Virginia Real Estate Blog

Can you believe how quickly daylight savings sprung up on us this spring!?? 

I am always ready to change my schedule come spring-time. I love the longer evenings and see it as a harbinger of things to come -- warm weather, summer vacations, etc.

Regardless, I have had the experience of waking on a Sunday morning and realizing that I am an hour behind schedule. It isn't fun!  So as a reminder -- CHANGE THOSE CLOCKS!!!!

Have a great weekend!

Want to see homes this weekend? There are great real estate deals out there throughout Hampton Roads. Search for homes here!

Well, I didn't want to do it, but I felt it was best...

I received my first lead through ACTIVE RAIN! 

I couldn't take it!  :(   The potential client was coming into town in a couple of weeks with family members. Her daughter and fiancee are going to be buying a home in Hampton Roads, following his assignment to Portsmouth for work. 

Unfortunately, being out of town that weekend, I would not have the opportunity to meet them, show property, or otherwise develop a relationship with them. 

So I turned this lead over to someone else in my office.  She was very appreciative and I know she will take excellent care of these buyers. I think I did the right thing...

I hope for other leads through activerain!

This a perfect time to ask if you can get help selling your home -- especially if you are military personnel.

As part of the new stimulus package, there is assitance for our military families who have purchase a home recently and are now trying to sell.  In this market, lets take all the help given! 

Here is the excerpt from the Virginian-Pilot and a link to the full article.

The assistance
Under a provision in the stimulus package, military service members who are given orders and must sell their homes for less than market value could receive compensation of up to 95 percent of the loss in value, if the homes were purchased before July 1, 2006.

Need additional information on home selling in Hampton Roads, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk?   I look forward to assisting you.

Do you like to look at new homes but don't want to stop in a model and get harassed by the on site agent?  One great way to see the latest features and techniques in decorating and construction is to visit the annual Tidewater Builders Association showcase of homes called Homearama.

This year, as in prior years, it is in the fall. October 3rd is the starting date for 2009. Location is Culpepper Landing in Chesapeake. New this year is a focus on more affordable construction. Home prices for this neighborhood are expected to be in the $300,000 to $500,000 range.

Looking for information on green building? Try the Tidewater Builders Association Green Building Council Site.

Look for real estate in Hampton Roads, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Suffolk and beyond?  Check my Website for homes search and other information such as Hampton Roads School information and more!

Fannie and Freddie - Extended Moratorium

Government-controlled mortgage finance companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac said Friday they have immediately suspended all foreclosure sales involving occupied single-family and 2-4 unit properties through March 6, to give troubled borrowers more time to work with loan servicers to avoid losing their homes.  Click here to read more from the Associated Press.

Need to list your home for sale in Hampton Roads?  I am happy to assist.  Searching for a home?  Check  my website for home search!    http://www.bethanyphillips.com

Good Morning!

If you are out there today wondering where to find your next true love... I have a suggestion for you!  Beagles to the Rescueis holding an ADOPTION DAY!  Have you met a beagle before???  Most of us know Snoopy with his crazy aviator antics and penchant for sleeping.  Well, beagles have lots of personalities, primarily fabulously gentle, loving, kind, sweet, and playful.

Please stop by today to meet those available through Beagles to the Rescue.  The adoption day will be at the Family Dog Farm on S. Centerville Turnpike in Chesapeake from noon to 4pm.

Are you hunting for a home in Hampton Roads!  I can help you sniff out just the right one! For real estate throughout Hampton Roads including foreclosures, waterfront property or urban living, Search for homes on BuyaNorfolkhome.com or bethanyphillips.com! 

For those of you not following the gyrations of Congress and the President's Administration, there is a lot of discussion on how best to stimulate the economy.  Though Hampton Roads was one of the few metropolitan regions which did not lose any jobs in 2008, we are still seeing troubling signs in the housing arena including increasing numbers of foreclosures and bank short sales. The Senate voted this week to include a 10% tax credit for anyone (not just first-timers) who purchases a home (up to $15,000).  The full article is here.  What good news that would be! 

So, to you folks out there who are considering a move-up, do you think this incentive would be enough to get you moving?  How about we throw in the lowest interest rates in decades, a huge number of homes to choose from, and seller contributions?  What do you think now?  I really want to know! 

Just thinking about buying or selling?  Check my website for information on home buying in Hampton Roads or other Real Estate information!

Here is one example that might work for Norfolk-living. It is a short sale, well below market value (average Sales Price in this area is $485,000). It is on the market for $399k!  If you would like information on this home, please call me.

Looking for real estate in the Hampton Roads cities of Norfolk and Virginia Beach? Potential homebuyers take note!  There is money available from the city if you quality. Per the article in the Virginian-Pilot this morning, fewer applicants means the cities are looking for buyers who qualify!  You could be the next to take part and thus, get up to $20,000 in assistance! 

For the full article click on this link.

The city of Norfolk's information is available HERE

For Virginia Beach, this is the link that includes contact information for someone in the city.  Here is an example of the type of home that might be available for first time homebuyers... Why rent!!???

To search for a home, use my website or call me!  I look forward to helping you purchase a home!

This ia  little guy from Beagles to the Rescue. His name is Oscar and he is available for adoption. We are fostering him until he finds a forever home!

In case you didn't hear about it, the Prudential Decker Realty organization has merged with 2 other realty firms in the area. This became effective today, Monday January 19th 2009. I personally think it is a great opportunity to leverage resources of these firms along with the resources of the primary owner, Towne Bank!

Prudential Towne Realty will be managed by Barbara Wolcott (the current CEO of Prudential Decker Realty) along with others from the Prudential McCardle organization and the GSH company. The press release is available on the Towne Bank website or by clicking here.

From a selfish perspective, I am excited to have access to offices on the Peninsula. As a realtor who has worked throughout Hampton Roads including the peninsula, I will appreciate the convenience of the York County and Williamsburg offices.  This gives me an alternative to conducting business in Starbucks or hotel lobbies! 

So... Welcome Prudential Towne Realty!