tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211492332024-01-31T04:17:02.192-05:00Hampton Roads Real Estate BlogA blog dedicated to the real estate market of Hampton Roads (Southeastern Virginia), including Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Smithfield, and Isle Of Wight . Here you'll find up to the minute information about the real estate market, tips for selling or buying a home, and much more.Dave & Ruth Ann Macklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191690303720945700noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21149233.post-1157634381844578942006-09-07T08:59:00.000-04:002007-03-31T15:47:55.903-04:00Butler Team BlogWe have enjoyed chatting with you here and hope you will take a look at our new Blog! Tags: butler team, butler team blog, new blog for the butler teamAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21149233.post-1152909652942267822006-07-14T16:32:00.000-04:002007-03-26T21:46:46.050-04:00South Hampton Roads LegislationChesapeake – Belharbour Station at SoNo, a proposed mixed use development containing 350 condos, 230 apartments and 150,000 square feet of commercial and retail space, received the approval of the city’s Planning Commission this week. The project will require City Council approval later this month or early next month. If approved, Belharbour Station at SoNo will be Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21149233.post-1152867737081608652006-07-14T04:48:00.000-04:002006-07-14T05:22:44.380-04:00Summer Breeze ConcertsDave and I discovered the Summer Breeze Concerts at Merchants Square in Williamsburg by chance a couple of years ago and it remains one of our most enjoyable summer activities. Free concerts are held on the square weekly during July and August. You can bring your lawn chairs and coolers and tailgate it, or do as we do and enjoy a light dinner and wine on the patio at The Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21149233.post-1151668649843114952006-06-30T07:49:00.000-04:002007-04-03T13:17:37.393-04:00Interest Rate HikeThe Federal Reserve Board has hiked rates for the 17th consecutive time over the past two years, bringing the Fed Funds Rate to 5.25%.But what was most important about the news was the wording of the policy statement, saying that "economic growth is moderating...and inflation expectations remain contained...yet the Committee judges that some inflation risks remain."So what does Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191690303720945700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21149233.post-1151411121332824642006-06-27T08:16:00.000-04:002006-06-27T08:25:21.346-04:00No Grantor's Tax Increase...Yet!The debate's not over yet, but this past week's passage of a 2007 state budget does not include an onerous grantors tax increase. For months, the Virginia Association of Realtors has actively opposed proposals that would have funded transportation improvements in Virginia by quadrupling the tax owners pay when they sell real estate. Thanks in large part to VAR's Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191690303720945700noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21149233.post-1150974238132026052006-06-22T07:00:00.000-04:002006-06-22T07:03:58.146-04:00Landscaping Improvements Pay Off BigMoney spent sprucing up the yard with trees, shrubs, lighting, and patios is well worth it — especially when it comes time to sell the home, a new study says. The report, by Arbor National Mortgage, found that 84 percent of real estate professionals believe a house on a treed lot would fetch at least 20 percent more than one on a lot without trees.Another of Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21149233.post-1150820269550155052006-06-20T11:35:00.000-04:002006-06-20T12:25:13.736-04:00Second Homes - thinking out of the boxMany buyers think a second home is out of their reach. But sometimes all it takes is thinking out of the box. Consider these possibilities:1. Buy land. Purchase the land first with the plan to build on it further down the road.2. Go for 'access'. Buying a property with waterfront access instead of waterfront can be more affordable.3. Consider having neighborsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191690303720945700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21149233.post-1150385037400717412006-06-15T11:12:00.000-04:002006-06-15T11:23:57.416-04:00East Beach CondosEast Beach has announced the opening of it's new luxury condominium complex, East Beach Villas at Pretty Lake. This is the first opportunity for condominium living in East Beach, Norfolk's premier waterfront community. What could be better than to be able to walk to the bay, the harbor and soon to restaurants and shops. You'll want to take a look.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21149233.post-1150238434681842282006-06-13T18:35:00.000-04:002006-06-13T18:40:34.693-04:00Boardwalk Art ShowVirginia Beach's Boardwalk Art Show is one of the oldest and best outdoor art shows on the eastern seaboard. I always find it a great place to start my Christmas shopping. June 15-18. Four days of art, shopping, food and nightly entertainment...don't miss it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21149233.post-1149777346212089712006-06-08T10:32:00.000-04:002007-03-26T18:56:01.920-04:00Who Needs A Survey?A property survey is a map of a property showing where structures, easements and boundaries are located. To most buyers, being required by the mortgage company to have an updated survey for closing just seems like a waste of money. And, who wants to spend more money than absolutely necessary?But, a survey is like insurance. The chances of you ever really needing it are slim, Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191690303720945700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21149233.post-1149608207783898832006-06-06T11:32:00.000-04:002006-06-06T11:36:47.813-04:00What Is A Contingency Contract?Sandra Nickel, Realtor in Montgomery, AL, has an excellent post on contingency contracts. What are they and should you as a seller accept one. It is short, sweet and informative.Please contact us with any questions you have about contingency contracts or real estate in Hampton Roads.