Preparing Your Home for Showings During a Pandemic
Putting your home on the market and preparing to move on to a new place is always tough, but it’s especially difficult when you’re in the middle of a global pandemic! Covid-19 has certainly thrown a wrench in all of our plans but it doesn’t have to ruin your home sale experience.
When you use a Coldwell Banker Elite Home Safe™ Certified Agent, you can breathe a little easier knowing that your agent is doing everything they can to keep your family, your home, and potential buyers as safe as possible. They’ve committed to following industry best practices to promote a safer experience and virtual solutions to minimize in-person interactions. Here we’ve gathered our best tips for sellers to help keep their home as healthy as possible during showings!
Let the Air In
Everybody’s heard about the importance of good ventilation by now! If the weather allows, open up all the windows and doors to let fresh air circulate! Your Home Safe™ Certified Agent will let buyers’ agents know about the need to limit the number of people in the home which will help cut down on the concentration of airborne pollutants brought into the home while good ventilation will help move the contaminants out.
Open Everything Up
We’re all about eliminating the number of potential surfaces that buyers will need to touch! Go ahead and leave any interior doors that a potential buyer might need to access open. You probably don’t need to open every cabinet and drawer but just leave the doors to any important rooms open: bathrooms, bedrooms, any large closets, and pantries!
Now’s not the time to worry about the electricity bill–leave the lights on for the potential buyers! We recommend turning on any necessary lights in advance so that the buyers don’t have to touch them.
Hospitality in the Time of Covid-19
Your Home Safe™ Certified Agent will help you decide what to provide for buyers to encourage healthy practices during their showing. Home Safe™ Certified Agents will have informed everyone that enters the home that they are required to wear a mask but if you’d feel more comfortable offering buyers protective booties, hand sanitizer, or other safety items–go for it! These little touches will definitely help your buyers feel more at ease during these difficult times.
Clean & Disinfect
Cleaning off high-touch surfaces is second nature to everyone by now, but it’s always good to have a reminder! Anything you suspect may have needed to be touched during the showing should be cleaned off and then disinfected. The disinfectant may need to sit for a bit longer than you might think in order to be effective, so double-check the bottle before use!
We hope these tips have been helpful while you’re preparing to put your home on the market! If you’d like to be connected with a Home Safe™ Certified Agent who will take your safety seriously, please click here!
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]Introducing the Home Safe™ Certification
Buying or selling a home is not easy, even in the best of times, but it’s especially difficult during a global pandemic. In order to mitigate the myriad of risks that come with viewing homes, meeting with clients and in-person closings, Coldwell Banker Elite has launched the Home Safe™ Certification. This is the area’s first COVID-19 safety-specific training and certification for agents who want to learn best practices regarding safe showings by using virtual tools and technology for the safest possible interactions. These agents commit to a Five Point Performance Promise designed to help clients stay safe during this health crisis.
Home Safe™ Certified agents promise to meet five primary performance goals that include Digital Transactions, Safe Showing Practices, Virtual Meetings as well as using safety–conscious industry partners throughout the transaction. Coldwell Banker Elite has always been on the cutting edge of technology and now, more than ever, these tools and resources are necessary to make the real estate transaction as safe as possible.
Executive Vice President, Matthew Rathbun, notes, “Coldwell Banker Elite is meeting the needs of our clients by creating specialized training to keep clients and their families safe during an unprecedented time, where a unique situation has called for an innovative and trained specialist. This program’s advanced training helps our Associates meet and exceed the needs of our clients.” From paperless transactions to marketing that puts the buyers in the home, Home Safe™ agents are uniquely equipped to handle clients’ needs and concerns and are committed to using the best safety practices known to the industry during this COVID-19 pandemic.
President and CEO, Kevin Breen, is thrilled to be able to offer this heightened level of service and safety noting, “We are committed to making each and every transaction as safe as possible for our clients and our agents. Buyers and sellers using a Coldwell Banker Elite Home Safe™ Certified agent can be assured that their agent is equipped with the latest technology and is trained in the best real estate practices to get the job done safely in this rapidly changing environment.”
We’re proud to help guide buyers and sellers home safely during this difficult time and we’re committed to doing everything we can to promote healthy practices. Click here to learn more about the Home Safe Program and to find a Certified Agent near you!
