Rent kayaks at Buckroe Beach     Blackbeard Festival, great fun for kids of all ages !Hampton Holly Days ParadeAmerican Theatre in Phoebus                       Quaint waterfront downtown Shopping & restaurant districtLangley Air Show                                     Bus service all around town                              Crab races, great food and fireworks at Bay DaysHampton High School, the oldest public school still in use since 1875       Lots of charm and character in Old WytheJunior sailing program at the Hampton Yacht Club        Ranks #2 in the state for board certified techers          The Charles Taylor Art CenterSentara Hospital, with a great cardiac care unitVirginia Air and Space Center,                    Jazz Festival                                                  ... 09/24/2007

FHA to insure Loans up to $729,750, Might happen.By Michael Mapes, The Responsible Mortgage Lender  Under a proposed amendment to HR 1852 (FHA modernization of 2007) The Federal Housing Administration would be able to insure single family mortgages in high-cost areas.  Rep. Barney Frank D-MA, House Financial Service Committee Chairman wants to attach an FHA reform bill the house is expected to vote on soon.  The bill already raises the loan limits from $362,790 to the conforming loan limits of $417,000.00, which happens to be the loan limits under Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac current guidelines.However, Rep. Frank D-Ma, Rep. Miller, R-Calf, and Rep. Cardoza have filled an amendment with the rules committee to increase the maximum loan limit 175% over its current level.  The goal of this a... 09/13/2007

Sellers have a right to know.By Michael Mapes, The Responsible Mortgage Lender.Yesterday, I received a call from a previous client who has moved to Ohio.  I was sad to see a client leave but was overjoyed by their new opportunities.  As we spoke the conversation turned to the real reason she was calling.  She and her husband had listed their home here in Virginia for sale, it had been on the market a few months, and they finally got a contract.  It was a rather low offer and she wanted some advice.  Their agent who is respected in the community had given them his advice but she wanted a second opinion.  As we began to talk I pointed out a few things to her that she needed to ask but was afraid to thinking she had no right too.  Who is the lender providing financing?  A reputable lender ... 07/06/2007