Well it looks as though @10:19 pm est Obama is in the lead to be our next President.  I have  the privledge to see alot fo historic events .  Things though history , from  John Kennedy , Martin Luther King , Bobby Kennedy and two tours of duty in Vietnam, and seeing it end.  During that time our country has flourished, and life was good.  Today we are in a different way of life with lots of doubt about what is going on in Washington.  Well things may be about to change , I don't know if Obama gets elected he will be able to do all the things he has spoken of , but it sure can't hurt to see if a change will come. All we can do is sit back, watch  and see.  I am so proud to be an American , to be able to see history possibly happen.  God Bless America!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 11/04/2008

Congrats to all Americans and Hampton Roads citizens! We did it, we showed up in rare form.  In numbers to vote for change on either side of the isle.  I voted in Chesapeake, VA and It took me 50 minutes from the time I parked my car, stood in line, voted and came on out.  I was disappointed because I was prepared to give my husband the I told you we should have voted absentee speech. I was glad to see large crowds on the news.  We can't say are vote did not make a difference because this time it definitely will.  I hope next year we will be benefiting from some changes.  That's what this is all for.  I hope the new policies are implemented, I hope the candidates were not just talk, I hope the Senate and the House hold up there end of the deal so that we can move on to bigger and bright... 11/04/2008

I recently read an article that talked about the differences in buying an older home over a new home.  There are pluses to both. The article talked about the fact that you can usually get an older home that has the wallpaper and paint already done.  Sometimes you can actually negotiate to have the window treatments included with the home.  The closing can occur in a short period of time.  On the down side you are buying a property that has used carpet, appliances, heating, and cooling systems to mention just some of the items in the home that have already been used since the home was built.   When you buy a new home you are buying a home that is under warranty for the minimum of 1 year.  Nothing in the home has been used prior to the buyer moving in.  The buyer can select the items that... 11/03/2008

Higher unemployment obviously has a negative effect on housing in Chesapeake. Job losses prevent twentysomethings from finding their first jobs. As they find jobs the baby boomer parents are thrown out of their jobs. It throws them into a  job market that's unreceptive to both younger unskilled people and older workers alike. Unemployment prevents otherwise well-qualified people from buying homesand pushes more homeowners into foreclosure. It keeps prospective home buyers who feel insecure about their paychecks on the fence. The real estate sector, which has lost plenty of jobs in construction, brokerage, lending and affiliated businesses, could shrink further. The bottom line is that jobs are once again an issue of great importance to real estate in Chesapeake. People whose businesses ... 10/29/2008

For you buyers thinking of purchasing a new construction home in Chesapeake, go to this web site first, after contacting me of course.  The web site is federalhousingtaxcredit.com  It explains the the $7,500 tax credit you can get for purchasing a new home.  The site provides links to frequently asked questions, provisions on the law and other home buyer resources.  The site is courtesy of the National Association of Builders.  I am not at the site anymore but I can still sell you a home at Westchester Estates with Ashdon Builders or Graff Construction.   http://www.deniseallen.com/  Come and see ALL the Homes for Sale in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, as well as the rest of Hampton Roads.  This site is updated daily with new real estate listings, pictures and other information vi... 10/25/2008

    Many Realtors are seeing the advantages of hiring a Home Stager... and yet there is still a large majority of Realtors who don't.  Many of whom I have spoken too have been the Buyer's Agents.  They see hiring a Home Stager for only one purpose... to stage a home that is already or soon to be up for sale.  But now, that's changed.....  Buyer's Agent can also reap the benefits!   My company, Casa Bella Concepts works with Buyer's Agents and Loan Officers alike and decorates one room in the new buyer's home.  Yes, you read correctly,  I'll work with buyers, agents and loan officers and after choosing which room is to be decorated, we chose paint colors, furniture and accent items (usually items they already have, unless they decide to purchase new items) and get to work. Therefore once... 10/21/2008

