Marivi Garrison, Realtor at Coldwell Banker in Williamsburg

09/24/2026

Moving to Williamsburg? Finding a house you like is one thing. Choosing the right neighborhood is another.

When I’m helping buyers think about where they want to live, there are three things I recommend doing before settling on an area:

1. Drive through the neighborhood at different times of day. A quiet Saturday morning may feel very different from a weekday afternoon or evening.

2. Think about your everyday routine. Consider how close you’ll be to work, school, grocery stores, church, parks, and the places you enjoy spending time. A location that looks convenient on a map may feel very different once you start making those drives regularly.

3. Be realistic about the tradeoffs. More land may mean a longer drive. Walkability may mean less privacy. Newer construction may mean fewer mature trees. Every neighborhood has its own mix of advantages and compromises.

You may not find a neighborhood that checks every single box, and that’s okay. The goal is to find one that fits the way you want to live day to day.

If you’re considering a move to Williamsburg and trying to figure out which areas might be the best fit, I’m always happy to help you explore your options.

What matters most to you when choosing a neighborhood?

09/17/2026

Some buyers are drawn to the convenience of a newer home. Others love the character and setting that often come with an older one. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer.

Williamsburg has plenty of both.

Newer homes can offer lower maintenance, newer systems, better energy efficiency, and more current layouts. Older homes may come with more character, established surroundings, desirable locations, and sometimes more home for the money.

There are tradeoffs on both sides, too. Newer homes may mean a higher price, smaller lots, or construction still happening nearby. Older homes can bring more maintenance, higher energy costs, or updates that need to be tackled over time.

The best fit really comes down to your priorities, your budget, and what you want your day-to-day life at home to look like.

If you’re weighing new versus old, I’m happy to help you talk through the pros and cons.

09/10/2026

Buying or selling a home can come with plenty of questions and uncertainty along the way. That’s one reason reviews like this mean so much to me.

I want my clients to feel informed, supported, and confident throughout the process. That means listening closely, answering questions promptly, helping solve problems as they come up, and keeping things moving from our first conversation through closing day.

I’m grateful for every client who trusts me to help with such an important decision.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling in Williamsburg, I’d be happy to talk through what comes next.

09/03/2026

🍂🏡 September in Williamsburg is one of those months when summer and fall seem to overlap. We can still have plenty of warm, humid days, but cooler mornings and changing routines are a good reminder that fall is on its way.

That makes September a great time to tackle a few home maintenance tasks before the leaves really start falling and colder weather arrives.

Here are a few things I recommend checking this month:

🍂 Clear leaves and debris from outdoor drains
🔥 Schedule a heating system checkup before the first chilly nights
🏠 Check your home’s exterior for cracks or gaps
🧯 Check fire extinguishers and replacement dates
🍳 Deep clean the oven and range hood
🚪 Test your garage door’s auto-reverse safety feature
🧹 Clean and organize the garage or utility area

A little seasonal maintenance can help protect your home, prevent bigger problems, and keep things running smoothly as we head into fall.

As a Williamsburg Realtor, I spend a lot of time thinking about what makes a home work well, what buyers notice, and what helps sellers prepare their homes for the market. Whether you’re buying, selling, or simply taking good care of the home you already love, I’m always happy to be a local resource.

What’s your favorite thing about fall in Williamsburg? 🍁

08/27/2026

When you describe real estate without any context, it starts sounding a little questionable. 😂

Just another perfectly normal day as a Realtor.

08/20/2026

A review like this is such a good reminder that real estate is about much more than knowing the market.

It’s about knowing how to solve problems, who to call when something unexpected comes up, and how to keep the process moving from one step to the next.

I’m so grateful for clients who trust me to help them through all of it.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling in Williamsburg, I’d be happy to talk through what comes next.

08/13/2026

Kinda chic to choose a home based on how you actually want to live. 💜

Buying a home isn’t about checking every box on someone else’s list. It’s about figuring out what matters to you: the neighborhood, the budget, the way the house feels, and even where you can picture yourself having that first cup of coffee in the morning.

Sometimes the right home isn’t the biggest or the most updated. It’s simply the one that fits your life.

Which one in the video do you agree with most?

08/07/2026

This is the weekend to get rid of those hard-to-dispose of items!

Come out tomorrow (Saturday, August 8) to the VPPSA Household Chemical Collections & Computer Recycling event from 8 a.m.-noon at Warhill High School located at 4615 Opportunity way. For more information about household hazardous waste disposal visit ➡ jamescitycountyva.gov/913/Household-Hazardous-Waste-Disposal 🌎🌎

08/06/2026

☀️🏡 August is a great time to give your home a little attention before summer starts winding down.

As the days stay hot and fall gets a little closer, a few simple maintenance tasks now can help keep your home comfortable, safe, and ready for the season ahead.

Here are a few August check-ins I recommend:

🐜 Check for ants and termites around your home
🧼 Deep clean carpets and other high-traffic floors
🔍 Inspect crawl spaces or basements for signs of moisture
🚪 Tighten loose door, cabinet, and drawer hardware
🪟 Clean interior windows and window tracks
🔥 Clean your dryer vent and exhaust duct
🚽 Check toilets for silent leaks

These quick projects can help prevent bigger problems later while keeping your home in great shape here in Williamsburg.

Whether you're a longtime homeowner or hoping to buy your first home, I'm always happy to be a resource for questions about homeownership or the local real estate market.

What's one home project you'd like to finish before summer comes to an end? ☀️

07/30/2026

When the Williamsburg heat is doing the absolute most, it helps to know where to cool off.

A few family-friendly ideas:

🍧 Stop by Rita’s or Sno-to-Go for a frozen treat.

🎨 Spend some time at the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg. Admission is free, and the air conditioning is a definite bonus.

🎬 Catch a movie at Regal New Town or Movie Tavern, both of which are offering special family deals through mid-August.

One of the things I love about Williamsburg is that there is always something nearby to do, even on the hottest days of summer.

Which one sounds best right now?