So the local paper in Hampton roads ( Virginian Pilot ) publishes the Real Estate Report by The Associated Press. Here is my spin ! I was just reading an article in the Virginian Pilot about the state of the housing market. Its up, its down, its up its down. I swear I feel like Im on a roller coaster. SO lets look at the national statistics. 1. Homes prices fell 12% last year (here is the gloom – Sharpest drop since the GREAT DEPRESSION, really we have to know that !) 2. Median sale price is now at $173,500 (here is the good – YEA people can afford the homes now) Down 23% from the PEAK in 2006 3. Home sales are up 21 % from the bottom a year ago, but also down 25% from the peak (had to sneak good and bad for that last big dip) Okay here is my spin! STOP comparing everything from the PE... 01/27/2010

Quick and easy ROI Calculator. Virginia Beach, VA Here is a quick and easy way to calculate how much you could earn using our method of renting out individual rooms in transitional housing. $450 a month for private bedrooms and $750 a month for the shared ones (12x12 or larger). Just add it up in your head, and then deduct your expenses; e.g., mortgage payment, insurance, taxes (PITI) and utilities, Viola, there’s your net cash flow, and on the average probably around $1,000 a month. One of our most recent students just opened a 4 bedroom, split level, single family residence (SFR) in a nice working class neighborhood on January 11th. Two rooms are renting out as privates for $450 a month, and two larger bedrooms will be rented out as semi-private rooms for $750 a month. Semi-private ro... 01/27/2010

No phone at any speed in Virginia Beach is a safe way to drive but how do you accomplish it?  Use the off button of course.  What if you don't want your teenagers driving and talking when you are not there.  What if you aren't disciplined enough.  What would your insurance company think when you are in an accident talking on the phone with your buyers in the car? There is a service out there called ZoomSafer that uses a phones GPS to determine if a phone user is moving at driving speeds.  If so, the phone is disabled.  The system can be overridden but then an email is sent to the person who set the system up so if it is the kids driving you will know about it.  When driving, you can have ZoomSafer: Activate automatically or manually Auto-reply to text messages, emails and unanswered pho... 01/27/2010

Do you know where yard sales are in the Glenwood section of Virginia Beach?   I know where most of them are because I go to www.YardSaleTreasureMap.com .  The site takes information from Craigs list and posts them.  You enter a starting address, how many miles you want to drive, the day of the week and click search.  You are awarded with a Google (of course) map with each yard sale as well as driving directions.  If you click on the red balloon it gives you the time, address and any specifics about what is being sold. 01/26/2010

Too often we come across people who are a "legend in their own mind". It drives me nuts, because these same people view themselves as superior but lack compassion. Compassion for those who have different ideas, opinions, values, gifts and talents. These differences are what makes the world go round. When someone asks you a question, don't criticize them for the question; applaud the fact that they sought an answer from you. This person could teach you a thing or two, if you invested just a little time in getting to know them better. We should work harder to keep from drawing conclusions or judgments about people and their behaviors. We're eliminating our growth opportunities. 01/24/2010

You bought a condo with no yard. Then you bought a dog, which requires that you take them for a walk since you have no yard. So please tell me why you don't feel you have to pick up after your dog. Who do you think is going to pick it up? Over the last several years, we've had people move in and out of our condo community. As soon as they move in with a dog, I guess they don't think anyone will notice the poop starts mysteriously showing up too? Don't these folks realize how disrespectful, not to mention how unsanitary this irresponsible behavior is. One new neighbor let their pooch do his business on our sidewalk at the back of our unit, as I watched from inside. This was the third and last time. I walked out and asked them if they needed a bag. Apparently, they were shocked to find me... 01/24/2010