Since I broke my ankle I am pretty much out of the new homes business but will stop in to read and remark on how you all are doing.  Are there any bright spots out there?  My site in Chesapeake called Westchester Estates only sold one home in one year.  New homes real estate is a tough way to make a living.  http://www.deniseallen.com/  Come and see ALL the Homes for Sale in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, as well as the rest of Hampton Roads.  This site is updated daily with new real estate listings, pictures and other information vital to your home search. Google denise allen   10/10/2008

Chesapeake police department announced a second new deputy police chief.  This position comes about because of a review that in part said the department was understaffed and needed a makeover.  Maj. Mark Solesky was appointed to the post, will oversee patrol operations, special operations and community policing efforts.  Other changes are coming in the future due to the review. http://www.deniseallen.com/  Come and see ALL the Homes for Sale in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, as well as the rest of Hampton Roads.  This site is updated daily with new real estate listings, pictures and other information vital to your home search. Google denise allen   10/10/2008

Gas prices have gone down in Hampton Roads this week?  I have seen 2.82 to 3.21 as the lowest prices in the area.  I almost wrecked my car making a last minute turn into a gas station I was quickly passing.  I was fascinated that my corner station had dropped from 3.31 to 3.19 over night.  As a premium consumer every penny counts.  According to The Hampton Roads Pilot online,   Gas prices are falling - like a rock. In Hampton Roads, the average price per gallon of regular gas fell to $3.29 today, according to auto club AAA's Fuel Gauge Report. That's down more than 40 cents from post-Hurricane Ike prices last month, which soared above $3.70 per gallon. The national average also fell to $3.35 a gallon today as oil prices dropped to about $80 per barrel, the lowest price in a year. The fi... 10/10/2008

Chesapeake is upgrading the school systems emergency alert system.  The old system used the schools own lines and sometimes it took days to get the word out.  Not much of an "emergency" system but is was all they had.  Now they have contracted with "SchoolMessenger" and they can make up to 40,000 calls in 30 minutes.  Try that on your Black Berry.  A parent can have up to three phone numbers in the system and you are automatically enrolled when your child is enrolled in school.  http://www.geneallen.com/  Come and see ALL the Homes for Sale in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, as well as the rest of Hampton Roads.  This site is updated daily with new real estate listings, pictures and other information vital to your home search. Google geneallen   10/02/2008

I wrote a post recently about a bike path for the new Dominion Blvd widening project in Chesapeake.  Well now the project has grown and that makes the bike path more expensive by $2 million dollars.  We are talking about 6,000 feet of bike path.  To the cities credit, they are trying to reduce the cost without doing away with the bike path which the state won't let happen anyway.  Stay tuned and we will see if it goes any higher. http://www.geneallen.com/ Come and see ALL the Homes for Sale in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, as well as the rest of Hampton Roads. This site is updated daily with new real estate listings, pictures and other information vital to your home search. Google gene allen 09/24/2008

Chesapeake school board officials are thinking about delayng the building of an eighth high school.  Why?  Because of the economy and and slower growth.  The money may be better spent renovating and updating schools.  There are several schools now with that have several hundred students more then they were built for but it looks like the trend is going down.  The forecast for the  school district was for no growth in students for the year.  There are many thoughts on the process but when you think about one school costing $100 million you really need to put a lot of thought into the process.  This school is one of the reasons people like my new home site at Westchester Estates.  They are planning ahead and so should the city.   http://www.deniseallen.com/  Come and see ALL the Homes for... 09/08/2008

Actually the bike path leads to somewhere but it is not the end of a rainbow but at that cost it should be.  Chesapeake is widening Dominion Blvd and the state requires a bike path be installed.  The cost is $16 million.  That seems like a lot of money but is only 4% of the total cost of the improvements.  The city had thought that it made the bike path go away earlier this year only to find it back this month.  As a bike rider myself, I like to see a nice path along a 55 mph road on which I can ride at my own speed.  Hopefully the city and the state can figure it out without costing $16 million.    http://www.geneallen.com/  Come and see ALL the Homes for Sale in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, as well as the rest of Hampton Roads.  This site is updated daily with new real estate ... 09/08/2008

