Virginia Real Estate Blog

Did anyone read the recent REBAC weekly tipsheet? It states that the NAR has decided to create a Green Designation. Here is the information:

"The decision to develop a green designation program is the result of many months of market consideration and evaluation. We have found that there is a growing demand for REALTORS to understand green, how green is transforming the needs and concerns of buyers and sellers, as well as how REALTORS can adopt and implement green practices in their day-to-day businesses.

The 2-day core course will cover:

• Defining "green"
• Green communities
• Green homes and buildings
• Green buyers and sellers
• How to green your real estate practice "

OK... As a Certified EcoBroker, I spent weeks studying, reviewing, taking tests, completing market activities and projects and more.

Having done that, I find this 2-day course descrition severely lacking. I am disturbed by the fact that the NAR thinks it can teach in 2 days what should take 2 weeks. There is a lot more to understanding environmental issues than what is shown here.  I am concerned that this is NAR attempt to 'green wash' real estate and to limit the effect of the Certified EcoBroker status.  I hope it doesnt work.

Since I have a new home for sale in Virginia Beach (as of Friday, August 8^th), I wanted to share some information about the neighborhood it is in. It is called Dam Neck Estates and it is convenient to just about everything in Virginia Beach.

Within minutes you can be at shopping areas such as Strawbridge Marketplace and Red Mill Commons.  Cultural Activities are just a hop and a skip including the Virginia Aquarium with the IMAX movies theater. Water activities you can practically swim to such as Rudee Inlet and the Oceanfront.  You can't get a better location if you are working at Oceana.  Other nearby activites are the Amphitheater for all the best concerts. Sports opportunities include golf, and the sportsplex.  And don't forget the Virginia Beach Farmer's Market!

For real estate, here is one  comparison --  list to sales price in the last 6 months and the days on market chart.

  So call me For more information on the Dam Neck Estates neighborhood and with overall real estate in Hampton Roads questions. I am happy to help.  And stay tuned for that new listing!  As a teaser here is the view from the rocking chair on the front patio!  Check all listings in the Hampton Roads Real Estate market at my website Bethany Phillips home of Hampton Roads Real Estate!

I had the pleasure of helping a wonderful couple sell their first home! It was the home their children were born in and served as their first home purchase! There is only good news about this transaction -- we received an offer in good time, the terms of the offer were fair, the closing date suited my sellers well, and closing was smooth and effortless! 

I look forward to helping others with their home purchase or sale in Colonial Place, Norfolk! 

Here is a market snapshot for Colonial Place, showing shows list price vs sale price and days on the market.

For all homes for sale in Norfolk Virginia including Colonial Place, Lafayette Residence Park, Larchmont, and other neighbohhoods, call me!  I can help!  Search for all Hampton Roads real estate for sale at www.bethanyphillips.com! 

Two cool things are happening now in Norfolk, both courtesy of Green Alternatives in Ghent...

 Green Homeowners Workshop
Learn about all aspects of solar energy from generating electricity to heating swimming pools, touch a green roof, ask a question to a local green building expert, and more!

When: Tuesday, August 12th (6:30-7:30pm)
Cost: FREE!  

"Keys for Trees" in August
Have a drawer full of old house keys or a pocket full of old car keys? Why not give them a new life and keep them out of the landfill?

Through the month of August, Green Alternatives will be collecting metal keys for recycling. Proceeds will benefit the Nature Conservancy's "Plant a Billion Trees" campaign (http://www.plantabillion.org/). Each dollar plants one tree in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil.

When: August 1st - 31st
Where: Green Alternatives 1905 Colonial Avenue in Norfolk

Call for more information  757.457.8991

I went for a lazy sail last night with some great friends (and my husband included) and we had the joy of being kept company by a pod of dolphins!  At one time we counted at least 20!  They jumped, snorted, sprayed water, and generally swam along with us for about 20 minutes! 

There really isnt much of a connection to Hampton Roads Real Estate or the real estate market, EXCEPT that I can tell you we were sailing in Willoughby Bay. What a great location!  And there is a lovely little house on the water for sail, I mean sale, just near the Willoughby boat ramp. I would love to show you this home. It would be perfect for my family but since I already own a house I will share it with you!  Give me a call to discuss, learn more! 

  THE DOLPHINS!  Bad Camera phone strikes again... partly user error - I had the resolution set to extra small! 

For all of the homes for sale in Hampton Roads, Call Bethany Phillips or visit www.bethanyphillips.com. Additional information on www.buyanorfolkhome.com.

Hello Everyone,

Just a quick reminder that Tax Free shopping weekend starts today!  If you need back to school gear now is the time to get it - It's like saving 5% on your purchases... Plus the selection will be really good  -- when you wait it gets really picked over!

PS. I am not sponsored by the RETAIL ALLIANCE -- I just think this is a great way to avoid that little extra bit of charge that gets tacked onto every purchase in Virginia... Lets face it, when you live in a non-sales tax state (Delaware) for a while, you get a little spoiled! 

