments in the future. 

Other skills that they learn are landscaping, construction, repairs and maintenance, carpentry and cooking. In some cases the Ministries will partner with different companies so they get paid a basic salary which allows them to cover the cost of their stay with the Ministries, teaching them the basics of finances and responsibility. If they decide to buy a car, it is at no interest to them. The skills that they learn are also used to maintain the properties of the Ministries.  

Housing

When they first get accepted into the Ministries, they are housed in a communal space for six months but after that time they are transferred to apartments that are located within the property. These apartments house two people so they will have a roommates to give them a sense of independence but at the same time they can keep an eye on each other. They pay rent with some of the jobs and tasks they do on and off site. This is a fantastic way to maintain a sense of independence while getting support and supervision from the Ministries.  

Education

In the downtown area it is difficult to get specialized or private education. For those parents that want a better future for their kids, the Ministries have a full fledged school that includes all grades. There is one teacher for every ten students but it's typically closer to one teacher for every six to eight kids. The Ministries only charge them what the families can afford, which is kind of amazing given the fact that they are getting the closest thing to a private education that the Ministries can give them. They also receive some food because some of these families may not be able to provide them with a healthy meal before and during school.

They also have facilities to conduct masses, funerals, baptisms along any other religious services that are necessary for the community. It’s incredible to see how much this group of individuals, lead by Pastor Mike, can and will do for the surrounding areas. It really is a selfless act that relies on charities and donations from all over including private individuals such as myself and big businesses like local grocery stores and restaurants. I feel a really personal connection to these people because I think giving back to the community will only make us all better. 

They are our Charity of The Month and I encourage everyone out there to get involved with them. 

For more information about the Good Samaritan Ministries please visit their website at:

http://www.goodsamaritanministry.com

Or get in touch with Pastor Mike at 

(804) 231-9995

2307 Hull St

Richmond, VA 23224

As Flowers Bloom, Become A Savvy Buyer

It is a predictable trend that as the flowers start budding and the weather gets sunnier, the more houses get listed on the market.  It’s one of the busiest times of year for buyers and sellers.  While HGTV has made small projects on how to better sell your house common knowledge, there aren’t many shows dedicated to being a savvy buyer.  Make sure you are succesful this Spring by following these simple rules:

1. Have a Professional in Your Corner

          There are a lot of ins and outs of buying a property and you deserve a knowledgable professional to represent your interests throughout the process.  Not only will it make your life easier, but having experience in your corner to deal with negotiations, inspections and paperwork is a valuable asset to home buying.  They’ll notify you of recent additions to the market as well as streamlining the search, eliminating any duds before setting foot out the door.  A good agent will understand market trends and how they will affect your personal home buying goals and save you money in the long run.

  

2. Be Able to Make a Serious Offer

          Understanding your financial profile is key for a seller to entertain your offer on their home.  Getting pre-approved by your lender is the way to be a serious contender in the game.  While there are many mortgage options these days than there ever was, you want to make sure you qualify for the amount you’re budgeting for.  Once you gain pre-approval, you’ll be a heavy hitter when it comes to buying your investment.

3. Prioritize Wants and Needs

          Wants and needs vary by demographic.  Age, marital status, kids, career are all factors that influence where you buy and what kind of home you need.  Outdoor space, ease of commute, good schools are all things to consider when looking for a neighborhood.  Make a checklist of things you need versus what you want and prioritize them.  It’ll make looking at homes an easier experience knowing the things you are not willing to compromise on.  When you’re house hunting remember that you’re also buying into the neighborhood.

4. Incentivize Your Offer

          These days it's not only the sellers who face competition.  You are likely to have to compete with another bidder for your dream home.  If you decide to make an offer on a home, make it stand apart from the rest.  Underbidding is a thing of the past.  There are lots of creative ways to make your offer more attractive by either simplifying the process for the seller or offering more time for them to move out.  You’re agent will know plenty of tricks to make your offer shine above the rest.

As long as you are prepared and proactive about home buying this spring, you’re sure to be a success.  Know what you qualify for and figure out what you want ahead of time, making the decision-making process extremely easy. Having the right person in your corner to ask all the pertinent questions and handle legalities is valuable to your overall experience, also saving you time and money.  They know how to get you what you want!

Giving Back: Johnson’s Charities

Some of you may already know this about me and a few of you probably don’t but I really do think of myself as very fortunate and blessed career wise, and because of that I made a promise to myself that I would give back to the community. I love Richmond and I will do pretty much anything I can to make it a better place to live, I have made it a point to give to a charity every month based on the number of closings I have. Last month I was able to donate $500 to Johnson’s charities which after a little bit of research online found out they were the kind of charity that was really worth giving to.

Johnson’s charity was founded eight years back by no one else than the Johnson’s. What they do is very unique and special, in some ways even unorthodox. They work with other charities around Richmond to collect and donate back to some of the less fortunate neighborhoods, specifically kids in those communities. They do a Christmas parade every year in which they drive around different areas of the city and hand out gifts to those who may not be able to afford them otherwise. This action has brought smiles to kids all over Richmond, and honestly they are the real life Santa Claus for some of these people.

In the last year alone, they have donated around 10k toys in Richmond and Henrico. They have been covered by various media outlets in Richmond because of their good work. If you’ll like to learn more about Johnson’s Charities please visit their website by clicking here.

The next event they have coming up is on July 11th, 2015 starting at 4pm, titled Smoke and Vine. Which will take place at the James River Cellar 11008 Washington Hwy, Glen Allen, Virginia 23059. Click here to learn more about this event. 

This is not only a great opportunity to get out and go to a unique event but this will be benefiting Johnson’s Charities and all their efforts in the community.

The Johnson's are very active in Richmond and they try to bring awareness to their cause by participating in other events in the area.

Some of the other charities that I have given back to this year so far have been:

Loving a Soldier (January 2015)
Good Samaritan (February 2015)

If you have any suggestions for what should be my next charity please send me an email with your suggestion to rhonda@rhondahowlett.com