The 80 year old Jordan Bridge is in need of $4 million in repairs and may need to be closed.  The bridge carries about 7,000 cars a day and is a demand only bridge.  City officials aren't sure if they want to put money into the bridge because of more pressing highway needs like the Dominion Blvd widening.  I can remember the last time it closed and the traffic on the highway seemed to be a lot slower and it took longer to get to Westchester Estates.  It seems like more than 7,000 cars a day when it is closed.   http://www.deniseallen.com/ Come and see ALL the Homes for Sale in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, as well as the rest of Hampton Roads. This site is updated daily with new real estate listings, pictures and other information vital to your home search. Google denise allen   09/06/2008

I did an earlier post on Tankless Water Heaters and now Consumer Reports has come out and said they are ok but pricey and have their quirks.  They don't recommend the electric ones at all for the whole house.  Some of the quirks are not enough hot water or hot water then cold then hot.  Or if you don't run water enough the burners don't come and give you hot water.  The tankless heaters save about $70 a year in gas but because of the cost it can take 20 years for the unit to pay back and then it is time for a new one.  It gas keeps going up of course the payoff will come much quicker. We haven't installed one at my new home site, Westchester Estates in Chesapeake, Va, yet but I am hoping to have one soon. http://www.deniseallen.com/ Come and see ALL the Homes for Sale in Virginia Beach,... 09/06/2008

If you had not wanted to put CFL's in your new homes because they wouldn't fit anywhere, don't worry.  They come in every shape, style and wattage that you could possibly imagine.  They even have the little yellow bug light.  I have not thought of those in years.  I am working on my builder at Westchester Estates in Chesapeake, Va to put the bulbs everywhere.  Yes they are expensive but we could advertise as have a somewhat "green" house.  Every bit helps nowadays. Here is a great website for CFL bulbs.  Check it out. http://www.bulborama.com/store/html/Products/Compact-Fluorescent-Bul-4/Decorative-and-Chandeli-21/index.html I borrowed this from my husband because I thought it was important. "Here is another wrinkle in my life.  Now I have to make decisions when I buy Compact Fluorescen... 08/09/2008

Where is the 85th best place to live in the country?  If guessed Chesapeake, VA then you would be correct.  This comes straight from Money magazine and they rate the top 100 cities in the nation.  Everyone knows Chesapeake is a great place to live and work and know the rest of the country knows it as well.  So if you have any one interested in our area, please be sure to mention this to them and send them my way. http://www.geneallen.com/ Come and see ALL the Homes for Sale in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, as well as the rest of Hampton Roads. This site is updated daily with new real estate listings, pictures and other information vital to your home search. Google gene allen 08/09/2008

My last entry on this was a while ago http://activerain.com/blogsview/518201/Golf-Course-Or-Ecological and here is an update.  The Battlefield Golf Course is built on 1.5 million tons of fly ash.  The wells on property around the course were recently tested and it appears that there are elevated levels of lead and other heavy metals in the wells around the golf course.  Can you imagine that.  City officials in Chesapeake are asking for help from the EPA in Richmond.  The EPA is trying to figure out what to do if anything.  Some residents feel their homes are worthless because of the well situation and shouldn't be paying real estate taxes.  I'll keep my ears open for what happens next. http://www.deniseallen.com/  Come and see ALL the Homes for Sale in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfol... 08/05/2008

Calling citizens of Chesapeake and South Hampton Roads.  If you are 60 years old or older and meet certain income limits, you can apply for a free fan to help beat the heat.  Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia realizes that not everyone has air conditioning and not every one can afford it.  They have started thier Fan Care program so older people can get a fan.  The phone number is 757-461-9481 and ask to talk to an intake specialist. http://www.deniseallen.com/ Come and see ALL the Homes for Sale in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, as well as the rest of Hampton Roads. This site is updated daily with new real estate listings, pictures and other information vital to your home search. Google denise allen 07/23/2008

Monarch bank which is based in Chesapeake saw its second quarter earnings rise 18 percent, mostly from its mortgage-banking unit.  This is another local bank like Townebank in Portsmouth that we wish would keep being profitable in this down market. http://www.geneallen.com/ Come and see ALL the Homes for Sale in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, as well as the rest of Hampton Roads. This site is updated daily with new real estate listings, pictures and other information vital to your home search. Google gene allen 07/19/2008