FABULOUS COMPLETELY RENOVATED 2 BED,1 BTH WITH DIRECT ACCESS TO THE BEACH. STAINLESS STEELE APPLIANCE PACKAGE. EXCELLENT LOCATION WITH TONS OF ROOM FOR APPRECIATION & AREA GROWTH. BE A PART OF THE OCEAN VIEW REVOLUTION! Visual Tour- http://www.visualtour.com/shownp.asp?SK=13&T=1572978   YOU CAN SEE MORE INFO ON THIS LISTING AND MY OTHER LISTINGS AT WWW.JOSHSELLSVIRGINIA.COM 10/11/2008

A huge project like the light rail system in Norfolk called the TIDE needs to be transparent.  Apparently Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) doesn't think so.  Council members want numbers and projections and are not getting them.  The city nees to stay on top of this issue as many millions of dollars are at stake.  HRT says it is hard to come up with exact numbers as things are in flux like the station design and parking at the Military Highway sight.  Council needs a handle on the funding and they need it real soon.   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   10/10/2008

A while back I wrote a post on whether Waterside would stay or go.  Recently Norfolk city council decided Waterside would stay for a while.  The 25 year building will be getting a minor makeover costing several million dollars over the next few years.  When first built Waterside sparked a rebirth of downtown but now has seemingly outlived its usefulness. There will be town hall meetings this fall and spring into 2010 to decide what to do with the building.  It belongs to the city and there have been talks of building condos on the water there.  It is quite a nice view for sure. 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 a... 10/10/2008

I had a friend recently ask me if I understood what was happening in the financial markets. I know I have an MBA, and I try to use it but... this is scary!  Given that halloween and fright night is just around the corner, perhaps this is appropriate... Anyway, I do know that big drops in the stock arket often trigger 'buy' motivations in investors. We see that happening today in the market - even with the overall stock market dropping, certain stocks will increase or be scooped up by savvy investors. So, where is a safe place for your money?  I would contend that it is in property... real estate. Houses will not just up an disappear like a company or its stock.  Will prices fluctuate? Of course! Will your house be worth ZERO tomorrow?  Highly unlikely. And of course you have heard it be... 10/10/2008

The Colonial Place/Riverview annual ARTWALK is scheduled for this weekend!   Sunday, October 12, 2008 from noon to 5pm The CPRV website has the following information!A list of participating artists is now available as well as a download of the brochure and the poster. Real Estate Norfolk VA Norfolk Real Estate Blog 10/08/2008

Arthur Collins is going to build a 385 unit condominium complex near Wards Corner in Norfolk.  The $60 million project is on Newport Ave and will replace the Riverside Terrace Apartments.  The new development has views of the Elizabeth River and will be called WaterMark.  The condos will be built in phases over a period of years.  This seems to be a pretty bold move in this real estate market and let's hope it works for him. 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   10/05/2008

A man was arrested for openly carrying a gun to a festival at Waterside last year turned out to be bogus.  Apparently it is ok to walk around Harborfest in Norfolk or anywhere else you want with a six shooter strapped to your side.  The police arrested the man and where none to nice to him as he says.  He sued the department in federal court for the Second and Fourth amendment rights for constitutional violations.  The judge threw all that out.  Here is where the "go figure" comes.  The police asked for the mans social security number.  That is a violation of the Federal Privacy Act and can go to trial.  Go Figure. 10/02/2008

Electronic Recycling Day, October 11th HR CLEAN is working with WVEC to hold a regional e-cycling event on Saturday, Oct. 11 from 9 A.M. to 2 P.M.  Electronics will be collected at all Grand Furniture locations, so there should be one near you! This is a great opportunity to get rid of old computers, televisions, cell phones, recyclable batteries, and other electronic gadgets that are cluttering your house and garage. The first one hundred televisions dropped off at each location will not be charged the $10 recycling fee. There are no other costs for recycling items. Find out all the details at http://www.hrclean.org/events/Ecycle.shtml Norfolk Real Estate Norfolk Real Estate Blog 10/01/2008

Just looking at some data from our regional MLS. Concentrating on Norfolk, I wanted to see how financing of home sales has changed. The biggest drop has been in conventional loans. The largest increase in FHA. I think this is pretty common throughout the area, and in fact, common throughout the US. With conventional financing getting harder to locate amid the market turmoil we are seeing, that is no surprise. Here is a chart Types of Buyer Financing Year to Year Comparison In Norfolk, VA January 1 to September 30th   Looking at percentages - conventional loans have decreased from close to 75% of all purchase financing of Norfolk VA real estate to less than 50% (46.7%). WOW! A big increase (almost 400% gain!) has been seen in FHA financing. So, how is this different for you, where ever y... 09/30/2008

I was thinking today about my recent sale in the Colonial Place neighborhood. (See blog).  What a great house!  I hope the buyers are happy there.  I started wondering how things have been going since the late spring when this house went under contract and it closed in mid-summer. For absorption rate (that is the rate at which the current inventory of homes on the market will sell based on recent sales), I looked at most recent 30 days sales.  That was depressing = 8 months of inventory!  In other words, it will take 8 months to sell all of the homes on the market in Colonial Place, assuming no new homes are listed for sale.  Because we are well into the slow market, I took another look. If you look at most recent 3 months of sales to figure the absorption rate, things look better. That... 09/29/2008