Virtual Property Tours
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″ custom_padding=”4px|||||” fb_built=”1″ _i=”0″ _address=”0″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.29.3″ custom_padding=”0px|||||” _i=”0″ _address=”0.0″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.0.0″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.29.3″ custom_padding=”||0px|||” _i=”0″ _address=”0.0.0.0″]Staying safe at home but still want to see properties? No problem! Check out our properties with “walkable” virtual tours and listing videos!
Virtual Tours
Fredericksburg
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”1″ _address=”0.1″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.1.0″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.29.3″ link_option_url=”https://coldwellbankerelite.com/properties/11315-north-club-dr-fredericksburg-va-22408/” _i=”0″ _address=”0.1.0.0″]
11315 North Club Drive | 3 beds, 4.5 baths | $850,000
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://coldwellbankerelite.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/15329288-large.jpg” url=”https://coldwellbankerelite.com/properties/11315-north-club-dr-fredericksburg-va-22408/” _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”1″ _address=”0.1.0.1″][/et_pb_image][et_pb_button button_url=”https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=m2UEgduZJY2&mls=1″ button_text=”Watch Virtual Tour” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”3.29.3″ custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_border_radius=”26px” button_letter_spacing=”2px” _i=”2″ _address=”0.1.0.2″][/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”2″ _address=”0.2″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.2.0″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.29.3″ link_option_url=”https://www.coldwellbanker.com/property/7706-Ashley-Farms-Dr-Fredericksburg-VA-22407/99545697/detail” _i=”0″ _address=”0.2.0.0″]
7706 Ashley Farms Drive | 4 beds, 4.5 baths | $849,900
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://coldwellbankerelite.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/7706-Ashley-Farms-Dr-094-102-Brick-Home-MLS_Size.jpg” url=”https://www.coldwellbanker.com/property/7706-Ashley-Farms-Dr-Fredericksburg-VA-22407/99545697/detail” _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”1″ _address=”0.2.0.1″][/et_pb_image][et_pb_button button_url=”https://tours.jamesphotographygroup.com/public/vtour/display/1577622?a=1#!/” button_text=”Watch Virtual Tour” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”3.29.3″ custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_border_radius=”26px” button_letter_spacing=”2px” _i=”2″ _address=”0.2.0.2″][/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”3″ _address=”0.3″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.3.0″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.29.3″ link_option_url=”https://coldwellbankerelite.com/properties/12904-eastmont-dr-fredericksburg-va/” _i=”0″ _address=”0.3.0.0″]
12904 Eastmont Drive | 6 beds, 5.5 baths | $770,000
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://coldwellbankerelite.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/06543288-large.jpg” url=”https://coldwellbankerelite.com/properties/12904-eastmont-dr-fredericksburg-va/” _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”1″ _address=”0.3.0.1″][/et_pb_image][et_pb_button button_url=”https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=aWMb8uBxUMm&mls=1″ button_text=”Watch Virtual Tour” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”3.29.3″ custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_border_radius=”26px” button_letter_spacing=”2px” _i=”2″ _address=”0.3.0.2″][/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”4″ _address=”0.4″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.4.0″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.29.3″ link_option_url=”https://www.coldwellbanker.com/property/1112-Charles-St-Fredericksburg-VA-22401/73444005/detail” _i=”0″ _address=”0.4.0.0″]
1112 Charles St | 3 beds, 2.5 baths | $670,000
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://coldwellbankerelite.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/VAFB116820.jpg” url=”https://www.coldwellbanker.com/property/1112-Charles-St-Fredericksburg-VA-22401/73444005/detail” _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”1″ _address=”0.4.0.1″][/et_pb_image][et_pb_button button_url=”https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=p7FGHHMMbR6″ button_text=”Watch Virtual Tour” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”3.29.3″ custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_border_radius=”26px” button_letter_spacing=”2px” _i=”2″ _address=”0.4.0.2″][/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”5″ _address=”0.5″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.5.0″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.29.3″ link_option_url=”https://www.coldwellbanker.com/property/1004-Raymond-Ct-Fredericksburg-VA-22401/73442635/detail” _i=”0″ _address=”0.5.0.0″]
1004 Raymond Ct | 5 beds, 4.5 baths | $419,900