Heres an article from the Virginian Pilot.  http://hamptonroads.com/2008/07/weekends-taxfree-holiday-kicks-backtoschool-season

AND OF COURSE - Plan ahead for tax free shopping on ENERGY STAR products in October!

http://www.tax.virginia.gov/site.cfm?alias=STHoliday#holidays

http://www.retail-alliance.com/CalendarofEvents/GoGreen2008/tabid/216/Default.aspx

I just wanted to say that I have had a really good week!  I had closings on 2 homes I listed for sale in Norfolk. I was able to bring lunch to the sellers and 'crew' of my home for sale in Colonial Place and wish them good luck with their move to New Hampshire.

(Do you know Colonial Place?  A really fun neighborhood with a very active civic league. There are great opportunities to meet people - vegetarian club, book club, etc. If you want to know more, give me a call! And check the website too -http://www.cprv.org)

Also, I enjoyed a terrific lunch at Enricos.  This restaurant is on Colley Ave in Colonial Place area. There are a couple of other restaurants worth trying to - Fellini's and O'Sullivans Wharf - to name two.

By the way, it is restaurant week in Norfolk - They have dubbed it the FORK of July celebration!  Check the website for participating restaurants and specials...

http://www.downtownnorfolk.org/enjoy/events/restaurant_week

Hope to see you out there!

For all the homes for sale in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, and the rest of Hampton Roads, go to www.bethanyphillips.com. A great site for searching Hampton Roads Real Estate and Homes for sale!

Just a quick blog. I was sitting here for a few minutes tonight before fixing dinner... The TV is on and I saw a commercial for LOWE's Home Improvement.  Though I am not advocating LOWEs over any other home improvement store, I do want to tell you that they are currently offering 10% off ENERGY STAR pruducts. 

Energy Star certifies appliances, windows and doors, lighting, and other products and these are all part of the 10% off discount. 

Since these products will save you money through reduced energy usage it is just a bonus that LOWEs is offering 10% off the purchase price...

Check Energystar.gov for great information on saving energy, saving money, and doing a small part for the environment.  http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find_a_product

PS - Home Depot now accepts Compact Flourescent Lightbulbs (CFLs) for recycling!  As does Green Alternatives in Norfolk.

I am a Certified Ecobroker. If you are thinking about buying or selling a home, I can help you with the improvements or modifications that will save you money (and energy).  I look forward to helping!  Search for homes for sale in Norfolk, Virginia, Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk at www.bethanyphillips.com your home for real estate in Hampton Roads.

There are 2 things I love about summer (Well  I love more than 2 but these 2 in particular), Steamed Crabs and the beach. I say with much disappointment that I have not had crabs yet and it is already July 19TH! 

I did, however, go to the beach this week. Just for a picnic dinner but it was great!  I love Willoughby beach.  I was disappointed that there were no recycling bins on the beach. And on this busy summer Sunday night, they were much needed.  The trash cans were full and a lot of the trash included cans and bottles that could have been recycled.  I have been known to dumpster dive on occasion, but this wasn't one of them!  HOW ABOUT RECYCLING on the beach in Norfolk??

Here are some photos of the beach

.     

And just for fun... A picture from LAST SUMMER of my other favorite thing!

You can find all Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk and other Hampton Roads homes for sale on my website at www.bethanyphillips.com or on www.buyanorfolkhome.com

So our refrigerator has been on the fritz... Instead of trying to find food to make lunch we decided to hop to a local's eatery which we have been wanting to try. It is the Willoughby Inn Seafood Restaurant at the end of Willoughby just before heading over the bridge tunnel to Hampton (or it is the first place you see on your way TO Norfolk from Hampton -- you choose).

Anyway, This is one of the places that looks like it has been there forever... and according to the history on the menu, forever is quite a while! The current owners have been in charge for 30 years and are Willoughby locals. There wasn't a smoking section because the whole restaurant was a 'smoking' section. Being a firm believer in NO SMOKING NEAR FOOD I was a bit disappointed in that, but on this sleepy Tuesday afternoon the 2 men at the bar, and the sole diner were accommodating with their lack of cigarettes...

The food was a notch above average. Nice fried fish sandwich, crabcake, fries, cole slaw AND your choice of sweet or unsweet tea! =)

What we liked alot were the prices - two teas, two sandwiches with fries and taxes in this city and we were out only about $20. 

I want to point this out because, eating out in Norfolk is expensive! With ~12% in restaurant taxes and overpriced food, it is rare for 2 people to eat and drink something other than water for less than $20. Just compare to Sunset Grill. They are also located at the end of Willoughby in the Willoughby Marina. They win with outdoor seating and a killer sunset view, but the prices!  Egads!  (We end up here quite a bit though - it is where we keep our sailboat, FINE)

Here is the  website for the restaurant and don't forget to click on the link to the PHOTOS of old Willoughby!  http://members.aol.com/MLebby3514/