Mount Thrasmore in Virginia Beach, Virginia  For those of you who have read my blog, know that I am doing a Biggest loser/winner contest.  Today I had organized a walk at the park.  The park which is centrally located to Virginia beach is Mount Trashmore.  I have driven by it thousands of time, but I had never been in it.  Well, my loss.  Nicely organized with two lakes, walking trails, kiddie park, skateboard ramps, picnic areas, basketball court, volleyball courts, vending machines, restrooms  and the mountain that was built over recycled trash... what a way to recycle.  I am so out of shape that I barely made it up the tiny mountain, but it was well worth it.  I was thinking in three months I better be like Rocky when I finally climb it with the background music, and I will  throw in... 01/24/2010

Why not warm up your open house in Virginia Beach this weekend with some great Mulled Cider with Butter. 2 quarts fresh ciderr                                 3 cinnamon sticks (broke up) plus 10 for garnish 4 Tablespoons butter                               1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar      1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg 10 thin halved orange slices                      1/3 cup dark rum 1/2 medium cored but not peeled apple     4 whole cloves Place the cider in a large pan over medium heat til warm While the cider is warming, melt the butter in a large heavy sauce pan over medium heat, add the sugar and stir for a minute, add the warm cider and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Add half the orange slices, all the apple slices, the halved cinnamon stick... 01/23/2010

Virginia Beach, Va is a great Vacation location for relaxation and adventures, with Beaches (Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay...and so much more!!!  The occasional off day (overcast, a little rain)---no problem. Spend the day at the Virginia Aquarium, only 10 minutes from the Beach; Go Deep Sea Fishing and Dolphin Watching via Boat, 5 minutes away; Colonial Williamsburg, less then an hour away; Harbor Cruise at downtown Norfolk, 30 minutes; Seafood restaurants and all types of Eclectic eating places--and on and on---and on! Offseason, especially in the Fall, has it's advantages; off season rates (in season is normally considered June, July, August). The rest is off season with rates lowering as the off season progresses) and really not bad weather at all. Stroll the Beaches, visit surr... 01/21/2010

I don't carry around just any old bag - it has a purpose!  Blackberry Bold Flip Camera Canon S90 Lots of lip gloss Drivers License, Check Card, 1 Credit Card, Health Insurance Card Amazon Kindle A Couple of Diapers Nail File Tylenol Eye Drops Real Estate Calculator Lotion A couple of business cards And of course THE WINNING LOTTERY TICKET 01/19/2010

Get Ready:    Every year our company has a full day where we align ourselves with the vision of the company. We take the time to hone our skills so we can tackle the year and hit it with a bang!  We use fun common things like football to keep track of our yearly goals; using the field and the yard lines as a measure to our goal.    For example, last year we used Disney's "Invincible" as our inspiration and had our executive staff introduced in the same way that a football team would be introduced to the fans in a stadium.  This set of the meeting on a fun note and ended up getting very high reviews from the rest of the staff! (to the right) Jarret Shaffer begins the meeting with a lot of fun!  Set:    This year I'm happy to say that we have chosen "Most Wanted" for our company theme!  W... 01/19/2010

On a trip to Las Vegas recently, I found myself parked in front of the "Wheel of Fortune" slot machine. As much as I hate to admit it, I love playing that slot. The only problem is I normally leave with less than I started with. We all know that's how these lavish hotels and casinos were built.  As I sat on the plane on our way home, I realized how many sellers gamble with their largest asset. They sit at the slot machine, making one bad decision after another, falling deeper and deeper in the hole. If you are struggling to meet you mortgage payments, you need to call a Realtor right away. Don't fall behind in your payments then call for help. Based on the market times required to sell a property, your best option is to call first, don't let pride or embarrassment keep you from making t... 01/19/2010

In 2000 my husband and I decided to get certified to scuba dive. I found that diving was more about mind over matter than the activity it's self. In 2002, we had the opportunity of a lifetime. For our ten-year anniversary we took off for a month and went to Fiji. We started our adventure on a dive live aboard, the Nai'a. The diving was the best we've ever experienced. One particular dive was in the Nigali Passage. It was known as the "shark dive". I had a discussion with our dive master Russi about my hesitation to do the dive. Somehow he convinced me we were safe, and I would miss out on the experience of a life time. A wide stride later, I was dropping down to 60 feet on the ledge of a reef, tucked down holding on tight. Next, two of the dive masters drop down with a "frozen chum-cicl... 01/19/2010

