Virginia Real Estate Blog: August 2008

Just some ideas for getting out the green in Norfolk...

1. The Keep Norfolk Beautiful organization is holding a 'build a rain barrel' event.
Wednesday, September 17th, 6-8pm
Ernie Morgan Center, Norfolk

Topic: Rain barrel information and construction class
Speaker: Michael Minor, Mikes Rain Barrels
Fee: $50

Learn to capturing grey water from your roof, to store and use as needed for garden irrigation, car washes, and more! Participants will construct their own rain barrels (its a lot easier, and cheaper, than you think!), and take them home!

To register, contact Holly Carson (441-1347 or holly.carson@norfolk.gov)

2. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is sponsoring a training for Oyster Gardening.

Workshops for New Oyster Gardeners WhenTue, Sep 9, 6:30pm - 8:00pm WhereVirginia Beach Great Neck Branch Library (map) DescriptionNow that you have your float, you are ready to learn how you can volunteer as an Oyster Gardener. Register with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 757-622-1964.

3. A Fair Trade Workshop is planned for end of September at the Green Alternatives Store in Norfolk

The Power of Fair Trade -- Educational Workshop
Learn how Fair Trade protects workers, communities, and the environment. Find out how you can take action to grow the Fair Trade marketplace in your community.



Susan Posey, organizer of Norfolk's annual Fair Trade Festival for six years running, will explain the connection between environmental conservation efforts and Fair Trade products, as well as share her personal experiences with a coffee cooperative in Nicaragua.

When: Tuesday, September 23rd (6:30-7:30pm)
Where: Green Alternatives 1905 Colonial Avenue in Norfolk 
Cost: FREE! 
RSVP: Seating is limited, so please RSVP by calling 457-8991

AND OF COURSE... there are opportunities to own energy star certified or earthcraft certified homes in the Hampton Roads area including Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and more. Call me to learn more about buying new construction that is certified green or to get ideas on renovating your existing home with energy efficiency or healthy alternatives to the traditional choices.  Search for homes on my website!

I like to remind people that the small things can make a difference...

1. Stop buying bottled water and drink from the tap or use a filtered system with your re-usable bottles

2. Change incandescent bulbs to CFLs and save yourself some money and save CO2

3. Here is another... Click a Day for Carbon offsets throught the Care2 Webpage on Global warming

2,609 pounds offset through Terrapass today!

Click the Reduce 1 pound of carbon button every day. For every click, our partner, TerraPass will reduce one pound of carbon dioxide emissions by funding clean energy and efficiency projects, such as wind farms.

BY the Way, it is a great time to buy real estate in Hampton Roads!  For example, there are 160 new price reductions on properties throughout our region including homes in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Chesapeake, and more! If you would like more information on our market, call me. Or search for homes at my websites buy a norfolk home or bethanyphillips.com

I had a great conversation with my buyer who is so excited about the purchase they are making in Ocean View, Norfolk. We were at the property on Saturday morning and it was the start of the Cape Charles Cup. The view from the decks of the property were terrific - see below. And the beach was peaceful, clean, relaxing, lovely... Their words, not mine!

These buyers suggested that Ocean View was a hidden gem and I agree. It is a great, undervalued area for waterfront property. So... if you have been wanting to capitalize on the opportunities presented in this buyers market... Think about real estate in Norfolk VA, specifically, Ocean View and Willoughby. You won't be disappointed! 

I am happy to help with your real estate needs in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and the rest of Hampton Roads!  Just give me a call or search for homes on my website!

I had a fun day yesterday showing property to a lovely family looking for a home in Ocean View. We looked throughout East Ocean View and Willoughby Beach.  In the area they are considering, there are more than 200 properties for sale in price ranges from ~$155,000 to $2,9M!  Since they want secure a home at a low payment, they limited their search to homes with water views for under $200k. I wasn't overly optimistic, but there are 7 properties that met their needs. We looked at most of these and a number of others that didn't quite work but were worth considering.

In the end, we submitted an offer on a 3 level townhouse with 2 bedrooms, ~1200 square feet, and 2 decks with great views of the water!  Here is a chart of List Price and Days on Market

If you are looking for waterfront property in Hampton Roads cities of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, or beyond, give me a call. Or use my websites to search for homes that meet your criteria.  I am happy to help with any of your Hampton Roads Real Estate needs!

Conserve and USE Energy

Thinking about ways to save money? One win-win situation is to keep the car parked and go for your bike!  You will save the money used for gas, plus help the environment AND you will burn calories peddling to your destination. Think you can't get from here to there in Norfolk on a bike?  Check out the Bike Map provided by Norfolk Critical Mass.  The organization is trying to get more residents to travel (safely) using bikes!  

There are also great cycling events throughout our region. Go to East Coast Bikes or Contes for more information.  Also Try Fat Frogs in Virginia Beach, All About Bikes in Chesapeake and in Suffolk.  There are a lot of bike shops in the area, so be sure to look around for one with the staff and product line that works best for you!.

Of course, while you are riding around, be sure to look for FOR SALE signs in front of houses throughout Hampton Roads... And remember, I can help will all of your real estate needs throughout Hampton Roads!

 What percent of electricity use comes from lighting?

