Richmonders are joining waitlists for houses that aren't for sale — yet.

Why it matters: Richmond's inventory has been getting tighter for years, single-family homes are moving fast and often above asking, and that scarcity has buyers looking for an edge.

• That's where a website called Unlisted comes in.

How it works: Founded by Ohio entrepreneur Katie Hill last year, the platform pulls from public records nationwide and lets buyers join waitlists for homes that aren't on the market.

• Homeowners can claim their property's profile, update photos and details, and initiate conversations with potential buyers.

Between the lines: In metro Richmond, buyers have waitlisted 101 homes since the site launched, per Unlisted data provided to Axios.

• All but one are in the city.
• Nationwide, there's about 37,000 waitlisted homes — nearly 10 times the number of properties claimed by homeowners.

What they're saying: "Basically, the idea is to not have a homeowner wait until they put a sign in the yard to understand the marketability of their home," Hill tells Axios.

• Hill adds the platform gives buyers a chance to slow down a process that often feels rushed — especially in a market where homes are snapped up quickly.

By the numbers: Single-family homes in metro Richmond last month sold within 17 days of being put on the market, down from 22 days in May 2025, according to data from the Richmond Association of Realtors.

• Inventory fell 13.7%, new listings dropped 4.8% and sellers received an average of 101.6% of their asking price.

The intrigue: Anecdotally, Richmond buyers tend to seek off-market homes when inventory is low, Laura Lafayette, the association's CEO, tells Axios.

• Metro Richmond has hovered "between 1 and 1.5 months of supply for several years now."

The bottom line: Unlisted is a new digital waitlist for a persistent problem: too many buyers, too few homes.

Lafayette's advice to sellers and buyers

A veritable village of miniature Richmond landmarks is now on display at the Valentine museum.

Why it matters: They were made entirely by local students — and they're incredible.

Driving the news: "Building a City: Richmond's Landmarks" is the result of the museum's yearlong partnership with more than 500 Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield K-12 students.

• Students were invited to build models of one of 31 historically significant Richmond buildings, research their historical and architectural impact, and write exhibit labels.
• They could use any material they wanted, from Legos and cardboard to popsicle sticks. Just nothing edible.
• Landmarks they could choose from included everything from the Maggie Walker House and Maymont Mansion to Altria and the Egyptian Building.

Fun fact: Many of the students included interior details, like functional elevators and furniture that are only visible if you look closely.

• Some unearthed historical details they added in their models include people standing outside the windows at St. John's Church.

If you go: The exhibit is on display through May 2027.

• The Valentine is open every day but Monday. Admission is $12 for adults but free on Thursdays.

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🤔 Virginia law enforcement agencies say they're facing questions from gun owners confused about which firearms they can legally possess and transport under the assault weapons ban taking effect July 1. (Times-Dispatch)

👩🏻‍⚖️ Lavender Hill's owner is suing Richmond and City Council, arguing the denial of a permit for outdoor events at the Near West End venue was based on neighbor opposition, not zoning rules. (The Richmonder)

• The city declined to comment, citing pending litigation.

⚽️ Richmond Kickers' head coach Darren Sawatsky is leaving the club mid-season after seven years to coach Sporting Cascades FC in Oregon. (WRIC)

• Assistant coach Brian Ownby will take over for the rest of the season.

🍦 Moose Tracks is bringing 10,000 free scoops of ice cream to Monroe Park today from 11am-3pm. Each scoop served will generate a $1 donation to Feed More, Sabrina reports.

A kidney just took a drone ride in Hampton Roads.

Why it matters: NASA might soon do a similar test flight in Richmond.

The big picture: The June 5 flights were part of Richmond-based UNOS and NASA's mission to deliver human organs by drone, an effort aimed at reducing delays and quality concerns in the U.S. transplant system.

• The 15-minute flights successfully carried a human research kidney beyond the pilot's line of sight.
• Early findings show no damage.

Fun fact: Before this last test, NASA was using a sausage as a stand-in, reports WTKR.

What we're watching: NASA has proposed a test drone flight between a Richmond-area hospital and a nearby airport, UNOS spokesperson Jessica Haddad tells Axios.

• "Plans are still being evaluated," Haddad says. "But a test could occur as early as next year."

Todd "Parney" Parnell, long known for his goofy pants and being the heart of the Flying Squirrels, walked a bride down the aisle at CarMax Park this weekend.

Why it matters: His presence was part of the new baseball park's first-ever wedding.

Catch up quick: Cierra Moody and MyShan Wright — Richmonders who attend roughly 40 home games per year — were the winners of the team's wedding contest last month.

• That meant they said "I do" at home plate and had their first dance on the field between innings.
• Moody (now Mrs. Wright) even got to throw her bouquet into the stands, team spokesperson Trey Wilson told Axios.

The couple initially planned an August 2024 wedding in her dad Bobby's hospice room so he could see them marry. He died just after midnight on the wedding day.

• "The universe had better plans for us," Cierra told the MLB.

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