The mayor of Virginia Beach, William Sessoms, wants the Hampton Roads area to become the Silicon Valley of Wind Energy.  Mayor Fraim of Norfolk would like to turn the old Ford Plant into a manafacuring plant for wind turbines.  There is a new group in town called the Virginia Offshore Wind Coalition and they want to make Hampton Roads a wind energy hub.  Josh Prueher president of Earl Energy estimates that the potential for 10,000 jobs and a net worth of $80 billion to the region is possible.  Of course as with almost anything in the area has to approved by the military.  The most viable project is for about 200 wind turbines about 12 miles offshore and 500 feet tall.  500 feet tall.  That is really big.  Should be interesting to watch. http://www.hamptonroadsrealestate.ws Come and see ... 01/16/2010

Here is an easy way to get fans to your business fan page.  Checkered Flag Auto Group is running a promotion that for every fan they receive for the month of Janurary 2010 they will donate to United Way.      01/13/2010

This is what I woke up to the other morning in my backyard in Glenwood on the golf course.  I didn't know what they were doing until I zoomed in.  There were hunting nuts.  The black birds can't open them with their beaks so they get on a limb and crack it between their beaks. http://www.hamptonroadsrealestate.ws 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. 01/11/2010

Discovery:    This past week we ran into a situation where a beautiful newly constructed home was built on a parcel of land, which had a graveyard!  The seller disclosed the presence of the graveyard to the buyer and to the buyer's agent.  All parties involved were aware; however, their lender was not aware of this and neither were we (title company), thus creating an uncomfortable issue.  Issues:    You may be asking, "OK, why is that an issue at all?"  Well, the main problem arises from the fact that graveyards aren't insurable and neither is the right to access them.  This means that both the graveyard and the ingress and egress from it are listed as special exceptions in the title policy, i.e., there is NO coverage under title insurance. If the graveyard ever caused marketability is... 01/09/2010

Are you a seller, a new home owner, or a real estate agent that is looking for a responsible, qualified contractor for work that needs to be done on your/a home.  Put this name in your phone book, Ward Kromholz "The Creative Carpenter."  With over 25 years experience in the home repair and remodeling business Ward will impress you with his knowledge and commitment to quality work.  He has been hired by many real estate agents to help their sellers get their homes sold.   He even handles the small jobs.  Ward services mainly Virginia Beach and South East Chesapeake.  He is licensed and insured.  Visit his New Web Site at: www.TheCreativeCarpenter.info.   Although still in the process of building onto this site, it is a good introduction.  For a quote call Ward Kromholz at 757-404-6101 01/07/2010

Rents prices rose slightly in Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads last year.  Good news for landlords and not so good for renters.  They were up almost 1.5% from April to Oct and the vacancy rate is down to 6.9%.  That probably will go up after new figures are in for the next quarter.  More houses were bought and taken out of the rental market.  That should drive vacancy rates down and rents up.  More investors are being foreclosed on at the same time.  Planned new construction for apartments dropped dramatically as well from nearly 3,800 to 1,500.  That is a really big fall off from April 2009. http://www.hamptonroadsrealestate.ws 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 estat... 01/06/2010

Meet Billy Yancey owner of Face The Pain Gym located at 2312 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23454. Time to kick off the 2010 new years fitness resolutions and no better place than with Face The Pain Gym.  I haven't worked out regularly since Hunter my 4 1/2 yr old was born and just tired of making excuses.  No more baby belly for me so no better time than now.  I know it is an amateur video but this is also one of my resolutions is to try and do more video. So please be kind with your comments.      01/03/2010