Are you looking for the "right" home or "right" price? How about finding the right neighborhood too? It seems that many real estate agents and buyers visiting our communities in the past year are locked into finding the home with the best deal or best price. We like to remind them that they should also be looking for the "right" community!"Oh, you mean we should pay as much attention as to what the community offers as we do the house? What a concept!" YES! In this price-conscious home buying market, everyone involved should also focus on finding the right place to live- that being the location or community. What should you look for in a planned community? Here are 5 things you should consider when you're searching for that right home and right place to call home. 1. The Overall Communit... 02/07/2013

3220 Patrick Henry Drive Chesapeake, VA 23323 3220 Patrick Henry Drive Chesapeake, VA 23323 Home Photo Gallery Virtual Tour Property Map Payment Info Request Showing Donna BoszeLicensed In Virginia Mobile: (757)338-5334 FAX: (757) 257-2220 Website: Visit Website Price : $379,900 Bedrooms : 4 Bathrooms : 2.5 Square Foot : 2,837 County : City of Chesapeake Property Type : Detached Year Built : 2011 MLS Number : 1238546 click for more information and pictures Property Description Gorgeous home in Homearama community. Gourmet kitchen with granite, SS appliances and 42" cabinets. Large MBR/BA with sitting area and balcony. Super family neighborhood with clubhouse, exercise room, playground, dog park and pool.Just reduced! Check out new construction and then come buy this one! Equal Housing ... 01/22/2013

Resolution- to decide to change or improve something about yourself. How is your resolve? Our intentions are good, but our resolve weakens the further we get into the year. Hopefully, everyone has already established your goals for 2013. If you haven’t, today is the day to start the new year off right. While everyone else is settling down for the holidays, it’s the perfect time to reflect on what it is that you want to accomplish next year and HOW do you plan to do it? A recent poll reported that 84% of Americans make at least one resolution. However, only 28% of us follow through in trying to keep them. And, of those who do follow through, 25% of the resolutions we do make will totally be abandoned within the first 15 weeks. Those who do manage to make a resolution last for longer tha... 12/30/2012

  Putting the ‘home’ in homearama   Most days, Pat and Mike Moore find themselves immersed in the resort life: leisurely bike rides around the lakes, 18 holes on a sprawling championship golf course and evening strolls to a waterfront park, where sunsets kiss the Nansemond River. They gather with neighbors for cookouts, parties, tournaments and fitness activities and special events throughout the year. Tennis and volleyball courts tempt them, as do two pools and a clubhouse, and the nearby commercial corridor with shops, eateries and more. Had the Moores not purchased their home in The Riverfront at Harbour View themselves, they might think they’d been lured to perpetual vacation. The couple had watched the neighborhood develop for some time, Pat Moore said of The Riverfront, site of l... 12/16/2012

SALES ARE UP! New home sales are up at The Riverfront at Harbour View and Founders Pointe, two waterfront communities in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. Since the beginiing of 2010, there have been 162 single family home sales* in the two communities! New homes range from the $300's to over $1 million in both The Riverfront and Founders Pointe.    In the last thirty-five months, The Riverfront at Harbour View has seen 121 single family home sales, with 97 of them coming since January of 2011, an astounding number since we've experienced a somewhat sluggish real estate market in the region.     Founders Pointe has had over 40 new home sales since it hosted the Homearama in 2010. Home styles range from Craftsman Cottage, Coastal, French Country, to timeless Traditionals. Ten Featured ... 12/07/2012

 Every year when the leaves have turned, hundreds of adults, teens, children, … and even dogs, gather in The Riverfront at Harbour View community for an annual 3.1 mile trek to raise money for the local chapter of the Humane Society. This past Saturday, November 17, 2012, almost two hundred participants (and a few canine companions), came together for the 9th Annual Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk raising more than $3,500 for this great cause. The Riverfront at Harbour View is a waterfront, golf course community overlooking the Nansemond and James Rivers in northern Suffolk just 2 miles from the Monitor Merrimac Bridge Tunnel. Located in the heart of Hampton Roads, The Riverfront is mere minutes from Newport News, Hampton, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach and Norfolk, yet a lifetime away... 11/22/2012

TowneBank Campus Expands at The Riverfront The TowneBank campus, located at front of The Riverfront at Harbour View community along Harbour View Boulevard in Suffolk, Virginia, has welcomed it’s newest addition, the 16,000 square foot TowneBank University. The Riverfront at Harbour View is an award winning, golf and waterfront community being developed by East West Partners of Virginia. This impressive building, complete with interior rotunda, will provide a venue for seminars, meetings and classroom training for employees of the bank and it’s business family members, Prudential Towne Realty, Towne Investment Group, TownBank Mortgage, Towne Insurance and TFA Benefits. “Towne University represents a milestone in the history of our Towne family and will serve as the cornerstone of the fut... 11/19/2012