Have you been thinking about a new water heater?  New refrigerator?  New Washer or Dryer?  Now is the time to consider that purchase  more seriously!  Virginia is offering a sale tax holiday (NO TAXES) during the weekend of October 10 to 13, 2008, but only for ENERGY STAR products or WATERSENSE products!  For the full list of qualified products go to the Virginia website. Eligible products must be priced at $2,500 or less for each item, and be purchased for noncommercial home or personal use. http://www.tax.virginia.gov/web_pdfs/Exempt_Items_List_Energy_Star.pdf DONT forget to read the label when considering which product to buy - there are 2 costs associated with each purchase - the sales price AND the cost to operate!  Weigh the benefits of each item you are considering - lower operat... 09/29/2008

Wonder where the Nofolk Botanical Garden had its start?  It was part of the WPA 70 years ago.  It was created and dug out by over 220 African American women and men.  They worked for 25 cents an hour from dawn til dusk.  Now these people are being remembered with the WPA Memorial Garden.  The official opening will be next spring when the azaleas are in bloom. 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 09/28/2008

I wanted to let everyone know about the next presentation in this series from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, NOAA, and Nauticus. I have attended these in the past and there have been great speakers and content!  Worthy of attending! October 7, 7 p.m.Blue Planet Forum Lecture Series Dr. Timmons Roberts of the College of William and Mary, Ann Swanson of Chesapeake Bay Commission and Donald Luzzatto of The Virginian-Pilot will discuss "Environmental Policy and the Next President". Moderated by Cathy Lewis of WHRO's HearSay with Cathy Lewis. Presented by Nauticus, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Free, doors open at 6 p.m.; Limited seating so pre-registration required. Contact the Chesapeake Bay Foundation at (757) 622-1964 or em... 09/28/2008

Did you know that at times it takes an act of Congress to sell land.  Apparently NOAA owns a piece of land in downtown Norfolk on Front St that it bought from Norfolk back in the early 1970's.  Norfolk needs the piece of the land for its light rail system and the rest will be towards redevelopment.  Right now there is an empty warehouse on the lot. 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

This is just a quick look at what, I think, most of us already knew.  BUT sometimes it helps to look at the numbers to be sure that something that is commonly retold as fact, is, in fact... well, a fact!  In summary, since 2005, the number of units of residential real estate (single family, attached and detached) sold has decreased by a little over 40% from the high of 3391 homes sold.  And, the days on market (or the length of time it takes to sell a home) has increased since 2005 from about 1 month (34 days on average) to close to 3 months (81 days on average).  Well... if one assumes we are at the bottom, it is great time to buy property in Norfolk! SO if you do want to look for investimant property anywhere in the area, give me a call or check my website to search for homes in Hampt... 09/22/2008

Here is something to think about as you bring your buyers along and they ask a a seemingly innocent question about what to do about the big tree down by the street.  Be careful how you answer because this is a true story.  A family on Melrose Parkway in Norfolk, Va recently decided to put a driveway in.  Sounded easy enough but when they went to get a permit they found out that they needed a permit from the Department of Forestry.  Why on earth did they need that.  Because the trees that line Melrose Parkway are owned by the city.  The residents then found that they couldn't cut in the drip line of the tree or cut a root more then 2 inches in diameter.  The only option left was to remove a tree.  The cities tree assessor told the residents that they were in luck as there were plenty of ... 09/14/2008

Sheriffs' in Virginia Beach are receiving $100 a month if they are proficient in Spanish.  The jail population here is growing larger every year and there are over 100 inmates who don't speak English.  The police department is looking at implementing a similiar program but need to find a source of funds.  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 deniseallen   09/14/2008

CM Developments' president will be liable for $9.1 miillion in debt.  This was because of an agreement filed in bankruptcy court recently.  Once the bankruptcy case is closed, creditors will be allowed to file claims against Cary McEntee in civil court and place liens against his wages and any remaining property.  The company at one time owned 250 properties in and around the Norfolk area but sold them in a pyrimid like scheme.  Eventually it came crashing down on the company like a house of cards.  Many investors were out a lot of money and the city is left trying to clean up the messes left behind.  The fallout only helps to depress property value in an already poor market. http://www.geneeallen.com/  Come and see ALL the Homes for Sale in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, as well ... 09/14/2008

Just wanted to share some photos of our August racing adventure... Maybe the race was on Hampton Flats (James River), I don't remember... Anyway, I just really liked these...   09/12/2008

Norfolk schools will be getting new attendance zones by 2010 if school officials go through with plans recently announced.  The move could end crosstown busing that was imposed on the city decades ago by the courts.  Because the zones for the five hight schools haven't been redrawn in such a long time some schools are over utlized and some are underutilized.  Rezoning the schools would more evenly distribute the students and should make for shorter bus trips as a bonus.   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 09/08/2008