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://coldwellbankerelite.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/VAFB116950.jpg” url=”https://www.coldwellbanker.com/property/1004-Raymond-Ct-Fredericksburg-VA-22401/73442635/detail” _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”1″ _address=”0.5.0.1″][/et_pb_image][et_pb_button button_url=”https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=GDaR4wStzS6″ button_text=”Watch Virtual Tour” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”3.29.3″ custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_border_radius=”26px” button_letter_spacing=”2px” _i=”2″ _address=”0.5.0.2″][/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”6″ _address=”0.6″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.6.0″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.29.3″ link_option_url=”https://www.coldwellbanker.com/property/1112-Charles-St-Fredericksburg-VA-22401/73444005/detail” _i=”0″ _address=”0.6.0.0″]
6604 Willow Pond Dr | 5 beds, 3.5 baths | $414,500
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://coldwellbankerelite.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/VASP221092.jpg” url=”https://www.coldwellbanker.com/property/6604-Willow-Pond-Dr-Fredericksburg-VA-22407/73165244/detail” _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”1″ _address=”0.6.0.1″][/et_pb_image][et_pb_button button_url=”https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=cdEnDsmRVou” button_text=”Watch Virtual Tour” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”3.29.3″ custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_border_radius=”26px” button_letter_spacing=”2px” _i=”2″ _address=”0.6.0.2″][/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”7″ _address=”0.7″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.7.0″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.29.3″ link_option_url=”https://www.coldwellbanker.com/property/170-Little-Whim-Fredericksburg-VA-22405/M-1004933183-BRIGHTMLS/detail” _i=”0″ _address=”0.7.0.0″]
170 Little Whim | 3 beds, 2 baths | $409,900
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://coldwellbankerelite.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/1004933183_P02.jpg” url=”https://www.coldwellbanker.com/property/170-Little-Whim-Fredericksburg-VA-22405/M-1004933183-BRIGHTMLS/detail” _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”1″ _address=”0.7.0.1″][/et_pb_image][et_pb_button button_url=”https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=AN94oPwe1M4&mls=1″ button_text=”Watch Virtual Tour” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”3.29.3″ custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_border_radius=”26px” button_letter_spacing=”2px” _i=”2″ _address=”0.7.0.2″][/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”8″ _address=”0.8″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.8.0″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.29.3″ link_option_url=”https://www.coldwellbanker.com/property/170-Little-Whim-Fredericksburg-VA-22405/M-1004933183-BRIGHTMLS/detail” _i=”0″ _address=”0.8.0.0″]
5207 Basswood Drive | 4 beds, 2.5 baths | $397,999
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://coldwellbankerelite.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/VASP215000.jpg” url=”https://www.coldwellbanker.com/property/5207-Basswood-Dr-Fredericksburg-VA-22407/81848947/detail” _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”1″ _address=”0.8.0.1″][/et_pb_image][et_pb_button button_url=”https://app.immoviewer.com/portal/tour/1539969?accessKey=5d04″ button_text=”Watch Virtual Tour” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”3.29.3″ custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_border_radius=”26px” button_letter_spacing=”2px” _i=”2″ _address=”0.8.0.2″][/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”9″ _address=”0.9″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.9.0″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.29.3″ link_option_url=”https://www.coldwellbanker.com/property/170-Little-Whim-Fredericksburg-VA-22405/M-1004933183-BRIGHTMLS/detail” _i=”0″ _address=”0.9.0.0″]
100 Rising Sun Road | 3 beds, 2.5 baths | $319,000
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://coldwellbankerelite.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/VAST220592.jpg” url=”https://www.coldwellbanker.com/property/100-Rising-Sun-Rd-Fredericksburg-VA-22405/99664361/detail” _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”1″ _address=”0.9.0.1″][/et_pb_image][et_pb_button button_url=”https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=oQvTC9v9RTy&mls=1″ button_text=”Watch Virtual Tour” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”3.29.3″ custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_border_radius=”26px” button_letter_spacing=”2px” _i=”2″ _address=”0.9.0.2″][/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”10″ _address=”0.10″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.10.0″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.29.3″ link_option_url=”https://www.coldwellbanker.com/property/170-Little-Whim-Fredericksburg-VA-22405/M-1004933183-BRIGHTMLS/detail” _i=”0″ _address=”0.10.0.0″]
Stafford
21 Owen St | 5 beds, 4 baths | $390,000