  This weekend, you can tour six brand new homes in FOUNDERS POINTE, a new waterfront community located near the town of Smithfield, Virginia. With lots starting at $90,000 and new homes starting in the $390's, you'll quickly discover why over 165 families have relocated to this award winning community. To see the six homes featured today, visit http://www.founderspointe.com/hometour/                                     The Sales & Information Center Model is Open 7 days a week. Contact Mark Edwards or Donita Frantz with                                       East West Realty for more information at 757-238-9009     For Information about East West Partners’ communities, visit www.eastwestcommunities.com. Discover the best in lifestyle communities at Founders Pointe, Eagle Harbor, Libert... 09/29/2012

Free First Time Homebuying Classes -must rsvp STOP DREAMING OF HOMEOWNERSHIP AND MAKE IT REALITY! When: 2 day class- Wed and Thursday, October 10th and 11th , 2012 5-8pm Where: Greenbrier Library Conference Room 1214 Volvo Pkwy, Chesapeake, VA   Must rsvp to Dee Dee Jones 757-831-8294   *this class is required for VHDA, Sparc, and NHP programs, check with your lender or call 757-831-8294 for more info. Must Attend both days to obtain certificate. Are you thinking about buying a home, but not sure where to start - this class goes over the entire homebuing process from credit and qualifying, to home shopping, to closing. Taught by professionals to insure you have a clear picture of the process from A to Z. Learn the difference between shortsales, resale, and foreclosure properties. more i... 09/24/2012

On the road again....special delivery I woke up this morning in my hotel room in Chesapeake Virginia after a long ride yesterday.  I left home at 6AM yesterday and arrived here around 5PM.   Whew, what a ride. The reason?  Delivery of birthday gifts for my great Grandson Scott Allen Raymondi III and his sister Hannah Rose Raymondi .  Scotty’s birthday was September 17 and he was 2.  Hannah’s birthday is October 4th and she will be one.  I brought birthday gifts for them from me and also gifts from my son Scott and his wife Veronica. My Grandson Scott Allen Raymondi Jr is living in Portsmouth Va with his kids and wife Stephanie while he is in the US Navy assigned to an aircraft carrier currently docked there. I brought dinner to them last night and little Scotty (they call him Tre since ... 09/21/2012

Shopping for a New Home? Often Times, Planned Communities Offer More   What are Some of the Benefits of Living in a Master Planned Community? There are many reasons why today's homebuyers are seeking planned communities as a place to call home. It's not always about price. Some buyers are finding out that the so called "right price" is not necessarily also the "right home", or neighborhood for their family. Many of today's homebuyers in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia are searching for a sense of belonging....a place they can enjoy recreation and have a lot of fun things to do without leaving their neighborhood. Yes, they want a fair value, but they also want value, quality, and good customer service from their builder. Most people seem to long for a safe place to live, a place to ra... 09/20/2012

        Since 1972, East West Communities has been developing award-winning communities and resorts in seven states across America. The success story started when the original partners were a group of young real estate professionals working for one of the nation’s premier resort developers, Sea Pines Company on Hilton Head Island. The company purchased land outside Richmond, Virginia, with unprecedented plans of building a community that would offer a vacation lifestyle for everyday living. The first community, Brandermill, became home to 4,400 families and was named the “Best Planned Community in America” in 1977 by Better Homes and Gardens Magazine and the National Association of Homebuilders. The second community, Woodlake, also near Richmond, was chosen “Best Planned Community in A... 09/16/2012

Buying a Home: Prepare by Getting your Finances in Order For those considering buying a home, the current real estate market presents some unique opportunities. One of the side effects of the economic roller coaster ride of the past few years is that home prices have gone down and more homes have gone on the market. For buyers, that means more choices and better deals. However, those same tumultuous years can also teach buyers a lesson: Make smart buying decisions and be wise with your finances. Impulsive buying is never a good idea when it comes to a purchase as significant as a home. You need to be absolutely certain that your finances are in order, and healthy, to be able to get the best deal on your purchase. There are a number of steps you can take to get ready to buy a home. If yo... 08/27/2012