 Lighting accounts for 20 to 25 percent of US electricity use. An average household dedicates 5 to 10 percent of its energy budget to lighting. The US EPA estimates that Americans can cut lighting energy use of 30 to 60 percent by:

1. using lower wattage bulbs
2. turning off unneeded lights
3. using natural light where possible
4. switching to compact fluorescent or LED lights

Compact Fluorescent lights last up to 10 times longer than incandescent lights, use about ¼ the energy, and generate 90 percent less heat while producing more light per watt. Brightness and color rendition are comparable to incandescent lights.  Try them today - CALL ME FOR A FREE CFL!  I will happily give you one to try!

MORE ON COLONIAL PLACE

I received a lead about a home owner who was looking for the value of their home on today's real estate market. They reside in Colonial Place Norfolk and have a very nice colonial with wood floors, garage, etc. They are not looking to sell their home (though they had it on the market in 2007 and it did not sell), but are looking for information to help with financial decisions'. 

Having just sold home in Colonial Place (See Below), I have recent and relevant experience with the homes in that neighborhood. (The area is great by the way - bounded on three sides by rivers and creeks, a boat ramp, a dog park, and a playground, it is also convenient to downtown Norfolk, Old Dominion University, and Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS), and it is a great location for any relocating to Norfolk Virginia, including Military relocations to Norfolk).

Anyway, the home appears to have a value that is slightly less than what the sellers listed the home for in 2007. This always makes me wonder if the listing was overpriced 18 months ago, or if there is something I need to know about the property.  Needless to say, I am encouraging the owners to have an-person visit so that I can amend the valuation based on first hand experience with home... I never like giving estimates of values without seeing the house first...

During a recent preview of a home in Willoughby in north Norfolk, I was pondering the impact of the planned road expansion of I64 on the property. That prompted me to review the planned projects for the area, assuming the Hampton Roads Transportation Authority ever has the funds available for the work.  I thought you might appreciate a refresher on what is coming as well.  Keep in mind that road changes can impact a homes value and marketability so it is important for you and your realtor to know what is planned. Here is what the HRTA website has to offer:

Projects

The projects included are a result of the regional transportation planning process. Following a series of analyses beginning in 1999, the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) identified a package of six projects that need additional state funding and tolls. The General Assembly met that need via HB 3202.

The projects outlined in HB 3202, in no particular order, are:

1. The Third Crossing

• Phase 1 - widening I-664 from Bowers Hill to Hampton
• Phase 2 - a bridge-tunnel running between the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge Tunnel and I-564 in Norfolk; a connector traversing Craney Island, running between the above bridge-tunnel and the Western Freeway

1. The Southeastern Parkway/Dominion Boulevard
2. Midtown Tunnel/Martin Luther King Freeway Extension
3. U.S. Route 460
4. Widening I-64 (Peninsula) to Route 199
5. Widening I-64 (Southside, including the High-Rise Bridge) from Battlefield Boulevard to Bowers Hill
   

So what that means is, if you are considering a home in one of these areas, be informed!  If you are looking for a home in Ocean View, Willoughby areas of Norfolk, there is nothing on this list to suggest a change to your property from these projects. 

As  followup to my rain garden post, I really want to get a rain barrel or make one... One of these days... But there are other things we can do in the garden too...

WHERE CAN Green Gardening Concepts be applied?

Everything in the garden can contribute to a healthy ecosystem.  In place of gravel or cement. The stone will  allow drainage of rainwater.

Use well placed deciduous trees for passive solar heating and cooling of your home.

Instead of a lawn plant xeric groundcovers that will conserve water and eliminate the need to use a gas-powered lawn mower. In place of a fence plant sustainable shrub row.

 A nice garden pond can be habitat for insect-eating fish, attract frogs, and toads. 

Here is a picture of my sister in laws new drivewy. The use of the stone should be better than cement and she is going to put in a rain garden in the back yard!

If you need assistance buying or selling a home with a great driveway, give me a call!  I am happy to help with your home sale or purchase throughout Hampton Roads including Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, etc. to search for homes, go to my website!

I am working on a modified rain garden for my side yard. For those who don't know, a rain garden is designed to reduce the amount of water runoff from your home by channeling it to a specific type of garden. This reduces the amount of rain going into the storm water drains and filters the water through the soil as well.

Here is  picture of the rain garden just after I added flowers (donated by Patty Edwards whose garden is outstnding -- thanks Patty!) - I still have work to do on it, but you get the idea.... (I hope!)

Anyway, I thought you might like a bit of info on some fairly common insects...

Which of the following Bugs are good for the garden, and which are detrimental?

1. Sow Bugs (or pill bugs)
2. Spider Mites
3. Yellow Jackets

Answers:

Sow Bugs = FRIEND. (Generally). Favoring damp, decaying plant matter they MAY go after plants you prefer they not-such as strawberries (Prop Strawberries up off the ground) 

 Spider Mites = FOE. Related to ticks, these bugs cause leaves to curl and yellow. Look for fine webs under leaves. Green controls include spraying with strong jet of water every morning for a few days. Using organic soap spray may work and introducing predatory mites may help too.

 Yellow Jacket = Depends. Great Pollinators, scavengers, and insect predators. But when looking for meat to feed larvae, they can ruin a back yard BBQ. Trap in plastic soda bottle containing a couple of inches of fruit juice and a piece of meat. Cut holes in the top to let them in.

And of course... as a reminder, if you are planning to buy or sell a home or real estate in Hampton Roads, please call! I can help.  You may search my website for all homes listed for sale in our area by going to www.bethanyphillips.com.