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://coldwellbankerelite.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/VAST220168.jpg” url=”https://www.coldwellbanker.com/property/21-Owen-St-Stafford-VA-22556/73191440/detail” _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”1″ _address=”0.10.0.1″][/et_pb_image][et_pb_button button_url=”https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=HbVYrLKEbWK&mls=1″ button_text=”Watch Virtual Tour” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”3.29.3″ custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_border_radius=”26px” button_letter_spacing=”2px” _i=”2″ _address=”0.10.0.2″][/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”11″ _address=”0.11″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.11.0″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.29.3″ link_option_url=”https://www.coldwellbanker.com/property/170-Little-Whim-Fredericksburg-VA-22405/M-1004933183-BRIGHTMLS/detail” _i=”0″ _address=”0.11.0.0″]
Dumfries
4393 Ashgrove Drive | 6 beds, 3.5 baths | $445,000
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://coldwellbankerelite.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/VAST220168.jpg” url=”https://www.coldwellbanker.com/property/4393-Ashgrove-Dr-Dumfries-VA-22025/73070588/detail” _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”1″ _address=”0.11.0.1″][/et_pb_image][et_pb_button button_url=”https://mls.immoviewer.com/portal/tour/1692058?accessKey=5ea0″ button_text=”Watch Virtual Tour” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”3.29.3″ custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_border_radius=”26px” button_letter_spacing=”2px” _i=”2″ _address=”0.11.0.2″][/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”12″ _address=”0.12″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.12.0″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.29.3″ link_option_url=”https://www.coldwellbanker.com/property/8654-Bugle-Ct-Manassas-VA-20112/73042794/detail” _i=”0″ _address=”0.12.0.0″]
Manassas
8654 Bugle Ct | 4 beds, 2.5 baths | $535,000
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://coldwellbankerelite.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/VAPW489392.jpg” url=”https://www.coldwellbanker.com/property/8654-Bugle-Ct-Manassas-VA-20112/73042794/detail” _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”1″ _address=”0.12.0.1″][/et_pb_image][et_pb_button button_url=”https://mls.immoviewer.com/portal/tour/1711897?accessKey=5e91″ button_text=”Watch Virtual Tour” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”3.29.3″ custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_border_radius=”26px” button_letter_spacing=”2px” _i=”2″ _address=”0.12.0.2″][/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”13″ _address=”0.13″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.13.0″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.29.3″ link_option_url=”https://www.coldwellbanker.com/property/8654-Bugle-Ct-Manassas-VA-20112/73042794/detail” _i=”0″ _address=”0.13.0.0″]
Warrenton
448 Ridge Ct | 3 beds, 2.5 baths | $265,000
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://coldwellbankerelite.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/VAFQ164932.jpg” url=”https://www.coldwellbanker.com/property/448-Ridge-Ct-Warrenton-VA-20186/72630136/detail” _builder_version=”3.29.3″ _i=”1″ _address=”0.13.0.1″][/et_pb_image][et_pb_button button_url=”https://mls.immoviewer.com/portal/tour/1737475?accessKey=5e3e” button_text=”Watch Virtual Tour” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”3.29.3″ custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_border_radius=”26px” button_letter_spacing=”2px” _i=”2″ _address=”0.13.0.2″][/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.29.3″ background_color=”#012169″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” _i=”14″ _address=”0.14″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” _i=”0″ _address=”0.14.0″ custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.29.3″ text_text_color=”#ffffff” header_text_color=”#ffffff” background_layout=”dark” _i=”0″ _address=”0.14.0.0″]
Listings with Videos
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https://matrix.brightmls.com/Matrix/Public/Portal.aspx?ID=11967571070″ button_text=”Check out all of our listings with videos! ” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”3.29.3″ custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#012169″ button_bg_color=”#ffffff” button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”28px” button_bg_enable_color=”on” _i=”1″ _address=”0.14.0.1″][/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
Takeout Tuesday: Best Fredericksburg Restaurants for Pickup or Delivery
We love seeing how everybody’s entertaining themselves while staying safe at home during the Covid-19 pandemic, whether that’s hosting a Zoom happy hour, making a new recipe or getting some work done on the DIY projects around the house! One great trend we’ve noticed is that even though we can’t experience the restaurant ambiance like we usually do, Fredericksburg area residents still want to support their local businesses in these uncertain times by getting food delivered or calling ahead for a curbside pickup!
When you’re bored with your groceries or just have a craving for your favorite dish, here are our agents’ recommendations for the best places to get takeout or have food delivered! We’ll keep this list updated as we get more recommendations! Happy Takeout Tuesday!
El Jimador Azteca Mexican Family Restaurant: Laura Hart says they have “awesome El Jefe nachos and green enchiladas!”
Pueblo’s Tex Mex Grill: Terin Merriman highly recommends Pueblo’s for your Cinco De Mayo feast!