I have a wonderful brother who is a retired attorney. I tease him that 'the hired gun' in the family is no longer the hired gun! However, when it comes to legalities where he and his wife are concerned, he still comes out blazing with both holsters! He just appealed his home's tax assessed value and came out 'sort of a winner'.  Bottom line:  We never win against any goverment entity 100% but if we can get them to bend a little, then we should consider that a victory. He got his county to bend by 50% on what he actually thought he could prove his home is actually worth. I often tell my young buyers that they should take their appraisal from their closing and the  HUD-1 settlement statement with them to the county seat of their new home and find out what they need to do in order to file... 08/20/2012

I got the memo too late but for those of you just starting your school shopping this weekend is tax free.. According to the Norfolk Examiner....... If you live in Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia, forget your coin purse at home, the this weekend is tax-free. Shoppers in these states will not have to pay state or local sales taxes on clothing and other retail products below a set price. The tax holiday legislation was passed in hopes of stimulating the economy, but last year’s tax-free weekend saw plenty of shoppers but few sales despite the plethora of “sale,” “savings,” and “discount” signs. Legislators and retailers hope this year will see an improvement.  T... 08/02/2012

Cheshire Forest Chesapeake Virginia Cheshire Forest in Chesapeake, Virginia is a popular home buying option for people relocating to Hampton Roads.  Cheshire Forest is a large neighborhood (+500 homes) in the Great Bridge area of Chesapeake and features winding roads shaded by mature trees.  Cheshire Forest is primarily comprised of higher end homes but there are some that more modestly priced.  Homes alternate between two and one story and many of the homes have inground swimming pools.  There are a couple of man-made lakes within the Cheshire Forest community which provide some great opportunities for kayaking and also are a lovely place for local water fowl to call home. Most of the homes in Cheshire Forest have four bedrooms, although there are many with 3 and 5 bedrooms.  Exteriors... 07/06/2012

Etheridge Lakes Chesapeake Virginia Etheridge Lakes in Chesapeake, Virginia is one the most popular neighborhoods for people to call home when relocating to Hampton Roads.  Etheridge Lakes is part of the expansive interwoven neighborhoods in the Hickory area of Chesapeake which boast one of the most highly rated school systems in the area.  Etheridge Lakes is comprised of primarily higher end homes but there are some that more modestly priced.  Two story homes are the norm in Etheridge Lakes and many of the homes have inground swimming pools.  There are several man-made lakes within the Etheridge Lakes community which provide some great opportunities for kayaking and also are a lovely place for local water fowl to call home. Etheridge Lakes does not have a Homeowners' Association and th... 07/06/2012

Emerald Greens Chesapeake Virginia Emerald Greens in Chesapeake, Virginia is one of the most lovely neighborhoods that Chesapeake, Virginia has to offer.  Emerald Greens gets its name from the fact that the stately homes of Emerald Greens are nestled around Greenbrier Country Club's 18-hole golf course.  Emerald Greens is a custom home community with a variety of floor plans that will meet the needs of any household.  Most of the homes within Emerald Greens are two-story, however, some have rooms on a third floor and there are a few ranch homes.  There are several that have a first floor master bedroom.  Backyard swimming pools are a common feature but above ground pools are not allowed within the neighborhood. The homeowners' association for Emerald Greens ensures that the homes within... 07/05/2012

Forest Lakes Chesapeake Virginia Forest Lakes in Chesapeake, Virginia is one of my most favorite neighborhoods in Chesapeake. The curving roads that wind through this neighborhood are named primarily after trees such as Oak, Cherry and Birch.  The two man-made lakes within the neighborhood provide a popular rooste for local water fowl and herons and egrets are frequently sighted on the banks of the lakes.  If you walk through Forest Lakes on any morning, you will hear the sound of birds as they welcome the day. View Forest Lakes in Chesapeake Virginia in a larger map The homes in Forest Lakes mostly have two stories, however, a few ranch homes can be found within the neighborhood.  Brick and vinyl siding are the most common exteriors for homes within Forest Lakes.  Most homes have 4 bed... 07/05/2012

Cedarwood in Chesapeake, Virginia has long been a favorite neighborhood for people moving to Hampton Roads. It is understandable why this is the case when you take a look at what Cedarwood has to offer. Cedarwood is centrally located in the Great Bridge section of Chesapeake and is comprised of two sections from the condos in the Cedarwood Road side of the development to the lovely, large homes ranging from 4-5 bedroom ranch and two story homes.  There is truly something for all tastes and budgets within the Cedarwood neighborhood of Chesapeake, Virginia. Some of the homes border a man-made lake over which stunning sunsets can be enjoyed as you relax in your backyard. The non-condo neighborhood of Cedarwood does not have a POA and the fees associated with a POA.  However, that does not ... 07/05/2012