How We Work (And Why You Can Trust It)
We're not a content farm. We're not here to go viral. We’re here to build something that lasts — a trusted, human-powered guide to life in Richmond. That means our process is as important as our product.
How We Vet Referrals
We don't list. We recommend. Every person or service we recommend — whether it’s a realtor, a mover, a contractor, or a community leader — goes through a human-centered review process. We look for consistency, responsiveness, alignment with values, and a reputation for showing up, not just closing deals.
Here's what we consider before referring anyone:
- Behavioral Alignment: How do they treat newcomers? Are they good at making people feel safe, informed, and welcome?
- Community Reputation: What do local networks say about them? Are they known for care, clarity, and follow-through?
- Fit Matching: Are they the kind of person someone would feel good recommending to a friend — not just "someone who gets the job done"?
- Feedback Loop: We ask every user to rate their experience so we can constantly update our internal quality graph.
We Vet You, Too (In a Good Way)
We don’t just send people your way and hope for the best. After you connect with someone through us, we ask for honest, unfiltered feedback. Not just “Did it go well?” — but: Did they feel like a good fit? Did you feel heard? Would you recommend them to your best friend?
This helps us learn more about you — how you communicate, what you value, how you define “good service.” That way, if you come back for another match, we can do even better. Your responses help us build smarter, warmer, more accurate recommendations — for you and for others.
Why this matters:
- It helps us prevent mismatches, repeat issues, or inconsistent service.
- It lets us learn from patterns — what kinds of people thrive in RVA, and how to keep them here.
- It makes our system better for everyone who follows after you.
Where We Get Our Information
We go to the source. When we write about schools, housing, community resources, or regulations, we don’t quote third-hand blogs. We link directly to government sites, public datasets, organizational bulletins, and verified databases.
- City & County Records
- We use local government portals and data.gov when citing property details, zoning changes, and community planning updates.
- School System Databases
- All education-related posts are backed by information pulled from official Richmond-area school systems and accreditation bodies.
- Community Orgs & Nonprofits
- When we feature a group or resource, we reach out directly or pull from their own published materials, newsletters, and verified events.
- Public Infrastructure + Housing Datasets
- Things like housing affordability, development plans, walkability, and transit come from census data, HUD, and local planning records.
“We cite the source so you don’t have to wonder who’s behind the headline.”
How We Create Our News & Blog Content
We don’t chase trends — we surface what matters. Everything we publish is grounded in local signals and stitched together by a system built for one thing: helping people feel more connected to Richmond, one insight at a time.
We use advanced data science techniques and proprietary tools to monitor patterns across our city — from shifts in school board meetings to sudden real estate tremors, from under-the-radar service changes to overlooked community wins. We read signals others miss, and we prioritize clarity over clicks.
How exactly we source, analyze, and publish? That’s confidential. What we can tell you is this: every post is reviewed for accuracy, anchored in original sources, and designed to make your life in RVA just a little clearer. We welcome corrections, we revise quickly, and we never hide our biases: we're here to help people stay, not sell ads.
Want to Know More?
If you're curious about how we find people, pick our sources, or design our tools, just knowrva@gmail.com reach out. We're always down to talk shop — especially if it helps make Richmond a better place to live, grow, and stay grounded.