Mexico Palace: A Cosner’s Corner staple, Laura Ellis recommends Mexico Palace for authentic Mexican cuisine!
Juan More Taco: Amanda Elrod says “Huge shout out to Juan More Taco! They came to our neighborhood and set up in a driveway and served our community (we followed social distancing) the service was quick and the food was delicious and all we had to do is walk a block to get it! 🌮 It was also a great feeling to help a local small business!”
Harry’s Alehouse at Harrison Crossing: Natalie Stephenson recommends Harry’s because “They offer lots of specials throughout the week. They also set up a Meal Bank where you can donate a meal and they will deliver it to local healthcare workers. Great effort!”
Basilico: Marjorie Radle says “I enjoy the citrus salad with grilled shrimp. However, one of my favorites is the turkey cranberry panini (no panini to make it GF). They also have marvelous desserts which pair well with their yummy cappuccino.”
Fahrenheit 132: Transaction Coordinator Laura Ellis says “Fahrenheit 132 has raw steaks and prepared sides to go. We ordered last Friday night. They are also offering 40% off bottles of wine. I’m a sucker for a good deal on a bottle of wine!”
Stafford Wings on 610: Office Administrator Mary Welch recommends Stafford Wings, with the high praise: “Yummy!”
Castiglia’s Italian Restaurant: Amanda Elrod and Deb Ellis recommend Castiglia’s pizza delivery! Amanda notes, “Castiglia’s came to our neighborhood tonight and handed out pizzas (we pre-ordered as a community). It was a nice break from the stove! They even sold wine!”
El Gran Charro: Terin Merriman loves supporting this local small business because they are so friendly and affordable!
Durango Grill: Benita Kay loves the wings, burgers, shrimp & chicken at this great locally owned restaurant and most of all, the great service!
Amy’s Cafe: Although date night may have to take place in your own dining room for a while, you can still enjoy Amy’s $8 lunches and $10 dinners via curbside pickup! Laura Hough says it’s “just like your momma’s cooking!”
The Grounds Coffee: Missing your morning latte? Debbie Stump suggests checking out the Grounds’ curbside pickup: “I get a double shot of espresso and mix with a protein shake, my kids get the frozen hot chocolate and caramel latte. So good!”
Taco Tuesday Food Truck: The original curbside pickup! Under normal circumstances, we love having the Taco Tuesday truck come by our offices for lunch but if you get a craving during the Stay-at-Home order, David Longfellow recommends following them on social media for their location and picking up some shrimp tacos!
Pet-Friendly Fredericksburg
On National Love Your Pet Day, we thought we’d highlight some great places around the Burg that are pet-friendly! Of course, the Fredericksburg region has plenty of dog parks and hiking trails you can explore but we believe pets are part of the family and any activity is more fun when you can bring them along. Here are a couple of our favorite restaurants and events where Fido is welcome!
Pet-Friendly Restaurants
25 30 Espresso
This cute and casual coffeehouse is extremely pet-friendly! Unlike most other pet-friendly restaurants, Fido is welcome to come inside, making this a great spot to stop in during a wintry walk! Regular customers’ pups are welcomed by name and it’s not uncommon to see a fluffy friend snoozing underneath a table while his owner taps away on a laptop.
J Brian’s Tap Room
Aside from having awesome pub food and craft beers, J Brian’s is a perfect place to bring Rover out on a nice sunny day! Dogs are welcome on the quiet and shady patio behind the restaurant and J Brian’s is known for going above and beyond for their canine customers: one reviewer mentioned that they were able to accommodate their dog’s raw food diet!
Mason-Dixon Café
A Downtown Fredericksburg staple, Mason Dixon is famous for its inventive hotdogs and lip-smacking diner classics. If your pup is more of a social butterfly, they’ll love Mason-Dixon’s large patio! Brunch on the weekend, especially when the weather’s nice, is incredibly popular and the servers will bring your pup a nice cold bowl of water!
Pet-Friendly Events
Downtown Fredericksburg St Patrick’s Day Block Party: March 21, 2020 12-8pm
Get your pup’s green shamrock bandana on and come on out to George Street for the best block party ever! Green beer, food trucks and live music plus a dog-friendly atmosphere: what could be better?
Doggie Easter Egg Hunt: April 4, 2020 1p-1:30p
Put your pooch’s sniffer to the test and let them hunt for Easter eggs at Maury Park! Make sure they’re dressed up in their Easter best and they could win a prize!