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21149233.post-1149204297710145912006-06-01T19:09:00.000-04:002006-06-01T19:27:17.020-04:00Hurricane PreparednessWell, hurricane season arrived today and runs through November 30. Our local newspaper, The Virginian Pilot, has a great article today, How Do I Make A Hurricane Kit. Of course, this is something none of us like to think about, but with predictions of another busy hurricane season, it is something we need to think about.Another cool item on The Virginian Pilot website is a Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21149233.post-1149100047994934052006-05-31T14:19:00.000-04:002007-03-03T21:24:57.940-05:00Mistakes Home Sellers MakeOrange County Realtors, Drew and Linda Hartanov, have a great post on their Blog... 4 Common Mistakes Home Sellers Make and How To Avoid Them.Take a look and then contact us, 866-222-0158 #302 with any questions you might have about how these mistakes relate to the Hampton Roads housing market.You can receive a Market Valuation of your home by visiting: Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191690303720945700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21149233.post-1148589669914117792006-05-25T16:32:00.000-04:002006-05-25T16:41:09.950-04:005 Powerful Buying Strategies1. Don't Get "Pre-Qualified!" Get "Pre-Approved"Do you want to get the best house you can for the least amount of money? Then make sure you are in the strongest negotiating position possible. Price is only one bargaining chip in the negotiations, and not necessarily the most important one. Often other terms, such as the strength of the buyer or the length of escrow, Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191690303720945700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21149233.post-1148511019982706022006-05-24T18:40:00.000-04:002006-05-24T18:50:32.580-04:00Encroachment Is The Downfall Of OceanaThe Inspector General has ruled that Virginia and the city of Virginia Beach have failed to meet a federal demand for controlling development around Oceana Naval Air Station resulting in the ultimate closure of Oceana Naval Air Station.Virginia Beach refused to permit condemnation of homes and businesses in a high-risk “accident potential zone” along Oceana’sAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191690303720945700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21149233.post-1148049921212367622006-05-19T10:45:00.000-04:002006-05-19T10:45:21.800-04:00Pay-Per-View Going AwayIn June 2006, Hampton Road's MLS, Real Estate Information Network (REIN), instituted a program which required consumers to pay for detailed information on homes for sale. This information had previously been available at no cost and the pay-per-view program alienated both the consumer and agents, as the fee was charged on all agent's individual websites, not just the MLS Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191690303720945700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21149233.post-1147949375778692082006-05-18T06:42:00.000-04:002006-05-18T06:49:48.726-04:00Hampton Roads Real Estate Market In Full BloomThe Hampton Roads real estate market is in full bloom this spring with appreciation up 11% in April compared to April 2005. The average sales price last year at this time was $253,113 and this year it is $277,065. This is great news for local sellers and makes this spring an excellent time to put your house on the market.Spring is usually our busiest Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191690303720945700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21149233.post-1147873009176548312006-05-17T09:36:00.000-04:002006-05-17T09:38:08.683-04:00Norfolk Cuts Real Estate Tax RateThe Norfolk City Council has voted to reduce the real estate tax rate by $.08, bringing the rate down to $1.27 per assessed value from $1.35. Even with this decrease, most Norfolk homeowners will still see an increase in ther real estate taxes this year due to a 25.8% increase in assessments.The Council also approved the state's first tax deferral system. This Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191690303720945700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21149233.post-1147354058320108152006-05-11T09:19:00.000-04:002006-05-11T09:28:32.960-04:00The Virginia Beach Planning Commission endorsed a plan for a new high-end waterfront community even though the proposed developement is twice as dense as the city guidelines for the location.City Council will make a final decision on this developement within the next 30-45 days.Click here for the complete story._______________________________________________________Want to buy or sell a home in Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191690303720945700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21149233.post-1146746256421913432006-05-04T08:31:00.000-04:002006-05-04T08:37:36.796-04:00Post-Contract PitfallsSelling a home is like climbing Mount Everest – getting a signed contract is a great accomplishment, but that's only half the journey. The typical home sale today involves more than 20 steps after the initial contract is accepted to complete the transaction.Much of what needs to be done before the closing is the responsibility of appraisers, loan processors, attorneys, and Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21149233.post-1146528809920043492006-05-01T20:12:00.000-04:002006-05-01T20:13:29.996-04:00Join us for Monday Morning Coffee.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191690303720945700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21149233.post-1146101373625682902006-04-26T21:13:00.000-04:002007-03-26T23:52:54.700-04:00Considering a Home Remodel? Make Sure It Will Pay OffIf your family has to wait in line to take a shower, or if you're storing pots and pans in the laundry room due to lack of cabinet space, it could be time to consider a home remodeling project. Not only will an updated space make your house more pleasant for you and your family, it can pay off in higher resale value.To find out if your project Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191690303720945700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21149233.post-1145887176068528102006-04-24T09:59:00.000-04:002006-05-01T20:12:47.253-04:00WOW!What gorgeous weather we had yesterday and another beautiful day forecast for today. How lucky we are to live in Hampton Roads!!If all that yard work you did yesterday is in preparation to sell your home, visit www.VirginiaBeachHomeSellers.com. A current market value of yur home will be emailed to you...without having to talkw with an agent.And join us for Monday Morning Coffee.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191690303720945700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21149233.post-1145531589513387622006-04-20T06:59:00.000-04:002006-05-01T20:11:57.183-04:00Spring Has Sprung In Hampton Roads!The South Hampton Roads spring real estate market is in full bloom. Both sales and prices are up, making this a great time to buy or sell a home.March sales are not quite up to the 2005 level, with 1716 residential homes sold March 2006 compared to 1772 in March 2005. But, the good news is, there is a strong 12% increase in the average sales price compared to a Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03191690303720945700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21149233.post-1145291791208311972006-04-17T12:34:00.000-04:002006-04-17T12:38:52.920-04:00Hampton Roads City LegislationChesapeake - City Council passed an emergency ordinance that provides additional tax relief measures for some senior citizens. Beginning Tuesday, the gross income threshold to participate in the real estate tax relief program was raised to $59,000 from $45,000 and the net worth threshold was raised from $200,000 to $207,000. This means that more seniors will be able Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0