Rock the River Festival: June 6, 2020 11a-6p
Enjoy the beautiful Rappahannock River with your best friend! Whether you’re land-lubbers looking for some tasty grub or the first ones on the stand-up paddleboard, you and your pup will love the Rock the River Festival at Old Mill Park!
Soggy Doggy Swim
After the pool has closed for the season in September, dogs rule at Doris Buffett Pool! If your pooch loves the water, this will be the highlight of the season! Make sure to bring towels and your camera, this is an awesome photo opportunity!
Coldwell Banker Elite Wins Cartus Broker Network Platinum Award
Coldwell Banker Elite has been named a Platinum Award Winner by Cartus Broker Services for their outstanding performance during the past year. Platinum is the highest level of the Excellence Awards presented to principal brokers by Cartus Corporation, a worldwide leader in employee relocation solutions. Excellence Award recognition is based on performance results related to a wide variety of metrics including customer service, cost management, and effective analysis and marketing of homes.
“Being presented with The Platinum Award is a recognition of extraordinary accomplishment,” said Scott Becker, Cartus Global Product and Innovation Officer. “To earn this distinction, a broker must have successfully demonstrated outstanding performance in a variety of areas, including addressing customer needs, understanding local market conditions, and executing best business practices so our customers may achieve their real estate goals. Coldwell Banker Elite has delivered the very highest levels of results to both their customers and the Cartus Broker Network, and ultimately, their performance has resulted in our ability to provide great value to our clients, their relocating employees, and to our Affinity organizations and their members.”
“We strive for excellence in everything we do. We’re honored to receive the Platinum Award for 2020,” said Conor Breen, Director of Relocation Services at Coldwell Banker Elite. “Our agents have tirelessly dedicated themselves to outstanding customer service. We have been guiding people home since 1980 and we look forward to continuing that journey in 2020 with the Platinum Award. I’m grateful to our team for all of their efforts, and I want to thank Cartus for this honor.”
Our Brand New Look
Notice anything different about us?? That’s right, we debuted our brand new look last week as part of the Coldwell Banker #ProjectNorthStar rebrand! Our new logo: a sleek, updated mark on a field of our tried-and-true Classic Blue, topped with a “guiding star,” reflects our modern, tech-savvy agents while honoring our rich heritage of real estate success. We are so thrilled with how the new logo and complete aesthetic refresh has gone so far and we can’t wait to bring it to all of our offices! We kicked off our big reveal with an amazing launch party, complete with live music, delicious food, a fun photo booth and of course, plenty of swag with the new logo for our agents and staff.
Story Behind the Star
Since launching the rebrand, Coldwell Banker set upon a path to retell its brand story by solidifying its mission statement and recommitting to its core values. The new logo, called the “CB North Star,” symbolizes the Coldwell Banker network: in an ever-changing real estate landscape, agents remain a constant–guiding consumers as they navigate the home buying and selling process.
This concept of an ever-constant “guiding star” shining brighter than all the rest really resonated with us here at Coldwell Banker Elite. Our agents are more than just top-performing agents: we’re industry leaders, community activists, and local philanthropists. We’re a family-owned small business, but we get big-league results: we’ve been the #1 Coldwell Banker Affiliate in Virginia for the past 16 years. On average, our listings sell for 6% more money and over 7 days faster than our nearest competitors. We felt that the “North Star” symbolism in the new look really captured the essence of what we’ve built here at Coldwell Banker Elite.
What Happens Now?
Our offices are being updated to include more sleek, modern finishes and communal workspaces for better collaboration. Our signs and marketing materials are also getting a fresh new look with a streamlined, elegant design. The clean, modern look combined with the history and strength of the name Coldwell Banker makes for a powerful combination.
President and CEO, Kevin Breen, is excited for another opportunity to tell Coldwell Banker Elite’s story, “The rebranding gives us a chance to reintroduce ourselves to our consumers and peers. For the past 40 years, Coldwell Banker Elite associates have been making a positive impact in the community and to our clients. This new look and new story elements will help our Associates stand out even more and continue to be the most trusted advisors in the industry.”
“Coldwell Banker Elite is excited to be part of this journey,” said Angel Piontek, Vice President Marketing of Coldwell Banker Elite. “We can’t wait to leverage the fresh visuals of Project North Star and we believe this look will be ‘a head-turner’ in the greater Fredericksburg region. We appreciate the opportunity to help guide our brand to success for another 100 years.”